Abstract: A method for vacuum shrink packaging a product is provided that includes the steps of placing the product in a heat shrinkable thermoplastic bag; then shrinking the bag in a heated gaseous medium, while partially constricting the mouth of the bag to cause ballooning of the bag, further provided that the constricting is selected such that shrinkage of the bag overcomes the ballooning to collapse the bag onto the product; and then placing the bag in a vacuum chamber followed by vacuumizing and in-chamber sealing, further provided that the rate of vacuumizing is limited to substantially prevent reballooning of the bag. Associated apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of packing articles including positioning an article retainer around a temporary article support and placing articles on such temporary support within the retainer, measuring the height of the articles in the retainer and automatically forming a container of enclosure of a size to enclose the articles. Thereafter the formed container is suitably positioned around the articles and container top is put on the container end to close the container and complete the packaging operation.

Abstract: A method and system for packaging insulation units comprising a receiving section that indexes each roll-set that comes off a production line, a roll breaking section that separates the roll-set into individual units and spaces each unit, a diverter section that verifies height and facing and then diverts a selected roll unit to the proper packaging material and a packaging section that receives a roll unit, orients it properly, and packages it in the proper packaging. The system allows rejection of unsuitable product and reduced handling of product by employees.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring parts travelling in a single row on a first conveyor to a receptacle travelling on a second conveyor, the parts being placed in the receptacle in consecutive rows of a plurality of the parts. A part loader, comprising an elbow-joint arm having a pivotable first arm and a second arm mounted on the end of the first arm pivotable relative to the first arm, supports a part pick-up member mounted on the end of the second arm which picks up at least one part from the end of the first conveyor and transfers the part to the receptacle on the second conveyor. Alternatively, the part pick-up member is adapted to pick up a row of parts from the first conveyor and to place one row of parts in the part receptacle, or to rotate a part during transfer from the first conveyor to the part receptacle.

Abstract: A cane harvester for harvesting sugar cane. A cutter severs the cane and feed means feeds the cane along a longitudinal feed path to a chopping means which cuts the cane into billets. A discharge discharges the billets from the harvester. The chopping means comprises longitudinal, movable blades which rotate about an axis perpendicular to the feed path and which sweep out a cylindrical or frusto-conical path. A fixed blade cooperates with the movable blades which move upwardly past the fixed blade. A billet engaging means located between the axis and the movable blade engages and pretensions the cane prior to cutting. After cutting, the cane billets are thrown upwardly and away from the chopping means into the discharge chute.

Abstract: Apparatus is mounted on the rear of a riding lawn mower for utilizing a large supply of large size plastic sheet tubing to form plastic bags as needed for receiving the grass cuttings being discharged from the lawn mower, so that the mower operator need not leave his seat on the lawn mower in order to seal the plastic bag after it is full of cuttings, and to discharge the bag away from the lawn mower. This apparatus is vertically mounted. The grass cuttings are blown to the top of the apparatus into a first air-release funnel. Beneath this funnel is a supply of large plastic sheet tubing folded lengthwise into an annular cartridge. A throttle section is positioned beneath the cartridge for collapsing the sheet tubing into a rope-like formation. Then a pair of vertically-spaced sealing tape dispensers serve to seal the rope-like formation at two locations. Then a cutter severs the plastic to complete sealing the top of a filled bag and for sealing the bottom of the next plastic bag to be filled.

Abstract: An auger cutter, windrower, and conditioner for standing crops such as hay, including a cutting auger with cutting teeth on the peripheral edge of the auger flight and a conveyor auger to move cut crop to a central area to be discharged as a double windrow.

Abstract: An attachment for a floating crop divider of the type used on a harvester having a transverse frame and reel with opposite upright sidewalls with the floating crop divider including a conically shaped divider shroud extending forward from an open end which includes opposite shroud sidewalls to a snout, the attachment consisting of a plurality of tines mounted to the inside sidewall of the shroud to extend toward the center of the reel. The tines each include a spring like axis of flexure near their mounting end, to permit them to bend resiliently in both their horizontal and vertical axis. Mounting brackets are provided to attach the tines to the inside sidewall of the shroud, with one bracket bolted to the inside sidewall of the shroud and another bracket bolted to the opposite outside sidewall of the shroud, with a brace member extending therebetween, to provide added lateral and vertical rigidity to the tines.

