Abstract: An ice making machine controller system includes methods and components for making commercial quantities of ice pieces includes adaptive controls responsive to input sensors, output actuators, adaptive ice making control algorithms, adaptive ice harvesting control algorithms, diagnostics for operation cycle monitoring and communicating, and reprogrammable, expanded controller memory for reliable and efficient operation under diverse conditions.

Abstract: Two embodiments of an analog liquid level sensor are provided for measuring the level of a liquid in a container having a volume/depth relationship wherein each sensor has a resistance-to-float-displacement profile matched to the volume/depth relationship of the container. Each sensor includes a dielectric coated metal bar which acts as a heat sink and a ground plane. A pair of electrically spaced terminals and a printed circuit including a thick film resistor pattern and a metallization pattern having metallized graduations are formed on the metal bar for reduced electrical noise characteristics and improved hysteresis. The resistance of the resistor pattern is electrically coupled between the terminals and has a resistance which varies at different positions between the terminals. The metallization pattern is formed on the resistor pattern which, in turn, is formed on opposite sides of the dielectric coated metal bar.

Abstract: A motor control system employed in a mechanism including displacers driven by motors, for example, a vehicle seat control system, includes motor operation parameter detection or simulation as inputs to adaptive algorithms to simplify the control system. The adaptive algorithms compensate for the interference with detection of generated or sensed pulses in previous pulse counting implementations. The seat control permits additional functions to be performed without numerous sensors, power controls and robust demands required in previous systems for controlling motors.

Abstract: An integrated electronic starting control system module for diesel engines which provides unique packaging with integration of a multiplicity of features previously unavailable or available only in separate control modules. Integrated into one modular device are improved glow plug and starting system control, monitoring, protection, and diagnostic features.

Abstract: A method and system for electronically controlling the location of the formation of ice within a closed loop water circulating unit. A method and system is provided for making ice using supercooled water. When a desired degree of supercooling is reached in the closed loop water circulating unit, a pump associated with the ice-making machine is stopped so as to initiate ice seeding on the ice mold. After the pump is restarted, the supercooled water flows over the seeded molds to rapidly form ice on the ice molds. A method and system is also provided for improving the clarity of the ice. Water is preheated prior to introducing the water to the closed loop water circulating unit. Furthermore, in an ice-making machine having two or more ice molds, a method and system is provided for allowing one mold to act as a condenser in a harvest mode, while simultaneously allowing the remaining molds to act as evaporators in the freezing mode.

Abstract: An end cap assembly is configured as an electronic conducted noise filter and/or radiated field shield for incorporation as the end cap of a motor housing case as original equipment. The assembly includes a conductive panel having conductive members which interconnect discrete electrical components of a filter network array. Alternatively, various types of printed circuit boards, wireframe assemblies, wirewrap assemblies, and lead frame assemblies may be used. These assemblies include the conductive members which are held in position within an electrically insulative component member or housing of the end cap assembly by such means as insertion of tabs into captivating slots, insert overmolding, encapsulation, heat staking, mechanical., fasteners, and/or adhesives.

Abstract: A controller for energizing a power-operable element, such as a sunroof, window, door, vehicle seat, a component of a major appliance or of a machine or of a conveyor system. The disclosed controller senses both hard and soft obstructions and de-activates or otherwise alters operation of a motor that drives the element when an obstruction is detected. The controller can also be used to actuate a brake. The controller senses obstructions during start-up of the motor and regulates the speed of the power-operable element by pulse width modulating motor energization signals.

Abstract: An electronic control system is an in-line module for addition to or partial replacement of automotive vehicle seat control systems for providing massage and improved features of functional control, especially human lumbar massage and diagnostics. The module provides the following improved functions and features: an enhanced driver for automatic lumbar massage, or user taught lumbar massage cycle, and a transparency simulator for low power standby operation, motor stall protection, open motor circuit detection, short motor circuit protection, motor low current protection, motor over current protection, seat position sensor malfunction detection, electrical motor noise attenuation, electrical noise filtering, and also other options. These improvements do not require alternative wiring harness changes and do not affect existing operations of a memory or non-memory seat control mechanism.

Abstract: An electronic control system and a device is disclosed proving improved control and diagnostics of glow plugs as are typically energized in diesel engines prior to and during cold start and also during engine warmup, especially for motor vehicles under human operator control.

Abstract: An interchangeable, plug-in, in-line module for attenuating electrical noise wherein a plurality of plug-in terminals are electrically coupled to an attenuating circuit in the form of a filter network array including a plurality of discrete components electrically interconnected by conductive traces or printed circuits formed on an insulating board to facilitate a plug-in connection to an electrical system. The attenuating circuit is electrically connected to a conductive retainer which is adapted to receive and retain a plastic motor end cover therein and to make electrical contact with a conductive frame member of the motor. The attenuating circuit includes four ferrite choke beads each having axial through holes or bores through which through-connectors of the terminals pass. The choke beads are supported by an insulating carrier so that the through-connectors can be electrically coupled to the conductive traces.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a refrigeration system is operative to reduce a system pressure of the refrigeration system. The system pressure is reduced to reduce a start-up current associated with a compressor motor of the refrigeration system. Another method and system for controlling a refrigeration system includes steps of performing an operation of the refrigeration system in accordance with at least one parameter, sensing an amount of energy utilized in at least a portion of the refrigeration system to perform the operation, and modifying the at least one parameter to reduce the amount of energy required to subsequently perform the operation.

