Abstract: The master cylinder (10) comprises a housing (12) having a longitudinal bore (14), a housing end (16) enclosed by a bearing member (18) which retains a sleeve member (20) within the bore (14), a reservoir (70) mounted on the housing (12) and a pair of pistons (30, 40) received slidably within the bore (14), one piston (30) extending through an end (24) of the sleeve member (20). The one piston has an end (32) which provides seating for a fast fill valving mechanism (110). The fast fill valving mechanism (110) comprises a piston support guide (120) supporting a fast fill seal (150) and seal retainer (160) between the support guide (120) and the surface (23) of the sleeve member (20). The seal retainer (160) engages one end (142) of a spring (140), the other spring end (143) located at the end (32) of the piston.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing system for an internal combustion engine varies the relative angular position between the intake camshaft and the exhaust camshaft by controlling the path of the timing belt. First and second idler arms, each having an idler wheel connected thereto, are independently pivoted around a common pivot point by means of a pair of positioning cams operatively connected to an electric stepping motor. The motor is controlled from an electronic control unit which receives signals indicating the engine operating characteristics and through a look-up table steps the positioning cams which in turn pivots the idler arms to rotate the intake camshaft relative to the exhaust camshaft thereby changing the intake valve timing.

Abstract: Brazing of metal parts employing a thin, homogeneous, ductile, filler metal foil is disclosed. The brazing foil, useful for brazing stainless steels, is less than about 0.064 mm (0.0025 inch) thick and has a composition consisting essentially of 0 to about 6 atom percent iron, 0 to about 21 atom percent chromium, 0 to about 4 atom percent molybdenum, 0 to about 5 atom percent tungsten, 0 to about 20 atom percent cobalt, 0 to about 19 atom percent boron, 0 to about 12 atom percent silicon, 0 to about 22 atom percent phosphorus, 0 to about 3 atom percent carbon and the balance nickel and incidental impurities. In addition to containing the foregoing elements within the above-noted composition ranges, the composition must be such that the total of iron, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt and nickel ranges from about 70 to 84 atom percent and the total of boron, silicon, phosphorus and carbon ranges from about 16 to 30 atom percent.

Abstract: An engine control method and apparatus for optimizing an operating condition of an engine. A plurality of engine variables are determined and operated upon to direct the control of engine effectors so as to place the engine in an optimum operating condition. In particular, the engine effectors are controlled to minimize the fuel consumption of an engine operating at a steady-state. The system selectively moves a pair of engine effectors so as to determine the sensitivity of the engine variables to changes in effector outputs. Such sensitivities are updated during the system operation. The engine effectors are selectively moved as a function of the engine variable sensitivities in a direction to minimize fuel consumption without violating any predetermined operating limits of the engine variables. Once an optimum operating point is obtained, the system remains at rest and checks for changes in operating conditions that may require a new optimum to be determined.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a methjod for charging a rechargeable battery. In this method, the open voltage of the battery is measured and the number of cells estimated. The state of charge of the battery is then tested by supplying a controllably varying charging current to the battery and testing for evolution of gas. If no gas is evolved, the battery is charged until the voltage equals the estimated number of cells multiplied by a voltage which is characteristic of the battery. The foregoing steps are repeated alternately until gas evolution occurs. The true number of cells is then determined and the battery is charged at any charge rate until the voltage equals the true number of cells multiplied by a predetermined voltage. The battery is then charged at that voltage until the charge current decreases to a predetermined low value followed by charging at that predetermined current at any voltage for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: In a process for the production of heat stabilized nylon-6, hot nylon pellets are directly sprayed with measured quantities of concentrated solutions of copper salts and inorganic halides. For soluble cupric salts, the pellets are sprayed with a first solution comprising the soluble cupric salt and a second solution comprising the halide. Separate solutions are utilized when necessary to avoid precipitation problems. For cuprous salts solubilized in concentrated halide solution, a single solution may be prepared for spraying. Rapid absorption of copper by nylon eliminates precipitation and subsequent loss of the chemicals or discoloration of products.

