Abstract: A crash sensor for automobiles of the type including a ball moving against viscous damping in a closed tube has a much smaller hall than known designs and a power transistor to switch power in the firing circuit. A resistance sensing circuit enables the crash sensor to monitor the firing circuit and indicate a change in the resistance of the fining circuit. In two embodiments simple message patterns allow communication of diagnostic information through existing wiring. A latching circuit maintains the switch in its closed state after initial closing. The small size of the ball enables use of a plastic or aluminum tube. The tube may have fluted walls that form air ducts that viscously conduct much of the air displaced when the ball moves. Routing most of the air through the ducts eliminates the uncertainty in the viscous resistance resulting when all of the air flows between the ball and the inner diameter of the tube. The movable element may be a sensing mass having a nonspherical shape.

Abstract: A crash sensor for automobiles of the type including a ball moving against viscous damping in a closed tube has a much smaller ball than known designs and a power transistor to switch power in the firing circuit. A resistance sensing circuit enables the crash sensor to monitor the firing circuit and indicate a change in the resistance of the firing circuit. In two embodiments simple message patterns allow communication of diagnostic information through existing wiring. A latching circuit maintains the switch in its closed state after initial closing. The small size of the ball enables use of a plastic or aluminum tube. The tube may have fluted walls that form air ducts that viscously conduct much of the air displaced when the ball moves. Routing most of the air through the ducts eliminates the uncertainty in the viscous resistance resulting when all of the air flows between the ball and the inner diameter of the tube. The movable element may be a sensing mass having a nonspherical shape.

Abstract: A canister contains two cartridges of activated carbon for storing fuel in gasoline powered motor vehicles. A first cartridge operates to adsorb gasoline vapor produced in the fuel tank while the vehicle is not operating. The second cartridge operates to adsorb gasoline vapor from the fuel tank. Vacuum from the intake manifold or a vacuum pump draws fuel saturated air from the fuel tank and through the second cartridge thereby charging it with adsorbed fuel. Charging is terminated when fuel passes through the second cartridge without being adsorbed. Much or most of the fuel adsorbed is the lightest and most volatile fraction of the gasoline which is usually butane. Fuel vapor from both cartridges is combined with air to fuel the vehicle on initial startup thereby providing vaporized fuel to the vehicle engine and purging both cartridges of fuel.

Abstract: A canister contains two cartridges of activated carbon for storing fuel in gasoline powered motor vehicles. A first cartridge operates to prevent release of hydrocarbons vaporized in the fuel tank while the vehicle is not operating. The second cartridge performs two functions. First, the second cartridge traps fuel in vapor displaced during refueling. Second, the second cartridge is charged with adsorbed fuel after the engine is stopped. Vaporous fuel from the first and second cartridges is supplied to fuel the engine upon startup. An air-fuel ratio sensor and a fuel vapor sensor are achieved by comparing the transit time of sound in two chambers, one containing air and the other containing a mixture of air and fuel. After the engine is stopped a solenoid valve is closed and an electrically energized air pump draws vapor from the fuel tank through the second cartridge to charge it with fuel.

Abstract: A crash sensing switch for automotive vehicles has a cylindrical piston that moves sealingly in a tube during a crash to bridge a pair of contacts. Viscous flow of air through ducts creates pressures that resist movement of the piston. A venting valve may be incorporated in the piston to increase contact dwell. Impedance of the ducts may be adjusted during manufacture by blocking one or more of the ducts. The clearance between the piston and the tube limits air flow between the piston and the walls of the tube and provides aerodynamic lubrication between the piston and the tube during cross axis vibrations. A piston ring may assist in preventing air flow between the piston and the walls of the tube. There may be compensation for changes of air viscosity with temperature. One way to compensate is to make the contacts of thermostat metal which bends with temperature to change the distance the piston must move to bridge the contacts.

Abstract: A weatherproof seal for wire entrance into an enclosure for an electrical device in an automobile. The seal including a tubular element adapted for the passage of the wires entering the enclosure and a wrapper wrapped about the tubular element and also wrapped about a length of the wires outside of the tubular element and adjacent to one end of the tubular element. The wrapper including heat shrinkable tubing having a lining of meltable material that has been placed around the tubular element and the length of the wires and heated sufficiently to melt the meltable material and cause the heat shrinkable tubing to shrink.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for subjecting a test object to a vibration test. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus uses a flat coil assembly with an arrangement of permanent magnets. The vibrator is small and light weight. Hinge structures are disclosed which permit the vibrator to be used in conjunction with a shock testing machine or with other vibrators. This vibrator design is easily adapted for use for cross-axis testing of airbag crash sensors and for one, two or three axis screening applications.

