Abstract: A parameter, such as the current flowing through a conductor, is measured by initially passing an energizing magnetic flux through a hall element to produce a hall voltage proportional to the sensed parameter. To eliminate temperature, aging and non-linear effects normally associated with a hall element, the amplitude of the hall voltage is effectively ignored and only its polarity is detected and employed to control the operation of an integrator to develop a cancelling current to establish an equal, but opposite direction, cancelling flux in the hall element. With a zero net flux, the integrator will hold the cancelling current at the level required to balance out and cancel the initial energizing flux. Since the cancelling current needed to null the energizing flux will be proportional to that flux, the current may be used to produce a control voltage to represent the measured parameter.

Abstract: A horizontally moving vehicle body may b stabilized and held at a constant vertical level, as its wheels move up and down in response to disturbing forces, by utilizing the kinetic energy of the rotating wheels to create counter forces on the vehicle body in the direction opposite to the disturbing forces to counterbalance the disturbances. As a disturbing force moves a wheel downward (assume the wheel falls into a hole in the road), a vertical force is imparted toward (against) the vehicle body to effectively push the wheel downward and away from the body, the body thereby remaining at its normal level and not following the wheel. On the other hand, when a wheel moves upward (assume it rides over a bump in the road), the kinetic energy of the wheel is converted to a vertical force in the direction away from the vehicle body to lift the wheel upward and force it toward the body, as a result of which the body remains undisturbed at its normal level and will not follow the upward movement of the wheel.

Abstract: A combination range and master clutch assembly includes a separator plate, at least one clutch, a fluid actuated main piston for engaging each clutch, and at least one fluid actuated accelerator piston. The separator plate and main piston define first and second main chambers in communication with each other. The main piston and each accelerator piston define an accelerator chamber. Sliding of each accelerator piston blocks communication between the main chambers. The assembly is controlled by providing fluid at an operating pressure which may be modulated between low and high pressures. Fluid is selectively delivered to an accelerator chamber at the operating pressure when it is below a threshold pressure level, and to both the accelerator chamber and its associated main chamber at the operating pressure when it is above the threshold pressure level.

Abstract: A pressure-temperature sensor for monitoring a fluid system for an over-temperature, an under-pressure or an over-pressure condition. The sensor includes a bellows operator enclosed in a fluid-filled housing with a normally-closed, first switch means and a normally-open second switch means. A diaphragm operator and a bellows are responsive to changes in temperature and pressure to, respectively, operate the first and second switches to indicate an over-temperature, an under-pressure or an over-pressure condition.

Abstract: By simultaneously charging a pair of capacitors from the same low voltage level to the same high reference voltage level, the two charge time durations will be functions of and will be proportional to the capacitances of the two capacitors. A comparison of those charge time durations will thus provide an indication of the ratio of the capacitances of the two capacitors. This is achieved by including, in the measuring system, an oscillating circuit whose frequency is determined by the capacitance of one of the capacitors. A periodically-recurring rectangular wave is then developed having pulse components with pulse widths determined by the capacitance of the other capacitor, the frequency of the rectangular wave being equal to the oscillating frequency. The duty cycle of the rectangular wave is therefore proportional to and respresents the ratio of the capacitances of te capacitors.

Abstract: A dual-pass CVT has input and output shafts, first and second intermediate shafts, and a variator engaging the intermediate shafts. A first gear drive includes a first one-way clutch engaging the input shaft with the first intermediate shaft and allowing the first intermediate shaft to overrun. A second gear drive includes a jaw clutch for engaging the input shaft with the second intermediate shaft, and also includes a second one-way clutch engaging the second intermediate shaft with the input shaft and allowing the input shaft to overrun. A third gear drive includes another jaw clutch for engaging the first intermediate shaft with the output shaft, and also includes a third one-way clutch engaging the output shaft with the first intermediate shaft and allowing the first intermediate shaft to overrun. A fourth gear drive includes a fourth one-way clutch engaging the second intermediate shaft with the output shaft and allowing the output shaft to overrun.

Abstract: Fluid handling apparatus such as a turbine, compressor, pump and the like in which stator vanes are adjustably positioned in the throat and means are provided to change the adjusted position of such vanes.

Abstract: A pressure-biased, temperature sensor for monitoring a fluid system for either an over-temperature or under-pressure condition. The sensor includes a bellows operator immersed in the fluid of a coolant system. The bellows operator expands in response to changes above a predetermined temperature or below a predetermined pressure to complete a signal circuit and energize a signal means.

Abstract: A pump assembly having an impeller for pumping a liquid from an inlet to an outlet, said impeller being driven by a motor, and mechanical seal means comprising a pump seal and a motor seal with a seal leakage chamber therebetween, and ejector means for inducing flow of liquid from the seal chamber so that it does not leak across the faces of the seal rings of the motor seal and into the motor housing where it would damage the motor. The ejector means has a nozzle driven by pump liquid and a suction chamber connected to the mechanical seal leakage chamber. By preventing liquid from the seal chamber from leaking across the faces of the motor seal into the motor housing, the ejector means maintains the seal leakage chamber at or near the vapor pressure of the pumped fluid.

