Abstract: Tungsten halogen lamps require a fill pressure of several atmospheres. To verify the fill pressure at the time of manufacture the pressure is indirectly measured by first measuring the speed of sound within the lamp. A shock wave is produced within the lamp by rapidly heating a lamp filament or producing an arc between two adjacent filaments and measuring the time required for the shock wave to sequentially disturb two spaced light beams passing through the lamp. The speed of sound is determined from the measured time and the pressure is calculated from the speed of sound.

Abstract: To measure the concentration of molecules adsorbed on metal or insulator surfaces as well as their bonding to the surface and their mutual interaction, a vibrational spectroscopy method is proposed in which the infrared absorption is modulated using a first order Stark shift of the adsorbed molecule vibrational frequency. A sample surface in a high vacuum or at atmospheric pressure is illuminated by infrared radiation from a tunable diode laser an reflected radiation is detected by an infrared sensor. A high intensity electric field normal to the surface is amplitude modulated at a given frequency and the synchronous modulation of the reflected light is measured while varying the wavelength to obtain the spectra of vibrational absorption.

Abstract: To measure the mass air flow in the induction passage of an engine, a small venturi located centrally in the passage serves as an air sampling tube. A slotted aperture in the wall of the tube at the venturi throat allows a hot film sensor to extend into the venturi throat from a support such as a printed circuit board mounted outside the venturi. The film sensor is in the form of a loop supported only at its ends on the support. The loop comprises a substrate of flexible insulating film material coated with an electrical resistance layer forming the active element of the sensor. The loop has a major dimension extending arcuately and transversely of the air flow through the venturi and a minor dimension extending parallel to the air flow.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly is formed of spaced parallel headers connected by an array of spaced flat tubes each in a plane perpendicular to the headers. The header and tube material is clad with a brazing alloy which melts at a temperature slightly below the melting point of the base material. Sinuous metallic ribbons fill the spaces between the flat tubes. The assembly is induction heated by a low frequency alternating magnetic field having its flux lines extending transversely of the tubes and headers and at oblique angles thereto, the angles being selected to cause equal heating thereof for obtaining a uniform temperature throughout the assembly to effect the melting of the alloy and the brazing of the joints. Heat panels heated by the magnetic field to a temperature near that of the assembly are placed opposite outer surfaces of the assembly as required to avoid a radiation loss which would cause a significant temperature differential.

Abstract: An airflow sensor for a constant temperature anemometer comprises a copper foil resistor mounted on a polyimide foil which is supported in the airstream to be measured. The support preferably is a flat frame having an aperture over which the foil sensor is mounted so that the airstream can strike the sensor on both sides of the film. Airflow directors mounted upstream of the sensor are placed at an angle to direct the airstream toward each side of the film at a definite angle to obtain a positive cooling effect of the film by the airstream and consistent airflow. The sensor assembly is mounted in a duct with the plane of the sensor along the longitudinal axis of the duct for measurement of the flow through the duct. Another embodiment has a diamond shaped body mounted in an airflow such that a straight airflow impinges upon two forward sides of the body at a specific angle.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly is formed of spaced parallel headers connected by an array of spaced flat tubes each in a plane perpendicular to the headers. The header and tube material is clad with a brazing alloy which melts at a temperature slightly below the melting point of the base material. Sinuous metallic ribbons fill the spaces between the flat tubes. The assembly is induction heated by a low frequency alternating magnetic field having its flux lines extending transversely of the tubes and headers and at oblique angles thereto, the angles being selected to cause equal heating thereof for obtaining a uniform temperature throughout the assembly to effect the melting of the alloy and the brazing of the joints. Heat panels heated by the magnetic field to a temperature near that of the assembly are placed opposite outer surfaces of the assembly as required to avoid a radiation loss which would cause a significant temperature differential.

Abstract: A solid extruded light conductive ribbon of generally rectangular cross section is provided with a tubular ferrule by the steps of placing a section of heat shrink tubing over the end of the ribbon, heating the tubing and ribbon until the shrinking of the tubing deforms the ribbon end into a generally cylindrical form and then applying a cylindrical ferrule over the end of the ribbon and crimping the ferrule in place. The heat shrink tubing thus serves to protect the conductive ribbon during the crimping operation and serves to form the ribbon end into cylindrical form as well.

Abstract: The lead of a T03 style transistor extends through a hole in a printed circuit board. A resilient connector is provided for connecting the transistor lead to a printed circuit conductor in a manner to allow dip soldering but avoiding stress on the lead which might break the glass seal on the transistor package. The connector is a spring clip having a U-shaped portion with a pair of aligned holes in the legs to grip the transistor lead, one of the legs extending into another U-shaped portion which resiliently engages the circuit board conductor when assembled to the transistor lead. The connections are secured by dip soldering to complete the assembly.

Abstract: To inspect a radio speaker harness, two analyzer circuits are connected to the harness in sequence by a switching arrangement. Each analyzer circuit comprises a pair of opposite conductivity type transistors with their bases connected through the switching arrangement to one end of the harness. An indicator lamp in series with each transistor reveals its conductivity state. One transistor is biased to conduct when the harness-to-ground resistance is above a certain value and the other transistor is biased to conduct when that resistance is below another value higher than the first so that the energization of the indicator lamps indicates the integrity of the harness. One analyzer circuit is connected by the switching means to one end of the harness while the other end is open to check the harness for short to ground and a predetermined electrical resistance to ground.

