Abstract: An ignition key-brake interlock for a transmission gear shifter includes a gear and actuator having teeth in meshing engagement, a lever whose rotation is prevented or limited depending upon the position of the actuator, a pivotably mounted cam on a gear selector, a cable assembly connecting the ignition key lever to the cable and electrical solenoid through which the cable assembly passes, and a gear selector shaft movable by the vehicle operator among several gear range detent positions. An electrical power source is connected to the solenoid when the ignition switch is turned to run or start, and is disconnected when a brake pedal is depressed. A button, crimped to the cable, moves freely within the solenoid and into contact with plunger, which is magnetically held on a seat when the electric circuit is closed.

Abstract: A feedback control method and system are provided to accurately control the steering assist level in a vehicle steering system. An electric actuator, such as a solenoid, operates a flow control valve that controls the flow of control fluid in a vehicle steering system in relation to driver and vehicle inputs such as vehicle speed and the angular position and velocity of a hand-wheel of the steering system. The flow of the control fluid is utilized by the steering system to provide a power assist steering force. A feedback signal based on the actual measured current of the solenoid is generated after a hardware filter filters the measured current. There is a time lag associated with the filtered feedback signal. A software filter filters an initial control signal which represents the desired steering assist level to maintain a similar time relationship between the feedback signal and the initial control signal.

Abstract: Edge definition in FLIR images is improved by assigning to each pixel (X) the average intensity value of that 3.times.3 pixel sub-matrix (30a-30i) containing the pixel (X) which exhibits the smallest edge value. Apparatus for obtaining that intensity value in real time is disclosed. This process can be iteratively repeated on the same image, with each iteration creating more enhanced edges and greater area smoothing between edges.

Abstract: A power steering system for a wheeled vehicle comprising a fluid motor connected to dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a power steering pump and a steering valve structure situated in flow delivery and flow return passages that connect the pump with the fluid motor, the valve structure including a pilot-operated solenoid valve means that controls the bypass flow between the supply and return sides of the pump wherein a solenoid actuator is adapted to apply a vehicle speed sensitive force on a pilot valve portion of the valve which develops valve actuating forces on a flow control portion of the valve wherein the latter is speed conscious only and does not depend upon flow to and from the pump nor upon the steering pressure for the fluid motor.

Abstract: A control for a hydrokinetic torque converter lockup clutch having a clutch plate that cooperates with a torque converter impeller shell to define a control pressure cavity wherein the clutch plate is subjected to the pressure in the torus circuit of the torque converter and wherein an electronically controlled valve system is used to modulate the pressure in the control pressure cavity thereby varying the clutch capacity to establish a controlled degree of slip of the clutch so that the actual slip of the clutch may be maintained at a target slip value which is adjusted depending upon the value of input shaft speed data and throttle position data stored in the memory of a microprocessor, the microprocessor being designed to calibrate a desired slip value for each engine torque and turbine speed condition whereby a closed-loop electronic control may be achieved to provide a partial converter bypass during the major portion of the vehicle operating time.

Abstract: A passive restraint load limiting steering column support assembly for a motor vehicle which, in effect, provides a fuse in the primary collapsible steering column assembly for allowing the system to accept impact loads greater than the design impact load and those which impact the system in a direction other than that for which it was designed. The system includes a collapsible energy absorbing steering column assembly having upper and lower column tubes telescopically engaged within one another, the steering shaft rotatably suspended within the upper and lower column tubes and the steering wheel secured to the rearward end of the steering shaft. A primary energy absorbing system is affixed to the steering column assembly and secures it to a steering column support member, with the primary energy absorbing system allowing the upper column tube to collapse upon the lower column tube over a predetermined distance in a controlled manner to absorb an impact load of a first predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: A cascadable seventeen-bit self-testing comparator (20) is produced on a twenty-four pin GAL.RTM. 39V18 generic array logic chip by so interconnecting the data pins (1-17) with the logic macro cells (24a-h, 26a-i), and configuring the macro cells, that any data applied to the pins is registered in the macro cells (24a-h, 26a-i) upon pulsing the clock (35), and any exact coincidence of subsequent data with the registered data causes one of the macro cells (26j) to generate a match-indicating output (61).

