Abstract: A sensing assembly (10) for indicating when moisture or other particles have accumulated on a window (12) having inside (14) and outside (16) surfaces. The assembly includes an emitter (18) disposed on the inside surface (14) of the window (12) to emit infrared energy to the window (12). A detector (20) is disposed on the inside surface (14) to detect infrared energy from the window (12) on an egress axis. A reference detector (22) detects ambient light and emitter output which are parallel to the egress axis. A control circuit (24) receives the detected measurement level and reference level for comparison to actuate the wipers when rain or particles are on the window (12).

Abstract: An automatic battery powered video light (10) is supplied power by a d.c. battery (16). A light (20) is connected between a first terminal of the battery (16) and a MOSFET switch (46), which is connected to a second terminal of the battery (16). A control circuit (24) controls the opening and closing of the MOSFET (46) to supply power to the light (20) and disconnect power from the light (20). The control circuit (24) includes a light sensor (36) for sensing ambient light and reflected radiant light from a scene (14) and a pulse width modulator (40) for controlling the MOSFET switch (46). The modulator (40) increases pulse width and therefore closing time of the switch (46) when the sensor (36) senses time low light levels, and vice versa. Also provided is a dual filament light (20') wherein each filament (52, 54) is independently controlled to enhance color balance.

Abstract: A capacitive level gauge for placement in a container (12) determines the level of substance (14) in the container (12). The gauge (10) includes a measurement capacitor (C1) for measuring level and a reference capacitor (C2) for determining dielectric constant of the substance (14). A controller (34) is responsive to the capacitors (C1, C2) for producing a level signal which simultaneously indicated the level and dielectric constant of the material. The level signal includes a frequency which is representative of dielectric constant and a pulse width representative of level. The gauge (10) supports a first pair of parallel conductive members (26, 28) to establish the measurement capacitor (C1) and a second pair of parallel conductive members (28, 32) spaced along the gauge and below the measurement capacitor (C1) to establish the reference capacitor (C2).

Abstract: A thermal energy scavenger assembly (10) includes a plurality of integral elements (12) made of temperature sensitive material having first and second ends (14, 16). The integral elements (12) comprise a first portion (18) which is subjected to predetermined cyclic temperature changes to cause the first portion (18) to undergo thermoelastic, martensitic phase transformations in response to heat to pass from a martensitic phase when at a temperature below a phase transformation temperature range and capable of a first high level of recoverable strain to an austenitic parent phase and a memory shape when at a temperature above the phase transformation temperature range and capable of a second lower level of recoverable strain. The integral elements (12) further include a second portion (20) which is integral with the first portion (18) but which is also incapable of the shape memory responses. The second (20) portion is not subjected to the predetermined cyclic temperature changes.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively shuttering a light aperture or channel which includes a shutter blade that is rapidly moved by magnetic force between spaced apart end positions. The shutter apparatus maintains the shutter blade stable in either of the two end positions by magnetic attraction, and preferably provides a third stable position for the shutter blade which is intermediate the two end positions, such that the shutter blade has three stable positions corresponding to full, partial and no shuttering of the aperture or channel. In one embodiment, the shutter blade is part of a flag carried by a torsion beam which is fixed at one end in a mount in a cantilever arrangement, and is free to twist about its longitudinal axis. An elongated permanent magnet extends transverse to the flag and presents poles of opposite polarity.

Abstract: A girth monitoring belt includes a belt (12) and buckle (18) connected in series with a control enclosure (20). The control enclosure (20) includes a pair of springs (28) connected at one of their ends to the control enclosure (20) and connected at their other ends to an arm (34) which extends from within the enclosure (20) to outside the enclosure where it is connected to the belt (12). As a wearer's abdominal muscles expand, the springs (28) expand allowing the arm to slide along the enclosure (20). An electronic control circuit (38, 40) senses movement of the arm (34) past a predetermined set point which actuates an alarm (42, 43) indicating to the wearer of the undersirable condition so that the wearer will contract his muscles and allowing the springs (28) to contract moving the arm (34) within the predetermined set point turning off the alarm (42, 43). The predetermined set point is manually adjustable to vary the overall sensitivity to the amount of movement allowed.

Abstract: A multiplexor system includes a transmitter (11) and receiver (13) with a communication link (12) interconnecting therebetween. One embodiment includes at least two communication links (12) transmitting identical information therealong producing a redundant system being tolerant of shorting to a positive or negative supply or discontinuance of any of the communication links (12). The transmitter (11) selects (22) the digital data to be transmitted which is encoded and serially transmitted along the communication links (12). The receiver decodes (52) the serial signals producing the digital data. A detector (44, 45) interconnects the communication links (12) and the decoder (52). If no pulses are detected (44, 45), the respective link (12) will be electrically disconnected (46). The remaining links (12) will be OR'ed (50) and sent to the decoder (52).

