Abstract: A control for producing ratio changes in an automatic transmission includes sensors producing signals from which vehicle speed, throttle position, vehicle acceleration, and the time rate of throttle position are determined. Electronic memory accessible to a microprocessor contains functions relating vehicle speed to throttle position, one function being related to each upshift and downshift. Shift solenoids are energized and deenergized according to the output of a control algorithm executed by the microprocessor. A hydraulic circuit contains shift valves, servos, brakes and clutches activated by the servos selectively to produce the various gear ratios of the transmission. Shift delays for each upshift and downshift are predetermined and stored as constants in memory. A shift schedule relating throttle position, vehicle speed and the current transmission gear ratio is stored in memory. Control variables compensating for shift delay on the basis of vehicle acceleration and throttle rate are calculated.

Abstract: An electrical control system for a voltage sensitive load having switch means for selecting from single or multiple rectified phases of a multi-phase alternator/generator to provide multiple output levels of DC voltage.

Abstract: Air/fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine is controlled by predicting the air charge to enter the engine two cylinder events into the future and then determining the amount of fuel to be injected to achieve a desired air/fuel ratio. A first fuel pulse is injected, and if needed, a second fuel pulse is injected to achieve the needed amount of fuel for the desired air/fuel ratio.

Abstract: A mass airflow meter having a first electrically heated resistive film and a temperature dependent resistive film sandwiched between plastic layers and positioned within an air duct. Symmetrically positioned around the first resistive film are a pair of electrically heated resistive films and associated temperature sensors, also encapsulated within plastic layers. Electronic circuitry applies electric power to the resistive films for maintaining each of them at a predetermined temperature above ambient air temperature regardless of airflow. Since the temperature and emissivity of each plastic layer is substantially equal, the thermal radiation of each is also substantially equal. The thermal radiation loss by the first resistive film is therefore balanced by a substantially equal thermal radiation gain. Accordingly, substantially all the heat transfer by the first resistive film is through convectional heat transfer to the airflow. An accurate measurement of airflow is thereby achieved.

Abstract: This invention adapts stored engine control parameters to variations in the air and fuel supply systems to improve open loop air fuel ratio control. An offset amount is calculated which is to be added to measured air flow in an internal combustion engine capable of operating in an open loop mode and a closed loop mode. In the method, an engine operating condition in a closed loop mode at idle is established. The current average fuel control signal is calculated. The current average fuel control signal is compared to a previous average open loop fuel control signal to obtain a difference average fuel control signal. An offset control signal is generated as a function of the difference average fuel control signal and is to be added to all future air flow measurements thereby providing for adaptive correction and more accurate air fuel ratio control in the open loop mode.

Abstract: An automotive electric quick heat system utilizing a resistive heating element connected in series between the DC output terminal of a driven alternator and the voltage regulated terminal of the main storage battery. A shunting relay is controllable to bypass the resistive heating element when the conventional engine generated heat reaches a predetermined temperature. A first embodiment utilizes the automatic electric quick heat system in the carburetor air intake of an automotive engine. A second embodiment utilizes the automatic electric quick heat system for supplying heat to the passenger compartment following disconnect of the air carburetor intake quick heat.

Abstract: In an automotive system, using two batteries, a series connection is employed to obtain high engine starting energy. A novel regulator circuit is employed to charge the second or auxiliary starting battery without resorting to the manipulation of heavy duty switch contacts.