Abstract: A heater assembly for use with spas, hot tubs and the like, includes a control circuit which controls the application of electrical power to the heater. A control circuit controls application of power to the heater in response to a thermostat setting, the flow of water in the spa system and in response to a high limit temperature. When the high limit temperature is exceeded, electrical power to the heater is removed. Electrical power to the heater cannot be restored until power to the entire system is turned off and then back on. The control circuit is mounted on the heater and includes spring-loaded standoffs which maintain the temperature sensors in good thermal contact with the body of the heater.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for a brake system having anti-lock control (ABS) and traction slip control by brake management (BASR) which has an electromotively driven hydraulic pump for the auxiliary pressure supply in the ABS mode and BASR mode, sensors to determine the wheel rotational behavior, and an electronic circuit for analyzing the sensor signals and generating braking pressure control signals. The hydraulic pump, in the BASR mode, is activated by a pulse train (at least temporarily), and the flow rate of the pump is adjusted to the requirements by modulating the pulse train, the requirements being determined by analyzing the traction slip and the instantaneous rotational speed of the hydraulic pump. Pulse patterns in the form of pulse trains with predetermined pulse times and times of pulse break serve to activate the pump.

Abstract: A welding fixture (30) can hold a part (12) that is to be welded by a weld head (22) that has a flat head surface (32) that must press against a flat part surface (56), where the fixture automatically tilts to assure that the surfaces lie coplanar so the fixture can be fixed in that position. The fixture has upper and lower assemblies (60, 62) that respectively include upper and lower washers (84, 92) with mating spherical surfaces (96, 98) that allow the upper assembly to pivot about horizontal axes with respect to the lower assembly. The washers have central holes (102, 104), and a bolt (112) extending through the central holes can be tightened to clamp the upper and lower assemblies together after the upper assembly has been tilted to the desired orientation. The spherical surfaces are preferably centered on a sphere center (100) that lies above the fixture, with the spherical surfaces subtending an angle (C) of no more than about 60.degree. with respect to the sphere center.

Abstract: A push rod ball has an exteriorly oriented wear surface surrounding an interior core. The interior core is composed of a steel or steel alloy containing between about 0.1% and about 0.2% by weight carbon. A hardened case layer is of an essentially uniform depth is located between the exterior surface and the inner core. The push rod ball has a cylindrical throughbore transiting its diameter. A central through bore diametrically bisects the spherical metal body forming the push rod ball. The bore is bounded by a cylindrical inner wall composed of metal of the central core and the hardened case regions of the metal body. The push rod ball can be positioned on a suitable push rod shaft to provide a push rod assembly in which the weld region connecting shaft to ball extends through the hardened case region into the central core of the push rod ball.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the master cylinder of a motor vehicle actuating unit has a bipartite flange, and one part of the flange is provided as a mounting plate which is guided on a spherical bead shaped on the master cylinder. The mounting plate clamps the master cylinder in relation to the wall of a brake force booster. This ensures that the master cylinder may escape or may be deflected in a rearward direction in the case of a crash, without transmitting an excessively large amount of force to the wall of the brake force booster.

Abstract: A light transmitting device for use in a viewing apparatus or optical device, particularly a night vision device. The device is composed of a material which is capable of transmitting light from a remote source. Light from a visible indicator such as an LED is transferred through at least one outer flat to an inner flat of the device. The inner flat provides a signal to the user that the power supply is low. An additional outer flat and inner flat provides a signal to the user that the infrared illuminator is in operation. A projection formed along the outer periphery of the device prevents rotation and aids in assembling the device in a viewing apparatus. With the light transmitting device, there is no need for a separate device attached to the housing of an optical device for indicating power supply.

Abstract: A quick-break switch in which, for switching-over purposes under the spring force (1) of a switching element, the two individual wedge faces of a wedge surface are felt. In order to render the pressure point more perceptible, in particular when the switch is manually operated, the wedge faces are curved. These curves can also help to improve the switching behavior of the switch with respect to the switching process and contact-making.

Abstract: A clip-on power source for powering an ANVIS binocular. The power source has an electrical interface that enables the power source to be detachably coupled to the ANVIS binocular. The interface also enables the power source to pivot relative to the binocular from a first position to a second position to power-on and power-off the ANVIS binocular.