Abstract: A method and circuit for supplying power from a constantly available power source (20) to an audio power amplifier (14) for a speaker (12) utilizing input leads (16,18) having an audio signal. A pre-amplifier (24) is used for amplifying the audio signal having a difference in potential between the input leads (16,18). A switch (58) powers the audio power amplifier (14) and pre-amplifier (24) from the power source (20) in response to a control signal. The method and circuit is characterized by sensing (26) the existence of a diminished audio signal by determining a greater difference than the predetermined difference between the input leads (16,18) to produce the control signal which operates a relay driver transistor (62) which, in turn, operates a relay switch (66) to supply power to the pre-amplifier (24) and power amplifier (14).

Abstract: The invention is a moisture sensor which includes an emitter (18) to emit pulses of radiant energy toward the inside surface (14) of a window (12) at an incident angle (.theta.). The radiant energy is refracted into the window (12) at the air-inside window surface (14) and reflected off the air-outside window surface (16) back through the window (12). The radiant energy is then detected by a detector (20) at a reflection angle (.theta.') equal to the incident angle (.theta.). A support (22) spaces the emitter (18) and detector (20) a distance D between the intersection (I) of the axis (A) of the emitter (18) with the inside window surface (14) and the intersection (E) of the axis (B) of the detector (20) with the inside window surface (14) which is determined by the formula:D=2T cos .theta.(n.sup.2 - cos.sup.2 .theta.).sup.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively shuttering a light aperture or channel which includes a shutter blade that is rapidly moved by magnetic force between spaced apart end positions. The shutter apparatus maintains the shutter blade stable in either of the two end positions by magnetic attraction, and preferably provides a third stable position for the shutter blade which is intermediate the two end positions, such that the shutter blade has three stable positions corresponding to full, partial and no shuttering of the aperture or channel. In one embodiment, the shutter blade is part of a flag carried by a torsion beam which is fixed at one end in a mount in a cantilever arrangement, and is free to twist about its longitudinal axis. An elongated permanent magnet extends transverse to the flag and presents poles of opposite polarity.

Abstract: A non-contacting, inductively coupled leakage flux torque sensor and method of measuring torque by determining the change in leakage flux at a surface discontinuity as a result of a torsion stress. Two identical, mirror image discontinuities are formed in a ferromagnetic member. The discontinuities may comprise sets of slots or ferromagnetic projections on facing end surfaces of the ferromagnetic member. As a result of torsional stress on the member, the discontinuities change shape and dimension or are displaced, resulting in a change in leakage flux. The change in leakage flux is detected by two differentially connected coils. A modulator-demodulator circuit provides a determination of torque as a function of the changed flux.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp cleaning assembly and method for use in a vehicle includes cleaning means (27) which are energized when the headlamps (10) collect residue. The headlamp (10) includes a transparent lens (12), a light source (14) and a housing (16) with a reflective interior surface (18). The assembly includes sensing means (20) within the housing (16) which sense the light source radiation generated by the light source (14) sensed by a first sensor (22) and the backscattered light radiation reflected off residue on the exterior surface of the lens (12) sensed by a second sensor (24). A control circuit (26) compares the light source radiation and the backscattered light radiation. When the amount of backscattered light radiation has exceeded a predetermined magnitude, the cleaning means (27) is actuated.

Abstract: A non-contacting, inductively coupled leakage flux torque sensor particularly adapted for automobile power steering systems. The input and output shafts of the system are coupled by a lost motion mechanism. Discontinuities are formed in a ferromagnetic member. The discontinuities may comprise sets of slots or ferromagnetic projections on facing end surfaces of the ferromagnetic member. As a result of torsional stress on the member, the discontinuities change shape and dimension or are displaced, resulting in a change in leakage flux. The change in leakage flux is detected by two differentially connected coils. A modulator-demodulator circuit provides a determination of torque as a function of the changed flux.

