Abstract: A two input flip-flop circuit is successively triggered to alternate states by two series of electrical signal pulses, each of which corresponds to one of two rotating members and is of a frequency proportional to the rotational speed of the corresponding rotating member. The flip-flop circuit output signals are applied to an averaging filter circuit that produces an output ramp signal that increases substantially linearly in amplitude as a function of change of phase displacement of the pulses of the two series of electrical signal pulses and remains at a constant value when the phase displacement of the pulses of the two series of electrical signal pulses remains constant thereby indicating an equality of the rotational speeds of the two rotating members.

Abstract: The energizing circuit of an inductor connected across a supply potential source is periodically completed and interrupted at a selected rate. A secondary cell load to be charged is coupled to the inductor through a diode that is poled in such a manner that the secondary cell load is isolated thereby from the inductor energizing circuit during the periods that the energizing circuit is completed and the secondary cell load is charged through the diode by the charging current produced by the potential induced in the inductor upon each interruption of the inductor energizing circuit.

Abstract: An electrically energizable device of the type that may be selectively rotated through first and second angles of rotation in respective opposite directions in response to the electrical energization thereof in respective opposite senses supports and oscillates a disc member having two discrete circumferentially disposed electrically conductive areas separated by two discrete electrically insulating areas. This device is mounted upon the housing of an electrical motor in such a manner that the disc member is in axial alignment with the motor armature with a surface of each of the motor brushes being in sliding engagement with a surface of the disc member and in contact with a respective one of the electrically insulating areas when the disc member is in a neutral position. Electrical energization of the motor armature may be effected in respective opposite senses in response to the operation of the disc member through the first angle of rotation and through the second angle of rotation.

Abstract: In a direct current potential generating system of the type in which the system potential generating device field winding is energized by the generating system output potential connected in a field winding energizing circuit, an auxiliary direct current potential of a selected level is produced when the potential applied across the field winding decreases in magnitude to a preslected reduced level and is connected in the field winding energizing circuit in series aiding relationship with the generating system output potential.

Abstract: The output segment of an ignition distributor rotor having an output segment and a spring contact member in series is coated with a silicone varnish dielectric material for effecting the suppression of radio frequency interference radiation and, toestablish an electrical connection between the ignition distributor rotor spring contact member and the silicone varnish coated rotor output segment, a potential is applied across the spring contact member, the rotor output segment and an air gap in series and of a sufficient level to overstress the dielectric strength of the silicone varnish material to thereby effect a rupture of the silicone varnish material to establish an electrical connection through electrical arcing between the spring contact member and the rotor output segment.

Abstract: A vehicle sliding door power door lock mechanism actuating device control system having a memory feature for use with power door lock mechanisms of the type actuated by an electrically energizable actuating device to the "Lock" and "Unlock" conditions in response to respective "Lock" and "Unlock" command signals. The system is operative to effect the electrical energization of the lock mechanism actuating device in a direction to actuate the lock mechanism to the "Lock" condition upon each closure of the sliding door subsequent to an occurrence of a "Lock" command signal while the door is open.

Abstract: To lock an internal combustion engine ignition distributor in the initial angular setting, the hold-down clamp member is provided with a tang portion that is accommodated in close tolerance fit by a complementary notch in the distributor mounting flange when the hold-down clamp is mounted upon the engine in a manner to securely clamp the distributor housing in place at the initial angular setting.

Abstract: An analog signal representation of the ground speed of a prime mover driven vehicle is modified by the vehicle drive train ratio factor to produce an analog signal representation of the theoretical speed of rotation of the prime mover rotating element based upon vehicle ground speed and another analog signal representation of the actual speed of rotation of the prime mover rotating element based upon selected prime mover operating parameters is produced. A variable gain amplifier circuit converts the theoretical speed of rotation analog signal representation into a system output calibrated analog signal representation of the actual speed of rotation of the prime mover rotating element based upon vehicle ground speed by incrementally adjusting the potential level of the theoretical speed of rotation analog signal representation in a direction toward that of the prime mover operating parameter based actual speed of rotation signal representation.

Abstract: To reduce the breakdown potential magnitude of the distributor gap between the output tip surface of an ignition distributor rotor output segment and each of the output electrodes of the distributor cap, a layer of a thermoset silicone dielectric material is bonded to at least a portion of the surface area of the rotor output segment and is so located that the interface between the dielectric material and the metal of the rotor output segment nearest the output tip surface is no further than 0.040 inch radially inwardly from the output tip surface.

Abstract: The alternating current output potential of an alternator is rectified by a main rectifier circuit to provide a first charging potential and by an auxiliary rectifier circuit arrangement of the type that is enabled only in response to the presence of electrical enabling signals to provide a second charging potential. The first charging potential is applied across two series connected storage batteries and the second charging potential is applied across only a selected one of batteries. The enabling signals for the auxiliary rectifier circuit arrangement are initiated by a free-running oscillator circuit and circuitry responsive to the potential across the two batteries in series and to the potential across the selected battery is arranged to disable the oscillator circuit when the potential across the selected battery is of magnitude greater than one-half that of the potential across the two series connected batteries.

