Abstract: An interlock for electric power switches includes indicator followers each following a state indicator on an associated electric power switch indicating the open/closed state of the switch. A first coupler couples one end of an associated elongated connecting member to each indicator follower. A second coupler couples the other end of each elongated connecting member to an auxiliary trip member actuator which actuates an auxiliary trip member on another electric power switch to maintain it in the open/tripped condition when the associated electric power switch is in the closed condition. The first couplers include a swivel through which the elongated connecting member slides and a compliant member, preferably in the form of a helical compression spring, captured between the swivel and a stop nut on the one end of the elongated connecting member.

Abstract: A shock-resistant solenoid assembly includes a trip solenoid and an inertia lock, the inertia lock being operable to resist unintended engagement of a core of the trip solenoid with a trip plunger of a trip unit of a circuit breaker. The core is movable along a tripping path between a retracted position and an extended position, with the core engaging the trip plunger in the extended position. The inertia lock includes an inertia member and a latch. In response to shock loading, the inertia member interposes the latch into the tripping path to engage the core and resist the core from operatively engaging the tripping plunger under inappropriate conditions. The Abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the Claims.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a friction torque device with an improved damper for attenuating torsional vibrations. The improved damper provides the desired axial load for damping while reducing the weight, cost, complexity and size of a driven disk for a friction torque device. A friction torque device comprises a driving member having of rotation, a cover coupled to the driving member for rotation therewith, a pressure plate coupled to the cover for rotation therewith and a driven disk coupled to an axially extending driven shaft for rotation therewith. The driven disk is interposed between the driving member and the pressure plate, the driven disk includes a rotatable disk assembly and a hub assembly. The driven disk comprises at least one reinforcing plate having a plurality of undulations disposed therein for providing a load between the disk assembly and hub assembly. The reinforcing plate may be coupled to the disk assembly, the hub assembly or the plate may not be attached to another component.

Abstract: A fuel vapor vent valve and method of making same for installation in an access opening of non-metallic fuel tanks. The valve body is formed of material not weldable to the tanks and an annular seal member formed of resilient material seals between the body upper portion exterior to the access opening and an overmold formed of material weldable to the tanks for retaining and sealing the valve thereon. In one embodiment the seal member is received in a groove and retained by a ring; and, in another embodiment the seal is formed by potting material cured in the groove prior to the overmolding.

Abstract: An automatic clutch control method and system includes steps for controlling a vehicle master clutch to prevent the clutch from destructively overheating due to excessive slipping. A heat buildup value is determined from various engine operating parameters, such as output torque, engine speed, and input shaft speed. The heat buildup value can be increased or decreased depending on the various engine operating parameters. A signal generating device is responsive to the heat buildup value exceeding a first predetermined heat buildup limit to generate a clutch protection output signal effective to cause the clutch to be operated in an aggressive mode of operation to fully engage the clutch at a faster rate. The signal generating device is also response to the heat build value exceeding a second predetermined heat buildup limit and slow vehicle speed to generate a clutch protection output signal effective to cause the clutch to be operated in a fully disengaged mode of operation.

Abstract: A bypass conductor is provided for use in a miniature type circuit breaker. In one embodiment, the bypass conductor can include an elongated flat strap positioned in a circuit breaker housing. A first end of the bypass conductor is positioned to be adjacent to a contact arm in an open circuit position of the circuit breaker to receive current flow, especially high transient current flow. A second end of the bypass conductor is electrically coupled and/or mechanically connected to a load terminal of the circuit breaker to provide a path for current between the first and second ends. In this manner, the bypass conductor provides an alternate path for electrical current through the circuit breaker. The bi-metallic components and other sensitive elements within the circuit breaker can therefore resist the loss of useful life and other adverse operational effects caused by a high transient current event.

