Abstract: A fault controller for a brake system has a control display with a plurality of identifying labels displayed thereon which correspond to predetermined brake system fault options. A plurality of switches corresponding to the identifying labels and selectively setable to activate and deactivate conditions are on the control display. Fluid control valves are disposed along brake lines between the master cylinder and the wheel brakes. There are electrical connections between the switches and the fluid control valves wherein setting one of the switches to the activate condition activates a corresponding fault mode of the anti-lock brake system.

Abstract: An electronic device has a host with a card-receiving slot, and can receive and operate with both low voltage (3 volts) and high voltage (5 volts) IC (integrated circuit) cards. The inner end of the slot has a voltage-discriminating first side, and has a switch (82, FIG. 5) with an actuator (80) lying at a location that is occupied by a discrimination key portion (69) that is present in a low voltage card but not a high voltage card. The electronic device has both lower and higher voltage circuits (124, 130) for energizing lower and higher voltage cards, and the type of card sensed by the switch determines which circuit is connected to contacts at the inner end of the slot.

Abstract: A steering column mounted stalk switch apparatus includes an elongated shaft having a hub fixedly mounted at one end. The hub fixedly engages one end of a hollow knob housing. An aperture is formed in the opposite end of the housing and movably receives a button therein having at least one electrical contact mounted thereon. A carrier is slidably mounted in the housing for movement between a plurality of discrete positions and includes a projection extending externally through a side wall of the housing. Electrical contacts are mounted on the carrier and engage conductive tracings on the circuit board as the carrier is moved between the discrete positions.

Abstract: A connector system includes a plug connector that latches to a receptacle connector when mated thereto, and which discourages unqualified personnel from unlatching the connectors to unmate them. The plug connector has a pair of narrow release passages (64, 66, FIG. 3) for receiving small rods (60, 62) of a release tool, the plug connector having a thin breakable barrier (70, 72) near the top of each passage. Unqualified mechanics hesitate to break the barriers, and even when the barriers are broken there are only small passages for viewing the latching mechanism. A pair of pin contacts (20, 22, FIG. 14) of the receptacle connector, are connected together until the two connectors are mated, by the use of a wire conductor (210) that has a portion that is wound into a coil (212) that is forced over one pin contact, the coil having an arm (216) that presses against the other pin contact. A bent metal strip contact having one end (90, FIG.

Abstract: A quick connector includes a retainer for detachably engaging male and female components of the quick connector together. The retainer includes an annular base with a recess mountable over a radially enlarged flange on the male component and circumferentially spaced legs extending axially from the base. An aperture in each leg engages a projection on the female component to interconnect the male and female components together. First and second seal members, each having the same inner diameter, but different outer diameters are pre-mounted on the male component and simultaneously engage different diameter portions of a stepped bore in the female component upon insertion of the male component into the female component.

Abstract: A novel Communications Management System architecture (CMS) supports asset, frequency and key management functions in a multi-unit, multi-network communications system and automates the planning required for effectively carrying out tactical communications in such an environment. CMS matches the detailed frequency and key distribution required for radio networks supporting such an operation, and consolidates all of the information required to operate such a radio system into a single database. The CMS architecture provides a flexibility to allow for specialized key and frequency assignment generation, net communications planning, distribution planning of communication equipment, deployment planning and asset planning and generation of Communications Information (CI). The architecture provides an integrated approach that enables such communication planning/management functions to be tied together into a single software program to assure verification of data and eliminate duplication of effort.

Abstract: An adapter (12, FIG. 1) is described, for mounting a passthrough on a panel (14) to hold by a wire cable or optical cable, wherein the adapter can be installed by merely pushing it rearwardly into a hole (20) in the panel. The adapter includes a tubular passthrough (16) and a molded plastic clip (18) that is mounted on the passthrough. The clip has a front end (40, FIG. 3) that forms a large washer to abut the front face of the panel, and has a sleeve (46) extending rearwardly from the washer with a rear sleeve end (50) that closely surrounds the passthrough. The sleeve has a pair of U-shaped slits (56, 64, FIG. 2), with the base of each U-slit lying most forward, to leave a latch (62, 66) having a rear latch end merging with the rest of the sleeve and a free front latch end (124, FIG. 3) which can abut the rear face of the panel. The passthrough has a recessed portion (76) into which the latches are deflected when the adapter is inserted rearwardly through the hole in the panel.

