Abstract: An automatic transmission including a torque converter and a multiple stage transmission gear mechanism. A hydraulically actuated brake and a hydraulically actuated clutch is provided for alternate engagement to select alternately one of two adjacent gear stages. In order to prevent gear shift shock, the engaging of the clutch or the brake is controlled so that the engaging rate is faster for a predetermined time period in an initial period of a gear shifting operation than in a remainder period. A control circuit is provided to monitor the gear shifting operation and modifying the predetermined time period in accordance with the results of the latest gear shifting operation and store the modified value for the use in a next gear shifting operation.

Abstract: If a driver wishes to start off an automotive vehicle in second or third gear when the vehicle is at rest on a road surface having a low coefficient of friction, as is the case when a road surface is covered with snow, the driver operates a winter mode selection switch while the transmission is in the speed range in which the vehicle ordinarily travels, i.e. the D range. After the vehicle has started off in the higher gear following use of the switch, the transmission switches over to the ordinary travel mode automatically as vehicle velocity rises. In a case where the engine is turned off and then restarted, the transmission switches over to the ordinary travel mode automatically. This eliminates any inconvenience that might be caused by forgetting to operate the switch prior to the restarting of the engine.

Abstract: A triangular mesh generation apparatus has a feedback rate calculation unit and a triangular mesh generation unit. The feedback rate calculation unit obtains feedback rate r.sub.i for a given node i from the following relationship: ##EQU1## where d.sub.i is a distance between the respective adjacent nodes, a is a distance between nodes i-1 and i, b is a distance between nodes i and i+1, and .alpha.>0. The triangular ratio generation unit generates triangular meshes as follows:(1) When .theta..ltoreq.90.degree., a triangular element is generated by node i and its adjacent nodes i-1 and i+1.(2) When 90.degree.<.theta.<150.degree., node j1' is obtained on a line dividing internal boundary angle .theta. into two equal parts at distance l1'=r.sub.i .times.l1 from node i. Then, two triangular elements are respectively generated by nodes i, i-1, and j1', and nodes i, i+1, and j1'. Here, l1= ##EQU2## (3) When 150.degree.<.theta.<180.degree.

Abstract: An electronic slip control system for railway vehicle brakes having a standard slip control logic circuit responsive to axle speed and rate signals to produce a multi-bit binary number word. A primary slip control word formation circuit for converting the multi-bit binary number word to a hexidecimal number word which is conveyed to a primary slip control table. The primary slip control table circuit conveys the hexidecimal number word to a table output selection circuit. A synchronous slip control logic circuit responsive to the axle speed and rate signals to produce a multi-bit binary word. A synchronous slip control word formation circuit for converting the multi-bit binary number word to a hexidecimal number word which is conveyed to a synchronous slip control table circuit.

Abstract: The fuel injection quantity required for maintaining the air-fuel ratio of the mixture supplied to each cylinder of an engine at a desired value is determined by a deposition rate X at which injected fuel deposits and forms a film mass on an intake manifold wall of the engine and a vaporization rate 1/.tau. at which the film mass vaporizes from the manifold wall, a current film mass quantity M.sub.f determined from the calculated X and l/.tau. and the fuel quantity by the preceding injection, a desired fuel quantity Q.sub.a /(A/F) to be supplied air-fuel ratio A/F in accordance with the following equation ##EQU1## an air-fuel ratio feedback correction factor .gamma. aiming at a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio based on a signal generated by an O.sub.2 sensor is calculated and an actual quantity of fuel corresponding to G.sub.f .multidot..gamma. is injected. A film mass quantity in a current computing cycle is based on the film mass quantity calculated during the previous computing cycle.

Abstract: A method of acquiring dimensional and gauge data of objects and work pieces, such as forgings or the like, uses two image producing sensors, each being up and down tiltable about a horizontal axis and swivable from side to side about a vertical axis. At least one of the sensors is directed initially towards the object for acquiring position data on a particular point of the object such as a point of intersection of two contrast lines. One of these sensors is then positioned, including tilting and/or swiveling until a particular image field point coincides with the intersection point whereupon the other sensor has a particular image field point trained on that same particular intersection point. Finally, dimensional and guage data of the object is derived from angular position data of multiple points as so acquired by the two sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for adapting the estimated probability of either the less likely or more likely outcome (event) of a binary decision in a sequence of binary decisions involves the up-dating of the estimated probability in response to the renormalization of an augend A. The augend A changes value with each binary decision, the size of the change depending on which of the binary events has occurred as input. Re-normalization of A occurs when the A value becomes less than a prescribed minimum value AMIN. According to the invention, there may be differing contexts in which binary decisions may occur, each context having a corresponding estimated probability value which is up-dated with binary decisions in the respective context. Also according to the invention, there may be one or more possible next values for an estimated probability in response to a given binary decision event.

Abstract: A method and control for controlling an AMT system (10) having an operator actuated engine compression brake (17) is provided including sensing vehicle deceleration and monitoring throttle position (THL), vehicle brake actuation (BRK) and engine compression brake (ECB) actuation to select one of three (50, 52, 54) mutually exclusive vehicle deceleration downshift shift profiles.

