Abstract: A control unit, adapted to control a reversible, variable-speed electrical motor includes a control lever protruding through a U-shaped slot in a housing. Movement of the lever from one side to the other of the U-shaped slot controls the direction of rotation of the motor, and its position along a side of a slot determines the speed of rotation. The control lever is mounted to a pivotally mounted support member, which carries a linear potentiometer operated by the control lever, and includes a protruding portion which carries a toggle switch. The handle of the toggle switch is substantially restrained from motion, so that the switch is actuated to reverse the motor when the control lever is moved from one side of the U-shaped slot to the other.

Abstract: A current sensing device includes an electrically conductive current shunt member (10), and a voltage-responsive member (12). The current shunt member includes a first portion (14) having a free end (20), and a second arcuate portion (16) including an arcuate slot (38) defined by a constant radius (45) centered about the free end (20) of the first section, so that when current is passed through the arcuate section (16), the voltage produced by the shunt (10) may be varied by pivoting the voltage-responsive member (12) retained at the free end (20) of the first member and at the arcuate slot (38), and bridging or spanning between this first free end (20) and the arcuate slot (38). Preferably, the current-sensing member (12) includes electrical or electronic circuitry, for providing an output when sensed voltage, proportional to current through the arcuate portion, exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A critical brush wear circuit for a dynamoelectric machine which is not sensitive to stray voltages and currents resulting from brush dust accumulation within the machine, and which may be used over a wide range of voltages, is disclosed. The brush wear detection circuit is provided with a novel memory device shown as a latching relay, formed by two conventional relays disposed perpendicular to each other, with the armatures of each disposed to perpendicularly overlap a portion of the other armature and latch it in energized position when it has been moved to energized position by energizing its coil. One relay is provided with contacts for disabling the coil of the other relay, so that the other relay coil is automatically de-energized after a momentary period of connection, so that it can be allowed to draw high current, since it is not connected long enough for damaging heat to occur.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed whereby a sudden perceptible resistance is applied to the accelerator pedal of an automobile vehicle when the intake manifold vacuum pressure level decreases below a preselected pressure. A pneumatic motor is operated by a throttle valve that mixes the ambient and manifold vacuum. The motor controls the relative position of a helical spring relative to the throttle control and allows the throttle control and spring to engage abruptly when the manifold vacuum pressure is below the preselected level and withdraws the spring from contact with the throttle control when the manifold vacuum pressure exceeds that pressure level.

Abstract: A mechanical structure for an ignition controller (20) for an electronic ignition system, including structure for a sensing coil carrier, a trigger rotor, and a mechanical advance mechanism is disclosed. The sensing coil carrier (28) is pivotably mounted to a shaft (22) of the ignition controller (20), and holds a sensing coil (30) a fixed radial distance from the shaft. A trigger rotor (26) having a generally circular configuration with two circumferential walls (90, 92) forming a groove, with a metallic channel member (96) embedded in the groove, is fixed to the shaft (22), so that the sensing coil carrier (28) and the trigger rotor (26) are both referenced to the same axis. The mechanical advance mechanism (24) uses identical springs (60) for primary advance, and a self centering spring (66) for secondary advance, thereby eliminating unbalanced loading that results in hysteresis in ignition advance.

Abstract: A relay is provided for reversing the direction of current to an electric motor and providing for dynamic breaking when power is disconnected. The contacts are cantilevered from a pivoting support driven electromagnetically. Mounted inwardly of the cantilevered contacts, are a pair of cantilevered springs. Each cantilevered spring is adjacent to, and associated with, a respective cantilevered contact. When the relay is energized, displacing one of the cantilevered contacts, a respective cantilevered spring is deflected against the cantilevered contact to provide a force additional to the force induced by the cantilevered contact support. Additionally, a fulcrum is provided for supporting pivotal movement of an armature supporting the cantilevered contacts, and which is combined with the magnetic flux path of the relay.

Abstract: A vacuum advance mechanism is disclosed for an ignition distributor on an internal combustion engine, which allows each of two independent negative pressure signals from selected sources on the engine to actuate calibrated pneumatic motors cooperating together through a summing linkage to provide the appropriate total timing advance.