Abstract: An antirotational means to prevent rotation of contacts retained in a dielectric insert during wire wrapping of the noncircular terminals attached thereto comprises a template 31 secured to the grommet of the assembly, the template having a plurality of apertures 35 therein and a plurality of grooves 37 therein cooperating with the apertures 35, and a plurality of locking elements 33 having lugs 41 thereon and a bore 43 therethrough, with the locking elements matable with the apertures of the template while the noncircular terminals 21 extend through the bore 43 to prevent rotation of the terminal 21 and contact 7, retained with a dielectric insert 3, during wire wrapping of the terminal.

Abstract: One piece socket (1) or pin type (37) electrical contacts are stamped from a sheet of resilient, electrically conductive material and rolled into a tubular body (3) having a center section (11, 39) of enlarged diameter which functions as a C spring and is radially compressed to insert or remove the contact from either the front or rear of a bore (33, 41) in a connector (31, 45). An annular groove (17, 47) in the center section (11, 39) engages a retention ring (35, 49) in the bore (33, 41) to lock the contact (1, 37) in place and the center section (11, 39) bears against the wall of the bore (33, 41) to stabilize the connection. The resilient fingers (19) forming the socket type contact (1) taper inward and then flare outward to form a funnel (21) which guides the pin (53) of a mating pin type contact (37) into a narrow neck (55) in the socket where it is wiped clean and firmly gripped.

Abstract: An anti-rotation feature is disclosed for preventing inadvertent disconnection of electrical connector assemblies of the type including mating plug and receptacle shells positioned in mating relationship with a surrounding coupling nut which threadedly engages one of the members and axially engages the other to draw the same into mating relationship upon rotation of the coupling nut. An elongated rod or axle extends chordally across the interior bore of the coupling nut member, with an axially movable element positioned on the axle by a pair of centering springs. The movable element is in engagement with a series of serrations formed about the periphery of one of the electrical connector components so that the centering springs resist relative rotation between the coupling nut and connector component until the spring resistance is overcome to allow relative rotation between the coupling nut member and the connector components.

Abstract: A breakerless distributor for an internal combustion engine ignition system in which a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (73, 75, 77, 79) equal to the number of engine cylinders are connected in series for simultaneous energization by the timing pulses. A phototransistor (83, 85, 87, 89) arranged in spaced, confronting relationship to each LED is connected to a silicon controlled rectifier (95) which triggers the energizing circuit (7, 9, 11, 13) for an individual spark plug (103) each time the phototransistor is turned on by emissions from its associated LED.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly in which the electrical connectors may be quickly and easily coupled and decoupled, with a mechanism for preventing accidental decoupling of the connectors as a result of vibration. The connector assembly includes first and second connectors, which are coupled by the provision of a coupling nut mounted on one connector and having an internal screw thread which is adapted to receive a screw thread on a second connector. The mechanism for preventing accidental decoupling includes a spring mounted to the coupling nut and having a plastic forward face for engaging ratchet teeth carried on the edge of the housing. The ratchet teeth are more steeply on the leading edge engaged during decoupling and more gradually angled on the leading edge during coupling, allowing for easy coupling and a greater resistance to decoupling.

Abstract: A terminal for mating the end of a high voltage cable with a standard receptacle comprises a flanged bushing extending along the cable and a ceramic sleeve which slides over the bushing and abuts the flange. A ferrule slidable on the cable and over the ceramic sleeve retains a single helical compression spring which bears against the bushing and ceramic sleeve to apply a preselected spring force to an electrical contact retained in the end of the ceramic sleeve. A resilient annular grommet slidably engages the exterior surface of the ceramic sleeve through an internal annular bead on the grommet and is axially compressed between the ferrule and a mating part on the receptacle to effect an altitude seal.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (10), having one or more electrical contacts (110) mounted therein, each contact (110) including a forward mating end (112) and a rear portion (114) adapted to mate with an insulated electrical conductor (210) without requiring the preparation of the insulated electrical conductor (210) by removal of the external insulation (212). The electrical contact in the assembly includes a plurality of fine, axially aligned wires (114) at the rear portion of the contact, with each wire having an acutely angled end portion (118). The acutely angled end portions of the fine wires project through the insulation (212) of the insulated electrical conductor (210) into the central conductor (214) to provide an electrical connection between the central (metallic) conductor (214) which is located proximate to, and transverse of, the axially aligned wires.

