Eaton Corporation

Robert G Sokalski

Andrew A Kenny

Daniel C Stahly

Thomas F Glennon

William John Walsh

Brian T Creed

Lawrence E Egle

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.

Fluid pressure transducer

Disclosed is a non-contacting liquid measurement system (60) preferably adapted to provide an averaged measurement in suitable units of measure of liquid (2), such as fuel, in a pressurized or unpressurized tank (4), such as a vehicular fuel tank, having an irregular shape such as irregular shaped bottom (6). The irregularity of bottom (6) results in variations in depth of liquid (2) across tank (4) that are accounted for by disposing a plurality of conduits (10, 12 14) in an array across tank (4) predetermined to provide the accuracy of measurement desired. Conduits (10, 12, 14) have respective ends (16, 18, 20) immersed in liquid (2) as close to bottom (6) as practical and are operable to provide respective liquid pressure signals (P.sub.1, P.sub.2 and P.sub.2) which are collected and averaged in a conduit (22) which delivers the averaged liquid pressure signal for exposure to flexible diaphragm (24) of an electro-magnetic transducer to which is secured a metallic armature having a base portion (25) and a projection (26) that is moved by diaphragm (24) in opposite directions within an electromagnetic field produced by a current carrying conductor (28) coiled about a core (27) and powered by suitable electrical power source (P). Circuitry (30) detects movement of the armature within the electromagnetic field and provides an electrical output signal (32) to an indicator (34) to provide a visual indication of the averaged measurement.

Liquid measurement system

Disclosed is a system for controlling both cruising speed and engine idling speed of a vehicle. The system includes an electronic control module that controls an actuator (100) having a moveable member preferably in the form of a gear rack (6) that is pivotably mounted to an intermediate member (8) that is operably connected to the engine throttle and adapted to move in opposite directions along a frame (2) of the actuator. The actuator is provided with means, preferably in the form of an idle speed control switch (34), for sensing when the throttle is being controlled by the operator and causing the control module to switch its output from a second control signal to a first control signal and feedback means, preferably in the form of a differentiating switch (47), for determining an idle speed pick-up position for the moveable member that is more than the desired regulated engine idle speed position but not more than the operator selected cruising speed position.

Vehicular engine idle speed and cruise control system

A vacuum operated EGR valve/controller having a vacuum signal responsive diaphragm converted to operate the EGR poppet valve. A flow limiting orifice is provided upstream of the valve and a flow sensing pressure tap provided intermediate the valve and the orifice. Flow pressure is sensed by a piezoresistive transducer which gives an electrical signal indicative thereof. In one embodiment, the transducer is stationary and flow sensing tube is extended to the valve body. In a second embodiment, the transducer is mounted on the diaphragm for movement therewith and flow sensing is internal through the valve actuator. In another embodiment, a flow sensing orifice is provided downstream of the valve and the transducers has a reference and dynamic probe for sensing the differential of flow pressure on opposite sides of the sensing orifice. In another embodiment, plates attached to the diaphragm form a flow pressure sensing chamber and the transducer tube is received through the plate rail and is sealed by a flexible seal.

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Wheaton, IL, United States of America

Robert G Sokalski