Abstract: A round hay baler includes a forward pick-up assembly and hold down tines for gathering and introducing a layer of material into the baler. The hold down assembly includes fluid discharge tines extending from a hollow manifold connected to a reservoir that contains preservatives, nutrients or biological inhibitors, for example, which are added to the inside of the layer forming the round hay bale.

Abstract: A roll baling device in where the hay is picked up and formed by a group of guiding and stretching members for endless belt-like elements arranged between and supported by two relatively spaced walls. A further group of cylindrical support elements are arranged in a substantially complete circle within the baling chamber and cooperate with the belts to limit the diameter of the round bale in accord with the diameter of the circle.

Abstract: Cradle for a twisting machine with a reel spindle and friction engaging means to engage a reel mounted upon the spindle. The friction engaging means faces the free end of the spindle and is movable axially away from the free end against a resilient means. A means is provided to urge the reel against the engaging means. In a practical structure, the friction engaging means is annular.

Abstract: A cable comprises at least one layer of strands (10) with each strand covered with an individual sheath (20) of rubber or plastics material. The sheaths are so shaped (16, 17, 18) that the sheaths of adjacent strands interlock. This provides a layer in which the strands have a generally fixed spatial relationship both to each other and within the cable. This reduces inter-strand forces, so increasing cable life, and also provides a dimensionally stable cable.

Abstract: A method for yarn piecing in a fasciated yarn spinning unit, in which an air nozzle for twisting a fiber bundle to form a fasciated yarn is displaced from the normal spinning position to the threading position where the air nozzle can escape from the front roller pair, whereby a free space is prepared for applying a suction means having a sufficient suction force to reversely thread a yarn to be pieced through the air nozzle.

Abstract: An energy recovery system is provided for an aircraft gas turbine engine of the type in which some of the pneumatic energy developed by the engine is made available to support systems such as an environmental control system. In one such energy recovery system, some of the pneumatic energy made available to but not utilized by the support system is utilized to heat the engine fuel immediately prior to the consumption of the fuel by the engine. Some of the recovered energy may also be utilized to heat the fuel in the fuel tanks. Provision is made for multi-engine applications wherein energy recovered from one engine may be utilized by another one of the engines or systems associated therewith.

Abstract: A reheat gas and double reheat steam turbine combined cycle is provided in which the outer compressor shell and gas generator turbine are cooled with steam to control tip clearance of the rotating blades of the compressor and gas generator turbine with the respective shells which confine the blading. Steam cooling of the gas generator turbine blading as well as the low and high pressure gas generator shafts are also provided.

Abstract: Pressurized comminuted solid fuel particles are mechanically reground in a fuel injector prior to being radially injected in a swirling motion into a combustor where the fuel is mixed with oxidizing fluid in a swirling motion that is opposite to the swirling motion imparted to the solid fuel particles and burned to form both solid and gaseous products of combustion. The products of combustion are passed through an inertia separator where the solid products of combustion are removed by inertia. Means are also provided for injecting liquid or gaseous fuels into the combustor to assist in the combustion process and in meeting varying load demands on the engine.

Abstract: A surge prevention system for a fan jet engine of an aircraft serves to manifest a signal whenever pressure distortions at the engine's inlet is calculated by judiciously located total pressure probes mounted downstream of the fan on the fan struts in the fan discharge duct. The engine's bleed valve is automatically opened to prevent surge and the fuel control's speed sensor is automatically reset to compensate for any loss of thrust. Safety switches are included to render the system inoperative whenever the aircraft is in the margin of stall and the reset feature is rendered inoperative for normal bleed open operating conditions.

Abstract: In an electric power generating system comprising an air compressor having inlet variable stationary blades, a fuel burner supplied with compressed air from the compressor, a gas turbine driven by combustion gas from the fuel burner, a waste heat recovery boiler for generating steam, a steam turbine driven by the steam and an electric generator driven by the gas turbine, there is provided a control system including a detector for detecting actual load of the gas turbine, a first comparator for comparing detected actual load with a load instruction for producing a difference signal, a speed/load control circuit responsive to difference between the difference signal and a signal representing a number of revolutions of the gas turbine for controlling fuel supplied to the burner, a second comparator for comparing with each other the difference signal, a signal representing temperature of gas discharged from the gas turbine and a temperature set signal, and a control circuit inputted with the output of the second

Abstract: A brake-master cylinder provided to be actuated either by exerting thrust at one end or pulling at the other end and therefore comprising a push member for actuating the primary piston and an assisting rod intended to be pulled and protruding outwardly from one end of the master-cylinder, said piston being fitted to the assisting rod.

