Abstract: Disclosed is a stepping motor control utilizing a microprocessor. The control is suitable for driving one or more stepping motors one at a time or in unison. In the illustrated embodiment when plural motors are driven together they are driven at the same rate or at rates in a fixed proportion to one another although several of the features of the invention are suitable for use in circuits providing contouring control; i.e., where separate motors are driven at separate stepping rates proportional to the relative distances each is to traverse for a single movement. An acceleration/deceleration circuit is utilized which provides simple yet highly accurate and efficient control of the stepping motors. Feed rate compensation for simultaneous drive of two motors is provided. Also a means is provided to allow stepping rates in excess of the counting rate capability of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston four cycle internal combustion engine utilizes a stepped piston the stepped portion of which, working in an enlarged bore in the block, serves as a compressor to provide a supercharged fuel-air mixture to the combustion chamber. The compressor delivers two compression strokes per engine cycle. The compressed fuel-air mixture travels from the compressor via a bypass manifold, which also serves as an accumulator, to the main cylinder via an intake valve. Fuel-air mixture is admitted to the compressor cylinder through the crankcase and valved passages through the stepped portion of the piston.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system is disclosed which has radius arms for connecting an axle assembly to a frame to accomodate the necessary relative movement therebetween. An improved connection is provided for rigidly securing the radius arms to the axle assembly. The connection consists of a cast wedge bracket adapted to be secured between an axle tube and wheel supporting yoke and mating wedge portions formed on the radius arm and associate clamp.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coupling device in the form of an overrunning clutch particularly adapted for "holdback", stand-by drive and "creep" drive applications. A one-way clutch means, preferably in the form of a sprag clutch provides selective drive between a normally driven member and a normally passive member. The "passive" member may be retained against any rotation or may be driven at any speed less than that of the normally driven member. In the illustrated embodiment the normally driven member comprises a sleeve adapted to accept a shaft. The sleeve is drivingly connected to the outer race of the one-way clutch. The inner race of the overrunning clutch is fixed to a housing for the assembly and serves as the passive drive member. Means are provided thereon for connection to a stationary member or an auxiliary drive. The passive member is supported on the normally driven member by a pair of bearing means one on either side of the one-way clutch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stepping motor control utilizing a microprocessor. The control is suitable for driving one or more stepping motors one at a time or in unison. In the illustrated embodiment when plural motors are driven together they are driven at the same rate or at rates in a fixed proportion to one another although several of the features of the invention are suitable for use in circuits providing contouring control; i.e., where separate motors are driven at separate stepping rates proportional to the relative distances each is to traverse for a single movement. An acceleration/deceleration circuit is utilized which provides simple yet highly accurate and efficient control of the stepping motors. Feed rate compensation for simultaneous drive of two motors is provided. Also a means is provided to allow stepping rates in excess of the counting rate capability of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A synchronizing device is provided having improved thrust members supported by a pair of friction rings and releasable associated with a shiftable clutch collar. The thrust members are in the form of compressible C-shaped spring pins frictionally disposed in suitable openings in the shiftable clutch collar. The spring pins include integral ribs adapted to cooperate with suitable openings in the clutch collar to prevent the friction rings from drifting when the clutch collar is in its neutral position and also provide an operator with adequate "feel" when effecting a shift.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piston ring including a spacer-expander spring member. In a preferred embodiment the ring is of cast iron and includes two axially spaced cylinder wall contacting lands. At least one generally rectangular inwardly facing spring receiving recess is formed in the interior wall of the ring to receive the spring member which is formed from a flat strip of metal in a "U" configuration with the legs thereof facing outwardly, peferably aligned with the lands on the ring. A plurality of slots are provided in the spring member dividing the periphery into a plurality of feet. In a preferred embodiment the feet are radiused as seen in plan view to a radius less than the radius of the pocket in which they fit. This has been found to reduce wear in the spring receiving groove and to reduce the tendency of the ring and spring to become united which is detrimental to performance and is a common problem in rings of this general type.

Abstract: A shift mechanism comprises a shift lever adapted to effect the engagement of transmission gears. The lever has a main shaft which is rotatable about its axis and pivotable in a plane containing its axis. Shifting is therefore effected by a combination of rotary and straight line movements. A rigid member extends from a bottom portion of the lever main shaft to a location radially spaced from the main shaft axis to effect a selection of gates of the transmission when the shift lever is rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a stratified charge to a reciprocating internal combustion engine is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical rotary valve body disposed for rotation within the head of an internal combustion engine. The valve body defines diametrically extending inlet and exhaust passages which, during rotation of the valve body, place a cylinder of the engine in sequential communication with an inlet manifold and an exhaust manifold secured to the head. The inlet manifold comprises a double-passage gallery for transporting a lean fuel/air charge in a first passage and a rich fuel/air charge in a second passage. Rotation of the inlet passage into communication with the cylinder also brings the inlet passage into sequential communication with the first throat and then the second throat for transporting the first lean charge and then the second rich charge to the cylinder.

Abstract: An improved drive shaft assembly of uniform high strength, and a method for producing the assembly. The method includes welding a tubular shaft of an alloy steel to an end fitting such as the yoke of a universal joint or a coupling. The welded assembly is then heat treated by bringing the assembly to the austenite phase, uniform throughout the assembly, quenching the assembly in a vertical position, and thereafter tempering the assembly at a temperature uniform throughout to the desired hardness. In this manner, the non-uniform structures in the heat affected weld zone are made homogeneous, thereby producing favorable distribution of strength characteristics and residual stresses throughout the entire assembly.

