Abstract: A rotary diverter valve assembly having a low voltage low current drive motor driving the rotating valve shaft through a differential planetary gear train. The motor drives the sun gear which engages a first pitch diameter set of teeth on the carrier mounted orbiting planetary gears, the first set of planetary gear teeth also is engaged by a fixed outer ring gear. A second lesser pitch diameter set of coaxial teeth are provided on the planetary gears which engage an output ring gear attached to the rotary valve shaft. A torsion spring has one end attached to the planetary carrier and is wound up by the relative rotation of the carrier with respect to the sun gear during motor operation. In the event of motor failure during operation, the stored energy of the wound spring applies a torque to back rotate the carrier and effect rotation of the valve member to its initial position.

Abstract: A solenoid valve having the valve body formed integrally on one end of the coil bobbin. A C-frame formed integrally from a single piece of sheet stock has at least one of the end of the C-frame deformed over an end of the bobbin and the opposite end thereof received on the opposite end of the bobbin to increase the surface area for flux transfer to a sliding armature within the bobbin for operating a valve obturator. In one embodiment, both ends of the C-frame are each deformed respectively over one end of the bobbin.

Abstract: A by-pass solenoid (32) with an integral check valve assembly (36) for by-passing excess pump (16) fluid flow. The integral check valve assembly (36) positioned in a first chamber (120) of a valve sub-assembly (52) allows fluid flow from an inlet (34) to an outlet port (40) in a normal mode of operation. Upon actuation of the solenoid sub-assembly (50), the by-pass solenoid (32) diverts excess fluid flow to a by-pass port (42) for re-circulation during periods when fluid flow demand is low and still maintains a fairly constant system pressure. Check valve assembly (36) prevents re-circulated fluid from directly entering the working hydraulic circuit and maintains system pressure. The present invention advantageously provides a compact integral fluid flow control device for bleeding excess pump flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating an autoignition substance such as DME for operating a diesel-type engine 12 with natural gas. A multi-stage reformer 18 is connected to a supply of natural gas 20 to receive a portion therefrom for production of an autoignition substance for supply to the microigniters 14 within a diesel-type engine 12. An engine control unit 24 in communication with a microcontroller 22 receives signals from sensors within the engine 12 and multi-stage reformer 18 for optimizing engine performance and generation of autoignition substances thereto. The apparatus and method of the present invention allows the operation of a diesel-type engine with natural gas as the primary or even the sole fuel by providing an autoignition substance in situ.

Abstract: A servo motor assembly having a cylindrical motor casing with connector terminals extending axially from one end and a driving shaft from the opposite end. An annular slotted ring has the connector terminals received therethrough and the ring is axially pressed into a housing having a connector receptacle for connection to a power source. The ring has projections on the outer periphery to frictionally retain the motor and ring in the housing and compress the ring to frictionally engage the motor casing and absorb any inertial reaction torque therebetween. Electrical leads are connected from the motor terminals to the receptacle on the housing.

Abstract: A rotor disk or color wheel received on a shaft to be sensed has an annular band of dual color (red/green) filter material having opposite circumferential gradient. A printed circuit board on one axial side of the rotor disk has the dual color LED, emitting light to a reflector on the opposite axial side of the rotor disk. Some reflected light from the LED passes through the filter which transmits, according to the amount of single color filter material present at the particular rotor station to a photodetector on the circuit board. Other rays of the emitted light are reflected directly to a second detector for ambient compensation. The amount of light transmitted by the filter causes the detector current to vary the charge rate of a capacitor charged to a reference level, and when reached the LED is switched to the other of the dual color emission.

Abstract: A filter/drier has, in one embodiment, an expansion valve block formed integrally with a header welded to a desiccant-containing canister. The block has a bore into which is received a precalibrated thermally responsive cartridge valve after the welding operations to prevent exposure of the cartridge valve to the elevated temperatures experienced during welding. In another embodiment, a valve block has one end of a first conduit welded to the high pressure inlet port and one end of a second conduit welded to the low pressure discharge port. A cartridge type thermally responsive precalibrated expansion valve is assembled in a block bore after welding is completed to prevent the expansion valve from being exposed to elevate temperatures experienced during welding.

