Abstract: A sub-fractional Horsepower motor, intended for use with a worm on its output shaft, is positioned adjacent a servo actuator housing with the motor shaft disposed adjacent to and oriented generally parallel to the housing. The housing is provided with a resiliently deflectable rear motor mounting stanchion having a camming surface and a front motor mounting stanchion, both preferably formed integrally as a one-piece member with the housing. Upon assembly into the housing, the motor is maintained in its parallel orientation and moved in a single direction normal to the shaft to contact the camming surfaces, on the rear stanchion and deflects and snap-locks into the stanchion and the rear stanchion biases the motor axially such that the opposite shaft end of the motor registers against one surface of the front stanchion.

Abstract: A fuel tank has a recess formed on the inner surface of the upper wall. A vent valve has a mounting portion extending therefrom with a resiliently deflectable disc formed thereon and a guide disc spaced from the deflectable disc. Upon insertion into the recess the deflectable disc is deflected and the periphery thereof frictionally engages the inner surface of the tank wall recess. The guide member slidably fits into the recess to prevent lateral movement of the mounting portion and removal from the recess.

Abstract: Arcing in dc electrical systems subject to cyclic disturbances is detected by a current sensor, and a bandpass filter sensitive to arcing noise, which filters the sensor current. The absolute value of the bandpass filtered signal is integrated over repetitive intervals in a resettable analog integrator. A low cost microprocessor samples and resets the analog integrator at a frequency below the pass band and generates a time attenuated accumulation of the samples that produces an arcing signal if it reaches a predetermined limit. To improve nuisance immunity, the sensed dc current is compared in a high speed comparator to the average sensed dc current, and only samples taken by the microprocessor during a predetermined time period after the sensed dc current exceeds the average sensed dc current in a predetermined manner are accumulated. The average sensed dc current is also used by the microprocessor to provide overload protection.

Abstract: A throttle valve assembly having a direct current torque motor assembled and calibrated as a subassembly or unit and installed on the throttle body and the throttle plate subsequently installed. The rotor is a disc defining magnetic poles and an axial air gap with the stators which are assembled in a cup-shaped housing. The housing and stators are assembled over the rotor shaft and rotor and attached to a cover plate to form a motor subassembly. The shaft of the motor subassembly is inserted in bearings in the throttle body and the subassembly secured to the throttle body by fasteners through the cover plate. The throttle plate is then installed in a slot in the motor shaft through the air passage in the throttle body.

Abstract: A technique of assembling a solenoid operated valve to a hydraulic manifold in which the manifold has provided thereon undercut stanchions disposed on opposite sides of a cavity communicating with fluid valving passages. A U-shaped bracket with a central aperture is received over the solenoid and a first pair of tabs which engage lugs disposed respectively on opposite sides of the valve body function to prevent relative rotation between the bracket and valve. The bracket has a pair of oppositely extending resiliently deflectable spring arms each having a pair of second tabs thereon; and, the spring arms are deflected on the stanchions upon user insertion of the valve body into the cavity. The spring arms resiliently engage the undercuts to prevent removal of the valve, and the second tabs engage the sides of the stanchions to prevent relative rotation of the bracket and valve.

Abstract: An electrically operated throttle valve assembly 110, 210 having a throttle shaft 18, 218 with a portion extending exteriorly of the throttle body 12. Rotor 166, 266 is mounted on the extending portion of shaft 18, 218. A housing 80 concentrically surrounds the rotor 166, 266 and includes a rear wall 86, 286 to which stator 134, 234 is attached. The stator 134, 234 having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pole segments each with a coil is mounted to the rear wall 86, 286 and is concentrically disposed within the rotor 166, 266. The hollow cylindrical rotor 166, 266 with plural magnets 72, 74, 272, 274 disposed about the inner periphery has a radial web flange 168, 268 which is drivingly attached to one end of the extending portion of shaft 18, 218 with the rotor 166, 266 nested over the stator pole segments.

Abstract: The float has an elastomeric valve disk with an annular bead rim caged for limited lost motion movement on the top of the float. A rigid backing plate for the valve disk is pivoted on a curved surface on the top of the float to ensure self-alignment of the valve disk on the vent port seat when the float is moved upward by the rising liquid level for closing the vent during refueling. As fuel is used from the tank, the float drops and the angled top of the cage contacts the bead rim on the valve disk and effects a peel-away re-opening of the valve.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of assembling an interior fuel systems component suitable for immersion in liquid fuel in a tank to an exterior component of different material weldable to the fuel tank. The exterior component is preferably formed of HDPE having a hardness in the range of about RR-40 to RR-80 and has an array of projections extending therefrom. The interior component has a corresponding array of radially extending slots having barbed edges for push on connection to the projections. The slots permit sliding movement due to material swelling of the projection on the barbs without loosening of the connection. The internal component is preferably formed of material comprising a member of the group consisting of Polyamide, Polyketone and Polyphenylamide and having a hardness in the range of about R112, such that the barbs deform the lugs to maintain the connection.

Abstract: Transducer housing for mounting in a port in an engine combustion chamber has a metal diaphragm exposed to the combustion gasses. The pressure of the combustion gasses is transferred through an aluminum coupling disc which deflects a simply supported beam member. The beam member is formed of refractory material having epitaxially grown crystalline piezoresistors formed on one surface of the beam member and connected in a bridge circuit and is secured to a ceramic mounting disc. The aluminum coupling disc has a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion which maintains a preload on the beam member for improved accuracy in spite of the low thermal expansion of the ceramic mounting disc. In an alternate embodiment, an expansion ring made of a material having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion is used to support a mounting disc on which the beam member is supported.

