Abstract: A hydraulic advance device for selectively transmitting applied forces to a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine. The device is operative to select a normal or advanced timing of the fuel injection. An outer cylindrical body (66) is mounted in the upper end of a fuel injector adapter. An inner body (108) is slidably received in an outer body and a pressure responsive plunger (104) is slidably received in a bore formed in the inner body and defines in cooperation therewith a fluid chamber (128). A one-way valve (132) in the chamber permits fluid above a predetermined pressure applied during the advanced stage of the fuel injection cycle to enter the chamber which prevents movement of the plunger relative to the inner body member.

Abstract: A low pressure drop hot film/swirl air flowmeter (10) for an automotive engine is disclosed. The flowmeter includes a main air flow passage (18), a relatively small secondary passage such as a venturi (20) disposed within the passage for receiving a portion of the air flow, a tertiary passage (50) which draws an air sample from the main air flow passage and discharges it into the venturi throat (44), a constant temperature thermal anemometer (48) positioned to sense the sample air flowing in the tertiary passage, and a set of swirl vanes (22) operative to impart a swirl to the remainder of the air in the main passage, thereby creating a reduced pressure at the venturi outlet for forced aspiration therethrough without appreciably increasing the pressure drop across the flowmeter. The anemometer includes a bridge circuit (114), one leg of which comprises a resistive sensor (82) within the tertiary passage.

Abstract: A thermally responsive valve (10) for valving adjacent first (21) and second (22) fluid ports is disclosed which prevents harmful fuel vapors from adversely affecting the valve power element (12). An elongated valve member (82) is movably contained within a housing fluid chamber (18) and spring-biased toward a closed position whereupon a first seal ring (90) located around the valve member engages with a valve seating surface (70) located intermediate the two fluid ports. When predetermined temperatures are encountered, a thermally responsive power element (12) connected to the lower end of the valve housing overcomes the biasing force of the spring (106) and moves the valve member to an open position in which the valve surface is spaced from the valve seat, thereby permitting fluid communication between the two ports. A lower portion (104) of the valve member extends beyond the fluid chamber and abuts with an output rod (60) of the power element.

Abstract: A switchover valve (20) is employed within a heat pump system (10) including a heat exchanger coil (14) within a structure (18) to be heated and cooled, and a second heat exchanger coil (16) external of the structure and in fluid communication with the first coil. The system also includes a compressor (12) which circulates a refrigerant between the coils to effect a net heat transfer into or out of the structure. The switchover valve operates to selectively reverse the flow of refrigerant between the coils, depending upon the operating mode of the system. The valve comprises a body (64) defining inlet and suction ports (22 & 28) for interconnection with the compressor and two reversing valve ports (36 & 40) for interconnection with the coils, a solenoid (196) operated pilot valve (153) and a slave valve (121) for selectively interconnecting the inlet port with one of the reversing valve ports, and a shuttle poppet valve (235) for interconnecting the suction port with the remaining reversing valve port.

Abstract: A vehicle monitor (10) apparatus for monitoring vehicles (14) in a monitoring location (17). A vehicle unit (12) mountable in a vehicle includes circuitry (21) for transmitting, on a continuous repetitive basis, information characterizing the vehicle and unique thereto. In addition, a monitoring unit (16) mountable at the monitoring location includes circuitry (33) for receiving information transmitted by the vehicle unit. Such monitoring circuitry includes an infrared light receiver (29) and a preamplifier with ambient light compensation circuitry (100) connected thereacross.

Abstract: An inverter (34) which provides power to an A. C. machine (28) is controlled by a circuit (36) employing PWM control strategy whereby A. C. power is supplied to the machine at a preselectable frequency and preselectable voltage. This is accomplished by the technique of waveform notching in which the shapes of the notches are varied to determine the average energy content of the overall waveform. Through this arrangement, the operational efficiency of the A. C. machine is optimized. The control circuit includes a microcomputer and memory element which receive various parametric inputs and calculate optimized machine control data signals therefrom. The control data is asynchronously loaded into the inverter through an intermediate buffer (38). A base drive and overlap protection circuit is included to insure that both transistors of a complimentary pair are not conducting at the same time.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated speed governor (26) for moving an engine throttle member (10) for controlling the speed of a vehicle includes a pneumatically operated actuator having an output connected to the engine throttle member. A pivotally mounted valve member (44) is positioned intermediate a vacuum supply orifice (46) and an atmospheric air orifice (48) and supplies a pneumatic signal to the actuator. An inertial speed sensor (82) responsive to vehicle speed has an output member (100) which reacts against an improved, self-wiping minimum speed switch (102) and a set-speed control member (52) which in turn reacts against the pivotally mounted valve member (44) for varying the position of the valve member as the vehicle speed tends to fall below or rise above a predetermined set speed.