Abstract: A tandem master cylinder which has a compensating bore in communication with a chamber on the rear side of the master piston. The bore is provided in the front wall of master cylinder piston and is adapted to be closed by means of valve body movable relative to said master cylinder piston. The valve body is provided on the end of a central clamping element interconnecting the two spring retainers of a piston restoring spring of master cylinder piston. The valve body is urged against compensating bore as soon as the piston restoring spring is loaded. In order to maintain a predetermined filling pressure in the chamber behind the master cylinder piston and in the output position of the piston in pressure chamber, the piston restoring spring is supported on a spring retainer that is held through a stop on the cylinder housing.

Abstract: In a turbocharged diesel internal combustion engine (10) with low compression ratio, at least one cylinder (11) operating as an engine cylinder is charged during starting and at partial load operation by several cylinders (18, 21, 28) operating as compressors. The pistons of the compressor cylinders (18, 21, 28) lead the piston of the engine cylinder (11). As a result thereof, the engine cylinder can be charged during its compression stroke. The compressor cylinder (28) which by reason of its large angular ignition spacing to the engine cylinder cannot feed directly into the engine cylinder, delivers its supplied air at first to another compressor cylinder (18) which is located more favorably. Only thereafter, the air of the two compressor cylinders (18 and 28) is fed in common and in parallel with a further, possibly also favorably located compressor cylinder (21), to the engine cylinder (11).

Abstract: A main steam inlet structure of a steam turbine has two inlet tubes which are separable from an inner casing and an outer casing of the turbine and are arranged concentrically with a spacing therebetween to constitute an inflow passage for main steam are connected at one end to the outer casing and at the other end to the inner casing, by seal rings. Cooling steam extracted from turbine stage midway is supplied to a cooling steam passage of the spacing formed between the two inlet tubes, thereby cooling the inner inlet tube.

Abstract: A forced-air cooled condenser system having a plurality of roof-shaped heat exchange elements of finned tubes, to which cooling air is supplied via fans, and to which the steam which is to be condensed is supplied via a steam distribution line which forms the ridge of the elements. The heat exchange elements, which are located directly adjacent to the turbine housing, are disposed next to one another or side by side. The ridges of the heat exchange elements are disposed parallel to one another. In order to prevent the danger of a recirculation of the warm air which leaves the heat exchange elements, that heat exchange element which is spaced the furthest from the turbine housing is disposed higher than the heat exchange elements which are located therebetween. This is preferably accomplished via higher supports than exist for the heat exchange elements located therebetween.

Abstract: In an integral Stirling cryogenic refrigerator the compressor piston is several times heavier than the displacer. In order to counterbalance both the displacer and compressor piston with a rotating counterweight, the displacer connecting rod is formed of a high density material. Specifically, the connecting rod is formed of a tungsten alloy and is several times heavier than the displacer.

Abstract: An ice machine control having an on-delay timer in the circuit controlling the circulating water pump so that, at the start of an ice making cycle, the evaporator-ice mold is allowed to cool well below freezing before water begins to circulate to the mold.

Abstract: An air cycle air conditioning system (10) for rgulating the temperature and pressure of diverse loads includes open and closed loop sections (12) and (16). A first load (14) requiring heating or cooling with constantly supplied fresh air is provided with chilled air from first turbine (75) and warm air from first bypass valve (50). A second load (20) which can be heated or cooled with a supply of recirculating air is provided with chilled air from second turbine (130) and warm air from a second bypass valve (170). Air is supplied to the second turbine from a compressor driven by the first turbine whereby the first turbine maintains the temperature of both loads either by the direct supply of air thereto or by driving another turbo-compressor system.

Abstract: A cascade refrigeration system includes an evaporator unit (10, 12) located adjacent a test chamber and remote from the refrigeration system. A conduit (38) carries refrigerant from the cascade refrigeration system to the evaporator unit (10, 12). The liquid refrigerant passed through an expansion valve (28) to meter the refrigerant to delivery to the evaporator unit (10, 12). Spent refrigerant exiting the evaporator unit is returned to the cascade refrigeration system by a return line (40). In order to maintain a constant liquid refrigerant flow to the expansion valve so as to enable the refrigeration system to cool the chamber as needed, liquid refrigerant is bypassed around the evaporator unit (10, 12) and to the return line (40). The bypass circuit includes a control valve (162) which selectively diverts liquid refrigerant to the return line (40) during low-demand conditions at the evaporator unit (10, 12), thus maintaining a constant supply of liquid at the expansion valve.

