Abstract: A dual voltage, dual battery electrical supply system for automotive vehicles is disclosed. Two batteries are connected in series and a high voltage regulator regulates the voltage across the series connected batteries and a low voltage regulator regulates the voltage across the lower battery of the series connection. Overvoltage protection is provided for the lower battery by a control circuit which resets the high voltage regulator to a reduced voltage in response to a predetermined voltage across the lower battery.

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.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling is disclosed for a power steering system with a servo-motor drive through a drive transmitting member to the driven member and the fail-safe manual drive through a lost motion coupling between the control member and the driven member. First and second normally disengaged one-way clutches are provided for coupling the drive transmitting member with the driven member in first and second directions, respectively. First and second engaging means are provided for engaging the first and second one-way clutches, respectively, in response to movement of the control member in said first and second directions, respectively.

Abstract: A power steering system for vehicles is disclosed using an electric servomotor. The servomotor is energized for power assist in executing turns and for reducing the 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 lost motion coupling is provided between the servomotor and the steering gear and a lost motion 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 applied to the servo amplifier for energization of the servomotor. When the driver turns the steering wheel, the torque signal predominates and the servomotor is energized to provide power assist.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling for a power steering system and the like having a driven member reversibly rotated by a servo-motor in response to either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of a control member, with the coupling normally connecting the motor to the driven member through a drive transmitting member. In the event of any failure of the motor to rotate the driven member synchronously with the control member, as for example, due to an electrical power failure, rotation of the control member relative to the driven member causes the coupling to disconnect the drive transmitting member and thereby disconnect the motor from the driven member to prevent transmission of torque in the direction opposite to the torque applied by the control member and simultaneously mechanically couple the control member to the driven member for direct drive.

Abstract: A motion converter is disclosed which converts relative angular displacement to linear displacement. A pair of input members are coupled by plural axially extending links. There are plural amplifying arms, each being mounted on a respective one of the links and extending transversely thereof. An output member, in the form of a carrier ring, is mounted on the free ends of the arms. The carrier ring is displaced linearly by relative angular displacement of the input members. The motion converter may be incorporated in an angular displacement transducer.

Abstract: A pump system is disclosed for delivering hydraulic fluid to a load device, such as a hydraulic brake system. The system automatically switches from larger displacement to smaller displacement as pressure at the outlet increases. The pump system comprises one or more lower pressure pumps and a high pressure pump with an actuator driving all pumps simultaneously. An unloading valve is coupled with each lower pressure pump for dumping the output thereof in response to pressure of the fluid delivered to the load device. The actuator comprises an electromagnetic linear motor which imparts an intake stroke to the pumps and stresses a spring which releases stored energy for imparting the pressure stroke to the pumps.

Abstract: A switching amplifier in a bridge circuit configuration is provided with an improved base drive circuit which is highly efficient. The base drive circuit includes a base current shunting transistor across the base-to-emitter circuit of each high current transistor. The first and second high current transistors have their base-to-emitter circuits connected across the supply voltage terminals of the bridge in series with first and second inductors and in series with a first base current regulating transistor. The current in the first and second inductors increases while the first base current regulating transistor is turned on. The first and second diodes provide respective current paths for current through the first and second inductors and the base-to-emitter circuits of the first and second high current transistors when the first base current regulating transistor is turned off.

Abstract: An angular displacement transducer of the variable reluctance type is disclosed. It utilizes two relatively rotatable rotors with two sets of magnetic circuits and a coil associated with each magnetic circuit. Each set of magnetic circuits has a set of magnetic cores, one-half the cores on one rotor and one-half on the other rotor. A pair of cores in the first set, one on each rotor, coact with each other to provide a first variable reluctance magnetic circuit which is magnetically linked with the first coil and which has a reluctance that varies with relative rotation of the rotors. A pair of cores in the second set, one on each rotor, coact with each other to provide a second variable reluctance magnetic circuit which is magnetically linked with the second coil and which has a reluctance that varies with relative rotation of the rotors.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling for a power steering system and the like having a driven shaft reversibly rotated by a servo-motor in response to either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of a drive shaft, with the coupling normally connecting the motor to the driven shaft. In the event of any failure of the motor to rotate the driven shaft synchronously with the drive shaft, as for example, due to an electrical power failure, rotation of the drive shaft causes the coupling to disconnect the motor from the driven shaft in the direction opposite to the torque applied by the drive shaft and simultaneously mechanically couple the drive shaft to the driven shaft for direct drive. During that time, the coupling continues to connect the motor to the driven shaft in the direction of shaft rotation. Hence, the direct drive may be assisted by any remaining motor torque, that is, any available torque which is below the level needed to achieve synchronous motion and which is applied in the direction of rotation.