Abstract: Vehicular and/or walk behind vibratory compactors utilize a vibrated roller or plate to impose compaction forces on a densifiable strata, such as ground soil, a roadway base material or pavement. Utilizing a rotating energy source, such as a engine or hydraulic motor, to create the vibration appears to have reached its limit in the ability to provide a wide range of vibration frequencies and amplitudes to satisfy the ever increasing demands placed on vibratory compactors. Instead of relying upon rotational energy, the present invention contemplates the use of a linear oscillator to produce the vibrations, and preferably utilizes at least one electromagnet to control the frequency(s) and amplitude(s) of a compacting vibration. The present invention finds potential application in a wide range of vibratory compactors, including walk behind models that utilize a plate and larger vehicular models that include one or more vibrating rollers.

Abstract: A system for variably powering and vibrating a compaction roller on a compacting machine for use in compacting surfaces. The system includes a chassis and at least one compaction roller rotatably journaled to the chassis. The compaction roller forms the rotor of a variable reluctance motor for driving the roller in a rotational manner and for vibrating the roller.

Abstract: Vehicular and/or walk behind vibratory compactors utilize a vibrated roller or plate to impose compaction forces on a densifiable strata, such as ground soil, a roadway base material or pavement. Utilizing a rotating energy source, such as a engine or hydraulic motor, to create the vibration appears to have reached its limit in the ability to provide a wide range of vibration frequencies and amplitudes to satisfy the ever increasing demands placed on vibratory compactors. Instead of relying upon rotational energy, the present invention contemplates the use of a linear oscillator to produce the vibrations, and preferably utilizes at least one electromagnet to control the frequency(s) and amplitude(s) of a compacting vibration. The present invention finds potential application in a wide range of vibratory compactors, including walk behind models that utilize a plate and larger vehicular models that include one or more vibrating rollers.

Abstract: A system is provided for variably powering and vibrating a compaction roller on a compacting machine for use in compacting surfaces. The system includes a chassis and at least one compaction roller rotatably journaled to the chassis. The compaction roller forms the rotor of a variable reluctance motor for driving the roller in a rotational manner and for vibrating the roller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine using energy stored in a capacitor. The method and apparatus includes at least one battery for providing energy at a low voltage, an inverter for receiving the energy at the low voltage and producing energy at a high voltage, a capacitor for receiving and storing the energy at the high voltage, means for removing the low voltage source from the inverter, and at least one starter motor adapted to receive the energy at the high voltage from the capacitor and responsively start the engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing uninterrupted power during transitions between a primary power source and a standby power generator. The method and apparatus includes determining one of a power failure condition and a power return condition of the primary power source, transitioning between the primary power source and the standby power generator, and providing power to a load during the transition, the power being supplied by an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) having a capacitor supplied voltage.

Abstract: A spark plug with lower operating temperature has an electrode with a tip which evenly distributes heat imparted to the firing end portion of the spark plug. The electrical insulating material surrounding the electrode is spaced at a predetermined distance from the firing end portion of the spark plug to allow the heat to more quickly travel away from the firing end portion. An annular groove in the first end surface of the electrical insulating material minimizes electrical surface discharge between the electrode and the annular metal shell of the spark plug. Radii at locations of change in cross-section in the bore of the annular metal shell and the electrical insulating material serve to minimize voltage breakdown.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing standby power from a generator. The method and apparatus includes determining a power failure condition of a primary power source, disconnecting the primary power source from a load, connecting the generator to the load, connecting a first capacitor supplied voltage to a starter system, activating the starter system to start the generator, and providing a second capacitor supplied voltage to a capacitor monitor/diagnostics controller during a transition period between the primary power source and the generator standby power.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing a parameter of a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump includes a housing and an input shaft. The shaft is rotationally driven relative to the housing and electrically coupled to the housing. The hydraulic pump forms a variable capacitor. The apparatus includes an electrode portion positioned adjacent to the input shaft and is electrically isolated from the housing and input shaft. The electrode portion and the input shaft form a fixed capacitor. The fixed capacitor and the variable capacitor are coupled. The apparatus supplies electrical energy to the electrode portion and produces a capacitive signal indicative of the capacitance value of the variable capacitor. The apparatus further applies a filter to the capacitive signal and produces a filtered capacitive signal. The parameter of the hydraulic pump is determined as a function of the filtered capacitive signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for countering asymmetrical aerodynamic forces subjected onto an aircraft. Asymmetrical forces are counteracted by this invention automatically by selectively actuating force inducing elements in response detection of one of (a) differential longitudinal forces induced upon the aircraft by the engines and (b) undesirable rotation of the aircraft about longitudinal axis "c" of the aircraft. The force inducing elements of this invention function independent of primary control elements and other control surfaces of the aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the position of a work implement relative to an earthworking machine. An antenna is mounted to the machine and is oriented to transmit a high frequency signal toward the implement and receive a reflected signal back from the implement. An oscillator is electrically coupled to the antenna and energizes the antenna with electrical energy to generate the high frequency signal. The oscillator produces an output signal having a frequency responsive to the inductance of the antenna. A microprocessor based circuit receives the output signal of the oscillator and responsively determines the position of the work implement relative to the machine. The position of the work implement is a function of the frequency of the output signal.