Abstract: A miniature multi-temperature radiometric reference is placed in an intermediate image plane (20) of a thermal imaging optical system in order to correct, in a real-time manner, non-uniformities among detectors (30). The radiometric reference comprises at least two reference elements (10) mounted on a thermolelectric cooler (TEC) (1) which may have several stages (6). The reference elements (10) are mounted on the same platform (3) of the TEC (1). Each element (10) has a surface (11), having a substantially uniform temperature, within the depth of focus at the intermediate image plane (20). All of the radiometric reference surfaces (11) are maintained at different temperatures, which can be simultaneously above and below the ambient temperature. This enables determination of a normalized detector response, and subsequent correction of the response of each detector (30) as a function of temperature throughout the range characterized by the temperatures of the reference surfaces (11).

Abstract: A reinforcing insert (16) for a vehicle body (10) has a shell-like construction positionable within the vehicle occupant compartment (14) and includes a front end (54) having a foot portion (56) as well as including a rear end (58) of an upwardly and forwardly opening shape. The reinforcing insert also has an intermediate portion (60) extending between the front and rear ends (54, 58) and having a floor (62) with side edges (64) for positioning adjacent side door openings (34) of the vehicle. Resin transfer molding is preferably utilized to manufacture the reinforcing insert (16) as a pair of insert members (66) with a central connection (68) extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to the convertible vehicle. Reinforcing ribs (72) of the insert members (66) provide locations of connections to the convertible vehicle.

Abstract: The reverse shift mechanism for a manual transmission includes a gear selector shaft driveably connected to a guide rail having a selector finger rotatable among several shift and axially displaceably to gear engagement positions within each shift plane. A reverse lever, pivotably supported on the transmission casing pivotally supports a camming pawl guided rotatably on a fixed post located within a slotted hole in the pawl. The lever is continually engaged with reverse idler which is moved between position of engagement and disengagement with a reverse pinion and reverse output gear the pawl defines a camming surface contacted by the selector pin and a recess for engaging the selector pin as it moves from the neutral position to the reverse drive position the selector pin disengages the recess and camming surface when it moves from the neutral position to the fifth speed position.

Abstract: A low profile ram-tube intake manifold is disclosed for use on an internal combustion engine having a plurality of intake ports. The manifold includes an elongated plenum having an inlet and a series of outlets spaced along the length thereof. A plurality of substantially symmetrical tubular spiral runners are connected at one end to the plenum outlet and have the other end adapted to be attached to one of the intake ports. The spiral runners are substantially symmetrical and have a uniform flow resistance length and cross-sectional area to achieve optimum engine performance while utilizing a very compact intake manifold.

Abstract: Process for increasing the density of an article. A coating containing boron nitride and carbon is applied to the article to form a coated article. The coated article is encapsulated. The encapsulated article is subjected to hot isostatic pressing. The coating reduces interaction between the article and the encapsulant during the hot isostatic pressing. The carbon is present in the coating in an amount up to about 30% by weight of the total boron nitride and carbon in said coating.

Abstract: One-dimensional sun sensing and angle measurement assemblies are deployed with substantially totally overlapping fields of view on a plane of a spacecraft body to protect sensors within a protected angular area of the plane, each of the analog sun sensors generating a signal indicative of incident sun along one axis and the presence of sunlight along an orthogonal axis thereto in the common plane. The sensors together generate an indication of the orientation of the sun relative to a target field of view which is a protected area. In an alternative embodiment, a digital sun sensor assembly is provided consisting of two or more independent digital channels and employing a slit aperture cooperating with a plurality of photocells laid out in a gray coded pattern. The digital device produces digital signals indicating relative position relative to axes in a plane.

