Abstract: A switch biasing member (20) is provided that features substantially transverse apposed resilient arm pairs (A.sub.1, A.sub.2) and (B.sub.1, B.sub.2) that extend from a support member (5) to respective preferably arcuately shaped spaced-apart free-ends (14, 14') and (16, 16') that are operative to engage an actuator (2) and impose respective forces (F.sub.1) and F.sub.2) that respectively increasingly and then decreasingly appose movement of actuator (2) axialy between two positions such that the combination of forces (F.sub.1) and F.sub.2) provide a tactile feel to operation of actuator (2).

Abstract: Provided is a transmission gear change shift bar housing assembly (100) that features a pair of shift bars (18, 24) respectively slidably disposed within bores (7, 9) in a housing (4) that are respectively attached to pistons (14, 22) that respectively define fluid pressurizable chambers (A, B and D) with chambers (A) and (D) being in fluid communication with each other in conjunction with and end housing (38) having an enlarged fluid pressurizable chamber (C) containing an enlarged piston (42) engagable with piston (14) and a fluid pressurizable chamber (E) in fluid communication with piston (22) such that selective pressurization of one or more of chambers (A, B, C, D and E) is able to move shift bar (18) between a neutral position (N) and two axial displaced positions (P.sub.1, P.sub.

Abstract: A brake clearance sensing and control system (60) is provided for controlling brake released clearance (c) between a frictional braking member (6) and a rotary brake surface (15). System (60) includes an air flow rate sensor (18) operative to provide a signal (26) indicative of air flow rate through conduit (4) between a pressurized air source (2) and a gap (16) between frictional member (6) and rotary brake surface (15) that is a function of clearance (c) and which creates a variable air flow restriction. System (60) preferably includes a pulse control (20) operative to cause pressurized air to flow through conduit (4) only in the brake released condition and signal (26) is operative to either or both provide a warning signal (32) when clearance (c) has exceeded a predetermined maxiumum and to enable an adjusting mechanism to adjust clearance (c) to a desired predetermined clearance in the brake released condition.

Abstract: An improved vehicular speed control system is provided that includes a logic member (2) operative to receive and process a gear ratio position signal (14) and either a vehicle speed signal (6) or an engine speed signal (7) and provide an output control signal (21) to an actuator (22) operative to control the engine throttle (24) or the like to maintain engine speed only when certain predetermined optimum gear ratios are engaged by an operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved electromagnetic coupling circuit (16) is provided that features a rotor (18) carrying rotary windings (39) rotated by a rotary member (2) within an annular air gap (41) between two magnetic stator sections (34, 34') in which are disposed stator windings (40) and of which at least one of stator sections (34, 34') comprises a plurality of circumferentially-spaced wedge shaped segments (50) mounted upon a support member (27, 27') and having at least a portion of their respective facing edges in electrical contact with each other enabling low cost manufacture of large diameter stator sections.

Abstract: A process for providing an engine valve (2) with varied microstructure grain size is provided. The process includes the steps of: providing a slug (4) of suitable metallic valve composition having a grain size of less than about A.S.T.M. 8; solution heat treating slug (4) to provide a larger grain size and to substantially dissolve carbonitride stringers if present; and forging the solution heat treated slug (4) in a manner that provides a substantially uniformly distributed A.S.T.M. grain size of about 1 to about 7 in a central region beneath the combustion face of head (14) of valve (2) while cold working a seat face (16) on head (14) and extruding the stem (10) of valve (2) such that its microstructure grain size is less than about A.S.T.M. 8.

Abstract: An engine poppet valve is manufactured to have a microstructure that varies by location to match the stresses, temperature, wear and other conditions encountered in service. The microstructure is characterized by a coarse grain size in the head adjacent its combustion face, a fine grain size in the head adjacent its seat face, and a fine grain size in the stem.

Abstract: A fastening assembly is provided for supporting an elongate member through a substantially circular opening through a frame. The assembly comprises a support member (60) having a flange portion (2) larger than the frame opening with a body portion (4) extending transversely therefrom. A bore (6) for receiving the elongate member therethrough extends through flange portion (2) and body portion (4). Body portion (4) includes a transverse groove (8) and at least one axially extending groove (10) in its outer surface that are respectively exposed on the opposite side of the frame opening into which support member (60) is received. The assembly includes a retainer clip (70) operable to engage groove (8) and secure support member (60) axially within the frame opening and at least one resilient arm operable to engage axial groove (10) and prevent clip (70) from rotating with the frame including means for preventing rotation of retainer clip (70).

Abstract: A control system (70, 70A) is provided that is particularly advantageous for controlling an automatic vehicular clutch. Linkage (23, 23A) for operating the clutch preferably includes a control arm (18, 18A) that is engageable by a latch member (20, 20A) that is driven by either a force actuator (37, 37A) and/or a speed signal (48, 48A) and is operable to hold the clutch in either the engaged or disengaged condition in the event of fluid pressure loss below or rise above a predetermined amount according to the type of clutch and other parameters.

Abstract: A new solution heat treated engine poppet valve has been developed which has a microstructure characterized by a large grain size in the head for optimum high temperature creep and fatigue properties and a finer grain size in the stem for good low temperature strength and fatigue properties.

