Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a packaged semiconductor with a heat sink includes the heat sink having a channel formed therein with a pair of opposed side walls and utilizes one or more spring beams acting against one side wall of the channel to urge the semiconductor package into good heat transferring relation or engagement with the other side wall. The arrangement is especially suited for use with TO-220 transistor packages and uses an array of spring beam fingers joined by a spine in comb-like fashion to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: A rotational binary output encoder comprises a housing (1) defining an enclosed space (12), a shaft (3) extending through an end wall (1b) of the housing into the space (12) and having mounted on the inner end thereof a transparent planar disc member (7) having grid means (8) on one surface thereof and reflector means (6) on the other surface thereof, the grid means (8) having alternate areas (22,23) which allow or prevent the passage of light, light transmitting means (5) and light receiving means (4a,4b) mounted in said housing so that the grid means (8) intermittently interrupts the light passing from the light transmitting means (5) to the light receiving means (4a,4b) to produce opto-digital signals, and electric circuit means (10) for providing a digital electrical output from the opto-digital signals.

Abstract: A compact and inexpensive current sensor includes a planar coil assembly mounted, as by printing, on a substrate such as a circuit board. A closed-loop flux concentrator extends through the coil and also through the board. A conductor carrying the AC current to be sensed is positioned in proximity with the flux concentrator. The flux concentrator is of one-piece construction, having a pair of opposed leg portions in overlapping relation and fastened to the circuit board. A current-summing amplifier amplifies the low-amplitude emf provided by the coil assembly and, with further circuitry, provides an indication and/or control commensurate with the sensed current being above or below some value.

Abstract: A drive circuit is provided for a bidirectional DC inductive motor, as may be used for automotive window wipers and the like. Four power MOSFETS are connected in an H-bridge configuration with the motor and a DC source. A pair of input terminals receives respective direction-controlling logic signals. Respective intermediate switching circuits are connected between each input terminal and the high-side and low-side power MOSFETS connected to the same motor terminal for controlling those two power MOSFETS in a complementary manner. A braking signal may also be applied to the input terminals. A third terminal receives a pulse-width modulated control signal and extends it, via appropriate circuitry, to an appropriate one of the low-side power MOSFETS for speed regulation. The values of certain components of the drive circuitry are selected to minimize cross-conduction between certain power MOSFETS and to optimally accommodate the inductive effects of the motor and leads.

Abstract: An improved control system is provided for controlling the variable characteristic associated with automotive peripheral devices, such as seats, mirrors, seat bladders or the like, having a "memory" capability. The control system avoids overloading a central controller and/or a data link between the central controller and the device being controlled, by approximating the "run" interval required to vary the relevant characteristic, i.e. seat position, from its present value to a target value recalled from memory. Pulses are generated by variations in the seat position and accumulated in a counter which may be separate from the central controller. At the completion of a "run" for the approximated interval, the accumulated count is used to update a count representative of the "present" seat position. The updated position is again compared to the target position and, if it differs by more than some acceptable tolerance, a new interval is determined and is "run".

Abstract: A solenoid contactor arrangement facilitates soft contact between the movable and stationary contacts and provides for overtravel of an armature in a manner which ensures that good and consistent electrical contact is maintained between the movable and the stationary contacts. The movable contacts are carried on an axially reciprocable armature assembly and are afforded limited axial displacement relative thereto. The movable contacts are biased by a coil spring to a first position on the armature assembly in preparation for engagement with the stationary contacts. When that engagement occurs, the movable contacts stop, the spring yields, and further displacement of the armature assembly occurs until a stop on it firmly contacts and is stopped by a corresponding stop on the movable contacts. The spring is formed and positioned such that it does not dimensionally interfere with the firm contact between the movable contacts and the armature assembly.

Abstract: A control system, as for controlling automotive body functions, is powered by a limited capacity electrical power source and is structured and controlled in a manner to minimize consumption of electrical power. The control system conducts data transactions between a central control station and one or more remote controllers connected therewith, and the central control station includes a provision for electronic signal processing for controlling the data transactions with the remote controllers. A power FET is operatively connected to the power source and to a portion of the control system for selectively connecting or disconnecting power to that control system portion. The system employs a NMOS microprocessor. The portion of the control system from which power may be disconnected will typically include the processor. The level of system activity is monitored and a power-down, or "sleep" control signal is automatically provided if a predetermined condition of inactivity occurs.

Abstract: A tool and method for using such tool are provided for removing insulation from wire-wound ignition cable. The tool is manually operated and includes a blade mounted on a body having a cable-receiving passage. The blade is oriented on the tool body in a particular manner to aid in maintaining the integrity of the wire winding on the cable during the severing and removal of the insulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a signal representative of the output torque of an internal combustion engine utilizes a correlation of average engine speed and variations in instantaneous sub-cyclic engine speed. The variations in instantaneous sub-cyclic engine speed involves a measure of the difference in those instantaneous speeds occuring at a pair of crank angles in each firing interval of an engine cycle, each crank angle of the pair being separated from the other by substantially one-half of the firing interval. The pair of crank angles in each firing interval across which the instantaneous speed difference is measured preferably are the middle of the interval and either the beginning or the end of the interval. The measured valves of instantaneous engine speed may be adjusted to remove the effects of transient changes not related to the individual cylinder firings.

Abstract: An improved sealing arrangement is provided for a connector assembly having a terminal holder, terminals in the holder and joined by conductor wires and a housing in which the holder is disposed with the wires extending rearward through an opening. The holder has a support surface with channels of arcuate cross section for supporting the wires substantially in coplanar relation. The sealing arrangement is provided by inner and outer resilient seal members. The inner seal member is preferably annular and encircles the support holder between the holder support surface and the wires. The outer seal member encircles both the terminal holder and the conductor wires at least in partial coincidence with the inner seal member. The outer seal includes circumferential ribs for sealing engagement with the periphery of the opening in the housing. A face seal between the forward end of the holder and the housing seals pin terminals when inserted into receptacle terminals in the housing.

