Abstract: An electronic multichip module suitable for use in a hostile environment. The module includes a metallic base member and a metallic cover hermetically and metallically sealed to the base member, the base member and cover together forming an enclosure. Spaced metallic support members are located within the enclosure and a plurality of integrated circuit units are stacked, in sandwich fashion, between the support members. The integrated circuit units each include a metal plate extending between the support members and an integrated circuit chip mounted thereon in heat conductive relationship. The metal plate, the support members and the enclosure form a heat sink for the integrated circuit units and the enclosure provides a low cost hermetic seal for the entire assembly of integrated circuit units. Planar arrays of conductive elements may be utilized to interconnect the integrated circuit chip to the terminals of the integrated circuit units.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the amount of fuel metered to an internal combustion engine through electrically-controllable valve means, such as electromagnetic fuel injectors. The valve means delivers the fuel to the engine in a quantity that varies as a function of an electrical signal representing the mathematical product obtained by multiplying a binary number electrical signal by an electrical signal representing a condition of the engine. The binary number electrical signal is a coefficient of the engine-condition electrical signal and is calculated, by a programmed digital computer, from a function or functions describing a desired relationship between the coefficent value and various electrical signals representing variable conditions of engine operation. The binary number electrical signal is repetitively recalculated by the digital computer.

Abstract: A method for making and using a group IV-VI photovoltaic semiconductor diode such that its capacitance is reduced substantially with respect to its capacitance if made and used according to prior art techniques. The capacitance reduction may be obtained without detrimental effect to the detectivity and noise levels of the diode. In the currently preferred form of the method, a thin film of p conductivity type semiconductor material, PbTe, is applied to (epitaxially grown on) a cleaved BaF.sub.2 substrate. A layer of Pb is deposited on the semiconductor material to form a diode having an n+ conductivity type region in the semiconductor material and a depletion region. When the PbTe semiconductor material is applied to the BaF.sub.2 substrate, its thickness is limited such that the depletion region extends to the boundary formed between the PbTe and BaF.sub.

Abstract: A frequency responsive switching circuit that, in the preferred form, includes circuit means for generating a periodic first electrical signal. The first electrical signal is applied to a retriggerable monostable multivibrator having as its output a second electrical signal. A timing circuit associated with the retriggerable monostable multivibrator controls the duration of the output pulses constituting the second electrical signal. If the period of the first electrical signal is less than a predetermined amount, the second electrical signal is maintained at a fixed voltage level due to continuous retriggering of the multivibrator. The second electrical signal is applied to the data input of a shift register and the first electrical signal is supplied to the shift register as a trigger input. Multiple bit outputs of the shift register form the inputs to a gate circuit.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for coupling microwave energy from coaxial transmission line to rectangular waveguide and vice versa. A cover, which includes a conductive material, is positioned on one end of a rectangular waveguide. The cover has an opening for receiving the center conductor of a coaxial transmission line and has means for electrically connecting the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line to the conductive material of the cover. A conductive mass is positioned within the waveguide in spaced relation with its walls and the cover. The center conductor of the coaxial transmission line is in electrically conductive relation with the conductive mass. A hook-shaped conductive element has one of its ends in electrically conductive relation with the conductive mass and has its other end terminating within the waveguide at a location spaced from the waveguide walls and the cover.

Abstract: An improved drive for the ignition distributor of an internal combustion engine of the type having a lubrication pump driven by its crankshaft. The pump has an internal gear driven by and coaxial with the crankshaft. An external gear has internal teeth and is driven, in planetary gear fashion, by the internal gear. A distributor shaft is rotatably mounted in the pump housing and has a helical tooth pinion gear that meshes with helical teeth on the external periphery of the external pump gear. Thus, the driven external gear drives the pinion gear and the distributor shaft. Preferably, the transmission ratio is 1 to 1.25 between the internal and external gears and 1 to 1.6 between the external and pinion gears, providing an overall ratio of 1 to 2 between crankshaft and distributor shaft.

Abstract: An adaptive equalizer for improving the quality of digital data contained in an electrical input signal supplied to the equalizer. The equalizer compensates for amplitude and delay distortion affecting the quality of the digital data contained in the electrical input signal. The equalizer includes a delay line having a plurality of discrete time delay elements and in a plurality of taps coupled to the delay elements. A clock circuit provides a plurality of clock signals of identical frequency but different phase, thereby, dividing a pre-selected time interval into a plurality of time-slots. A sequential switch controlled by the clock signals sequentially connects the delay line taps to a quality detector which also has as an input the equalizer output signal. The quality detector generates a signal, during each of the time slots, that represents the quality of the equalizer output signal.