Abstract: An axial lead screw having one end pivotally connected to a rearview mirror is threadedly engaged by a motor driven worm gear, which upon rotation effects axial movement of the lead screw. A pair of flux collectors are disposed on opposite sides of the lead screw adjacent the distal end. A Hall effect sensor is disposed in one of the flux collectors. The distal end of the lead screw is magnetized and the Hall effect sensor provides a signal indicative of the lead screw movement. In one embodiment, the lead screw is magnetized; and, in another embodiment a permanent magnet is inserted in a bore in the distal end of the lead screw.

Abstract: A clutch button is provided including a friction pad having first and second surfaces. The friction pad has a radial outer and inner edges. The friction pad also has first and second upper outward circumferential edges adjacent to the radial outer edge. The friction pad has first and second lower outward circumferential edges adjacent to the radial inner edge. The friction pad has first and second inward circumferential outer edges joining the respective first and second outward upper and lower circumferential edges. The friction pad has a first groove formed in the first surface extending from the first upper outward circumferential edge to one of the second upper and lower outward circumferential edges. A second groove is formed in the first surface extending from the first lower outward circumferential edge to the other one of the second upper or lower circumferential edges the first groove does not extend to. A backing plate is bonded to the second surface.

Abstract: A convertible transmission system for a vehicle having an input shaft for connection to an engine and an output shaft for delivering rotational power to at least one axle. The transmission has a plurality of available gear ratios resulting in a maximum number of available gear ratios. In addition, a programmable controller is provided for selectively controlling the transmission to operate in a first operating configuration utilizing a first predetermined number of the available gear ratios that is less than the maximum number of available gear ratios. Moreover, the programmable control can have additional transmission configurations by selectively modifying certain operating characteristics, including for example, available gear ratios, desired operating gear ratios, maximum torque limits, shift points, default starting gear ratio, data relating to a predetermined shift strategy, a coast down gear ratio, shift delay timing, and/or skip shifting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic control circuit and method for calibrating a transmission shifter and compensating for temperature variations. The electronic control circuit includes a power supply circuit comprising a bias voltage supply and a voltage surge protection circuit; at least one position sensor that receives a surge-protected output bias voltage from the power supply circuit; and a microprocessor that receives one or more position values from the position sensor relating to the physical position of the transmission shifter. The power supply circuit provides a calibration reference signal to said microprocessor. The voltage surge protection circuit protects the calibration reference signal against a surge voltage condition.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve suitable for controlling flow of air for injection into the exhaust of an engine, the poppet is connected to the solenoid armature in a lost-motion connection. Upon energization, the armature achieves momentum during the lost-motion movement and imports an impulse to the poppet to ensure movement in the event of any tendency of the poppet to stick. A one-way valve prevents exhaust back pressure from opening the poppet.

Abstract: A solenoid operated pressure biased spool valve for controlling flow between a pressure inlet port and a valving chamber ported to a control signal port. The spool also controls bleed flow from the valving chamber to an exhaust port. The solenoid armature is connected to an operating rod biased for end-to-end contact with the spool. An adjustment screw is provided in a pole piece and is adjusted at calibration to limit armature and operating rod travel when the exhaust port is fully open at maximum coil current and the pressure bias on the spool tends to zero. Upon de-energization, impulse contact of the operating rod and spool does not occur and pressure transients are thus eliminated.

Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker incorporating ground fault protection and arc fault protection includes main separable contacts. An operating mechanism actuated by a trip mechanism opens the main separable contacts in response to predetermined current conditions. Auxiliary separable contacts are disposed in series with the main separable contacts. A solenoid having a movable plunger opens and closes the auxiliary separable contacts in response to a remote external signal. A ground fault trip circuit detects a ground fault, and an arc fault trip circuit detects an arc fault. An actuator mechanism, energizable by the ground fault trip circuit and the arc fault trip circuit, actuates the plunger to open the auxiliary separable contacts.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire vehicle steering system and method of controlling such a steering system when steering into and away from a steering stop. In one embodiment, the system includes a steering reaction device (55) including a fluid displacement mechanism (71), and a valve arrangement (95) operable to vary the steering reaction provided to the vehicle operator. In another embodiment, there is a “friction” reaction device (111) including an electromagnetic coil (115) which can have a varying signal (61) applied to it to vary the steering reaction the coil imposes on a movable member (113) of the device (111). In either embodiment, the reaction device includes a spring arrangement (93;131), such that rotation of the steering wheel (51) is in opposition to a spring force.

