Abstract: A steering control system is disclosed for use on a dual path, hydrostatic drive vehicle. The steering control system includes a steering signal generator, the steering signal representing commanded steering ratio and direction. The system senses vehicle direction and steering direction and generates an electrical switch signal having a first or second condition, depending upon which transmission must have its speed reduced to achieve the desired vehicle orientation. The steering signal and the main speed command signal are multiplied to generate a speed modification signal and an electrical switch transmits the modification signal to one transmission or the other depending upon whether the switch signal is in the first or second condition. The disclosed steering system permits use of a T-handle control, for both speed and steering, such that vehicle orientation may be maintained generally perpendicular to handle orientation for both forward and reverse vehicle travel.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated pilot control diaphragm valve having the pilot opened in response to energization of an electromagnetic actuator. The actuator includes a movable armature means operable to open the pilot and stop means movable with the armature for limiting the amount of opening of the pilot. The stop means includes means operative to prevent closing of the pilot when the armature means is subsequently moved by fluid pressure opening of the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: A dishwasher drain valve provides axial alignment of inlet and outlet ports, a poppet is pivotally mounted in a chamber adjacent to the flow chamber of the valve and moves from a position blocking flow to one allowing substantially free straight through flow. The poppet is configured to provide self-centering within the valve body and allow for self-alignment with a valve seat formed in the through passage between the inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: An improved turnbuckle assembly comprising a one-piece generally tubular stamped clip and a nut member mounted to a first axial end of said clip for rotative motion relative thereto is provided. The other axial end of said clip is adapted to receive and retain the end of a flexible cable, such as a multi-strand metallic brake cable, having an enlarged ring or sleeve member permanently attached thereto. The improvement comprises providing a multiplicity of axially extending slits in the first axial end of the stamped clip which allows the bearing area for retaining the nut member against axial forces to be increased while permitting relative ease of assembly. Preferably, the bearing areas will comprise circumferentially extending radially raised ribs having a surface thereof extending radially inwardly toward said first axial end of said clip.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated motor is disclosed of the type utilizing a gerotor gear set and an internal output shaft and spool valve. The motor includes a housing defining a fluid inlet port and an endcap defining a fluid output port. The motor further includes a dogbone shaft defining an axial bore and having a spline connection to the output shaft at one end and a spline connection to the externally-toothed member of the gerotor at its other end. In one direction of operation of the motor, the fluid exhausted from the contracting volume chambers passes through a radial passage of the spool valve into the interior of the spool valve. A portion of this system fluid flows through the forward spline connection, then through the bore in the dogbone shaft toward the endcap, while the other portion of the system fluid flows through the rear spline connection. The two portions recombine and flow through the fluid port in the endcap.

Abstract: A temperature responsive clutch has a first arcuate inward facing clutch member, which can be a housing, secured to a rotating shaft. A second arcuate outward facing clutch member is mounted on the shaft radially inward from the first member and rotates independent of the first member. At least a portion of the second clutch member is adapted to move into and out of engagement with the first member. In the engaged position, the first and second members rotate in unison to rotate a fan attached to the second member. A temperature responsive device, such as a wax pill motor, is located so air passes thereover. The temperature responsive device will move a portion of one of said members radially into engagement with the other member when the temperature of the passing air signals that additional cooling is needed.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device and fan mounting arrangement is disclosed. The fan is of the type having a hub portion and a plurality of fan blades integrally molded therewith from a plastic material and an annular spider having its outer periphery attached to the hub portion and a plurality of inwardly extending tabs bolted to bolt bosses projecting forwardly from the front surface of the output coupling member. The bolt bosses define a bolt circle having a radius R.sub.1 and the output coupling member includes a plurality of pilot portions defining a pilot diameter of radius R.sub.2, wherein R.sub.2 is greater than R.sub.1. The annular spider includes a plurality of inwardly extending pilot tabs, each of which engages the outer periphery of one of the pilot portions of the output member.

Abstract: A pilot fuel injection system for a diesel engine. One embodiment of the system includes a high pressure fuel pump, an accumulator, a mechanical fuel distributor, a pair of fuel metering valves for each cylinder of the engine, a fuel injection nozzle for each cylinder, and an electronic logic for controlling actuation of the metering valves; in a second system embodiment a pair of the metering valves supply fuel to all of the engine cylinders. Several embodiments of the metering valve are disclosed, some of which allows exclusion of the mechanical fuel distributor from the system. All of the disclosed metering valves meter fuel from the pump to the nozzles by traversing a passage in a valving member across another passage. Motion is imparted to the valving member by electromagnetic means which are energized by the electronic logic. The logic is responsive to engine speed and throttle position.

Abstract: An improved, one-piece, sheet metal nail having a generally cross-sectionally V-shaped shank portion and a head portion comprising extensions of the two legs defining the generally V-shaped shank portion which are folded inwardly at substantially right angles thereto is provided. One of said shank portion extensions will overlap the other of said shank portion extensions to provide a relatively easily produced head portion having improved strength characteristics. The extensions of the shank portion legs are of sufficient length to provide a head portion of sufficiently large area for driving of the nail and/or for providing a sufficiently large bearing surface to retain the member through which the nail is driven to the member into which the nail is driven.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission control system is provided of the type utilizing a main control valve to vary the control pressure being ported to the strokers which control the swashplate position of a variable displacement pump. The control valve includes a control port connected to a source of control pressure fluid and a pair of stroker ports, each of which is connected to one of the strokers. The control valve includes a valve member having a valve land associated with each of the stroker ports, the lands preferably being either zero-lapped or under-lapped and disposed to provide a substantially zero neutral band to provide an improved control response when it is necessary for the valve member to cross the neutral band and port control pressure to the opposite stroker.

