Abstract: A slide-type electrical switching mechanism has a contact plate with a plurality of frangible portions interconnecting discrete electrical contacts. The plate is securred to the non-conducting slider housing by deforming portions of the housing over the plate. The frangible portions are then punched out to form a plurality of discrete contacts for switching. The plate has contact connectors formed integrally therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed is an Engine Component Position Indicating System (60) operated by hand or foot pedal (26) that is able to provide a signal from a signal generating means (52) to a visual indicating means (58) in response to rotation of a shaft (2) in either direction that is operatively coupled at one to the signal generating means (52). Shaft (2) is connected to pedal (26) by connecting means preferably in the form of rod (16) which has one end connected to input member (8) secured to shaft (2) and which causes shaft (2) to rotate in opposite directions according to whether pedal (26) is pressed or released by the operator's foot.

Abstract: A resistance wire sensing overcurrent protection module (CSM) for an electrical supply circuit (SC) having a hot temperature sensing diode (32) mounted at the center portion (8c) of an M-shaped resistance wire (8) connected in the supply circuit and an ambient temperature sensing diode (20) mounted on a substrate (18) supported between the supply terminals (4a-b, 6a-b), both diodes being connected to respective pairs of terminals (12a-b, 10a-b) mounted on a header (18) along with the supply terminals. A cover (46) is mounted on the header and filled with glass micro-balloons (48) to isolate thermally the two diodes. A constant current circuit (49) supplies constant current to the two diodes which operate a differential amplifier (52) having an output proportional to the temperature difference as a measure of supply current. This output trips a Schmitt trigger comparator (54) when the supply current rises to an overload value.

Abstract: Disclosed is an embodiment (60) of an improved vernier control device for selectively moving an object in gross or incremental, vernier amounts of the type comprising a housing (2) fixed against movement with respect to the object to be moved having an open-ended bore (4) extending therethrough having threads (6) disposed on wall (7) of the housing surrounding bore (6). Bore (6) contains a sleeve (8) that is moveable both axially and rotatably within the housing bore and has one end rotatably connected to the object and a bore (10) therewithin extending from the opposite end. An operating rod (30) is disposed within and is at least axially moveable within the sleeve bore.

Abstract: A bulb-and-capillary type temperature sensor move a fulcrummed lever arm for effecting tripping of a snap-acting switch. The lever arm has a resilient bimetal strip cantilevered thereon which is biased at its free end away from the lever by an adjustment screw threaded through the lever arm. The lever arm contacts the temperature sensor and the bimetal strip contacts the switch for transmitting lever amplified sensor movement for switch actuation. The bimetal strip serves the dual function of ambient temperature compensation of switch calibration and absorbs sensor over-travel after switch tripping.

Abstract: A system is provided for producing plasma pinch X-rays usable in X-ray lithography. Ionized heated plasma is repeatably generated in a first area directly from solid material without exploding the latter. X-rays are generated in a second area by passing high current through the plasma causing radial inward magnetic field pinching. Accurate control and improved intensity performance, and greater flexibility in selection of X-ray emitting materials, are provided by the separation of the plasma generating and the X-ray pinch generating functions. Common electrode structure is provided for plasma generating and for plasma pinching, which common electrode also provides a cylindrical plasma communication passage from the first to the second area, and provides an X-ray emission passage of desired axial orientation.

Abstract: A D.C. power controller for interrupting a high voltage high current D.C. power line supplying a load (L) from a D.C.

Abstract: A transport apparatus (10) for moving semiconductor wafers (12) between a cassette (15) and a process station (16), and from the process station to another cassette (17). A horizontally movable input shuttle (20) has three wafer holding elements (30, 32, 34) formed thereon. In a first position of the shuttle the second and third holding elements overly a pair of vertically movable lift plates (60), and in a second position of the shuttle the first and second holding elements overly the lift plates. A lifting mechanism (28) at the process station lifts wafers off the input shuttle when the shuttle is in its second position and deposits them on an output shuttle (22) which is essentially identical to the input shuttle. Wafers are lifted off the holding elements by the lift plates whenever the shuttle reaches either position, after which the lift plates replace the wafers on the shuttle and the shuttle is again moved.

