Abstract: Tire pressure monitors (10) are incorporated in vehicles (12) having pneumatic tires (15) to continuously or periodically measure air pressure within each tire and to alert the driver should the pressure in any of the tires fall below a predetermined value. A passive transponder (22) is affixed within the drop center (41) of each wheel (17) and includes a pressure sensing switch (36). An RF transmitter (46) centrally located within the vehicle body interrogates each transponder, either serially or simultaneously. Each transponder, in turn, reflects a predetermined harmonic of the RF signal back to a receiver (48) as a function of the state (open or closed) of its associated pressure switch. The receiver then outputs a signal to a processor/display unit (50) to activate an alarm or indicating device (58).

Abstract: An improved supercharger or blower (10) of the Roots-type with reduced airborne noise and improved efficiency. The blower includes a housing (12) defining generally cylindrical chambers (32, 34) containing meshed lobed rotors (14, 16) having the lobes (14a, 14b, 14c, 16a, 16b, 16c) thereon formed with an end-to-end helical twist according to the relation 360.degree./2n, where n equals the number of lobes per rotor. In one embodiment, blower housing (12) also defines inlet and outlet ports (36, 38). The inlet port includes longitudinal boundaries defined by housing wall surfaces (20f, 20h) and transverse boundaries defined by housing wall surfaces (20g, 20i). The transverse boundaries (20g, 20i) are disposed substantially parallel to the helical lobes. The outlet port includes longitudinal boundaries defined by housing surfaces (20m, 20r) and a transverse boundaries defined by housing surfaces (20p, 20s).

Abstract: A disc brake unit comprises a disc assembly of interleaved rotor discs and stator discs that are normally spring in one direction biased to a brake engaged condition. A hydraulically operated first piston engages a stator disc at one end of the unit to move it axially in opposition to the spring bias to release the pressure between the discs and thus release the brake. A non-rotatable stop adapted to contact only one intermediate stator disc is provided to prevent movement of the intermediate disc in a direction opposite to the one direction. A second piston engages a stator disc at the opposite end of the unit for moving the rotor and stator discs on one side of a stop into engagement with each other and applies a modulated force to said rotor and stator discs while the first power piston is in position to oppose the spring bias, to thereby apply slip braking torque to the output shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjusting tappet for an internal combustion engine of the type supplying oil to a passage communicating with the tappet-receiving guide bore in the engine. The tappet has a roller follower on the cam end and a registration means adjacent the opposite end for orienting the roller with respect to the engine cam. The tappet body has at least one localized collector recess disposed longitudinally coincident and peripherally spaced with the registration means. In one embodiment the registration comprises a pair of oppositely disposed flats and the tappet has a pair of diametrically opposed collector recesses interconnected by a peripheral groove spaced longitudinally therefrom to by-pass the flats and provide sufficient surface for leakage control. An oil inlet hole is formed in one of the collector recesses for supplying the lash adjuster valve in the tappet. The localized recess is aligned with the engine supply passage by the orientation of the registration surface.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device is disclosed of the type including an input coupling member (11) and an output coupling member (13). A valve plate (31) separates the device into a fluid operating chamber (33) and a fluid reservoir chamber (35). In a preferred embodiment, the valve plate defines an inlet port (53) and a discharge port (59), which are conventional, and, in accordance with the invention, a discharge port (55) is disposed adjacent a pumping element (57). Attached to the valve plate is a temperature-responsive bimetallic strip (63) having a closed position when the fluid temperature is below a predetermined maximum, such that the device operates in the engaged mode. When the fluid temperature rises above the predetermined maximum, the bimetallic strip (63) opens, permitting additional discharge flow through the port (55), causing the device to operate in the disengaged mode, and preventing overheating of the fluid and damage to the coupling device.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle assembly (11) is disclosed including a central manifold portion (15) and left and right axle assemblies (17 and 19). The axle assemblies include hydraulic motors (37 and 39) connected in parallel through the manifold 15 to the output of a variable displacement pump (13). The transaxle assembly includes a differential mechanism (111), including fluid displacement mechanisms (113) and (115) of which the inner rotors (127) are connected for common rotation by a shaft (117). The differential mechanism (111) includes a selector valve (119; 161) which can either interconnect left and right passages (33b and 35b), downstream of the mechanisms (113 and 115) to permit normal differentiating action, or can prevent such communication between the passages (33b) and (35b) to cause limited differentiating action of the transaxle assembly.

