Abstract: A hydraulic system for use in an automotive vehicle. A source of hydraulic pressure selectively operates in two modes. In one mode, it feeds a radiator cooling fan and a power steering system in parallel when a system pressure or flow exceeds a predetermined pressure rate. In another mode, it feeds the radiator cooling fan and the power steering system in series when the system pressure or flow is less than the predetermined pressure or flow.

Abstract: A fluid control system for powering vehicle accessories includes a pump for generating a supply flow of hydraulic fluid, and a supply line for receiving the supply flow of hydraulic fluid. The system further includes a fan control circuit in fluid communication with the supply line, wherein the fan control circuit includes (1) a hydraulic motor and a bypass valve, and (2) the hydraulic motor is positioned in parallel with the bypass valve. The system also includes a steering control circuit in fluid communication with the fan control circuit, wherein (1) the steering control circuit requires a first predetermined flow of hydraulic fluid from the fan control circuit for proper operation thereof, and (2) the bypass valve and the hydraulic motor cooperate so as to create a second predetermined flow of hydraulic fluid. Moreover, the system includes a sensor for detecting operational pressure within the fluid supply line and generating pressure status signals in response thereto.

Abstract: A fluid control system for powering vehicle accessories includes a pump for generating a supply flow of hydraulic fluid. The system also includes a fluid valve assembly having a housing which includes an inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet, and a third outlet defined therein. The inlet is in fluid communication with the supply flow of fluid. The fluid valve assembly provides (1) a first fluid path between the inlet and the first outlet, (2) a second fluid path between the inlet and the second outlet, and (3) a third fluid path between the inlet and the third outlet. The system also includes a fan motor for rotating an engine cooling fan. The fan motor is in fluid communication with the first outlet. Moreover, the system includes a steering control circuit which is in fluid communication with the second outlet. The system further includes a reservoir which is in fluid communication with the third outlet. A method of controlling fluid flow between a plurality of vehicle components is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor system minimizes wasted power by using a plurality of fixed displacement hydraulic motors to drive a drive shaft in a cooperative manner. The motors are selectively switched into operation in response to variations in fluid pressure. As a consequence the hydraulic fluid acts upon a motor system having an effective combined displacement for producing a predetermined shaft rotation rate at the volumetric flow rate which caused the pressure condition. The invention is disclosed as having particular utility for driving a cooling fan for an automotive engine.

Abstract: Under the invention, collection surfaces are provided in a vehicle. The invention uses the collection surfaces to collect rainwater for a windshield washing system. The collection surfaces become contaminated by agents such as road salt. The invention uses initial rainwater to flush the collection surfaces, and discards this initial rainwater. Then, the invention uses the flushed surfaces to collect subsequent rainwater.

Abstract: A fluid supply system provides hydraulic fluid to a series combination of an automotive fan motor and a power steering unit. There is a bypass line around the fan motor for prioritizing the operation of the power steering unit. A normally closed pressure sequencing valve opens the bypass line when the pressure across the overall series combination exceeds a predetermined limit. Optional second and third bypass lines are disclosed for respectively bypassing either the power steering unit or the fan motor in case of abnormal conditions therein.

Abstract: The invention concerns rainwater sensors for windshields. In one embodiment, a first, inner, conductive film is applied to the inner surface of the windshield, and a second film, of same size and shape as the first, is applied to the outer surface. However, a narrow strip is removed from the second film, forming a gap which divides the second film into parts 1 and 2. The resulting structure forms two capacitors, namely: (1) inner film plus part 1, and (2) inner film plus part 2. The impedance of one capacitor is monitored. When rain occurs, it falls into the gap between parts 1 and 2, and acts as a resistor, bridging part 1 to part 2. This bridging adds a new impedance in parallel with the first capacitor, thereby changing the effective impedance. This change indicates the presence of rain.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor system minimizes wasted power by using a plurality of fixed displacement hydraulic motors to drive a drive shaft in a cooperative manner. The motors are selectively switched into operation in response to variations in fluid pressure. As a consequence the hydraulic fluid acts upon a motor system having an effective combined displacement for producing a predetermined shaft rotation rate at the volumetric flow rate which caused the pressure condition. The invention is disclosed as having particular utility for driving a cooling fan for an automotive engine.

