Patents Represented by Attorney Keith L. Zerschling
-
Patent number: 4654671Abstract: A hinge (5) having a first, relatively stationary yoke (8) and a second, relatively rotating yoke (10). A torquing means (17) fixed with respect to the first yoke (8) transmits torque to the second yoke (10) via a block (18) retained within a cavity (20) of an elongated hinge pin (15) that is aligned along the axis of rotation (z) of the two yokes (8, 10). The torquing means (17) is coupled to the hinge pin (15). The yokes (8, 10) self-align about two orthogonal axes (x, y) that are also orthogonal to the axis of rotation (z). The block (18) is free to pivot within the cavity (20) about the x axis, while the second yoke (10) is free to pivot about the y axis about the hinge pin (15) and block (18).Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1984Date of Patent: March 31, 1987Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications CorporationInventor: Varouj G. Baghdasarian
-
Patent number: 4652745Abstract: A windshield moisture detector has two identical, symmetrically positioned prisms with an elongated body between an integral reflector and light transducer cavity. One light transducer cavity contains a light source and the other a light detector. The reflectors are angled so that when the moisture detector is partially in contact with the windshield, light can travel between the two reflectors through a light path in the window. The magnitude of light transmitted through the windshield is indicative of moisture on the windshield.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1985Date of Patent: March 24, 1987Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Vance P. Zanardelli
-
Patent number: 4649773Abstract: In a transmission unit for motor vehicles with a continuously variable traction member transmission and forward-reverse planetary gearing associated therewith, the engine crankshaft being disposed approximately in the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle and directly connected or is connected by way of a hydrokinetic torque converter (3) to the input member (8) of the forward-reverse planetary gearing (7) and the output member thereof being disposed at the driving end and connected by first fixed gearing 15 and 16 to a primary shaft (18) which is connected by way of the traction member (21) to a secondary shaft (24) disposed laterally at approximately the same level as the primary shaft, the secondary shaft (24) being connected by way of second fixed gearing 26 and 27 to the driven shaft (28) which is disposed approximately in the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1985Date of Patent: March 17, 1987Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Eugen Svab
-
Patent number: 4649763Abstract: Multiple-speed, hydrokinetic-mechanical change-speed gearbox controlled by an hydraulic control valve system for a motor vehicle comprising multiple ratio gearing and a simple planetary gear unit located between the hydrokinetic portion and the multiple ratio gearing.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1985Date of Patent: March 17, 1987Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Kurt Graef, Egon Axt, Hans-Peter Wirtz, Friedrich Lauscher, Werner Potzsch, Peter Korfer, Paulus Sastrarahardja, Werner Croonen, Josef Serf
-
Patent number: 4648917Abstract: A layer of HgCdTe (15) is epitaxially grown onto a CdTe substrate (5). A HgTe source (3) is spaced from the CdTe substrate (5) a distance of between 0.1 mm and 10 mm. The substrate (5) and source (3) are heated within a temperature range of between 500.degree. C. and 625.degree. C. for a processing step having a duration of between 5 minutes and 4 hours. During at least 5 minutes of this processing step, the substrate (5) is made to have a greater temperature than the source (3). Preferably the substrate (5) is never at a lower temperature than the source (3). The source (3) and substrate (5) are heated together in a thermally insulating, reusable ampoule (17). The CdTe substrate (5) is preferably a thin film epitaxially grown on a support (10) e.g., of sapphire or GaAs. When support (10) is not used, the CdTe substrate (5) is polished; and sublimation and solid state diffusion growth mechanisms are present in the growth of the HgCdTe (15).Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1985Date of Patent: March 10, 1987Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications CorporationInventors: Robert E. Kay, Hakchill Chan, Fred Ju, Burton A. Bray
-
Patent number: 4646990Abstract: A coil (21) mounted inside a spinning guided object (20) has an electrical current (i) induced therewithin by means of interaction with the earth's magnetic field (B). A similar coil (22) mounted on the launch platform spins at the same rate (W) as the object's coil (21), although these two coils (22, 21) are not necessarily in phase. Apparatus (35) associated with the launch platform generates a constant phase signal (P) having amplitude and sign representing the phase difference between the signal generated by the launch platform's coil (22) and the vertical direction. This phase information (P) is used to correct the guidance commands sent from the launch platform to the guided object (20), or, alternatively, is fed directly to the guided object (20) for correction by said object's on-board computer. A hold fire indicator (33) is provided to inform the operator when the output from the launch platform's coil (22) is above or below a predetermined level sufficient for adequate roll angle compensation.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1986Date of Patent: March 3, 1987Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications CorporationInventor: William C. Cleveland, Jr.