Abstract: The pilot operated valve assembly includes a flexible diaphragm (A) which selectively engages a valve seat (B) to open and close a fluid passage through the valve. The diaphragm has a plurality of filtering apertures 20 and an inward peripheral attaching projection 80. A diaphragm insert (C) is frictionally received in the diaphragm. The diaphragm insert has a pilot supply aperture 74 in fluid communication with a peripheral recess 76 extending inward from a peripheral edge. The diaphragm filtering apertures 20 are disposed in fluid communication with the peripheral recess 76 and the pilot supply aperture 74. The insert peripheral edge has a peripheral valley 82 for receiving the peripheral projection 80 of the diaphragm. The insert has a pilot outlet aperture 66 which is selectively opened and closed by an armature assembly (D). A guide shell (E) aligns the armature assembly (D) with the pilot outlet aperture 66 and defines a pilot reservoir with the diaphragm (A).

Abstract: A rotary fluid pressure device is disclosed of the type including a roller gerotor (17) having a ring member (23) and a plurality of rollers (25) serving as internal teeth. At each end of each roller (25) is a side clearance space (85) and a small amount of lubrication fluid flows from each pressurized volume chamber through the side clearance spaces (85) into an adjacent lubricant recess (81). All of the lubricant recesses (81) are in communication with the fluid-collecting groove (79) and lubrication fluid flows from the groove (79) to the motor lubrication flow path. The lubrication flow path includes flow through a rearward bearing set (35); a forward bearing set (33); a pair of fluid passages (36); the forward splines (37, 39); and the rearward splines (43, 45). The invention results in improved lubrication generally, and of the forward splines in particular.

Abstract: A solar cell (2) is provided for generating alternating current to drive an external load (18) in response to light radiation. A central region (4) of given conductivity type is disposed between said first and second regions (6) and (8) of intrinsic or invertable semiconductor material applied with AC gate drive (12). The light-generated hole-electron pairs alternately diffuse in opposite directions across the alternately induced pn junctions between the central region (4) and the first and second converted conductivity type intrinsic or invertable regions (6) and (8) to set up alternating potential gradients in opposite directions.

Abstract: A method of cutting material from a workpiece (10) while monitoring the quality of the workpiece includes the steps of:supporting a workpiece,rotating a cutting tool (14) as it engages with the workpiece,moving the cutting tool and workpiece relative to each other through a cycle to enable the cutting tool to remove material from the workpiece,dividing each cycle of the cutting tool and workpiece into a plurality of incremental movements,sensing the torque required to effect relative rotation of the tool and workpiece during each of the incremental movements of the cycle,setting torque limits for different incremental movements in the cycle, andcomparing the sensed torque exerted between the tool and workpiece with the set torque limits and generating a signal indicative of a workpiece of unacceptable quality if the sensed torque is not within the set torque limits.

Abstract: A meter center enclosure (4) is divided into a metering section (8) and service disconnect section (10) by a barrier (6,12,14) which is laterally supported along a back wall of the enclosure by brackets (30) cooperatively engaging slots (22) in the barrier. Grooved insulator supports (24) are slidingly received in the slots (22) and are locked in a forward position by the brackets (30). Bus conductors (26,28) extend from the metering section (8) into the service disconnect section (10) through openings in the insulators (24) and are supported by the insulators (24). In one embodiment, insulator (24) provides the sole support (24e) for a service disconnect circuit breaker, and connectors (44) are provided for the bus conductors (26,28) which may selectively receive either plug-in (CBP) or bolt-in (CBB) circuit breakers. In another embodiment, the insulator (52) cooperates with a reversible bracket (58) to support a selected one of two dimensionally different circuit breakers (CB').

