Abstract: Proportional variable force solenoid valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, and a biasing spring for biasing the armature in a direction to establish a valve fluid pressure response to solenoid coil current. An inner armature end cooperates with or engages a damping member residing in a fluid damping chamber to reduce non-linear valve responses resulting from pressure oscillations in the fluid control system.

Abstract: An engine oil solenoid actuated control valve includes a molded one-piece member that defines a check valve-receiving region and a coil bobbin region of the solenoid. The check valve-receiving region includes an integral check valve-receiving receptacle associated with an exhaust port of the control valve. A check valve is received in the receptacle. A solenoid armature is received in the coil bobbin region on which a solenoid coil is wound. The molded one-piece member receives a fluid port-forming sleeve member that provides a supply port and control port. A spool valve is received in the port-forming sleeve member and includes a spool valve end connected to the armature of the solenoid. The spool valve includes first and second lands that are moved relative to the respective fluid supply port and control port to control fluid flow at the control port.

Abstract: A motor vehicle fuel fill pipe shut-off device includes a fuel shut-off valve normally closed relative to a valve seat and disposed in a path of fuel flow through the fuel fill pipe of the motor vehicle to a fuel tank thereof.

Abstract: A one-piece check valve is provided for a fuel filler pipe connected to a vehicle fuel tank to provide a fuel filling passage communicated to the fuel tank. The check valve comprises a thin sheet of material shaped to comprise a mounting portion, a flapper valve and an intermediate connecting portion that connects the flapper valve and the mounting portion with the connecting portion being contoured so as to normally impart a spring bias to the flapper valve to close off the fuel filling passage. An elastomeric seal is fastened on the flapper valve or on the fill pipe in a manner to provide a liquid fuel and vapor tight seal when the flapper valve is in a closed position relative to the fuel filling passage. The flapper valve is opened when fuel is introduced into the fuel filler pipe to permit fueling of said tank.

Abstract: Proportional variable force solenoid valve for controlling pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, and a biasing spring for biasing the armature in a direction to establish a valve fluid pressure response to solenoid coil current. An inner armature end cooperates with or engages a damping member residing in a fluid damping chamber to reduce non-linear valve responses resulting from pressure oscillations in the fluid control system.

Abstract: An engine oil solenoid control valve includes a molded one-piece valve nozzle and coil bobbin member that defines a valve nozzle and a solenoid coil bobbin and also defines an integral check valve receiving receptacle at an exhaust port and first and second valve seats for controlling valve stroke. A ball valve is disposed between the valve seats. A simple cylindrical armature rod can be used together with molded integral recesses that balance hydraulic pressure on the armature to prevent a hydraulic lock condition.

Abstract: A vehicle window direct drive power actuator for pivoting a window outwardly of a vehicle body about an axis. The actuator comprises a reversible electric motor and a power transmitting gear train driven by the motor and including a rotational output gear. The rotational output gear includes stop circuit actuating member thereon for actuating a motor control circuit that controls energization of the reversible electric motor to thereby electrically control the open and closed positions of the window relative to the vehicle body. A window linkage assembly is mounted on the window in a manner to convert the rotational torque of the rotary output gear into an opening-and-closing force for the window. The linkage assembly converts the rotational torque of the rotary output gear in a one direction into a window opening force and a rotational torque in the opposite direction, caused by reversing the driving motor, into a window closing force.

Abstract: An electronic brake controller for controlling electric brakes of a towed vehicle, such as a trailer, wherein the controller includes a resistive braking force sensor that senses the braking force applied by the driver of the towing vehicle to the brake pedal and provides an electrical signal proportional to the braking force to an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is operable when a microprocessor thereof detects the brake light “on” condition and the presence of the force sensor. The microprocessor receives the signal from the braking force sensor and controls braking force applied to the trailer brakes in proportion to the force applied by the driver of the towing vehicle to the brake pedal. During operation, the microprocessor reads ambient temperature compensated electrical conductance of the braking force sensor to provide a temperature compensated output signal proportional to the braking force to actuate the trailer electric brakes.

Abstract: A proportional variable force solenoid fluid control valve for controlling the pressure of a pressurized fluid in a fluid control system in proportion to the current level of an electrical input signal includes an armature in engagement with a fluid pressure control valve and movable in response to electrical current applied to a solenoid disposed on a coil bobbin in a solenoid housing and a coil spring for biasing the armature in a direction to establish a valve fluid pressure response to current level supplied to the solenoid. A plurality of axially magnetized permanent magnet segments each having an inner arcuate magnet surface facing the armature are provided to collectively provide a permanent magnetic field that cooperates with the electromagnetic field of the energized coil to move the armature.

Abstract: A pressure relief latching solenoid valve includes one or more axially magnetized permanent magnets disposed proximate a pole piece with the axial magnetization direction of the magnet aligned in a manner to maintain the armature in either the first or second position after the electrical current pulse to the solenoid is terminated so as to provide bistable first and second armature positions that can be maintained without solenoid energization and that can be changed from one position to the other by an electrical current pulse to the solenoid. The armature can control movement of a ball valve of a fluid circuit such that the first and second armature positions correspond to closed and open positions of the ball valve. The closed position provides a maximum fluid pressure in the circuit and the open position provides a preset lower fluid pressure. A spring resides in a passage in the armature and has a preselected spring rate and spring preload.

