Abstract: A low voltage inhibiting circuit for use with a microcomputer in which a reset signal is applied during power-up or whenever the voltage of an unregulated source to a regulated supply drops below a predetermined threshold level. The reset signal is removed whenever the voltage from the unregulated source is restored to a value which is above a second predetermined threshold value defined as being above the first threshold value and after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An electrical power disconnect switch is disclosed which provides for mechanical or manual tripping operation, as well as electrical or automatic tripping operation. The switch includes a latch pin, a switch body including a handle member, and fixed and movable contacts. A biasing spring biases the contacts to an open position. The latch pin has an electrical trip coil surrounding it to cause the latch pin to releasably hold the switch body in a position such that the contacts are closed. The latch pin is retracted from the switch body by manual depression of a handle member, causing the contacts to open. Alternatively, the latch pin is released from the switch body to open the contacts when current ceases to flow through the electrical trip coil. The current flowing through the electrical trip coil is supplied from a protection circuit. In an automobile application, the protection circuit may be, for example, a hood open or crash detection circuit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided, for use in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine (10) and a battery (38), for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy for charging the battery, the apparatus being disposed within the engine crankcase (22). The apparatus includes a stator (14), disposed within the engine crankcase (22), having a plurality of teeth (34). Each tooth on the stator has a coil (36) wound thereabout electrically connected to the battery (38). The apparatus also includes a crankshaft (12) disposed within the engine crankcase (22) for rotation relative to the stator (14). The crankshaft (12) includes a plurality of lobes (30.sub.1-4), which periodically move into close proximity with the stator teeth (34) upon rotation of the crankshaft, thereby inducing a current in the coils (36) for charging the battery (38).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for undercutting the insulation material below the surface of adjacent commutator bars on the armature of a direct current motor. A focused laser beam is directed substantially normal to the commutator surface. The beam can be delivered to the surface of the commutator by several different beam focusing and shaping technologies. The high energy beam is scanned over the surface as the armature is held in a fixture and allowed to rotate about its axis to cause the ablation of a predetermined amount of insulative material from between the commutator bars. A high pressure air nozzle is directed at the surface of the armature to remove particles ablated from the surface of the armature by the process.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for electrically detecting the location of bond failure and wire breakage occurring during tensile strength testing of a wire sample having first and second bond foots affixed to respective first and second support pads. The method and apparatus monitors the voltage levels of first and second electrically conductive probes. The first probe has a primary lead in electrical contact with the first support pad and a secondary lead in electrical contact with the first bond foot. Similarly, the second electrically conductive probe has a primary lead in electrical contact with the second support pad and a secondary lead in electrical contact with the second bond foot. Voltage detection circuitry is provided in electrical contact with the first and second probes for detecting the voltage level at each of the respective primary and secondary leads to generate the respective corresponding output signals.

Abstract: A tandem Coil armature in which a pair of spaced-apart field coils [91,92] are wound on bobbins [12,14] mounted within a set of magnetic core pieces [16,18,20,22]. Two L-shaped conductors [27,28] pass through passageways through the core pieces and connect the windings to slip-rings [72,74]. Insulated conductor carriers [31,32,37,38] sized to mate with passageways and recesses in the core pieces support the L-shaped conductors and electrically insulate them from the magnetic core piece material. The core pieces are mounted for rotation with the rotor shaft [10] and include interleaved claws at their periphery which form the rotors magnetic poles.

Abstract: The operating speed of a motor vehicle alternator is controlled based on the frequency of power generated by the alternator. Since the frequency of the alternator power is representative of engine speed, the alternator is shifted between a high speed gear train for low engine speeds and a low speed gear train for high engine speeds. When shifting to the high speed gear train, it is only partially engaged for a brief initial time period to more gradually accelerate the alternator armature toward the corresponding high operating speed. Preferably, initial clutch pull-in is sensed to start the partial engagement period of the high speed gear train. The load on the alternator drive during shifts to high speed operation is further reduced by turning the alternator field current off prior to partially engaging the high speed gear train.

Abstract: An analog circuit provides selectable current control and power limiting for a connected load. A current control loop is combined with a voltage/power control loop to generate a current level signal via an output transistor to control current flow through a load. Current through a load is monitored with the current control loop maintaining current flow through the load at a selected value. If a selected power level is exceeded, the current is reduced by the voltage/power control loop. Voltage monitoring and feedback is used to control the operating power for a power level control operational amplifier and thereby maintain a selected power level. By providing multiple, voltage dependent gains in the voltage feedback loop, a piecewise linear approximation of a desired power curve can be obtained.

Abstract: An electrical generator (10) having particular utility as a vehicle alternating generator includes a planetary gear set (32) for providing counter rotation of a pair of fields (80,82) with respect to a coil (60) so as to provide high power output even at relatively low speeds of driving without providing excessive rotational speed at high speeds of driving. In one embodiment, the planetary gear set (32) includes a ring gear (36), a sun gear (44), and a planet carrier (50) whose planet gears (52) rotate about associated axes parallel to the rotational axis A about which the planetary gear set operates. In another embodiment, the planetary gear set has a bevel gear construction including first and second bevel gears (36',44') rotatable about the rotational axis of the planetary gear set and meshed with bevel type planet gears (52') of the planet carrier (50') so that the two field (80',82') have counter rotation with respect to each other at the same rotational speed.