Abstract: A shift actuator for a vehicle transfer case includes a bidirectional electric motor for positioning gearing in the transfer case. An indicator mechanism associated with the drive train between the motor and the transfer case provides electrical signals indicative of the actual position in, and thus operating state, of the gearing in the transfer case. A selector switch provides electrical signals indicative of a desired operating state of the transfer case gearing. An electronic control is responsive to an input from the selector switch and to the indicator mechanism for effecting rotation of the motor in a predetermined one or other direction to attain the desired operating state. The indicator mechanism includes a contact plate, which rotates with the drive train, and a set of stationary contacts. A conductive pattern on the contact plate identifies the positioning of the operating states of the transfer case gearing.

Abstract: A window wiper control system provides accurate regulation and/or profiling of wiper speed. A desired interval corresponding with the preselected speed or speed profile is stored; a reference signal is provided to indicate a reference position of the wiper and is used to measure the actual interval of a wiper stroke or cycle. The actual interval is compared with the desired interval and an appropriate adjustment is made in a pulse-width modulation signal for effecting a desired speed and interval. The pulse-width modulation signal preferably has a relatively-low repetition rate. The wiper speed may be profiled to include acceleration and deceleration, and the intervals of acceleration and deceleration may be lengthened substantially to provide an apparent dwell.

Abstract: An electromagnetically-actuated fuel injector of the type having a spring-biased flat armature and a ball valve element is provided with an improved arrangement for preventing wobble or flutter of the armature, particularly during operation. The armature and ball valve are urged to the closed position by a helical coil spring coaxially aligned with and acting in compression against the armature. The end of the spring in engagement with the armature is modified or formed such that it includes a portion which is inclined axially from a plane normal to the axis of the armature so as to concentrate most of the axial spring force at the location where it engages the armature. As that location is to one side of the axis of the armature, the remote, or opposite, edge of the armature forms a pivot with a stationary part of the injector and reduces or eliminates armature wobble.

Abstract: Information relating to relative fuel pump camshaft advance angle is compared with a SOC signal indicative of the start of combustion in a reference cylinder to generate an adaptive trim table which is used, in a first control scheme to calculate an actual combustion angle for closed loop control over combustion timing only in the event of a loss of the SOC signal. In an alternate control scheme, the values from the adaptive trim table are always used to calculate the actual combustion angle for closed loop control.

Abstract: An electromagnetically-actuated fuel injector of the type having a spring-biased flat armature and a ball valve element is provided with an improved arrangement for preventing wobble or flutter of the armature, particularly during operation. The substantially-circular armature includes a portion contoured to define a pivot axis for the armature as it engages a stationary part of the injector. This pivot axis is conveniently provided by a chordal edge on the armature. This arrangement aids in reducing wobble by the armature and is further enhanced by concentrating the spring force on the armature remote from the pivot axis. This concentrated spring force is obtained by providing a spring seat on the armature which is inclined such that the spring experiences greater compression where the spring force is required.

Abstract: A thermostat mounting arrangement includes a thermostat fixedly retained by a mounting member, and the mounting member then being mounted in a panel using a "twist-in" motion. The mounting member is of one-piece metal construction having a tubular housing portion, a pair of rigid arcuate flanges at its base and, intermediate the arcuate flanges, a pair of separate resilient flange tabs. The flange tabs are spaced above the rigid arcuate flanges and include downwardly-extending detent knobs. The panel includes a notched aperture for passing the mounting member housing and the flange tabs in a certain rotative position. The flange tabs are inclined to facilitate both the rotation of the mounting member relative to the panel and its retention in the panel. The mounting member is rotated until the detent knobs on the flange tabs detentingly snap into detent holes in the panel.

Abstract: An electrical power delivery system and method of operation particularly suitable for use in a vehicle is disclosed. A single wire power conductor is connected through remote power switches to a plurality of loads. The power conductor is sized such that its current-carrying capacity is less than the current required to simultaneously operate all the loads connected thereto. Logic means are provided for delivering a control signal to the remote power switches to selectively energize the appropriate loads. The logic means additionally includes means responding to excess current flow through the power conductor to schedule the control signals to prevent simultaneous operation of all the loads thereby limiting current flow through the power conductor to its current-carrying capacity.

Abstract: A coil assembly, as for the secondary of a high voltage ignition transformer, includes a coil subdivided into segments by radial flanges on a coil bobbin. Cross-over grooves provided in the bobbin flanges allow the coil wire transitioning from one coil segment or slot into the next to be relatively isolated from contact with coil-turns of greatly different electrical potential. The formation of the cross-over groove in a respective bobbin flange is such that the cross-over of the coil wire from one segment to the next is forced to occur and remain at a radially-outward position relative to the formed coils. Guide ridges facilitate the cross-over of the coil wire at the entry to a respective cross-over groove.

Abstract: Arrangement for the input of address data to an integrated circuit (IC) via the same input/output (I/O) terminal pins utilized for the transfer of data is disclosed. The I/O data pins each have an output data latch and an address latch connected to the respective pin and positioned internally of the circuit's interface. A logic level is applied to each of those I/O data pins via a respective external resistor for normally biasing the pin to that logic level. A further I/O pin at the circuit's interface is connected to a common conductor positioned externally of the interface. Diodes are connected between selected ones of the I/O data pins and the common conductor in accordance with a desired address. A level controller responds to a power-on-reset (POR) gating signal to switch the common conductor between a high impedance state and a logic level which effects conduction by the diodes, to enter address data bits. Address latches in the IC store the entered address data bits.