Abstract: A two-position dump valve for use in a vacuum powered or pressure differential powered cruise control system. The dump valve is closed upon energization of a solenoid, provided the brake pedal is in the brake release position. It opens when the brake pedal is moved to actuate the vehicle brakes.

Abstract: A piston having a floating wedge carried in a recess of the skirt for limited axial movement. Reciprocation of the piston shifts the wedge position between upper and lower extremes, reducing the effective piston clearance in its cylinder during the upper portions of its stroke, thus reducing lateral piston motion and resulting piston slap caused noise.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, a tear resistant silicone elastomer, which has improved elongation properties, is produced. This elastomer is the radiation induced reaction product of a noncured methyl vinyl silicone resin (VMQ) and uniformly dispersed therein a blend of a polyfunctional acrylic crosslinking monomer and a filler.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement for a motor vehicle steering assembly which includes a stationary steering column member rotatably supporting a steering shaft fixed with a steering wheel and characterized in that the steering column member supports a pair of concentric metallic rings that are adapted to be electrically connected to a sensor that forms a part of an occupant restraint cushion system. Each of the rings supports a plurality of contact brushes which cooperate with a pair of annular conductor members connected to the steering shaft for continuously providing electrical current to the occupant restraint system.

Abstract: A control and indicating circuit for an inflatable safety system in which oppositely poled diodes provide isolated firing and monitoring networks interconnected between single pole, double throw impact switches. In one embodiment the diode in the firing network is light activated.

Abstract: The drawings disclose a closure mechanism for an ashtray and the like, including a pivotal cover member and a "U" shaped leaf spring, the cover member having detent projections formed on a portion thereof for cooperation with the spring. The spring exerts a force on the detent projections to retain the cover member in its closed position. The detent projections force the spring outwardly while the cover member is pivoted through a predetermined angle until the detent projections are pivoted over-center, after which the spring retains the cover member in its open position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a sliding door assembly in which a sliding door is movable between an open position wherein said door is suspended parallel to and adjacent a side of said vehicle and a closed position wherein said door fills an opening in said vehicle side and lies flush with said vehicle side.

Abstract: A lock and control assembly for a vehicle tailgate of the type having a pivotal upper window portion and a pivotal lower gate portion which are hinge mounted respectively along a top edge and a bottom edge so that the opposite edges of both meet when in the closed operative position. The assembly includes a pivotal fork bolt supported adjacent the top edge of the gate portion to engage and capture a striker member which is attached to the lower edge of the window when in the closed position. A pivotal detent lever selectively releases the fork bolt and is operatively attached to a first control lever which pivots in one direction to operate the detent lever and release the fork bolt. A second control lever pivots in the opposite direction to release latch mechanisms holding the gate portion in its closed position. A lock cylinder supported in the exterior panel of the gate is aligned with the operating levers and has means to selectively actuate the levers.

Abstract: A stud fastener for attaching one body member to the irregular surface of a second body member so that the axis of the stud fastener is not obliquely cocked with respect to the plane of the second body member. The stud fastener has an annular collar with struck-out contact portions thereon which remain connected to the collar by a reduced area of contact to provide a yieldable connection with the second surface, permitting movement of the contacts toward the plane of the collar as a nut fastener brings the collar against the irregular surface of the second body member. In a preferred embodiment, three pads or contacts are formed and when all three have engaged the second surface, the nut fastener is torqued out so that the stud is solidly secured to the second surface without cocking of its axis with respect to the plane of the second surface.

Abstract: A velocity or acceleration responsive sensor includes a housing having a cavity including a pair of spaced side walls which taper relative to each other and define a predetermined included angle. The side walls are joined by proximal and distal end walls. A pair of bands of flexible spring material within the housing cavity are of generally figure 8 configuration. The bands are of generally elongate shape, with their adjacent abutting portions located coplanar with the bisector of the included angle and their remote portions bearing on the side walls of the cavity. The abutting portions are commonly secured to each other and each remote portion is secured to a respective side wall. The force of the bands tending to return from their elongate shape to their free shape urges the bands toward the distal end wall of the cavity to provide a preload force.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system includes a gas turbine engine having a compressor inlet control to reduce total engine air flow to between two and three percent of normal air flow during periods where fuel flow to the gas turbine engine combustor is terminated. An auxiliary flywheel is mounted between a power turbine output shaft and engine reduction gear for power transfer to the rear differential of a road vehicle. The auxiliary flywheel is driven at high speed of rotation of the power shaft to store energy which is used to start the engine following off modes of operation wherein air flow to the compressor is severely restricted and fuel flow to the combustor is terminated.