Abstract: System and method for high-speed, high-accuracy control of a multiphase motor in a vehicle having a DC power supply in response to a motor command signal, the system being a substantially digital implementation. The system includes programmable digital logic for generating a digital desired phase current signal for a particular motor phase. A signal indicative of the actual current in the particular motor phase is generated. The system includes comparators for comparing the desired phase current signal with the actual phase current signal and generating a digital error signal based on the difference between the desired and actual phase current signals. Additionally, the system includes an inverter, including a plurality of switches, for generating the actual current in the particular motor phase from the DC power supply. Based on the digital error signal, the digital logic generates a digital switch state output signal to control the operating state of the inverter.

Abstract: A regulator and brush holder assembly having a regulator assembly attachable to an alternator adjacent to the alternator's slip rings and a housing attached to the regulator assembly. The housing has a brush holder portion and a regulator compartment enclosing the regulator circuit of the regulator assembly. The brush holder portion has a pair of spatially separated brush holder compartments and a pigtail chamber associated with each brush holder. The associated brush holder compartments and the associated pigtail chambers have an open end and a closed end and are connected by a slot. Brush terminals are attached to the housing and extend into the open end of the pigtail chambers. A carbon brush is slidably received in each brush holder cavity and its pigtail connection is connected to the associated brush terminal through the slot.

Abstract: An improved terminal for electrical connection to an alternator includes a connecting plate formed as portion of a radiator plate including recesses adapted to receive diodes for use in forming a rectifier bridge. The rectifier bridge assembly comprises a plastic housing that is insert molded over the radiator plate including louvers for passing cooling air past the diodes. The connector plate includes an opening to receive the stem of an enlarged headed fastener before the plastic body is formed around the radiator plate. Before molding, the bolt is pressed by a mold insert against the contact plate so the stem extends outwardly within an axially extending, circumferentially interrupted wall formed by the molding process.

Abstract: A brush device, comprising a brush holder and a brush assembly, for providing electrical contact with a moving part while suppressing electrical noise generated during the interaction of the brush device with the moving part. The brush holder includes a housing adapted to receive a brush assembly within the housing, and noise suppression arrangement, mounted on the housing and electrically connected to a brush assembly, for suppressing electrical noise generated during the interaction of the brush assembly and the moving part by providing an inductive impedance in the electrical path of the brush assembly. The brush holder may further include a connector cap, electrically connected to the noise suppression arrangement, adapted to provide a mating connection between the noise suppression arrangement and an external connector. The brush assembly is positioned within the housing such that sliding electrical contact is made with the moving part.

Abstract: A vehicle rear signal light assembly (16) of the high mounted type is mounted within a rear roof header (18) of a roof panel (12) to shine a light signal from a source (40) through a lens (38) aligned with an opening (36) in an obscuration band (34) of an upper rear window edge portion (28) covering an outwardly opening flanged construction of the roof header. The signal light assembly (16) by utilizing existing vehicle structure does not intrude into the interior space of the occupant compartment either at its storage shelf or its headroom. Different embodiments of the signal light assembly (16,16a,16b) provide a brake signal, turn signals, and both brake and turn signals. The light source (40) may be either an electric bulb that shines through a lens (38) or one or more light emitting diodes (56) that shine through the lens which is aligned with the opening (36) in the obscuration band (40) through which the signal shines.

Abstract: Thirty-sixth order harmonic noise generation is suppressed in an automotive-type alternator generator by forming a countersink in the leading edge of a through bolt bore to provide a transversely abutting conical surface to the flange of a through bolt which is used to retain the housing elements.

Abstract: A potentiometric position transducer comprises a resistive track movably mounted within a housing. A portion of the resistive track is between two fixed electrical contact points. A third electrical contact is moveable over such portion, corresponding to the position or setting of an exterior device, such as the throttle of an internal combustion engine. Drive means are provided to move the resistive track, to repeatedly substitute new portions of the resistive track between the two fixed contact points. Wear is spread over the entire resistive track.

Abstract: An electrical control system for a voltage sensitive load having switch means for selecting from single or multiple rectified phases of a multi-phase alternator/generator to provide multiple output levels of DC voltage.

Abstract: A backlit switch for use on the instrument panel of an automotive vehicle that eliminates virtual images in the line of sight of a vehicle operator. The switch provides a legend which is spaced back from a clear transparent lens element and oriented to have its normal below the normal of the lens element. The lens element provides an actuation surface which is substantially normal to the force exerted by the operator's finger.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for periodically checking the ground path resistance value of a crash sensor connection to chassis ground and determining if the resistance exceeds a predetermined maximum acceptable value.

Abstract: An audio speaker configured for simple manual or automatic robotic insertion into an enclosure aperture so that it will be electrically connected to an audio signal transmission medium and retained within the enclosure. The speaker includes a latching mechanism and a pair of coplaner electrically conductive contact pads concentrically oriented and disposed on the back of the speaker. The pads are disposed so as to contact a pair of relatively fixed electrical terminals mounted on the enclosure, independent of any rotational orientation of the speaker.