Abstract: A dual purpose automatic transmission oil pan (10) for covering transmission components (20,22) and containing a reservoir of oil in a sump portion (32). First and second drainback channels (34,36) extend to the sump portion (32) from spaced drain openings (16,18) of a closed-barrel transmission case (14) which permit free flow of oil to the sump portion (32). A magnetic filter (40) is secured to a ramp surface (44) at the confluence of the oil flows (A,B) from the first and second drainback channels (34,36) for removing ferrous contaminants from the oil. An inlet port (26) of a filter cartridge opens into an inlet port region (46) of the sump portion (32).

Abstract: A drive train assembly (10) for an automotive fan (12) which includes a hydraulic coupler (22) that dynamically interconnects a fan blade shaft (24) to a driving shaft (18) within a range of radial offsets to permit reduction of clearance required between the fan blade (26) and a body mounted shroud (30). The hydraulic coupler (22) includes driving and driven turbines (48,50) that are drivingly interconnected by means of a fluid (64) operated upon by a plurality of vanes (56,58) located in cavities (52,54) formed in each of the turbines. An anti-friction bearing (28) journals the fan blade shaft (24) in the shroud (30). A universal joint (32) or elastomeric coupler, connects the driving shaft (18) to the fan blade shaft (24) dynamically in any one of a number of relative angular positions. A clutch (20) is included to limit speed of rotation of the fan blade (26) within operational limits.

Abstract: A superior release coating for glass-encapsulated ceramic or ceramic composite bodies in hot isostatic pressing processes is obtained by mixing boron nitride with up to about 30% by weight of carbon.

Abstract: An engine testing system tests an engine at the end of a production line by controlling the fuel charge and ignition spark timing of an operating engine as a function of engine speed and air charge. The test is accomplished without the need for mass air flow and manifold absolute pressure sensors.

Abstract: A transaxle assembly for use in a vehicle driveline comprising a hydrokinetic torque converter (12, 14, 16) located on an engine axis, planetary gearing (178, 180) located on a space parallel axis including means (242, 248, 250) for transferring the output torque of the planetary gearing to each of two axle shafts situated on an axis common to the axis of the planetary gearing and a multiple ratio torque transfer drive (52, 80, 90, 112, 114) between the turbine of the hydrokinetic torque converter and the torque input element of the planetary gearing, the transfer drive comprising a pair of differential diameter external tooth gears that are independently rotated and clutch means (96, 98) for selectively activating and deactivating each of two torque flow paths between the differential diameter gears whereby the speed-torque characteristics of the engine can be precisely matched with the ratio range available for the planetary gearing and the hydrokinetic torque converter to effect optimum powertrain performa

Abstract: A fuel filler assembly (10) for a fuel tank (12) of a vehicle including a filler tube (14) for directing fuel to the tank (12) and a vent tube (15). The vent tube (15) is closed by a float valve (24) when the tank is filled to capacity and an equalizing port (27) is provided in the vent tube (15) to balance the pressure between the upper portion of the filler neck and the vapor dome area of the tank. When pressure is relieved by removing the filler cap, relief valve (25) located above the float valve (24) and within the vapor dome of the fuel tank operates to allow pressure relief from the vapor dome of the fuel tank. A check valve (20) is provided in the filler tube (14) at the fuel tank (12). The check valve (20) in the filler tube (14) features a valve element (38) having cylindrical sides (39) and a hemispherical end (41) which is received in a housing (32) having cylindrical walls (34) and an annular seat (40) against which the hemispherical end (41) of the valve element (38) seals.

Abstract: The angle of divergence of a laser beam (29) is controlled without significant variation of beam power by using a movable corner cube (18) to vary the length of the optical path of a noncollimated beam (12) so as to present a beam of varying diameter to a telescope lens (26). In a second aspect of the invention, the beam is made insensitive to vibration of the corner cube (18) by covering a portion of its beam-receiving face with a second reflector (32) which causes the beam to make a second pass through the corner cube (18) in a parallel but opposite direction therey cancelling any beam displacement caused by the vibration of the corner cube (18).