Abstract: A power steering system for vehicles is disclosed using a stepping motor. The stepping motor is energized for power assist in executing turns and for reducing drag of the servomotor during the return of the dirigible wheels to the straight ahead position. A torque transducer operatively coupled with the steering wheel shaft and the steering gear generates a torque signal corresponding to the torque applied by the driver to the steering wheel. A resilient coupling also providing a range of unresisted lost motion is provided between the stepping motor and the steering gear and a transducer is operatively coupled therewith to develop a signal corresponding to lost motion. The torque signal and the lost motion signal are combined differentially and the resultant signal is used to control stepping of the stepping motor. When the driver applies torque to the steering wheel, the torque signal indicates driver input torque and the lost motion signal indicates the applied servo torque.

Abstract: A pump system is disclosed which operates at high efficency in either a high volume, low pressure mode or a low volume, high pressure mode. First and second internal gear pumps are driven by a common drive shaft. The first pump has a smaller displacment than the second pump and both pumps deliver pressurized fluid to a common discharge passage. An unloading valve is operative to dump the output of the second pump in response to fluid pressure in the discharge passage so that it delivers fluid to the load device only when the pressure is below a predetermined value. The unloading valve also performs the function of a low capacity accumulator. A check valve is provided to prevent back flow in the outlet of the second pump.

Abstract: A dual voltage power supply is disclosed for vehicles equipped with a DC generator, a single storage battery, a low voltage load circuit including the storage battery, and a high voltage load circuit including load devices designed to be powered by voltages higher than the battery voltage. At times when higher voltage power is required a low voltage regulator that includes a high current semiconductor switch converts power at the generator output voltage to power at a lower voltage for charging the battery and supplying the low voltage load circuit. There is a single voltage mode of operation when higher voltage power is not required in which the alternator is regulated to supply power at the voltage required by the low voltage load circuit and the high current semiconductor switch is held in its closed state to directly connect the generator output with the low voltage load circuit.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting resistance changes in an electrically resistive device is disclosed. The circuit comprises a bridge circuit with first and second MOSFET transistors in adjacent arms of the bridge and the resistive device and a comparison resistor in the other adjacent arms of the bridge. The first MOSFET transistor is connected in series with the resistive device across input terminals of the bridge and the second MOSFET transistor is connected in series with the comparison resistor across the input terminals of the bridge. The drains of the transistors are connected together and the gates of the transistors are connected together. The resistance of the second transistor is higher than the resistance of the first transistor by a predetermined multiple and the resistance or the comparison resistor is greater than the nominal resistance of the resistive device by the same multiple.

Abstract: A dual voltage power supply is disclosed for vehicles equipped with a DC generator, a single storage battery, a low voltage load circuit including the storage battery, and a high voltage load circuit including load devices designed to be powered by voltages higher than the battery voltage. At times when higher voltage power is required a low voltage regulator that includes a high current semiconductor switch converts power at the generator output voltage to power at a lower voltage for charging the battery and supplying the low voltage load circuit. There is a single voltage mode of operation when higher voltage power is not required in which the alternator is regulated to supply power at the voltage required by the low voltage load circuit and the high current semiconductor switch is held in its closed state to directly connect the generator output with the low voltage load circuit.

Abstract: A crash sensor for automobiles of the type including a ball moving against viscous damping in a closed cylinder for releasing a firing pin for initiating a pyrotechnic sequence has an improved release mechanism. When the ball moves a predetermined distance from its normal or resting position during an automobile crash it initiates a cascade of releases of increasingly larger and more powerful snap disks. The firing pin is mounted on and driven by the largest snap disk.

