Abstract: A variable area valve and pressure regulator for providing fuel vapor purge control in an evaporative emission control system of an automotive vehicle. A solenoid valve assembly selectively controls fluid communication between a fuel vapor source and an intake manifold by varying the area of an orifice associated with the solenoid valve assembly. A pressure regulator assembly is responsive to pressure differentials between an inlet cavity and an outlet cavity to further control the flow through the purge regulator. In operation, the purge regulator assembly is operable to generate nonlinear output flow characteristics which are independent of changes in the intake manifold vacuum, as well as the inlet pressure, and which further provides the desired nonlinear response.

Abstract: A fuel vapor canister purge control valve assembly has an electric valve and a pressure regulator valve for connection at its inlet to a canister fluidically in series in a common housing. The electric valve has a spherical magnetically permeable operator biased closed against the seat by a balanced rotary armature. A C-shaped solenoid pole frame defines diametrally oppositely disposed radial working air gaps with the armature. Upon PWM energization of the solenoid, the armature rotation permits the spherical valve member to move from the seat to open the valve. A venturi is formed in the electric valve inlet and the venturi throat has a pressure tap connected to provide a reference pressure for one side of the pressure regulator diaphragm. The opposite side of the regulator diaphragm has an elastomeric obturator and is exposed to the outlet pressure of the electric valve.

Abstract: An engine coolant thermostat of the type having a thermally expansible wax power element acting against a diaphragm and piston to move a poppet. The poppet has a retainer attached thereto which has portions sliding in slots on the thermostat housing; and these portions contact the ends of the slots to limit piston travel in the event of exposure to overtemperature and prevent failure of the thermostat.

Abstract: A system for axially locking the end of a shaft in a sleeve whereby the shaft fits axially into the sleeve until both parts are fully engaged, in which both parts are locked together. Axial locking is achieved by a latch disposed on the outside of the sleeve and which pivots into a slot made in a wall of the sleeve, such that the latch can be inserted in an orifice of the shaft positioned opposite the slot when the shaft is fully engaged in the sleeve.

Abstract: A dual zone climate control system having a sensor capable of sensing solar radiation or sunload entering different localized areas of a vehicle cabin incorporated with a climate control unit for selectively distributing air to localized areas of the vehicle cabin. The climate control unit being controlled by a control unit which processes input received from the sensor and other settings, and controls the temperature and distribution of the air therefrom.

Abstract: A two piece molded housing shell is connected by inserting connector terminals on one of the shells into receptacles on the other shell with the connected shells configured for mounting over a vehicle steering column. One of the shells has a stalk/lever pivotally mounted thereon with multiplex adaptive circuitry mounted on the other shell. A two-shot molded plastic insert has conductive strips plated on the surface thereof and is inserted into the housing shells to provide an interconnect from the circuitry to the stalk/lever The stalk/lever has switching contacts on a carrier portion thereof. The switching contacts wipe directly on the plated strips of the insert to effect a switching function.

Abstract: A two stage motorized servo-actuator having a worm driven high reduction gear train providing a rotary output. The motor shaft has a worm and co-axially therewith, a beveled pinion. The motor worm is continuously engaged with a first stage gear. The first stage gear has an input sector gear disposed co-axially and rotatable therewith. The input sector gear intermittently engages an output gear. The output gear has a beveled output sector gear disposed co-axially and rotatably therewith. Upon disengagement of the input sector gear with the output gear, the beveled pinion engages the beveled output sector gear to drive the output gear directly. Once the input sector gear is disengaged from the output gear, a return spring on the output gear can reverse drive the motor through the beveled pinion to return the output gear to a desired position in the event of motor failure in operation.

Abstract: An electrically controlled flow regulator valve assembly having a diaphragm operated pressure regulator valve with a solenoid operated valve for by-passing the diaphragm to control flow to the regulator valving chamber. In one embodiment the regulator valving chamber communicates through a small restricting orifice with a closed dampening chamber. In another embodiment a second closed dampening chamber is formed to communicate through a second small restrictive orifice with a chamber on the inlet pressure side of the diaphragm.

