Abstract: A shaft position indicator in which a collar is formed on and moves on in accordance with a shaft. The collar is placed opposite an optical sensor and includes a notch which activates an optical sensor when the notch is located opposite the sensor. When the notch is opposite the sensor, a driving circuit outputs a voltage. When the notch is not opposite the sensor, the driving circuit outputs 0 voltage. The light source and sensor are placed a distance from the collar equal to the focal length to substantially eliminate interference from ambient light.

Abstract: A thermostatic valve for controlling fluid flow from a high-temperature source to a low-temperature source. The thermostatic valve includes a first end which, during use of the valve, is exposed to fluid from the high-temperature source and a second end which, during use of the valve, is exposed to fluid from the low-temperature source. The valve also includes a valve seat member having a valve seat and a valve member having two ends and an exterior closure surface registrable with the valve seat. The valve member has a shape, except at its two ends, with only curves of greater than about 150.degree., so that fluid flowing past the valve member is caused to make only turns of less than about 30.degree.. The thermostatic valve is useful for controlling coolant flow from an internal combustion engine block to a radiator. The valve member may have a shape formed of continuously-varying parabolic curves.

Abstract: An automobile includes a plastic body and a steel frame bonded to the plastic body. The front suspension system of the automobile includes a "v"-shaped control arm coupled to a front wheel. An arm shaft extends between the "v" of the control arm and is engaged with a rubber cartridge press-fit into a cartridge housing that is affixed to the frame. Thereby, motion of the control arm is attenuated. A horizontally-mounted transversely-oriented shock absorber further interconnects the control arm and frame. This shock absorber orientation avoids transferring suspension system loads to the plastic body.

Abstract: A system and device for connecting and adjusting at least two cables is disclosed. The device includes a first elongate cavity with an upper portion having a cable receiving aperture disposed therein, a lower portion having a bracket disposed therein, and a middle portion integrally formed with, and connecting, the upper and lower portions of the first elongate cavity. A second elongate cavity is also included in the device that has an upper portion with a cable receiving aperture disposed therein. A lower portion is also included that has a rotation aperture disposed therein. The rotation aperture provides for rotation of the device when a tool is inserted therein and when a first cable is inserted into the cable receiving aperture of the first elongate cavity and a second cable is inserted into the cable receiving aperture of the second elongate cavity, thereby creating an over-center lock by moment of force that maintains tension on the first and second cables.

Abstract: An integrated machine vision inspection and rework system is provided for inspecting and reworking printed circuit boards. The system includes an inspection unit that acquires image data of printed circuit boards mounted on a machine framework and a vision computer that processes the image data contained within a chamber in the framework. Also mounted on the framework is a three stage asynchronous conveyor with sensors, and drive and stepping motors that communicate with I/O boards connected to the vision computer. A rework station also mounted on the framework provides a dual reporting scheme, which includes both a laser indicator and a fault display monitor.

Abstract: An object detection assembly and method use at least one sensor to detect a signal indicating the presence and location of an object relative to an automotive vehicle. A receiver receives a location signal created by a transmitter. A control unit receives the location signal and identifies the presence and degree of closeness of the object by activating audible and visual indicators. The control unit operates a parameter definer to identify the spatial parameters within which a warning of the existence of the object is to be activated. The control unit receives signals of vehicle speed and transmission state to determine the spatial parameters.

Abstract: A first car body part to be bonded to a second car body part. The first car body part includes a sealing wall and a supplemental wall having a first side end and a second side end. The sealing wall has a bonding surface to be bonded to a surface of the second car body part. The supplemental wall joins the sealing wall at the first and second side ends forming a void between the sealing wall and the supplemental wall. The joined sealing wall and supplemental wall form a tubular member having a top end and a bottom end. The sealing wall, the bonding surface, the supplemental wall, and the void may be elongated. The first car body part may have a top capping wall and a bottom capping wall, the top capping wall sealing the top end of the tubular member and the bottom capping wall sealing the bottom end of the tubular member, thereby fully enclosing the void. The first car body part may be, e.g., a side body panel, a door interior trim panel, an instrument panel, or a hardware panel.

Abstract: A universal joint for a tilt steering column of a vehicle includes an intermediate cup pivotally coupled to an end of a driven shaft, and a bell yoke receiving the intermediate cup within a cavity of the bell yoke. A pin extends from the bell yoke into an aperture of the intermediate cup. A layered bushing is compressed between an end of the pin and the aperture of the intermediate cup. The layered bushing is comprised of a mesh main body having a radially inner sliding layer and a radially outer gripping layer.

Abstract: A triac-based electronic control system (20) for an electrical appliance which alternately applies and disrupts power in full cycles or full half cycles. Each zero crossing in a wave cycle is detected and this information is input into a microprocessor (U1) along with a user selected power level. The microprocessor outputs a triac control signal (36) to alternately turn ON and turn OFF power to a heater element (22) to produce a duty cycle used to achieve the desired heating level.

