Abstract: An automatic indexing dimpler includes a housing having an interior channel substantially centered along a longitudinal axis. A cam is slidably and rotatably disposed within the interior channel. The cam includes a first longitudinal groove, a second longitudinal groove and an angled groove adjoining the first longitudinal groove at a groove bottom end and the second longitudinal groove at a groove top end. Each longitudinal groove defines a discrete indexing position. A cam follower attached to the housing engages the first and second longitudinal grooves and the angled groove to operably rotate the cam about the longitudinal axis as the cam follower tracks along the angled groove from the groove bottom end to the groove top end. At least one dimple engagable with a workpiece and operable for forming a recessed region in the workpiece is operably connected to the cam for concurrent movement therewith.

Abstract: An automatic indexing dimpler includes a housing having an interior channel substantially centered along a longitudinal axis. A cam is slidably and rotatably disposed within the interior channel. The cam includes a first longitudinal groove, a second longitudinal groove and an angled groove adjoining the first longitudinal groove at a groove bottom end and the second longitudinal groove at a groove top end. Each longitudinal groove defines a discrete indexing position. A cam follower attached to the housing engages the first and second longitudinal grooves and the angled groove to operably rotate the cam about the longitudinal axis as the cam follower tracks along the angled groove from the groove bottom end to the groove top end. At least one dimple engagable with a workpiece and operable for forming a recessed region in the workpiece is operably connected to the cam for concurrent movement therewith.

Abstract: Dial-type flow-restriction gauges are used for indicating flow-restriction conditions of fluid filters, such as automobile air and fuel filters. Prior versions of these type filters have been more complicated and costly to manufacture than desirable. Accordingly, the present inventors have devised, among other things, an exemplary dial-type flow-restriction gauge that is inexpensive to manufacture and performs reliability and consistently over a wide temperature range. One exemplary gauge includes an external dial that rotates relative a restriction scale in response to a differential pressure. Placement of the dial on the exterior of the gauge eliminates the need to use clear material and allows embedding of the restriction scale into an exterior surface of the gauge.

Abstract: The present inventor devised, among other things, an exemplary pressure switch that includes a low-pressure switch housing portion and a high-pressure fitting portion. The low-pressure switch housing, which is formed of plastic for example, includes an electrical switch that can be turned on or off by moving a first contact between a pair of stationary contacts. The high-pressure fitting portion, which is formed of metal for example, has first and second barbed or threaded connector ends, which respectively engage an opening in the switch housing and a fluid line of an external system. An axial bore extending through the high-pressure fitting contains a piston which extends into the switch housing and is fastened to the first contact of the electrical switch. In operation, the piston travels within the bore in response to positive or negative pressure, moving the first contact toward or away from the stationary contacts to open or close the switch.

Abstract: Commercially available filter-monitoring switches suffer from problems related to over sensitivity and reliability. Accordingly, the present inventors have devised, among other things, various embodiments of filter-monitoring switches and related components, subassemblies, methods, and systems. One exemplary filter-monitoring switch includes a diaphragm operably couple to move a conductive element back and forth between a pair of fixed terminals in response to pressure differences across the diaphragm. The conductive element is mounted to an insulative pin of substantially uniform width, and the terminals include leaf contacts that constantly engage the pin or the contacts throughout normal operation of the switch, thereby reducing flexure of the contacts and effectively providing a self-cleaning and self-healing electrical switch.

Abstract: Dial-type flow-restriction gauges are used for indicating flow-restriction conditions of fluid filters, such as automobile air and fuel filters. Prior versions of these type filters have been more complicated and costly to manufacture than desirable. Accordingly, the present inventors have devised, among other things, an exemplary dial-type flow-restriction gauge that is inexpensive to manufacture and performs reliability and consistently over a wide temperature range. One exemplary gauge includes an external dial that rotates relative a restriction scale in response to a differential pressure. Placement of the dial on the exterior of the gauge eliminates the need to use clear material and allows embedding of the restriction scale into an exterior surface of the gauge.

Abstract: Dial-type flow-restriction gauges are used for indicating flow-restriction conditions of fluid filters, such as automobile air and fuel filters. Prior versions of these type filters have been more complicated and costly to manufacture than desirable. Accordingly, the present inventors have devised, among other things, an exemplary dial-type flow-restriction gauge that is inexpensive to manufacture and performs reliability and consistently over a wide temperature range. One exemplary gauge includes an external dial that rotates relative a restriction scale in response to a differential pressure. Placement of the dial on the exterior of the gauge eliminates the need to use clear material and allows embedding of the restriction scale into an exterior surface of the gauge.

Abstract: An indicator suitable for signaling restricted flow of a fluid through a filter mounted in a filter indicator includes a housing having an inner cavity. A diaphragm disposed within the housing separates the inner cavity into first and second chambers and deflects from a neutral position in response to applied pressures within the first and second chambers. A tab assembly opposite the diaphragm includes a spring-loaded flag moveable from a first position within the housing to a second position outside the housing. A pin operably coupled to the diaphragm holds the spring-loaded flag within the housing when the diaphragm is in the neutral position. In response to the diaphragm being deflected sufficiently from the neutral position to release the pin, the spring-loaded flag travels to the second position outside of the housing, thereby indicating a restrictive flow condition for the filter.

