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. The chambers include cylindrical wall surfaces 20a, 20b and end wall surfaces 20c, 24a which sealing cooperate with the rotor lobes and ends. Blower housing (12) also defines inlet and outlet ports (36, 38). The inlet port includes a longitudinal extent defined by housing wall surfaces (20f, 20f) and a transverse extent defined by housing wall surfaces 20g, 20i. Transverse wall surfaces (20g, 20i) are disposed substantially parallel to the associated rotor lobes.

Abstract: An improved control for an automatic transmission, preferably an automatic mechanical transmission (10), is provided. The improved control includes an operator selectable mode of operation (D.sub.1) for off-road and other higher resistance vehicle operating conditions. In the off-road mode of operation, the central processing unit (30) will generate upshift commands in accordance with an upshift shift point profile (OHU) such that, assuming constant output shaft speed and throttle position, the engine (12) output power following an upshift will be at least as great as the engine output power prior to the upshift.

Abstract: An improved change speed planetary transmission (100) of the type utilizing planetary gearing (102) to drivingly connect an input shaft (12) to an output shaft (14) is provided. The planetary gearing includes a sun gear (104) fixed for rotation with the input shaft, planet gears (110) constantly meshed with the sun gear and rotationally supported on planet gear shafts (114) carried by a planet carrier (116) fixed for rotation with the output shaft and a ring gear (120) constantly meshed with the planet gears. The ring gear is selectively axially moveable relative to the transmission housing (18) and the sun gear and planet gears to a first position for positive engagement with a clutch member (134) fixed for rotation with the housing to provide an indirect ratio mode of operation and to a second axial position for positive engagement with a clutch member (126) fixed to the sun gear to provide a direct ratio mode of operation. In the direct ratio mode of operation of the transmission, the forces (2F.sub.

Abstract: A low speed high torque motor-gear reducer assembly is disclosed of the type having a first gerotor (motoring gerotor) including a ring member (41) having (N+1) internal teeth (47) and a star (49) having (N) external teeth. A second gerotor (reduction gerotor) includes a ring (85) having (M+1; wherein M does not equal N) internal teeth (89) and a star (91) having (M) external teeth. The internally-toothed portion of the second gerotor is fixed by means of a flange (81) to an output shaft (25). Pressurized fluid is communicated only to the motoring gerotor whereby the output shaft rotates at a speed reduced from the speed of rotation of the star (49) by a reduction factor R wherein: ##EQU1## In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a third gerotor (support gerotor) is included having a star (103) identical to the star (49) and being in engagement with an intermediate shaft (97) such that the stars (49) and (103) orbit and rotate in unison.

Abstract: A pair of heaters (16,18) are mounted within a breaker housing (2) in spaced relation to a temperature responsive actuator element (30) for indirectly heating that element in response to current flow in the heaters. Each heater is provided with a wiring terminal member (6,8) for selectively individually connecting one or the other heater in circuit with a branch circuit to be protected. One heater (16) is selected to generate greater amounts of heat than the other heater (18) when subjected to the same current levels.

Abstract: A heater strip (12) is disposed in spaced relation to a temperature responsive actuator element (20) for indirectly heating that element in response to current flow in the heater (12). An adjustable heat sink (22) is disposed in spaced proximity to the actuator element (20) for removing heat from the actuator element by radiation therefrom through air to the heat sink in a first position and adjustable to be in thermally conductive engagement with the actuator in a second position for increasing the efficiency of heat transfer from the actuator to the heat sink. Increased current flow in the protected branch circuit is required to cause the actuator (20) to attain its predetermined actuation temperature as the heat sink is adjusted to increase the efficiency of heat transfer between the actuator (20) and the heat sink.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for controlling both cruising speed and engine idling speed of a vehicle. The system includes an electronic control module that controls an actuator (100) having a moveable member preferably in the form of a gear rack (6) that is pivotably mounted to an intermediate member (8) that is operably connected to the engine throttle and adapted to move in opposite directions along a frame (2) of the actuator. The actuator is provided with means, preferably in the form of an idle speed control switch (34), for sensing when the throttle is being controlled by the operator and causing the control module to switch its output from a second control signal to a first control signal and feedback means, preferably in the form of a differentiating switch (47), for determining an idle speed pick-up position for the moveable member that is more than the desired regulated engine idle speed position but not more than the operator selected cruising speed position.

