Abstract: A buoyancy control system is disclosed for maintaining a buoyant vehicle at a controlled depth by jettisoning either a heavy liquid or a light liquid. The control system monitors the depth of the buoyant vehicle and determines the direction and magnitude of vertical velocity. If it exceeds the threshold velocity the system calculates how much fluid to jettison in order to decelerate the vehicle to a target velocity. The positive and negative threshold velocities are programmed for control of the average vertical velocity and for depth maintenance. First and second bladders contain heavy and light liquids, respectively. The bladders are subjected to ambient water pressure and are spring loaded and each is provided with an discharge valve. A pressure sensor monitors the vehicle depth and generates a depth signal. A computer derives a velocity signal from the depth signal and calculates the quantity of liquid which should be jettisoned.

Abstract: A remote meter reading system has equipment at a telephone company office coupled by modems to a utility company computer which issues requests for customer data. Telephone test trunks are used to access individual meter sites and initiate meter readings using a number of single frequency bursts. Meter sending units emit a pulse for each unit of consumption and a microprocessor counts the pulses in RAM to derive separate meter readings. When interrogated, the microprocessor outputs the readings in a binary coded decimal format to a DTMF tone generator which emits each decimal number as a tone pair which is transmitted via the telephone line and is detected at the telephone company, translated into ASCII code and transmitted by modem to the utility computer.

Abstract: A vehicle horn with an electronic solid state energizing circuit is described. The horn has an electromagnet for driving a diaphragm assembly which has a resonant frequency of mechanical vibration. The energizing circuit generates a DC pulse train for energizing the coil of the electromagnet to drive the diaphragm. The circuit has an adjustment for setting the pulse repetition rate of the pulse train substantially equal to the resonant frequency. It also has an adjustment for independently setting the duty cycle of the pulse train. The circuit further includes a compensator for varying the duty cycle inversely with changes in the supply voltage. An electronic power switch is connected in series with the vehicle battery and the horn coil through an unswitched power circuit. A horn switch is connected in an on/off circuit which connects the battery to a control circuit for generating the pulse train and applies it to the electronic power switch.

Abstract: The shift lever interlock system combines a shift lever position signal, interlock actuator extend and retract signals and vehicle system input signals (e.g., representing the service brake, ignition key-in, ignition circuit and vehicle battery voltage level) in a logic control circuit to lock the shift lever in the "Park" position, except if the ignition key is not in the "Lock" position and the service brake is depressed (applied) or the voltage of the battery is too low. The interlock system is not actuated to lock the shift lever in position when the shift lever is in positions other than as retained in the "Park" position by the detent mechanism.

Abstract: A clutch for a tire lift/carrier winch includes a drive plate and a driven plate having a plurality of elongate springs thereon. The driven plate includes circumferentially spaced driven end portions which are positioned in driving engagement with circumferentially spaced drive portions of the drive plate to permit rotation of the driven plate upon rotation of the drive plate when the load on the cable winding spool is within a prescribed limit. However, when the load on the cable winding spool exceeds the prescribed limit, the elongate springs on the driven plate function as cantilevered spring segments deflectable about respective fulcrums in such a manner as to prevent rotation of the driven plate upon rotation of the drive plate.

Abstract: An interlocking fastener and fastening arrangement is disclosed which is particularly suited for attaching a fuel tank hanger strap to a supporting structure on the underbody of an automobile. The fastener can be formed as a unitary end portion of the hanger strap and includes a neck portion and a fastening head from which a pair of unitary tabs extend. The fastener is inserted into an opening in a support and the tabs are then inserted into corresponding slots in the support to thereby reduce the risk of inadvertent disconnection when tension is removed from the fastener. Also disclosed is a bracket for interconnecting with the fastener. The bracket has a pair of spaced, protruding ribs, each having a slot therein. The fastener is inserted between the ribs, rotated to align the tabs with the slots, and then pulled backwards to insert the tabs into the slots.

