Abstract: A universal intermittent windshield wiper circuit adaptable to the windshield wiper mechanism of automotive vehicles is disclosed herein. The intermittent wiper circuit comprises an R-C timer circuit periodically energizing a three pole double throw relay. The internal interconnections of the relay switch contacts permit the intermittent windshield wiper circuit to be connected to the wiper mechanism of almost all domestically manufactured automotive vehicle as well as many vehicles manufactured overseas using only external connections. The circuit is equally adaptable to external and concealed wiper mechanism.

Abstract: A compactly sized spring-applied electromagnetically released radial face friction brake, with a ball-pocket torque booster producing increased torque capacity. The friction brake is released by energization of an electromagnetic coil attracting an axially movable armature, which nullifies the spring operator force to release the brake. A fail safe electric motor brake application of the brake includes a friction surface mounted to the cooling fan rotated by the electric motor armature to aid in dissipating the heat energy developed in braking.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement is disclosed for establishing a rotary connection between an axially movable armature element and a rotary drive hub, which transmits torque from the hub into the armature while allowing limited axial movement of the armature against an axial spring force exerted by the coupling arrangement. The coupling arrangement includes a series of circumferentially extending leaf springs, each having one end pinned to the armature and the other riveted to the hub. The circumferential pattern of the spring links is such that each link overlies other spring links in the series to enable the length of the spring link to be great enough to insure adequate flexibility of the links to accommodate axial movement of the armature, while enabling a sufficient number of the spring links to be disposed about the armature and hub axis to adequately transmit the torque through the clutch unit.

Abstract: This invention is an overrunning tooth type clutch which is retarder controlled. The clutch engages and disengages two axially aligned shafts with slight relative rotation. The retarder comprises a wrap spring which is circumferentially mounted on the driven shaft and engages the driving shaft. Relative shaft rotation in one direction causes the spring to drag on the driven shaft. In this mode, a force is created in the axially inclined slot through a pin on the driving shaft which causes the driven clutch member to move axially to engage the clutch on the driving shaft. Opposite relative rotation causes the clutch teeth to separate and disengage the two clutch members for slip or overrunning.

Abstract: A porous acoustic element is disclosed having a configuration comprised of individual cross-wound porous layers of widely varying porosity, with transition plenum layers interposed therebetween having a configuration so as to prevent formation of blockages and small area openings which would be created by a direct overlay winding of differing pitch. The porosity of each wound layer increases in successive layers to compensate for expansion of the gas as it flows through the element. The resulting porous element allows gaseous flow therethrough, with maximum pressure energy dissipation and controlled velocity to minimize aerodynamic noise created by flow through valves and other flow restrictions. A specific embodiment is disclosed in which the porous layers are created by variable pitch wire ribbon cross windings and the transition layers are provided by wire mesh having relatively large openings.

Abstract: A spring operated clutch in which the clutching members are urged into engagement by spring sets and drawn out of engagement by an electromagnetic coil acting on an armature member, to provide a fail safe design for automotive fan drive applications. The clutch incorporates a wear compensation arrangement which allows for wearing of the clutching surfaces while maintaining a constant air gap between the armature and the inner body. The arrangement includes a threaded connection between an outer body comprising one of the clutching members and the armature, with the outer body axially advanced on the armature after a wearing of the surfaces reduces the torque output of the clutch, the axial advance being created by an engagement of the armature with a stop surface on the output clutching member.

Abstract: A device for detecting and indicating low pressure or excessive heat in a pneumatic tire. A piezoelectric crystal is operatively associated with a temperature expansible member which expands in response to elevated temperatures. The combined dimensions of the piezoelectric crystal and the expansible member are selected so that one surface of the expansible member is a predetermined distance from the inside surface of the tire. Elevated temperatures cause the expansible member to expand and contact the interior surface of the pneumatic tire resulting in the compression of the piezoelectric crystal and the generation of an output signal. Additionally, deflation of the pneumatic tire causes the tire to deflect so that the predetermined spacing between the interior of the tire and the expansible pellet is reduced and the pellet contacts the inside surface of the tire resulting in the generation of an output signal. The output signal is used to actuate a spark gap to warn of an unsafe tire condition.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch is disclosed of the type having an armature member axially movable into frictional driving engagement with an inner body upon energization of an electromagnetic coil, and provided with a torque boosting arrangement consisting of a plurality of balls disposed in opposed corresponding conical pockets formed in ball seats mounted to the armature member and formed into an axially opposed ball plate element. This clutch design features a light weight construction in which most of the drive components are constructed of formed sheet metal, and in which a shock absorber is provided by a molded elastomeric ring located in the space between the ball plate element and a formed cup-shaped driven member enclosing the ball plate element. The shock absorbing material located between radial faces of the cup-shaped element and the ball plate acts to slow the development of the axial force generated by the torque boosting balls, while yielding to act as a torsional shock absorber.

Abstract: An engine starter drive assembly is disclosed of the type including a pinion gear moveable from a rest position to a driving position in engagement with gear teeth formed on an engine flywheel, the pinion adapted to be rotated by the starter motor in order to start the engine after engaging the flywheel teeth. In order to be properly located with respect to the flywheel gear teeth, the pinion gear moves axially into engagement with a fixed stop located at a predetermined position to produce proper engagementof the pinion with the flywheel teeth. The starter also includes an antidrift compression spring and washer assembly biasing the pinion gear against axial movement out of the retracted position. The disclosed starter assembly features a shielding cup supported on the fixed stop and extending towards the pinion gear hub extension to enclose the space therebetween, preventing the build-up of foreign matter tending to interfere with the axial movement of the pinion gear.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rotary viscous damper using a magnetic fluid as the damping medium. The damper comprises a permanent magnet rotor enclosed in a magnetically permeable housing. The magnetic fluid fills the space between the rotor and the housing and is held in place using magnetic forces generated by the magnet rotor. The torque of damper may be varied by changing the viscosity of the magnetic fluid or the level of the magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit.

