Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Gerald A Gaeth

Richard Kremer Riefe

Russell L Herlache

Gregory P Ruth

James Richard Salois

Steven W Sherrill

Joseph P Brigham

The invention provides a locking pin for a steering column lock assembly. The locking pin includes a dual taper defined by the first and second truncated cone portions. The first truncated cone portion narrows at a first angle and the second truncated cone portion narrows at a second angle, wherein the first and second angles are different from one another. The second angle can be less than the first angle. The dual taper of the locking pin reduces the likelihood that extreme torsion will not induce camming forces urging the locking pin out of engagement with a locking plate connected to the steering shaft.

Dual taper steering column lock bolt

A steering column assembly moveable along an axis to an extended and retracted position and having a hand wheel tiltable about a pivot axis between tilted and untilted positions is provided. A control mechanism limits the degree of tilting movement of the hand wheel so that while the steering column assembly is in the extended position, the steering column is tiltable to the first maximum tilt angle, and while in the retracted position, the steering column is tiltable to the second maximum tilt angle. The second maximum tilt angle is less than the first maximum tilt angle to prevent the steering column assembly from interfering with any portion of a vehicle.

Position depend tilt and telescoping steering column

A length adjustable motor vehicle steering column including a tubular first mast jacket element, a tubular second mast jacket element telescopically overlapping the first mast jacket element, a plurality of elastic rolling elements squeezed between linear tracks on the first and second mast jacket elements, a separator having a plurality of cells loosely receiving the elastic rolling elements and maintaining relative spacing therebetween, and a plurality of smaller inelastic rolling elements suspended by the separator between the linear tracks on the first and second mast jacket elements. The elastic rolling elements eliminate lash between the first and second mast jacket elements and support the first mast jacket element on the second mast jacket element for low friction relative linear translation. The inelastic rolling elements define positive stops which limit deformation of the elastic rolling elements and flexure of the steering column perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline thereof.

Motor vehicle steering column

An electrically operated air pump for supplying air to the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine having a central mounting plate which is integral with the electric motor assembly. The armature shaft of the electric motor drives an impeller within a working chamber defined by an impeller housing and one side of the mounting plate. A silencer housing encloses the motor assembly and contains an air circuit for channeling air to and from the working chamber of the pump. The air circuit contains a solenoid operated air valve for restriction of outlet air, and sound insulation means for external sound reduction. The central mounting plate, impeller, impeller housing, and silencer housing are constructed of a polymeric material which allows complex features to be molded into the part thereby minimizing machining and assembly complexity.

Electric motor-driven impeller-type air pump

In an air pump vane assembly, the vane hub is both staked to the vane blade and clinched to the vane blade.

Growing community of inventors

Frankenmuth, MI, United States of America

Gerald A Gaeth