Abstract: In a process for fitting a round cable provided with a number of single wires with a multi-way, preferably flat, plug into which the single wires are placed, the single wires have their free ends stripped of insulation and are fitted with contacts. In such a process, assembly can be carried out in a cost-effective manner and the risk of damage to the small contacts is greatly reduced. Provision is made for the single wires to be placed alongside each other in a wire holder of the plug, for the ends projecting beyond the wire holder to be cut to the same projecting length and stripped of insulation to the same length and for a contact carrier to be provided with the corresponding number of adjacent contacts and connected to the end of the wire holder receiving the single wire ends, and for the opposing regions of stripped single wire ends and connection elements of the contacts to be interconnected to make electrical contact.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector is described which has an alignment sleeve (70, FIG. 3) for surrounding fiber-holding ferrules (44, 68), wherein the sleeve can deflect to receive a slightly misaligned mating ferrule and wherein the assembly can be readily removed for cleaning. The sleeve is expandable in diameter and is contained in a hood (80) that surrounds the sleeve and that forms front and rear shoulders (82, 84). The hood loosely surrounds the sleeve and the hood is loosely contained in a connector housing passage (34), to facilitate reception of a slightly misaligned mating ferrule. A hood alignment sleeve assembly includes a front body (50) and a rear retention sleeve, or body, with a spring (56) spanning them, the front body being attached to the hood, and the hood shifting forward and rearward with the sleeve. The hood includes a front hood piece (152) forming the front sleeve-abutting shoulder and a rear hood piece (154) forming the rear shoulder.

Abstract: A night vision device that uses low cost optics in a balanced arrangement that corrects for distortions created by the low cost optics. The night vision device is a monocular assembly that uses a Gen II or a Gen III image intensifier tube. An objective lens assembly, containing a plurality of low cost lenses, is positioned in front of the image intensifier tube so that the objective lens assembly directs low intensity light onto the input surface of the image intensifier tube. A collimator assembly is positioned proximate the output surface of the image intensifier tube, wherein the collimator assembly collimates the visible image produced by the image intensifier tube. The collimator assembly is comprised of lenses that are identical in shape, size and material to the lenses found within the objective lens assembly. However, the lenses in the collimator assembly are arranged in reverse, as a mirror image of the lenses in the objective lens assembly.

Abstract: A press apparatus is described for forcefully pressing a connector (14, FIG. 1) against a circuit board (12) to press projections (34) of the connector into circuit board holes (22), which minimizes set up time. The press includes a pair of platforms (60, 62, FIG. 2) on which a circuit board with a connector thereon is laid, an upper tooling arrangement (102) mounted on a ram, and a lower tooling arrangement (100) mounted on a stationary base (78). When the ram is lowered, it causes the circuit board and the connector thereon to move down against the lower tooling arrangement, and then seat the connector. The force of the ram is transmitted through the connector and circuit board to the lower tooling arrangement, so in many cases the stroke of the ram does not have to be adjusted for the thickness of the particular circuit board or connector.

Abstract: A carrier frequency based system employs a capacitive probe which is located at a predetermined desired fluid detection level in a fluid containing vessel. The probe forms one plate of a capacitor where the other plate is formed by the fluid in which the probe is immersed. A carrier frequency is injected into the fluid by means of a suitable oscillator and at a frequency which is close to the system resonant frequency. When the probe is immersed in fluid, the probe will receive a predetermined carrier frequency of an amplitude determined by the system. The output of the probe is coupled to suitable sensing circuits which monitor the amplitude of the signal frequency coupled to the probe. When the fluid level recedes and therefore a portion of the probe or the total probe is out of fluid, the capacitance of the system changes.