Abstract: A fluid controller is disclosed of the type including a primary valve member, and a follow-up valve member. The controller includes a load signal port and a load signal chamber. Fluid is communicated from the inlet port to the load signal chamber, and the valve members define a neutral orifice communicating between the load signal chamber and the return port when the valving is in neutral. The valving defines operating orifices communicating fluid from the load signal chamber to the main fluid path, downstream of the main flow control orifice, when the valving is shifted away from neutral. The operating orifices have a smaller orifice area when the valving approaches maximum deflection. The result is a substantially higher differential operating pressure, and a higher flow rate than would otherwise be possible at that particular valve deflection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a four-port thermally responsive valve for valving two normally closed fluid ports and one pair of normally open fluid ports in response to predetermined temperatures. A single valve member is movably contained within a housing passageway and spring biased in a first position so that a sealing surface at each end of the valve member is respectively engageable with and spaced from corresponding seating surfaces in the passageway for achieving initially open or closed valved conditions between the individual ports in each pair. A centrally located seal ring mounted in the housing passageway and surrounding the valve member isolates one pair of fluid ports from a second pair of fluid ports when the valve member is moved to a second position thereby permitting three valving functions to be attained with one device.

Abstract: A liquid level monitoring system functions by applying an alternating voltage to a probe. When the liquid level in a reservoir touches the probe, a low impedance to ground is present, thereby permitting current to flow to ground. When the liquid level falls below the probe, a high impedance to ground is created and current flows to a detector. The detector switches on an alarm which flashes an appropriate warning.

Abstract: A control mechanism for the lift cylinder of an electric lift truck. A first pump motor is energized by the closing of a first switch in response to movement of the lift valve spool toward the lift position. A second pump motor is energized when the lift valve spool is in its full lift position and a bending moment is applied to the control rod controlling the lift valve spool of sufficient magnitude to elastically deflect the control rod into closing engagement with the switch.

Abstract: A low pressure drop air flowmeter for an automotive engine is disclosed. The meter includes a main air flow passage, a relatively small venturi tube receiving a portion of the air flow, a pressure port for sensing stagnation pressure in the main passage, a pressure port for sensing static pressure in the throat of the venturi, and a set of stationary swirl vanes disposed adjacent the outlet of the venturi and operative to impart a swirl to the remainder of the air in the main passage, thereby creating a reduced pressure at the venturi outlet for amplifying the pressure difference between the stagnation and static pressures without appreciably increasing the pressure drop across the flowmeter. Also disclosed is a solenoid valve having a single valving member operative in one position to communicate the stagnation pressure to an absolute pressure transducer and operative in another position to communicate the static pressure to the transducer.

Abstract: An automatic clearance adjuster for a cam actuated vehicle brake. The adjuster is disposed in a pivotal lever and includes a worm and worm gear, an adjusting mechanism for effecting a clearance decreasing rotation of the worm during the brake apply stroke, a torque limiting ratchet clutch which slips to prevent rotation of the worm by the adjusting mechanism when the shoes are in contact with the drum during the brake apply stroke, and a roller clutch which prevents clearance increasing rotation of the worm by the adjusting mechanism during the brake release stroke.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control for a hydrostatic transmission including a variable displacement hydraulic pump, a fixed displacement hydraulic motor, and fluid operable strokers to vary the displacement of the pump. The electro-hydraulic control is in series between the charge pump and the standard manual controller and determines the pressure of the charge fluid ported to the standard controller. The electro-hydraulic control includes a spool biased toward a first position to port fluid from the charge pump to the standard controller, and biased toward a second position to relieve to tank the pressure of fluid ported to the manual controller. The biasing toward the second direction is accomplished, in part, by pressure in a fluid chamber exerting a biasing force on the spool, the fluid chamber being in communication with drain through a variable orifice which is variable in response to a pressure command signal.

Abstract: A monitor actuating assembly and a reusable fastener device for selective attachment to an article. The assembly, which may carry an alarm actuating element or the like, is readily attachable to the article and is constructed to be released therefrom only by use of a special tool. The reusable fastener device includes a body in which a one-piece, clip-like device is mounted. The body has a pin receiving bore and the clip-like device includes a pair of resilient fingers to frictionally engage the pin for securing the fastener device and, hence, the article to the assembly. The clip-like device is further constructed so as to receive generally radial force from the tool so as to pivot the fingers out of engagement with the pin to enable authorized release of the article from the assembly.

Abstract: A hoist of the type including a Weston-type load brake actuated by relative rotary movement between a pair of input drive members and having a control mechanism actuated by plunger carried within the hoist to allow or prevent axial movement of the input drive members from the position wherein their relative rotary movement actuates the load brake.

Abstract: A plastic fan configured for attachment to a fan drive in a manner in which cooling air will be promoted to flow from the rear of the fan drive across the rear fins of the fan drive and through the blades of the fan. The flow of air across the rear fins increases heat dissipation from the fan drive. The fan has a plurality of radially extending circumferentially spaced blades secured to an axially extending hub portion. The hub portion is configured to be radially spaced from the fan drive to define an annular passage. Further, the front edge of the hub portion is spaced rearwardly from the forward portion of the rear fins of the fan drive to define a slot for cooling air to flow substantially unrestricted through the annular passage and to the blades of the fan.