Abstract: An instrument panel for automotive vehicles is molded of an insulating plastics material and carries electrical conductors on the rear surface leading to indicating and control instruments on the front. Several grooves on the rear surface, one for each conductor, are coated along their flanks with a conductive material such as a conductive paint to form the conductors. Cavities extending through the panel allow contact springs to connect the conductors on the rear to the instruments on the front.

Abstract: A diaphragm is formed in a silicon chip by etching a rectangular cavity in one side thereof and piezoresistive resistors are formed in the other surface of the chip to sense stress changes on the diaphragm due to pressure changes. At least one resistor is placed along the edge of the diaphragm where a sharp stress peak occurs. To avoid the problem of inaccurate placement of the resistor relative to the peak, the resistor is slanted with respect to the stress ridge at a small angle of 10.degree. to 20.degree.. This makes the resistor placement and cavity alignment much less critical thereby assuring greater uniformity of response from one sensor to another at the expense of signal size for a given pressure change on the device.

Abstract: To inspect a ball while it is spinning, a semicircular array of balanced light sources illuminate the ball, each source being directional to illuminate a restricted zone. An array of light detectors adjacent the sources are arranged for each to detect specularly reflected light from the ball originating from a limited number of light sources and a detector channel for each detector analyzes changes in received light to detect ball surface defects. No lenses are required and the sources and detectors are formed to allow compact packaging near the ball surface.

Abstract: A linear motion switch assembly suitable for a set switch of a vehicle automatic speed control contains two cam operated switches which are actuated in a specific sequence, i.e. the first switch and then the second switch is actuated upon the movement of the actuator in one direction and then the first switch and then the second switch is actuated during the opposite direction of movement of the actuator. To accomplish this, a cam fixed on the actuator operates one of the switches but a second cam connected to the actuator by a lost motion connection operates the second switch. The actuator is a reciprocating element guided along a guideway molded in the switch housing and the switch elements comprise a leaf spring fixed at one end to a circuit board and the other end free to move toward or from a stationary contact also on the circuit board.

Abstract: A printed circuit board carrying a keyboard switch is mounted perpendicularly to a switch panel. An actuator having a push button portion extending through an aperture in the panel is pivotally mounted for movement about an axis parallel to both the panel and the circuit board. An operator portion of the actuator extends into contact with the switch so that a force on the push button generally parallel to the circuit board effects switch operation in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board.

Abstract: In order to make a ground connection between a printed circuit mounted on the back of an instrument panel housing and the metal frame of an instrument within the panel, a flexible spring clip is fixed to a pin projecting from the back of the housing and has a pair of legs straddling the pin each terminating in a contact which conductively engage the printed circuit and the instrument frame respectively. An aperture in the housing allows one leg of the spring clip to extend into the housing adjacent the instrument.

Abstract: To detect a change of current flow in a conductor, a current transformer is coupled to the conductor for generating a voltage corresponding to the rate of current change. A liquid crystal device is connected to the transformer and its optical state changes when the transformer generates a voltage. The liquid crystal device is incorporated in a fiber optic circuit illuminated at one end for controlling the light emission from the other end. If the monitored circuit carries direct current, the light emission will change state briefly when the current is turned on and off or makes other rapid changes. Where the monitored circuit carries alternating current, the emitted light will be on or off depending on whether the alternating current is on or off.

Abstract: A current shunt in the power supply to an electric furnace generates a signal voltage proportional to furnace current. A voltage rate comparator senses a high change rate of signal level corresponding to arcs occurring in the furnace and the comparator output pulse is fed to a preset counter. The counter is reset periodically. If a predetermined number of pulses are registered by the counter within a preset time interval, the counter output will de-energize an output relay which turns the power supply off and energizes a warning signal.

Abstract: A combination turn signal switch and dimmer switch assembly for automotive vehicles comprises a two part lever comprising an actuator and a handle. The actuator is pivoted to a switch housing for rocking movement about an axis on either side of a neutral position for selective turn signal switch actuation. The handle is pivoted to the actuator about an axis transverse to the actuator pivot axis and is movable between a neutral position and a dimmer switch actuation position. The handle has a V-shaped ramp surface engaged by a leaf spring which serves to press the handle toward its neutral position as well as to cam the actuator toward its neutral position. The turn signal switches are keyboard switches mounted on a printed circuit board secured to the housing. The switches are spaced below the path of the actuator and are actuated by forces perpendicular to the actuator path. Spring elements or flexible levers secured to the circuit board and contacting the switches extend into the actuator path.

Abstract: A combination turn signal switch and dimmer switch assembly for automotive vehicles comprises a two part lever comprising an actuator and a handle. The actuator is pivoted to a switch housing for rocking movement about an axis on either side of a neutral position for selective turn signal switch actuation. The handle is pivoted to the actuator about an axis transverse to the actuator pivot axis and is movable between a neutral position and a dimmer switch actuation position. The handle has a V-shaped ramp surface engaged by a leaf spring which serves to press the handle toward its neutral position as well as to cam the actuator toward its neutral position. The turn signal switches are keyboard switches mounted on a printed circuit board secured to the housing. The switches are spaced below the path of the actuator and are actuated by forces perpendicular to the actuator path. Spring elements or flexible levers secured to the circuit board and contacting the switches extend into the actuator path.

Abstract: Electrical gauges requiring a calibration resistor connected between at least two of its terminals is mounted in an instrument panel assembly with the terminals connected to printed circuit conductors. The instrument panel has a housing carrying a printed circuit on its inner surface. An elastomeric electrical connector comprising an insulating body with selected resilient conductive regions is arranged with respect to the calibration resistor, the instrument terminals and the printed circuit to complete the proper circuit connections when the gauge is mounted in the instrument panel with its terminals urged toward the housing.