Abstract: A method and apparatus for developing a digital signal that represents the profile of a movable part such as a bolt. The part is moved by a part carrier between a source of radiant energy and a sensor and the sensor develops a voltage that is a function of the profile of the part. This voltage is processed by a programmed microprocessor. The processing of the voltage and the microprocessor operates to develop a digital representation of the part that does not vary with the changes in speed of the part. The part carrier is moved between the source and sensor and voltage variations due to vertical motion of the part carrier are compensated.

Abstract: A unidirectional flow heart valve includes a passageway having an inlet side and an outlet side. A disk occluder is disposed within the passageway. The disk occluder has a closed position wherein the disk occluder occludes fluid flow through the passageway and an open position wherein the disk occluder permits fluid flow through the passageway. A fulcrum causes the disk occluder to pivot off center between the open and closed positions. An electromagnetic control mechanism forces the disk occluder to remain closed when energized until a predetermined net pressure is reached against the disk occluder. When the electromagnetic control mechanism is either selectively deenergized or the force on the occluder disk is greater than the holding force of the electromagnetic control mechanism, the disk occluder is released from the closed position to pivot on the fulcrum in response to fluid pressure.

Abstract: A frame and permanent magnet assembly for a dynamoelectric machine where the frame carries a plurality of permanent magnets. The frame is formed of iron powder particles that are bound together by a thermoplastic material. In the manufacture of the assembly, iron powder particles that are coated with a thermoplastic material are molded to the permanent magnets. The permanent magnets have surfaces that are interlocked to the material of the frame thereby eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners or an adhesive to secure the permanent magnets to a frame.

Abstract: A spot welding fixture for holding worpieces in correct orientation has a water cooled aluminum body processed to have an aluminum oxide coating. The coating electrically insulates the body but provides good thermal conductivity so that a fixed electrode on the fixture body can be cooled by the body but no electrical shorts occur. Locating elements on the fixture are likewise insulated to prevent weld current from straying from intended paths. The coating is formed by immersing the aluminum body in sulfuric acid at 23 degrees Fahrenheit after all features have been machined into the body.

Abstract: An ignition coil for developing spark plug firing voltages. The magnetic current for the coil comprises an axially extending core that joins axially spaced annular parts. The core and parts can be formed of iron particles in a binder of electrical insulating material. A primary winding is disposed about the core and a secondary winding is disposed about the primary winding. An axially extending circular part that is formed of magnetic material is positioned to provide air gaps with outer surfaces of said annular parts. The circular part forms a shield that increases the capacitance of the secondary winding. The total stored magnetic energy does not vary substantially with variations in air gap length. The cross-sectional area A of the air gap is large as compared to the length L of the air gap so that the ratio A/L does not vary much with variations in L.

Abstract: A frame and permanent magnet assembly for a dynamoelectric machine where the frame carries a plurality of permanent magnets. The frame is formed of iron powder particles that are bound together by a thermoplastic material. In the manufacture of the assembly, iron powder particles that are coated with a thermoplastic material are molded to the permanent magnets. The permanent magnets have surfaces that are interlocked to the material of the frame thereby eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners or an adhesive to secure the permanent magnets to a frame.

Abstract: A slip ring arrangement for feeding electrical current to, or receiving electrical current from, coil windings which are mounted on a rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, the slip ring arrangement comprising a first slip ring of electrically conducting material which is substantially cylindrical and which is mounted on the rotatable shaft, adjacent one end of the rotatable shaft, for rotation therewith; and a second slip ring of electrically conducting material which is electrically isolated from the first slip ring, which is substantially flat, and which is mounted on the said one end of the rotatable shaft for rotation therewith. Suitable for use with alternators. Allows reduction in length of slip ring arrangement and rotatable shaft. The second slip ring reduces wear on its contacting brush.

Abstract: A reference voltage developing circuit that develops a multiple slope reference voltage that is a function of temperature. The circuit has a plurality of base-emitter multipliers each of which includes a transistor and each of which develops an output voltage that is a function of the base-emitter voltage of the transistor of the multiplier. Since the base-emitter voltage varies with changes in temperature, each multiplier circuit develops a voltage that varies with changes in temperature. The multiplier circuits have different multiplier magnitudes to thereby provide temperature dependent output voltages that have different slopes. A voltage selector circuit is connected to the multiplier circuits and it provides an output voltage that corresponds to the higher of the output voltages developed by the multiplier circuits.

Abstract: A digital system for providing a series of pulses that are related to the angular position of an engine crankshaft. A square wave signal is developed which is applied to the input of a synchronous digital filter. The digital filter provides a noise-immune output signal. The digital filter has two counters or timers which are used to determine whether or not the high and low times of the input signal that is applied to the filter exceed predetermined time periods. Based on this determination the filter ignores or passes pulses of the square wave to the output of the filter.

Abstract: Structural elements of weld guns are made of composites for strength, low weight and long life. Anisotropic strength structures are fabricated by making a hollow form and applying layers of carbon fabric and unidirectional tape which are aligned with the forces developed within the structure to withstand shear, tension and compression. A tough abrasion resistant fabric such as an aramid fabric is applied as a protective covering. A resin binder unites the composite structure.