Abstract: A self-contained, decorative ice bowl freezing apparatus, including a bowl mold for containing the water to be frozen into the ice bowl; air circulation means disposed within the bowl mold for supplying a stream of air to the freezing water to slow the freezing thereof to provide ice in greater clarity; support means for the air circulation means; a freezer tank containing a refrigerant liquid into which the bowl mold is disposed and held at a selected level; and refrigerant liquid circulation means disposed within the freezer tank for continuously circulating the refrigerant liquid to prevent stratification of temperature levels within the refrigerant liquid, whereby uniformity of freezing of the water in the bowl mold is enhanced.

Abstract: Sealing structure for preventing air flow across exposed metal portions of a center rail assembly in a refrigeration apparatus. The air flow preventing seals include sealing pads mounted to the side edges of a divider wall received in channels in the cabinet liner for preventing air flow through a front end of the channel. A second air flow preventing seal is provided in the form of a rope extending about each of the opposite ends of a center rail bracket received in inwardly opening roll-formed flange channels defined by the metal outer shell. The third air flow preventing seal is provided in the form of a sealing strip compressed between the front face of the center rail bracket and the rear face of an overlying cover so as to isolate hinge mounting portions at opposite ends of the center rail mounting bracket. The different seals cooperate with each other in preventing undesirable air flow from one compartment to another across metal surfaces in heat transfer association with the outer metal shell.

Abstract: To insure gentle latch operation, and particularly gentle opening of the latch, the last-knitted loop (36) is constrained to move in the same direction as the needles (2) by controlling movement of sinkers (7) in the same direction as the needles, at a speed slower than needle speed during the raising phase of the needles (FIGS. 5, 6), so that initial movement of the latch occurs slowly and not abruptly to permit faster knitting speeds by reducing stresses on the latch. Conversely, during closing movement of the latch (FIGS. 9, 10), initially, the loop and the needle are lowered simultaneously, the lowering speed of the loop, controlled by the sinker (7) being slower than the lowering speed of the needle. Cast-off can be improved by rapidly controlling the loop by suitable sinker movement (FIGS. 11, 12).

Abstract: An apparatus for low-temperature plasma treatment of a textile product such as a cloth comprising transporting a textile product to be treated through a reaction chamber, in which low-temperature plasma is produced in situ by applying high frequency electric wave to electrodes provided in the chamber uniformly without stay, for subjecting the textile product to low-temperature plasma treatment uniformly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the dyeing of shaped articles. The apparatus transports the shaped article in a treating chamber within the apparatus during the dyeing process; surrounds the shaped article with a non-reactive environment in the treatment chamber; preheats the shaped article; flows a thin continuous film of a dye composition over the surfaces of the shaped article in a non-reactive environment at an elevated temperature; and cools the dyed shaped article. The apparatus can also rinse and dry the dye shaped article. The apparatus further includes an applicator head for applying the thin continuous film of the dye composition over the shaped article and a carrier for positioning the shaped article in vertical alignment with the applicator head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotatable connection device for a driving part (1) to a driven part (2), wherein the driven part has a rotational play relative to the driving part. The driving part (1) exhibits at least two axial elastic dogs (3, 4) which end in radial teeth (5, 6) and cooperate with circular arcuate slots (8, 9) in the driven part (2), which exhibit enlarged regions (11, 13) for the passage of the radial teeth (5, 6), and with a securing part (14). This securing part (14) is provided with holes (15, 16) to receive the elastic dogs (3, 4), and a bendable strap (17, 18), which is present at each hole (15, 16), after being bent behind the dogs (3, 4), comes into abutment opposite the teeth (5, 6) at their ends. Any accidental disassembly is prevented by this means.

Abstract: A keyed lever handle for a cylindrical lock is rotatably mounted by its neck on the knob sleeve of the lock and is connected to rotate the sleeve by a driver having a drive lug which breaks away under a predetermined high torque so as to protect the lock mechanism from excess torque. The driver is mounted in two opposite slots in the sleeve and the drive lug projects radially through one of such slots into positive engagement with an inward-opening recess in the knob. The lug is preferably formed with an end recess which leaves two upstanding ears at the sides of the lug which are adapted to shear in the shear plane between the knob and sleeve under excess torque. The driver is preferably trapped in place in the sleeve by the knob, but for assembly and service purposes is also held by a resilient rubber ball or the like received in an opening in the driver and resiliently engaged with the edge of the opposite slot in the knob sleeve.

