Abstract: A spark-protected alternator has an external cavity on an end plate of the alternator housing with commutating (slip) rings on an alternator shaft extension and mating metal brushes positioned within the external cavity. The external cavity is effectively sealed from ambient atmosphere surrounding the alternator, to provide protection from sparks generated between the brushes and commutating rings wherein a minimum area of the housing end plate is utilized. Integral extensions of the end plate form side walls of the external cavity that partially radially surround the shaft extension and commutating rings. A brush holder in which the brushes are attached has projections which mate with slots in the side walls to radially close the external cavity, and an end cap (including a gasket) closes an open end of the external cavity, while the end plate effectively closes the other end of the external cavity.

Abstract: A scanning CRT display system is disclosed in which transitions of a horizontal sync signal are directly utilized to provide control signals for driving a FET (field effect transistor) power drive device which controls horizontal deflection yoke current. Protection circuitry is provided such that the FET power drive device is turned off if excessive FET through current is sensed, and protection circuitry also prevents turning on the FET drive device if an excessively high flyback voltage is present at the drain terminal of the FET device. Linearization of the horizontal deflection yoke current is provided by effectively sensing the temperature variable on resistance of the FET output drive device and providing a compensation control signal in accordance therewith, wherein this compensation control signal controls the magnetization provided by a control winding on a saturable magnetic core on which a linearity compensation coil is also wound.

Abstract: A scanning CRT graphics video display system is disclosed in which a graphics display controller reads formatted information signals into a refresh memory in a read-modify-wire mode and reads the stored information out of the refresh memory in a display mode. During the display mode the information in the memory is provided on a common data bus for sequential reading into four different shift registers having different bit capacities with the different bit capacities effectively implementing predetermined delays such that the shift registers will properly simultaneously read out the information that was sequentially loaded into the shift registers. A programmable logic sequencer provides address select signals in addition to address signals provided by the graphics display controller so as to address four different memory planes in the refresh memory, and the address select signals are also utilized to sequentially enable the loading of the four shift registers.

Abstract: Phase adjustment circuit for controlling horizontal scanning of a scanning video display is provided. Horizontal sync pulses are received having leading edges to be used for determining the occurrence of the horizontal retrace of a scanning electron beam. A manual phase adjustment control is provided by effectively comparing a controllable adjustable delayed leading edge, provided in response to the horizontal sync signal leading edge, with the trailing edge of a retrace pulse, having an effective width W, provided during the retrace cycle of the scanning electron beam. An adjustable monostable circuit delays the horizontal sync signal leading edge by a delay time D1, and this provides one input to a phase locked loop. Another input to the phase locked loop is provided by the trailing edge of the retrace pulse. By phase locking these two inputs, phase adjustment of the occurrence of the retrace pulse is possible so as to implement a phase adjustment .phi.

Abstract: An engine control system is disclosed which includes engine idle speed control apparatus which implements a closed loop idle speed control by varying the amount of air provided to the engine by an air bypass valve. The control system develops an engine torque polarity signal related to the difference between actual current manifold air pressure and the average of the manifold air pressure which exists during engine idle. The torque polarity signal is utilized to implement engine deceleration control by selectively providing additional air and/or reduced fuel to the engine to implement engine fuel mixture enleanment during deceleration conditions. The engine idle speed control apparatus calculates an error signal related to the difference between actual engine speed and a calculated desired engine idle speed.

Abstract: A scanning CRT display system is disclosed in which transitions of a horizontal sync signal are directly utilized to provide control signals for driving a FET (field effect transistor) power drive device which controls horizontal deflection yoke current. Protection circuitry is provided such that the FET power drive device is turned off if excessive FET through current is sensed, and protection circuitry also prevents turning on the FET drive device if an excessively high flyback voltage is present at the drain terminal of the FET device. Linearization of the horizontal deflection yoke current is provided by effectively sensing the temperature variable on resistance of the FET output drive device and providing a compensation control signal in accordance therewith, wherein this compensation control signal controls the magnetization provided by a control winding on a saturable magnetic core on which a linearity compensation coil is also wound.

