Abstract: A fuel level responsive vent valve assembly adaptable to a variety of different mounting requirements in a vehicle fuel tank. In general, the vent valve assembly comprises a standard, valve body, a top cover adapted to mate with the standard valve body at a vent outlet interface for a sealed vapor venting connection, and separately formed longitudinal connector means having a preassembly end for preassembly to a standard interface on the lower surface of the top cover, and an assembly end for longitudinally locking the standard valve body to the top cover. The standard assembly end of the longitudinal connectors can be varied in length to accommodate different valve height mounting requirements in different fuel tank applications. In a preferred embodiment the longitudinal connectors comprise metal pins or rods which can be pre-formed or cut to length to accommodate the standard valve body at different distances from the top cover.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for calibrating a float-type vent valve for use in an automobile fuel tank. The valve is provided with a calibration plate in the lower end thereof below the float, the calibration plate defining an axially-adjustable support for the spring which balances the float. The calibration plate includes a force probe aperture through which a force measuring device of known type can be inserted to measure the downward force of the spring-balanced float at a specified distance from closure, preferably a near-closed position. The calibration plate then is adjusted up or down as needed until a position is determined where the spring-balanced float is properly calibrated, and then the calibration plate is permanently secured in place on the valve body so that the valve remains calibrated.

Abstract: A fluid-responsive vent control valve for an automobile fuel tank in which a liquid level responsive float controls a flexible, ribbon type valve member to peel it on and off a valve seat to open and close the valve. In one embodiment the float and outlet structure are offset. In an alternate embodiment the float and vent outlet are coaxial, and the ribbon valve is attached between the float and the valve body with a vent closure portion aligned with the outlet and a hinge portion offset from the outlet and connected to the float to provide opening and closing force to the ribbon valve. The outlet is preferably circular, and further includes a roundoff notch which cannot be closed by the pressure differential across the ribbon valve, but requires a final closing movement by the float and closure assist structure to fully close the valve.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a rollover vent valve for mounting on a vehicle fuel tank to selectively vent fuel vapor from the fuel tank to a vapor trap such as a carbon canister. The valve includes a liquid fuel responsive control element connected to a valve element via lever arm structure to move the valve element between open and closed venting positions on a valve seat. The mechanical opening advantage obtained with the lever arm structure provides for a powerful peel-away action to ensure opening of the valve despite a tank/canister pressure differential acting to maintain the valve element in the closed position. In one embodiment the lever arm structure includes a hammer-claw mechanism to provide an initial pivotal opening force using the maximum potential of the lever arm, and a subsequent rectilinear opening force.

Abstract: An automotive heater and air conditioner in the form of a closed circuit reversible heat pump in which one internal heat exchanger accommodates both heating and cooling, selectively, and only a single set of ducts is required. Supplemental energy is provided in the system by using external heat exchanger means in close exchange proximity to and served by the waste heat of the automotive engine. The single exchanger selectively functions as evaporator and condenser. A reversible expansion valve functions between the external and inboard exchangers permitting selected conversion of the exchangers from a condenser to an evaporator function. Valving around the compressor permits selected directional control over refrigerant flow. The compressor can be selectively disconnected to turn off the heat pump. Air controllably ducted through, over and around the inboard exchanger is circulated into the passenger compartment to cool the occupants, to warm the occupants, and to defrost the windshield.

Abstract: A two-way voice controlled communication system for use with a protective helmet. The communication system includes a transmitting circuit which is normally off, and which is voice actuated, and a receiving circuit which is normally on. The transmitting circuit includes a microphone and an electronic switch which turns the transmitting circuit on and the receiving circuit off in response to the presence of an output from the microphone, and turns the transmitting circuit off and the receiving circuit on substantially immediately in response to the absence of a microphone output. Thus the system approximates two-way real-time communication by permitting one user of the system to interrupt the speech of another user of the system. The system is designed primarily for far field communication, that is, omnidirectional communication where the spatial positioning of one communication system relative to a second communication system is essentially independent of the distance between the two systems.

Abstract: A control system for powering the direct current drive motor of an electric vehicle from a storage battery employs a semi-conductor switch to connect the battery to the motor. Speed control of the vehicle is achieved through operator control of an accelerator which provides an analog output voltage. A multi-vibrator provides a bi-valued output signal varying between 100% on time and 100% off time as a function of the accelerator output. The motor energizing switch is conditioned by this output and by the output of a circuit which compares the motor armature current to a reference value. The circuit includes protection elements so that the switch is opened when the armature current exceeds a preset maximum and is allowed to close again if the multivibrator is still in an "on" mode when the armature current decays below a lower preset value.

Abstract: An induction heating generator consists of a Hartley oscillator employing a tank circuit, including the induction heating coil, disposed in series with the emitter-collector circuit of the transistor. A bias circuit consisting of the parallel combination of a capacitor and diode is connected to the base and the feed-back voltage to the base is generated by a tickler coil. In the absence of oscillations the base is biased for class A operation and the resulting feed-back current charges the bias circuit to shift the operating point to class C operation. The bias voltage is decreased when the tank coil is loaded, lowering its impedance. This maintains stable operation of the oscillator independent of variations in the load. When the coupling between the load and the inductor is so great as to overload the oscillator, the bias circuit prevents oscillation.

Abstract: Meals for institutional feeding are arranged on trays in a central commissary with hot and cold food portions in separate containers. The containers for the hot items have bases formed with metallic plates and thermally insulated covers with internal metallic heat radiators. The trays are arranged in stacks in a refrigerated transport cart having spaced shelves which extend between the trays and include induction heating coils which produce heat generating currents in the metallic elements of the bases and covers of the hot food containers, heating these food portions while the other items are refrigerated. The hot food containers are provided in a variety of configurations each of which is heated at a different rate by the coils so the serving temperature of the food is determined by the type of its container.

Abstract: A control system for powering the direct current drive motor of an electric vehicle from a storage battery employs a semi-conductor switch to connect the battery to the motor. Speed control of the vehicle is achieved through operator control of an accelerator which provides an analog output voltage. A multi-vibrator provides a bi-valued output signal varying between 100% on time and 100% off time as a function of the accelerator output. The motor energizing switch is conditioned by this output and by the output of a circuit which compares the motor armature current to a reference value. The circuit includes protection elements so that the switch is opened when the armature current exceeds a preset maximum and is allowed to close again if the multivibrator is still in an "on" mode when the armature current decays below a lower preset value.

Abstract: Meals for institutional feeding are arranged on trays in a central commissary with hot and cold food portions in separate containers. The containers for the hot items have bases formed with metallic plates and thermally insulated covers with internal metallic heat radiators. The trays are arranged in stacks in a refrigerated transport cart having spaced shelves which extend between the trays and include induction heating coils which produce heat generating currents in the metallic elements of the bases and covers of the hot food containers, heating these food portions while the other items are refrigerated. The hot food containers are provided in a variety of configurations each of which is heated at a different rate by the coils so the serving temperature of the food is determined by the type of its container.An alternative stationary heating mechanism has spaced shelves containing induction heating coils adapted to receive a plurality of stacked trays supported on a mobile cart.