Abstract: A temperature control system for a passenger van having individual temperature selection controls for passengers in the forward and rear sections of the passenger compartment. Separate exothermic heat exchangers for circulation of engine coolant therethrough are provided for the forward and rear passengers. Each heat exchanger is supplied by a coolant control valve and individual blowers provide a stream of forced air over the heat exchangers. A thermistor senses the temperature of the air discharge over each heat exchanger and a controller sums the sensed temperature signal with a user selected relative temperature reference signal provided independently by the forward and/or rear passenger selector inputs and a valve position signal; and, the controller generates a control signal proportional to the summation.

Abstract: A heating and air conditioning control system having a compressor clutch cycle control feature for controlling the in-car temperature of a vehicle passenger compartment is disclosed. The system comprises an automatic temperature control (ATC) sensor (32) which provides a modulated vacuum control signal for a vacuum motor (38). The vacuum motor has an output which adjusts a biasing element in an electrical switch (82), resulting in on/off duty cycling of an electrically energizable clutch (28) which transmits power from the vehicle engine to the air conditioner compressor (26). The percentage of time that the compressor is on versus the time off is a function of the control signal which is, in turn, a function of the ambient, in-car, and manually selected set point temperatures sensed by the ATC sensor.

Abstract: An automatic temperature control system for regulating the temperature of a vehicle passenger compartment at an operator selected temperature. The system employs an in-car transducer which senses compartment air temperature and emits a vacuum control signal to a vacuum operated servoactuator. When ambient temperatures require heating, the servoactuator is operative to shut off the cooling refrigerant compressor and modulate the opening of the heater core water valve for controlling the temperature of forced air discharge from the heater core. When ambient temperatures require cooling, the servoactuator closes the heater core water valve and intermittently opens and closes a switch for cycling the refrigerant compressor to modulate the temperature of forced air discharge over the refrigerant heat exchanger. The transducer receives blower discharge air for aspirating in-car for temperature sensing.

Abstract: A temperature control system including a pushbutton controlled, pneumatically operated actuator for controlling a vehicle heating and air conditioning system is disclosed. A plurality of pushbutton operated valve assemblies (112) enables an operator to control the system by selectively communicating a vacuum source connected to each valve member to a given position within a vented air-piston chamber (72). A piston (74), slidably received in the chamber, is moved along the chamber by the differential pressure across the piston face until a seal member (76) located around the piston periphery blocks the orifice of the passageway (68) communicating with the vacuum source, thus substantially sealing off the chamber from the vacuum source and preventing further piston movement. The number of output positions of the actuator piston in one embodiment of the invention is equivalent to the number of pushbutton valves which communicate the vacuum source to the air chamber.

Abstract: A heating and air conditioning control system havng a compressor clutch cycle control feature for controlling the in-car temperature of a vehicle passenger compartment is disclosed. The system comprises an automatic temperature control (ATC) sensor (32) which provides a modulated vacuum control signal for a vacuum motor (38). The vacuum motor has an output which adjusts a biasing element in an electrical switch (82), resulting in on/off duty cycling of an electrically energizable clutch (28) which transmits power from the vehicle engine to the air conditioner compressor (26). The percentage of time that the compressor is on versus the time off is a function of the control signal which is, in turn, a function of the ambient, in-car, and manually selected set point temperatures sensed by the ATC sensor.

Abstract: A vacuum regulator valve (10) is disclosed comprising a force-balance modulator valve subassembly (114, 118, 119, 122, 124, 126) mounted to a housing (12, 30) having inlet (14) and outlet (16) fluid ports. A vent insert (114) is adjustably biased through a biasing spring (166) by a rotary cam arrangement which includes a spring (64) biased rotary input member (48) rotatably mounted on a housing tubular projection (40). A ring-shaped drive member (144) is rotatable with input member (48) and supports a cup-shaped cam member (154). As projections (152) on the reaction member (144) rotate relative to cam surfaces (160), the cam follower is moved linealy relative to the vent insert. Locking tabs (50, 146, 148, 150) and alignment grooves (46, 80, 96, 98) enable the cam arrangement to be assembled in a predetermined angular position and locked to the housing without fasteners. An externally accessible adjustment member (162) enables valve calibration after final assembly.

Abstract: A regulator assembly for an automatic temperature control system for the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle. Regulation is by vacuum signal modulated by a sensor responsive to the difference between a selected temperature and the temperature of air in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. A vacuum actuator operated by the modulated vacuum signal is provided for operating an air-blend door for controlling the passage of blower driven heated and cooled air into the passenger compartment. The regulator includes a compact removable vacuum signal modulator subassembly of a bimetal temperature sensing element directly coupled to a vacuum signal modulator valve. Direct feedback of the position of the vacuum actuator to the bimetal sensing element is provided. The modulator is of the type employing balancing of the pressure forces of the vacuum signal against the bias of the bimetal element for positioning the modulator valve.

Abstract: An automatic control system for regulating the temperature of the passenger compartment in an automotive vehicle is simplified and improved by the use of a power servomotor having a vacuum motor, an electrical programmer, and a diverter valve as component parts thereof. The servomotor controls the position of a plenum mounted air blend door regulating the passage of cold, tempered, or heated air into the passenger compartment. The servomotor also controls the position of the electrical programmer which in turn controls desired blower speeds and certain other system functions. The servomotor further controls the position of the linear diverter valve which ports vacuum in accordance with predetermined conditions to other vacuum actuated motors employed in the system.