Abstract: A remotely changeable thermostat for a refrigeration or air conditioning system and method and system employing same. The thermostat has a fluid filled capsule with a diaphragm movably responsive to fluid expansion and contraction for actuating, via lever means, a compressor power switch. The capsule senses temperature via a fluid filled capillary. A separate remote user activated switch energizes an electrical actuator for moving the fulcrum of the lever means to change the sensed temperature of the evaporator at which the power switch is actuated. The user activates a remote switch to energize an electrical heater coil for heating a bimetal strip which moves the fulcrum for the lever means between a high or low temperature setting for compressor power switch actuation in response to user opening or closing the remote heater switch.

Abstract: A control system utilizes a multiplex communication system for switchably operating power windows, power seats, power door locks, power mirrors, accessory lighting, etc. Switches mounted on the driver door and elsewhere communicate with a door-mounted microcomputer, which scans the state of each switch, prioritizes the requests, and issues commands in accordance with algorithms to control the windows, door locks, etc. The system has three modes of operation: Asleep, Active, and Awake. In the Asleep mode electrical power consumption is very small, and only a selected few input sesors are periodically monitored as to status. If a door handle is lifted or other action starts, the system changes to an Active mode, in which many more sensors are periodically scanned, and most output motors can be operated. In the Awake mode, windows can also be operated.

Abstract: A two-piece bearing isolator assembly for mounting roller or ball bearing races to a mounting structure for journalling a shaft. An outer Z-shaped metallic ring has outwardly and inwardly extending flanges on opposite axial margins. The outward flange retains the ring axially in a mounting structure; whereas, the inner flange retains plastic energy absorbing pads receiving the outer race, in line-to-line contact, of a bearing to be mounted. In one embodiment separate pads are disposed in circumferentially spaced apertures in the metallic ring. In another embodiment, separate pads are spaced circumferentially about an integrally formed plastic ring received in the metallic ring. The inner flange also serves as a stop for limiting radial movement of the bearing with respect to the mounting structure.

Abstract: A synchronizer of the pin type employing a friction cone on the gear to be engaged. The synchronizing ring employs pins positively drivingly engaging an axially movable dogged shifting clutch splined to the output shaft and axially engageable with the gear to be engaged. In one embodiment, the synchronizer ring has a plurality of sprag members circumferentially spaced about the ring and pivoted thereon with the radially outer surface thereof tapered to frictionally engage the friction cone upon axial force application to the ring by the shifting clutch. In another embodiment the synchronizer ring has a plurality of sprag members circumferentially spaced within the ring and pivoted thereon with the radially inner surface thereon tapered to frictionally engage the friction cone upon axial force application to the ring by the shifting clutch.

Abstract: A heater water valve has a servo actuator with a subfractional horsepower, low torque, high RPM motor operating on a 12 volt DC supply. A speed reducer provides rotation of an output sector gear. One travel limit position of the sector gear is provided by a resilient pad which is compressed by the sector gear to develop full motor stall torque in five degrees (5 degrees) of rotation of the sector gear, which rotates a shaft for opening and closing the heater water valve. The pad is preferably closed cell silicone foam.

Abstract: A two-position motorized servo actuator with automatic motor shut off at either position. The user remotely energized the motor with a two-position switch and the motor drives in rotation a floating lead screw journalled for both rotational and axial movement. A follower traverses the lead screw during rotation; and, a lever means moved by the follower is operative to perform a desired function, such as for example, open and close a valve. Upon the follower contacting a travel limit stop, the motor continues rotation of the lead screw which moves axially by threaded advancement in the follower, and the axial movement of lead screw is operative to toggle a switch and reverse the polarity of the power to the motor. If the motor is remotely energized, for reverse rotation by user movement of the two-position switch to its opposite position, the servo will operate to drive the follower to an opposite limit position.

Abstract: A switch assembly having a pair of spaced parallel contact strips disposed in a housing with integral connector terminal portions thereof extending exteriorly of the housing. One of the contact strips serves as common bus and the other is divided into discrete individual contact portions and has surface portions thereof configured to provide detents integrally therewith. A wiper member bar is pivoted on the housing and has a shorting bar thereon spring biased against the contact strips to effect a switching action as the bar is moved along the strips.

Abstract: An integrally formed annular plastic bearing isolator for ball and tapered roller bearings journalling power transmission shafts. The isolator has a plurality of circumferentially spaced energy absorbing pads extending radially from the inner periphery thereof. The inner surface of the energy absorbing pads are at least an interference fit with the outer bearing race and have a predetermined radial spring rate for absorbing bearing movement. A plurality of circumferentially spaced stop pads alternate with the energy absorbing pads and are spaced radially from the outer race to permit limited radial compression of the energy absorbing pads. For tapered roller bearings a plurality of radially inwardly extending circumferentially spaced tabs each having axially extending pads thereon are provided for absorbing axial movement of the outer race.

Abstract: A bearing isolator having an outer metal mounting ring adapted for attachment to a mounting structure, an inner metal mounting ring, adapted for registration on the outer race of a bearing for journalling a shaft, and an energy-absorbing ring of composite material radially intermediate the metal rings. A first plurality of relatively short spokes extends between the composite ring and the outer metal ring; and, a second plurality of relatively short spokes extends between the composite ring and the inner metal ring and is circumferentially staggered from the first plurality of spokes. Resilient wave-like radial deflection of the composite ring occurs between the spokes to absorb vibration and acoustic energy.

