Abstract: A drive bearing for a windscreen wiper system wherein two actuator rods for actuating two wiper arms are driven by a motor crank. The two bearings are concentrically nested one within the other thereby allowing the driving forces of the two rods to extend in one plane. Other features include the association of the individual bearing elements to the actuator elements, and the design of the bearing faces.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic pressure control device including a plurality of electromagnetically operable hydraulic valves (solenoid valves) which are arranged on a valve-accommodating member in a block-type manner, coils which project from the valve accommodating member. The coils including injection-molded cables on their parts projecting from the valve-accommodating member, a cover which covers the projecting coil parts and the cables, a carrier element to accommodate the coils which is arranged within the cover, with the carrier element including a plurality of openings into which a plurality of anchoring members fitted to the coils are form-locking engaged, and with the electric cables being relieved from tensile load.

Abstract: A wiper arm for cleaning windshields of motor vehicles. The fixing portion of the wiper arm is formed from sheet metal in a manner which is economical and strong.

Abstract: A vehicle engine-cooling fan assembly for circulating air to cool an engine. The fan assembly has a central hub with a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the central hub. Each blade has a root joined to the central hub, a tip, and a span formed between the root and the tip. The blades are spaced circumferentially from each other, by unequal spacing angles, around the central hub. The unequal spacing angles minimize noise produced by the fan assembly. The blades are positioned at a radial location along a blade span by unequal setting angles which increase the efficiency of the fan assembly. The blades can have either a straight or a curved planform. Mechanical energy is imparted to the fan assembly from an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, or some other source. Also disclosed is a process for designing a vehicle fan assembly combining unequal fan blade spacing angles and unequal fan blade setting angles.

Abstract: A speech coding system employs measurements of robust features of speech frames whose distribution are not strongly affected by noise/levels to make voicing decisions for input speech occurring in a noisy environment. Linear programing analysis of the robust features and respective weights are used to determine an optimum linear combination of these features. The input speech vectors are matched to a vocabulary of codewords in order to select the corresponding, optimally matching codeword. Adaptive vector quantization is used in which a vocabulary of words obtained in a quiet environment is updated based upon a noise estimate of a noisy environment in which the input speech occurs, and the "noisy" vocabulary is then searched for the best match with an input speech vector. The corresponding clean codeword index is then selected for transmission and for synthesis at the receiver end. The results are better spectral reproduction and significant intelligibility enhancement over prior coding approaches.

Abstract: A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle composed of a thick outer tubing having an inner and an outer face, the outer tubing made of an extrudable thermoplastic such as a polyamide such as Nylon 6; a thin intermediate bonding layer bonded to the inner face of the thick outer layer, the bonding layer composed of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar adhesion to the polyamide outer tubing; and an inner hydrocarbon barrier layer bonded to the intermediate bonding layer, the inner layer composed of an extrudable, melt processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar adhesion with the intermediate bonding layer, the thermoplastic containing as a major constituent a fluoroplastic such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymers and the like.

Abstract: A compact set of circular, wire-formed brushes, within a housing, provides the surfacing upon which, and in which, air bubbles can coalesce for subsequent venting thereof from the housing, and the housing has porting formed therein to accommodate a through-flow of an aqueous solution, of a hydronic system or the like. A sleeve-type diffuser, having a multiplicity of holes formed therein, encloses and supports the set of brushes, and diffuses and distributes the housing-admitted liquid or vapor.

Abstract: A quick connect pop top indicator for use with thin walled connectors includes a generally annular sleeve adapted to fit adjacent an opening on a thin walled tubing housing member. The sleeve nests an indicator member substantially within the cap and housing. The indicator includes a base member and axially extending leg members extending from the base and connected to a generally annular indicator member. Means are provided for separating the indicator member from the base and leg members upon proper coupling of the housing with a corresponding male member. Means are also provided on the sleeve and indicator for maintaining the sleeve and indicator in proper axial and circumferential alignment prior to proper coupling of the housing and male member.

Abstract: A control system is provided for controlling the driving stability of a vehicle which has a steering angle and a plurality of brakes to which respective braking pressures are applied. Each brake has valves for adjusting the brake pressure applied to the brake, individually. A sensor determines the steering angle. A yawing moment controller, receives the steering angle, and determines a yawing moment that is applied to the vehicle to prevent an undesirable yaw angle, yaw rate or yaw acceleration. Distribution logic receives the output of the yawing moment controller and determines pressure adjustments that are applied to each brake, individually, to apply the yawing moment to the vehicle. A valve switch timing facility receives the pressure adjustments determined by the distribution logic, and calculates valve switching times which are used to open and close the valves of each brake, individually, so as to perform the pressure adjustments.