Abstract: A scanning CRT control system is disclosed in which horizontal sync pulses are used to develop a pulse signal that provides an input to a transformer circuit also receiving a relatively low DC power supply input signal. The transformer circuit develops a very high DC voltage connected to a CRT screen while also providing a relatively lower voltage power supply signal that is utilized to develop the power supply signal provided to a video driver that controls beam excitation for the CRT. A compensation circuit is provided between the transformer circuit and a power supply terminal of the video driver such that a compensating signal is provided at the transformer circuit in accordance with each horizontal video scan line. The compensating signal has a frequency corresponding to the horizontal sweep frequency and a magnitude that varies in accordance with the average current loading of each individual horizontal scan line.

Abstract: A microprocessor is utilized to store a total accumulated driven mileage (odometer) signal in a non-volatile random access memory (RAM). Trip mileage manual pushbuttons are coupled to the microprocessor and enable the calculation and display of elapsed driven mileage (trip mileage), and a units pushbutton converts the displayed total accumulated driven mileage and/or the elapsed trip mileage from a miles to a kilometer visual display. The microprocessor effectively retrieves non-volatile stored odometer signals, loads them into a microprocessor volatile memory, increments the volatile memory mileage signal in accordance with signals from an actual mileage sensor and provides a visual mileage display on an odometer display. The magnitude of the odometer signal stored in the non-volatile memory can be preset to a predetermined mileage after the non-volatile memory is coupled to the microprocessor.

Abstract: An electronic turn signal cancellation apparatus is disclosed which includes two separate rotational positions sensing elements, each sensing an associated identifying portion positioned on a shaft rotated in accordance with vehicle steering wheel rotation. An electronic turn signal cancellation circuit, which may be effectively implemented by a microprocessor, effectively analyzes the output signals of these sensors and determines the current angular shaft position and also the previous shaft position. Turn signal cancellation is implemented by determining current shaft position and the direction of rotation of the shaft. One embodiment implements turn signal cancellation without hysteresis, while a second embodiment utilizes similar structure to implement turn signal cancellation with hysteresis. In each case only two sensors are utilized which may be joined together to form a unitary sensor assembly.

Abstract: A method and machine for providing six point star shaped blanks of magnetic material which are then used to form a claw shaped alternator pole piece rotor member is disclosed. Magnetic material flat plate stock is flame cut into a zigzag strip and then individual hexagon shaped blanks are stamped out of the zigzag strip. While the hexagon blanks are contained between fixed parallel flat plates to insure predetermined thickness, six chisel point shaped tools are used to simultaneously laterally contact and cold form notched portions in each of the straight sides of the hexagon blank. Subsequently, while the notched blank is contained between parallel flat plates, six rounded point shaped tools simultaneously laterally contact the formed notched portions and cold form the blank into a desired six point star shape. The notching and forming are preferably accomplished by a machine which may comprise separate notching and forming work stations.

Abstract: A missing pulse detector is disclosed in which the absence of a pulse in a variable frequency periodic pulse train is detected and distinguished from a reduction in the pulse repetition rate. Between successive pulse train pulses a first counter counts clock pulses at a first rate and develops a maximum count related to the time duration between successive pulses. This maximum count is maintained by a latch circuit during the next time duration between successive pulses and is compared with the count of a second pulse counter which counts clock pulses during successive pulse train pulses at a second rate normally less than the first incrementing rate. When the count of the second counter exceeds by a predetermined amount the latched count of the first counter, this indicates the occurrence of longer time duration and a count comparator and logic circuit provides an arming output signal.

Abstract: An engine load transient compensation system is disclosed for compensating a vehicle engine in accordance with various engine loads selectively implemented in response to actuation of accessory switches. The accessory switches which selectively implement additional engine loads are series coupled through associated resistors to a summing terminal wherein digital switch control signals provided by the switches result in a composite analog signal at the summing terminal whose magnitude is related to the amount of accessory engine load. The summing terminal is provided as an input to a microprocessor which effectively determines whenever a substantial change in engine accessory load is to be implemented in accordance with the accessory switches, and compensation for this engine load transient is provided by the microprocessor in accordance with the magnitude of the change in engine accessory load.

