Abstract: An automotive transmission control is shown having pressure switches to sense the state of actuation of solenoid valves to provide logic signals to a microprocessor type of transmission control. The pressure switches, which sense the pressure of hydraulic fluid used to actuate the solenoid valves, use a dished shaped metallic diaphragm characterized in that the pressure-deflection curve of the center of the diaphragm has minimal hysteresis and reflects that the diaphragm is relatively stiff having a positive coefficient of pressure with increasing deflection up to and above a range of set point pressures within which the effective spring rate of the diaphragm changes with the diaphragm being relatively supple but having little or no negative coefficient of pressure.In a first embodiment a housing is shown in which a conductive lead pattern is molded in the housing with a plurality of switching stations.

Abstract: A dual condition responsive switch is shown including first and second discs each having convex-concave surface configurations on opposite sides thereof adapted to invert its configuration upon being subjected to selected conditions. A motion transfer member extends from the second disc to an electric switch. At a first range of conditions the first disc prevents actuation of the switch, at a second range of conditions the curvature of the first disc has inverted allowing actuation of the switch while at a third range of conditions the curvature of the second disc has inverted resulting in deactuation of the switch.

Abstract: A resistor particularly useful as a multiphase, self-regulating fluid heater has passages extending through a body of ceramic resistance material of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC) for heating fluid adapted to pass therethrough. Several embodiments are provided with electrically conductive coatings formed on inner walls of the passages with the passage walls defining thin webs of the resistance material having uniform thickness from end to end. The passages are arranged in a plurality of sets with the conductive coating on the walls of the passages of each set interconnected and adapted for electrical connection with a respective electrical phase. The passages of the sets are alternated relative to one another throughout the body with a passage of one set immediately adjacent only to passages of other sets. The passages are configured in different embodiments including hexagonal, triangular and rectangular as seen in plan view showing one end of the body.

Abstract: A heater system for a diesel fuel filter comprises a housing, a self-regulating electrical resistance heater element of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity arranged in heat-transfer relation to thermally conducting components to form a heater means, the heater means being mounted within the housing so that diesel fuel passes directly over and around the various thermally conducting components of the heater means to elevate the temperature of the fuel as it passes to the filter to deter clogging of the filter by paraffin or other fuel components which may solidify in the fuel at lower temperatures, and electrically conducting means which extend from the housing in sealed relation to the housing for electrically connecting the heater means to a source of electrical power.

Abstract: A self regulating heater for use in an early fuel evaporation (EFE) system for an automotive engine includes a thermally conductive thick metal radiator body having a heat receiving side an opposite side provided with a plurality of heat-disturbing fins for transferring heat to a fuel heating zone. A plurality of self-regulating ceramic electrical resistance having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC) each have a first side bonded by an electrically and thermally conductive adhesive to a first side of a thin thermally and electrically conductive metal plate. The plate has a limited portion thereof secured, for example, by a screw, in electrically conductive relation to the radiator body with the opposite side of the thin plate in closely spaced, facing, heat-transfer relation to the heat receiving side of the radiator body.

Abstract: A fuel filter system for a diesel engine has filter means mounted in a housing so that diesel fuel flows through the filter as it passes to the engine and has self-regulating electrical resistance heater means mounted in the housing so that, particularly when the engine is started at low ambient temperatures, the fuel flows directly over the contacts, terminals and heater elements of the heater means for elevating the temperature of the fuel as it passes through the filter without risk of over heating the fuel, thereby to safely deter clogging of the filter by paraffin or other fuel components which may solidify in the fuel at relatively low engine starting temperatures.

Abstract: A carburetion system for providing improved cold start engine operation comprises a carburetor having an air-fuel passage, an air inlet to the passage, a fuel inlet to the passage for mixing fuel and air in the passage, and an outlet from the passage for delivering a mixture of air and vaporized fuel to the engine. A heater comprising a ceramic resistor body of a material of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity has a plurality of passages extending through the body and has means directing electrical current through the body for heating the body. The heater is mounted at the outlet of the air fuel passage of the carburetor with the heater body passages aligned with the air-fuel passage to pass the air-fuel mixture through the heater passages in heat-transfer relation to the body to facilitate vaporization and mixing of the fuel in the air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: A carburetion system for providing improved cold start engine operation comprises a carburetor having an air-fuel passage, an air inlet to the passage, a fuel inlet to the passage for mixing fuel and air in the passage, and an outlet from the passage for delivering a mixture of air and vaporized fuel to the engine. A heater comprising a ceramic resistor body of a material of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity has a plurality of passages extending through the body and has means directing electrical current through the body for heating the body. The heater is mounted at the outlet of the air-fuel passage of the carburetor with the heater body passages aligned with the air-fuel passage to pass the air-fuel mixture through the heater passages in heat-transfer relation to the body to facilitate vaporization and mixing of the fuel in the air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: A carburetion system for improving cold starting of an automotive engine comprises a carburetor having an air-fuel passage, an air inlet to the passage, a fuel inlet to the passage for mixing fuel and air in the passage, and an outlet from the passage for delivering a mixture of an air and vaporized fuel to the engine. A heater comprising a ceramic resistor body of a material of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity has a plurality of relatively large passages extending in a pattern in spaced side-by-side relation to each other through the body between opposite ends of the body for defining thin webs of the resistor material between adjacent body passages. The heater is mounted at the outlet of the carburetor air-fuel passage with the heater passages aligned with the air-fuel passage to pass the air-fuel mixture through the heater passages in heat transfer relation to the body.

Abstract: A system for monitoring usage of seat belt means in a motor vehicle includes electrically operable visual signaling means and electrically operable audible signaling means. A first switch is operable in response to initiation of motor vehicle operation for connecting the signaling means to an electrical power supply in the vehicle. An additional switch is operable in response to fastening of the vehicle seat belt means for preventing operation of the audible signaling means when the seat belt means are properly fastened. A pair of first electrical resistors of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity which are adapted to display a sharp increase in resistivity when heated to predetermined operating temperatures are arranged in series between the vehicle power supply and the visual and audible signaling means respectively for terminating operation of said signaling means individually when said first resistors are heated to said operating temperatures.