Abstract: A power supply for a variable speed AC motor includes a waveform generator for generating a periodic pulsed waveform according to a desired motor speed, an adjustable source of DC potential, and an inverter coupled to the waveform generator and to the source of DC potential. The inverter provides an AC pulse train to the AC motor, the pulse train having waveform characteristics according to the pulsed waveform generated by the waveform generator to obtain the desired speed. The voltage amplitude of the pulse train provided to the motor is proportional to the DC potential whereby motor currents can be controlled at the desired motor speed by varying the DC potential.

Abstract: A method for minimizing torque ripple in a permanent magnet brushless DC motor includes the steps of energizing a first winding of the motor to generate a first current, energizing a second winding of the motor to generate a second current, and overlapping the first and second currents in time by a preselected time to reduce torque ripple. The structure for performing the method includes conventional brushless DC motor drive circuitry responsive to a motor rotor position signal, and a speed control signal, to sequentially generate a gate drive signal for driving a respective semiconductor switch to energize each winding of the motor. The structure further includes a phase overlapping circuit interposed between the conventional brushless DC motor control circuitry output and the semiconductor switches used to energize each winding of the motor. The phase current overlap circuit includes a monostable multi-vibrator for generating a "one-shot.

Abstract: Under the invention, collection surfaces are provided in a vehicle. The invention uses the collection surfaces to collect rainwater for a windshield washing system. The collection surfaces become contaminated by agents such as road salt. The invention uses initial rainwater to flush the collection surfaces, and discards this initial rainwater. Then, the invention uses the flushed surfaces to collect subsequent rainwater.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a control circuit for controlling the yawing moment of a vehicle. It is desirable in some special cases to limit the control behavior of this control circuit. The current estimation of the coefficient of friction is used for this purpose according to the present invention; this estimation leads to the determination of a maximum coefficient of friction, which is used to determine a maximum allowable yaw acceleration. The additional torque used to control the vehicle stability is influenced based on the yaw rate.

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: The invention concerns rainwater sensors for windshields. In one embodiment, a first, inner, conductive film is applied to the inner surface of the windshield, and a second film, of same size and shape as the first, is applied to the outer surface. However, a narrow strip is removed from the second film, forming a gap which divides the second film into parts 1 and 2. The resulting structure forms two capacitors, namely: (1) inner film plus part 1, and (2) inner film plus part 2. The impedance of one capacitor is monitored. When rain occurs, it falls into the gap between parts 1 and 2, and acts as a resistor, bridging part 1 to part 2. This bridging adds a new impedance in parallel with the first capacitor, thereby changing the effective impedance. This change indicates the presence of rain.

Abstract: A shut-off valve used in a fluid transmission line for the evacuation and fill of a fluid without the need for first energizing the valve to keep the valve in an open position by using a collar on the shaft of said valve which dissolves or disintegrates automatically upon contact with the fluid for a predetermined length of time such that the valve returns to its normal control functions.

Abstract: A cable plug is described for connecting a cable to the rear of an IC (integrated circuit) card of the PCMCIA type, which makes a simple ground connection between the cable shield and the card cover. Case shells (31, 32, FIG. 2 ) of the plug connector have rear ends with a crimp (37) and a bridge (40) that directly engage a cable shield (24). The case shells have front ends that form forwardly-projecting tabs (43, 44). The tabs project through slits (45, 46) of a carrier plate portion (12) and directly engage sheet metal cover portions of the IC card. The tabs lie slightly above and below plug parts (13, 14) of the carrier, so the front parts protect the tabs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake system with slip control, including digitally operated electromagnetic inlet and outlet valves, wherein the inlet valve is provided with a restrictor valve control responsive to differential pressures. To prevent a premature operation of the controllable restrictor, invariable orifices are arranged in the main pressure line upstream of the inlet valve and downstream of the controllable restrictor.

Abstract: Stops are provided for positioning of the coils and an arrangement of the coils in the shaped part which is compact and functionally optimized and permits being manufactured and tested as easily as possible, while different heat expansions of the component parts and component tolerances shall be received with least possible tension, the present invention suggests the provision of stops on the bottom side of the shaped part close to the coils, which stops are supported on the coil casings by way of sleeves.