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for controlling the recirculation of exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine. The assembly includes a fixed body portion having an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet port and a moveable transducer portion. A diaphragm is attached to the body and transducer portions to define a vacuum chamber and an atmospheric chamber in the body portion and a second atmospheric or air bleed chamber and an exhaust chamber in the transducer portion. Passages integrally formed in the diaphragm at its point of attachment to the transducer portion provide fluid communication between the two atmospheric chambers. Valve means are provided between the transducer atmospheric chamber and the vacuum chamber and between the exhaust inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: An energy storage device (10) is disclosed consisting of a stretched elongated elastomeric member (16) disposed within a tubular housing (14), which elastomeric member (16) is adapted to be torsionally stressed to store energy.The elastomeric member (16) is configured in the relaxed state with a uniform diameter body section (74), and transition end sections (76, 78), attached to rigid end piece assemblies (22, 24) of a lesser diameter. The profile and deflection characteristic of the transition sections (76, 78) are such that upon stretching of the elastomeric member (16), a substantially uniform diameter assembly results, to minimize the required volume of the surrounding housing (14).Each of the transition sections (76, 78) are received within and bonded to a woven wire mesh sleeve (26, 28) having helical windings at a particular helix angle to control the deflection of the transition section.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device is disclosed of the type including an input coupling member (11) rotatably disposed within an output coupling assembly (13). A portion of the output coupling assembly comprises a cover member (17) which cooperates with a housing member (15) to define an operating chamber (33), and cooperates with a cover member (35) to define a reservoir chamber (37). A cover member (17) also defines a pair of fluid inlet ports (51). A valve actuating member (55) is received in a central bore (53) defined by the input shaft (21). The coupling device includes a valving arrangement (57) including a U-shaped fulcrum element (59) and a flat, elongated valve element (61). The valve (61) passes through slots (69) in fulcrum portions (65) of the fulcrum element.

Abstract: An energy storage device (10) is disclosed consisting of a stretched elongated elastomeric member (16), disposed within a tubular housing (14), which elastomeric member (16) is adapted to be torsionally stressed to store energy. The elastomeric member (16) is configured in the relaxed state with a uniform diameter body section, transition end sections, and is attached to rigid end piece assemblies (22, 24) of a lesser diameter. The profile and deflection characteristic of the transition sections (76, 78) are such that upon stretching of the member, a substantially uniform diameter assembly results to minimize the required volume of the surrounding housing (14). During manufacture, woven wire mesh sleeves (26, 28) are forced against a forming surface and bonded to the associated transition section (76, 78) to provide the correct profile and helix angle. Each sleeve (26, 28) contracts with the contraction of the associated transition section to maintain the bond therebetween.

Abstract: A throttle modulation mechanism (10) is disposed between a throttle pedal (18) and a fuel control device (12) for an unshown engine. Mechanism (10) is operable during shifting modes of an unshown transmission driven by the engine to dip and boost fuel delivery to the engine for synchronizing the transmission and/or reducing shifting shocks. Mechanism (10), which is controlled by a transmission logic (14), includes a lever (16) pivotally connected at one end (16a) to link (28), at the other end (16c) to a throttle dip actuator (20), and in the middle (16b) to the fuel control via a link (30) and to a throttle boost actuator (22) via a piston rod (32). The actuators are positioned by fluid pressure in response to logic signals applied to solenoid valves (24, 26). A second embodiment of the modulation device includes a slotted connector (101a) which negates mechanical and force feedback to the throttle pedal independent of all throttle pedal positions.

Abstract: A drivetrain (48) for an electric passenger vehicle (10) includes a battery (40) for energizing a single-phase A.C. traction motor (18) which drives a ground engaging wheel (12) through a multi-speed transaxle (20). The motor is characterized by an external ferrite permanent magnet rotor (26) drivingly engaging an input shaft (32) of the transaxle. The motor is controlled by an inverter circuit (44) and a control circuit (46) which generates switch command signals to reciprocally actuate power transistors (56 and 62) within the inverter circuit as a function of operator demand, rotor position and rotor speed. The control circuit includes a motor positioning circuit (442) which toggles the motor current when the rotor speed falls below a predetermined level to dither the rotor about a park position for a predetermined period. A pre-start rotor positioner (224) is provided to mechanically lock the rotor in its park position to ensure the availability of a high electrical starting torque.

Abstract: A variable displacement engine (2) includes a free piston (4) reciprocal in a cylinder (6) between a combustion chamber (8) and a fluid filled work chamber (10). The work chamber has a work output port (12) expelling fluid (14) during the power stroke of the piston. A fluid motor (24) is operatively coupled to the work chamber and driven by fluid from the work output port. A valve (28) is selectively actuated during the power stroke of the piston to stop expulsion of fluid from the work output port to the fluid motor to halt movement of the piston, providing variable displacement according to actuation timing of the valve. A control (72) is coupled to the valve and to the fuel supply (16) to the combustion chamber, and the supplied fuel may be matched to the variable length power stroke of the piston.