Abstract: A vibratory gyro including a hemispherical high Q resonator supported by an inner housing carrying a circular forcer electrode and sixteen discrete forcer electrodes. The orientation of the vibrating pattern in the resonator is electrostatically sensed by eight pickoff electrodes located on the inner spherical surface of an outer housing which establish two pickoff axes separated by 45.degree.. Signals obtained from the pickoff electrodes are utilized to develop a drive signal to the circular forcer electrode to electrostatically maintain a predetermined amplitude of pattern vibration and to develop drive signals for appropriate groups of discrete forcer electrodes to eliminate any phase error between components of the pattern along the two pickoff axes.

Abstract: A power transmission, having three interconnected simple planetary gear sets, two friction clutches and three friction brakes operable to establish two underdrive forward ratios, a direct forward ratio, an overdrive forward ratio and a reverse ratio, is provided for use in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: The drawings disclose a pneumatic tubeless tire including either one or two load support running bands adapted to support the weight of a vehicle should the tire become deflated. The circumferential centers of the support bands are substantially coplanar with the planes of respective annular tire beads. In one embodiment the applicable bead is a third bead integrally formed adjacent one of the normal beads on the inner surface of the beaded edge of the tire. Double rows of circumferentially oriented, spaced apart tension spokes, with alternate pairs thereof oppositely angularly disposed so as to cross one another, rigidly connect each support band to the respective annular bead. An annular ridge is formed on the rim adjacent the inner edge of each beaded end to retain the beaded ends in position during deflated tire conditions.

Abstract: A durable and relatively inexpensive air/fuel ratio sensor for detecting oxygen concentration in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, that does not require a separate reference atmosphere. A body of stabilized zirconium dioxide with two opposite major faces serves as a solid oxygen ion electrolyte. A catalytic electrode is on one of the faces, while a noncatalytic electrode is on the other face. The body is mounted in an exhaust pipe so that both of the electrodes are exposed to the exhaust gases.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, minute bubbles of a suitable gas are rapidly entrained in a liquid chemical constituent of a reaction injection molding system (e.g., polyurethane) to reduce the viscosity of the constituent and the density of parts molded therefrom. A small portion of the constituent is continuously withdrawn from and returned to a main holding tank via a recirculation line wherein minute gas bubbles are dispersed from a microporous stone into the flowing portion of the constituent. The recirculating and gas entraining processes are continued until a predetermined quantity of the gas is dispersed in the molding constituent.

Abstract: A rotary disc, regenerative type automotive gas turbine engine has a water cooled block for supplying hot water to a cab heater core and for supporting a gasifier spool and a power turbine spool within a core section of the block which receives high pressure air from a rotary regenerator matrix disc for flow to a combustor for supplying motive fluid to a gasifier turbine and power turbine with exhaust flow directed from the core section through the regenerator matrix disc and wherein the water cooled block includes an integral planar surface thereon defining a reference plane for the rotary regenerator matrix with the high pressure inlet air and low pressure exhaust gas being directed therethrough for heating the inlet air and wherein the block further includes a water coolant filled passage therethrough in surrounding relationship to the power turbine to act as a containment mass therearound; the water coolant filled passage being located in close proximity to the planar surface defining the reference plane

Abstract: A clutch assembly for use between a combiner box and a vertical take-off, shaft driven variable pitch lift cruise fan is self contained and is positively engaged and disengaged without spline tooth interference upon pilot demand and wherein means are provided so that no clutch slip occurs following engagement and wherein further means are provided to maintain clutch engagement in the event of oil pressure loss during the engaged mode of operation.

Abstract: The drawings disclose a pneumatic tubeless tire including a self seating stabilizer formed of a plurality of segments, each having a centrally located flange formed on the inner surface thereof. A fastener ring is secured to the segmented flanges during assembly for retaining the segments as a unit between the inner surfaces of the usual two sidewalls radially intermediate the widest portion thereof and the beaded ends thereof. The segments may be formed of any suitable material, such as thermoplastic material containing glass fiber reinforcement or aluminum. The annular stabilizer unit provides lateral and radial support for the tire sidewalls, particularly when the tire becomes deflated.

Abstract: An adjustable air-deflector device adapted to be movably mounted on the roof of a driving cab of a commercial vehicle and comprising a substantially planar member having the shape of a truncated isosceles triangle, the shorter parallel edge of which is hinged to the cab roof, and the non-parallel edges of which are connected to the cab roof through adjustable bellows-type side walls, there being angle-adjustment means provided to allow the driver of the vehicle to adjust the angle of the planar member relative to the cab roof to produce minimal drag over a trailer portion of the vehicle. Driver determines optimum angle either from a table of predetermined figures or from a drag pressure metering instrument mounted in the cab of the vehicle. Air-deflector device can be used in a tractor-trailer assembly in combination with adjustable side curtains, which close the gap between the tractor and trailer and reduce the component of drag produced by yaw between the moving tractor and trailer.