Abstract: An improved water cooled exhaust valve structure is disclosed for a rotary valve engine. The exhaust gases from an engine combustion chamber enter a side port in a rotary exhaust valve and flow axially through the valve to an exhaust outlet. Cooling water is sprayed axially into the exhaust valve and is directed in the gas flow direction from a location upstream of the side port. A novel deflector prevents the cooling water from entering the side port.

Abstract: An improved variable speed pulley for adjusting the drive ratio between two shafts interconnected through two pulleys and a V-belt. The variable speed pulley has a hub which is attached through to one shaft with a collet. A number of keys of generally square cross sections with two opposed chamfered corners are located at each end of the hub in V-shaped axially directed keyways spaced around the periphery of the hub and in correspondingly spaced V-shaped keyways around interior openings through each of two sheave halves to permit axial movement of the sheave halves on the hub. Bushings retain the four keys within each sheave half. The bushings and the keys are of a compliant material to prevent fretting corrosion. The keys engage the bushings to prevent the bushings from rotating with respect to the sheave half and hub. A helical spring located within a spring housing is compressed between each sheave half and an adjacent one of two retainer rings located in grooves near each end of the hub.

Abstract: An improved piston assembly for high-power internal combustion engines such as supercharged diesel engines. The piston includes separate head and skirt portions. An elongated bearing member having an external journal surface is formed across the bottom of the piston head. A wrist pin, which is attached to or integral with a connecting rod, defines a generally tubular shaped bearing member having an internal bearing surface in which the piston head bearing member is journaled to permit rotational movement between the connecting rod and the piston head. The external journal surface on the piston head is supported by the wrist pin along its entire length to prevent any flexing of the wrist pin when high compressive forces are applied to the piston head. The skirt is connected to the wrist pin by thrust bearings which engage an external journal surface on the wrist pin substantially along its entire length to permit rotational movement between the piston head and the piston skirt.

Abstract: Disclosed is an overrunning clutch particularly adapted for "holdback," stand-by drive and "creep" drive applications. A one-way clutch means, preferably in the form of a sprag clutch provides selective drive between a normally driven member and a normally passive member. The "passive" member may be retained against any rotation or may be driven at any speed less than that of the normally driven member. In the illustrated embodiment the normally driven member comprises a sleeve adapted to accept a shaft. The sleeve is drivingly connected to the outer race of the one-way clutch. The inner race of the overrunning clutch is fixed to a housing for the assembly and serves as the passive drive member. Means are provided thereon for connection to a stationary member or an auxiliary drive. The passive member is supported on the normally driven member by a pair of bearing means one on either side of the one-way clutch.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making an improved bearing surface wherein a first layer of hard chromium is electrodeposited on a metallic substrate, a second layer of microcracked chromium is deposited on the first layer and the second layer of microcracked chromium is etched to provide a finely porous, friable bearing surface.

Abstract: A friction clutch is provided with an improved connection for the release levers including an opening in the lever provided with a longitudinally extending sharp knife-edge for cooperating with a longitudinally extending pivot axis formed on an integral support means associated with one of the elements of the clutch. The integral support means and lever openings are constructed in such a manner as to positively constrain the levers in both a radial and circumferential direction with respect to the associate clutch element.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary valved internal combustion engine is disclosed. The seal assembly comprises longitudinal side seals for axially sealing an interface between a cylindrical valve housing and a complementary valve rotor body therein. Circumferential ring seals are spaced apart along the valve rotor body for isolating inlet or exhaust ports which extend diametrically through the rotor. The ring seals are provided with a novel means for biasing the seals against the rotor. Spacers are provided for locating and retaining the seals in position within the housing, with bearing rings between the spacers for rotationally supporting the rotor. The assembly also includes means for locating the spacers properly in a head of the engine and for properly orienting the end seals.

Abstract: An improved piston assembly for high-power internal combustion engines such as supercharged diesel engines. The piston includes separate head and skirt portions. An elongated tubular-shaped bearing member having an internal bearing surface and an external journal surface is formed across the bottom of the piston head. A connecting rod passes through an opening in the lower center of the bearing member and is attached to a wrist pin which rotates against the internal bearing surface of the tubular-shaped bearing member to permit rotational movement between the connecting rod and the piston head. The wrist pin is supported by the bearing surface along its entire length to prevent any flexing of the wrist pin when high compressive forces are applied to the piston head. The skirt is connected to the piston head by thrust bearings which engage the external journal surface of the bearing member substantially along its entire length to permit rotational movement between the piston head and the piston skirt.

Abstract: An adjustable dwell cyclic timing device. An element having a timing surface with a radius or other measurement varying from a minimum value to a maximum value and back to a minimum value, and preferably having generally a heart shape when the element is in the form of a disc, is rotated in synchronism with a timing cycle. A sensor is positioned to sense the presence and absence of the timing surface in a region between the minimum and maximum radii or other measurements only when the element is rotated through a predetermined angular segment for generating a cyclic timing signal during a preselected time segment in each cycle. The sensor position is adjustable for changing the preselected segment of the timing signal in each cycle to provide a desired starting point and dwell for the generated timing signal.