Abstract: A wireless telephone communication system 10 is provided in which a portable unit 12 communicates with a base unit 11 over a wireless (radio) communication link 15. Access to a telephone network 15b by the portable unit 12, via the base unit 11, is permitted when the base and portable units have corresponding ID codes stored therein. The base ID code is hardwired into the base unit 11, and the portable unit 12 learns its ID code from the base unit in response to mechanically coupling the base and portable units together via plug and socket assemblies 28 and 45. The base and portable units each have associated microprocessors 22 and 40 which implement the transfer of an ID code to the portable unit from the base unit via conductors (24'-42') which are part of the plug and socket assemblies. The plug and socket assemblies, when mated, also provide a connection between a battery charging supply circuit 25 in the base and a battery 46 in the portable.

Abstract: Dynamic focus system utilizing an improved cascode amplifier is provided wherein the amplifier provides substantial voltage gain for a composite horizontal and vertical parabola signal and the output of the cascode amplifier is provided to the focus control electrode of a cathode ray tube. Undesired phase shift of the output of the cascode amplifier is prevented by AC coupling a signal corresponding to the noninverted input signal applied to the cascode amplifier to the base of the second transistor of the cascode amplifier.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure transducer is disclosed in which a preformed metallic component is embedded in a nonconductive base substrate and acts as a first capacitor electrode. A silicon diaphragm acts as a second pressure sensing capacitor electrode whose spacing from the first electrode is determined by sensed pressure. The preformed metallic component forming the first capacitor electrode has an integral projecting portion which extends through the base substrate and provides an externally accessible electrical connection to the first electrode. A top external surface of the first electrode is ground flat so that it is coplanar with surrounding coplanar portions of a top surface of the base substrate. An additional preformed metallic conductor means is embedded in the base substrate and provides an externally accessible bottom side connection to the silicon diaphragm which is bonded to the base top surface.

Abstract: A brushless alternator is disclosed having a stationary field coil and core surrounded by a stationary stator coil and core with a cylindrical air gap being defined therebetween. A rotor assembly is fixed to a rotatable shaft and has interweaved separate magnetic finger assemblies joined together by a non-magnetic ring wherein these fingers are rotated in the cylindrical gap. The stator and field cores are radially disposed with respect to the rotatable shaft. The field core axially extends beyond the effective axial length of the field coil and provides at an axial position beyond the effective axial length of the field coil, at least one low reluctance axial flux gap between the field core and the magnetic fingers. This flux gap conducts a substantial portion of the flux created by the field coil. The field core also serves as a shaft bearing retainer and has a bearing grease reservoir comprising a cylindrical recess adjacent the shaft bearing.

Abstract: An engine control microprocessor transient interrupt system is provided wherein an engine throttle position sensor provides a throttle position input signal to a microprocessor which developes engine control output signals in response thereto. The throttle position sensor also provides an input signal to a transient detector external to the microprocessor which provides an interrupt signal to the microprocessor in response to the rate of change of throttle position exceeding a threshold. In response to the interrupt signal, the microprocessor provides a disable signal which disables the external transient detector, and then the microprocessor monitors the rate of change of engine throttle position to determine the end of the throttle position transient condition and enables the external transient detector in response to the end of the transient condition.

Abstract: An engine control system is disclosed which includes engine idle speed control apparatus which implements a closed loop idle speed control by varying the amount of air provided to the engine by an air bypass valve. The control system develops an engine torque polarity signal related to the difference between actual current manifold air pressure and the average of the manifold air pressure which exists during engine idle. The torque polarity signal is utilized to implement engine deceleration control by selectively providing additional air and/or reduced fuel to the engine to implement engine fuel mixture enleanment during deceleration conditions. The engine idle speed control apparatus calculates an error signal related to the difference between actual engine speed and a calculated desired engine idle speed.

Abstract: A wireless telephone communication system 10 is provided in which a portable unit 12 communicates with a base unit 11 over a wireless (radio) communication link 15. Access to a telephone network 15b by the portable unit 12, via the base unit 11, is permitted when the base and portable units have corresponding ID codes stored therein. The base ID code is hardwired into the base unit 11, and the portable unit 12 learns its ID code from the base unit in response to mechanically coupling the base and portable units together via plug and socket assemblies 28 and 45. The base and portable units each have associated microprocessors 22 and 40 which implement the transfer of an ID code to the portable unit from the base unit via conductors (24'-42') which are part of the plug and socket assemblies. The plug and socket assemblies, when mated, also provide a connection between a battery charging supply circuit 25 in the base and a battery 46 in the portable.