Abstract: Method for forming a bond (hermetic seal) between sapphire and glass. In the preferred form of the invention, the sapphire and glass surfaces to be bonded each have applied to them thin films of chromium, copper, nickel and gold. The inner chromium film is several hundred angstroms thick, the copper and nickel films have a total thickness of about 10,000 angstroms and together comprise an intermediate film, and the outer gold film is about 20,000 angstroms thick. The thin films are applied in a vacuum by direct evaporation or vapor plating or by sputtering. A bond or hermetic seal is effected between the gold films on the respective sapphire and glass materials. An indium wire is inserted between the gold films and a clamping force is applied to the sapphire and glass materials to cause the indium wire to deform to increase substantially the indium surface area. In a vacuum, heat is applied to the sapphire, glass and indium materials sufficient to cause the indium to liquify.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating an electrical signal indicative of the level of a liquid stored in a reservoir. The apparatus includes first and second probes spaced from one another and extending into the reservoir. Each of the probes includes a metal electrode surrounded by a preferably dielectric material. The liquid to be measured contacts the dielectric material, but does not directly contact the electrodes. A preferably alternating voltage is applied across the electrodes and the impedance therebetween is sensed. The impedance between the electrodes varies as a function of the level of the liquid in the reservoir and this impedance is substantially greater than the impedance between the probe areas of contact with the liquid. In effect, the liquid is treated as a conductor because its impedance is negligible as compared to the impedance between the probe electrodes, this impedance varying as a function of liquid level.

Abstract: A signal generating mechanism for producing a pulsed DC electrical voltage signal having a frequency proportional to the angular velocity of a rotating shaft. The signal generating mechanism may be used in the distributor of a breakerless ignition system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, in which case the frequency of the pulsating voltage signal is equal to the rate at which ignition sparks are to be generated. The signal generating mechanism includes a baseplate and a bushing through which the rotating shaft passes. A stator assembly is formed by a hub and lower and upper plates affixed thereto, the stator assembly being rotatable about the bushing and further including at least one Hall effect sensor and integrated circuit mounted in a nonmagnetic supporting structure secured to the upper plate. A permanent magnet also is attached to the supporting structure and is radially spaced from the Hall effect sensor and integrated circuit.

Abstract: A circuit for providing an indication to the operator of a motor vehicle that the engine or vehicle is operating under conditions likely to produce poor fuel economy. The fuel economy indicating circuit includes a first circuit for generating a first electrical signal having a magnitude proportional to the angular velocity of a component of the vehicle drive train, and a second circuit for generating a second electrical signal having a magnitude proportional to the angular acceleration of a component of the vehicle drive train. A third circuit combines the first and second electrical signals to generate a third signal having a magnitude that is a function of the magnitudes of the first and second electrical signals. An electrically actuable indicating device is controlled by a fourth circuit that is responsive to the magnitude of the third electrical signal to cause actuation of the indicating device when the third electrical signal reaches a predetermined threshold level.

Abstract: An electronic-fuel-injection-system enrichment circuit for use during cranking of an internal combustion engine having a fuel supply controlled by the fuel injection system. The fuel injection system produces a fuel control electrical signal representative of a quantity of fuel to be injected into the engine. An enrichment circuit, for use during cranking of the engine to increase the quantity of fuel represented by a fuel control electrical signal, is provided. This enrichment circuit includes circuit means for generating an enrichment electrical signal having a characteristic which varies with time subsequent to initiation of cranking of the engine and circuit means for combining the enrichment electrical signal with at least one other electrical signal representative of a fuel quantity to be injected into the engine. The combined electrical signals produce the fuel control electrical signal.

Abstract: A control circuit for a variable reluctance motor. A solid state switching device has its output circuit connected in series with the electrical winding of the motor. Circuit means are coupled to the motor winding and to the control electrode of the solid state switching device. The circuit means senses the EMF induced in the motor winding while the motor is rotating and while the switching device output is nonconductive. The switching device output circuit is rendered conductive when the EMF attains a predetermined level. The EMF induced in the winding of the rotating motor results from residual magnetism in the magnetic circuit of the motor or from such residual magnetism in addition to a bias current supplied to the motor winding. The variable reluctance motor acts as its own position sensor.