Abstract: An actuator having a motor for effecting a pivotal movement about two mutually perpendicular axes. A primary reduction step is formed by a worm and a worm wheel which is coupled to a rotation-selective coupling having two outputs. Each of those outputs is coupled respectively to a secondary reduction step, consisting of a worm and a worm wheel. Each secondary worm wheel is coupled to a part to be displaced.

Abstract: Movement transformation system applied to at least two rotary assemblies ER1, ER2 with non-convergent main axes, allowing the transmission of an angular displacement of at least one component 9, 10 of a first rotary assembly ER1 to at least one component 4, 5 of at least a second rotary assembly ER2, the first rotary assembly ER1 being in addition able to rotate freely about a second axis perpendicular to the first, characterized in that each component 9, 10 of the first rotary assembly ER1 is fitted with a mechanical connecting device 12, 13 intended to cooperate with a mechanical connecting device 14, 15 of a component 4, 5 of a second rotary assembly ER2, the devices 12, 13, 14, 15 being configured in such a way as to simultaneously transmit and transform the rotary movement of the component 9, 10 of the first assembly ER1 into a rotary movement of a component 4, 5 about the axis of the second assembly ER2, without inhibiting the rotation of any of the components 9, 10 of the first assembly ER1 about their

Abstract: A capless fuel filler neck has an annular resilient seal which seals over a fuel nozzle upon insertion in the filler tube. Further insertion of the nozzle opens a flapper biased against a rim flange on the lower end of annular seal. Movement of the flapper by the nozzle also moves an auxiliary seal on the flapper and which opens separate venting passages disposed externally of the nozzle tube. Upon removal of the nozzle from the filler tube, the flapper closes against the rim flange to seal the filler tube; and, the auxiliary seals close and seal the vent tubes. The vent tubes serve to prevent spray-back of fuel when the nozzle opens the flapper in a tank with pressurized vapor and fuel trapped in the filler tube and to provide an air inlet path to accommodate the aspiration of the refueling nozzle.

Abstract: A bypass configured butterfly type rotary valve particularly suitable for controlling engine coolant flow to a passenger compartment heater core outlet. A baffle is employed to increase linearity of flow control when the butterfly is close to shutting off flow to the heater core outlet. An additional baffle increases linearity as the butterfly nears the fully open position for shutting off flow to the supply return or bypass. In one embodiment of the baffle is formed integrally with the valve body. In another embodiment, the baffle is formed as a flapper mounted on the shaft with the butterfly, but remaining stationary as the butterfly is rotated. The additional baffle is formed as a scalloped thickened edge of the butterfly in one embodiment, or as a separate insert in another embodiment. The baffles increase the linearity of the valve throughout the full range of movement of the butterfly.

Abstract: An automobile steering column switch is provided with a turn signal switch with a selector lever (1) into which a rotary light switch (23) for parking and driving lights is integrated. In order to be able to use the rotary light switch (23) for switching the front and/or rear fog lights on an automobile on and off, the rotary light switch (23) is associated with at least one switching position (13) for front and/or rear fog lights. In order to move the rotary light switch (23) into the switching position "front fog light" and/or "rear fog light" (13), preferably a greater force is required than for moving said switch into the switching positions "off" (10), "parking light" (11) and "driving light" (12).

Abstract: The invention herein relates to an automobile steering wheel switch assembly with several individual switches (3) and a support housing (1) located inside the steering wheel for the accommodation of an airbag module, by means of which at least one horn switch (15) can be activated. Inside the steering wheel is a stationary support plate (7), which supports the support housing (1) in a spring-biased, wobbling manner, whereby the support housing (1) has mounted on its side (12) facing the support plate (7) a contact unit (10) with connector contacts (32), the unit having switch guides (20) that contact individual switches (3) by way of connecting lines (35) and the horn switch (15) located on the connecting lines (35, 35a).

