Eaton Corporation

Brian T Creed

James M Pick

Cyril E Bradshaw

Thomas F Glennon

William John Walsh

Robert G Sokalski

A circuit for controlling bi-directional operation of a vehicle window lift motor having a toroidal coil sensing counter-emf perturbations in the motor current line. An EXPRESS mode switch, upon momentary actuation, latches an electronic switch to operate a relay to provide continuous motor rotation for lowering the window. Subsequent momentary switch actuation unlatches the electronic switch to cut interrupt window motor current. Window lift motor stall is detected by a toroidal coil which senses loss of motor line perturbations and unlatches the electronic switch to open circuit the motor relay.

Express window lift motor shutdown

A motorized water valve of the butterfly-type having the motor case and gear reduction housing formed integrally with the valving chamber. The metal butterfly has elastomeric material formed thereover to provide improved sealing and prevent leakage when the valve is closed thereby enabling substantially shortened warm-up in thermostat application. The control system employs the valve at the engine block outlet to control coolant flow to the radiator in response to an electrical control signal based upon comparison of the sensed block temperature with a desired engine temperature. The control system also employs the valve to control coolant flow to the heater core in response to an electrical control signal based upon a comparison of sensed in-car temperature and a desired in-car temperature selectd by the driver. Heater core discharge air may also be sensed and included in the comparison to provide a control signal to permit automatic in-car temperature regulation. An additional control signal also be generated from the comparison to control heater blower speed control. The control system, upon cold engine starts, opens the radiator coolant valve fully for a short time to allow full flow to clean the valve and remove deposits, then returns to the closed position to continue engine warm-up. The control system may also employ an outside air temperature transducer to provide a signal used in the comparison to enable automatic regulation of desired engine coolant temperature.

Controlling engine coolant flow and valve assembly therefor

A wound bobbin coil (A) and a fuse (B) are interconnected electrically in series. The coil and the fuse are mounted closely adjacent and molded into a tough, nylon encapsulation (C). The series connected coil and fuse are connected with electrical terminals (26, 30) to form a unitary electrical component which is readily connected with associated circuitry. In this manner, when the coil becomes damaged sufficiently to blow the fuse, both the coil and the fuse must be replaced. A repairman cannot short the fuse or merely replace the fuse and allow a damaged coil to continue functioning. In the preferred utilization of the present coil in a freezer compartment ice maker, coil failures can cause flooding, overheating, and other catastrophic damage to a refrigerator/freezer.

Protecting an icemaker against over current damage

A wound bobbin coil (A) and a fuse (B) are interconnected electrically in series. The coil and the fuse are mounted closely adjacent and molded into a tough, nylon encapsulation (C). The series connected coil and fuse are connected with electrical terminals (26, 30) to form a unitary electrical component which is readily connected with associated circuitry. In this manner, when the coil becomes damaged sufficiently to blow the fuse, both the coil and the fuse must be replaced. A repairman cannot short the fuse or merely replace the fuse and allows a damaged coil to continue functioning. In the preferred utilization of the present coil in a freezer compartment ice maker, coil failures can cause flooding, overheating, and other catastrophic damage to a refrigerator/freezer.

Protecting an icemaker against overcurrent damage

A pressure transducer of the type providing a continuous electrical output signal indicative of the variation in sensed pressure having a metallic preferably aluminum armature attached for movement with a resilient pressure responsive diaphragm. A resonant circuit includes a coil disposed adjacent the armature and an oscillator provides current flow in the coil which generates eddy currents in the armature; and, movement of the diaphragm and armature causes the eddy currents therein to alter the effective inductive reactance of the coil and shift the frequency of resonance of the circuit. Circuit means are provided to emit an output signal indicative of the frequency shift for enabling a continuous determination to be made of the sensed pressure on the diaphragm. An auxiliary snap-action switch is provided remotely from the diaphragm and is actuated by a non-metallic rod from the armature passing through the central region of the coil. The circuitry is preferably mounted on a p.c. board disposed to have the switch rod pass therethrough.

Growing community of inventors

Batavia, IL, United States of America

Brian T Creed