Abstract: There is disclosed a passenger vehicle operation control apparatus and method, including programmed microprocessor control apparatus for determining an improved and more precise stopping of each vehicle in relation to a station platform.

Abstract: A rubber tired transportation vehicle for use in a mass transit system is provided with a disc member positioned adjacent to at least one vehicle support pneumatic tire operative with a condition sensing apparatus to detect the occurrence of a flat tire condition and to limit the vehicle axle drop in the event of a resulting loss of desired vehicle support because of that flat tire condition.

Abstract: An inverse timer for a process line is disclosed in which the forward end of the material is detected at a known distance from an instrument which is to be activated. The inverse timer is initiated upon forward end detection, and in a small increment of time, .DELTA.T seconds later, the instrument is activated; .DELTA.T is equal to the time required for the material to move from the point of detection to the location of the instrument, i.e., the transport time minus the reaction time of the instrument. The inverse timer includes two potentiometers for independently adjusting the transport time and the reaction times. Since the velocity of the material may vary widely during production, the inverse timer enables rapid adjustments to be made to accommodate for these new conditions without the laborious empirical determination of optimum settings of interacting potentiometers.

Abstract: An improved failsafe logic function apparatus is disclosed which includes an input signal section and an output signal section, with a middle gating network section isolated from each of the input signal section and the output signal section. An external control signal determines the logic function operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: The heat energy dissipation capacity of the provided dynamic braking resistors for a given transit vehicle is established and then the generated motor current supplied to those resistors by the regenerating propulsion motor of the vehicle during the brake mode of operation is controlled to limit as desired in accordance with that capacity the total energy dissipated by the dynamic braking resistors.

Abstract: A power collection apparatus is disclosed for the purpose of power distribution from a central power supply to the propulsion motors of at least one mass transit vehicle operative with a predetermined roadway track, including one or more rail gaps and/or crossover switches, to permit the vehicle to transfer from one section to a second section of that roadway track. The power collection apparatus includes collector support apparatus carried by each vehicle and designed to be operative with a rail support member for three individual phase power rails, a ground rail and a signal rail, permitting high speed vehicle passage through a rail gap and a crossover switch.

Abstract: There is disclosed a motion control and locking apparatus for the passenger entry and exit doors of a mass transit vehicle, which passenger entry and exit doors are desired to be locked when the vehicle is moving between stations and are desired to be unlocked only when the vehicle has stopped at the desired location for passenger entry and exit within a station.

Abstract: A transportation vehicle for use in a mass transit system is provided with movable guidance wheels operative with a vehicle restraining guide beam included with the vehicle roadway, and which guidance wheels can be selectively moved into engagement or out of engagement with the guide beam to direct the vehicle onto one or another vehicle roadway.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for eccentricity correction in a rolling mill, in which prior to rolling, the eccentricity of the back-up rolls is measured and recorded both initially and each time the back-up rolls are changed. In an analog loop, constant roll gap is maintained by bidirectionally displacing the back-up rolls so as to maintain constant roll force in accordance with a reference roll force signal, the displacements being such as to neutralize the measured and recorded eccentricity. In a digital feedback loop, controlled by a digital computer, roll force is maintained constant in accordance with changes in the gauge of the work product, with the displacement of the back-up rolls producing a change in roll opening. The analog and digital control loops are cooperatively combined, so that the change in roll opening resulting from digital control, produces a new roll force reference for the analog loop.

Abstract: There is disclosed a programmed microprocessor control apparatus and method for controlling the generated current of a transit vehicle electric motor in relation to a desired limit for the supply line voltage. The supply line volts are sensed and used for controlling the current generated by the transit vehicle motor.