Abstract: Wear resistant articles, especially valve seat inserts for internal combustion engines, are produced as sintered metal compacts comprising interspersed microzones of prealloyed austenitic stainless steel and softer ferrous metal, the microzones of austenitic stainless steel containing carbides and carbonitrides. The sintered compacts can be made by forming a green compact from prealloyed austenitic stainless steel powder atomizate blended with softer powdered ferrous metal component and powdered carbon, and sintering the green compact.

Abstract: A device (100) for calibrating load cells is provided. Device (100) features an intermediate chamber (8) providing fluid communication between spaced-apart fluid chambers (4) and (6). Chambers (4) and (6) have respective upper open ends (5) and (7) with chamber (4) connected to a plunger member (12) by a flexible seal (14) and chamber (6) connected to a plunger member (20) by a flexible seal (18) such when dead weights W.sub.1, 2 . . . n are placed upon plunger (12) fluid pressure exerts an upward force (F) against plunger (20) for calibrating a load cell (2) placed between plunger (20) and a rigid frame (21) that is defined by the equation:F=(A.sub.R /A.sub.P)(W.sub.1, 2 . . . n +W.sub.P -S.sub.P)-W.sub.R -S.sub.RWhere:A.sub.R =area of plunger (20)A.sub.P =area of plunger (12)W.sub.P =weight of plunger (12)S.sub.P =resistance force of seal (14)W.sub.R =weight of plunger (20)S.sub.R =resistance force of seal (18).

Abstract: A releasable fastener (40) is provided that includes a base member (2) having a compressible portion (12) at one end adapted to be inserted into an opening in a panel or the like when compressed and to secure the fastener to the panel upon expansion and having means such as an open ended portion (6) extending from an opposite end thereof adapted to secure an article to the fastener as well as including a latch means (22) extending from body member (2) for engaging portion 12 and holding it in a compressed state to facilitate simultaneous removal of fasteners (40) from the panel opening when a plurality of such fasteners are involved.

Abstract: Provided is an improved fluid operated clutch control system (80) of the normally disengaged type and control system (100) of the normally engaged type that both employ a control valve (22) operative to selectively provide a fluid signal from a fluid pressure supply source (24) to a first fluid operated actuator preferably in the form of a piston (9) operative in the case of system (80) to overcome a reslient biasing device (26) and move the clutch to the engaged condition upon receipt by the control valve of an actuating signal normally provided either by depression of a clutch pedal (50) for a standard transmission or by a sensor (52, 53) for an automatic transmission and in the form of a piston (9A) for system (100) operative to overcome a resilient biasing device (26A) and move the clutch to the disengaged condition.

Abstract: A headlight adjuster gear assembly (100) is provided having a pair of angularly oriented intermeshed gear members comprising a driven gear member (4) adapted to be rotated and cause rotation of a driving gear member (4) which is operable upon rotation to adjust a vehicular headlight. Gear members (2, 4) are enclosed by a pair of housing members (80, 90) that are hinged together at one end and fastened at an opposite end by pins (28) or other suitable means to prevent loss of either or both housing members (80, 90) upon their detachment as well as provide improved resistance to their separation from torque arising during the adjusting process.

Abstract: A method of installing foil type electrical strain gages wherein adhesive is applied and the gage pressed about is periphery to provide a fluid pressure seal. The gage and the structure are then pressurized directly in a fluid pressure vessel chamber and the pressure maintained while the vessel is heated to provide full curing of the adhesive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of providing different gear reduction ratios between a pinion gear (4) and ring gear (8) of a vehicular axle transmission (40) by application of trigonometric formulae heretofore thought unsuitable for such purpose.

Abstract: A clutch control system and clutch assembly utilizing same includes a comparator (10) for receiving a signal (A) corresponding to actual engine speed from a sensor member (6) and a signal (D) corresponding to desired engine speed from a sensor member (8) to provide an output signal (A-D). Signal (A-D) is provided to a summer (16) as well as a differentiator (14) which operates upon (A-D) to provide the differential with respect to time ##EQU1## which is received by summer (16) which provides the function signal ##EQU2## to an actuator (2) which utilizes the functional signal to control clutch (4). The functional signal may also include one or more weighting factors such as (K.sub.1) to control the magnitude of signals (A) and/or (D) and/or (A-d) and/or ##EQU3## in the manner desired.

Abstract: A dual station printer mechanism (10) including a first feed roller (22), a second feed roller (24), drive means (16) having an output shaft (20) for driving the first and second feed rollers (22, 24) and coupling means in the form of one-way clutches (34, 36) for selectively coupling and decoupling the first and second feed rollers (22, 24) from the output shaft of the drive means. Mechanism (10) further preferably includes a first pressure roller (68) normally biased against first feed roller (22) and a second pressure roller (80) normally biased against second feed roller (24) for enabling effective movement of first and second data carriers respectively therebetween to a position between a printhead 70 and a print bar 72 at which printing occurs.

Abstract: A constant bending moment device (70) for strain gauge measurement of a force (F) upon an object (32) by means of bending moment. Device (70) is provided with a base member (30) that is adapted to engage object (32) and has a pair of spaced-apart column members (34, 36) extending away from the side of base member (30) facing away from object (32). Column members (34, 36) have respective substantially parallel neutral axis (38, 40) and respective moment arms (37, 39) that extend generally orthogonally towards each other in overhanging relationship to base member (30) and merge at a common portion (24) therebetween having a loading axis (46) that is substantially parallel to neutral axis (38, 40) and equidistant therebetween.