Abstract: A drive shaft (41) is disclosed of the type having first and second sets of axially-disposed external crowned splines (39 and 43) for transmitting torque between first and second sets of internal straight splines (37 and 45). The sets of internal straight splines are relatively transversely disposed such that the drive shaft is disposed during operation at a running angle (A) relative to the axis (79) of the internal splines. Each of the external crowned splines includes a pair of tooth flanks joined at a root radius having a radius (R). The root radius (R) is related to the running angle (A) of the drive shaft by the equationR=C/A.sup.2In this equation, C is a constant for the particular drive shaft design, and is determined empirically to yield a minimum circular clearance between the external spline and the adjacent internal spline.

Abstract: A blocked jaw clutch assembly (156) of the type having sensor unblocking ramps (176, 178, 180, 182) is provided with structure tending to cause the blocking torque friction surface (188) carried by the blocker ring (124) to frictionally engage the blocking torque friction member (190) carried by the first jaw clutch member (108, 164, 188) with a circumferentially non-symetrical axial force.

Abstract: A drivetrain (12) includes a transaxle assembly (16) for driving ground engaging wheels of a land vehicle powered by an AC motor. The transaxle includes a ratio change section having planetary gear sets (24, 26) and brake assemblies (28, 30). Sun gears (60, 62) of the gear sets are directly and continuously connected to an input drive shaft (38) driven by the motor. A first drive (78a) directly and continuously connects a planetary gear carrier (78) of gear sets (24) with a ring gear (68) of gear set (26). A second drive (80a) directly and continuously connects a planetary gear carrier (80) of gear set (26) with a sun gear (64) of a final speed reduction gear set (34) having a planetary gear carrier directly and continuously connected to a differential (22). Brakes (28, 30) are selectively engageable to respectively ground a ring gear 66 of gear set 24 and ring gear 68 of gear set 26.

Abstract: A method for controlling an AMT system (10) is provided including sensing and identifying faulty input signals (GNS) from the gear neutral--not gear neutral sensor (76), and, if the signal is faulty, modifying the logic method for control (42) to a logic method tolerant of the identified faulty input signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a locking differential (10) including an oil lubricated clutch assembly (18) having a plurality of interleaved friction discs (48, 50, 60, and 62) formed of steel and squeezed together to retard relative rotation of differential side gears (32 and 34). Adjacent friction discs have mutually facing friction surfaces. One of each mutually facing friction surface is defined by the metal forming the disc and the other surface is defined by a pyrolytic carbon composite friction material (78). In one form, the friction material includes a meshed cloth substrate formed of carbon fibers, which may be woven into a single layer of cloth, and a coating of carbon deposited on the fibers by chemical vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh which is readily penetrated by an adhesive to improve bonding of the friction material to the discs.

Abstract: Four different versions of multi-position selector switches can be assembled from a kit of parts by selecting various combinations of the parts and assembling them into a housing consisting of an insulating case and cover. Inventory of parts is reduced by mutual use of some parts in two or more versions. The possible selector switch versions are a three position selector switch having three momentary pushbuttons for selectively closing two normally open contacts and opening a normally closed contact a two-position slector switch having two momentary pushbuttons for selectably closing a normally open contact or opening a normally closed contact, a three-position selector switch having three maintainable pushbuttons for selectively closing two normally open contacts and opening the same, and a three-position selector switch having three pushbuttons including a momentary pushbutton and two maintainable pushbuttons for selectively closing two normally open contacts and for opening the maintained contact.

Abstract: A pair of insulating base halves (26,28) are adapted for mutual engagement along respective open sides, one base half (26) containing stationary contacts (30,32,34) and an electrical bussing element (30) structurally interlocked with the base half and the other base half containing a speed control circuit board (40) and electrical connectors (56,58) biased into electrical engagement with the circuit board and forming push-in lead connectors with the stationary contacts and bussing element, a movable contact carrier (38) disposed between the base halves for sliding movement and having a movable contactor (64) engaging the stationary contacts and a wiping contact (66) engaging variable resistance (44,46) elements on the printed circuit board, the two base halves being interlocked (26k,28e) together along a lower edge and retained together along an upper edge by inserting them into a hollow housing (2) containing a depressible trigger operator (4,18) the insertion effecting a driving connection (18d,38k) between

Abstract: A U-shaped ferro-magnetic pole frame has a circular recess formed in the closed end thereof with a plurality of peripherally spaced raised lugs formed in the recess. A tubular ferro-magnetic pole piece, adapted for insertion into an electrical coil, has one end thereof clamped temporarily against the lugs and current is passed therethrough for effecting resistance welding of the pole piece to the pole frame and the clamp is then removed.

