Ronald Duane Ingraham

US Patent:

54130727, May 9, 1995

Filed:

Dec 10, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/165968

Inventors:

Christian J. Andersen - Cadillac MI
Duane W. Gebauer - Reed City MI
Ronald D. Ingraham - Reed City MI

Assignee:

Nartron Corporation - Reed City MI

International Classification:

F02P 1902

US Classification:

123145A

Abstract:

A protective control box is disclosure for providing protection for a starter system and other components of equipment, such as vehicles, incorporating internal combustion engines. Improved starter protection apparatus and circuitry using frequency to voltage conversion disables a starter motor from starting the internal combustion engine when engine speed exceeds a pre-determined level. The starter cannot be re-actuated until and unless engine speed has fallen below a second lower pre-determined speed level. The protection box includes a lockout solenoid which in turn selectively locks out the main starter solenoid in accordance with the foregoing conditions. A wait-to-start lamp and associated comparator and latching circuitry is provided for actuating the wait lamp in response to initiation of glow plug controller pre-glow operation, and for subsequently extinguishing the lamp. Once extinguished, the lamp cannot be re-actuated until and unless the ignition has been toggled. Circuitry including a field effect transistor is provided for controlling glow plug controller operation by means of an auxiliary solenoid.

US Patent:

52706451, Dec 14, 1993

Filed:

Aug 30, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/752834

Inventors:

Mark Wheeler - Cadillac MI
Anne Gebauer - Reed City MI
David Bull - Hersey MI
Daniel Wilheim - Westchester OH
Stephen Cooper - Tustin MI
Ronald Ingraham - Reed City MI

Assignee:

Nartron Corporation - Reed City MI

International Classification:

G01B 730
G01B 714
F02D 900

US Classification:

32420712

Abstract:

A non-contacting type sensor and method for sensing angular position are provided for sensing the angular position of a body such as a throttle valve. The sensor includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly adapted to be coupled to the body for rotation relative to the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes a closed-loop magnetic flux concentrator which defines a controlled electromagnetic cavity and generating means for generating a first magnetic field within the cavity. The stator assembly includes a semiconductor device disposed within the cavity and having an electrical property which is a function of the orientation and strength of a resultant magnetic field. The stator assembly further includes a coil wound about the device for producing a second magnetic field which substantially cancels the effects of the first magnetic field on the device so as to obtain the resultant magnetic field. The electrical current in the coil required to produce the second magnetic field provides an indication of the angular position of the body.

US Patent:

51373386, Aug 11, 1992

Filed:

Feb 11, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/652973

Inventors:

Ronald D. Ingraham - Reed City MI

Assignee:

Nartron Corporation - Reed City MI

International Classification:

B60T 1374

US Classification:

303 3

Abstract:

An automotive vehicle having accessories as for example an anti-dive suspension and anti-dive suspension control, has an electrical circuit which is effective for applying control type signals to such accessories reflective of the rate of change in magnitude of the force applied to the vehicular braking system by the driver; a force sensitive resistor placed in the vehicular braking system is effective to create output signals to the electrical circuit which signals are employed by the electrical circuit to produce corresponding control type signals for application to the accessories.

US Patent:

50109723, Apr 30, 1991

Filed:

Jul 6, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/375946

Inventors:

Ronald D. Ingraham - Reed City MI
Todd M. Nykerk - Reed City MI
Peter H. Strom - Reed City MI

Assignee:

Nartron Corporation - Reed City MI

International Classification:

B60K 3102

US Classification:

180178

Abstract:

An automotive vehicle having accessories as for example cruise control, transmission torque converter lock-up control, or anti-dive suspension control, has an electrical logic circuit which is effective for applying control type signals to such accessories in response to magnitude of the force applied to the vehicular braking system by the driver; a force sensitive resistor placed in the vehicular braking system is effective to create output signals to the logic circuit which signals are employed by the logic circuit to determine when respective control type signals are to be applied to such accessories.