Abstract: A low-leakage air valve assembly 10 for an air intake manifold 16 includes a butterfly valve 12 constructed for mounting on a rotatable shaft 14. The butterfly valve 12 includes a first 32 and a second wing 34 with first elastic sealing means 36 mounted about the periphery of the first wing 32, and second elastic sealing means 40 mounted about the periphery of the second wing 34. The first elastic sealing means 32 includes a projecting lip 38 for sealingly contacting the wall of the valve manifold 16. The second elastic sealing means 40 includes a beam portion 42 for sealing contact with shoulder 28 of manifold 16. Third elastic sealing means 44 is axially positioned at each side of the passage 30 in the butterfly valve 12 and radially provided around a portion thereof. The first area 54 defined by the first sealing surface which is the first wing 32 and first elastic sealing means 36 is larger than the second area 56 defined by the second wing 34 and second elastic sealing means 40.

Abstract: An electrically operable pivoting mechanism (10) for causing a mirror housing (3) of a wing mirror to pivot. The mirror housing can be brought from any position into any other position manually, and can be brought from any position into the normal operational position electrically by means of the mechanism (10). The mechanism (10) has a construction which is simple an an therefor be easily manufactured. The mechanism comprises a plurality of arcuate grooves and corresponding configured projections engaging the grooves for defining the extreme positions of the mirror housing.

Abstract: A fuel tank vapor management valve (VMV) for controlling purge flow from a vapor storage canister to an engine inlet manifold. In one embodiment, an existing VMV utilizing an electrically operated atmospheric bleed valve or EVR for controlling vacuum pressure on one side of the regulator valve diaphragm is modified to have an additional vacuum ported valve seat in the EVR to be opened and closed by the bleed valve instead of providing a vacuum port in the regulator diaphragm signal pressure chamber. The inlet of the EVR is connected to the storage canister instead of being ported to the atmosphere which equalizes canister pressure across the regulator diaphragm thus preventing undesired opening of the regular valve when the engine is shut off. In another embodiment, an existing VMV is unmodified, with the EVR bleed port connected to the canister and the shut-off valve is connected in the line connecting the engine manifold with the regulator valve diaphragm signal pressure chamber.

Abstract: A steering column switch (1) comprises a carrier (2) with coordinated plug-in fastening (3), which is secured on a holder of the casing tube of the steering column of a motor vehicle, surrounded by a steering column housing, and keys (26, 30, 39) provided with switch elements. On the carrier (2) a plurality of keys (26, 30, 39) acting in different directions of activation are mounted, and these act on contact elements (13, 14) arranged in the carrier (2).

Abstract: A double pole, double throw switching arrangement for effecting dynamic rotor braking of user controlled operation of a reversible direct current servo motor. Two columns of stationary center and oppositely disposed side contacts are disposed in spaced parallel arrangement on the switch base. One side contact in one column is connected to the opposite side contact in the other column and to the B+ supply. The remaining side contacts in each column are connected to a ground strap having a portion disposed for wiping contact. A pair of commonly user actuated moveable contact members are disposed for sliding contact with each column of contacts. The center contact in each column is connected to one end of a separate forward and reverse motor coil. In the neutral position both motor coil contacts are grounded. User movement of the common actuator in one direction simultaneously causes the moveable contact members to keep one motor coil grounded and connect the other motor coil to B+.

Abstract: A driving unit (1), comprising: a motor (10), a driven shaft (2) driven by the motor, and a transmission device (20) coupled between the motor and the output shaft and having one input shaft (21) and two rotational output members (22) and (23), wherein the ratio of transmission from the input shaft (21) to the first rotational output member (22) differs from the ratio of transmission from the input shaft (21) to the second rotational output member (23). The first rotational output member (22) is coupled to the motor housing (11) via a slip coupling (30). A helical spring (60) arranged so as to be coaxial to the motor presses the first rotational output member (23) against the motor housing (11), wherein that helical spring (60) engages the motor housing (11) via a pressure ring (50). This pressure ring (50) has a helical channel (52) for receiving the helical spring (60). The pressure ring (50) is rotatable to enable setting the maximum value of the moment that can be supplied to the output shaft (2).

Abstract: A controlled torque steering system 10 for use in an on demand hydraulic assist steering system for a vehicle allows a user to engage a controller 18 for employing a signal processor 16 to delay or ramp down a control output signal for providing a stable controlled torque steering system. Controlled torque steering system 10 allows for the selection of a determined amount of desired assist in steering, including none if so desired.