Abstract: A device is provided for bleeding entrapped gas from a master brake cylinder assembly when the latter is removed from a vehicle or prior to the assembly being installed in the vehicle and all of the outlet ports of the assembly are plugged. The device includes a support member having an upright section with a transversely extending passage formed therein. Removably mounted on one side of the upright section is the master cylinder assembly. The assembly is positioned so that an access opening which is formed in one end of the cylinder assembly to provide access to an end portion of a primary piston of the assembly, is aligned with and is adjacent to the passage in the upright section. Disposed in spaced relation to the opposite, or second, side of the upright section is an actuating unit which is mounted on the support member for selective manual adjustment between operative and inoperative modes.

Abstract: A pulse generator employs a Wiegand wire module within two soft iron ferro-magnetic elements. Four magnets having appropriate polarities are positioned on faces of the ferro-magnetic elements to provide first and second magnetic circuits. The flux in these two magnetic circuits is collected, conducted and guided by the ferro-magnetic elements toward an air gap between the two guide elements. The center portion of the Wiegand wire is at the air gap. Cylindrical cavities in these two guide elements shield the ends of the Wiegand wire to minimize the incidence of external flux from the Wiegand wire. Saturation of the flux at the air gap between the two guide elements causes leakage flux to be incident on the Wiegand wire.The two magnetic circuits created by the magnets are approximately equal in magnitude and opposite in direction at the Wiegand wire. As a consequence, in the normal state, these two magnetic circuits do not affect the state of the Wiegand wire.

Abstract: A pulse generating unit in which a Wiegand wire module is contained within two soft iron ferromagnetic members which act as shunts in that they collect, conduct and guide flux incident on the pulse generating unit toward an air gap between the two shunt elements. the air gap is approximately at the center of the Wiegand wire module. Cylindrical cavities in these two shunt elements shield the ends of the Wiegand wire thereby minimizing the incidence of external flux on the Wiegand wire. Saturation of the flux at the air gap between the two shunts causes leakage of flux to be available to switch the state of the Wiegand wire.

Abstract: A read head for a Wiegand wire has an E-core with a pick-up coil for the "1" bit wound on one outer leg and a separate pick-up coil for the "0" bit wound on a second outer leg. The E-core is composed of a relatively thin ferromagnetic E-laminae spaced from a relatively thick E-laminae. Between thin and thick laminae in each leg there is an appropriately polarized magnet. The result is to establish a first field across the face of the read head between the center leg and a first outer leg. This first field reads the one bits. Similarly, a second field between the center leg and the other outer leg reads the zero bits. Each one bit wire is on one side of the code strip and each zero bit wire is on the other side of the code strip so that the one bit and zero bit wires are passed respectively across the first and second reading fields provided by the read head.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine exhaust gas catalytic converter has coaxial inner and outer louvered tubes which define an annular catalyst bed. An outer shell coaxial with the inner and outer louvered tubes define a portion of a gas flow path downstream from the catalytic bed. The downstream flow portion has an annular outlet of smaller cross sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the inlet end of an upstream portion of the flow path. Heat expandable means maintain a constant density of catalyst beads within the catalytic bed. These heat expandable means preferably comprise a composition of ceramic fibers, vermiculite and a binder.

Abstract: A read head for a Wiegand Wire has a low reluctance core on which a pick-up coil is wound. The Wiegand Wires are passed over a face of the core and coil and switch state directly over the core and coil so that the change in the magnetic field is coupled to the coil to produce an output pulse. Outboard of the direction in which the Wiegand Wires travels are first and second magnets that generate the field. In contact with these magnets and bridging both sides of the coil are first and second magnetic shunt members which control and determine the shape of the field. A first magnetic shunt member has a relatively narrow bridge portion which saturates under the field involved and thus there is a large leakage field adjacent to the face of the read head for the purpose of appropriately setting the Wiegand Wires. The second shunt has a much larger bridge portion so that there is much less leakage flux. However this smaller leakage flux is in the opposite direction from the leakage flux from the first shunt.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in a valve for a tractor air brake system for changing the pressure delivered to air brakes on a tractor rear axle during "bob tail" operation and particularly to a valve wherein the ratio is changed by communication of control pressure to a second control surface in accordance with the presence of trailer emergency pressure. The improved ratio control valve enables fluid pressure communication to both control surfaces of the ratio valve until a predetermined input pressure is reached so that the "crack-open" input pressure for both the "trailer-connected" and the "bob tail" modes of operation will be the same. Further in accordance with the invention, a blend-back valve is provided which is biased by the available fluid pressure in the tractor reservoir tank so that the maximum available tractor reservoir pressure may always be applied to the tractor rear axle brakes even when the trailer is operating in the "bob tail" mode.

