Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Gregory J Johnson

Vivek Mehta

Daniel J Richardson

Susan Jean Lane

Theodore R Vasilow

Sidney W Eisenberg

Bernard J Busovne, Jr

A driver override of a cruise control system is detected and employed to suitably alter the powertrain controls. A driver override of the cruise control system is detected by a lack of correspondence between the engine throttle position and the cruise control servo position, taking into account any hysteresis and lash which may occur in the linkage coupling the servo to the throttle. The lash is determined by storing the measured servo position whenever the measured throttle position is equal to a predefined value, and the controller responds during a detected driver override by instituting normal or noncruise related control parameters. This control permits the cruise control parameters to yield smooth control without unnecessary shifting while retaining a more responsive control during driver override conditions.

Driver override control logic for a motor vehicle powertrain control

A roll stabilizing system for vehicle wheel spring suspension includes piston and cylinder units mounted between the chassis and respective suspension control arms at opposite sides of the vehicle to counteract roll of the vehicle sprung mass during cornering maneuvers. A single ended piston rod in each cylinder unit defines pressure chambers of unequal cross-sectional area and adverse affects of such inequality on the suspension system are prevented by a force compensating hydraulic circuit including additional piston and cylinder combinations responsive to hydraulic pressures sustained in the suspension control arm hydraulic units.

Hydraulic stabilizing system for vehicle suspension

A brake lining wear sensor includes a metal contact secured to a grounded brake lining support plate through a semiconductor ceramic bushing containing silicon carbide and silicon nitride which establishes an electrical resistance between the contact and the support plate so that the contact has a resistance to ground when the brake lining is not worn, but when the brake lining is worn and the contact touches a grounded brake rotor or drum, a short to ground occurs. The sensor is coupled by a lead wire to an indicator circuit which tests for the resistance value in the circuit path to ground to determine whether the contact is connected to the indicator circuit and whether it is electrically grounded to the rotor. An indicator lamp comprises a tri-color LED to emit different colors signifying a normal condition, an open circuit or a worn brake lining condition.

Brake lining wear sensor and indicator circuit

A brake lining wear sensor includes a metal contact secured to a grounded brake lining support plate through a semiconductive ceramic bushing containing silicon carbide and silicon nitride which establishes an electrical resistance between the contact and the support plate so that the contact has a resistance to ground when the brake lining is not worn, but when the brake lining is worn and the contact touches a grounded brake rotor or drum, a short to ground occurs. The sensor is coupled by a lead wire to an indicator circuit which senses the resistance value in the circuit path to ground to determine whether the contact is connected to the indicator circuit and whether it is electrically grounded to the rotor. An indicator lamp comprises a tri-color LED to emit different colors signifying a normal condition, an open circuit, or a worn brake lining condition.

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Grand Blanc, MI, United States of America

Gregory J Johnson