Abstract: Organo N-hydroxyimidates are prepared by reacting an organonitrile with an organic alcohol and with a hydrogen halide, in the presence of an organic solvent (which may include an excess of the organonitrile reactant), under anhydrous conditions, to form the corresponding organoimidate hydrohalide, and then reacting said organoimidate hydrohalide with a hydroxylamine salt and ammonia gas in the presence of an organic solvent (which can be the excess organonitrile from the first step), under anhydrous conditions, to produce the corresponding organo N-hydroxyimidate.

Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum based alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a X.sub.b, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Mo, V, Zr, Ti, Y, Si and Ce, "a" ranges from about 7-15 wt %, "b" ranges from about 1.5-10 wt % and the balance is aluminum. The alloy has a predominately microeutectic microstructure.The invention also provides a method and apparatus for forming rapidly solidified metal, such as the metal alloys of the invention, within an ambient atmosphere. Generally stated, the apparatus includes a moving casting surface which has a quenching region for solidifying molten metal thereon. A reservoir holds molten metal and has orifice means for depositing a stream of molten metal onto the casting surface quenching region. A heating mechanism heats the molten metal contained within the reservoir, and a gas source provides a non-reactive gas atmosphere at the quenching region to minimize oxidation of the deposited metal.

Abstract: A process for converting heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons which comprises contacting, in a reaction zone, a heavy hydrocarbon having an API gravity at 25.degree. C. of less than about 20, such as Boscan heavy crude oil or tar sand bitumen, with a liquid comprising water and with an effective amount of selected catalyst materials such as iron (II and/or III) oxides, sulfides or sulfates, in the absence of externally added hydrogen, at a temperature between greater than about 340.degree. and about 480.degree. C. and at a pressure between about 1350 kPa (about 196 psig, about 13.2 atm) and about 15,000 kPa (about 2175 psig, about 148 atm), for a time sufficient to produce a residue and a vapor phase comprising light hydrocarbons, gaseous product and water, withdrawing the residue and said phase from the second zone; and recovering a light hydrocarbon product having an API gravity at 25.degree. C. of greater than about 20 and substantially free of vanadium and nickel values, i.e.

Abstract: The invention is a control system for generating time modulated pulse signals to effect movement of a doser type actuator. The control system is characterized in that it includes an augmenter circuit which generates a first correction signal additive to scheduled control signals when the actuator fails to respond or has a response below a predetermined limit to an actuating pulse, a second correction circuit which generates a correction signal proportional to the magnitude of the first movement of the actuator response to a pulse signal for reducing the magnitude of the pulse signal in proportion to the magnitude of the movement, and a gating signal or circuit which blocks said first and second correction signal generating circuits generating the augmentation signal when the movement of the actuator in response to a pulse signal is negative or above a predetermined limit, when the positional error changes direction, or when the actuator position is within the desired deadband limits.

Abstract: A door mounted transport mechanism for passive three point safety restraint system for motor vehicles operates to move the restraint system from the "B" pillar to the "A" pillar of the motor vehicle when the door is opened and returning when the door is closed and the ignition system is turned on. By being mounted in the vehicle door, the restraint system is fabricated and assembled as a subassembly and moved to the vehicle assembly line in a complete condition. Occupant convenience is obtained by the positioning of the rear anchoring positions on the door which puts them more outboard than in a convention pillar mounted system.

Abstract: We have discovered an improved, energy efficient method for recovering and regenerating acid from a solution comprising acid and salt.

