Abstract: Provided is an improved multi-speed compound change gear transmission having an auxiliary section (14) that includes a conventional single fluid chambered splitter gear piston assembly (46) for selectively coupling either a range gear (6) to an output shaft or a splitter range gear (62) to an input shaft of section (14). Section (14) also includes a range piston assembly (48) for selectively coupling a splitter gear (78) or the splitter range gear (62) to the input shaft. Assembly (48) features a pair of tandem fluid chambers (66 and 68) that enable a reduction in the diameter of the fluid chambers from the diameter of the singular chambered piston chamber heretofore used so that at least range piston assembly (48) is able to be protectively enclosed by an auxiliary section housing (50).

Abstract: A vehicle suspension member such as a spring leaf or plate (50) is provided with at least one discontinuity therein that extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis ("L/A") extending therealong between opposite ends thereof and is effective to divert crack propagation in a direction generally parallel thereto. The discontinuity(s) are provided by methods that include compressing an elongate member (10,12) having enclosed voids (12,16) extending along its central region in one embodiment or by compressing an elongate member (26) having a plurality of enclosed voids (28) extending along its length in another embodiment or by compressing an elongate member (41) having opposite sides (43,43') that, in cross-section, have a concave shape, in yet another embodiment.

Abstract: A process (50) is provided that operates to convey a contaminated oil/water emulsion metalworking fluid (2) under pressure through an ultrafilter membrane (12) to separate a substantial amount of oil (14) therefrom that is then emulsified with a predetermined amount of water having an electrical volume resistivity of at least about 3000 ohm-cm to provide a reconditioned oil/water emulsion for use as a metalworking fluid.

Abstract: Provided is a hill holder system operative to prevent a vehicle such as a truck having a fluid operated brake system from rolling backward down an incline or to assist an operator in braking when descending an incline. The system utilizes a control signal (C) provided by a central processing unit (10) operative to instruct a brake control valve (22) to close the brake balve exhaust port(s) (27) to maintain the brakes in an engaged condition whenever a selected speed condition such as vehicle ground speed is below a predetermined value. In other embodiments, selected vehicle drive train conditions such as either or both throttle and clutch position are processed in combination with the selected speed signal to effect braking in the manner desired.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for machining processes involving the generation of frictional heat in which the workpiece is contacted by a coolant whose viscosity progressively increases with decreasing temperature and by a pressurized fluid that, upon expansion while undergoing a reduction in pressure, absorbs heat and cools the coolant and increases its viscosity to provide a consistency that enhances its lubricity to minimize the generation of frictional heat during the machining process while enhancing conductive heat transfer into the machining tool.

Abstract: A push-in fastener (50) is provided having a base portion (4) having a threaded aperture (11) for receiving a threaded member (8) therethrough and from which a pair of spaced-apart resilient legs (14,14') extend that are configured to contract towards each other sufficiently to be received through an opening (16) through a workpiece (12) and then expand to secure fastener (50) thereto yet have respective free-ends (18,18') that are lockingly engaged together by a tab (20) in one of legs (14,14') to prevent warpage and undesirable movement in the legs (14,14').

Abstract: A ring gear (50) is provided with a plurality of substantially evenly circumferentially spaced posts (10) that extend radially inwardly and are adapted to carry rotary differential pinion gears (12) whose teeth are adapted to meshingly engage the teeth of side gears (18) and (18') respectively secured to the ends of axially aligned spaced-apart axle shafts (20) and (20') to provide a motor vehicle differential gear assembly (100) that enables ring gear (50) to float relative axle shafts (20) and (20') in the space therebetween.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a mechanical transmission start control system are provided which employ a central processing unit (10) operative to process signals indicative of throttle foot pedal position (26); engine speed (20); transmission input speed (14); and transmission output speed (16), and to control either or both the degree of clutch or friction coupling and brake engagement in a manner predetermined to provide smooth start-up when vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value "K".

Abstract: A pivot assembly is provided for providing a pivot point for positioning a vehicular headlight mounted on a movable frame relative to a fixed frame. The assembly comprises a ball stud (50) that is secured to a selected one of the fixed and movable frames by a retainer clip (60) that has an edge (28) that engages a transverse annular groove (10) in ball stud (50) to prevent axial movement and has at least one resilient arm (24) having a free-end 26 that engages one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves (14) that are in substantial transverse relationship to annular groove (10) and that cooperate with free-end (26) to prevent ball stud (50) from rotating.

Abstract: An anchor bracket (100) is provided for securing return springs (36) and (36') in close proximity to a cam (32) of a rotary drum brake assembly (200). Bracket (100) has an inverted "U" type configuration comprising a bridging portion (40) from opposite sides of which extend legs (42) and (42') that are spaced apart from each other and have a height sufficient to enable the close proximity between cam (32) and bracket (100) that operates to increase mechanical advantage in enabling return springs (36) and (36') to move a pair of brake shoe assemblies (20) and (20') towards each other upon release of the brakes by an operator.

