Showing papers by "Eaton Corporation published in 1990"

Single shaft shifting mechanism

Abstract: An improved single shift shaft shifting mechanism (300) for shifting a mechanical change-gear transmission (10/110) is provided. The shifting mechanism includes a shift shaft (302) which is mounted for axial and rotational movement in a housing (H) for selectively axially moving and/or locking selected or non-selected, respectively, shift forks (302, 304, 306) relative to the housing. To provide an easily shifted, reliable and economical assembly, the shifting projections are defined by a plurality of generally annular shift pins (316, 318, 320) extending radially from bores (322, 324, 326) provided in the shift shaft (308).

Articulation angle sensor

Abstract: Sensors (170, 172) for sensing articulation angle (AA) and/or a time derivative thereof (dAA/dt, d2AA/dt2) for a trailer anti-swing control system are provided. In the preferred embodiments, at least the active transducers of the sensors are mounted to the tractor (12) subvehicle of the articulated vehicle system (10).

Compound transmission and shift control therefor

Abstract: A compound transmission (10) comprising a main transmission section (12) connected in series with a range type multiple speed auxiliary drive train unit (14) having at least two selectable range type ratios, and a combined shift control unit (56) therefor, is provided.

User interface for a process control device

Abstract: A user interface including a dual navigational menu system forming part of a configuration or programming procedure in a process control device such as a flow controller. The controller includes key pad by which the user enters instructions and data into the device, a display for displaying alphanumeric information and a key pad monitoring means for detecting a predetermined user input indicating that a configuration mode is desired. When in the configuration mode, the pressing of direction keys is detected to sequentially advance through a menu system comprised of a matrix of menu items arranged in rows and columns. Means is also provided for detecting the entry of position data which operates to directly select a given menu item to obviate the need for sequentially advancing through all prior items in order to reach the desired menu item. When a given menu item is activated, random access memory forming part of the device is used to store data entered by the user. A help system is also implemented including a key designated as a "help key" which displays context sensitive information for an activated menu item whenever the "help" key is pressed.

Shift prohibiting for automatic shift preselection mode for mechanical transmission system with semi-automatic shift implementation

Abstract: A control system (104) for semi-automatically executing automatically and manually selected upshifts and downshifts of a mechanical transmission system (10) is provided. The control system includes a central processing unit (106) for receiving input signals indicative of transmission input shaft (16) and output shaft (90) speeds, from a driver control console (108) indicative of manual selection of upshifts or downshifts from a currently engaged gear ratio, or manual selection of operation in an automatic preselect mode, and from a sensor (150) to sense operator manual issuance of shift enable signals, and processing the same in accordance with predetermined logic rule to issue command output signals to a transmission actuator (112, 70, 96) to implement the selected shifts upon a manually caused torque reversal of the transmission and manual substantial synchronization of the transmission in the selected ratio thereafter. Under certain conditions, such as relatively high or relatively low vehicle speed, implementation of automatically preselected shifts is prohibited until a shift enable signal is received.

Direct current switching apparatus.

Abstract: A two-pole switch (10) for DC current has a housing (12) formed by a pair of open shells (14, 16) abutting each other to enclose components of the apparatus. Each shell (14, 16) rigidly holds a stationary contact (86), and an actuator (52) spivotally coupled to the shells. A pair of movable contacts (82) are pivotally attached to the actuator (52) so that each movable contact (82) touches one stationary contact (86) when the actuator (52) is in a first position and the contacts (82, 86) are separated when the actuator (52) is in a second position. A spine plate (114) is between the shells (14, 16) and electrically separates the two stationary contacts (19) and arc extinguishing chambers (95, 97). A solenoid (30) is within the housing (12) aligned with the contacts (82, 86) and drives the actuator (52) between the second and first positions to close the contacts (82, 86).

Monolithic integrated circuit having compound semiconductor layer epitaxially grown on ceramic substrate

Abstract: A semiconductor device and processing technique is provided for monolithic integration of a single crystal compound element semiconductor on a ceramic substrate. A high resistivity semi-insulating buffer layer is epitaxially grown on the ceramic substrate and has an elastically transitional lattice constant matching at its lower surface the lattice constant of the ceramic substrate, and matching at its upper surface the lattice constant of the semiconductor layer.

Method and system for updating of control parameter value indicative of master clutch point of incipient engagement

Abstract: An improved automatic clutch control system for controlling a vehicle master clutch (16) drivingly interposed a throttle controlled engine (14) and a change gear transmission (12) in an automatic/semi-automatic mechanical transmission system (AMT) is provided. A monitored clutch parameter (CPV) is compared to a reference value (IEPCPV) to determine the expected point of incipient engagement of the clutch. The reference value is periodically updated, to compensate for wear and the like.