Abstract: A fuel vapor vent valve and method of making same for installation in an access opening of non-metallic fuel tanks. The valve body is formed of material not weldable to the tanks and an annular seal member formed of resilient material seals between the body upper portion exterior to the access opening and an overmold formed of material weldable to the tanks for retaining and sealing the valve thereon. In one embodiment the seal member is received in a groove and retained by a ring; and, in another embodiment the seal is formed by potting material cured in the groove prior to the overmolding.

Abstract: An axial lead screw having one end pivotally connected to a rearview mirror is threadedly engaged by a motor driven worm gear, which upon rotation effects axial movement of the lead screw. A pair of flux collectors are disposed on opposite sides of the lead screw adjacent the distal end. A Hall effect sensor is disposed in one of the flux collectors. The distal end of the lead screw is magnetized and the Hall effect sensor provides a signal indicative of the lead screw movement. In one embodiment, the lead screw is magnetized; and, in another embodiment a permanent magnet is inserted in a bore in the distal end of the lead screw.

Abstract: An apparatus (30) and method for adjusting an actuator (32) on a real-time basis includes a rack (40) extending axially over at least a portion on an outer surface of an adjustable member (36). The actuator (32) has a bore (42) that extends from the rack (40) to the outer surface (44) of the actuator (32) to receive an adjustment member (46). The adjustment member (46) includes a pinion (48) at one end for engaging the rack (40) while the adjustment member (46) is situated out of the functional flow or positioning area. Engagement of the pinion (48) of the adjustment member (46) with the rack (40) on the adjustable member (36) provides a real-time adjustment of the actuator (32) to a desired position or setting which then may be fixed or locked into that position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric torque transducer is provided, comprising the steps of (a) forming a prepared area on a surface of a torsion member adapted to be strained by an applied torque; (b) providing a piezoelectric element having an axis of maximum strain sensitivity and disposing first and second electrodes on opposite faces of the element, respectively, and attaching an electrical lead to each electrode; (c) connecting electrical leads to the electrodes; and (d) disposing the element on the prepared area and orienting the axis of maximum strain sensitivity on the member and securing the element to the prepared area with a material selected from a group consisting of (i) adhesive material and (ii) potting material.

Abstract: A combination fluid condition monitor and fluid level sensor having an excitation electrode divided into two segments disposed closely spaced and parallel to current sensing electrode. For the fluid condition monitoring mode function both segments of the excitation electrode are commonly excited sequentially at high and low frequencies and the currents sensed in the sensing electrode employed to compute the difference in impedance for determining the fluid condition. For the level sensing mode function a mode switching circuit grounds one of the excitation electrode segments and excites the other then grounds the other segment and excites the one segment and the resultant currents ratioed to determine the amount of electrode immersed in fluid and hence the fluid level.

Abstract: An electrically operated throttle valve assembly 110, 210 having a throttle shaft 18, 218 with a portion extending exteriorly of the throttle body 12. Rotor 166, 266 is mounted on the extending portion of shaft 18, 218. A housing 80 concentrically surrounds the rotor 166, 266 and includes a rear wall 86, 286 to which stator 134, 234 is attached. The stator 134, 234 having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pole segments each with a coil is mounted to the rear wall 86, 286 and is concentrically disposed within the rotor 166, 266. The hollow cylindrical rotor 166, 266 with plural magnets 72, 74, 272, 274 disposed about the inner periphery has a radial web flange 168, 268 which is drivingly attached to one end of the extending portion of shaft 18, 218 with the rotor 166, 266 nested over the stator pole segments.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve with a single inlet for connection to a pump and a control signal outlet for connection to a power assist steering actuator and a bleed port for connection to a pressure control valve. The valve has a poppet rod extending through an annular valve seat, with a pressure equalization passage extending through the poppet and rod to balance the inlet pressure forces acting on the poppet and rod. The valve provides a low residual flow when the solenoid is de-energized and proportionally increases flow as current in the solenoid is increased and gives substantial linearity.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve is connected in series with a resistor and a PTC thermistor. Upon coil energization, the armature moves to close the valve member against a valve seat and further armature movement to close an air gap with a pole piece is absorbed by a spring between the armature and valve member. Upon closure of the air gap, the magnetic reluctance between the armature and pole piece is decreased such that significantly less current is required in the coil to hold the valve closed. Upon heating of the thermistor, the resistance is increased sufficiently to reduce the current to the hold-close level and less power is required thereafter to maintain the valve closed. The valve is applied to on-board vehicle diagnostic procedures performed after engine shut-down where current must be minimized to prevent battery drain to a level preventing re-start.

Abstract: A float operated fuel tank vapor vent valve having a reduced diameter portion on the bottom of the float which forms a tapered surface. The tapered surface contacts a plurality of spaced resilient fingers when the float drops suddenly; and the float motion is thus arrested silently by deflection of the resilient fingers.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve has a moveable armature sealed within an armature guide with a fluid dashpot disposed therein for velocity dampening armature movement as the armature closes an air gap with a stationary pole piece.

Abstract: A solenoid operated pressure control valve of the type using a spool valve member for controlling flow from a source inlet to a control outlet port and to an exhaust port. The solenoid has a reduced area portion of the flux collector in magnetic loop forming an annular air gap remote from the working air gap. The reduced flux across the annular air gap compensates for the rapid flux increase as the working air gap closes.