Abstract: A digital linear phase shift convolutional filter for filtering a series of binary number electrical signals each of which represents the magnitude of a sample of an analog electrical signal sampled at a predetermined rate. The convolutional filter utilizes a bidirectional shift register and a preferably unidirectional shift register. Each of the registers has a plurality of stages. The bidirectional shift register receives the serially presented binary number electrical signals representative of the sample magnitudes, and these samples are sequentially transferred from the output stage of the bidirectional shift register to the input stage of the unidirectional shift register.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a combustion engine. Means are provided for controlling the energy conversion function of the engine. Adjustments of these control means are obtained by sensing at least one engine operating condition, developing an electrical signal indicative of such condition, and, with a digital computer, calculating repetitively values corresponding to settings of the means used to control the energy conversion function of the engine. The digital computer is programmed to calculate these values or settings arithmetically from an algebraic function or functions describing a desired relationship between settings of the energy conversion control means and the sensed condition.

Abstract: A light assembly for a motor vehicle includes a light source and a parabolic reflector for reflecting light emanating from the light source in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A lens is included in the light assembly. The lens is made from a transparent material and is positioned to produce total internal reflection of a portion of the light emanating from the light source and parabolic reflector. The totally internally reflected light rays are projected in a direction transverse to the motor vehicle. This enables a single light assembly to satisfy safety requirements pertaining to light projection both in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle and in its transverse direction.

Abstract: A vortex shedding device for use in measuring air flow rate into an internal combustion engine includes a conduit having a passage that includes a venturi section. The venturi section has an inlet portion, a throat portion that has a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the inlet portion, a converging portion between the inlet and throat portions and a diverging portion extending away from the throat portion toward the end of the passage. An elongated element is located in the throat portion of the passage for the purpose of generating vortices in air flowing through the passage. Preferably, the venturi section of the passage is of rectangular cross-section throughout and a honeycomb structure and screen are located in the inlet portion of the venturi section.

Abstract: A circuit for use in a digital data receiver to recover a clock signal, of variable rate, from the signal received by the receiver. A typical digital data receiver includes demodulating or other means for converting the received signal to a binary data signal having a characteristic which changes in a manner corresponding to transition in the digital data received. The invention provides circuit means for recovering a clock signal from the binary data signal where the data rate may vary over a substantial range. The clock signal recovery circuit utilizes a logic transition detector to produce a narrow pulse at each data transition in the binary data signal. The pulses, which contain harmonic frequencies at the clock rate of the binary data signal, are up-converted or mixed with an electrical signal from a frequency synthesizer. The signal resulting from this up-conversion is filtered by a narrow-band filter to produce an electrical signal at a predetermined intermediate frequency.

Abstract: A vortex shedding device for use in measuring air flow rate into an internal combustion engine includes a conduit having a passage within it that includes a venturi section preferably of rectangular cross-section throughout. The conduit has four walls defining the venturi section and passage, and at least one of the walls has a recess formed in it. An elongated element for generating vortices in air flowing in the passage extends transverse to the direction of air flow through the throat portion of the venturi section. Circuit means are provided for determining the frequency at which vortices are generated, and such circuit means are located in the recess formed in the one wall of the conduit. A cover encloses the recess and circuit means within. The cover includes means for establishing a thermal barrier between the circuit means and the medium in which the vortex shedding device is immersed, typically this medium being the air within the engine compartment of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A circuit for transforming to polar coordinate form first and second binary number electrical signals representative of rectangular coordinates or quadrature components for a vector or phasor. The circuit utilizes a programmable memory in which values corresponding to the sine and cosine functions are stored. In the preferred form, the circuit utilizes binary number electrical signals of 10 bits. The most significant bit of the polar coordinate angle is found directly from the binary number representing one of the quadrature components, whereas the next two most significant bits of the angle are found using logic circuitry in association with the binary number signals representing the quadrature components. The remaining bits of the angle are found by use of a successive approximation technique in conjunction with the values stored in the memory. Once the angle is determined, the amplitude of the vector or phasor is determined by the use of the function P = Im(sin.theta.) + Re(cos.theta.