Abstract: A switch for controlling wiper delay includes a housing, a circuit board having a contact pattern of several parts on a surface thereof positioned in the housing, some of the contact pattern parts being arranged in a closely-spaced, radially-extending array, a carriage rotatable in the housing, electrical contacts mounted on the carriage and disposed for engagement with selected parts of the contact pattern as a function of the position of the carriage, a discrete resistive element having at least three conductive leads extending therefrom and subdividing the resistive element into a resistor network having a plurality of resistive values, each conductive lead of the resistive element being conductively affixed to a respective one of the contact pattern parts in the array, and wherein the carriage is manually actuatable to place the electrical contact into contact with successive ones of the contact pattern parts in the array to vary the interval between sweeps of a wiper.

Abstract: A construction for a diminutive electrical connector, especially of the type having female-type terminals, includes a connector body for supporting the terminals and a locking block structured to aid in retaining the terminals in the connector body and to provide a closure for openings or "windows" which would otherwise exist adjacent to the mating ends of the terminals. The connector body may also be provided with a lip which serves as a partial closure. Small openings through the closure provide access to the female terminals by male terminals, and are contoured to aid in guiding the relative insertion of the latter into the former.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the torque or fuel quantity limit to an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine, at least partly as a function of the sensed level of smoke in the exhaust gas stream of the engine. An open-loop preliminary fuel quantity limit signal is provided as a function of engine speed. The actual smoke level is compared with a smoke limit value for the particular operating condition, and an error signal indicates the sense and possibly the magnitude of any difference. The error signal is the basis of a compensating signal which is added to the open-loop preliminary fuel quantity limit signal such that the resulting fuel quantity limit signal provides for maximum torque without exceeding the smoke limit. The smoke level is obtained by a direct measurement of the particulate level or the like in the exhaust gas stream. An alarm may be provided for indicating when the actual smoke level exceeds some threshold relative to the smoke limit.

Abstract: A switch, as for a windshield wiper, has a housing, a carriage rotatable in the housing in opposite directions from a first position to respective second and third positions, one or more electrical contacts mounted on and moving with the carriage, a conductive contact surface fixed in the housing for engagement by the contacts moving with the carriage, a primary actuation member which is manually actuatable from a first to a second position and may control a windshield washer, a drive member carried by the primary actuation member along a path, a resilient reaction member affixed to the carriage and extending into the path of the drive member for engagement therewith and displacement thereby, and wherein the carriage is displaced from the first to the second position by the displacement of the reaction member. The reaction member is the cantilevered arm of a torsion spring.

Abstract: A normally-open, solenoid-controlled valve rapidly controls the flow of liquid between a high pressure supply and a relatively lower pressure drain. The valve includes a stationary valve-seat spindle and a cylindrical valve sleeve encircling and slidable along part of the valve-seat spindle. The valve-seat spindle is provided with an annular control edge and the valve sleeve includes a frustoconical pressure-responsive contact surface which is moved into and out of valve-closing contact with the control edge by means of axial reciprocation of the valve sleeve between valve-closed and valve-open positions. The valve-seat spindle includes a flow passage therein which is in continuous fluid communication with a high pressure fluid inlet in a valve housing and which extends to and discharges into a plenum region formed between the spindle and the sleeve adjacent to the control edge and relatively toward that part of the seat spindle along which the valve sleeve slides.