Abstract: As engine control apparatus for electrically controlling a fuel and ignition timing for a multicylinder 4-cycle engine comprises a plurality of first micro-computer each being provided for every one of or for every pair of cylinders in which compression and exhaust strokes are in phase, and a second micro-computer which is arranged to communicate with each first micro-computer. The first micro-computer calculates a fundamental quantity of fuel injection from a rotational signal and a load signal of the engine, a correction quantity according to correction control information from the second micro-computer, and controls the operation of a fuel injection valve, the ignition timing from the rotational signal and load signal, a correction quantity according to correction control information from the second micro-computer, and controls the on/off operation of ignition coils according to the ignition timing.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine comprises an engine speed sensor, a section for producing a feedback correction value in accordance with a difference between speed of the engine detected by the engine speed sensor and a target idling speed when the engine is in a specific idle operation, a section for producing a learning control correction value based on the feedback correction value and storing the produced learning control correction value in a memory to renew a stored learning control correction value, a section for the performing a feedback control for the speed of the engine with the feedback correction value and the learning control correction value combined with a fundamental control value to keep an actual idling speed of the engine at the target idling speed, an air-fuel ratio sensor, a section for performing a feedback control for an air-fuel ratio of a fuel mixture in accordance with an detection output of the air-fuel ratio sensor, a section for detecting malfunction of the air

Abstract: A method for fine decomposition in finite element mesh generation, in which a polygonal boundary of a domain is input into the system by an analyst and the domain is automatically divided into rough elements generally corresponding to Voronoi regions, that is, regions which are closer to respective ones of the polygonal line segments or reflex vertices therebetween. Any arc portion of these regions is converted to a straight line. Additional lines are formed between interior vertices of the rough regions so that all rough regions are either triangles or trapezoids. Adjacent rough regions are then paired across internal boundaries and are classified into four types. The rough regions are then subdivided into fine regions of triangular shape according to rules associated with each of the four types. The degree of fine subdivision can be controlled according to known equations providing the total number of fine elements.

Abstract: In a sensing system having relatively movable fixture and sample elements in which measured data is corrupted in proportion to the departure of the fixture from its ideal position, as from mechanical intolerances, etc., a reference disc and reference sensor are disclosed. The reference sensor and disc are provided for measuring the non-repeatable departure from ideal so that the measured data can be compensated thereby in real time for the error thereby improving the accuracy of the measured data. This system is operable in combination with a repeatable error elimination system insuring complete error removal.

Abstract: A rotational position detector for controlling an internal combustion engine comprises a rotary body rotatable in synchronism with internal combustion engine operation. A plurality of detectable portions is disposed on the rotary body. A pulse generator is operatively positioned adjacent to the rotary body for generating a pulse each time one of the detectable portions on the rotary body passes the pulse generator. A measuring device measures time intervals between respective pulses. An increase/decrease discriminator is provided to compare previous and current values of the output of the measuring device to check for an increase or decrease therein. A memory stores the output of the increase/decrease discriminator for a predetermined period in an increase/decrease pattern. A comparator compares the increase/decrease pattern with a predetermined increase/decrease pattern and develops an output for controlling the operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A device to be mounted on a car for assisting a driver to make a parallel parking or a perpendicular parking, comprises displacement-sensing devices to measure specific distance that the car moves, obstacle-sensing devices for sensing the position of obstacles around a car, and a microcomputer that can, in accordance with the driver's instructions and the data received from aforesaid displacement-sensing devices and obstacle-sensing devices, generate various signals to tell the driver to drive the car forwards, to stop the car, to turn the car left or right, or to back the car so as to park the car along a specific path, further more, the microcomputer may generate an output signal to control the steering mechanism the transmission, the accelerator, and the brake system for backing the car into a parking space automatically.

Abstract: In a method for measuring vehicle speed, initial vehicle speed measurement after a vehicle speed measurement power supply is turned on, is based on the predicted number of pulses to occur during a time interim which is in turn based on a period of a single pulse generated by a vehicle speed signal. After a predetermined time interval has passed, vehicle speed measurement is based on the actual number of pulses generated by vehicle speed signals during that time interval.

Abstract: A wheel alignment system includes either four wheel mountable alignment heads or two alignment heads and two retroreflectors or two alignment heads alone together with a control console and display. A main processing unit is included in the console for performing calculations and for controlling systems function control components communications sequences. Each console function control component includes its own controller. The control console further includes a CRT display module and optional voice instruction and printer output modules. A bar code reader is available for quick specifications entry. Communications and decision making instructions are downloaded from the controller in each console function control component to the main processing unit at initialization. Communication between the heads and the console is accomplished either through the use of conducting cords or infrared transmission and reception.

Abstract: A control and control method for a semi-automatic mechanical transmission system (10) is provided for sensing operator request for a direct downshift into an optimum pull-away ratio and for automatically determining and engaging the optimum pull-away ratio.

Abstract: A control system and method for a semi-automatic mechanical transmission system (10) is provided for allowing operator request for a direct downshift into transmission neutral, under certain predefined conditioned, by a single movement of the shift lever (1).

Abstract: A multiple forward speed automatic transmission produces its lowest forward speed ratio when a hydraulic clutch and hydraulic brake are disengaged and a one-way clutch connects a ring gear to the transmission casing. Second forward speed ratio results when the hydraulic clutch is engaged to connect the ring gear to the planetary carrier of a second gear set. Reverse drive and regenerative operation result when an hydraulic brake fixes the planetary and the direction of power flow is reversed. Various sensors produce signals representing the position of the gear selector lever operated manually by the vehicle operator, the speed of the power source, the state of the ignition key, and the rate of release of an accelerator pedal. A control algorithm produces input data representing a commanded upshift, a commanded downshift and a torque command and various constant torque signals. A microprocessor processes the input and produces a response to them in accordance with the execution of a control algorithm.

Abstract: A computerized video imaging system is provided which includes a target mount for supporting a target photographic transparency. A lamphouse is positioned to pass light through the transparency and includes light sources for a set of primary colors. An image sensor is positioned to receive light passing from the lamphouse through the transparency and generates video signals representing hue and intensity of the light. Image storage means are provided for storing color reference representations of the reference transparency. A color video monitor receives signals related to the reference representations and the target video signals. A computer interfaces with the light source and the image storage to calculate photographic color correction values for the target transparency.