Abstract: An electrically controlled fuel vapor canister purge pressure regulator valve assembly has the regulator valve housing formed integrally with the solenoid operated valve body. A pressure responsive diaphragm is disposed in the housing to form on opposite sides thereof, an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The valve body has an inlet passage communicating with the inlet chamber and an outlet passage communicating with the outlet passage. The solenoid controls by-pass flow around the diaphragm to the outlet chamber. The outlet passage is closed by a closure member defining an outlet passage and valve seat. The diaphragm has a plate thereon moveable with the diaphragm to control flow over the valve seat. The outlet closure member encloses the diaphragm periphery and is sealed to the housing by a weld ring which may be spin friction or ultrasonically welded to the housing. An inlet chamber closure member forms an inlet fitting and inlet passage and retains a filter in the inlet chamber.

Abstract: A valve assembly having solenoid valves mounted on a manifold or block for, upon energization, controlling flow in selected passages. A bus frame of overmolded bus strips has portions of the strips exposed for connection directly to the solenoids. A pressure switch capsule is received in a ported cavity in the manifold or block and located such that a snap disk on the pressure switch contacts exposed surfaces of end portions of two of the bus strips for completing a circuit responsive to sensed pressure in the block cavity.

Abstract: A switch assembly having a sliding actuator adapted to be moved by a cam on a stalk lever. Initial movement of the actuator from a neutral position by user movement of the lever moves a first contact carried by the actuator to break a connection between a power bus and a fog lamp terminal strip in a planar array of strips. Further movement causes a second contact carried by the actuator to make a connection between another power bus strip and a high beam terminal strip. Continued movement of the sliding actuator causes rotational movement of a bi-stable rotor latched in one of its two bi-stable positions. Movement of the rotor causes a third contact on the rotor to shunt the second contact to make a second connection on another high beam strip and a fourth contact on the rotor breaks a second connection on the strip for the fog lamp electrically in series with the first connection.

Abstract: An electrically operated actuator mechanism for remote locking and unlocking of a door. The moveable bolt is coupled to a solenoid armature for movement in a guide which is registered against the door in the closed position. The solenoid coil bobbin is stationary and the pole frame including a magnet, bolt guide and bolt are slidable thereon for locating the bolt guide against the door at installation. A spring biases the bolt into engagement with the door. Upon coil energization in one direction, the magnetic flux of the coil and magnet are sufficient to move the armature and retract the bolt unlocking the door. Upon de-energization of the solenoid coil the magnet holds the armature and bolt in the unlocked position. Upon subsequent re-energization of the coil in the opposite direction, the magnet flux is neutralized and the spring returns the armature and bolt to the locked position. The actuator is particularly suitable for automotive fuel filler access door locking/unlocking applications.

Abstract: A butterfly water valve for a heater core has a vacuum motor attached to the water valve body with the vacuum motor connected to the butterfly valve crank. The vacuum motor housing has a well formed therein and a solenoid operated valve is quick connected in the well and is ported directly to the vacuum motor pressure chamber. The solenoid valve well communicates with a vacuum connector formed integrally with the vacuum motor housing. The vacuum motor housing is preferably formed of two shells welded together and sealing about the rim of a pressure responsive diaphragm.

Abstract: A displacement adjustment device (100) for at least partly converting a rotation into a translation, comprising: a rotation input member (114) which is bearing-mounted so as to be rotatable but axially secured relative to a frame said rotation input member (114) being provided with a hollow (116) extending axially therethrough; a bar (11) positioned in the hollow (116) and having its outside surface provided with a screw thread (17), means (12) being prvided for preventing rotation of said bar (11) relative to a frame; and a coupling gear wheel (120) arranged for rotation in the rotation input member (114), wherein the axis of rotation of the coupling gear wheel (120) is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation input member (114), wherein the coupling gear wheel (120) has teeth (121) engaging with the screw thread (17) of the bar (11) and, wherein the rotation bearing of the coupling gear wheel (120) comprises a slip coupling (130) relative to the rotation input member (114).