Abstract: A capacitance gauging apparatus is described for monitoring the texture or flatness of a conductive surface. Conductive plate members, resiliently supported on a flexible substrate, provide a probe to measure the texture of a surface to be monitored, the surface itself forming the other plate of a capacitor. The capacitance probe is electrically energized and connected to a monitoring circuit. As the insulated probe rests on the conducting surface, the resulting capacitance changes the frequency of the monitoring circuit. The monitoring circuitry counts the pulses within a period, the number of pulses being proportional to the surface texture, i.e., the higher the number, the coarser the surface texture, and conversely. The period of counting is set such that the surface texture may be displayed directly in microinches or micrometers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a programmed microprocessor control apparatus and method for determining the electric brake current build-up for regenerative braking effort with a series motor. The microprocessor program determines the current build-up by controlling the chopper operative with the electric motor of a transit vehicle.

Abstract: A power and control signal rail arrangement is disclosed for at least one transportation vehicle directed along a roadway by guide wheels depending from the vehicle and which follow a guide beam incorporated in the roadway. The arrangement provides for mounting power rails and control signal rails on top of the roadway guide beam and also permits factory assembly of the power rails, the control signal rails, and the guide beam as a modular unit. The disclosure also describes a pivotal guide beam switch for directing vehicles between a first and second roadway or, alternatively, between a first and third roadway. A power and control signal rail arrangement cooperative with suitable vehicle collectors provides continuous power and control signals to the vehicle as it passes through the pivotal guide beam switch.

Abstract: A rolling mill workpiece shear control apparatus and method are disclosed to provide adequate acceleration torque at the desired time of workpiece product cut. For particularly low product speed cut operations, a two step acceleration is provided that brings the shear to an initial low base speed of operation and at the desired time an acceleration to operating knife speed in accordance with the measured product speed. In relation to the desired product length, the time of the actual product cut is determined and updated for future similar cuts of product length and speed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a programmed microprocessor control apparatus and method for transit vehicle electric motor through operation of a chopper apparatus. The microprocessor program establishes a boost signal for every program cycle of operation, including an ON control pulse positioned within the boost signal. The chopper operation monitors the provision of the boost signal to maintain the operation of the chopper motor control apparatus as determined by keeping the power supply line switch closed.

Abstract: A transportation vehicle for use in a mass transit system is provided with a laterally sprung guidance apparatus operative with a vehicle restraining guide beam included with the vehicle roadway, for restraining the removal of the vehicle in relation to that roadway while providing a desired improvement in the lateral ride quality of that vehicle.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having a separately excited field controlled direct current drive motor powered by a direct current power supply wherein the field currents supplied to the drive motor and the armature currents drawn by the drive motor are responsive to safety control features provided on the electric vehicle. Speed control is provided for preventing overspeed of the drive motor by applying full-field current when the drive motor speed exceeds a selected value. If the motor speed remains above the selected maximum value and armature current remains positive, indicating the drive motor is not providing regenerative braking for the electric vehicle, then the contactor connecting the direct current power supply to the armature of the drive motor is opened. The electric vehicle is also provided with an armature current limiting means which causes full-field current to be applied if the armature current exceeds some maximum value.

Abstract: A method and control apparatus are disclosed for providing incremental position regulation of industrial apparatus, and for synchronizing movement of the apparatus, where an illustration of such industrial apparatus could be a coke transfer hot car, moving along a track at the coke side of a coke oven chamber, in conjunction with the forward advancement of a pusher ram, in the direction of proceeding through a coking chamber from the pusher machine side thereof. The present method and control apparatus are characterized by generating pulses that are encoded to represent actual incremental position displacements of the pusher ram. These pulses are used in a feedback control loop for positioning and speed control for the ram, and the pulses are used by a central controller to produce signal pulses representing the desired displacement for the associated hot coke transfer car.

Abstract: Control apparatus for determining the power regenerating operation of a train vehicle is disclosed in relation to the provision of a control signal in conjunction with the operation of the power supply rail of the train vehicle track, such that power regenerating operation of the train vehicle is prevented unless such operation is desired as indicated by the presence of that control signal.

Abstract: A support apparatus is provided for supporting the electrically conductive power rails, ground rail and signal rail of a three-phase, five rail power collection apparatus operative with a fixed guideway transportation system including electrically propelled vehicles. The present rail support apparatus facilitates improved assembly and provides a substantial reduction of installation time and cost.