Abstract: Adjustment of the pulse energizing frequency and duty cycle of a vehicle horn is described. The horn is blown by a test energizing circuit with a varying pulse frequency and the and the frequency at which the horn produces the maximum sound pressure level is taken as the predetermined resonant frequency. Then the horn is blown by the test energizing circuit at the resonant frequency with a varying duty cycle value of duty cycle which produces a predetermined striking force of the plunger against the pole piece is taken as the predetermined impact-producing duty cycle which is used for setting the operating duty cycle of the horn in a manner depending upon the type of the horn. The horn is then blown by its own electronic energizing circuit and the actual pulse frequency thereof is adjusted, preferably by laser trimming of a resistor, to match the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A clutch for a tire lift/carrier winch includes a drive plate and a driven plate having a plurality of elongate springs thereon. The driven plate includes circumferentially spaced driven end portions which are positioned in driving engagement with circumferentially spaced drive portions of the drive plate to permit rotation of the driven plate upon rotation of the drive plate when the load on the cable winding spool is within a prescribed limit. However, when the load on the cable winding spool exceeds the prescribed limit, the elongate springs on the driven plate function as cantilevered spring segments deflectable about respective fulcrums in such a manner as to prevent rotation of the driven plate upon rotation of the drive plate.

Abstract: A sheave plate and cable assembly for a tire lift/carrier winch comprises a sheave plate having spaced apart side faces defining a plate thickness therebetween and having an outer peripheral edge interconnecting the side faces and including an arcuate cable-wrapping track thereon. The end of a cable extends into the sheave plate between the side faces and is captured therein by the sheave plate which is die cast therearound. A portion of the cable end extends into the sheave plate in arcuate manner about the axis of rotation of the sheave plate and terminates in a flattened head portion. The thickness of the captured cable end is less than the plate thickness whereby the cable end is confined between the side faces of the sheave plate and does not extend beyond the side faces into adjacent side plates of the sheave assembly.

Abstract: A service brake and shift lever interlock system for a vehicle is operably controlled by a logic control circuit to prevent movement of the shift lever from the "Park" position when the ignition switch is in the "Start" or "Run" position and the service brake pedal is in a brake release position (i.e., the vehicle brakes are not applied). The interlock system does not prevent movement of the shift lever from the "Park" position under other conditions when the ignition switch is in the "Start" or "Run" position. An ignition interlock system prevents movement of the shift lever from the "Park" position when the ignition switch is in the "Lock" position.

Abstract: A broadband electroacoustic transducer is disclosed which provides an improved response over a relatively broad range of frequencies. The transducer includes a plurality of tines extending between the outer circumferential surfaces of a pair of piezoelectric cylinders. The cylinders are disposed about a common axis and are separated by a gap. The tines extend longitudinally across the gap from one cylinder to the other. Each tine is separated from the adjacent tines by a space which is sized to prevent contact between the tines when the cylinders radially oscillate. A pre-stress wrap is disposed over the tines on both sides of the gap to provide a static, inwardly radial force on the cylinders.

Abstract: The shift lever interlock system combines a shift lever position signal, interlock actuator extend and retract signals and vehicle system input signals (e.g., representing the service brake, ignition key-in, ignition circuit and vehicle battery voltage level) in a logic control circuit to lock the shift lever in the "Park" position, except if the ignition key is not in the "Lock" position and the service brake is depressed (applied) or the voltage of the battery is too low. The interlock system is not actuated to lock the shift lever in position when the shift lever is in positions other than as retained in the "Park" position by the detent mechanism.

Abstract: An electric horn having a diaphragm connected to a ferromagnetic plunger is driven by an electromagnetic coil to cause vibrations of the diaphragm at the resonant frequency of the diaphragm and plunger combination. A solid state driver has a timer tuned essentially to the frequency of the diaphragm assembly and controls the driver power output to effect coil energization to drive the diaphragm movement synchronously with the timer frequency. The driver output stage comprises a power MOSFET or a Darlington pair.