Abstract: A control circuit is provided for selectively determining multiple modes of operation for one or more electrical loads in an automotive accessory system. For a particular load, the circuit includes a switch and a microcomputer signal processing unit. The switch is typically of the momentary-action, dry type which provides a signal only so long as an actuating force is applied. The microcomputer repetitively, at brief intervals determines the presence or absence of such a signal indicative of switch actuation and further is responsive to either brief "momentary" actuation of the switch to effect a primary mode of load control or to a longer "dwell" actuation to effect a secondary mode of load control. The secondary mode of load control includes a characteristic which is determined as a function of the "dwell" duration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for measuring the hysteresis error of a position sensor for a reciprocating element, such as the sensor for determining piston TDC in a reciprocating engine. The sensor is of the proximity type and has a sensing region past which a vane relatively moves. Event timing signals are provided by voltage transitions occasioned by the leading and trailing edges respectively of the vane passing the sensor. The method includes moving a pair of test vanes in opposite directions past the sensor to simulate two passes thereby of a reciprocating vane to generate the event timing signals from the sensor. This may be done by mounting the test vanes on a pair of rotating discs. Independently of the sensor, reference timing signals are generated which are accurately indicative of the positioning of the leading and trailing edges of the one or more test vanes. These reference timing signals may be determined optically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the surface of an elongated, normally-smooth object, such as coated cable, for certain flaws. The object is longitudinally movable along a path. Radiation, such as white light, is directed at the object such that it is incident therewith throughout a narrow zone extending substantially entirely around the object's perimeter. The angle of incidence of the light with the object is such that a normally smooth surface specularly reflects light at a relatively large angle, whereas particular flaws, such as pips and the like, scatter the light in a particular direction longitudinally of the object and at a relatively smaller or limited angle thereto. A slotted mirror is disposed concentrically about the object's path and reflects the scattered light to imaging and detecting devices, such as a charge injection device. Analytical electronics connected to the detector analyze its electrical signal to indicate the presence of a flaw.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are provided for making vibration sensors, particularly of the type used in automotive applications wherein a piezoelectric element is affixed to a flexing plate which is mounted on a support stem in "umbrella" fashion. A desired resonant vibrating frequency of the sensor is obtained by progressively working a neck portion of the support stem, as by peening, to effectively decrease the vibrating radius of the plate and thus increase its resonant frequency toward and to a desired resonant frequency. The plate's frequency is monitored and the working of the stem neck portion is terminated when a desired resonant frequency is attained. An inclined support shoulder on the stem below the neck portion facilitates the aforementioned manufacture. An undercut positioned in the stem neck portion near its transition into the support shoulder further facilitates the manufacture.

Abstract: An improved debouncer circuit is disclosed for providing debounced, synchronously clocked digital signals from a single-throw switch, as for instance, of the momentary contact type. A signal, variable between two logic levels, is provided by the switch for input to the debouncer circuitry. That input signal is applied as one input to an EXCLUSIVE OR gate, the other input to that gate being fed back from the Q output terminal of an output data latch having complementary Q and Q* output terminals. A signal representing the Q* output terminal of the data latch is connected to the D input of that latch such that a synchronous latch clocking signal appearing at the clock input of the output data latch serves to toggle the states of the Q and Q* output terminals. The signal appearing at either one of the output terminals Q, Q* of the output data latch may be used as the debounced signal provided to other circuitry, depending upon signal polarity needs.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic holder is provided for mounting a generally tubular lamp on a circuit board. The lamp has a filament connected to a pair of leads extending from the lamp base. The lamp holder includes an annular base portion adapted to be supported on a surface of a circuit board, a support spine extending upwardly from the base portion, at least two angularly-spaced, snap-fit mounting members depending from the base portion for insertion through respective mounting apertures in the circuit board and for locking engagement with the reverse surface of the board, and a pair of notches in the lamp base portion through which the respective pair of lamp leads may be led. The support spine of the lamp holder includes a clamp, as for instance a pair of opposed arcuate jaws for resiliently engaging and retaining a respective lamp.

Abstract: An improved serial data protocol/format is provided in a serial multiplex system for use in an automotive vehicle electrical system which is subject to electrical noise. The protocol/format includes successive transactions between a master controller and respective remote controllers each connected to a serial multiplex bus. Each transaction is bidirectional and includes a command message transmitted by the master controller and a reply message normally transmitted by an answering remote controller. Each command message is preceded by a multibit SYNC byte. The command message includes an address byte (for a particular remote controller), a command byte, and an error check such as a cyclic redundance check byte passed on the address and command bytes. The reply message includes the address byte of the replying remote controller, a response byte indicative of its response to the command byte, and an error check such as a cyclic redundancy check byte based on the reply address and response bytes.

Abstract: A normally-open, solenoid-controlled valve includes a stationary valve-seat spindle and a cylindrical valve sleeve encircling and slideable along part of the valve-seat spindle. The valve-seat spindle has an annular control edge and the valve sleeve includes a pressure-responsive surface which is reciprocably moved into and out of valve-closing contact with the control edge. The valve-seat spindle includes a flow passage therein extending to and discharging into a plenum region formed radially inward of the control edge between the spindle and the sleeve. The pressure-responsive surface of the valve sleeve is a substantially continuous frustrum of a cone whose apex extends in the direction of the valve opening and which extends radially outward from a sleeve inner diameter A to an outer diameter C (point C) of discontinuity in that surface.

Abstract: A serial data communications system, particularly for use in an automotive environment is disclosed in which bidirectional serial data communication is effected between a central control station and one or more remote stations with high integrity. The central control station includes a central controller and at least two multiplex controllers. A serial signal bus is arranged as a loop connected at its opposite ends to respective ones of the two multiplex controllers. A remote multiplex controller, located at each of the remote stations, includes input/output signal ports for input and output, respectively of signals respectively from and to remote input devices and remote load devices. Each remote multiplex controller is parallel "T" connected to the serial bus intermediate its end terminals, has a respective address, and is responsive to a serial communication containing its respective address from the central control station for providing a response to the communication.