Abstract: A spark ignition system of an internal combustion engine has a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from each other operating at high voltages to produce a spark in a combustion zone of the engine. The construction of the system permits the formation of long length sparks with a train of electrical pulses having a shortened total burst duration having higher power while using lower energy.

Abstract: A spark ignition system and spark plug for utilization in an internal combustion engine combusting an ultra lean fuel/air mixture has capacitors and rectifiers built within the spark plug and the system is constructed to be compact and capable of delivering a controlled spark that has the physical properties of providing a very fast, high power pulse or train of pulses greater than conventional spark plugs.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a liquid in a line includes a capacitor formed by a pair of electrodes. A charging circuit produces a charging current of constant magnitude. The charging current is used to charge the capacitor to a predetermined voltage. A timing circuit measures the time between the time at which the charging circuit begins to produce the charging current and the time at which the capacitor has been charged to the predetermined voltage. The timing circuit produces a pulse width modulated signal. The magnitude of the pulse width modulated signal is indicative of the time difference.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the pressure of a liquid in a container includes a capacitor formed by a pair of electrodes. A charging circuit produces a charging current of constant magnitude. The charging current is used to charge the capacitor to a predetermined voltage. A timing circuit measures the elapsed time between the time at which the charging circuit begins to produce the charging current and the time at which the capacitor has been charged to the predetermined voltage. The timing circuit produces a pulse width modulated signal. The magnitude of the pulse width modulated signal is indicative of the time difference and thus, the pressure within the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting particles within a hydraulic system having a hydraulic line includes a capacitor formed by a pair of electrodes. A charging circuit produces a charging current of constant magnitude. The charging current is used to charge the capacitor to a predetermined voltage. A timing circuit measures the elapsed time between the time at which the charging circuit begins to produce the charging current and the time at which the capacitor has been charged to the predetermined voltage. The timing circuit produces a pulse width modulated signal. The magnitude of the pulse width modulated signal is indicative of the time difference. A controller receives the pulse width modulated signal and detects particles by comparing the duration of each pulse with a reference pulse.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing two parameters of a hydraulic system having a hydraulic line includes a pair of electrodes contained within the line and oppositely spaced, forming a capacitor. The apparatus alternately produces first and second charging currents having first and second constant magnitudes, respectively, and charges the capacitor to respective first and second predetermined voltages. The apparatus detects the time needed to charge to the first and second predetermined voltages and produces a pulse width modulated signal having a series of alternating first and second pulses. The first and second pulses are indicative of the first and second parameters, respectively. The first pulse is defined by the time required to charge the capacitor to the first predetermined voltage. The second pulse is defined by the time required to charge the capacitor to the second predetermined voltage. The apparatus determines the two parameters as a function of the pulse width modulated signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the remaining life of hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic system having a hydraulic container includes a capacitor formed by a pair of electrodes. A charging circuit produces a charging current of constant magnitude. The charging current is used to charge the capacitor to a predetermined voltage. A timing circuit measures the elapsed time between the time at which the charging circuit begins to produce the charging current and the time at which the capacitor has been charged to the predetermined voltage. The timing circuit also produces a pulse width modulated signal. The magnitude of the pulse width modulated signal is indicative of the time difference. A controller receives the pulse width modulated signal and determines the life of the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a joystick is disclosed. The joystick includes a control shaft and a pivotal mount for the control shaft. A plurality of centering springs bias the control shaft to a neutral position, and extend and contract in response to pivotal movement of the control shaft. An oscillator circuit is coupled to the centering springs and produces an output signal having a frequency responsive to the inductance of the centering springs.

Abstract: A spark ignition system of an internal combustion engine has a plurality of electrodes operating at high voltages to produce a plurality of sparks across the combustion zone. The construction of the system permits the formation of long length sparks while substantially maintain the utilization of customary electrical wiring sizes.