Abstract: A remote meter reading system has equipment at a telephone company office coupled by modems to a utility company computer which issues requests for customer data. Telephone test trunks are used to access individual meter sites and initiate meter readings using a number of single frequency bursts. Meter sending units emit a pulse for each unit of consumption and a microprocessor counts the pulses in RAM to derive separate meter readings. When interrogated, the microprocessor outputs the readings in a binary coded decimal format to a DTMF tone generator which emits each decimal number as a tone pair which is transmitted via the telephone line and is detected at the telephone company, translated into ASCII code and transmitted by modem to the utility computer.

Abstract: A service brake and shift lever interlock system for a vehicle is operably controlled by a logic control circuit to prevent movement of the shift lever from the "Park" position when the ignition switch is in the "Start" or "Run" position and the service brake pedal is in a brake release position (i.e., the vehicle brakes are not applied). The interlock system does not prevent movement of the shift lever from the "Park" position under other conditions when the ignition switch is in the "Start" or "Run" position. An ignition interlock system prevents movement of the shift lever from the "Park" position when the ignition switch is in the "Lock" position.

Abstract: The sheave and cable assembly includes a center sheave plate having an arcuate, cable-wrapping track and an exterior shoulder truncating the cable-wrapping track to accommodate a cable end fitting that is supported between adjacent sheave side plates for rotation relative to the sheave. The end fitting includes an outer, arcuate cable-wrapping shoulder which is generally contiguous with the cable-wrapping track on the center sheave plate when the end fitting is in a "cable wrap/unwrap" position in cooperative relation to the sheave center plate. This position of the cable end fitting permits wrapping of the cable on the track by rotation of the sheave in one direction and paying off (unwrapping) of the cable by rotation of the sheave in the opposite direction. When the cable is payed off the track and the sheave is rotated in a "wrong" direction (i.e.

Abstract: A sheave plate and cable assembly for a tire lift/carrier winch comprises a sheave plate having spaced apart side faces defining a plate thickness therebetween and having an outer peripheral edge interconnecting the side faces and including an arcuate cable-wrapping track thereon. The end of a cable extends into the sheave plate between the side faces and is captured therein by the sheave plate which is die cast therearound. A portion of the cable end extends into the sheave plate in arcuate manner about the axis of rotation of the sheave plate and terminates in a flattened head portion. The thickness of the captured cable end is less than the plate thickness whereby the cable end is confined between the side faces of the sheave plate and does not extend beyond the side faces into adjacent side plates of the sheave assembly.

Abstract: A hydrophone with crossed pairs of geophones is provided with a strong light weight housing allowing use at several thousand feet deep in the ocean while still maintaining good sensitivity. The cruciform housing has a cylindrical portion conforming to each of the four geophones so that each cylindrical wall has small diameter and requires small thickness. The cylindrical portions are joined to a central body to complete the housing.

Abstract: Lithium batteries are protected from a runaway condition marked by over-current and high temperature by a temperature sensor having a thermally conductive housing in thermal contact with all the cells of the battery and containing a fusible column which melts when a limit temperature is reached to open a switch in series with the battery. The switch may be the same switch which activates the circuit.

Abstract: The ignition interlock system prevents movement of the ignition switch of a motor vehicle from the "Off" position to the "Lock" position unless the transmission selector is in the "Park" position. The ignition interlock system includes a locking lever spring biased to lock the reciprocable slide of the ignition switch mechanism when the transmission selector is not in the "Park" position. The locking lever is unlocked from the reciprocable slide by energization of a solenoid in response to the transmission selector being placed in the "Park" position with the ignition key inserted in the ignition switch. A control circuit energizes or deenergizes the solenoid in response to input signals representing the transmission selector position and the ignition key in/out position.