Abstract: Enclosed is a removable fastening assembly (80, 82, 84, 86) that can be secured to and removed from the same side of an opening in an article such as a plate (10) or the like into which an externally threaded member such as a screw ("S") is to be received by compressing opposed spaced-apart contracting means (18, 18', 58, 72) towards each other exposed on the side of the fastener facing away from the article opening (38) to cause a compressible member (16, 16', 56, 68) disposed on the side of the fastener facing towards the opening to contract sufficiently to be received into the opening with at least a portion thereof pressing against opposite sides of the wall of the fastener surrounding the opening with sufficient force to secure the fastener to the article upon release of the compressive force.

Abstract: A solid state DC power control system having a single N-type or N-channel or majority carrier solid state switching element (Q1) connected to the high side (L) of the power supply for energizing a ground or neutral (V.sub.o) connected load (LD). A voltage level translation circuit (2,2') supplies a floating regulated control voltage to the switching element (Q1) high enough to maintain it turned on even if the voltage at the low side of the switching element (Q1) rises up to or near the supply voltage thereby allowing use of such N-type switching device (Q1) in the high side (L) of the supply. A zener diode (ZD3) limits the gate(G)-to-source(S) voltage to the proper level. A non-inverting drive circuit (10,12) controlled by a logic level signal input element (Q2) controls connection of the high voltage to the switching (Q1) gate (G). A first version uses a DC-DC converter (CON) and a preferred version uses a voltage multiplier (VM) in the voltage level translation, high voltage, gate supply circuit (2,2').

Abstract: A positive drive (10) utilizing clutch sleeves (46, 62) having internal splines (48, 64) for splined connection to clutch cams (30, 32) and certain of the clutch (42, 44) friction discs (54, 66) is provided. The positive drive utilizes a drive cam (22) comprising a radially inner ring portion (24) carrying cam surfaces (84, 86) for operative engagement with cam follower ramp surfaces (88, 90) of the clutch cams and radially outwardly extending arm portions (26) for mounting to the positive drive housing (12). Each of the clutch sleeves define axially extending balking fingers (100, 102) which extend through the circumferential space between the arm portions of the drive cam and which are located radially outwardly of the ring portion (24) for interengagement to limit the relative rotational freedom between the clutch cams.

Abstract: A system is provided for driving a cooling fan (19) of a vehicle including a transverse, water-cooled engine (E). A main drive pulley (11,13) is driven by the engine and a fan drive assembly (15) is mounted on the vehicle radiator (R) and includes a driven pulley (37). Torque is transmitted from the drive pulley to the driven pulley by means of a power transmission belt (43) including a drive portion (45) and slack portion (47). An idler pulley (55) engages the drive portion of the belt, and a tensioner device (61) and tensioner pulley (69) engage the slack portion of the belt. The tensioning device includes a rotatable arm (65) and is operable to maintain relatively constant belt tension as the engine and drive pulley move relative to the radiator and fan drive assembly.

Abstract: A convertible single speed single reduction drive axle (200) convertible to a shiftable two speed planetary double reduction drive axle (10) is provided. The convertible drive axle (200) utilizes a locking gear (204) and locking gear pins (206) with the same components as found in a two speed double reduction axle (10) with the exception of several components such as the sliding clutch gear (94), idler pinion gears (84), high speed clutch plate (90), clutch plate dowel pins (92), idler pinion pins (88), shift fork (112) and thrust washer (126), which are not utilized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a golf club grip having a knob at the cap end of the grip with the top third of the grip slightly undersized to help promote hand and wrist action for added power and with less taper and more uniform size at the lower two thirds of the grip to discourage over controlling the club.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for use in association with a gerotor displacement mechanism of the type including an internally-toothed ring (23) and an externally-toothed star (27). The lock mechanism includes a lock member (81) and an actuation mechanism (83) including a backup member (85) which engages the lock member and an actuator (89). The actuator is in threaded engagement with a boss portion (71) of the ring whereby rotation results in movement radially inwardly, forcing the lock member into its adjacent volume chamber (29) to engage one of the external teeth of the star and prevent further orbital and rotational movement of the star.