Abstract: A brake actuating device for a parking brake of automotive vehicles includes a hand brake lever which acts upon two wheel brakes by way of two brake cables. To assist the manual operation, an electric motor is additionally provided which generates at least part of the actuating force.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing indication of valve position of a manual valve is disclosed for a valve having a rotary, operating assembly journaled in a housing, the operating assembly comprising a handwheel, a bushing fastened to the handwheel, and a spindle threadedly engaged to the bushing to cause translation of the spindle in response to rotation of the handwheel and the bushing, the apparatus for enclosure in the housing comprising a hub coupled to the bushing for transmitting rotary motion in response to rotation of the bushing; translation means for translating the rotary motion into an electrical signal; and circuitry means responsive to the electrical signal for indicating position of the valve.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved multi-mode, spread spectrum digital radio comprising: a radio frequency (RF) subsystem for converting spread spectrum digital signals comprising voice and data communications between baseband and RF signal frequencies in response to control signals; a digital signal processor based baseband subsystem having isolation interface means bidirectionally coupled to the RF subsystem for minimizing RF and baseband signal interference; the baseband subsystem operable to control the mode of operation, to provide interface control signals to the RF subsystem based on the mode, to format the transmitted and received digital signals, and to provide external controls and status to a user to enable selectable mode switching.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mixing and aeration unit, especially for waste water treatment and including a submersible axial flow mixer (2), an elongated jet ring (6) with inlet (6a) adjacent the mixer propeller (3) and housing a number of air bubble diffusers (10).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a combination of an electric motor and a pump with a compact design. It is important that the pump housing 9 is made of plastic material and slid into the housing periphery 2 of the electric motor so that it embraces the pump housing from the outside and thereby imparts stability to it.The pump bores 15, 16 extend radially outwardly and are closed by plugs 22, 23 which bear against the inside of the electric motor housing 2.Because the pump housing is made of plastic material, it can additionally be used as a brush support plate for the brushes 24, 25 of the electric motor.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a pump including an electric motor/generator and a pump housing, said sealing arrangement including: an intermediate barrier liquid chamber; a mechanical face seal positioned between the pump housing and the intermediate barrier liquid chamber; and, a pumping seal positioned between the intermediate barrier liquid chamber and the electric motor/generator such that air is on a first side thereof and liquid contained in the intermediate barrier liquid chamber is on an oppositely disposed second side thereof, the pumping seal being adapted to repump leakage of liquid from the second side to the first side of the pumping seal.

Abstract: A PC card (10) of standard width and thickness (e.g. 54 mm and 5 mm) is constructed to receive a chip card (20) of smaller width and thickness (e.g. 18 mm and 0.8 mm) so the PC card can be used to connect contact pads (60) of the chip card to an electronic device such as a laptop computer into which the PC card is inserted. A frame (22) is mounted in a fixed position on a circuit board of the PC card, the frame having a recess (82) substantially the same width as that of the chip card for closely receiving the chip card to locate it so pads on the chip card engage chip contacts (76) that are also mounted on the circuit board. A planar top portion (86) of a sheet metal cover part has an aperture (24) that communicates with the recess in the frame to permit the insertion of the chip card through the aperture and into the recess of the frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating a hydraulic brake system for automotive vehicles, which includes an anti-lock system (ABS), a brake force booster which is electrically actuatable independently of the driver's wish, and a pressure or deceleration controller which is used to actuate the brake force booster.In order to enhance the quality of ABS control in particular, according to the present invention, a signal (ABSM) indicative of the ABS mode is sent to the pressure or deceleration controller (12) and, upon commencement of ABS control, the instantaneous pressure or deceleration actual value (Pi.sub.ist1, P.sub.ist11, P.sub.ist12) is stored and the brake force booster (2) is actuated so that the pressure or deceleration actual value (P.sub.ist) is maintained constant.

Abstract: A ring bracket-shroud mounting assembly for an car engine cooling system includes a bracket for enclosing and supporting fan blades and motor, and a shroud with a mounting seat for supporting the bracket. The bracket has at least one active lock coupler, and a shroud has at least one passive lock coupler. Each active lock coupler includes an overhanging means and each passive lock coupler includes a catch. The overhanging apparatus and catch are adapted to matingly engage and retain the ring bracket to the shroud when the overhanging apparatus and catch are placed adjacent to each other and the ring bracket is rotated relative to the shroud to a locking position to have the overhanging apparatus combined with the catch.

Abstract: A connector is provided for use with a microcircuit card that has contact pads on its lower face, which assures that connector contact blades fully engage the card pads when full insertion of the card is detected. The connector includes a body with a contact body portion that holds the card-engaging contacts and a switch body portion that holds a switch with an actuator. The body portions are integral and have coplanar upper faces which assures precision relative positioning of the card-engaging blades and the actuator that detects full insertion of the card. The switch body portion is preferably offset from the contact body portion, which facilitates routing of circuit board conductors when the connector is mounted on a circuit board, especially where the connector has surface mount terminals. The switch actuator has a fixed rear end and two forward arms, one for depression by a card and the other for depressing and releasing a snap dome.

Abstract: A battery cartridge holding a plurality of batteries for insertion into a battery cavity comprising a housing including first and second flexible holding members oppositely disposed with respect to one another on a first outer surface, the first and second holding members defining a cavity contoured to the shape of the batteries for receiving the batteries and securing thereto, a second inner surface having a recess formed therein, and a latching means coupled between the inner surface of the housing and a front cover portion and retractably extendable for engaging/disengaging slots positioned on a peripheral lip portion of the battery cavity for permitting insertion/ejection of the battery cartridge into/from the battery cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus retains and aligns an electrical ignition switch of a motor vehicle with respect to a steering column housing. A switch housing supports the electrical switch and has at least one first aperture formed therein. The steering column housing slidably receives the switch housing therein, and the steering column housing has at least one second aperture formed therein. At least one locking member is engagable within the first aperture and is moveable between a first position retracted within the aperture and a second position extended outwardly with respect to the first aperture. The locking member engages within the second aperture when the switch housing is slidably engaged and fully seated within the steering column housing and holds the switch housing with respect to the steering column housing when engaged within the second aperture. A biasing member urges the locking member toward the second position.