US Patent:

58618023, Jan 19, 1999

Filed:

Jul 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/903240

Inventors:

Gerald W. Hungerink - Holland MI
John P. Heeb - Fennville MI
Ronald D. Ingraham - Reed City MI

Assignee:

Holland Hitch Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

G08B 2100

US Classification:

340431

Abstract:

An electronic coupling control system for a vehicle trailer hitch assembly having a hitch plate in which a throat is defined for receiving a trailer kingpin and having a locking mechanism for locking the kingpin in the hitch throat. The electronic coupling control system includes a trailer proximity sensor for sensing when a trailer is in proximity to the hitch assembly, a kingpin sensor for sensing the presence of the kingpin in the hitch throat, a lock sensor for sensing when said locking mechanism is in a locked and secured position, and indicator means located in the vehicle for providing hitch coupling status information to an operator of the vehicle. The indicator means is coupled to the trailer proximity, kingpin, and lock sensors for informing the operator when a trailer is in proximity to the hitch assembly, when the kingpin is positioned in the hitch throat, and when the locking mechanism is in a locked position. The indicator means may include an indicator light and control circuit. The electronic coupling control system may further include an interface for coupling to a control input of an electrical control system of the vehicle, wherein the control circuit is coupled to the interface for generating and providing a control signal to the vehicle electrical control system when the locking mechanism is not in a locked position such that a vehicle function, such as the vehicle's brakes are operated.

US Patent:

52172805, Jun 8, 1993

Filed:

Jul 30, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/559905

Inventors:

Todd M. Nykerk - Reed City MI
Ronald D. Ingraham - Reed City MI
Peter H. Strom - Reed City MI

Assignee:

Nartron Corporation - Reed City MI

International Classification:

B60T 1370

US Classification:

303 3

Abstract:

A brake pedal actuation sensor includes an optical coupler. In a preferred embodiment: the optical sensor is carried by a housing; a shutter is provided to interrupt the optical coupling according to the distance between the housing and a bearing; the shutter is carried by the bearing; and the distance between the housing and the bearing is dependent upon the force applied to the brake. Additionally, a circuit responsive to an output of the optical coupler is provided for generating an electrical output signal indicating brake pedal actuation.

US Patent:

57899150, Aug 4, 1998

Filed:

Dec 10, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/166375

Inventors:

Ronald D. Ingraham - Reed City MI

Assignee:

Nartron Corporation - Reed City MI

International Classification:

G01B 714
G01N 2772
G01R 3300

US Classification:

3242072

Abstract:

The invention concerns magnetic field energy responsive position sensing apparatus and method. A Hall sensor has an element defining a generally planar active face and circuitry coupled to said Hall sensor for producing a two state electrical output signal in response to magnetic field energy in a region of said active face. A ring magnet has spaced apart annular end walls that are adjacent a north pole and south pole of the ring magnet and defines a magnetic field in a center region of the ring magnet. The ring magnet and the Hall sensor are mounted for relative linear movement in a direction substantially normal to the active face of the Hall sensor so that the active face moves through the center region of the ring magnet. One annular end wall of the ring magnet moves past the active face while avoiding mechanical contact with the active face. This causes the electrical output signal to change state as the end wall moves past the active face of the Hall sensor element.

US Patent:

54776759, Dec 26, 1995

Filed:

Jan 19, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/184909

Inventors:

Ronald D. Ingraham - Reed City MI
John M. Washeleski - Reed City MI

Assignee:

Nartron Corporation - Reed City MI

International Classification:

F04B 4902
G01B 714

US Classification:

60418

Abstract:

An apparatus for driving a piston with fluid power is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fluid filled cylinder having an inner and an outer wall and defining a longitudinal axis. A piston is slidably positioned in the cylinder to move along a path of travel parallel to the longitudinal axis. A magnet is coupled to the piston for movement with the piston, The apparatus further includes a pump in fluid communication with the cylinder and being selectively actuated to intermittently pump pressurized fluid into the cylinder to apply force to and move the piston in a first direction along the path of travel. A fluid releasing apparatus is provided to release fluid from the cylinder to move the piston in a direction opposite the first direction. The apparatus also includes a Hall effect sensor situated at a location along the outer wall of the cylinder for sensing a position of the piston by sensing a magnetic field associated with the magnet at the location of the sensor. Control circuitry is coupled to an output from the Hall effect sensor for actuating the pump.