Abstract: A direct cranking starter device for an internal combustion engine has a rotatable driving member to be connected to a starting motor and an overrunning clutch for engaging the driving member to the crankshaft of the engine with a movable shock absorbing member interposed between the driving member and overrunning clutch to prevent initial starting torque intermittent shock loads generated upon initial activation of the starting motor from being transmitted through the driving member to the overrunning clutch.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch device for transmitting torque from an input means to an output means includes a clutch actuating means in the form of an electromagnetic winding. The input means includes a driving plate coaxially disposed with and connected to an input shaft for rotation therewith, a driving friction ring member coaxial with the input shaft and connected to the driving plate for rotation with the input shaft and axial movement relative to the input shaft, and an armature coaxially disposed with and threadably connected to the friction ring member. The relative rotational motion between the armature and the output means causes the armature to advance on the thread thereby allowing the friction ring member to fully engage with the output means.

Abstract: A constant torque electromagnetically operated friction clutch including an axially moveable ferromagnetic armature drawn into frictional engagement with an inner body driving the output shaft upon energization of an electromagnetic coil.The torque level transmitted is limited by an arrangement including an intermediate member which is rotatably connected to the armature by pins received at openings in the armature while allowing a predetermined extent of relative axial movement before heads on the pins abut the openings. The intermediate member is drivingly connected to the input member by camming balls which react to torque being transmitted, forcing the intermediate member to move axially, which movement is resisted by a spring force. When the intermediate member reaches the null extent of relative axial travel allowed by the pins, any increase in transmitted torque decreases the engagement pressure of the armature with the inner body set by the maximum torque at that level.

Abstract: A cam actuated clutch of the type in which an armature is drawn into engagement with pole faces formed on a rotatable input member by energization of an electromagnetic coil. The armature is drivingly engaged with an input member by a plurality of balls cooperating with conical recesses formed in opposing radial surfaces, while the torque transmitted through the clutch by engagement of the armature causes a camming action between the balls and recesses by relative rotative and axial movement between the member surfaces formed with the recesses, urging the armature into tight engagement with the pole faces. The anti-jam feature consists of an arrangement for limiting the camming forces generated between the balls and the recesses by creating a spring force resisting the relative axial movement between an intermediate member formed with one set of the conical recesses, with the opposing set of conical recesses formed in the armature.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch or brake of the type having a clutch inner body with inner and outer pole faces drawn into engagement with an armature in order to establish driving engagement of the clutch. A two stage buildup of the torque is produced by an offsetting bias of the inner body pole faces by a nonmagnetic resilient ring separating the pole faces, and a shunt washer of a ferromagnetic material which serves to successively draw the pole faces into engagement with the armature by varying the reluctance through the inner and outer poles as the inner body is drawn into engagement. The resulting two stage torque buildup slows the engagement time of the clutch to thereby enable the use of rapid action torque booster clutch designs in applications requiring slower clutch action.

Abstract: The invention is an electromagnetic friction disc clutch with wear compensating means having mutually opposing cooperating friction discs adapted for releasable coupling of a driving and driven rotary component. When this multiple disc friction clutch is energized by the stationary electromagnetic field, the armature moves in a direction so as to contact the stationary magnet body. The interaction between the armature and an adjustment member causes a wear compensated ring to move, and through a pressure plate the adjustment continues until the pressure plate bears against the friction disc pack. The force on the multiple disc pack increases until the torque between the armature and the magnet body is insufficient to overcome the friction between the armature and the adjustment ring. As the rotating armature bears against the stationary magnet body, the contacting surfaces wear away until all of the magnet force is applied to the disc pack.

Abstract: A high pressure electromagnetic reciprocating fluid pump is disclosed herein. The pump has a pair of telescoping cylinders axially disposed inside a generally cylindrical cavity of a pump housing. Unidirectional valves disposed at the opposing ends of the telescoping cylinders cause a unidirectional fluid flow through the pump as the telescoping cylinders are reciprocated relative to each other by a solenoid driven armature.

Abstract: A fuel contamination monitor for separating particulate and liquid contaminants from a liquid fuel flowing through it has a liquid pervious housing enclosing layers of particulate matter separating filter media. A tubular liquid separating filter media is also disposed within the housing, and a liquid fuel outlet port through the wall of the housing communicates with the interior of the tubular liquid separating media. A shut-off valve is provided which interrupts the flow of liquid fuel through the filter unit in the event the media becomes too contaminated for effective contaminant separation.

Abstract: A Poppet valve is disclosed of the type in which a valve member located in a flow passage is biased to the closed position on a valve seat, and in which an electrical indication is provided, when the valve seats or unseats, by an indicator circuit which includes a current path through the valve and valve seat which is opened and closed by seating and unseating respectively of the valve. The valve construction includes a conductive rubber seal which insures a positive seal while allowing the passage of electric current for activating the indicator circuit. In one embodiment, a thin metal contact washer is used in conjunction with the rubber seal to enhance its conductivity, the configuration of the contact washer allowing good sealing contact while greatly improving the contact conductivity.The indicator circuit activates an indicator device such as a panel light in response to the making or breaking of the current path caused by seating or unseating of the valve.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch has a driving clutch member and a driven clutch member with an armature on one of the members and an electromagnet having a pair of poles on the other of the members for providing a driving engagement between the members when the electromagnet is energized. The poles are attached to one another by resilient material or by splines to provide relative axial movement between the poles to enable both poles to engage the armature with substantially equal force.The invention relates to electrically operated friction devices and more particularly to electromagnetic clutches.