Abstract: An electromagnetic solenoid operated plastic bodied appliance inlet valve having the armature, poppet, spring, elastomeric valve seat and plastic armature guide installed as a sub-assembly onto the valve body and secured thereon in fluid pressure sealing arrangement by weldment of a plastic retainer thereon. The electro-magnetic coil and pole frame are installed as a separate assembly. In one embodiment the valve inlet has a metal insert retained in the body by insertion of a metal spring clip and the body closed by weldment of a plastic cover thereover. In another embodiment the insert is retained by an annular ring received over the insert and secured to the body by weldment. The metal insert receives a threaded compression-type tube fitting for attachment of the supply tube. Reaction torque on the insert from the tube fitting is absorbed by the valve mounting bracket which engages hexagonal surfaces on the exterior end of the metal insert.

Abstract: An improved control system for an automatic change gear transmission (10) driven by a throttle (18) controlled engine (12) is provided. The control system includes a processing unit (30) for receiving inputs indicating at least throttle position (18), engine speed (20) and vehicle speed (28) and for processing these inputs in accordance with a program to determine the correct engaged gear ratio and for issuing command signals to a transmission shifting mechanism (26). The processing unit includes a program having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation and is effective to operate in the second mode of operation after a shift until reset to the first mode of operation. The engine speeds (52, 48) at which downshifts and upshifts are commanded in the second mode of operation are modified from the normal engine speeds (42, 40) at which downshifts and upshifts are commanded in the first mode in accordance with the direction of the last shift.

Abstract: A drivetrain (48) for an electric passenger vehicle (10) includes a battery (40) for energizing a single-phase A.C. traction motor (18) which drives a ground engaging wheel (12) through a multispeed transaxle (20). The motor is characterized by an external ferrite permanent magnet rotor (26) drivingly engaging an input shaft (32) of the transaxle. The motor is controlled by an inverter circuit (44) and a control circuit (46) which generates switch command signals to reciprocally actuate power transistors (56) and (62) within the inverter circuit as a function of operator demand, rotor position and rotor speed. The control circuit includes a motor positioning circuit (442) which toggles the motor current when the rotor speed falls below a predetermined level to dither the rotor about a park position for a predetermined period. A prestart rotor positioner (224) is provided to mechanically lock the rotor in its park position to ensure the availability of a high electrical starting torque.

Abstract: A closed-loop motor speed control system is disclosed including a gerotor motor (11) having a gerotor gear set (51) operable to transmit rotational torque output by means of a main drive shaft (83) to an output shaft (13) by means of a set of splines (79) formed within a spool member (77). The spool member (77) and the housing section (49) cooperate to define a flow path from a fluid port (27) through the expanding and contracting volume chambers (67) of the gerotor (51), and to the fluid port (29). The motor (11) includes integral flow control capability. Rotation of a control shaft (43) and cam member (101) moves the spool member (77) from a position in which a passage (61) is in open communication with an annular groove (93) (FIG. 3) to a position in which such communication is restricted (FIG. 4).

Abstract: A thermostatic switch assembly with a diaphragm responsive to pressure generated in a fluid filled temperature sensing bulb-and-capillary. The diaphragm contacts and moves a pivoted lever having a beam spring cantilevered beam spring adjustably mounted thereon. Movement of the lower about its pivot causes the beam spring to effect actuation of a switch. Upon loss of fluid in the bulb and capillary, the diaphragm recedes and a stop remote from the lower pivot functions as an auxiliary pivot for the beam spring for effecting emergency switch actuations.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle assembly T is disclosed including a pump (11), a manifold portion (13), and right and left motor axle assemblies (15 and 17). Each of the motor axle assemblies includes a radial ball motor (41), the output of which is the input to a gear reduction section (53). Each gear reduction section (53) includes primary and secondary planetary gear sets (55) and (57) including a planet carrier (79) driving the respective axle shaft. The transaxle assembly T includes a locking differential and parking brake mechanism (87) which comprises an engagement mechanism (89) and an actuation mechanism (91). When the engagement mechanism (89) is disengaged, the motor assemblies (15) and (17) are free to operate at different speeds for normal differentiation. The actuation mechanism (91) can be actuated to either a locking differential mode (FIG. 8) or a parking brake mode (FIG. 9).