Abstract: An indicator suitable for signaling restricted flow of a fluid through a filter mounted in a filter assembly includes a housing having an inner cavity. A diaphragm disposed within the housing separates the inner cavity into first and second chambers and deflects from a neutral position in response to applied pressures within the first and second chambers. A tab assembly opposite the diaphragm includes a spring-loaded flag moveable from a first position within the housing to a second position outside the housing. A pin operably coupled to the diaphragm holds the spring-loaded flag within the housing when the diaphragm is in the neutral position. In response to the diaphragm being deflected sufficiently from the neutral position to release the pin, the spring-loaded flag travels to the second position outside the housing, thereby indicating a restricted flow condition for the filter.

Abstract: Commercially available filter-monitoring switches suffer from problems related to over sensitivity and reliability. Accordingly, the present inventors have devised, among other things, various embodiments of filter-monitoring switches and related components, subassemblies, methods, and systems. One exemplary filter-monitoring switch includes a diaphragm operably couple to move a conductive element back and forth between a pair of fixed terminals in response to pressure differences across the diaphragm. The conductive element is mounted to an insulative pin of substantially uniform width, and the terminals include leaf contacts that constantly engage the pin or the contacts throughout normal operation of the switch, thereby reducing flexure of the contacts and effectively providing a self-cleaning and self-healing electrical switch.

Abstract: The present inventors devised, among other things, exemplary differential pressure sensors suitable for use in a wide-variety filter-monitoring applications. One exemplary sensor, which operates in any physical orientation and consist of snap-together components that require no post-assembly adjustment, includes a diaphragm assembly, a magnet, and a magnetic sensor. The diaphragm moves in response to differential pressures exceeding a predetermined threshold difference, and the magnet which is physically coupled to the diaphragm assembly moves relative to a magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor senses movement of the magnet and produces a signal that can be correlated by a computer or other circuitry to determine whether a filter is overly clogged and thus requires replacement.

Abstract: A low cost air filter restriction indicator gauge for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine can be achieved by both simplifying individual part configuration and reducing overall part count. More specifically, a simplified design can be achieved by utilizing a one piece base cap which includes a locking extension and reset button integral therewith. By having this part injection moldable, it is easy to fabricate and lower in cost as a complex locking pin assembly can be eliminated. Further, the low cost device can be further enhanced by providing a two color visual indicator which displays one color when the device is in its reset position and a second color when the device is in its locked or set position.

Abstract: A two stage air filter restriction indicating device communicates with the supply of air passing from an air filter to the air intake of an engine. The amount of vacuum required by the engine to supply air is directly indicative of the amount of blockage in the air filtering system. The gauge or air filter restriction indicating device monitors this vacuum level and provides signals at an output indicating whether a predetermined vacuum level has been achieved. In one configuration, the gauge locks into this configuration and maintains its output, even when the engine is shut off. Alternatively, the gauge of the present invention automatically resets, thus not requiring a manual reset of the gauge.

Abstract: An air filter restriction indicating device communicating with the supply of air passing from an air filter to the air intake of an internal combustion engine. The indicating device senses a decrease in the supply of air drawn through the air filter by the engine based upon changes in the amount of vacuum in the negative side of the air supply, the amount of restriction being indicated by the movement of an indicating device. Improved means included in the indicating device senses the movement of the indicating device and progressively locks the indicating device into various indicating positions as the vacuum increases due to an increased restriction of the filter, so that the maximum reading of restriction achieved during engine operation remains visible to the operator or maintenance personnel even after the engine is turned off.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a buried-cable junction enclosure that is characterized by an inner wall surface of circular symmetry about a vertical axis, wherein a relatively large-diameter cylindrical base member or storage vault accommodates substantial helically coiled end lengths of the two cables to be spliced, and wherein an intermediate frustoconical member provides smooth inner-surface transition from the base member to the much-reduced cylindrical inner surface of a pedestal member, having removable-cap access at or near grade level. The pedestal member is sized and adapted for removable suspension and containment of the splice case by which corresponding lines (fibers) of the respective cable ends are connected. The respective cables enter the enclosure at diametrically opposed ports at the closed end or floor of the base member.

Abstract: An air filter restriction indicating device communicating with the supply of air passing from an air filter to the air intake of an internal combustion engine. The indicating device senses a decrease in the supply of air drawn through the air filter by the engine based upon changes in the amount of vacuum in the negative side of the air supply, the amount of restriction being indicated by the movement of an indicating device. Improved means included in the indicating device senses the movement of the indicating device and progressively locks the indicating device into various indicating positions as the vacuum increases due to an increased restriction of the filter, so that the maximum reading of restriction achieved during engine operation remains visible to the operator or maintenance personnel even after the engine is turned off.

Abstract: An improved air filter restriction indicating device is disclosed for use in connection with an internal combustion engine intake air filtration system. The improvement resides in a novel structure for resetting the indicating device which permits the indicating device to be reliably used in cold, wet environments and in particularly dirty, dusty environments.

Abstract: The antenna disclosed is formed of fiber reinforced resin material, having reinforcing fibers in the form of strands of electrically conductive graphite, the strands being embedded under tension in the shaft of the antenna to provide high stiffness, and the graphite strands being electrically connected with a metal antenna lead-in terminal at the base end of the antenna shaft.