Abstract: Provided is an improved fluid operated clutch control system having a latch member operable to lock the clutch in a selected condition of engagement or disengagement when the fluid pressure falls below a predetermined minimum value. In one embodiment a system (100) is provided in which a latch member (26) is controlled by fluid pressure in a channel (36) in a stationary wall housing (10). In another embodiment, a system (200) is provided in which a latch member (62) is controlled by the combination of fluid pressure sensed by a sensor (64) and the energization and de-energization of a solenoid (60) and, in yet another embodiment, a system (300) is provided with a latch member (62) that is controlled by the energization and de-energization of a solenoid (60).

Abstract: An anchor collar or bracket (100) is provided that is adapted to fit loosely about a shaft (34) of a rotary drum brake assembly such as assembly (200). Bracket (100) is adapted to secure at least one pair of resilient biasing members such as coiled springs (36 and 36') to respective pivotally mounted opposed brake shoe assemblies (20 and 20') and resiliently urge them towards each other upon release of the brake while being able to be moved to enable access to hidden portions therebehind.

Abstract: A vehicular headlamp position adjustment assembly (50) is provided that features a ball and socket type connection between an adjustment screw (8) and a support member (18) for adjusting position of a headlamp (2) mounted on a movable frame (4) relative to a fixed frame (6). Support member (18) is adapted to be received through an opening in either movable frame (4) or fixed frame (6) and be releasably secured thereto by means of a clip such as a "U" shaped clip (32). Adjustment screw (8) has a boss (14) adapted to be received in a cavity (16) within support member (18) and is preferably adapted to be rotated from either end.

Abstract: Powdered metal parts, especitally valve parts of an internal combustion engine which are subject to adhesive wear in service, withstand such wear substantially better when they have substantially uniformly dispersed through them from about 0.75% to about 7.0% by weight of hydrate magnesium silicate (talc).

Abstract: A press-in fastener clip (50) is provided that features a resilient locking arm (10) having a surface (18) adapted to releasably secure clip (50) to an aperture (16). Clip (50) has a V shaped insertion leg (8) that is operative to assist in securing clip (50) to aperture (16) as well as to automatically urge clip (50) outwardly therefrom upon manual release of locking arm (10).

Abstract: A moisture sensor (100) is provided that utilizes a sulfonated fluorocarbon film (10) having a thickness of less than about one micron and capable of providing accurate measurements of humidity and extremely fast response to change in humidity. A preferred embodiment of an electrical system (150) is disclosed for use with sensor (100) and a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene perfluoroether copolymer form of the film is especially preferred.

Abstract: A vehicle headlight position adjustment assembly is provided that in a preferred embodiment (100) has a rotary input member (8) that upon rotation causes a threaded output adjustment member (6) to transverse axially through openings (34) and (34') in opposite side walls of first housing part (2) of a two part housing. The second part (4) or cover for the housing includes at least one pedestal (44) and preferably two spaced-apart pedestals (44) and (44') having apertures therethrough through which output member 6 extends enabling the pedestals to hold housing parts 2 and 4 together in the event that they become detached from each other.

Abstract: A slack adjuster (500) is provided that is particularly advantageous for use in tensioning vehicular timing belts or chains. Adjuster (500) has substantially coaxially aligned status plunger (48), dynamic plunger (74), and sleeve (66). A first check valve (56) controls fluid flow between a first low pressure fluid reservoir or chamber (50) on plunger (48) and a second fluid chamber (84) in plunger (74). A second check valve (80) controls fluid flow between chamber (84) and a third fluid chamber in sleeve 66 includes a passageway (84) and also operates to prevent air from re-entering chamber (82) from passsageway (84).

Abstract: A process is provided for automatically reforming rotary drum brake shoes preferably by an apparatus 100 that includes an adjustable sensing member (30) that monitors the distance ("L") between end openings (8) and (12) of a brake shoe (2) supported by support member (26, 26') adjacent its opposite ends. Member (30) generates a reference signal that is compared to stored dimensional standards established therefor and, if not within the limits, a control signal is generated that causes a bending member (20) to bend brake shoe (2) transversely between supports (26, 26') until its configuration falls within the dimensional limits established therefor. Apparatus (100) is preferably operative to first monitor the width ("X") of openings (8) and (12) and, if outside of the tolerance standards established therefor, enable the reforming process to be stopped rather than continue.

Abstract: A system is provided for approximating rotational speed of a oscillating rotational member such as a vehicular transmission input or output shaft (2). The system includes a rotational speed sensor (4) and a processor (6) operable to provide at an output signal (S.sub.approx.) equal to at least one of signals (S.sub.3, S'.sub.3, S.sub.5, S'.sub.5 and S.sub.7 S'.sub.7) according to the number of speed measurements made by sensor (4) within a predetermined time period (T).