Abstract: Detectable indicia are provided on the interior circumferential rim of the brake hub-drum adjacent to, and spaced apart from, the backing plate of the brake. A sensor is mounted on the backing plate to detect wheel speed and/or other operating conditions detectable from the motion and/or relative location or condition of those indicia. The number of indicia used and the indicia spacing along the interior circumferential rim is selected as needed for a given type of sensor and/or a given application. In the case of a speed sensor, the indicia can be a series of notches in the rim along the entire interior circumferential rim, resembling a series of “teeth” into that rim. The width of those teeth can be formed wide enough to accommodate movement of the hub-drum relative to the backing plate and/or the sensor, without loss of system functionality, according to the sensing tolerances of a given sensor being used in a given application.

Abstract: Detectable indicia are provided on the interior circumferential rim of the brake hub-drum adjacent to, and spaced apart from, the backing plate of the brake. A sensor is mounted on the backing plate to detect wheel speed and/or other operating conditions detectable from the motion and/or relative location or condition of those indicia. The number of indicia used and the indicia spacing along the interior circumferential rim is selected as needed for a given type of sensor and/or a given application. In the case of a speed sensor, the indicia can be a series of notches in the rim along the entire interior circumferential rim, resembling a series of “teeth” into that rim. The width of those teeth can be formed wide enough to accommodate movement of the hub-drum relative to the backing plate and/or the sensor, without loss of system functionality, according to the sensing tolerances of a given sensor being used in a given application.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated latch for a linearly movable shaft such as a shift lever shaft of a vehicle transmission includes an L-shaped armature that forms a latch plate and a magnetic arm. The shaft extends along the solenoid axis and through a clearance hole in the latch plate. Energization of the solenoid draws the magnetic arm toward a planar pole piece at one end of the solenoid winding. The latch plate swings from a position normal to the shaft axis to a tilted condition acutely angled to the shaft axis so that edge areas of the clearance hole grip the shaft surface.

Abstract: A turbocharged or supercharged engine is provided with a vacuum actuated control device for an exhaust gas recirculation valve. A venturi throat in the engine air intake passage generates a vacuum in response to air flow through the throat. The vacuum is varied according to variations in the air flow rate throughout the throat, such that the vacuum can be applied to a piston for adjusting the position of a metering valve in an exhaust gas recirculation passage. The vacuum controlled valve enables the gas recirculation rate to be varied as a function of the air flow rate through the engine air intake passage.

Abstract: An anti-pollution mechanism usable on the filler tubes of automotive fuel tanks to prevent vaporous hydrocarbons from escaping from the tank through the tube, especially at the instant when the closure cap at the mouth of the tube is initially opened such as required during refueling. A vapor escape line extends from the fuel tank to a vapor collection canister. A pressure-operated valve in the escape line is automatically opened in response to opening of the cap on the filler tube such that vapors and fumes escape through the line instead of flowing out of the tube mouth.

Abstract: An engine air intake valve for controlling engine idling speed includes a rotary electrical actuator for actuating a rotary slidable valve element across a flow port in a cylindrical valve seat. The flow port is rectangular so that each unit angular movement of the valve element produces the same in air flow rate. The rotary electrical actuator includes a stator having a wire wound therearound to produce two opposed magnetic poles at diametrically-spaced points on the stator circumference.

Abstract: A gear-within-gear positive displacement pump, such as an automotive fuel pump, is disclosed having a pump chamber, an internal gear within the pump chamber, and an external gear within the internal gear. The pump chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The external gear is rotatably driven thereby causing the internal gear to rotate and further causing the teeth of the internal and external gears to unmesh thereby drawing fluid into the pump chamber between the gears and further causing the teeth of the gears to mesh so as to positively force the fluid out of the pump chamber. A pressure balancing passage way is provided between the portion of the pump housing in which the gear teeth mesh thereby permitting fluid under pressure to be directed to the exterior of the internal gear so as to pressure bias the internal gear generally toward the inlet and to at least in part balance the pressure forces on the internal gear with a consequent reduction of noise and increase in pump efficiency.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the idle speed of an internal combustion engine. A contact arm contacts a throttle lever to limit movement of the lever in one direction and to move the lever in the opposite direction so to control the position of a carburetor throttle valve. A vacuum operated unit maintains the contact arm at one position and moves it from one position to another. The vacuum pressure at which the vacuum unit operates is modulated by an electrically operated solenoid to maintain the contact arm in one position when the vacuum pressure is maintained at one level. The contact arm is moved to a new position when the solenoid operates to change the vacuum pressure to a different level.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically controlling the idle speed of an internal combustion automobile engine. A sensor senses the operating speed of the engine and develops an electrical signal representative thereof. Movement of a carburetor throttle valve from an open to a substantially closed position is sensed and an electrical signal indicative thereof is generated. Closure of the throttle valve indicates the engine is operating at idle. A controller is responsive to the second electrical signal to process the electrical signal from the sensor and generate an electrical control signal. The controller processes the electrical signal from the sensor means in accordance with a predetermined format based upon a transfer function derived for the engine. An electromechanical device is responsive to the control signal for moving the throttle valve to a desired position at which engine idle speed is a preselected speed determined in accordance with the transfer function.