Abstract: A secondary timer mechanism for controlling a secondary program function independently of a first program function. A main timer mechanism controls the first program function and is operatively driven by a motor. A second timer mechanism can be set independently of the main timer mechanism and engages the motor through a drive gear in a first axial position and is in non-engaging relation with the drive gear in a second axial position. The second timer mechanism includes a peripheral cam surface that cooperates with a cam follower to advantageously control selective electrical connection between contact portions. The contact portions regulate the secondary program function. Pins are operatively included in the second timer mechanism for maintaining an engaged relationship with the drive gear.

Abstract: An electronic oven temperature regulator employing a comparator to control energization of a relay for cycling the oven heating unit (gas or electric) in response to comparison of an oven temperature sensor output and a user selected reference temperature about which regulation is desired. A reversible polarity voltage regulator provides feedback from the comparator output to the input to provide a positive and negative hysteresis dead band about the selected regulation temperature for minimizing cycling or "hunting" of the heating unit. A fault comparator tracks the selected reference temperature to disable the heating element relay in the event of a short in the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A throttle cable intervention servoactuator having a connector link with a lefthand thread on one end and a righthand thread on the opposite end with correspondingly threaded connecting members engage the threaded ends of the link and the members each guided in a slot in a housing for non-rotating sliding movement with the connector link. A driven gear is journaled for rotation on the housing with the connector link extending centrally through the driven gear in free sliding engagement and engaged for rotation by the gear. The driven gear is rotated by a motor in response to a signal to change the effective length between the connector members when each are connected to one end of a throttle tension cable.

Abstract: An electromechanical A.C. motor reverser having a timed cam-driven SPDT switch with the side terminals thereof connected to separate motor stator coils. The movement of the transfer blade between contacts to break one motor coil circuit and complete the other reversing motor coil circuit is delayed sufficiently by the cam to permit the motor rotor speed to decay enought to enable reversal of rotation upon completion of the reversing coil circuit. The minimum contact transfer time is set at the period corresponding to two cycles of power line current.

Abstract: A system for controlling refrigerant flow in an air conditioning system employing an electrically operated valve for controlling flow of refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator. Separate thermistors sense the temperature of the refrigerant entering and discharging from the evaporator. A comparison of the sensed temperatures is used to modify the control signal to the valve for maintaining proper refrigerant flow to the evaporator. A control module is directly attached on the valve body to enhance heat conduction.

Abstract: A refrigeration system employing a mechanical thermal expansion valve with a self-heated thermistor sensing saturation temperature at the high pressure inlet. A microprocessor based controller compares the sensed temperature with stored limits and provides output signals to a relay for cycling the condenser fan responsive to high side pressure means are provided for varying the current through the thermistor for operating same in the non-self heated mode to sense actual refrigeration temperature for generating a control signal to disable the compressor clutch when refrigerant temperature exceeds desired low limits.

Abstract: A pressure switch assembly has a preassembled spring capsule assembled onto a deck structure with a snap switch thereon to form a subassembly which is snap-locked into the cup-shaped housing. A rotary cam drum is provided in the housing with an external shaft for changing the setting. An adjustment lever has a bifurcated portion nested about the inner periphery of the cam drum and a threaded external adjustment is provided for moving the lever position against the spring capsule for calibration. The pressure switch is completely assembled from one side of the housing.

Abstract: A pilot operated, diaphragm actuated fluid valve assembly having an annular main valve seat with a tapered annular surface disposed therearound. A movable diaphragm has a generally flat central main valving surface thereon and an integrally formed annular wiper extending outwardly therefrom. The annular wiper contacts the tapered annular surface a relatively small distance before the main valving surface contacts the main valve seat.

Abstract: A mechanical refrigerant thermal expansion valve has a sensing port sealed with a cupped shape closure received therein and sealed about the cup rim. A cover assembly is removeably attached to the valve over the cup with a thermistor extending into the cup which is filled with thermally conductive grease for thermal conductivity between the cup and the thermistor. The cover assembly has an electrical connector provided thereon. The thermistor is preferably mounted on printed circuit board potted in the cover which may include electronic signal logic and power switching circuitry.

Abstract: An electromechanical programmer assembly for controlling electrically operated appliances having a rotatable cam drum operable upon motorized advancement to actuate and deactuate plural program switches for controlling appliance functions. A user actuated shaft is rotated to select the desired cam drum position for program selection. Axial movement of the shaft causes a cam thereon to lift a slider for opening a line power switch for controlling the motorized cam drive and engaging a friction detent on the cam drum for resisting rotation of the drum and to provide a tactilely sensed position indication to the user. Axial movement of the shaft to effect dropping of the slider closes the line power switch and disengages the detent.

Abstract: A reusable greeting card formed of a single-folded sheet having the greeting message provided on the upper portion of the card. The sheet is vertically folded and has at least one removable first sender's signature section extending across the bottom of the card and attached to the card by a frangible section. A second signature section is provided above the frangible area, thus allowing the card to be reused upon removal of the first signature section. Different size envelopes are provided with the card one of which is sized to receive the card only after removal of the first signature portion.