Abstract: A glow plug or plugs for a Diesel engine is energized directly or indirectly through the normally closed contacts of a thermally operated switch, preferably a bimetal switch, in thermal communication with the engine and a local electric heater that is energized by the same source as the glow plug and controlled in unison with the glow plug. The bimetal switch is arranged to switch off at a temperature of the order of 80.degree. C. which, at an initial engine temperature of the order of -18.degree. C., permits the glow plug to heat to the order of 900.degree. C. The hysteresis in the bimetal switch is arranged to close the switch when the glow plug has cooled to the order of 810.degree. C., thus the glow plug is cycled between the order of 800.degree. C. and 900.degree. C. It has been found that the glow plug temperature rise at elevated temperatures is substantially less than proportional to heat input.

Abstract: An optical switching arrangement including at least one light source connected in a cyclically completed and interrupted electrical energizing circuit and a pair of photosensitive signal generating devices optically coupled thereto through a shuttering arrangement operated by the sprung mass of a motor vehicle produces, when the sprung mass is above and below a predetermined trim band, respective first and second logic signal pairs, each of which is stored until the next different pair is produced. Electrical circuitry responsive to these logic signal pairs produces respective sprung mass high and low signals to which a leveling system is responsive to level the sprung mass within the predetermined trim band.

Abstract: A source of alternating current signals is applied across the inverting and non-inverting input terminals of a voltage comparator circuit through a series bias resistor. Electrical circuitry including a supply potential source and the comparator circuit output terminal is effective to direct current flow through the bias resistor in respective first and second opposite directions while the comparator circuit is in the first and in the second operating conditions whereby the polarity of the potential generated across the bias resistor reverses with each change of operating condition of the comparator circuit.

Abstract: The ignition spark events of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine are timed to provide peak cylinder combustion pressure at a predetermined engine crankshaft angle relative to piston top dead center. The engine crankshaft angle at which the peak cylinder combustion pressure of a selected monitored engine cylinder occurs during each power stroke thereof is detected and indicated by a logic signal. An electrical peak pressure error signal indication of the engine crankshaft angle difference between the crankshaft angle at which peak cylinder combustion pressure actually occurs and the predetermined desired engine crankshaft angle is electronically generated during the period of time required for the engine crankshaft to rotate through a constant predetermined engine crankshaft angle at all engine speeds.

Abstract: A glow plug temperature simulator circuit produces an electrical signal having a rate of increase of potential level substantially corresponding to the rate of increase of glow plug temperature and a rate of decrease of potential level substantially corresponding to the rate of decrease of glow plug temperature upon glow plug energization and subsequent deenergization, respectively. An electrical switching arrangement is effective to complete a glow plug energizing circuit across an operating potential source in response to the application of operating potential and, thereafter, is effective to alternately interrupt and complete the glow plug energizing circuit in response to the increase of the electrical signal to a predetermined potential level and in response to the decrease of the electrical signal to another lower predetermined potential level, respectively, to cyclically complete and interrupt the glow plug energizing circuit.

Abstract: Electrically operable switching circuitry is effective to energize, in response to the application of a control signal, a commutated electrical motor in a first direction for driving a member driven thereby through a travel stroke and to energize, in response to the removal of the control signal, the motor in a second direction for driving the member driven thereby through another opposite travel stroke and an electrical signal produced while the motor is in the run mode is effective to maintain the switching circuitry operated for motor energization. Upon motor stall when the member driven thereby has reached the end of a travel stroke, the electrical signal produced while the motor is in the "Run" mode terminates and the switching circuitry then operates to deenergize the motor.

Abstract: A controlled bi-directional electric motor is energized for armature rotation in respective opposite directions in response to the operation of an electrical control switching arrangement electrically open and electrically closed. A mechanically operable electrical switching device arranged to be operated by a mechanical movable member that is driven between first and second travel limits by the controlled motor is effective, when the movable member is driven by the motor to either travel limit, to interrupt motor energization and to condition the circuit for effecting motor energization for armature rotation in the direction to drive the movable member toward the other travel limit.

Abstract: A controlled bi-directional motor is energized through a power switching arrangement of the type electrically operable in a manner to energize the motor for rotation in one direction and in another manner to energize the motor for rotation in the opposite direction. Circuitry including a single pole-single throw electrical switching device is responsive to the operation of the switching device electrically open to operate the power switching arrangment in the manner to energize the motor for rotation in a first direction and other circuitry also including the electrical switching device is responsive to the operation of the electrical switching device electrically closed to operate the power switching arrangment in the manner to energize the motor for rotation in the opposite direction.

Abstract: To detect system ground faults and shorted alternator output winding turn-to-turn faults, the series combination of a resistor and the operating coil of an electrical relay having a normally closed contact pair is connected between the neutrals of two parallel connected polyphase alternator output winding groups, the junction between the resistor and operating coil is connected through a resistor to ground and the normally closed relay contact pair is connected in series in the alternator exciting field winding energizing circuit. To detect open diodes in the main polyphase diode bridge type full-wave rectifier circuit, an auxiliary polyphase full-wave rectifier circuit having the operating coil and normally closed contacts of two relays in series in each leg is provided. Upon the failure of a diode of the main rectifier circuit, sufficient current to operate the corresponding relay in the auxiliary rectifier circuit is diverted therethrough.

Abstract: In an ignition distributor of the type having an ignition coil mounted in the distributor cap and a magnetic signal generating assembly including a pickup coil, a pickup coil magnetic decoupling arrangement comprising an annular ring member of an electrically conductive material located in a position at which it is magnetically linked by those lines of magnetic flux produced by the ignition coil which also magnetically link the pickup coil.