Abstract: A stator assembly for an alternating current generator. The stator core is a one-piece molded part that is formed of iron powder having a particle size in a range of about 10 to 250 microns. The powder is bound together by a thermoplastic material which covers the particles and which serves to insulate the particles from each other. The particles may be coated with phosphorus and the phosphorus layer overcoated with the thermoplastic material. A three-phase output stator winding is carried by the core and has conductor portions located in core slots.

Abstract: An advertising display comprises a display member that carries a container which may be a literature holder. The display member is formed of cardboard and is scored. To create an opening for insertion of the container in a front panel of the display member, a flap portion of the front panel is separated and moved rearwardly. A locking brace is moved upwardly out of the plane of a bottom or lower support panel of the display member. When the container is assembled, the locking brace prevents rearward movement of the container. The flap portion is secured to a rear wall of the container by a pressure sensitive tape.

Abstract: An electric starting system for controlling an electric starter that has a solenoid for shifting a pinion and for closing solenoid contacts to energize a cranking motor that drives the pinion. The solenoid has a single coil connected in series with a plurality of parallel connected field effect transistors. The circuit that energizes the solenoid coil through the field effect transistors is in parallel with the solenoid contacts and the cranking motor. The gates of the transistors are connected to an oscillator which causes the transistors to be repeatedly turned on and off at a predetermined frequency and duty cycle. Pulses of current are supplied to the solenoid coil which are sufficient to maintain the pinion meshed with the ring gear of an engine and to maintain said solenoid contacts closed without overheating the coil.

Abstract: An electronic starting motor control having low voltage protection. The starting motor has a solenoid coil which when energized causes solenoid contacts to be closed to energize the motor and to move a pinion into mesh with the ring gear of an engine to be cranked. A plurality of parallel connected field effect transistors connect and disconnect the solenoid coil to and from system direct voltage. When system voltage is below a predetermined value the field effect transistors are turned off and are maintained turned off until a start switch is opened. The system will not turn off the field effect transistors when short term voltages occur that go below the predetermined value. Various other circuits are disclosed for turning the field effect transistors on and off.

Abstract: Methods of laser welding zinc coated galvalized steel are disclosed. In a method that relates to forming hem joints for motor vehicle body components a sheet of steel is provided with a plurality of V-shaped tabs. When a hem joint is formed the V-shaped tabs together with a surface of another sheet of steel form gas venting channels that provide an escape passage for gas vapors that are developed when the zinc coating is vaporized by laser welding. In another method of laser welding, one of the steel sheets has an axially extending wall that is V-shaped to provide a V-shaped groove and the wall has spaced gas vent holes.

Abstract: An electronic control for an electric engine starter that includes a cranking motor and a solenoid for moving a pinion into mesh with an engine ring gear and for operating solenoid contacts. If end tooth abutment occurs between the pinion and ring gear to block meshing of the pinion with the ring gear the solenoid contacts do not close and this is sensed by an electronic circuit connected to the solenoid contacts and to a start switch. When pinion block occurs the electronic circuit develops a signal which causes the solenoid to be deenergized and to be maintained deenergized until the start switch is opened. The electronic circuit includes means for preventing solenoid contact chatter by locking out energization of the solenoid coil if the solenoid contacts open after being closed due to, for example, low voltage.

Abstract: Apparatus for developing and applying sparks to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus comprises separate primary and secondary winding units. The secondary unit includes a spark plug having an insulator. The insulator carries a secondary coil winding which is connected to the electrodes of the spark plug. The insulator has a bore which contains a magnetic core for the secondary winding. The primary winding unit includes a primary winding and a tubular flux carrying part formed of magnetic material. The primary winding unit has a bore which is slipped over a portion of the secondary unit that has the secondary winding. A voltage is induced in the secondary winding by magnetic coupling to the primary winding when it is energized.

Abstract: Ignition apparatus for developing and applying sparks to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine. A plurality of a secondary spark developing units are respectively associated with the cylinders of the engine. Each secondary unit comprises a spark plug and a secondary winding carried by the spark plug that is connected to the electrodes of the spark plug. Magnetic flux is coupled to the secondary winding of the secondary units by a primary winding module. The module has a support portion and a plurality of spaced tubular members. A primary coil having a bore is located in each tubular member. A tubular flux carrying part formed of magnetic material is located about each primary coil. The module is supported by the engine in such a position that portions of the secondary units project into the bores when the module is mounted on an engine.

Abstract: An electric starting system for controlling the energization of an electric starting motor that is operative to crank an engine. An engine speed sensor is coupled to the engine and develops engine speed pulses, the frequency of which is a function of engine speed. The engine speed pulses are counted by a counter for constant durations of time. If the number of speed pulses counted for a constant duration of time exceeds a predetermined number of pulses the starting motor is deenergized. The system has a start switch and a time delay circuit for causing the cranking motor to be energized at a predetermined time delay period following closure of the start switch.

Abstract: An electronic control for an electric cranking motor. A start switch controls energization of the cranking motor. The control has an up-down counter. When the start switch is closed the counter counts up and when the start switch is open the counter counts down. When the counter attains a certain count magnitude the cranking motor is deenergized and is prevented from being subsequently energized for a predetermined period of time to allow the cranking motor to cool-down. The rate that the counter is counted down is lower than up-counting rate.