Abstract: A rain sensor for selectively supplying power from a constantly available power source to a wiper means (14) to remove moisture from a vehicle window (12) when moisture has collected. A passive circuit (18) is supported on the window (12) and has an initial self-resonant frequency to sense moisture. A generating means (20,120) creates an electromagnetic field having a range of frequencies wherein the initial self-resonant frequency is within the range of frequencies. An moisture collects about the passive circuit (18), the resonant frequency of the passive circuit (18) shifts away from the initial self-resonant frequency, indicative of less coupling with the generating means (20,20). A detector (28,128) detects the coupling between the passive circuit (18) and the generating means (20,120) to actuate the wiper means (14) by a control means (30,130) when a predetermined decoupling magnitude is exceeded.

Abstract: An oil monitor assembly (10) comprising a support (12) for removable attachment to an oil reservoir, a first electrode (14) extending from the support (12) for immersion in an oil in the reservoir and a second electrode (18) extending from the support (12) in spaced relationship to the interior of the first electrode (14). An electrical insulation (22) spaces the second electrode (18) within the first electrode (14) at the distal ends and presents a surface (24) in a plane facing the support (12). Perforations (16) in the first electrode are spaced circumferentially thereabout and axially therealong with some of the perforations (16) overlapping the plane of the surface (24) of the insulation (22) and extending toward the support (12) to prevent retention of oil within the first electrode (14) on the surface (24). A temperature sensor (26) is disposed within the second electrode (18).

Abstract: An oil monitor assembly (20) comprising a support (22) for removable attachment to an oil reservoir, a first electrode (24, 24') extending from the support (22) for immersion in an oil in the reservoir and a second electrode (28) extending from the support (22) in spaced relationship to the first electrode (24, 24'). An electrical circuit (34) is supported by the support (22) and is in direct electrical contact with the electrodes (24, 24', 28) for measuring the resistance (RRP-29) of the oil over its operational temperature range including the very high resistance of the oil at very cold temperatures to provide a signal in the absence of conducting oil between (29) the first (24, 24') and second (28) electrodes. The electrical circuit (34) includes a degradation circuit (48) for measuring the resistivity of the oil due to contamination and degradation while compensating for changes in resistivity of the oil due to changes in temperature.

Abstract: A solid state relay circuit for switching power to an electrical load including an N-channel MOS-FET (20) having a drain (22) and source (24) and gate (26) terminals with the drain terminal (22) connected to the positive power supply lead (16) and the source terminal (24) connected to the load lead (12). The MOS-FET (20) is driven into conduction by being supplied voltage from a voltage multiplier (28-34) which is in turn supplied by a gated oscillator (36) which receives its power from an amplifier (38). Resistors (74, 76) may be added for slowly allowing the MOS-FET (20) to move into full conduction and/or for slowly decreasing the conduction of the MOS-FET. All this is in response to an electrical signal on a low level signal input lead (18).

Abstract: An assembly for filling and sealing a cavity (14) in a container (10). The assembly includes a fill passage (18) in sealing engagement with the periphery of the receiving passage (12) in the container (10). A vacuum source (24) withdraws gas from the container (10) and the assembly. Powdered material under a vacuum is supplied to a vibrating platform (44) which dispenses the material while vibrating so that the material passes through a valve (48, 52), the fill passage (18) and into the container (10). A plug magazine (26, 125) stores and delivers one spherical ball (28) at a time to the fill passage (18) for being forced into the receiving passage (12) to seal the container (10). A vacuum valve (48, 52) seals the material supply from the fill passageway (18) to maintain the vacuum in the material supply when the container (10) is received.

Abstract: An electrothermal actuator assembly including a primary or armature member movable between first and second positions and biased to remain in either the first and second position to which it is moved with wires each made of shape memory material attached to the primary or armature member and acting in opposition to one another but, alternatively, when electrical current is passed through the respective wires to increase their temperature whereby they shorten in length to move the primary or armature. A switch supplies electrical current selectively through contacts interconnected by the primary or armature member, but only to one wire at a time for moving the armature from one position to another. The armature or primary member may move rectilinearly between first and second positions or may be rotatably supported for movement between first and second positions. The armature or primary member may also interconnect a set of load contacts to supply power to a load in one of the positions.

Abstract: A solid state relay circuit for switching power to an electrical load including an N-channel MOS-FET (20) having a drain (22) and source (24) and gate (26) terminals with the drain terminal (22) connected to the positive power supply lead (16) and the source terminal (24) connected to the load lead (12). The MOS-FET (20) is driven into conduction by being supplied voltage from a voltage multiplier (28-34) which is in turn supplied by a gated oscillator (36) which receives its power from an amplifier (38). Resistors (74, 76) may be added for slowly allowing the MOS-FET (20) to move into full conduction and/or for slowly decreasing the conduction of the MOS-FET. All this is in response to an electrical signal on a low level signal input lead (18).