Abstract: A cardiac catheter employed for minimally invasive cardiac diagnostic electrophysiology and/or cardiac ablation procedures. The catheter of this invention comprises of an elongated cylindrical and electrically non conductive main exterior tube with plurality of surface electrodes disposed on its distal portion, and a handle on its proximal end. The distal portion of this catheter can be curved and the assumed curvature can be retained by a single action on manual actuator of the catheter handle. In one embodiment of this invention an electromechanical drive system is incorporated into the catheter handle for formation of curvatures at the distal portion of the catheter. In a further embodiment an electrical heating element is incorporated within the distal electrode of the catheter for ablation procedures. In another embodiment of this invention a readily removable and disposable blood contacting segment is provided.

Abstract: An electric restoring switch is provided with a button (13) that allows actuation about an eccentric axle (14) and has attached to it at least one link (16) transferring the actuation, and is provided with a contact spring (17) that is arranged in a housing (1) supporting connectors (10) and featuring a notched contact tongue (18). To arrive at a switch that manages without complex parts, allows easy assembly, offers a reliable switching feel and, besides, is small in its structure, the link (16) of the button (13) acts on a switching member (20) which is aligned approximately parallel to the direction of actuation (19) of the button (13), is assembled elastically and is pivotable, the pivot (21) of the switching member (20) being situated away from the axle (14) of the button (13), and the switching member (20) carrying a cam (22) that acts on the contact tongue (18) of the contact (17) fitted parallel to the direction of actuation (19) of the button (13).

Abstract: A system for enabling a vehicle operator to control the speed or rate of raising and lowering of a powered lift window. The actuator or switch includes a pressure responsive variable impedance device comprising a variable resistance in one embodiment and a variable capacitance in another embodiment. Increasing force directly on the variable impedance device by the user's finger or an actuator decreases the impedance which is sensed by a voltage divider which outputs a voltage which increases with increasing force. This latter voltage is compared with the output of a triangle wave oscillator and the output of the comparator is a pulse width modulated signal with pulse-width proportional to applied force. The pulses are applied to a power device (Mosfet) which modulates the duty cycle (%) of the current to the window lift mechanism drive motor to give variable motor speed.

Abstract: A variable force solenoid operated pressure control valve of the type having a force balanced spool moveably controlled energization of the solenoid for modulating the discharge pressure of the valve at its control outlet when the valve is supplied at its inlet with fluid of a supply pressure. The spool is moved to bleed fluid through an exhaust port to a sump for controlling the pressure supplied to the control outlet. The spool has a dashpot and piston in one end for providing hydraulic dampening of spool oscillations. In one embodiment a cylindrical piston is used and in an alternate arrangement a ball is employed in the dashpot.

Abstract: A diaphragm type flow regulator has an electrically operated bleed valve to control fluid signal pressure in a chamber on one side of the diaphragm. A valve member mounted on the opposite side of the diaphragm is moved, in response to the difference in pressure between the signal chamber and a flow regulating chamber, with respect to a valve seat for controlling flow of a compressible fluid between an inlet and outlet in the flow regulating chamber. An inertial mass is mounted for limited, resiliently opposed movement on the diaphragm, and serves to dampen diaphragm vibration caused by pressure pulses in the fluid supply conduit.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant technique for retaining the cover of an electronically controlled air pressure piston operated automatic overdrive shifter employed on the auxiliary section of a change-speed transmission for heavy on-highway truck. In one embodiment a spring loaded slider tracks movement of the piston to cam a locking pin into engagement with a blind bolt to prevent removal of the cover when the piston is not in the overdrive position thereby requiring test equipment to operate the controller for cover removal. In another embodiment, the cover mounting has portions frangibly removable upon installation with press-in discs covering the bolts thereafter to deter removal. In another embodiment, a blind recessed roll pin is driven through slots in the bolt head to deter removal.

Abstract: A bi-directional filter/drier having a flat header welded to a casing with a desiccant canister disposed in the casing. The header has a dedicated low side pressure inlet port formed in the flat which communicates through a pair of oppositely disposed check valves in a cross passage with two separate bi-directional inlet/outlet ports into which low side pressure flow is permitted to by-pass the desiccant to the bi-directional ports. Individual passages, each with a stiffer check valve are provided between the bi-directional ports for permitting high side pressure to flow in either port into the desiccant. A stand pip through the desiccant is connected to an interior port in the header and communicates with a dedicated outlet port in header exterior.

Abstract: Rocker switch, especially for vehicles, with a spring-loaded rocker lever serving as actuator enclosed in a housing. In the housing at least one switch unit (14) strikes connection contacts (9, 17). In order to achieve a rocker switch which has a small number of individual parts and a narrow switch angle, switch unit (14) is designed as a one arm swing lever (15) which activates the connection contact associated with it (17) via a snap contact (16).

Abstract: A rotary cam actuated sequence switch assembly having a reversible electric drive for forward and reverse movement to selectively position the cam for actuating a plurality of switches in a desired sequence under electronic control of the motor. Reverse rotation of the cam causes a flip-over follower to lift the blade contacts of the switch controlling line power to the remaining switches thereby preventing the reverse rotation from causing damage to the device being controlled by the switches.