Abstract: A filter connector is disclosed with an adaptor member (14) which permits removal and replacement of the filter connector member (10) without individually disconnecting and reconnecting the wires (16). The filter connector member (10) is provided with a plurality of filter contacts (22) each having a mating end (pin 26) at the forward end and a mating end (pin 28) at the rear end. A filterless connector member (12) includes plural filterless contacts each having a wire receiving end (74) and a mating end (socket 72) adapted to mate with the pin (26) of the corresponding filter contact (22). An adaptor member (14) includes a plurality of filterless contacts (42) each having a wire receiving end (90) and having a mating end (socket 88) adapted to mate with the pin (28). The filterless contacts (42) in the adaptor (14) are individually removable and replaceable in the event of a malfunction in these contacts.

Abstract: An electrical contact 47 includes a tubular liner 1 stamped and rolled from a sheet of an electrically conductive material with an annular connector retention recess 13 provided in the external surface thereof between a mating end and a wire receiving end. One or more sleeves 21, 27 are telescoped over the liner 1 with at least one sleeve deformed in place into the annular recess 13. One of the sleeves 21 can be axially aligned preparatory to deforming it into the recess by an internal projection 25 which engages an annular groove 19 on the liner 1. A second sleeve can be axially aligned by lancing it to the liner 1 and by prick-punching the sleeve.

Abstract: An anti-vibration arrangement for resisting unthreading rotation between a coupling nut and mated components is disclosed, consisting of a deflectable mandrel extending in a radial plane chordally across an interior bore formed in the coupling nut, which mandrel mounts a slidable ball. The mandrel passes adjacent an outer surface portion of one of the electrical connector components defining a clearance space of a smaller dimension than the ball, while the ball is axially positioned in frictional engagement with the surface portion on either side of the clearance space. Rotation of the nut is resisted only minimally in a direction tending to move the ball away from the clearance space while tending to be wedged by rotation in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly that is readily coupled or uncoupled is provided with means for retarding premature uncoupling thereof. The connector assembly comprises a first shell 100 having a flange 140 thereabout and bosses 111 on the periphery thereof adjacent the flange, and a coupling nut 300 that has stop members 311 on the inner wall thereof. A spring 500 is situate between the flange 140 of the first shell 100 and the end wall 305 of the coupling nut, with the stop members preventing rotational movement of the spring 500 relative to the coupling nut 300, while the bosses 111 retard movement of the spring 500 relative to the first shell 100.

Abstract: A method of making an electrical contact wherein the contact includes a plurality of axially aligned wires (200) extending from a forward end (110) of a holder which has a rear portion (130) for receiving an electrical conductor (300). The holder (100) is manufactured by stamping it as a flat metallic piece with enlarged forward and rear portions then forming the forward portion (110) in a die to form a socket like portion for the plurality of fine, axially aligned wires and forming the rear portion (130) to receive the conductor (300).

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly, wherein contacts contained therein are shielded from electromagnetic interference. A coupling nut 300 unites a first metal shell 100 having a flange 140 thereabout, with the flange 140 having a first groove 180 formed in the face thereof, and a cooperating groove 190 formed about the periphery of the front section of the shell 100, and a second metal shell 200 having an end wall 220. A metal to metal contact is assured between the flange 140 of the first shell 100 and the end wall 220 of the second shell by means of a resilient metal strap 500 positioned with said grooves, with the leg portion 510 in first groove 180 in contact with the end wall 220 and the stem portion 520 situated in cooperating groove 190 contacting the front section of the first shell 100 and front section of the second shell 200. The strap 500 is preferably formed with grooves 530 therein, adjacent grooves 530 extending from opposite sides of the strap to give the strap 500 a sinuous shape.