Abstract: A fluid control device for an electronic transmission is provided and includes a transmission spool valve and a proportional variable force solenoid valve disposed in a common housing for controlling the pressure of a fluid supplied to a first end of the transmission spool valve in a direction opposite to the biasing force of a coil spring. The variable force solenoid valve varies fluid pressure on the first end of the spool valve in proportion to the current level of the electric signal so as to control movement of the spool valve in a manner to regulate control pressure to smooth shifting of transmission gears at a particular shifting point represented by an electrical signal supplied to the solenoid.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated valve for regulating the pressure of a pressurized fluid in a fluid control system in proportion to the current level of an electrical input signal including a nozzle housing having an end connected to a solenoid housing and a fixed fluid flow directing tubular sleeve internal thereof and communicated to a supply port for receiving pressurized fluid therefrom. The sleeve includes a primary orifice communicating to a valve seat proximate the end of the nozzle housing and to a control port located proximate a second end of the nozzle housing via one or more longitudinal fluid passages between the nozzle housing and the sleeve. The sleeve includes a secondary bleed orifice located proximate the control port to bleed pressurized fluid thereto in a manner to provide more precise low pressure fluid control.

Abstract: A proportional variable force solenoid valve comprises a non-magnetic housing having a solenoid and a permanent magnet armature movable by the solenoid in response to current applied to the solenoid, a coil compression spring for biasing the armature in a direction to establish a valve fluid pressure response to solenoid current, and a valve housing closure engaging the spring and permanently deformed to position the closure relative to the spring in a manner to adjust the valve response. The size of the valve is reduced by providing a permanent magnet armature of reduced length having a flat outermost axial end which is engaged by the spring. A plate spring retainer is disposed on the flat axial end of the permanent magnet armature and is received with clearance in an enlarged longitudinal bore region of the solenoid coil bobbin.

Abstract: Proportional variable force solenoid valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, and a biasing spring for biasing the armature in a direction to establish a valve fluid pressure response to solenoid coil current. An inner armature end cooperates with or engages a damping member residing in a fluid damping chamber to reduce non-linear valve responses resulting from pressure oscillations in the fluid control system.

Abstract: A fuel vapor vent valve assembly for a vehicle fuel tank for venting fuel vapor from the fuel tank to a fuel vapor emission device disposed external of the fuel tank, wherein the assembly comprises a valve housing having a fuel vapor vent outlet opening or orifice defined by a valve seat and communicating with a fuel tank vapor space interior of the fuel tank and with a fuel vapor emission device, such as a charcoal canister, exterior of the fuel tank. A fuel level responsive valve-moving device, such as a float, is disposed in the housing for movement therein. A vapor vent valve is disposed on the device in a manner for closing and opening the vent orifice in response to the fuel level in the fuel tank. The vent valve includes a partial spherical, radius-defined sealing surface that mates with a sealing surface of the valve seat to provide liquid/vapor tight sealing relation therebetween when the valve is in the closed position relative to the valve seat.

Abstract: A proportional variable force solenoid valve for controlling the pressure of a pressurized fluid in a fluid control system in proportion to the current level of an electrical input signal comprises a movable valve for controlling the pressure of pressurized fluid in the fluid control system and a solenoid for controlling movement of the valve in linear proportion to the current level of the electrical signal. The movable valve and the solenoid are disposed in a common substantially non-magnetic housing to provide a fluid control unit. The housing may comprise an aluminum casting for insertion in an aluminum transmission body. A movable armature of the solenoid may comprise a cylindrical shaped permanent magnet, rather than a ferromagnetic armature, in order to eliminate the need for a axially magnetized permanent magnet ring. A simplified armature suspension structure, fluid diverting valve mechanism, and electromagnetic flux washer are incorporated.

Abstract: A pressure regulating variable force solenoid fluid control valve for regulating the pressure of a pressurized fluid in a fluid control system in proportion to the current level of an electrical input signal comprises a supply port for receiving pressurized fluid, a control port in fluid flow communication to the supply port via a primary orifice, the control port communicating with an external component, such as a hydraulic automobile transmission component to control operation thereof, and a variable force solenoid actuated valve that cooperates with a valve seat receiving pressurized fluid from the primary orifice to control flow of pressurized fluid to one or more exhaust ports as a means to regulate pressure at the control port in dependence upon electrical current to a coil of the solenoid actuated valve.

Abstract: An electromechanical fluid control valve includes a solenoid-actuated actuating pin in a fluid passage for actuating a fluid control valve, and a spiral locating member for centering the actuating pin coaxially relative to the armature and fluid control valve. The spiral locating member may comprise a wire wound helically about the actuating pin along a portion of its length. The actuating pin is guided for movement by an inner surface of the spiral pin locating member. An outer surface of the spiral pin locating member is supported in a fluid passage of the valve to center the locating member therein between the armature and fluid control valve.

Abstract: A direct drive power window actuator for remote opening and closing of a pivotal quarter window of an automotive vehicle comprising a reversible motor, a power transmitting gear device operatively connected with the motor at one end and with a rotary shaft at the other end for rotating the rotary shaft, and a linkage for converting the rotational torque of the rotary shaft into an opening-and-closing force for the window.

Abstract: An exponentially decaying chime sound is generated with a single tri-statable output pin from a microprocessor which is implemented using a single digital output pin line to create states of low, high and disconnect which are input to a control circuit for output to a speaker. Preferably, the control circuit comprises a low pass filter in series with a buffer. Preferably, the buffer is a Darlington transistor. Preferably, the speaker is an electro-mechanical device, alternatively it may be a piezo-resistive device. A method is disclosed for generating a desired audible chime signal with a chime generating circuit regulating a tri-statable output via a single pin of a microprocessor to approximately generate a desired signal frequency, and preferably includes regulating said tri-statable output to produce amplitude decay of the desired signal frequency over time.