Abstract: A crash sensor for automobiles of the type including a sensing mass movable in a closed chamber against pressure resulting from viscous flow has a disk shaped sensing mass suspended by one or two webs like those used to suspend the moving elements of audio speakers. The web suspending the sensing mass allows the sensing mass free axial motion while resisting radial motion. Movement of the sensing mass is resisted by air pressure resulting from viscous flow of air through conduits. Compensation for variation of air viscosity with temperature is achieved by varying the travel of the sensing mass. The sensor design enables accurate automatic calibration. The unit is compact and is made from a small number of inexpensive parts. The combination of these elements provides a crash sensor that is insensitive to cross axis vibrations and costs much less than current production sensors.

Abstract: A crash sensor for automobiles of the type including a ball moving against viscous damping in a closed cylinder for releasing a firing pin for initiating a pyrotechnic sequence has an improved release mechanism. When the ball moves a predetermined distance from its normal or resting position during an automobile crash a release mechanism releases a belleville spring maintained under stress. The belleville spring thereupon initiates movement of a firing pin towards a stab primer. The release mechanism is a single piece of spring material having multiple levers extending radially inward from a torsionally elastic ring, each lever having a detent and a pivot. The firing pin is mounted on and driven by a snap disk which is normally in its position of higher energy equilibrium and is released to go to its position of lower energy equilibrium by pressure applied by the belleville spring.

Abstract: A pump system is disclosed which operates at high efficency in either a high volume, low pressure mode or a low volume, high pressure mode. First and second internal gear pumps are driven by a common drive shaft. The first pump has a smaller displacement than the second pump and both pumps deliver pressurized fluid to a common discharge passage. An unloading valve is operative to dump the output of the second pump in response to fluid pressure in the discharge passage so that it delivers fluid to the load device only when the pressure is below a predetermined value. The unloading valve also performs the function of a pressure relief valve. A check valve is provided to prevent back flow in the outlet of the second pump.

Abstract: A starter drive is disclosed for a starting system of an internal combustion engine. A pinion is rotatably mounted on the starter motor shaft for engagement with the ring gear on the fly wheel of the engine. A drive sleeve disposed coaxially of the shaft is coupled with the pinion through an overrunning clutch. A helical cam and follower are connected between the shaft and the drive sleeve for advancing and retracting the pinion according to the relative speeds of the drive sleeve and the shaft. A friction brake is provided for the drive sleeve to restrain it against rotation during advancing movement of the starter drive. The starter motor has a permanent magnet field and the armature is connected across an electromagnet by the starter switch when it is turned off to provide dynamic braking for the motor. The electromagnet coacts with the permanent magnet brake to disable the friction brake while the motor is slowing down.

Abstract: An electrically energized power steering system for vehicles is disclosed using a clutch that disengages the servomotor at times of near zero driver input torque. The servomotor is energized for power assist in executing turns and for synchronizing servomotor speed with the steering mechanism during the return of the dirigible wheels to the straight ahead position and at other times when the clutch is disengaging the servomotor thereby eliminating clashing upon clutch reengagement. A torque transducer operatively coupled with the steering wheel shaft and the steering gear generates a torque signal corresponding to the torque applied by the driver to the steering wheel. Two tachometers are provided, one on the servomotor and one on the steering wheel shaft and the outputs are combined to develop a signal corresponding to differential speed. The torque signal and the differential speed signal are added and the resultant signal is applied to the servo amplifier which energizes the servomotor.

Abstract: A plural-voltage power supply with a generator and a pair of storage batteries is disclosed for use in automotive vehicles. The two batteries are connected in series and a low voltage load circuit is connected across the lower battery and an intermediate voltage load circuit is connected across the series connection of the batteries. A high voltage load circuit is energized directly from the generator output and includes a load device adapted to be operated at a voltage corresponding to an adjustable power setting of the device. A high voltage regulator controls the generator output to provide a voltage high enough to meet the highest voltage requirement of any of the load circuits. An intermediate voltage regulator regulates the voltage across the intermediate voltage load circuit and a low voltage regulator regulates the voltage across the low voltage load circuit.

Abstract: A dual voltage power supply for a vehicle is disclosed with a DC generator, a single storage battery, a low voltage load circuit including the storage battery and a high voltage load circuit including load devices designed to be powered by voltages higher than the battery voltage. A high voltage regulator is responsive to the generator output voltage and controls the energization of the field winding of the generator for causing the generator to produce an output voltage meeting the requirements of the high voltage load circuit. A low voltage regulator receives the output voltage of the generator and produces a substantially constant regulated voltage for charging the battery and supplying the low voltage load circuit.