-
Patent number: 4647013Abstract: A silicon valve for controlling the flow of a fluid includes two generally planar silicon members. One has an orifice for passing the fluid and the other has a relatively moveable surface to selectively open and close the orifice thereby controlling the flow of fluid through the orifice.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1985Date of Patent: March 3, 1987Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Joseph M. Giachino, James W. Kress
-
Patent number: 4644474Abstract: The amount of air entering an engine is determined by selecting the more accurate of two airflow determination means. One means measures a parameter characterizing airflow into the engine and has an adaptive correction. Another means calculates airflow into the engine as a function of engine speed and air density and has an adaptive correction.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1985Date of Patent: February 17, 1987Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Alexander Aposchanski, Arthur J. Buglione, James M. Coats, Brian S. Edelman
-
Patent number: 4640014Abstract: A dimensional checking tool for checking the "flush" and "gap" dimensions around a pressed panel has two probes 20 and 22 which move into and out of a housing 10, and are biassed in an outward direction, against the surfaces of a panel 34. Transducers or other devices 38 and 44 are sensitive to the positions of the probes and provide signals representative of the probe positions and which can be passed from the tool to an external data capture system.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1986Date of Patent: February 3, 1987Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Arthur Thomas
-
Patent number: 4638686Abstract: An automatic transaxle for use in an automotive vehicle driveline including a compound planetary gearset, a hydrokinetic unit and a torque splitter gear unit that cooperate to define torque delivery paths from the vehicle engine to a driven shaft; the driven shaft being located between the hydrokinetic unit and the compound planetary gearing and the torque splitter gear unit being located within the housing for the hydrokinetic unit; and clutch-and-brake means for establishing and disestablishing each of the forward driving ratios and the reverse drive ratio, the clutch-and-brake means being arranged in a compact fashion within the housing for the compound planetary gearing to provide a minimum axial length of the assembly; the driven shaft being connected drivably to the vehicle traction wheels through a differential gearing mechanism; the hydrokinetic unit, the gearing and the differential mechanism being enclosed in a common cast housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1980Date of Patent: January 27, 1987Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: George E. Lemieux, Reginald T. Lewicki, Julius A. Clauss
-
Patent number: 4637281Abstract: A control valve system for a four speed automatic transmission wherein a single valve mechanism acts in combination with a 2-3 shift valve, a 3-4 shift valve and a torque sensor throttle valve to control heavy throttle 2-3 upshifts, light throttle 2-3 upshifts, light throttle 3-4 upshifts, heavy throttle 3-4 upshifts, heavy throttle 3-2 downshifts and coasting downshifts to provide maximum smoothness in the engagement and release of fluid pressure operated ratio control servos.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1985Date of Patent: January 20, 1987Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Joseph S. Vanselous
-
Patent number: 4635353Abstract: Two Hall sensor devices are positioned at a predetermined angular position with respect to each other, and with respect to a distributor, by mounting a first Hall sensor in a primary carrier, forming a first alignment means at a firing point of the first Hall sensor, mounting a second Hall sensor in a secondary carrier, and forming a second alignment means in the secondary carrier at the firing point of the second Hall sensor. A third alignment means is formed in the primary carrier at the predetermined angle from the first alignment means and the secondary carrier is mounted to the primary carrier so that the second and third alignment means are aligned and the two Hall sensors provide output signals displaced by the predetermined angular rotation.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1985Date of Patent: January 13, 1987Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Henry J. Tamagne
-
Patent number: 4633738Abstract: A control system for a four speed ratio automatic transmission wherein a ratio change from a first speed ratio to a second speed ratio is effected by a 1-2 shift valve that activates a fluid pressure operated second ratio clutch and a ratio change from a third speed ratio to a fourth speed ratio is effected by a 3-4 shift valve that activates a fluid pressure operated fourth ratio brake, both the clutch and the brake having an independent pressure accumulator and an accumulator pressure regulator valve that is common to both accumulators for developing unique accumulator control pressures whereby the system may be calibrated for maximum shift smoothness for both 1-2 upshifts and 3-4 upshifts.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1985Date of Patent: January 6, 1987Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Frank W. Timte
-
Patent number: 4632230Abstract: In a valve system for a hydraulically controlled starting friction clutch, a clutch pressure control valve that controls the clutch pressure during the starting phase of the clutch engagement as a function of the torque requirement of the operator, and a valve that overrides the clutch pressure control valve as a function of the output speed wherein a clutch pressure control valve 17 has a valve arrangement that acts as a slippage time limiter, the latter comprising a startup valve 13, an accumulator 14 and an on-off valve 15. After a specific time affected by the selection of the throttle orifices 28a and 28b and the piston rod diameter 27, higher clutch pressure pk (D, L, R) is fed to the clutch pressure control valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1985Date of Patent: December 30, 1986Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Manfred Bilharz, Fritz Henken, Hartmut Roper, Martin Taal, Peter Heider, Ernst Kohl, Dietmar Schubert