Abstract: A solid state switching circuit for energizing a lamp (L) is connected around a fuse (12) across an AC supply for detecting a voltage differential at the opposite sides of a blown fuse and applying that differential across the control (g) and switching (c) electrodes of the solid state switch (SCR) to render the same conductive. Current limiting resistors (RL1 and RL2) are placed in the ends of wire conductors which are to be connected at opposite sides of the fuse, thereby to limit current flowing in the conductors over the entire length of the conductor, minimizing electrical shock hazard upon damage to the conductor.

Abstract: A closed loop system for controlling exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in an automotive engine. An electrical program command signal from an on-board engine computer/controller actuator through a motor driven circuit, a stepper motor to turn an axial lead screw having a follower thereon connected to a rod for moving the valve poppet to control flow. An orifice plate with differential flow pressure taps is disposed in the EGR passage downstream of a flow control valve poppet. The differential pressure from the taps is sensed by a pressure responsive diaphragm. A stationary proximity sensor using an eddy current principle detects changes in position of the diaphragm and in response thereto generates an electrical feedback signal proportional to EGR flow through the orifice which compared with the command signal to generate a control signal for controlling the stepper motor.

Abstract: An assembly (19) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. Assembly (19) includes a spring assembly (20) and a vane damper assembly (22) disposed in parallel and immersed in automatic transmission fluid of a torque converter housing (24). The spring assembly (20) isolates driveline torsionals and the damper assembly dissipates the torsionals. The damper assembly (22) includes first and second relatively rotatable housing members (66,68) respectively connected to the spring assembly output (62b) and input (62a). Members (66,68) are also frictionally interconnected by surfaces (68a,74a). Housing members (66,68) define chambers (78a,78b) containing the transmission fluid and which vary inversely in volume in response to flexing of the spring assembly (20) by the driveline torsionals. As the chambers vary in volume, energy from the torsionals is converted to fluid pressure in the chambers decreasing in volume.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjusting tappet (10) for use in engine valve gear of the direct-acting type having one end of the tappet contacting the end (26) of the combustion chamber valve stem (22) and the other end contacting the camshaft lobe (16). The tappet has a body (34) formed with a tubular wall portion (36) having one end thereof closed by an end wall (38) and with a tubular hub (40) therewithin formed integrally with the end wall and extending axially therefrom. A lash adjuster assembly (44) is slidingly received in the tubular hub which defines a reaction surface (50) remote from the cam face reaction surface (18) defined by the end wall.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including a feed path for print medium to be imprinted. A printing station defined by a printhead that is biased towards abutting contact with a platen roller. A floating mount pivotally mounts the printhead with respect to the platen roller so that a uniform contact pressure is established between the printhead and print medium during printing. The printhead is also mounted for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the first axis which allows the printhead to move towards and away from the platen roller to facilitate loading of the print medium. A printhead sensor monitors the position of the head and automatically deactivates the printhead when it is about to be, or is separated, from the platen roller. A stripper mechanism is provided for automatically stripping a backing from the print medium and includes a stripper assist bar that causes the backing to follow, and frictionally engage, a peripheral region on the platen roller that is at least 90.degree..

Abstract: A releasable fastener (40) is provided that includes a base member (2) having a compressible portion (12) at one end adapted to be inserted into an opening in a panel or the like when compressed and to secure the fastener to the panel upon expansion and having means such as an open ended portion (6) extending from an opposite end thereof adapted to secure an article to the fastener as well as including a latch means (22) extending from body member (2) for engaging portion 12 and holding it in a compressed state to facilitate simultaneous removal of fasteners (40) from the panel opening when a plurality of such fasteners are involved.