Abstract: A system and method for obtaining engine diagnostic and prognostic information utilizing current, time and crank position data obtained from the starter motor during the starting of an engine and represented as a starter motor current waveform. The time domain waveform is transformed to the spatial domain. Thereafter, the spatial waveform is deconvolved into its constituent components using known digital signal processing, such as Fourier Transformations, and along with derived engine parameters provide engine status and diagnostic information. Weibull techniques may be used to further process the engine status and diagnostic information to improve accuracy.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and reporting on the condition of a vehicle battery which measures battery voltage and current drain during engine start, and computes the battery dynamic internal resistance (IR) and dynamic polarization resistance (PR) from these quantities. Also, the quiescent voltage (QV) of the battery, which is that measured while the vehicle electrical system has a current drain of from 0 to a predetermined amount, is measured and the battery state-of-charge (SoC) is computed from the QV. From these quantities, calculations are made of quantities such as rate of change of dynamic IR and PR to analyze battery condition, rate of change of QV and SoC to predict the time during which the battery can still start the engine, and minimum ambient temperature at which the battery will be able to start the engine, and of other conditions.

Abstract: Current flowing into and out of a battery installed in a vehicle (V) with the required cable between one of the battery terminals and a reference point on the vehicle is determined by measuring the voltage across the cable and computing the current from the digital value of the measured current. The resistance value of the cable can be known in which case the current is computed using Ohms law and a differential current sensor can be used to respond to the voltage measured across the cable to accommodate for different ranges of current. In an embodiment where the cable resistance is unknown, a reference current source produces a known voltage that is used to set the input value to an amplifier of fixed gain for the voltage measured across the cable by controlling the output of a potentiometer so that the amplifier output voltage can be set to match the reference current generator output voltage, thereby establishing the voltage output of the amplifier as a measurement of the current flow in the cable.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatic recovery of sulfated lead acid batteries rely on monitoring battery voltage, current and internal resistance during battery charging. The lead acid battery is recovered for usage by measuring the internal resistance to see if it is so high such that the battery is unrecoverable, or so low such that the normal charging methods can be used. If the internal resistance is between the two limits, the battery receives a first constant charge current. As the lead acid battery is being charged slowly by a constant charge current, the battery voltage is measured. The decrease in the internal resistance (IR) of the battery causes the battery voltage to decrease during charging, while the charging causes the battery voltage to increase. According to the present invention, if it is detected that the battery voltage has reached the minimum voltage and begun to increase in a predetermined period of time, the charge current is substantially increased (e.g.

Abstract: A planer contact grid array connector features a selectively ceramic coated metal substrate in combination with ceramic thick film and/or multi-layer thin film circuitry and contacts of various configurations which may be affixed to or incorporated in mating connector halves. Planer contact array connectors of the type described have coaxial connection features, increased power handling capability and improved means for effecting gas-tight contact between mating connector halves. Additionally, the connectors are more reliable, lighter and more rugged than currently available connectors and have the capability of incorporating integral ceramic thick film components such as capacitors and resistors for filtering, impedance control and signal/power conditioning, as the case may be.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in dielectric type printed circuit boards having wells for mounting active circuit components on a metal substrate for heat dissipation. The improvement resides in a hermetic seal for the printed circuit board which includes a lid hermetically sealed to the top surface of the circuit board, as well as a chemically vapor deposited coating on the dielectric around the active components to prevent seepage of water and oxyen through the lid edges and into the well regions which would otherwise be detrimental to the active components.

Abstract: A high circuit density printed circuit board is manufactured on a metal substrate by building a layer of photoimageable dielectric on the metal substrate and then imaging the dielectric in a manner so as to create wells for active components which are mounted directly on the metal substrate for the purpose of heat dissipation. The build up of the dielectric layer can be improved to provide circuit traces such as, for example, buried coaxial cables prior to the imaging process to achieve even higher density with conventional circuit boards.

Abstract: A fault diagnostic system for a unit under test is disclosed which features behavior models for incorporating design knowledge of the unit under test into the system so as to implement a specification-based diagnostic approach while reducing the number of diagnostic tests. The arrangement is such that the featured diagnostic capabilities can be used with automatic test equipment or test instrumentation, and may be used to provide test programs for the automatic test equipment.

Abstract: Switching equipment in a testing apparatus employs a common signal bus (B1, B2), a plurality of switching networks (14), a plurality of switching couplers (28, 30, 32) and a control device (40). The testing apparatus can measure with a plurality of instruments (26) the response of a unit under test (10), which unit has a plurality of test terminals (12). The switching networks (14) each have at least two active states. In each of its active states the switching networks (14) are operable to connect at least one of the plurality of test terminals (12) to the bus (B1, B2). Each of the networks has a selection input (24) operable to select its state. The switching couplers (28, 30, 32) each has a control terminal (34, 36, 38). Each also has a switched input connected to a different corresponding one of the instruments. Each of these couplers (28, 30, 32) is operable by its control terminal (34, 36, 38) to connect and disconnect its corresponding one of the instruments (26) to the bus (B1, B2).

Abstract: A calibrator (FIG. 1) can calibrate a magnetic azimuth detector (18) of a craft (50). The service detector (18) is responsive to the magnetic field of the earth to provide a service heading signal. The calibrator includes a test detector (10) for providing a test signal signifying the magnetic orientation of the test detector with respect to the prevailing magnetic field of the earth. Also included is a turntable (12) for rotatably supporting the test detector (10). Also included is a calibration computer (34) connected to the test detector (10) and responsive to the test heading signal. The calibration computer (34) is operable to determine the variations in the test heading signal due to changes in the magnetic field of the earth. The calibration computer (34) is operable to connect to the service detector (18) and determine the difference in the service heading signal when the craft (50) is adjacent to and removed from the service detector (18).

Abstract: Apparatus for expanding the direct addressing range and memory size of digital computer means by managing memory device power and controlling memory device/processing unit interfaces by input/output (I/O) instructions. Memory modules are provided which are selectively powered in response to the (I/O) instructions to provide the aforenoted expansion.