Abstract: Apparatus for generating synchronized multi-axis intermittent motion utilizing electronic encoding, memory and a position control system having feed-forward control. A plurality of slave shafts are rapidly and accurately positioned in response to the positioning of a rotatable master shaft, without mechanical interconnections therebetween. An analog transducer is attached to the master shaft providing an analog position output which is fed to a master encoder which feeds a digital output to a plurality of independent digital memory devices. Each digital memory device provides, in response, an output digital signal indicative of the desired position of an associated slave shaft. The output of each memory device, through an appropriate digital-to-analog converter, is fed to a position controller which positions the associated slave shaft as desired. The servo controller includes a feedforward input to speed positioning and reduce system lag.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to electric motor/actuators and in particular to an electric motor/actuator including multiple non-magnetic armatures having commutated windings rotatable in a single air gap formed between opposing permanent magnets having their opposed polarized poles facing said armatures and wherein individual ones of said armatures are capable of different output functions from others of said armatures.

Abstract: A redundant channel control system includes one or more voters having a high-pass filter connected between a pair of voter inputs.

Abstract: A process controller which has at least a derivative control mode includes a comparison amplifier wherein a measured variable signal is compared with a set-point signal to produce an error signal. An auxiliary control circuit including a signal level change detector is connected to detect changes in the set-point signal. During intervals of constant set-point signal, the primary control circuit operates normally. Upon the occurrence of a change in the set-point signal, the change is detected by the auxiliary control circuit and produces an auxiliary control signal which is applied to momentarily inhibit the operation of the derivative control function of the controller.

Abstract: An automated tire inspection system employs penetrative emanation such as X-radiation to inspect the integrity of portions of tires fed sequentially along a feed path through a centering station and into a shielded enclosure where an inspection station is defined. An inspection apparatus within the shielded enclosure includes an X-ray emitting tube and an imaging system for producing signals representing the pattern of X-rays directed through the tire by the X-ray tube. A control apparatus for the system includes:(1) A protection apparatus for preventing overtravel of movable components of the system, including apparatus for sensing the positions of the movable components and controlling elements for moving the movable components and responding to the sensing apparatus to limit movement of the movable components to within a first predetermined range of positions.

Abstract: At least one comparator circuit and one timing circuit are provided so that the operation of a control element in response to the tensing of the muscles of a patient depends upon the time duration during which the patient tenses the muscle. Further timing and comparator circuits may be provided so that the rate at which the patient tenses the muscles can also influence the operation of the output control element. A reset circuit resets the timing and comparator circuits in response to alternate muscle tensings, allowing the patient free choice of any available operating condition independent of the previous operating condition.

Abstract: A control circuit for a stepping motor is provided which rotates the motor armature in such a manner as to minimize motor resonance while not appreciably reducing the motor torque at high speeds. The circuit includes means for receiving an input signal indicative of the desired direction and rate of motor travel and means responsive to the input signal for developing a position command signal which is a multi-step function having a maximum and a minimum level and wherein all steps are of equal amplitude but wherein at least one step between said maximum and minimum levels has a duration which is unequal to that of another step. Finally, the circuit includes means responsive to the position command signal for developing an energization signal for the stepping motor.

Abstract: An electromagnetic system for more efficiently utilizing energy wherein an outside power source is utilized to rotate a flywheel to a predetermined velocity. A plurality of armatures mounted on the periphery of the flywheel pass through a plurality of magnetic fields generated by stationary coils mounted at radially spaced locations around the rotating flywheel. The magnetic fields are generated by an electric current from a circuit that is so arranged that the magnetic fields are generated and collapsed in time relationship to the rotary movement of the armatures such that, as the armatures approach the magnetic field, they are drawn toward the center of the magnetic field at which point the magnetic field collapses and is regenerated with a reverse polarity so as to repel the armature from the center of the magnetic field whereby the flywheel rotation is maintained at the desired velocity.

Abstract: This application discloses cable length measuring apparatus for accurately determining the length of cable at spaced locations by utilizing at least two sets of measuring devices driven by the cable. Electronic switching means receive the length data from each of the measuring devices and processes that data into a command to a cable length marking means. The circuitry of the switch means automatically determines the most favorable instant to cause switching of the measurements of one of the measuring devices to create the command to the marking device to the other of the measuring devices in order to avoid any damage to the cable's jacket because of the switching between the two measuring devices.

Abstract: A system for the synhchrotransmission of angular position data between two rotating shafts, using, as the transmitter and receiver, two two-phase Hall effect motors, of which each rotor 2, 52 has a permanent magnet and each stator is formed by two windings 54,54, 73,74, and two Hall effect magnetic sensors 3,4, 23,24, arranged in pairs at a right angle. The electrical signals created by the sensors of the transmitter and the receiver are introduced into comparator circuits 19,29 so as to produce, in the event of angular position differences between the rotors, an error signal which after amplification 40, 41 is applied to the windings 53,54 of the receiver, thus eliminating the position difference by the creation of a torque.