Proportional position-sensing system for an automatic guided vehicle

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting and controlling the position of an automatic guided vehicle to enable precise positioning of the vehicle at a predetermined place such as a load pickup/delivery terminal. In one embodiment a mat having a passive short-circuited loop of wire embedded in it is positioned on the floor at the terminal. On the vehicle an oscillator and a transmitting antenna provide a primary magnetic field that excited the loop in the mat whenever the vehicle is in the terminal, inducing current in the loop. The current in the loop produces a secondary magnetic field having a predetermined spatial pattern. Receiving antennas on the vehicle detect the secondary magnetic field. Prior knowledge of the spatial pattern enables onboard electronic apparatus to ascertain the position of the vehicle relative to the mat. Both transverse and longitudinal position can be detected and controlled. The same on-board apparatus enables the vehicle to follow an energized guidewire in the floor between terminals. The vehicle can also navigate by dead reckoning between terminals.

Medicine container and cover therefor

Abstract: A medicine container and cover therefor. The medicine container has side walls which have wave portions. The medicine container also having end walls which are angular with respect to the side walls. Therefore, the medicine container can be easily and readily grasped for retaining the medicine container for dispensing the contents of the container. The medicine container also has a flange which extends from the walls. The cover is attached to the flange. The cover has tab portions which extend from the flange and which can be grasped for easy opening of the medicine container to dispense the contents of the medicine container.

Illuminated sealed rocker switch

Abstract: A silicone seal is molded-in-place to a frame and toggle lever pivotally mounted in the frame, the seal integrally providing a closed loop bead gasket on the lower surface of the frame surrounding the periphery of a switch cavity at the upper surface of a base. Lamp sockets are formed through the base and frame outside the closed loop gasket surrounding the switch cavity, the sockets being surrounded by additional closed loop gaskets integral with the seal, and further comprising lamp receiving resilient boots integral with the seal disposed in a front opening pocket of the frame for convenient insertion/removal of lamps from the front of the switch. A rocker button snaps onto a stub end of the toggle lever within the pocket to overlie the lamps, the button being provided with one or more windows and selected indicia. A panel gasket is molded-in-place to an under surface of a peripheral flange on the frame in the same molding operation as the aforementioned seal, and may also be an integral part of the seal.

Regulating heater discharge air temperature for front and rear passengers in a vehicle

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. An electrical actuator for each valve moves the valve until the sum is a null for controlling coolant flow to each heat exchanger to thereby regulate the discharge air temperature about the individually selected relative levels for the front and rear independently of the selected blower speed. Air conditioning evaporators may be disposed upstream of each of the heat exchangers; and, the thermistors sense the combined effect of heating and cooling and the system continues to modulate coolant flow to the heat exchangers for temperature regulation.

Homoplanar brushless electric gerotor

Abstract: A homoplanar brushless electric gerotor (10) includes a housing assembly (32) defining a substantially closed cavity (52), a fluid inlet port (88). Inner and outer gerotor pump gears (72,74), are eccentrically disposed for relative rotation within the cavity whereupon a working fluid received at the inlet port at a low pressure is discharged from the outlet port at a high pressure. A plurality of alternatingly radially polarized circumferentially aligned permanent magnets (76) are carried by one of the pump gears for rotation therewith. A stator including windings (44) circumferentially distributed and axially spaced from the permanent magnets (76) electromagnetically interact therewith to effect their rotation upon the electrical energization of the windings (44) by a drive circuit (26).

Synchronizer with deep splines & improved boost ramps

Abstract: A compound transmission (12) including main and auxiliary transmission sections (14,15) having several pin-type, double-acting, self-energizing synchronizer mechanisms (60,62,84). The several synchronizer mechanisms are configured to provide higher self-energizing forces for higher speed reduction ratio gears than for lower speed reduction gears, and to provide higher self-energizing forces for downshifts than for upshifts. The self-energizing forces are provided by improved self-energizing ramp surfaces (29e,29f,29g,29h and (111a,111b,111c,111d) formed in external splines 29 of a shaft 28 and in internal teeth extending radially inward from a shift flange 110. The shift flange carries improved pre-energizer and neutral centering assemblies (120) axially retained by end surfaces (102a,104a) of jaw clutch member (102,104).

Biocompatible materials comprising albumin-binding dyes

Abstract: A biocompatible prosthetic device is provided which comprises a solid polymeric body incorporating an amount of an albumin-binding dye effective to form a coating of endogenous albumin on said device when the device is in contact with a physiological fluid containing albumin. A method of increasing the albumin-binding ability of a prosthetic device is also provided.