Abstract: A tractor air brake system including front wheel brake actuators, rear wheel brake actuators, and control valve structure for controlling the service air pressure delivered to the front wheel brake actuators. When a tractor is equipped with this brake system, the control valve structure operates to vary the service air pressure delivered to the front wheel brake actuators relative to that delivered to the rear wheel brake actuators in order to minimize tractor front wheel lock and loss of steering control when operating a tractor-trailer combination and to provide safe stopping when operating the tractor only.

Abstract: A motorcycle two cylinder asymmetric ignition timing system includes an electronic ignition advance circuit. A spark advance control signal is derived from a base signal which in turn has a magnitude that is representative of the time duration between spark ignition signals and thus is representative of engine speed. The spark is not advanced at engine speeds up to 300 RPM, is advanced 9.degree. between 300 RPM and 800 RPM and is advanced 16.degree. above 800 RPM. Intersection between a ramp signal which has a duration that is an inverse function of engine speed and a base signal that has an amplitude which is an inverse function of engine speed determines the time at which the ignition signal is generated. The lower the base signal, the sooner the intersection of the ramp with the base signal and thus the earlier the ignition signal. In this fashion the desired advance is attained.

Abstract: A switch is disclosed which includes both a switching assembly and a bridge rectifier, the switch assembly including contacts for connecting a DC motor such as the motor of an electric lawn mower, to AC supply lines or for short-circuiting the motor to rapidly stop rotation of the motor. Diodes of the bridge rectifier have terminals which are directly secured to portions of metal members which also carry contacts of the switch and/or serve as terminals for connection to the motor or the supply lines.

Abstract: A valve for a tractor air brake system for changing the pressure delivered to air brakes on the rear axle depending on whether the trailor is attached or whether the tractor is operating in the "bob tail" mode. According to the invention, a rear axle ratio control valve provides an automatic selection of input to output ratio in accordance with the presence or absence of trailor emergency pressure. In the ratio control valve, service brake control pressure always acts against a first effective area of a piston for providing a first ratio of input to output. A second effective area of the piston receives pressure with the presence of the trailer emergency so that the ratio of pressure delivered from the valve will be changed. Further in accordance with the invention, a blend-back valve operates at a higher, predetermined pressure range, even when the pressure communication is closed by the absence of the emergency pressure to enable the valve to deliver the maximum pressure at high input pressure.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed which includes a receptacle in which a special threaded connection is provided between a body member of insulating material and a hollow housing member. The body member is formed from two molded parts in a manner such that a thread is provided when the two parts are secured together. A locking member is provided which also serves to provide a reliable grounding of a grounding contact.

Abstract: A connector assembly is disclosed which includes a plug having a body of insulating material which is replaceably but securely held in a housing by means of an insert spring. A clip is provided for securely holding the end of a cable to the housing and contacts are disclosed having pressure strips for engagement with the conductors of wires.

Abstract: A tractor air brake system including front wheel brake actuators, rear wheel brake actuators, and control valve means for controlling the service air pressure delivered to the front wheel brake actuators. When a tractor is equipped with this brake system, the control valve means operates to vary the service air pressure delivered to the front wheel brake actuators relative to that delivered to the rear wheel brake actuators in order to minimize tractor front wheel lock and loss of steering control when operating a tractor-trailer combination and to provide safe stopping when operating the tractor only.

Abstract: The invention relates to a service brake system for towed vehicles and particularly to a service brake system for double trailer combinations and a metering relay valve therefor. According to the invention, a variable reaction amplifying relay valve, controlled by service brake control line pressure, meters reservoir pressure from the leading trailer to the service brake control line in the trailing trailer. Below a predetermined pressure, the metering relay valve provides an amplified pressure output relative to input. Above this predetermined point, the output pressure is substantially one-to-one.

Abstract: A multi-axle vehicle brake system includes an air receiving portion, a valve portion, an air storage portion and a brake portion. The air receiving portion receives air from a supply source. The valve portion is connected to the air receiving portion. The storage portion includes a plurality of storage reservoirs connected for receiving air from and communicating air to the valve portion. The brake portion includes service and parking brake actuating chambers mounted on each end of each axle. Certain ones of the service brake actuating chambers are connected for receiving air from one of the storage reservoirs. Others of the service brake actuating chambers are connected for receiving air from another of the storage reservoirs. Each of the parking brake actuating chambers are connected for receiving air from either of the storage reservoirs. .Iadd.