Abstract: A hydraulic motor system minimizes wasted power by using a plurality of fixed displacement hydraulic motors to drive a drive shaft in a cooperative manner. The motors are selectively switched into operation in response to variations in fluid pressure. As a consequence the hydraulic fluid acts upon a motor system having an effective combined displacement for producing a predetermined shaft rotation rate at the volumetric flow rate which caused the pressure condition. The invention is disclosed as having particular utility for driving a cooling fan for an automotive engine.

Abstract: A locking unit for a motor which is to be locked in which a plurality of fingers at the ends of flexible arms, coupled to a locking motor, move into and out from engagement with a plurality of spaces bounded by ridges in a member which is connected to the shaft of the motor to be locked.

Abstract: A windshield wiper system for automotive vehicles includes a rack and pinion arrangement in the wiper arm for causing movement of a wiper blade assembly relative to the wiper arm between an extended position of the wiper blade assembly and a retracted position of the wiper blade assembly. More specifically, the rack and pinion arrangement causes a link, which is attached to the wiper blade assembly, to swing such that the wiper blade moves between the extended position and the retracted position. The movement of the wiper blade assembly into the extended position increases the amount of the surface area of the windshield which is wiped. A planetary gear arrangement is driven by a standard wiper drive and selectively drives the rack and pinion arrangement to move the wiper blade assembly between the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A fluid supply system provides hydraulic fluid to a series combination of an automotive fan motor and a power steering unit. There is a bypass line around the fan motor for prioritizing the operation of the power steering unit. A normally closed pressure sequencing valve opens the bypass line when the pressure across the overall series combination exceeds a predetermined limit. Optional second and third bypass lines are disclosed for respectively bypassing either the power steering unit or the fan motor in case of abnormal conditions therein.

Abstract: A feedback control circuit limits current being supplied to an electric drive motor. The motor drives a load cyclically along a path, and the load closes a switch when it passes a predetermined position. This activates a timing circuit which times out after a predetermined delay. If the load does not return to the predetermined position at the end of the prescribed delay time, then an oscillator circuit is triggered into operation to periodically terminate current flow to the motor. This provides cooling periods and enables the motor to exert repeated, temporary high torque efforts to restore normal operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finely adjusting the dwell period for an intermittent windshield wiper. A multi-position switch establishes a maximum delay and a delay request. A processor reads the switch setting and senses the timing of a positioning movement relative to the timing of the next preceding wiper blade stroke. When the elapsed time between those events is intermediate the maximum delay and the delay request, the dwell period is set equal to the elapsed time. Otherwise the dwell period is set equal to the maximum delay.

Abstract: A mounting for a windshield wiper pivot shaft on a vehicle body panel supports the shaft for rotation about an axis of the panel. The mounting includes a transmission housing adapted to be rotatably seated on a first side of the panel. A key on the transmission housing and an associated keyway in the panel limits housing rotation in a first direction to a mounting position wherein an axis of the housing is aligned with the axis of the panel. The key has a retention surface which engages the panel to limit axial movement between the housing and the panel when the housing is in the mounting position, thereby passively retaining the housing to the panel. In one embodiment, a plurality of screws are installed from a second side of the panel opposite the first side and threadingly engage the housing. The screws are tightened in the first direction to rigidly fix the transmission housing to the panel, thereby maintaining the housing in the mounting position.

Abstract: A windshield wiper control system improves vehicle windshield wiper operation by selectively controlling the motor speed of a dc motor that drives the wiper blade across the windshield. The motor speed is reduced for a portion of the wiper pattern adjacent the reversal points at each end of the wiper pattern. The motor speed is changed as a function of blade position by varying the duty cycle of an excitation voltage signal provided to a variable speed dc motor. The disclosed embodiment is useful for variable and continuous speed control in a vehicle wiper system.

Abstract: A mounting system for an engine cooling fan. The system includes a shroud for enclosing and supporting the fan and a bracket with a mounting seat for supporting the shroud. The shroud includes three twist locks circumferentially located at an angular distance of 90.degree. from each other. Each of the locks has an arm located at a side surface of the shroud and protruding outwardly radially from the side surface and a first cantilever extending from the arm at a substantially right angle to the arm.