Abstract: A method of producing a steel H-sheet pile from a beam blank of an H-shape cross section, symmetrical in the vertical and lateral directions, and prepared through blooming rolling or continuous casting including a first step wherein a breakdown mill having a preparatory step forming caliber and a forming caliber is used to form the beam blank in such a manner that in the preparatory step forming caliber the beam blank is changed into an asymmetrical shape in the vertical direction and subsequently, in the forming caliber, the beam blank is rolled to have a socket and projections; a second step wherein a group of roughing universal mills is used to roll the beam blank in such a manner that in a roughing universal mill mainly the web and flanges are reduced in thickness while in a sizing universal mill the outer surfaces of the flanges are pressed by vertical slots thereof while the end portions of the flanges are sized-rolled by horizontal rolls thereof; a third step wherein a joint portion at the end portion

Abstract: A quick adjusting square wire or rectangular wire rolling mill comprising segmented work rolls and a connection between at least one segments on each roll for adjusting positions of said segments, and method of adjusting the roll pass of a square wire or rectangular wire rolling mill without replacing work rolls.

Abstract: An expandable fixed dummy block is provided for fixing on the end of a stem of an extrusion press. The dummy block has a longitudinally extending axis of symmetry and outer wall, a base having a central cavity symmetrical about the axis symmetry, and a mandrel symmetrical about the longitudinal axis for sitting in the cavity in the base and being free to rotate in the cavity. The cavity is defined by an endless side wall sloping radially inwardly from its mouth away from the outer wall to a bottom and the mandrel has a face and side wall sloping radially inwardly from the edge of the mandrel to a rear seat and having an outer edge bevelled so as not to extend beyond the inner radial dimensions of the mouth of the cavity. The angle of the side wall defining the cavity to the axis of symmetry is less than the angle of the side wall of the mandrel to the axis of symmetry.

Abstract: A sheet metal working press including an upper press member and a lower press member which are movable relative to each other to work a sheet of metal therebetween. One of the press members has a groove formed in the vicinity of an effective working area defined by the movement of the press members toward each other. At least one holding block is loosely fitted in the groove. It has at least one holding surface and a plurality of holes formed in a surface remote from the holding surfaces. An elastic member of polyurethane is tightly fitted in each of those holes.

Abstract: The device employs a number of detectors (1) mounted at the level of the upper surface of the die (2) and a numerical control system (5). The purpose of the detectors is to signal to the numerical control the moment that the part b of the sheet begins to rise. The device allows the automatic determination of the thickness of the sheet in the area where the bend is to be located, during the course of the forming operation. The thickness of the sheet is then used by a numerical control system to correct the travel of the tool, without interrupting the forming cycle, in such a way as to obtain with high precision the required bend angle.

Abstract: Circumferentially spaced, radially movable die members for crimping are mounted in a die supporting ring positioned radially inward of circumferentially spaced radially movable pusher members engageable with the die. The die supporting ring is removably mounted on a fixed head and the pusher members are urged radially inward by axial movement of a crimping head having sloping surfaces slidably engageable with sloping surfaces of the pusher members. The slidable sloping surfaces of the crimping head and the pusher members are flat and matched by wear. The engageable surfaces of the die members and pusher members are not slidable and may have a matching configuration which is not affected by wear.

Abstract: A press machine adapted for the production of many different types of products in limited quantities. The press machine comprises a plurality of lower dies mounted on a bolster and a plurality of upper dies each mounted to a slide facing to the respective lower dies. Each upper die is mounted to the slide by means of a die clamper via an adapter plate and each upper die is biased upwards by coil springs so that a predetermined gap exists between each pair of upper and lower dies when the slide is moved down to a bottom dead center. An activating plate can be insertable between the slide and each adapter plate so that the activated upper die is allowed to make contact with the opposing lower die.

Abstract: Constant or transient forces and displacements between a motion snubber and its associated load are detected and converted to an electrical signal. Electrical signals from the detection devices are transmitted to a receiving device which is electrically connected to a recording means. The signals from a plurality of detecting devices are encoded to identify the snubber having the detected force and displacement.