Abstract: An electrical contact (10) for an electrical connector including a sleeve (20) and a plurality of axially-aligned fine wires (30), with each wire having an acutely angled end portion (32) at one end thereof and with the plurality of wires secured together at the other end to form a bundle (40). Preferably, the wires are secured together by a weld (50) formed by a capacitor (210) discharging across a gap (300) to the wires, although other securing methods could be used. The bundle (40) of wires then may be inserted into the sleeve of the contact (10) with the angled ends (32) forward in the sleeve (20) and the weld (50) rearward in the sleeve. Said sleeve then is crimped inwardly (25) forward of, or including, the welded portion, to hold the bundle (40) in place within the sleeve.

Abstract: A sealing grommet for sealing the wires extending from contacts, retained in a dielectric insert of an electrical connector assembly, to protect the contacts from moisture. The sealing grommet 19 has a plurality of axial passages 33 therethrough which communicate with axial bores 7 in the dielectric insert 3 which contains the contacts 5, and wires 27 pass through the passages 33. First sealing webs 37 and second sealing webs 39 extend inwardly from wall 35 towards the axis of the passages 33 and provide a moisture seal for contacts 5 contained within the insert 3 while providing for use of wires of varying diameters in a single grommet.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed with a coupling nut (14) of the bayonet type for the connector bodies (10, 12) and an improved locking means (16) for the coupling nut. A resilient detent element (82) is disposed in a bayonet ramp groove (54) of the coupling nut (14) so as to be deflected and engaged by the corresponding bayonet pin (32) on one of the connector bodies when the coupling nut is tightened sufficiently to draw the connector bodies into abutting relationship.

Abstract: A temperature compensated resistive oxygen sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. On the surface of the sensor there are disposed in spaced relation three electrodes. One electrode and a portion of a second electrode is completely covered by a layer of a resistive material which is sensitive to changes in temperature. Another layer of resistive material which is sensitive to both changes in temperature and changes in the partial pressure of oxygen in the gas to which it is exposed covers the first resistive layer as well as the third electrode and the remaining portion of the second electrode. It is also a feature of the present invention that these layers are applied by shielding part of the surface of the sensor and applying the first layer by a hot thin-layer technique and by removing the shield and applying the second layer also by a hot thin-layer technique.

Abstract: A fuel control system for an electronically controlled fuel injected internal combustion engine, whereby fuel is injected into the cylinders for a fixed number of degrees with respect to the crankshaft rotation. A trigger pulse is fed into a tachometer circuit (32) giving a DC ramp output with respect to speed. A portion of this ramp signal is fed into a monostable circuit (31) whose output pulse duration is now speed dependent and remains constant in degrees of engine crankshaft as the speed of the crankshaft increases. By adjusting the slope of DC ramp output fed into the monostable circuit (31), the fuel "on" time may be set to any fixed number of engine crankshaft degrees desired for a particular engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining an electrical signal which is a function of the 0.sub.2 content of the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. Two resistors (1 and 3) are exposed to the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. Both resistors (1 and 3) have a resistance which varies as a function of the temperature of the exhaust gas to which it is exposed. However, the resistance of one of the resistors (1) also varies as a function of the oxygen content in the exhaust gas. Therefore, by applying a voltage to the resistors an electrical signal can be obtained which is a function of the O.sub.2 content of the exhaust gas, with the temperature effect of the exhaust gas on the network output being minimized or eliminated. The resistors (1 and 3) that form the sensing elements (10) are connected in series to other resistors to form a first and second resistor network which is connected together in parallel circuit relationship.

Abstract: A temperature compensated oxygen sensor has a generally cylindrical first insulator with an axial bore extending therethrough which is counterbored at one end. A second cylindrical insulator is retained in the bore in the first insulator either by a radial inwardly directed flange on the second end of the first insulator or by a radial outwardly directed flange on one end of the second insulator which seats in the counterbore of the first insulator. A titania resistor and a compensating resistor are mounted on the second end of the second insulator by leads extending through longitudinal bores in a second cylindrical insulator and into the counterbore in the first insulator. The leads are connected to terminals which are retained in the counterbore either by a chemical bonding agent or by a third cylindrical insulator through which the terminals extend. The third insulator can be secured either by mechanical means and/or by a chemical bonding agent including a glass preform.