Abstract: A brush holder body for a dynamoelectric machine comprising a molded body, integrated cantilever fingers molded into the body, the cantilever fingers extending radially inward from distal portions of the body, the cantilever fingers having a normal position into which they are molded extending at an angle to a plane of a commutator clearance opening the angle having a direction extending away from a motor armature position, wherein the cantilever finger is flexible and upon receipt of a force, flex in the direction of the armature, wherein the brush holder also comprises a snap feature for retaining the cantilever finger in a second position in which the cantilever finger prevents movement of a brush into the commutator clearance opening, wherein in the normal position, the cantilever finger allows movement of the brush into the commutator clearance opening and the cantilever finger does not contact a commutator of the dynamoelectric machine.

Abstract: A vehicle window wiper interfacing arrangement for interconnecting a window wiper function switch, a wiper motor controller, and an auto-delay controller to permit a water drop sensor to control a window wiper delay time when a window wiper system is operated in an AUTO-DELAY mode. The auto-delay controller outputs three wiper function signals, namely OFF, LOW speed and WASH to the wiper motor controller via a single bi-directional multiplexed line. The wiper motor controller outputs a wiper position signal to the auto-delay controller via the same bi-directional multiplexed line for use by a control program to determine a proper wiper delay time period.

Abstract: A fan motor support, for use in combination with a motor vehicle radiator of the type having a U-shaped channel extending along an upper side of the radiator, having a motor mounting portion, a support structure and a claw portion. The motor mounting portion has a motor opening therethrough. The support structure is configured to extend across a portion of a rear surface of the radiator. The claw portion extends from the support structure and has a first member configured to reside in the U-shaped channel.

Abstract: A variable length crank arm in a windshield wiper system provides a depressed park position for an associated wiper blade when the direction of rotation of a drive motor is reversed. The crank arm relies on an eccentric driver to vary its length between a first length and a longer second length. When the eccentric driver is rotated in a first direction to wipe the windshield, a spring loaded pin keeps the eccentric driver rotatably fixed to an output arm with the crank arm consequently at the first length. The spring loaded pin also engages a cam slot in a cam plate, the cam plate rotating freely with the output arm and the eccentric driver in the first direction. To move the blade to the depressed park position, the direction of rotation of the drive motor is reversed. This causes the cam plate to become rotatably stopped, with the now stationary cam slot forcing the pin out of engagement with the output arm.

Abstract: A neural network provides automatic control of a windshield wiper. A rain sensor generates sensing signals indicating a rain pattern, and the neural network generates wiping demand signals indicating a wiping action desired by the driver. A training unit uses manually generated wiping supervision signals to create weight factors for the neural network.

Abstract: A superlock assembly includes a motor having a pinion mounted on its output shaft and meshed to an output gear. A blocking arm is secured to the output gear. To engage the superlock assembly when the arm of the locking actuator is extended, the motor is powered to move the blocking arm into the path of the retractable arm. In this position, the arm cannot be retracted either through manual force or electric operation of the actuator, thereby preventing a door latch from being unlocked.

Abstract: An automotive windshield wiper system with adjustable wiping pressure includes a drive shaft, a head rigidly mounted to the drive shaft for unitary rotation therewith, a wiper arm pivotally connected to the head at a first end and retaining a wiper blade at a second end, and a spring between the head and the wiper arm inducing a force pivoting the wiper arm toward an associated wiping surface. A controller is disposed between the spring and the head and relies exclusively on the relative rotation between the wiper arm and the vehicle body as a source of all motive power to selectively displace an end of the spring and thereby vary the force on the wiper arm.

Abstract: A variable length crank arm in a windshield wiper system provides a depressed park position for an associated wiper blade when the direction of rotation of a drive motor is reversed. The crank arm relies on an eccentric driver to vary its length and between a first length a longer second length. When the eccentric driver is rotated in a first direction to wipe the windshield, a spring loaded pin keeps the eccentric driver rotatably fixed to an output arm with the crank arm consequently at the first length. The spring loaded pin also engages a cam slot in a cam plate, the cam plate rotating freely with the output arm and the eccentric driver in the first direction. To move the blade to the depressed park position, the direction of rotation of the drive motor is reversed. This causes the cam plate to become rotatably stopped, with the now stationary cam slot forcing the pin out of engagement with the output arm.

Abstract: An integral windshield wiper arm having a pivot, a crank, and a blade mount communicates fluid from a reservoir beneath a cowl to a windshield wiper blade above the cowl. The pivot has a sealed cavity running its length. The cavity in each of the crank and the blade mount fluidly connect with the cavity in the pivot.