Abstract: There is described a method of and apparatus for monitoring the concentration of gas in a liquid. The apparatus includes a semi-permeable diaphragm across the face of which the liquid flows. Gas contained in the liquid permeates through the diaphragm into a chamber and the pressure within the chamber is measured. This pressure is representative of the concentration of gas in the liquid and permits control of the quantity of gas injected. In particular there is described a method and apparatus for monitoring the concentration of two different gases which may be dissolved in a flowing liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring particulate matter in the fluid comprises a filter means (28) through which fluid is arranged to flow. A pressure sensing means (46) senses the fluid pressure difference across the filter means and produces a pressure signal indicative of the magnitude of the pressure difference. A processing means (49) receives the pressure signal and evaluates therefrom the rate of change of the magnitude of the pressure difference in order to give an indication of particulate matter levels in the fluid. In this way on line monitoring of the debris generation in, for example an oil system, can be effected so that abnormal increases in debris can be detected and long term trends in the build-up of debris can be observed. A particular form of filter medium is also disclosed wherein the filter mean can be transported so that a filter record can be maintained and systematic X-ray analysis of the filter record can be effected.

Abstract: A bridge type pneumatic circuit, for pneumatic gauging, having an inlet and two branch passageways through which flow of compressed air from an inlet to an outlet of each branch passageway is controlled by an adjustable orifice. One of the outlets is connected to the nozzle, or nozzles, of an air gauge head, such that the pressure of the air flowing past the corresponding adjustable orifice varies as a function of the distance separating the nozzle from the surface, while the other branch passageway is vented to atmosphere through a calibrated orifice to establish a zero reference. The differential pressure between the passageways downstream of the adjustable control orifices is monitored by a differential pressure transducer to provide a control signal to a measurement display instrument. In the alternative, the outlet of the second branch passageway is also connected to the nozzle, or nozzles of an air gauge head, to effectuate differential measurements.

Abstract: A turbomolecular pump for counterflow leakage tests and the method of its use arranges two, tandem turbomolecular pump stages for pumping toward each other and connects opposite ends of the tandem pump stages respectively to a container or test tank through which a test gas is provided when there is a leak and a detector for detecting the test gas. A connection between the tandem pump stages connects to a forepump for assisting the turbomolecular pump. Arranging the turbomolecular pump in this way permits different pressures in the container or test tank and detector, as is often desired when, for example, the detector is a mass spectrometer, without partition and conduit arrangements therefor.

Abstract: Separable column for chromatography consisting of surface grinded rings (5) piled inside a tube (6) which rings tighten against each other by a tightening assembly (7, 8, 9). The rings are to be packed with a chromatography gel and after a chromatography process with movable phase they are pressed out of the tube, separated and eluted. The invention also concerns an apparatus for chromatography consisting of the column and a detection and signal device (3, 4) in order to indicate the end position of the movable phase, and possibly an elution unit adapted to each separated ring.

Abstract: An improved torque measurement circuit and method for an internal combustion engine of the four cylinder, two-cycle type includes synchronous detection circuits and circuits to account for inertia forces due to the mass of the pistons and connecting rods. The synchronous detection circuits multiply a signal directly proportional to torque variations with sine wave and cosine wave signals to produce a synchronous detection signal. A summing circuit is provided to combine the synchronous detection signal with a signal proportional to the square of the angular velocity of the crankshaft of the engine to produce a resultant output signal directly proportional to average torque and independent of speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for instructing an operator to place a gearshift of a manual transmission in an optimum position in accordance with various operating parameters. An upshift zone is formulated and stored in a memory means and when operating conditions of the vehicle fall within the upshift zone, a plurality of timers begin counting for a predetermined amount of time and if operating conditions still fall within predetermined parameters, an upshift signal is issued. The apparatus recognizes if the engine is acting as a brake and if the engine is under a heavy load when accelerating and does not issue an upshift signal.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for sensing relative movement between a pair of members includes a pair of parts which cooperate to provide an electrical signal upon relative movement between the members. One of these parts may be a Hall effect device and the other part may be a pair of magnets. In order to accurately position the Hall effect device and the magnets relative to each, they are mounted on a substrate or base. The portion of the substrate upon which the magnets are disposed is connected with one of the members. The Hall effect device is disposed on a portion of the substrate which is connected with the other member. Once the substrate has been connected with the two members, it is separated to enable the members to be easily moved relative to each other.