Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

John M Mackovjak

Robert L Nisonger

Janet S Goings

Sam M Karadsheh

Christopher James Martone

Scott D Morrison

Marvin J Hyma

Mario B Kennedy

A method of selective, automatic application of one rear brake of a motor vehicle under appropriate vehicle operating conditions in response to intent of a driver to make a turn, whereby the rotational speed of the selected braked rear wheel is reduced so as to reduce the turn radius of the vehicle. Vehicle sensor outputs and calculated parameters in conjunction with vehicle systems such as, but not limited to, ESC, ABS, and traction control are used to determine if appropriate vehicle operating conditions exist to actuate the present invention. The method of the present invention is implemented via an algorithmic control, preferably within an ESC system.

Method to reduce the turn radius of motor vehicles utilizing automatic single side rear brake application

A dynamic absorber suspension strut includes a sealed hydraulic damper mounted in an outer tube. An absorber mass is supported on a spring inside the outer tube. The absorber mass divides an interior of the outer tube into first and second fluid chambers. A fluid conduit is provided between the chambers. A control valve controls fluid flow in the fluid conduit to provide a desired damping of wheel hop frequencies. The damper is tuned to provide a desired damping of body frequencies.

Dynamic absorber suspension strut

A rear wheel steering system in which the rear steering command is retrieved from a three dimensional (3D) lookup table as a function of both front wheel steering angle and vehicle speed in normal operating modes, and from a two dimensional (2D) lookup table as a function of front wheel steering angle without regard to the vehicle speed under conditions where the vehicle speed information is deemed not credible. If the measured vehicle speed is judged to be not credible, it is replaced with an estimated or recently measured credible vehicle speed value, and the replacement value is then used in connection with the measured front wheel steering angle signal to retrieve a rear wheel steering command from the 3D lookup table. However, when the front wheels have been returned to the straight ahead position, the rear wheel steering angle command is retrieved from the 2D lookup table as a sole function of the measured front wheel steering angle. When the vehicle speed signal abnormality is corrected and the front wheels are returned to the straight ahead position, the system reverts to the normal operating mode in which the rear steering command is retrieved from the 3D lookup table as a function of both the front wheel steering angle and the measured vehicle speed.

Rear wheel steering angle control method

Vehicle suspension strut with quick take-apart upper mount featuring a jounce bumper retainer which can be turned from a locked to an unlocked position and axially removed for jounce bumper service and to allow access to service the strut through the engine compartment so that the expense of removing the strut and spring is eliminated. The design effectively eliminates prior upper spring seat designs and is simple and inexpensive and readily accommodates high service loads.

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Romeo, MI, United States of America

John M Mackovjak