Abstract: A unitary assembly of tubing and an end fitting. The end fitting includes a threaded fastener fitting having a tubular bore extending therethrough. A conical transition is coaxially provided to the bore at the thread/hex interface where the bore constricts. The end of the tubing is coaxially impacted, expanded and sized to an external configuration and dimension that achieves an interference fit relative to the tubular bore through the end fitting. The non-expanded end of the tubing is inserted into the larger of the two bores in the end fitting passed the conical transition and through the smaller bore until it experiences interference from the expansion. The interference is overcome by pressing the expansion into the bore in the end fitting until the expansion is completely seated into the end fitting. The expanded tube and end fitting is machined coaxially using a five step tool.

Abstract: Electrical switch, especially for detecting the presence of an electronic memory card in a card reader device. An electrical switch (10) includes a trigger button (14) which is slidingly mounted in a switch box (12), a mobile contact element (62) which is connected to the button (14) and which interacts with at least fixed contact element (50,52) carried by the box (12) of the switch, and a spring and the mobile contact element (44,62) elastically returns the button (14) to a stable inactive position, in which the value of the reutrn force (F) decreases when the actuation travel (C) of the button (14) exceeds a predetermined value (C1), characterized in that the predetermined value (C1) of the travel corresponds to the triggering of the switch.

Abstract: An illuminator device for a night vision apparatus, the illuminator device providing supplemental illumination of remotely located objects to be viewed through the night vision apparatus under a low light condition. The illuminator device comprises a housing, light source coupled to one end of the housing for generating a light to illuminate the remotely located objects. The illuminator device further comprises focusing lens for condensing the light generated by the light source into a concentrated light beam having a pattern of consistent brightness which enables substantially long range illumination. The focusing lens is located a given distance away from the light source in a location which is remote from the end of the housing.

Abstract: An present invention is an illuminator device designed to be coupled to the tripod mount of a night vision device which allows a user to adjust the direction of a beam of light projected by an illuminator relative to the line of sight of the night vision device. The illuminator device includes an light source and a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly is biased against the night vision device thereby maintaining the direction of a projected beam from the light source substantially parallel to the line of sight of the night vision device. The mounting assembly includes a rigid member whose longitudinal axis is maintained substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface the night vision device and a free-floating member attached to the illuminator whose position can be changed relative to the line of sight of the night vision device.

Abstract: A multi-layer tube comprises a metal tube having an outer surface and a zinc layer bonded to the metal tube outer surface, wherein the zinc layer is selected from the group consisting of zinc plating, zinc nickel alloys, zinc cobalt alloys, zinc aluminum alloys, and mixtures thereof. A surface treatment layer is bonded to the zinc layer, wherein the surface treatment layer is selected from the group consisting of a zinc/aluminum/rare earth alloy, phosphate, chromate and mixtures thereof. A first polymeric layer is bonded to the surface treatment layer, wherein the first polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer, an ionomer, a nylon, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof. A second polymeric layer is bonded to the first polymeric layer, wherein the second polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a nylon, a thermoplastic elastomer, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A connector system is provided wherein each connector (12, 16, FIG. 2 ) has a grommet retainer (102, 120) that retains a grommet (100, 114) at the rear of the connector, and wherein when the connectors are mated they securely hold a first connector within a mounting wall. Each connector has a retainer lying rearward of a grommet and having a plurality of retainer holes (104) that pass wires that extend through the grommet, the retainer having walls which engage the grommet to retain it and assure proper orientation of the retainer so the holes of the retainer and grommet are aligned. A first connector (12) which can be inserted into a hole (30) of a mounting wall (14), has resilient tines (36, 38) that press against the hole surface and that have latch parts (56) at their front ends that form shoulders (60) that engage a face (34) of the wall.

Abstract: An interlock switch for electrically coupling opposing surfaces of a circuit card assembly, wherein each of the surfaces includes a contact pattern defining circuit and switch functions. The interlock switch comprises a pair of contacts which engage the contact patterns on the circuit card assembly to electrically couple the circuits located on the oppositely facing surfaces thereof and a switch body for housing the contacts. The switch body includes a slot for solder-free coupling the switch to an edge of the circuit card assembly. The slot enables the switch to selectively reciprocate among three switch positions on the edge of the circuit card assembly to provide either an open circuit or a closed circuit on the circuit card assembly in any one of three switch positions for each contact. A spring is housed within the switch body for biasing the switch from one of the three positions making it a momentary position.