-
Patent number: 4618123Abstract: A valve system for a hydraulically controlled starting friction clutch for motor vehicles, a clutch pressure control valve that controls the clutch pressure as a function of the torque demand of the driver, a valve arrangement that modulates a pressure dependent upon the engine speed and that delivers it to the clutch pressure control valve, a shuttle valve 11, a throttle orifice 12 and an accumulator 13 associated with the clutch pressure control valve 1. The shuttle valve 11 comprises a valve member 15 disposed in a valve bore 14 with three control lands 16, 17 and 18 and a spring 19 that acts upon one end of the valve member 15. A pressure signal Ppitot dependent upon the speed is applied by way of lines 21 and 22 between the first control land 16 and the second control land 17 and between the second control land 17 and the third control land 18 and is supplied by way of outlets 23 and 24 and a line 10 to the clutch pressure control valve 1. A pressure signal P.sub.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1985Date of Patent: October 21, 1986Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Manfred Bilharz, Peter Heider, Hartmut Roper, Martin Taal, Fritz Henken, Ernst Kohl, Dietmar Schubert
-
Patent number: 4616233Abstract: A log periodic antenna (1) comprising two substantially identical non-resonant elongated log periodic conductive zig zag structures (3,5). The structures (3, 5) lie side-by-side in close proximity to each other in substantially the same plane defined by a planar dielectric board (13). The zig zag structures (3, 5) are axisymmetric about a line of symmetry coinciding with the midline of an impedance matching feed line (18). The feed line (18) comprises two substantially identical elongated conductive members (7, 9), sandwiched around the dielectric (13). The first zig zag structure (3) and the first member (7) lie on one side of the dielectric board (13), while the second zig zag structure (5) and the second member (9) lie on the other side of the board (13). At microwave frequencies, the zig zag structures (3, 5) and the member (7, 9) are preferably mounted on the dielectric board (13) using printed circuit techniques.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1984Date of Patent: October 7, 1986Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications CorporationInventor: Charles W. Westerman
-
Patent number: 4612826Abstract: A pneumatic throttle valve actuator for an automatic power transmission mechanism for use with a supercharged or turbocharged internal combustion engine wherein the relationship between manifold pressure and actuator force is changed when the engine manifold pressure changes from a positive pressure to a negative pressure or vice-versa. A correct shift point signal and a correct pressure regulator output thus are maintained regardless of whether the turbocharger or supercharger is active or inactive.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1985Date of Patent: September 23, 1986Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Thomas L. Greene
-
Patent number: 4611028Abstract: Copolymers adapted for use as stabilizers in dispersions and stable dispersions, including crosslinked dispersions containing microgel particles, prepared therefrom. Stabilizer bears pendent ethylenic unsaturation capable of reacting with monomers employed in random copolymerization used to make the dispersion polymer. Stabilizer comprises a random copolymer segment of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, some of which are characterized in that homopolymers thereof would be substantially insoluble in the organic liquid used to form the stable dispersion and some of which are characterized in that homopolymers thereof would be substantially soluble in the organic liquid used to form the stable dispersion.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1984Date of Patent: September 9, 1986Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Stephen C. Peng, John D. Nordstrom
-
Patent number: 4609331Abstract: A positive displacement pump for a vehicle power steering system comprising a rotor (42) rotatable in and cooperating with a stator (20) to define a pump cavity (52), (54), inlet and outlet ports (56), (58) and (34), (36) communicating with the pump cavity and a flow control valve (96) located in the flow delivery circuit wherein provision is made for opening the flow delivery circuit to a bypass circuit (72) upon an increase in the speed of the vehicle beyond a design point thereby reducing the pump back pressure and power usage which results in increased "road feel" at increased speeds while maintaining normal power assist during steering maneuvers at low speeds.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1984Date of Patent: September 2, 1986Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: James J. Duffy
-
Patent number: 4608032Abstract: An infinitely variable power transmission mechanism comprising a driving sheave assembly and a driven sheave with a torque transmitting drive belt connecting the sheaves, a ratio controlling servo for changing the effective pitch diameter of the sheave assemblies, a belt loading servo for controlling the load capacity of the belt and relatively reduced friction diaphragm actuators for adjustably positioning movable sheave portions of the sheave assemblies, the belt and sheave assembly portions of the mechanism being in a housing area that is isolated from gearing portions of the mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1984Date of Patent: August 26, 1986Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Thomas R. Stockton, Frederick J. Morris