Abstract: A float operated fuel tank vent valve has a pair of vent passages with one of the pair larger than the other. A thin flexible elastomeric strip valve has one end attached to the valve body and the distal end bent over the top of the float and attached thereto. The strip valve has a pair of annular sealing surfaces formed thereon each disposed respectively opposite one of the vent passages. Upon refueling of the tank, as the float rises, the strip valve first progressively closes the larger vent passage and then progressively closes the smaller vent passage. As fuel is drawn from the tank by engine operation and the float is lowered, the strip valve is first peeled away from one edge of the smaller vent passage and then completely opens the smaller vent passage. As the float is further lowered, the valve strip is peeled away from one edge of the longer vent passage and then completely open the larger vent passage.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated actuator mechanism for a friction clutch is provided that includes a housing having a generally annular piston disposed therein that is operatively engaged with a resilient member that is pivotably connected to a clutch throw-out bearing. The piston is reciprocally received in a cylinder that possesses a longitudinal axis coaxial with a longitudinal axis of a clutch output shaft. The cylinder is in communication with a plurality of ducts formed in the housing that supply fluid pressure to the piston. The piston, when pressurized, causes the resilient member to pivot about a fulcrum member to redirect the force generated by the piston. The redirected force of the piston causes the bearing and a connected clutch spring to move in a direction away from the friction clutch to disengage the clutch.

Abstract: A baulkring-type synchronizer (18) includes cone clutch friction surfaces (24,48 and 26,50) for frictionally synchronizing gears (14,16) to a shaft (12), and jaw clutch teeth (28,30) engagable with jaw teeth defined on opposite ends of splines (36) for positive connecting the gears to the shaft. Pluralities of rigid self-energizing members (62) are drivingly interposed between blocker teeth (44,46) affixed to baulkrings (40,42) and self-energizing ramp surfaces (60a-60d) defined on an outer circumference of a hub 32 affixed to the shaft (12). A shift sleeve (34) is slidably splined to the hub (32) and is moved by a shift force and an additive force provided by the self-energizing ramp surfaces. Both forces react against the blocker teeth to engage the friction surfaces.

Abstract: A remote control circuit breaker which includes a first current path and a second current path. The circuit breaker also includes a set of separable main contacts, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the set of main contacts, a trip device in electrical communication with the main contacts, a set of separable latching contacts having an actuator in electrical communication with the trip device. The circuit breaker also includes a by-pass circuit in electrical communication with the trip device. The first current path passes through the main contacts, the trip device, and the latching contacts and the second current path passes through the main contacts, the trip device, and the by-pass circuit.

Abstract: A baulkring-type synchronizer (18) for frictionally synchronizing and positive connecting gears (14,16) to a shaft (12). The synchronizer includes a cone clutch surfaces (24,48) and (26,50) which are engaged by an operator shift force and limit means (54,56) producing a counter force for decreasing the amount of operator shift force transmitted to cone clutch friction surfaces in response to the synchronizing torque exceeding a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A clutch-brake assembly is utilized to rotate a shaft and transmit force to retain the shaft against rotation. The clutch-brake assembly includes a wedge member which is disposed in a central opening in a base member. An actuator is operable to move the wedge member relative to the base member. A seal assembly is disposed in the central opening in the base member. A plurality of force transmission members transmit force when a friction surface is pressed against a clutch surface and when a friction surface is pressed against a brake surface. Each of the force transmission members extends around and at least partially encloses a spring. Guide members are advantageously utilized to position components of the clutch-brake assembly relative to each other during formation of the clutch-brake assembly.