Abstract: An electro/pneumatic proportional valve having a housing defining an upper and lower chamber separated by an annular web. An inlet port and exhaust port concentric with the annular web are provided in said lower chamber while an outlet port is provided in the upper chamber. An exhaust cylinder is resiliently disposed through the exhaust port and has a radial flange engaging said annular web to occlude the annular web's central opening. The exhaust cylinder also has an axial bore passing therethrough and exiting through the exhaust port. A piston disposed in the upper chamber has a pintle which is operative to engage the exhaust cylinder with the displacement of the piston and occlude the exhaust cylinder's axial bore. Pilot valves are provided to pressurize the upper chamber in response to a pulse train signal displacing the piston towards the web. The displacement of the piston causes the pintle to engage the exhaust cylinder and unseat it from the annular web.

Abstract: An electric power assisted steering system for a automotive vehicle having a torque shaft connecting the vehicle's steering wheel with the vehicle's steering mechanism. Rotary power is applied to the output end of the torque shaft by a low speed, high torque electrical motor through a low gear ratio planetary gear system disposed concentrically about the torque shaft. The electric motor is energized by a power amplifier in response to a torque signal generated by a torque sensor responsive to the magnitude and direction of the torque applied between the input and output ends of the torque shaft. The power amplifier has an antilog gain characteristic eliminating the need for a vehicle speed input to reduce or eliminate the authority of the power steering mechanism a nominal and higher vehicle speeds.

Abstract: An electric power assisted steering mechanism for a automotive vehicle having a torque shaft interconnecting the vehicles steering wheel with the steering gear box. Electrical power is applied to the output end of the torque shaft by a low speed, high torque electrical motor through a low gear ratio planetary gear system disposed concentrically about the torque shaft. The electric motor is energized by a power amplifier in response to a torque signal generated by a torque sensor responsive to the magnitude and direction of the torque applied between the input and output ends of the torque shaft. The power amplifier has an anti-log gain characteristic eliminating the need for a vehicle speed input to reduce or eliminate the authority of the power steering mechanism a nominal and higher vehicle speeds.

Abstract: A drag-type flow meter is disclosed of the type having a drag plate disposed in the fluid flow stream, the velocity of which is to be measured. The drag plate is mounted on a cantilevered arm which is pivitally mounted externally of the fluid flow passage, with a tensioned wire counteracting the drag force tending to pivot the arm. The tensioned wire is disposed in a magentic field and an electrical current is passed through the wire to cause vibration of the wire, the frequency of which varies linearly with the drag force exerted on the drag plate due to the corresponding change in wire tension. Varying frequency of the current provides a digital electrical signal which varies linearly with fluid flow velocity. Embodiments are described enclosing the wire mounting components in a vacuum housing in order to minimize the air damping of the wire vibration, and a mounting arrangement minimizing the effects of temperature variation on the output signal.