Abstract: A thermally responsive force generating device 10 is disclosed for use in operating fire extinguishing sprinkler valves. The device includes a temperature sensitive locking subassembly 18 mounted in an adapter member 14 which has a threaded portion for connection to a sprinkler valve. A thermal actuator 12 of the expansible wax type is connected to the adapter by a thin walled tubular member 16 which allows the thermal actuator to break away from the adapter if excessive force is generated thereby as a result of experiencing extremely high environmental temperatures. The locking assembly includes a spring biased locking pin 56 mounted in an opening in the adapter and held in an inoperative position by a fusible temperature sensitive insert 54. The insert will remain solid at temperatures below a predetermined value thus permitting an actuator output rod 38 to be moved to a retracted position under certain conditions.

Abstract: A temperature control system including a pushbutton controlled, pneumatically operated actuator for controlling a vehicle heating and air conditioning system is disclosed. A plurality of pushbutton operated valve assemblies (112) enables an operator to control the system by selectively communicating a vacuum source connected to each valve member to a given position within a vented air-piston chamber (72). A piston (74), slidably received in the chamber, is moved along the chamber by the differential pressure across the piston face until a seal member (76) located around the piston periphery blocks the orifice of the passageway (68) communicating with the vacuum source, thus substantially sealing off the chamber from the vacuum source and preventing further piston movement. The number of output positions of the actuator piston in one embodiment of the invention is equivalent to the number of pushbutton valves which communicate the vacuum source to the air chamber.

Abstract: A liquid containing a solvent to be evaporated is fed to a concentration chamber which is fluidly connected to an evaporation chamber maintained at a reduced pressure. A vapor compression means withdraws solvent vapor from the evaporation chamber, compresses the vapor and forces the compressed vapor to a liquification chamber. Regulator means responsive to the density of the liquid remaining within the concentration chamber will regulate the rate of solvent evaporation to provide a concentrate suitable for recycling.A method of operating the still of this invention utilizes the technique of increasing the compressor capacity until the compressor begins to surge and then reducing the capacity a fixed amount to provide the desired efficiency.

Abstract: A heating and air conditioning control system havng a compressor clutch cycle control feature for controlling the in-car temperature of a vehicle passenger compartment is disclosed. The system comprises an automatic temperature control (ATC) sensor (32) which provides a modulated vacuum control signal for a vacuum motor (38). The vacuum motor has an output which adjusts a biasing element in an electrical switch (82), resulting in on/off duty cycling of an electrically energizable clutch (28) which transmits power from the vehicle engine to the air conditioner compressor (26). The percentage of time that the compressor is on versus the time off is a function of the control signal which is, in turn, a function of the ambient, in-car, and manually selected set point temperatures sensed by the ATC sensor.

Abstract: A device (10) for filling a pneumatic tire and sensing the air pressure therein has a check valve (20) disposed within a valve stem (126b) and a pressure sensing switch which is temperature compensated to adjust for air pressure changes within the tire due to changes in ambient temperature. Substantially perfect compensation can be achieved, within a limited range of operation, whereby the set point pressure versus temperature characteristic will track with the related tire pressure versus temperature characteristic. A sealed capsule (110) is assembled and pressurized prior to installation within the device. A manual set point calibration feature is provided. The switch can be employed independently of, as well as in conjunction with, the check valve.

Abstract: A flow control device (10) is disclosed for achieving precision flow control over a wide range of inlet pressures. The device is particularly suited to household appliance applications where energy savings through hot water conservation are imperative. The device comprises a pressure responsive valve member (60) having a flanged portion (66) sealingly connected by a diaphragm (72) to the walls of a fluid chamber (52) defined by housing portions (28), (37). Flow passageways (84) are formed through diaphragm (72) and flange (66). A flow restricting opening is defined by the space between a control orifice (58) and a conical surface (70) on the valve member. An axial passageway (86) in the valve member communicates inlet fluid pressure to a compensating chamber (98) sealed from fluid pressure in the control chamber by a diaphragm (88) mounted thereacross and to one end of the valve member (60).