Abstract: During a search operation in a rotating magnetic head tape transport, the tape is transported from a supply spool via guides and a vacuum column past the rotating head read/write station to a take-up spool. As the tape is wound onto the take-up spool in layer-by-layer convolutions, air is entrapped between the layers. The entrapped air forms a layer of air film and as a result the tape is loosely wound on the take-up spool. A "Hard Step" voltage is generated and is applied to the capstan motor at the end of the search operation to tighten any loose wraps caused by the air entrapment during the search.

Abstract: In a rotating head magnetic tape transport, magnetic media is transported from a supply spool to a take-up spool. Interlayer slippage, due to air entrapped between tape layers, is reduced by impressing a waveform on the take-up spool motor voltage during high speed search. The impressed waveform has a high acceleration component. As a result of the impressed waveform, a continual jerking action is imparted to the tape to squeeze out entrapped air and leave said tape in a state of tension or tightly wound.

Abstract: An instrument which performs with precision either as a pickoff or torquer and which is not subject to geometrical errors due to the electrodes going out of round. The pickoff electrodes of the instrument are mounted adjacent the end of the movable element instead of being concentric to it. Because of the location of the pickoff electrodes relative to the movable element, the device is a variable area pickoff rather than a variable gap pickoff. This provides the advantages of obtaining outputs from the X and Y axes which are a linear function of the motion of the movable element and, therefore, the displacement angle, as determined by the ratio of X and Y outputs, is independent of the amplitude of motion.

Abstract: The method is especially suitable for two identical groups of elements, and for supplying a continuous current traction motor. The commutating means modifies the coupling of groups of elements from parallel to series and conversely, as a function of the power demanded for driving the motor. The current supply of the motor is ensured by pulses delivered by a chopper type device monitored as a function of the power demanded. The commutating means e.g. a thyristor are actuated in synchronism with the operation of the chopper type device.

Abstract: An automatic control system wherein repetitive pulses, the frequency of which is responsive to a remote condition, such as prime mover RPM, are converted to a DC voltage level. The voltage level is compared to a reference by a difference amplifier to produce an error signal. Further signals are produced from the error signal, including an integral thereof, which signals are ultimately used to control the remote condition. The integrator is provided with an offset circuit to prevent saturation thereof during override of the normal control signal by an external limit signal as, for example, excessive engine temperature or smoke output.

Abstract: Prior art adaptive control systems for numerically-controlled milling machines are first discussed in which N/C instructions and adaptive control system data are obtained and stored in a storage medium utilizing a software routine which takes into consideration parameters of the milling process and parameters of a specific milling machine. The instructions and data command, for sequential steps in the milling process, such items as spindle position, feedrate and reference milling forces and are supplied to an N/C unit and to the adaptive control system at the milling machine to automatically control the milling process. The adaptive control system includes a milling force sensor and functions to override the commanded feedrate on comparison of the actual milling forces during the process with the reference milling forces.

Abstract: A direct current motor control device for use in battery automobiles comprises a direct current motor to be driven by a plurality of battery groups each battery group delivering an equal voltage. The device comprises a battery change-over thyristor circuit inclusive of a chopper circuit and can control the voltage applied to the motor by means of the chopping operation of the chopping circuit and the series-parallel change-over operation for the battery groups. The series-parallel change-over operation of the battery groups is automatically effected in response to the signal for controlling the control signal of time ratio for the chopper circuit.

Abstract: A wiper switch is connected to a wiper motor through a relay switch and further to a switch condition discrimination circuit which produces a trigger signal when the wiper switch is actuated from the closed state to the opened state and again to the closed state within a fixed time. A multivibrator is connected to the switch condition discrimination circuit and begins to oscillate upon receiving the trigger signal. The relay switch connected between the wiper motor and the wiper switch is actuated to open when receiving the oscillation pulses from the multivibrator, whereby the wiper motor is intermittently supplied with the electric power to perform the intermittent wiper operation.

Abstract: An inertia power system in which the rotational energy stored in a rotating inertia wheel is translated into useful work. The system includes an inertia wheel which is electrically driven. A magnetic clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the rotating inertia wheel into and out of driving relationships with a transmission assembly through which the rotation of energy of the inertia wheel is translated into useful work, e.g.; to drive a vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus by which a member is moved automatically to any one of a plurality of predetermined positions each of which is precisely established by guiding lock-up means such as a shot pin, and characterized in that inaccuracy of a feedback signal representing actual position of the member is determined prior to each movement toward a different position to create a correction signal used during subsequent repositioning so that the lock-up means will engage when such different position is reached.