Abstract: A rocker type windshield wiper motor control switch with a push-to-actuate function for controlling a windshield washer pump motor. The rocker member is pivoted on a sliding collar member slidable on the switch housing. A plurality of arcuate contact strips for effecting switching of the wiper motor circuit are mounted on the housing. Upon user pivotal movement of the rocker, a first shorting contact switches power on the contact strip to the wiper motor circuit irrespective of the position of the sliding collar. A second shorting contact switches power between separate arcuate contact strips upon user effecting sliding movement of the collar member irrespective of the pivotal position of the rocker.

Abstract: A thermistor probe is formed in a closed end tube and the probe is inserted through the header of a receiver/drier in a refrigeration system for sensing the temperature of the saturated refrigerant vapor in the receiver/drier. The sensed temperature is employed to energize and de-energize the refrigerant pump or compressor. The sensed temperature is also employed to energize and de-energize the refrigerant condenser fan motor.

Abstract: A control system for a dishwasher (10) utilizing a turbidity sensor (24) to achieve an optimum fill cycle water level in a sealable chamber (12) into which soiled dishes are loaded. An electronically actuable fill valve (20) is controlled by a microprocessor (22) in response to signals received from the sensor (24) indicative of the turbidity of water in the chamber (12) during the fill cycle. Once turbidity of the water in the chamber stabilizes or drops to a predefined level, the fill water is determined to have reached an optimum level and the flow of supply water is shut off.

Abstract: A push button switch having a push button installed in a switch housing wherein the push button is joined to the housing by two levers which are pivotally mounted on the housing and pivotally mounted on the push button and a link pivotally connected to the levers.

Abstract: A low voltage solenoid operated pressure control valve having a valve body with an adjustable inlet orifice plug in one end with a valve seat formed around the orifice. The orifice communicates with a precision valving bore with a one-piece valve rod having a valving surface on the end for throttling flow over the valve seat. An annular magnetic armature is press fitted on the end of the valve rod extending externally off the valving bore. A nonmagnetic cover is disposed and sealed over the armature to enclose the valving bore. An encapsulated coil is disposed over the cover. A cylindrical pole casing is disposed over the coil and a flanged tubular pole member disposed over the cover and registered on the casing to provide a flux loop about the coil. A retaining ring frictionally engages the cover to retain the assembly. The valving bore is cross ported through the body to provide the flow outlet and the interior of the armature cover is ported to the outlet.

Abstract: A method of attaching and sealing a fluid conduit to a refrigerant receiver drier of the type formed of an aluminum canister with a welded header in which is formed the inlet and outlet ports. An annular rib is formed in the header about the inlet port. An annular convolution is formed about the conduit to be attached adjacent the end and a resilient seal ring assembled over the tube conduit end and registers against the face or side of the convolution. The end of the tube conduit is then inserted in the port and the annular rib deformed over the convolution to retain the tube conduit in the port and sealed against the seal ring.

Abstract: A multiple position or continuously variable capacitive switch which operates by producing a series of discernable changes in the capacitance between a pair of conductors (14,16) disposed in a spaced coplanar relationship on a surface of a non-conductive substrate (12). A dielectric layer (18) is applied over the conductors (14,16) and exposed areas of the substrate (12) surface. A resilient conductive pad (20) is positioned atop the dielectric layer (18) and a user movable actuator (28) is moved to controllably increase the capacitance between the conductors (14,16) by creating progressively greater areas of compression between conductive pad (20) and dielectric layer (18).

Abstract: A permanent magnet actuated pilot operated valve having a central permanent magnet disposed within an annular axially polarized magnet. The annular magnet is attached to a pressure responsive membrane moveably responsive to a fluid pressure control signal. Movement of the annular permanent magnet effects movement of the central magnet, either by attraction or repulsion depending on whether like or opposite poling is employed. Movement of the central magnet effects opening of a pilot valve which creates a pressure differential which in turn causes a second pressure responsive membrane to move and effect opening of a main valve. Change in the fluid pressure control signal causes the annular magnet to return to its original position thereby effecting reverse movement of the central magnet and closure of the pilot valve. A bleed hole causes pressure equalization across the second membrane and reclosure of the main valve.

Abstract: A misfire detection system and method for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine. An engine cylinder has a pressure sensor disposed therein for providing a signal indicative of the pressure in the cylinder's combustion chamber. Compression pressure measurements are obtained at crankshaft angles reached prior to the top dead center position of piston travel. For crankshaft angles greater than that at which top dead center is reached, the pressure measurements are reflected about a vertical axis extending through the top dead center point. The reflected compression pressures for crankshaft angles reached after the top dead center point are subtracted from the actual compression chamber measurements obtained over those crankshaft angles during the power stroke of the engine.

Abstract: An electrically controlled vacuum operated valve controls flow of fuel vapors from a collector canister to the engine intake manifold. A pressure regulator controls fuel vapor flow from the canister to the inlet of the electric valve and is normally closed. During engine operation, if the control valve maintains a threshold level of vacuum at the regulator outlet, the regulator will permit fuel vapor flow from the canister to the control valve, otherwise the regulator is closed.

Abstract: A system and method for igniting gaseous fuel-air mixture flowing from flame generating ports in a burner tube having a plate welded to the side of the tube and extending from the tube in close proximity to one of the flame ports. The plate has a cut-out or aperture which forms a plenum which reduces the flow velocity and the plate is electrically grounded. A spark electrode has one end disposed in the aperture and upon application of a high voltage potential to the electrode a spark is discharged to the aperture and the mixture in the plenum is ignited and a portion of the resultant flame retained in the plenum aperture for current rectification sensing of flame presence.