Abstract: A low pressure drop air flowmeter (10) for an automotive engine is disclosed. The meter includes a main air flow passage (26), a relatively small venturi tube (28) receiving a portion of the air flow, a pressure port (74) for sensing stagnation pressure in the main passage, a pressure port (70) for sensing static pressure in the throat of the venturi, and a complimentary pair of sets of stationary swirl vanes (30 & 32) disposed adjacent the outlet of the venturi and operative to jointly impart a swirl through the remainder of the air in the main passage, thereby creating a reduced pressure at the venturi outlet for amplifying the pressure difference between the stagnation and static pressures without appreciably increasing the pressure drop across the flowmeter. The sets of swirl vanes are rotationally displaceable with respect to one another, allowing some of the air to bypass the effect of the swirl vanes without being diverted to a separate passageway.

Abstract: An electronic fuel control system for controlling the rate at which fuel is supplied to a gas turbine engine which controls turbine speed, acceleration, and combustor temperature as a function of ambient temperature and turbine speed. A predetermined fuel schedule controls the maximum and minimum amount of fuel supplied to the gas turbine engine during transient and steady-state operation, and sequences operation from a starting fuel schedule to a running fuel schedule. A transient fuel boosting function temporarily overrides the temperature limit control when a speed increase is called for.

Abstract: An inverter (34) which provides power to an A.C. machine (28) is controlled by a circuit (36) employing PWM control strategy whereby A.C. power is supplied to the machine at a preselectable frequency and preselectable voltage. This is accomplished by the technique of waveform notching in which the shapes of the notches are varied to determine the average energy content of the overall waveform. Through this arrangement, the operational efficiency of the A.C. machine is optimized. The control circuit includes a micro-computer and memory element which receive various parametric inputs and calculate optimized machine control data signals therefrom. The control data is asynchronously loaded into the inverter through an intermediate buffer (38). In its preferred embodiment, the present invention is incorporated within an electric vehicle (10) employing a 144 VDC battery pack (32) and a three-phase induction motor (18).

Abstract: Tire pressure monitors are incorporated in vehicles having penumatic tires (14) to continuously or periodically measure the air pressure within the tires and to alert the driver should the pressure in one of the tires fall below a predetermined value. A self-contained battery powered rf transmitter unit (10) is affixed within the drop center (22) of each wheel (12) and includes a pressure sensing switch (84). The battery is contained within a housing (20) mounted to the external surface of the wheel adjacent a fill valve (30) through which electrical wires (50) are routed to the transmitter (11). The transmitter emits a pulse every 33 seconds when the air pressure within the tire is above a prescribed value. A receiver (13), located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, receives the signal(s) from the transmitters and counts the number of signals received over a given time period established by an internal pulse generator.

Abstract: Tire pressure monitors are incorporated in vehicles having penumatic tires (14) to continuously or periodically measure the air pressure within the tires and to alert the driver should the pressure in one of the tires fall below a predetermined value. A self-contained battery powered rf transmitter unit (10) is affixed within the drop center (22) of each wheel (12) and includes a pressure sensing switch (84). The battery is contained within a housing (20) mounted to the external surface of the wheel adjacent a fill valve (30) through which electrical wires (50) are routed to the transmitter (11). The transmitter emits a pulse every 33 seconds when the air pressure within the tire is above a prescribed value. A receiver (13), located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, receives the signal(s) from the transmitters and counts the number of signals received over a given time period established by an internal pulse generator.

Abstract: A device for filling a pneumatic tire and sensing the air pressure therein has a check valve disposed within a valve stem and a pressure sensing switch which is temperature compensated to adjust for air pressure changes within the tire due to changes in ambient temperature. Substantially perfect compensation can be achieved, within a limited range of operation, whereby the set point pressure versus temperature characteristic will track with the related tire pressure versus temperature characteristic. A manual set point adjustment feature is provided whereby the switch can be calibrated after it is assembled within a wheel and pneumatic tire. The switch can also be employed independently of, as well as in conjunction with, the check valve.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulating valve is inserted in line with a fluid conducting medium to regulate the flow therethrough over a widely varying range of pressure differentials across the valve. The valve is constructed of a body portion having a fluid passageway therethrough terminating at one end in a land having an empirically derived, compound curved section. A compliant reed is affixed to the body portion adjacent the land and operates to press against and conform with the land in response to increasing fluid pressure differential across the reed whereby the rate of fluid flow through the valve remains substantially constant. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a second similarly shaped land is provided adjacent the reed and opposite the other land to provide bidirectional flow control. The lands are integral portions of the body portion of the valve which is constructed of molded plastic or the like. The reed comprises thin metal shimstock or the like which has been heat staked to the body portion.