Abstract: An electronic foot pedal vehicle control system includes a foot pedal of rigid one-piece molded plastic construction having a base and a pedal arm cantilevered from the base. An electronic subassembly is insert molded into the base of the foot pedal, and includes a force sensor disposed in the base adjacent to the pedal arm for providing an electrical sensor signal as a function of force applied to the pedal arm by a vehicle operator. Electronic circuitry is responsive to the sensor signal for providing a pedal output signal to control at least one variable of vehicle operation. The electronic circuitry preferably has programmed hysteresis characteristics so as to allow limited force variation on the pedal without changing the output signal from the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A solid state detonator is made using a silicon chip with appropriate surnding sections to provide the resistance path necessary to detonate a primary explosive. The chip is set on a metal-to-glass-to-metal header to provide uniformity of current and insulation capabilities. A gold mesh is used as a conductor connected to a chromium-silicon resistor film. This provides a uniform annular heating ring for detonation purposes. The silicon chip may be doped for high conductivity and low resistance. This arrangement provides fast function with moderate power pulses while the thermal design permits high no-fire current levels.

Abstract: A metal-to-glass-to-metal seal that includes a chemical bond between the ss and metal as well as a mechanical seal is obtained by using an oxide layer which joins the glass and metal. A glass tube or glass powder with a coefficient of expansion which approximates the metal's coefficient of expansion is fitted between a pin and sleeve combination. Parts are then heated in a controlled dry hydrogen atmosphere to create a bond between the metal and glass.

Abstract: A portion of a collimated light beam is directed at an article, and the resultant shadow-containing beam is reflected by a mirror onto a linear photodiode array. A second portion of the collimated beam is initially reflected by the mirror toward the article. The resultant shadow-containing beam impinges upon a second portion of the diode array. The positions of the two shadows on the array are indicative of the X and Y positions of the article. The scanned output from the array is processed to generate two binary signals representative of the X and Y positions.

Abstract: A delay detonator made from an inner and outer casing combination which rces the number of individual components. The detonator uses reduced volume with increased pressure to permit control of the pyrotechnic delay mix. The amount of free space to start combustion is limited as compared to previous delay detonators. An overlapping lip arrangement of the inner and outer casing and an inner sleeve permit welding at the outer edge to permanently lock the distance between detonator components.