Abstract: A silicon substrate (2,22) having a SiO.sub.2 layer (4,24) grown on its upper surface and a metallization layer (6,26) of magnetic material subsequently deposited on the upper surface of the SiO.sub.2 layer is etched to define a cantilever beam (8,38) extending over a recess (12,32) in the substrate (2,22) having a magnetic layer (6,26) along the top surface thereof. The resulting structure is subsequently masked with a photoresist layer to enable a second layer (14,34) of magnetic material to be deposited on the first layer. The photoresist layer is stripped forming a second magnetic layer (14,34) projecting from the unsupported end of the cantilever beam over and spaced from a fixed stop (10,30) of magnetic material adjacent the unsupported end of the cantilever beam. In one version the magnetic material (6,14) serves as electrical current carrying contacts which close upon application of a magnetic field to the switching device.

Abstract: A shift control mechanism (10) for use in cooperation with a shift bar housing assembly (16) of a change gear transmission of the type comprising a shift bar housing (14) in which a plurality of axially moveable shift rails (18, 20, 22 and 24) are mounted is provided. The shift control mechanism includes a control housing (12) in which a shift yoke (64) is pivotably mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis (68) in a direction (Y--Y) transverse the axes of the shift rails. A shift lever (48) carrying a shift finger (52) at one end thereof and a shift knob (56) at the other end thereof is pivotably mounted in the shift yoke about an independent pivot axis (62) for pivotal movement in the direction (X--X) parallel the axes of the shift rails relative to the shift yoke and control housing.

Abstract: A molded insulating switch housing (2) has a rectangular opening (2a) in an end wall thereof through which an actuator (4) having a rectangular cross-sectional shape extends for linear reciprocable movement and is biased to an extended position with respect to the housing. A trigger operator member (6) is affixed to the outer end of the actuator (4) and has a recess (6b) open toward the end wall of the housing (2). A continuous rectangular flange (2b) surrounds the opening (2a) in the end wall and is telescopically received within the recess (6b) of the trigger operator (6) to form a dust and foreign contaminant material seal for the switch.

Abstract: An arc interruption structure for an electric switching device such as a contactor having one or more J-plates (38,42,46,48) adjacent to but insulated from each contacts gap provided by stationary contacts (20,22) and a movable bridging contact (24) of the contactor whereby sub-arcs are received from the contacts gaps to the bend (38c) of the J-plates and move therefrom along the short limb (38b) of the J-plate to the extremity (38c) thereof, thus to be retained and extinguished within the arc interruption structure and not ejected either forwardly into the vent space or reversely back toward the contacts gap. The J-plates (38,42) may have various forms such as a reduced-width bend (38c) with greater width limbs (38a,38b) or a reduced-width bend (52d) and short limb (52c) with a greater width long limb (52f). These J-plates may be used with arc runners (22a,24a) and/or with one or more flat, arc splitter-plates (40,41,44,45) and/or an auxiliary arc bridge (30 ).

Abstract: A vacuum operated EGR valve/controller having a vacuum signal responsive diaphragm converted to operate the EGR poppet valve. A flow limiting orifice is provided upstream of the valve and a flow sensing pressure tap provided intermediate the valve and the orifice. Flow pressure is sensed by a piezoresistive transducer which gives an electrical signal indicative thereof. In one embodiment, the transducer is stationary and flow sensing tube is extended to the valve body. In a second embodiment, the transducer is mounted on the diaphragm for movement therewith and flow sensing is internal through the valve actuator. In another embodiment, a flow sensing orifice is provided downstream of the valve and the transducers has a reference and dynamic probe for sensing the differential of flow pressure on opposite sides of the sensing orifice.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a strain gage transducer mounted on a rotating member comprising a mechanical switch capable of making contact from a stator to selected terminals on the rotor to provide both positive and negative shunt calibration of the transducer. In a first embodiment, calibration is carried out while the rotor is stationary, providing a simple, cost effective calibration system for most applications. In a second embodiment, special terminals permit contact while the rotor is in motion. In a third embodiment, simultaneous calibration and gage measurements are possible while the rotor is in motion providing a means of continuous correction which is especially advantageous in applications where the rotor is subject to a rapidly changing environment.