Abstract: An improved timing control mechanism is provided for an engine-driven fuel injection pump of the type having plungers actuated by an adjustable cam. The cam is adjusted by the linear displacement of a timing piston operating in a cylinder. A pressurized hydraulic fluid admitted to a pressure chamber at one end of the cylinder provides a force against one end of the timing piston which is opposed by a biasing element, such as a spring. A rotary servo valve extends into an axial bore in one end of the timing piston for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid through a control orifice formed in the wall of the piston bore and connecting with the cylinder's pressure chamber. The servo valve is axially fixed and includes an inclined, typically helical, control edge. Upon rotation of the valve, as by an electric rotary stepper motor, the control edge effectively moves "axially" relative to the control orifice to vary flow therethrough and thus cause the piston to track that "axial" positioning of the control edge.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive signal generator assembly includes a piezoelectric subassembly, a flexible electroluminescent panel and a transparent cover element so arranged that the cover element is in force-transmitting relation with the piezoelectric subassembly and the electroluminescent panel is interposed therebetween. The piezoelectric subassembly includes a substantially planar, rigid yet manually flexible, substrate member; one or typically several, discrete piezoelectric elements, preferably crystals; and electrical conductors connected to the opposite surfaces of respective piezoelectric elements for developing a voltage therebetween in response to deformation of the piezoelectric element. An applique sheet, interposed between the cover and the electroluminescent panel contains indicia for identifying the respective piezoelectric elements. The cover element may be an integral portion of a plastic housing in which the signal generator assembly is housed.

Abstract: A control pod for a vehicle is structured and positioned to provide easy manual access to the actuators for pairs of functionally-related mechanical switches housed in the control pod. Integrally-formed pairs of actuators are associated with respective pairs of functionally-related switches. Each switch of a pair is mounted on an opposite side of a circuit board from the other switch. The circuit board is mounted in a control pod housing, and the pairs of actuators are connected to the circuit board. Each actuator of a pair extends to an opposite side of the circuit board for actuation of the respective switch. A pair of actuators are joined at a common midsection and are resiliently deformable about that midsection to provide the displacement required for switch actuation. Pairs of visual indicators are positioned on the control pod in proximity with a respective pair of actuators for signifying actuation of respectiive ones of an associated pair of switches.

Abstract: A lamp socket assembly for use with a printed circuit, particularly where the mounting aperture in the circuit board is relatively small and the board may be remotely located. The assembly includes a lamp socket and a separate key member. The key receives the socket in latched relation therewith, the latching arrangement being such as to afford limited longitudinal displacement of the socket relative to the key. One or more biasing members, such as cantilevered spring fingers, are formed integrally with the socket, or preferably the key, and act to urge the socket relatively forward from the key. Electrical leads from the lamp pass over a flange formed at the base of the socket and are urged upwardly with the base into good electrical contact with the printed circuit on the under side of the board. The key member is preferably elongated to afford remote installation of the socket assembly on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical governor system for a turbocharged diesel engine which eliminates objectionable puffs of smoke when gears are shifted, by limiting the rate of fuel delivery to the engine at such times. The response characteristics of the turbocharger to changes in kinetic energy of the engine exhaust flow are determined and stored in a microprocessor memory. The engine operating parameters are monitored to produce signals representative of engine speed and fuel delivery rate, and these signals are supplied to the microprocessor to cause it to generate a signal representative of the maximum rate at which fuel can then be delivered to the engine without producing objectionable exhaust smoke. The latter signal is used to control the fuel-control each automatically, through a stepping motor arrangement, at appropriate times to limit the fuel delivery rate to said maximum and thus avoid objectionable smoke puffs.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for mounting an injection barrel in the mounting bore of a fuel injection pump housing and maintaining the integrity of a fluid seal therebetween. A pumping chamber is defined in each injection barrel. Each injection barrel includes a pair of axially spaced annular seats in the external periphery thereof, preferably beyond the axially opposite ends of the pumping chamber. A respective annular seal is seated in each of the respective seats, and when uncompressed, projects radially beyond the barrel periphery. Each mounting bore includes a pair of chamfered surfaces formed at axially spaced locations, each chamfered surface having a respective diameter sufficiently small for compressively engaging a respective seal when the barrel is mounted. The included angle of each of the chamfered surfaces is relatively small to allow axial adjustment of the mounted position of the injection barrel.