Abstract: A metal chain-belt especially usable to drivingly connect the pulleys of a pulley transmission, and constructed of a carrier which may comprise a plurality of sets of links interleaved with those of adjacent sets, with the sets being joined by pivot means. Drive blocks encircle the carrier. The blocks each have side edges adapted to drivingly engage the flanges of the pulleys. These side edges are crowned to improve the life and performance of the chain-belt assembly. The radius of curvature of the crowned side edges is far in excess of the width of a drive block.

Abstract: A centrifugally-actuated roller clutch or overrunning clutch acting to engage two shafts rotating independently at different speeds to bring them into engagement in one or both directions at a predetermined rpm. The clutch assembly includes an outer race, a wave hub or inner race, clutch rollers, a spacer ring or spacer blocks to separate the rollers and a garter spring encompassing the rollers. If a freewheeling mode is required in one direction, the spacer ring or blocks are not required, and the wave form of the inner hub controls the overrunning action.

Abstract: By simultaneously charging a pair of capacitors to the same d-c voltage and then simultaneously discharging those capacitors to the same d-c reference voltage, the two discharge time durations will be functions of and will be proportional to the capacitances of the two capacitors. A comparison of those discharge time durations will thus provide an indication of the ratio of the capacitances of the two capacitors. This is achieved by including, in the measuring system, an oscillating circuit whose frequency is determined by the capacitance of one of the capacitors. A periodically-recurring rectangular wave is then developed having pulse components with pulse widths determined by the capacitance of the other capacitor, the frequency of the rectangular wave being equal to the oscillating frequency. The duty cycle of the rectangular wave is therefore proportional to and represents the ratio of the capacitances of the capacitors.

Abstract: The pulleys of a pulley transmission, such as a CVT, are constructed such that one flange is drivingly connected to a shaft by means of a flexible, pliable, spring-like straps or a pack of relatively thin straps. Because the pulley flange which can be axially movable with respect to the shaft, is radially supported by a hub encircling the shaft, only one strap or strap-pack need be provided.

Abstract: A clutch driven plate assembly for use in an automotive vehicle adapted to dissipate the irregular impulses of the vehicle internal combustion or diesel engine when the transmission is in neutral, the clutch is engaged and the engine is at idle rpm. The assembly includes a clutch plate, a spring retainer plate secured to the clutch plate, and a hub in operative engagement with the transmission input shaft and having an integral hub flange with spring windows opened to allow an additional rotational travel of the clutch and spring retainer plates relative to the hub. A retainer is journalled on the hub so as to rotate with the clutch plate and has a plurality of equally spaced recesses facing the hub and receiving compression springs and plungers biased by the springs into engagement with complementary recesses formed in the hub flange. Rotation of the clutch plate and retainer relative to the hub causes the plungers to be cammed out of the recesses against the force of the compression springs.

Abstract: A self-optimizing, capacity control system for a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, all connected in a closed refrigeration circuit is provided. The compressor includes a plurality of adjustable inlet guide vanes, a motor connected to regulate the inlet guide vanes position and an electrical speed motor connected to drive the compressor. The self-optimizing capacity control system includes a microprocessor responsive to continual measurements of a PRV signal, a compressor head signal, a motor current signal and a motor speed signal for determining both the compressor speed and the position of the inlet guide vanes to define a current operating point in an initial surge surface array stored in a random-access memory. The microprocessor will initiate a "learning" mode in which the compressor motor speed will continually be decreased incrementally and the PRV will be moved to a more open position until an operating point is found where the compressor is surging.

Abstract: A high hardness hafnium nitride formed by a reactive sputter coating of a substrate in a closed chamber with a substantially pure hafnium target, and an atmosphere of argon and nitrogen. The hafnium nitride has a face centered cubic structure with a lattice spacing of 4.55 to 4.58 .ANG., and a hardness in the range of 2700 to 5500 kilograms per square millimeter utilizing a Vickers microindentation hardness test.

Abstract: An engine transfers torque through a transmission to a load, and the torque transfer through the system is measured. From the torque measurement maximum and minimum amplitude torque signals are taken, to provide an indication of torque non-uniformity. These signals are then used to control engine operation to avoid a rough-running condition.

Abstract: The direct liquid phase bonding of ceramics to metals or other ceramics in an inert atmosphere without prior metallization wherein a nickel-plated aluminum-silicon brazing alloy or aluminum or aluminum alloy filler material between the ceramic and metal layers provides a joint of high strength at a low bonding temperature without affecting the ceramic microstructure or the mechanical properties of the materials. This technique is also useful for fabricating composite laminates.

Abstract: An improved double wrap brake band for an automatic transmission and the method of making the band wherein the band is lightweight and heat set round at the released open position with the utilization of thinner strap material at higher hardness ranges. The band is formed from a preslotted and preformed strap and a stamped one-piece bracket member secured to the strap. The band subassembly is heat treated and heat set, the interior surface is acid etched and a preslotted friction lining applied to the interior treated surface, the subassembly is sized, and the connecting ties for both the strap and bracket member are removed to provide the final band assembly.

Abstract: A variable pulley torque drive system comprising a pair of flexible straps, each connected at one end to a pivot on a drive member or a movable pulley sheave, and at the other end to the other of either the movable sheave or drive member, the straps being in tension when driving and flexed and deflected to compression in the undriven mode.