Mode control for mechanical transmission system with semi-automatic shift implementation and manual and automatic shift preselection modes

Abstract: A mode control method/system for a control system (104) for semi-automatically executing automatically and manually selected upshifts and downshifts of a mechanical transmission system (10) is provided. The control system includes a central processing unit (106) for receiving input signals indicative of transmission input shaft (16) and output shaft (90) speeds and from a driver control console (108) indicative of manual selection of upshifts or downshifts from a currently engaged gear ratio, or manual selection of operation in an automatic preselect mode, and processing the same in accordance with predetermined logic rule to issue command output signals to a transmission actuator (112, 70, 96) to implement the selected shifts by automatic shifting into neutral upon a naturally or manually caused torque reversal of the transmission and remaining in neutral until the vehicle operator causes substantially synchronous conditions to occur. The method (200) includes sensing if output shaft speed remains substantially constant and the transmission is not shifted (Shift=F) for a predetermined time (REF) and then causing the system to operate in the manually selected shift mode of operation.

Elliptical ion beam distribution method and apparatus

Abstract: An ion source (10) for creating an ion beam. The source includes an ionization chamber (16) having one wall that defines a generally elliptical opening (50) for allowing ions to exit the ionization chamber. Use of an elliptical (in section) ion beam has advantages over a rectangular ion beam which allow the integrity of a relatively high current ion beam to be maintained as ions travel to a beam treatment workstation. A dual configuration extraction electrode assembly (20) also provies for a range of extraction energies from a single source.

Actuation responsive brake pedal pad assembly

Abstract: A pressure sensitive pad assembly for a brake pedal having in one embodiment a pair of plastic films with metallized surfaces spaced apart by apertured spaces and embedded in an elastomeric pad to be placed on a brake pedal Application of a brake actuating force on the pad causes the elastomer to deform closing contact between the metallized surfaces for actuating a brake light In another embodiment a pressure sensitive transducer pad assembly has embedded in elastomeric material, a plurality of piezoelectric strips which are deformed, upon application of a brake actuating force to the pad, for providing an electrical signal indicative of the magnitude of the brake actuating force In another embodiment an elastomeric pad spans a shallow recess in a support with piezoelectric material provided on the spanning surface and deformation of the pad into the recess deforms the piezoelectric material to provide a brake actuating force signal

Solid state overload relay

Abstract: An overload control circuit and method of operation for protecting a three-phase motor from damage due to overload includes monitors reading the load on each phase of the motor and circuitry for combining the three separate phase signals into a single combined load signal which triggers the overload circuit. The gain on the combined load signal and the overload trip delay time may be calibrated and monitored by an external meter to provide for accurate and inexpensive calibration to accommodate specific operating characteristics of the motor being monitored. The circuit provides visual readouts of the mode of operation, including: (1) operating mode; (2) overload onset; (3) shut down initiated; and (4) delay to restart.

Control system and method for sensing and indicating neutral in a semi-automatic mechanical transmission system

Abstract: A control system (104) for semi-automatically executing manually and/or automatically selected upshifts and downshifts of a mechanical transmission system (10) is provided. The control system includes a central processing unit (106) for receiving input signals indicative of transmission input shaft (16) and output shaft (90) speeds and from a driver control console (108) indicative of manual selection of upshifts or downshifts from a currently engaged gear ratio or into neutral and processing the same in accordance with predetermined logic rules to issue command output signals to a transmission actuator (112, 70, 96) to implement the selected shifts upon a manual caused torque reversal of the transmission and manual substantial synchronization of the transmission thereafter. The control also senses and indicates (i) a selected but not yet confirmed shift into neutral and (ii) a confirmed neutral condition.

Transmission input section control

Abstract: A control (68) for controlling the input section (12) of a manually shifted compound synchronized transmission (10) of the type comprising the splitter type input section (12) connected in series with a manually shifted synchronized multi-speed main transmission section (14) is provided. The control is effective upon sensing disengagement of the master clutch (20) and nonengagement of the main transmission section (14) to cause the input section (12) to be shifted to and maintained in the not engaged (N) position thereof and thereafter to cause the input section to be shifted to the preselected ratio thereof (H or L). The control is also effective with the main transmission section in the disengaged position upon engagement of the master clutch to momentarily cause the input section to be shifted to one of the engaged ratios thereof allowing the synchronized jaw clutches of the main transmission section to be engaged in start-from-stop operations.

Locking rocker switch

Abstract: A lock having depending sides with holes therein is snap fit attached to a rocker actuator by causing the sides to straddle the actuator and the holes to receive beveled lateral tabs on the actuator, the holes being longer than the tabs to permit and define sliding movement of the lock on the actuator. Four feet depend from the depending sides of the lock within a housing opening in which the actuator is pivotally mounted to abuttingly align with corresponding abutments in the housing on opposite sides of the pivotal axis of the actuator, preventing rotational movement of the actuator when the lock is in a first position with respect thereto under the bias of a compression spring. The actuator is released by sliding the lock against the bias of the spring to move the feet radially offset from the abutments, thereby permitting rotational movement of the actuator in either direction, actuating corresponding switch contacts.

