Abstract: A matrix consisting of glass microspheres and cured epoxy is disposed in a cavity at the backside of the silicon diaphragm to strengthen the diaphragm without any significant adverse influence on the ability of the sensor to quickly and accurately respond to changes in mass air flow. The strenthening which is imparted to the device enables it to comply with certain specifications defining the extent to which the device must be capable of withstanding damage from air-entrained dust particles acting on the frontside of the diaphragm.

Abstract: An adaptive glow plug controller provides a tracking model temperature means for controlling the application of power to one or more glow plugs in response to the present temperature of the glow plugs. Several control circuits control the maximum time that the power is supplied to the glow plugs and the use of the glow plugs at various temperature levels of the environment and/or the engine.

Abstract: An adaptive braking control circuit and a solenoid valve actuated by the control circuit is protected by a fuse which is blown when a malfunction of the solenoid exists. However, if the voltage produced by the vehicle electrical supply falls below a predtermined level insufficient to actuate the solenoid valve, the adaptive braking control circuit is disabled without blowing the fuse. A control circuit is provided which senses a malfunction in the solenoid, and which generates a fuse blowing signal which is used to actuate a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) in order to blow the fuse. However, under the low voltage condition, this fuse blowing signal is inhibited.

Abstract: An adaptive braking system for a vehicle having fluid pressure operated brakes includes a skid detecting circuit for generating a skid detecting signal when an incipient skidding condition is detected, a pressure command generator which is responsive to the skid detecting signal for generating a pressure command signal, and a duty cycle translator responsive to the pressure command signal to actuate the brake pressure modulator. The duty cycle translator includes a circuit which generates a signal modeling the actual pressure level in the vehicle brake actuators. Since the modulator is actuated by a solenoid which is powered by the vehicle electrical supply, the opening and closing times of the solenoid will vary as a function of the power output of the vehicle power supply, which can vary over a substantial range depending upon ambient temperature and upon the strength of the vehicle battery.

Abstract: An adaptive braking system for a vehicle having fluid pressure operated brakes includes a skid detecting circuit for generating a signal when an incipient skidding condition is detected, a pressure command generator which is responsive to the skid detecting signal for generating a pressure command signal proportional to the optimum fluid pressure level in the vehicle's brakes, and a duty cycle translator responsive to the pressure command signal to actuate the brake pressure modulator. Of course, since the pressure level in the vehicle brakes cannot drop below zero, the value of the pressure command signal generated by the pressure command generator cannot drop below a predetermined level.

Abstract: An adaptive braking system for a vehicle having fluid pressure operated brakes includes a skid detecting circuit for generating a signal when an incipient skidding condition is detected, a pressure command generator which is responsive to the skid detecting signal for generating a pressure command signal proportional to the commanded fluid pressure level in the vehicle's brakes, and a duty cycle translator responsive to the pressure command signal to actuate the brake pressure modulator. The pressure command generator is designed such that the pressure command signal always begins at some predetermined level when adaptive control of the vehicle's brakes is initiated.