Abstract: An A.C. overload current sensing, remote power controller of minimum size and weight and integral construction. Current rate sensing wound toroids are used that are small enough to fit around the line terminal studs without having to enlarge the prior insulator space available therein. The electronic overload current detecting and tripping control circuit is replaced by a pair of modules, detector and control modules, having improved performance and a shape and size such that they fit within the relay housing alongside its operating magnet. The detector module has integrator means for converting current rate of change signals into current magnitude indicative signals thereby enabling use therewith of rate sensing wound toroids of about one-tenth the size of equivalent current transformer wound toroids.

Abstract: An improved lash adjuster assembly (100) of the type featuring a plunger member (20) reciprocally moveable within a bore (44) of a body member (2) and operable to reduce back lash in a drive train of an engine valve member wherein assembly (100) includes a retainer member (66) having a side wall (74) secured to body member (92) and having radially inwardly projecting section (76) having at least a portion thereof dimensionally adapted and of sufficient resilience to minimize impact between a shoulder (68) of plunger member (20) as well as enabling plunger member (20) to be removed from body member (2) without having to remove retainer member (66) from securement thereto in addition to enabling greater reciprocal travel of plunger member (20) relative body member (2) during operation of assembly (100) particularly due to softening of at least section (76) of retainer member (66) at elevated engine temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed are two embodiments (40, 50) of a self-locking prevailing torque fastener featuring a common base portion (2) having an aperture (4) therethrough for receiving a threaded member that is at least partially surrounded by means such as a warped helical edge (6) for engaging the threads of the threaded member. Fasteners (40, 50) are provided with a pair of spaced-apart resilient torque arms having respective sections (8) that respectively extend downwardly from opposite edge of base portion (2) to sections (10) that extend upwardly to sections (12) that extend through respective openings (14) in each to respective free-ends (16) that are adapted to press against opposite sides of the threaded member.

Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic mechanical transmission system (2) of the type comprising a throttling control device (19) controlled heat engine (12) a nonpositive coupling such as a friction master clutch (14) and a jaw clutch type multispeed mechanical transmission (10) utilizing a digital microprocessor (100) based electronic controller (30) is provided. The method includes providing logic routines for the microprocessor including a high priority algorithm for processing current inputs to determine current system status and to generate outputs including command outputs based upon current system status and a low priority algorithm for providing a signal indicative of the currently desired gear ratio to the high priority algorithm.

Abstract: A slide-type electrical switching mechanism has a contact plate with plural U-shaped contact portions interconnected by a plurality of frangible portions. The plate is secured to the non-conductive switch housing by deforming portions of the housing over the contact plate. An elongated stationary contact strip is secured to the housing adjacent the contact plate. The frangible portions are punched out to form a plurality of discrete U-shaped contacts for switching purposes. A movable contact assembly continuously engages the contact strip and makes and breaks a circuit between the contact strip and one of the leg portions of each U-shaped contact.

Abstract: An improved rotary fluid pressure device is provided of the type especially suited for operation at relatively low speed. The device includes a gerotor gear set (13) having a star (27) which orbits and rotates, an output shaft (47) and a main drive shaft (51) to transmit rotation of the star to the output shaft. The valving comprises a spool valve member (49) defining axial ports (65) and (67) connected to the inlet and outlet, respectively, and stationary ports (41) communicating with the gerotor volume chambers. The stationary ports (41) have a port width W.sub.1 and the axial ports (65) and (67) have port widths W.sub.2 which is narrower than W.sub.1 and is selected such that the measured maximum cross-port leakage rate is approximately equal to the minimum rate. Because the cross-port leakage is kept constant, the flow to the gerotor is constant, resulting in optimized low-speed operation of the motor.

Abstract: A bucket tappet is provided for direct-acting valve gear having a body portion formed of a light weight material having a thermal expansion suitable for use in an aluminum engine head. The body of the tappet is formed with a tubular wall, an inner tubular hub and a transverse web joining and supporting the hub within the outer tubular wall. An hydraulic lash adjusting piston/plunger assembly formed of steel is received within the tubular hub. The leakdown control surfaces within the lash adjuster are formed on the mating interfaces between the steel piston and plunger. The body of the tappet has a cam face member formed of hardened material, preferably iron base, received thereover transversely of the outer tubular portion and retained thereon for providing a cam contacting surface. The inner tubular hub has the end adjacent the cam face closed by portions of the body for forming a portion of the hydraulic reservoir in conjunction with a cavity formed in the hydraulic piston.