Abstract: The vehicle weighing system for a towed vehicle includes removable stub axles and a hitch rigidly connected to a load support. The hitch and one or more of the stub axles are gauged in an identical manner. Two active electrical strain gauges are placed in a hole formed in the supporting member to be gauged, such hole extending normal to the direction of the load. The hole is placed adjacent the end of the supporting member which is remote from the load support and the two gauges are oriented to reduce the moment sensitivity of the system to a minimum. The hitch is provided with additional compensating gauges which are not responsive to strain, and the axle and hitch gauges are connected to form a measuring bridge circuit. The gauging holes are sealed by end plugs, a printed circuit board, potting compound and a boot, all of which are flexible so as not to interfere with the weight measurement.

Abstract: Included in the circuit are a pulse generator and an electronic output switch for providing machining power pulses across the EDM gap. The circuit includes an opti-coupling system intermediate the pulse generator and the output switch to pass triggering pulses to control the conduction of such switch. The opti-coupling system includes a light emitting device operably coupled to a light responsive device for controlling the triggering pulses passed to the output switch. In a further embodiment, a multiple gap set-up includes a single pulse generator for triggering pulses and a plurality of machining gaps, each having a separate opti-coupling system between the pulse generator and the associated gap.

Abstract: A recoil assembly for an automatic firearm, including a reciprocating bolt and carrier assembly, has a hydraulic buffer to provide a reduced rate of fire and prevent wide fluctuation in the round to round rate of fire. The buffer includes a piston which pushes hydraulic fluid through an orifice when depressed by the bolt and carrier assembly at the end of its recoil stroke. When the bolt and carrier assembly begins to displace the piston, hydraulic retardation is immediate. A spring loaded sliding seal pushes the hydraulic fluid through the orifice during the return stroke which returns the piston to its original extended position. The buffer also prevents carrier bounce and promotes a mild recoil shock.

Abstract: An electronic ignition control system including one coil assembly having a high number of turns to charge the associated capacitors to a desired level when the speed of the engine is low, and another coil assembly having a low number of turns to charge the capacitors to a desired level when the speed of the engine is high to thereby provide energy at a suitable level to fire the associated spark plugs. The system also includes means for regulating the voltage supplied by the alternator coils to a battery and thus preventing the battery from overcharging; and, means are provided for driving a tachometer proportionally to the firing pulses supplied to the spark plugs.

Abstract: An ignition system for use with spark ignited engines wherein the ignition system is compact and mounted beneath the associated flywheel. The ignition system includes a manually actuated timing ring for manually advancing the firing point, and includes a rotor essentially in the form of a spiral having a discrete discontinuity on its periphery for providing enhanced safety features.

Abstract: In a carburetor having an induction passage, a variable venturi in the induction passage, a fuel bowl and means for metering fuel flow from the fuel bowl to the induction passage, the method of compensating for changes in barometric pressure due to either atmospheric or altitude changes is disclosed as applying a vacuum or reduced pressure to the interior of the fuel bowl thereby reducing the fuel pressure which would otherwise exist, and causing a corresponding reduction in the mass rate of fuel flow in relation to the volume rate of air flow generally in accordance with a reduction in ambient pressure.

Abstract: An ignition distributor for an internal combustion engine has a drive shaft adapted to be driven in accordance with engine speed, a pulse generating rotor coaxial with said shaft and adapted to be angularly adjustable relative thereto, and a single flyweight adapted for rotation in accordance with the speed of rotation of said drive shaft and operatively connected to said rotor for angularly adjusting said rotor generally in accordance with the speed of rotation of said drive shaft.

Abstract: An automotive fuel system which has a fuel tank, a fuel pump, a fuel metering device for metering fuel flow to an associated fuel-consuming engine, and a fuel reservoir, as, for example, a carburetor fuel bowl with a float controlled fuel inlet valve, has a spring urging the float in a direction which results in a closing of the fuel inlet valve even against relatively high fluid pressure heads tending to open said inlet valve as may occur when the associated vehicle experiences a crash impact or a roll-over condition so as to terminate further flow of fuel from the fuel tank into the fuel reservoir.

Abstract: A carburetor for use in combination with an internal combustion engine has a body with an induction passage formed therethrough; a variable venturi within the induction passage is effective for variably determining the opening of a venturi throat defined thereby; and a throttle valve situated in the induction passage downstream of the variable venturi is operatively connected to the variable venturi for positioning the variable venturi generally in accordance with the position of the throttle valve.

Abstract: A housing having a chamber has an inlet and an outlet for directing therethrough a fluid under pressure to an associated fluid pressure responsive apparatus; a filter situated generally in the path of flow of such fluid becomes effective after it experiences a degree of clogging by dirt to open an additional outlet as to thereby enable such fluid under pressure to be directed to the fluid pressure responsive apparatus through such additional outlet.