Automatic mechanical transmission start control system

Abstract: Preferred embodiments (28b, 28c, 29d, 28e and 28f) of a mechanical transmission start control system are provided which employ a central processing unit (10) operative to process signals indicative of throttle foot pedal position (26); engine speed (20); transmission input speed (14); and transmission output speed (16), and to control either or both the degree of clutch or friction coupling and brake engagement and adjustment to engine fuel in a manner predetermined to provide smooth start-up when vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value "K".

Robot arm capable of three-dimensionally moving a robot arm member

Abstract: In a robot arm for use in converting rotary motion of a rotatable axle located within a main post into linear motion of a chuck arm, a first arm unit is fixed to the rotatable axle while a first gear is fixed to the main post so that the first gear is rotated relative to the first arm unit with rotation of the rotatable axle. Rotation of the first arm unit is transmitted through a first power transmission element to a second gear which is rotatably supported on a first fixed axle. A second arm unit is fixed to the second gear while a third gear is fixed to the first fixed axle so that the third gear is rotated relative to the second arm unit. Relative rotation of the third gear is transmitted via a second power transmission element to a fourth gear fixed to the chuck arm. A first gear ratio of the first to the second gears and a second gear ratio of the third to the fourth gears are equal to 2:1 and 1:2, respectively, so that the rotary motion of the rotatable axle is converted into the linear motion of the chuck arm. In addition, a distance between the rotatable axis and the first fixed axle is equal to a distance between the firts and the second fixed axles. The main post is accommodated within a housing so that the main post is selectively moved downwards and upwards or is rotated.

Update marker system for naviagtion of an automatic guided vehicle

Abstract: An improved accuracy position and direction updating system for use with an automatic guided vehicle that navigates by dead reckoning. Permanent magnets providing detectable position indicators are mounted in the floor and may be at widely spaced locations such as fifty feet apart along the route of the vehicle. A row of Hall sensors is transversely mounted on the vehicle. The sensors detect the lateral location of each floor magnet relative to the vehicle as the vehicle passes over the magnet. Sensors are precalibrated, correcting for errors in sensor null voltage readings due to changes in sensor characteristics due to causes comprising aging and temperature. Data from five sensors that are closest to the magnet are correlated with a stored pattern of magnetic field and their position data are averaged to determined a first estimate of the lateral or first dimensional position of the vehicle. A running average is calculated from sequentially acquired estimates to improve the results. Such precalibration and averaging provides an improved accuracy of the lateral or first dimensional position measurement between the array of Hall sensors and the magnet. A high frequency measurement of the time at which the signals from the row of sensors reaches a peak value, which is the time that the row of sensors arrives at the magnet, provides an improved second dimensional position measurement. More than one magnet is read concurrently to provide position and bearing information during one processing cycle.

Method for upshifting a compound semi-blocked splitter type automatic mechanical transmission

Abstract: An improved control method and control system for controlling the upshifting of an AMT (10) system including a compound splitter type semi-blocked transmission (12) is provided. In particular, different control logic is utilized to implement simple and compound upshifts of the transmissions.

Large capacity gas fired pressure cooker

Abstract: A large capacity pressure cooker heated by a pair of radiant burner units utilizing a gas/air mixture. The pressure cooker has a cabinet containing a large pot charged with a predetermined amount of cooking oil. The pot has sides, front and rear walls terminating at their lowermost edges in a bottom. The pot top extends partway above the cabinet and is provided with a removable pressure-tight lid. An insulated shell fully surrounds and is sealed to the pot intermediate its top and bottom. The shell supports the burners in parallel spaced relationship to the pot sides. The burners extend beyond the front and rear edges of the pot sides. Horizontal baffles within the shell divide the shell into a combustion chamber for each burner and flue passageways above each combustion chamber. The combustion chambers are separated from each other by vertical baffles at the front and rear of the pot. The flue passageways are similarly separated from each other at the front of the pot and are connected to a flue at the rear of the pot. Each combustion chamber is connected to its respective flue passageway at the front of the pot so that products of combustion circulate to the front of the pot in the combustion chambers, enter the flue passageways and circulate to the rear of the pot, entering the flue.

Electronic control system for an oven

Abstract: An electronic oven temperature regulator employing a comparator (U1B) to control energization of a relay (56,58) for cycling the oven heating unit (gas or electric) in response to comparison of an oven temperature sensor (23) output and a user selected reference temperature about which regulation is desired. A reversible polarity voltage regulator (R5, CR6) provides feedback from the comparator output to the input to provide a positive and negative hysteresis dead band about the selected regulation temperature for minimizing cycling or "hunting" of the heating unit. A fault comparator (6A) tracks the selected reference temperature to disable the heating element relay in the event of a short in the temperature sensor.