Abstract: A coin acceptor mechanism (10) for recognizing the valid input of a coin (18) into a coin operated device wherein the mechanism (10) includes a sensor (28) which produces an electrical signal (30) indicative of the sensed presence or absence of a coin. A microprocessor (14) generates a periodic pulsed signal (46) and during a predetermined time period counts the number of pulses generated while the sensor output signal (30) indicates that a coin is present. Upon expiration of the predetermined time period, and once the sensor output signal (30) indicates the absence of a coin, pulses generated thereafter are counted. Once this count exceeds a predetermined value, a valid input is indicated if the first count also exceeded a predefined number.

Abstract: An inverter-driven induction motor system having input lines (12,14,16) for receiving a three-phase ac input signal which is converted into a dc signal and transmitted on dc bus lines (24,26) before gated into a three-phase alternating current output signal transmitted to the motor on output lines (34,36,38). A four winding common mode inductance (L1) is connected on the output side with an inductance connected to the motor ground wire (42). A ground wire choke (Lg) is also added to further reduce conducted emitted radio frequency noise or interference. A third order filter and grounding capacitance (C14,C15,C16) are further added to the ac input side to improve EMI performance.

Abstract: A voltage rise limiting circuit (10) for use in conjunction with an inverter-driven induction motor (14). The circuit (10) includes capacitors (C4, C5, C6) connected in a delta configuration, with each node (64, 66, 68) coupled between an inductor (L7,L8,L9) and an input line of a diode bridge rectifier. The rectifier clamps positive voltage levels, putting trapped energy back into the dc inverter bus.

Abstract: A compliant boot (30) for protecting the electrical connection between a PCMCIA card (14) and receiving socket (18) from dust and other contaminants when used in a harsh or dusty environment such as on-board a refuse collection vehicle.

Abstract: An electrode displacement monitoring and control system for predicting and adaptively controlling resistance weld quality. The relative displacement (34) between a movable electrode (16) and a fixed electrode (20) is monitored during a resistance weld cycle. The displacement information is processed and applied as a control signal for dynamically and adaptively varying various weld parameters including current application in order to control weld quality. A reversal in the direction of electrode displacement is identified and used in the adaptive control strategy to determine the amount of dynamic indentation achieved in a weld cycle.

Abstract: A system and method for using coordinate data indicative of the present location of a vehicle to determine which state the vehicle is in. A receiver obtains the coordinate data and compares it to state boundary coordinate information stored in memory. The angles created by the present coordinate location and each pair of adjacent points along a state's boundary are added. A resulting sum of two times pi (radians) indicates that the present state falls within the state boundary, a result of zero indicates otherwise.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve (61) including a body (110, 114) interconnecting an inflatable volume (20a,22a) with a source of pressurized fluid (30) and the atmosphere. A pair of valve members (120, 122) cooperate to allow controlled inflation and deflation of the volumes (20a,22a) as well as to close off the fluid path between the source and the volumes and vent fluid from the volumes to the atmosphere in order to achieve at least two predetermined fluid pressures in the volume.

Abstract: A method for measuring the pressure of fluid in the wet tank (32) of a central tire inflation system (10) prior to initiating a tire pressure check sequence in order to ensure an accurate tire pressure reading by waiting for a sufficient wet tank pressure. To measure wet tank pressure, the wet tank (32) is isolated from the atmosphere and from a distribution manifold (55). Pressure is measured with an existing pressure transducer (44). Once wet tank pressure is sufficient, a normal tire pressure check sequence is allowed to begin.

Abstract: An adaptive tire pressure control strategy for a central tire inflation system 10 wherein the programmed demand pressure setting P.sub.D may be increased automatically if certain criteria are met. These criteria are indicative of a running condition wherein tire temperature may be increasing to unacceptable levels due to underinflation. Additionally, air may also be added to tires in this condition in order to increase the load capacity of the tire, reduce tire temperature and prolong tire life.

Abstract: An improved actuator (10) wherein movement of an external potentiometer (R.sub.x) to drive a bi-directional motor (50) and move an attached member starts a timer (68). When a predetermined time period has elapsed, the actuator cuts power to the drivers (U1) of the motor, thereby putting the system into a "sleep" mode in which a minimum amount of current is drawn. If the external potentiometer was moved so as to cause an end of travel position of the member and the motor stalls, the actuator maintains this stall condition only until expiration of the predefined time period at which time the sleep mode is initiated. This sleep mode is thereafter maintained until power is reset or until the position of the external control potentiometer is changed. The time-out period is set to allow for full movement of the vane as well as to compensate for any uncertainty as to whether an end of travel position has been reached.

Abstract: A tailgate is hinged to a passenger van type vehicle body above a substantially vertical rear access opening for swinging movement about a horizontal hinge axis. The tailgate is counterbalanced through its range of movement by spring devices and is opened and closed by a powered actuator mounted on a rear vehicle body pillar. The actuator includes a reversible electric motor driving a worm shaft that drives a worm gear to pivot a crankarm about an axis parallel to the hinge axis. A roller mounted on the crankarm is received in a guide channel that is fixed to the tailgate and extends at right angles to the hinge axis with the pivoting movement of the crankarm thereby translated into swinging tailgate opening and closing movement. The motor is connected with torque sensing circuitry that detects an excessive motor torque demand when the tailgate encounters an obstacle and stops the motor.