Abstract: A cylindrical contact carrier (4) is journaled for rotational movement about an axis extending in the direction of linear movement of a depressible trigger operator (2). Spiral grooves (4d) formed in the carrier (4) cooperably receive cam elements (10g) which are disposed in fixed planes with respect to the axis of rotation and depression of the trigger operator (2) effects relative linear movement of the cam elements (10g) with respect to the spiral grooves (4d) to cause rotation of the carrier (4) for moving contacts (18) positioned on the carrier (4) into and out of engagement with stationary contacts (22) disposed around the periphery of the carrier (4).

Abstract: An improved supercharger or blower (10) of the Roots-type with reduced airborne noise. The blower includes a housing (12) defining generally cylindrical chambers (32, 34) containing meshed lobed rotors (14, 16) mounted for rotation about parallel, transversely spaced apart axes. The rotor lobes (14a, 14b, 14c, 16a, 16b, 16c) are formed with an end-to-end helical twist according to the relation 360.degree./2n, where n equals the number of lobes per rotor. Blower housing (12) also defines inlet and outlet ports (36, 38) having transverse and longitudinal boundaries. Spaces (32a, 34a) between adjacent lobes of each rotor transfer volumes of low-pressure inlet port air to relatively high-pressure outlet port air. The longitudinal boundaries of the inlet port are defined by transversely extending wall surfaces (20f, 20h) and the transverse boundaries are defined by wall surfaces (20g, 20i) disposed substantially parallel to the associated rotor lobes.

Abstract: An improved supercharger or blower (10) of the Roots-type with reduced airborne noise. 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. Blower housing (12) also defines inlet and outlet ports (36, 38). The inlet port includes a longitudinal extent defined by housing wall surfaces (20f, 20h) and a transverse extent defined by housing wall surfaces 20g, 20i. Transverse wall surfaces (20g, 20i) are disposed substantially parallel to the associated rotor lobes. The outlet port includes a longitudinal extent defined by housing surfaces (20m, 20r) and a transverse extent defined by housing surfaces (20p, 20s). Spaces (32a, 34a) between adjacent lobes of each rotor transfer volumes of low-pressure inlet port air to relatively high-pressure outlet port air.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the performance of a tool which moves relative to a workpiece through a cycle and controlling the feed rate between the tool and the workpiece includes the steps of dividing the cycle into a plurality of increments, sensing a function of force applied to the tool during the increments, determining a mathematically smoothed function of force for the function of force for each sensed individual increment of the cycle and establishing a reference for the mathematically smoothed function of force for each of the sensed increments. The actual determined sensed mathematically smoothed function of force for a particular increment is compared with the established reference for that particular increment and a first signal is generated if the actual determined mathematically smoothed function of force deviates from the established reference. The feed rate between the tool and workpiece is modified in dependence upon the first signal.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the performance of a cutting tool which moves relative to a workpiece through a cycle includes the steps of dividing the cycle into a plurality of increments, sensing a function of force applied to the tool during the increments, mathematically smoothing the function of force sensed during the increments, and establishing a trend in the mathematically smoothed function of force for the plurality of increments. The mathematically smoothed function of force is compared with the established trend and if the mathematically smoothed function of force deviates substantially from the established trend a first signal is generated.

Abstract: A wide band receiver has connected to its input a series of narrow band channels. The incoming signal is processed through these narrow band channels with the greatest energy being produced in the narrow band channel closest to the incoming signal frequency. During the steady state portion of the signal the energy differences between the narrow band channel coinciding with the incoming signal frequency and channels higher and lower in frequency are maximum and exceed an established channel to channel ratio (CCR) level. A signal is produced by measuring the associated narrow band channel energy differences and comparing them to the channel CCR's. As the CCR comparison only produces a logic signal during the steady state portion of the incoming signal pulse, a clear unambiguous indication is provided of the relative energies between the narrow band channels.

Abstract: A no-flow vacuum control signal valve (10, 60) employing a single solenoid coil (34, 116) having a stationary ferromagnetic core (40, 68) and moveable permanent magnet armatures (46, 48, 100, 108) disposed adjacent the opposite ends of said core. The permanent magnet armatures function as individual valve poppets for individually opening and closing a vacuum vent port (18, 96) and a vacuum source port (28, 88) communicating with a valving chamber (14, 78, 80). A spring (50, 52, 104, 112) biases each poppet closed such that no fluid flows when the coil is not energized. Upon pulsing with current of one polarity of the coil, the vent port remains closed and the vacuum source port is opened. Upon pulsing of the coil with current of reverse polarity, the vent port is opened and the vacuum source port remains closed. The valving chamber has a third fluid signal port (32, 98) adopted for connection thereto for control signal output.