Abstract: A microprocessor based electric vehicle traction battery monitoring system evaluates the state of charge, interfaces with a traction motor control system, and controls recharging. The state of charge is evaluated during the first part of discharge by integrating the current after compensating it for rate of discharge and during the last part of discharge by dividing the battery into sub-packs and evaluating the state of charge from the lowest sub-pack voltage compensated for polarization voltage. The charge storage capacity is also calculated from the lowest sub-pack voltage. The maximum traction motor current is progressively limited during the last part of discharge. During charging, the charge withdrawn is replaced while progressively reducing the charging current and the battery is then charged at a constant current until the rate of rise of the lowest sub-pack voltage falls below a fixed level.

Abstract: In a self-energizing disc brake of the spreading type, an intermediate metal plate located between the friction linings on an adjacent pair of rotatable friction discs includes portions which project radially with respect to the linings, and the portions include slots which define fins to facilitate cooling.

Abstract: A self-energizing disc brake of the spreading type is applied by a pair of oppositely acting hydraulic pistons which work in a common bore in the housing of the brake. One piston acts directly on an adjacent lug on a pressure plate and the other piston acts on a lug on a pressure plate through a transmission member which extends through the piston and may be coupled at its outer end to a hand-brake or similar lever.

Abstract: An actuator assembly includes first and second components which are movable away from each other to initiate application of a brake, upon pressurization of a pressure space between the components.

Abstract: A cryogenic refrigeration apparatus comprises an electrically actuated compressor which supplies a working fluid to a free moving displacer which includes a regenerator matrix, so that a container in which the displacer is slidable has a cold end and an ambient temperature end. The matrix comprises a plurality of heat exchange elements which are graded lenthwise of the displacer so as to have larger surface areas adjacent the colder end of the matrix and a reduced flow resistance at the ambient end. The actuator for the compressor is responsive to signals which indicate that the displacer is at the colder end of the container and that the temperature of the colder end is above a pedetermined value.

Abstract: The bore of a bearing bush for a gear pump has a first recess located in a zone of load concentration in the bore, the first recess being supplied with a fluid under pressure. A second recess in the bore is located wholly outside the zone in which concentrated loads occur and acts as a reservoir for fluid, to prevent cavitation within the bore as a result of low pressures caused by radical movements of a shaft within the bush. A passage connects the second recess with a zone of lower pressure within the pump.

Abstract: A motion detector system includes an ultrasonic transmitter, receiver and phase detector which produces as output signals of frequency related to the speed of movement of any moving object in a zone being monitored. The output of the phase detector is fed to two separate bandpass filters having different pass-bands characteristic of the frequencies generated by a human being moving in the zone being monitored. A warning is sounded only when signals have been present in both bands for more than a predetermined period.

Abstract: A combined ignition control and injection valve operating circuit has an inductor connected in (series or) parallel with the ignition coil so that it carries current whenever an output transistor of an ignition control circuit is on.A thyristor connects the inductor to an energy storage capacitor and turns on each time the transistor turns off to create an ignition spark. The capacitor is thus charged up and the stored energy is discharged through a triac into an injection valve solenoid to speed up current growth in the latter on each energization thereof.

Abstract: An electrically insulating base has five bulb holders and six electrical supply contacts secured thereto. The required electrical connections between the bulb holders and the contacts are made by securing a single piece of bared wire to all of the bulb holders and the contacts in the desired pattern and sequence, and then cutting the wire between those bulb holders and contacts where no connection is required in the desired electrical circuit(s). To hold the wire in the desired pattern, it is passed around guides on the base and engaged at wiring cross-over points with combined wire guides and supports. Over long runs the wire is supported by intermediate supports. This form of assembly lends itself to automatic wiring procedures and involves little wastage of material.

Abstract: An operating lever assembly for a multifunction switch wherein the lever carries a rotary switch along its length and a push action switch at its end. The operating member of the push action switch is movable longitudinally relative to the lever to operate the push action switch and rotatable about the axis of the lever to operate the rotary switch.

Abstract: An electronic fuel control for a multi-engine gas turbine engine provides either independent or master-slave operation according to the position of a selector switch. In one position independent speed demand signals are separately compared with independent actual speed signals and the error signals produced are fed to proportional-plus-integral fuel controls. In the other position engine fuel control receives a signal corresponding to the error between 1/2 of the sum of the average speed demand and the actual speed of that engine whereas the other engines fuel control receives only an error signal representing the difference between the two engine speeds.

Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus comprises a piston movable by fluid pressure to vary the timing of delivery of fuel to an associated engine. Valve means provides fuel under pressure which varies in accordance with the speed at which the engine is driven and fuel at this pressure is applied to the piston through a first fixed orifice. A second fixed orifice is connected to the downstream side of the first orifice and a variable orifice is provided to control the fluid flow through the second orifice. The size of the variable orifice is dependent upon the amount of fuel supplied to the associated engine by the apparatus. In addition a pressure responsive valve is provided which defines a flow path connected in parallel with one of the orifices, the valve being subjected to a fluid pressure within the system.

Abstract: A fuel control system for an internal combustion engine, including a fuel flow control sensitive to one or more engine operating parameters and controlling the rate at which fuel is introduced into the engine, an exhaust gas sensing device for producing an output signal corresponding to the exhaust gas composition, feed back means for feeding back to the fuel flow control, a signal derived from said output signal to correct the fuel flow, said feed back means including a signal storage device, the signal stored in which is altered in accordance with variations in the output signal of the exhaust gas sensing device, and overrun detection means connected to said feed back means and arranged to prevent alteration of said stored signal by the exhaust gas sensing device during overrun.