Abstract: A plunger actuated switch, suitable for automotive brake light applications where the plunger is held depressed in de-actuated condition. Upon installation, the switch housing is moved on an adjustable mounting to cause the plunger to contact a user moveable operating member such as a brake pedal arm. The switch mounting is adjusted to cause the plunger to depress and move the internal switch actuator to its limit of travel; and, the switch is further adjusted to cause the plunger to ratchet over an adjustment member carried by the actuator to provide an adjusted position of the switch. The adjustment member has spring fingers which are bowed during the adjustment; and, upon subsequent release of the user moved operating member, i.e., a brake pedal arm, the plunger is spring biased away from the fingers which snap inwardly to thereafter permit relative motion of the plunger with respect to the actuator when the actuator is at its travel limit to thereby provide overtravel absorption.

Abstract: A diaphragm type flow regulator has an electrically operated bleed valve to control fluid signal pressure in a chamber on one side of the diaphragm. A valve member mounted on the opposite side of the diaphragm is moved, in response to the difference in pressure between the signal chamber and a flow regulating chamber, with respect to a valve seat for controlling flow of a compressible fluid between an inlet and outlet in the flow regulating chamber. An auxiliary chamber communicates with the flow regulating chamber through a restricting orifice which function to dampen or attenuate diaphragm vibration caused by pressure pulses or transients which may occur in the fluid supply conduit. In one arrangement the auxiliary chamber is formed as part of the regulator housing. In other arrangements, the auxiliary chamber is formed as part of a separate fitting attached to the regulator flow regulating chamber inlet.

Abstract: An automotive steering column switch comprises a turn signal switch (1) whose turn signal lever (7) is pivotable about a pivot (6) arranged on the switch housing (5) of the turn signal switch (1) and the end section (8) of which switch, on the housing side, is equipped with a spring-loaded locking element (11). The locking element (11) coacts with a locking-follower track (19) formed on the switch housing (5) and is in mesh with a release (16) mounted on the switch housing (5) and serving to reset the turn signal lever (7). To reduce the manufacturing and assembly expense, the release (16) has a follower track (26) on which bears in sliding fashion the spring-loaded locking element (11) of the turn signal lever (7), has a sliding element (31) which coacts in sliding manner with a guide element (33) formed on the end section (8) of the turn signal lever (7), and has two mutually spaced lateral recesses (37) adapted to engage corresponding lugs (40) formed on the switch housing (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a reed contact unit (1) for electric switching functions, comprising a metallic contact blank (2) featuring a base (3) with at least one contact arm (5) configured integral with it, and comprising an electrically non-conducting frame part (7) accommodating fixedly the base (3) of the contact blank (2). To avoid deformations and damage to the contact arms (5) of the reed contact units (1) when used in bulk, at least one of the long sides (12) and the front end (9) of the contact arm (5) are surrounded by at least one frame shank (8) configured integral with the frame part (7), the front end (9) of the contact arms (5) being fixable releasably in the frame shank (8).

Abstract: A control circuit for a piezoelectric buzzer, notably for automobiles, comprises a circuit for generating alternately two different frequencies and features two input supply terminals (1, 2) and two output terminals (4, 5) for buzzer activation. The control circuit includes a first flip-flop with a first and a second output, of which one carries positive and the other negative voltage. Also provided is a second flip-flop with a first input and an output, the first input connecting to the first and second outputs of the first flip-flop, each via a resistor (R4, R3). The second flip-flop consists of a parallel wiring of a first series connection of a capacitor (C2) and an inverter with Schmitt trigger input (IC1C), and a second series connection of a resistor (R5) and an inverter with Schmitt trigger input (IC1D), while a resistor is wired in parallel with the second series connection.

Abstract: A fuel vapor management valve or VMV having an electrically operated vent valve for controlling atmospheric bleed flow to a vacuum signal pressure chamber. The pressure in the signal pressure chamber controls the differential pressure acting on opposite sides of a diaphragm which moves a valve member for regulating fuel vapor purge flow from a canister to the engine intake manifold. Vacuum is applied to the signal pressure chamber through restrictive passages in a connector which prevent sonic flow choking. In one embodiment two orifices are spaced fluidically in series. In another embodiment fluidically parallel laminar flow passages are provided in an element comprising a porous filter preferably formed of fibrous material or sintered metal. In another embodiment, the laminar flow element is disposed fluidically in series with a flow restricting orifice.