Abstract: A fluid supply system provides hydraulic fluid to a series combination of an automotive fan motor and a power steering unit. There is a bypass line around the fan motor for prioritizing the operation of the power steering unit. A normally closed pressure sequencing valve opens the bypass line when the pressure across the overall series combination exceeds a predetermined limit. Optional second and third bypass lines are disclosed for respectively bypassing either the power steering unit or the fan motor in case of abnormal conditions therein.

Abstract: A water drop sensor comprises a pair of electrodes disposed in association with a portion of a surface of a vehicle window within a wipe pattern and having edges defining an extended insulating gap between the electrodes. The electrodes define a gap which varies in width over the range of diameters of drops to be sensed. The result is that the sensor shows more sensitivity to larger drops than to smaller drops as compared with a similar sensor having a constant gap width. The variation in gap width may be continuous or stepwise over the total range of drop diameters.

Abstract: A particulate material having liquid-responsive, adhesive material mixed with sorbent material in particulate form to be wet. After being wet, the adhesive material dries and causes particles that have been wet to adhere together in clumps that can easily be separated from the particles that have not been wet.

Abstract: A litter handling system that includes two receptacles, each of which is capable of holding particulate litter and the juxtaposed edges of which are shaped to be releasably clamped to opposite surfaces of a separator that has elongated openings, to separate reusable particulate litter from clumps therein as the clamped assembly is rolled over to transfer the particulate litter, which has clumps in it, from a first one of the receptacles to the other.

Abstract: A vehicle wiper park mechanism includes a shutoff gear that turns at half the speed and substantially diametrically opposed interrupts that are interconnected randomly, with approximately equal frequency, to park the wipers. The interrupts are offset from an exact diametrical opposition by an angle sufficient to assure that the wiper blades will be randomly flexed in opposite directions when parked, thereby avoiding a permanent blade set with time.

Abstract: A reverse-to-park windshield wiper crank arm assembly. The assembly includes a hub on the wiper motor shaft, a control member around and rotatable relative to the hub, an intermediate link having one end pivotally connected to a crank pin on the hub and including a slot which slidably receives a guide pin on the control member, a drive lug on the hub engageable on the side of the intermediate link and a coil torsion brake spring disposed in an annular space between the hub and a surrounding inner wall of the motor housing. When the hub rotates in one direction corresponding to normal windshield wiping, the intermediate link is captured in a folded position and rotates as a unit with the hub while a tang on the hub engages a first hook-like formation on one end of the brake spring and flexes the springs to flexed conditions.

Abstract: In a windshield wiper drive system of the type having a reciprocating drive link and a reversible electric motor, a variable throw crank arm assembly between the drive link and the motor drive shaft including a first arm rigidly attached to the drive shaft, a second arm pivotally attached to the first arm and to an end of the drive link, a guide follower on the second arm, and a guide channel on the motor housing receiving the guide follower. The guide channel has a circular portion centered on the drive shaft axis and a noncircular escape portion radially outboard of the circular portion and merging therewith at a junction. When the drive shaft rotates continuously in one direction, the guide follower traverses the circular portion and holds the second arm in a short-throw folded position relative to the first arm.

Abstract: A mounting for a windshield wiper pivot shaft on a vehicle cowl panel includes a transmission having a housing defining a base surface and a tower projecting from the base surface, a bore through the tower for rotatably supporting the pivot shaft, a rectangular aperture in the cowl panel having a pivot edge, a circular aperture in the cowl panel overlapping the rectangular aperture, a lip on the housing at one end of the base surface, and protuberances on the housing on an imaginary circle having a radius corresponding to but slightly larger than the radius of the circular aperture. The transmission is mounted on the cowl panel by inserting the tower through the overlapped apertures, hooking the lip on the pivot edge, and pivoting the housing toward the cowl panel so that the protuberances engage the circular aperture in interference fit fashion to remove all clearance between the transmission and the cowl panel when the base surface abuts the cowl panel.