Abstract: Permselective membranes are disclosed which comprise a layer comprising polystyrene, at least a portion of which is sulfonated, and between about 10 wt. % and about 35 wt. % monovinyl arene-hydrogentated diene block copolymer, at least a portion of which is sulfonated. The membranes exhibit a resistance of less than about 8 .OMEGA.-cm.sup.2 in 7 wt. % Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and an ion exchange capacity of between about 1.0 meq/g and about 1.6 meq/g. Monopolar and bipolar membranes comprising the layer are disclosed. A preferred process for forming the membranes comprises the steps of sulfonating polystryene and monovinyl arene-hydrogenated diene block copolymer, forming a mixture of the materials in a solvent, forming a layer of the mixture and drying the layer to form at least a portion of the membrane.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump assembly includes a housing having a bore, and a sump piston, a pump piston and an accumulator piston received coaxially within the bore. The pistons respectively define a sump chamber, a pump chamber, and an accumulator chamber within the housing. A motor reciprocates the pump piston to pump fluid fron the sump chamber into the accumulator chamber.

Abstract: A diaphragm (32) for a servomotor which separates the interior of first (12) and second (14) shells into first (18) and second (20) chambers. The diaphragm (32) has an external bead (30) with first rib (31) having first (40) and second (42) sealing surfaces and an annular projection (46) extending therefrom which engages the rear shell (14) or divider (15) to guide the first (40) and second (42) sealing surfaces into contact with corresponding surfaces on the first (12) and second (14) shells. When the first (12) shell is connected to the second (14) shell, the projection (46) is compressed into the first rib (31) while a portion (33, 35) of the first rib (31) expands into cavities (37, 39) on both sides of the annular projection (46) to develop internal resiliency that uniformly acts on the first (40) and second (42) sealing surfaces. The diaphragm (32) has an internal bead (34) with a second rib (56) that snaps into a groove (36) on the hub (38) located in the servomotor.

Abstract: A multi-speed accessory drive employing a planetary gear reduction set. A cone clutch linked to an output member, a ball ramp actuator for moving the cone clutch into engagement with the output member and a brake for selectively controlling the rotation of the ring gear of the planetary gear set.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved article of manufacture which comprises at least one network of high strength, extended chain fiber or yarn selected from the group consisting of extended chain polyethylene (ECPE) extended chain polypropylene (ECPP) fibers, extended chain polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber and extended chain polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber. The fibers and yarn have a denier of not more than about 500 and a tensile modulus of at least about 200 g/denier. The fibers and yarn preferably have a tensile modulus of at least about 500 grams/denier and an energy-to-break of at least about 22 Joules/gram. Optionally, a low modulus elastomeric material, which has a tensile modulus of less than about 6,000 psi, measured at about 23.degree. C., substantially coats the fiber and yarn of the network.

Abstract: Improved fluorinated carbon made from an amorphous carbon or heat treated amorphous carbon having a lattice constant (d.sub.002) of 3.37A or greater for use as a positive electrode of a battery is provided. Such improved fluorinated carbon has low free oxidizing power, high utility factor and high capacity upon discharge in a Li/CF.sub.x battery. The free oxidizing power is found to be dependent on reaction temperature; the higher the fluorination temperature the lower the free oxidizing power. Low free oxidizing power is obtained at reaction temperatures of at least 460.degree. C. Residual free oxidizing power can be further reduced by washing with an alkanol. Such alkanol wash can also be used to reduce free oxidizing power in fluorinated carbons prepared at lower temperatures.

Abstract: A differential pressure switch includes a housing which carries a switch assembly which is actuated by movement of a differential pressure responsive piston slidable within the housing. The piston shifts in response to pressure differentials between the pressure levels in the chambers defined between the ends of the piston and the corresponding ends of the housing. The piston includes a pressure responsive stop that responds to pressure levels above a predetermined pressure level to engage the housing to thereby prevent shifting of the piston and actuation of the switch assembly regardless of the pressure differential across the piston, thereby limiting operation of the pressure switch to pressure levels below the predetermined maximum pressure level.

Abstract: The present invention is a failure mode detection system for use in an anti-lock braking system which comprises a network of fluid level and fluid pressure responsive switches and logic circuitry connected to detect and analyze operating parameters of the adaptive braking system and generate a plurality of output signals for indicating and/or modifying operation of the braking system on the basis of detected failures therein.