Abstract: A controller for energizing a power window or panel such as a power sunroof. The disclosed controller senses both hard and soft obstructions and de-activates a motor that moves the sunroof when an obstruction is detected. The controller senses obstructions by maintaining data relating to motor operation in three different memory buffers that are periodically updating upon receipt of pulses that are related to motor speed.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a solid product release mechanism to control the level of solid products in a storage bin. An acoustical wave is transmitted across either a passage of a delivery chute or a cavity of the storage bin. The strength of the transmitted acoustical wave is sensed. As the solid products fall from the release mechanism into the delivery chute or storage bin, a change in the strength of the acoustical wave signal is sensed. A control signal is generated to control the release mechanism when the change in the strength of the transmitted acoustical wave exceeds a predetermined threshold for more than a predetermined amount of time. A method and system is also provided for controlling an ice release mechanism in an automatic ice-making machine. A method and system is provided for automatically calibrating an ultrasonic ranging sensor used in determining the level of solid products in a storage bin.

Abstract: A valve assembly is shown having a valving member situated generally in the path of flow of a fluid which varies in pressure and urges the valving member in generally the same direction as the flow of the fluid; a spring is shown resiliently resisting the movement of the valving member by the flow of fluid; as the valving member is urged in the direction of the flow of the fluid the valving member reduces the effective flow area of the valve assembly through which area the fluid is to flow; the valve assembly features low hysteresis, resistance to plugging by debris in system, is flow sensitive activating at higher pressure differential as flow is increased and it may incorporate a fail safe feature reopening in case of spring failure; flow noise attenuation is also a feature.

Abstract: A system for controlling a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing outlet includes a first illumination source having a first field of illumination, a second illumination source having a second field of illumination, at least one optical sensor, and a control circuit. The control circuit is responsive to the at least one optical sensor to initiate dispensing of a material through the dispensing outlet when the at least one optical sensor senses a portion of a receiving member positioned within the first field of illumination and the second field of illumination. An alternative embodiment utilizes a single illumination source, a plurality of optical sensors, and a control circuit. Here, dispensing can be initiated when a portion of the receiving member is within the fields of view of the plurality of optical sensors.

Abstract: A fluid turbidity or filter clog sensor comprises a light source and a detector having at least one sensor position to cross a flow path or a filter element in order to improve the correspondence of the light intensity received at the receiver in correspondence with the turbidity level or clogging level occurring in the test cell. The detector preferably includes a direct path sensor, a scattered path sensor positioned to cross the flow path from the transmitter, and the reference light sensor communicating with the source outside of the test chamber. Moreover, the direct path may be a straight line path or a reflected path through the flow path when a fluid having a low level of turbidity is passed through the test cell. Likewise, the sensor includes means for compensating for changes in the illuminating source, changes for temperature variations occurring at the test cell, and compact packaging for convenient installation and improved production capacity.

Abstract: A turboalternator and air flow control assembly for mounting on a combustion air intake of an internal combustion engine comprises a body having an inlet and an outlet defining an air flow path, a nozzle carrier in the body defining a plurality of turbine nozzles spaced arcuately about and generally parallel with a central axis, the nozzles having inlet and outlet ends and forming a portion of the air flow path, a rotor mounted in the body on bearings for rotation on the central axis, the rotor driving an electric generator and including a turbine wheel having blades axially adjacent and radially aligned with said nozzles, a bypass passage in the body and connecting the inlet and outlet separately from the nozzles, and a bypass valve in the bypass passage and operable to control air flow through said bypass passage. Various embodiments including concentric or parallel bypass passage arrangements and having axial or radial gap alternators with permanent magnet rotors are featured.

Abstract: An valve position sensor apparatus for measuring the linear position of an EGR valve including a valve stem portion is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongated sensor probe extending from a base and a tubular member slideably overlying a varying length of the probe. The base is adapted to be secured relative to the EGR valve. The probe includes parallel, spaced apart, coextensive primary and secondary windings having a transformer coupling. The tubular member is movable with the EGR valve stem and is comprised of a material adapted to alter the transformer coupling of the overlied windings. An AC signal is supplied to the primary winding thereby inducing a signal in the secondary winding, the magnitude of the induced signal being dependent on the transformer coupling. An output means monitors the signal induced in the secondary winding and provides an output signal related to the linear position of the EGR valve.

Abstract: A capacitive responsive electronic switching circuit comprises an oscillator providing a periodic output signal having a frequency of 50 kHz or greater, an input touch terminal defining an area for an operator provide an input by proximity and touch, and a detector circuit coupled to the oscillator for receiving the periodic output signal from the oscillator, and coupled to the input touch terminal. The detector circuit being responsive to signals from the oscillator and the presence of an operator's body capacitance to ground coupled to the touch terminal when in proximity or touched by an operator to provide a control output signal. Preferably, the oscillator provides a periodic output signal having a frequency of 800 kHz or greater. An array of touch terminals may be provided in close proximity due to the reduction in crosstalk that may result from contaminants by utilizing an oscillator outputting a signal having a frequency of 50 kHz or greater.

Abstract: The invention concerns magnetic field energy responsive position sensing apparatus and method. A Hall sensor has an element defining a generally planar active face and circuitry coupled to said Hall sensor for producing a two state electrical output signal in response to magnetic field energy in a region of said active face. A ring magnet has spaced apart annular end walls that are adjacent a north pole and south pole of the ring magnet and defines a magnetic field in a center region of the ring magnet. The ring magnet and the Hall sensor are mounted for relative linear movement in a direction substantially normal to the active face of the Hall sensor so that the active face moves through the center region of the ring magnet. One annular end wall of the ring magnet moves past the active face while avoiding mechanical contact with the active face. This causes the electrical output signal to change state as the end wall moves past the active face of the Hall sensor element.