Abstract: A centralized motor controller for receiving commands from an application system controller and for controlling operation of a plurality of independent motors. The centralized motor controller includes: a power supply; a microprocessor; and an interface circuit for motor control including at least two inverter units and two rotor position detection units. The power supply supplies power for each circuit part. The motors are controlled by the microprocessor via the interface circuit for motor control. The number of the motors is equal to or more than three, in which, at least two of the motors are permanent magnet synchronous motors in the absence of a motor controller. The permanent magnet synchronous motors are driven by the microprocessor via the inverter units, respectively. Rotor position data of the permanent magnet synchronous motors are transmitted to the microprocessor via the rotor position detection units, respectively.

Abstract: An injection molding machine has a control device which controls an input to an incorporated motor. The control device sets a setting value a setting value of the motor to be held for a predetermined setting time. Additionally, the control device determines a reduction ratio which causes the setting value to be reduced according to passage of time, and controls the input to the motor based on the reduction ratio. Thereby, a power consumption of the motor is reduced.

Abstract: A system for allowing a wide selection of components to affect a desired result in the positioning business. Up to nine axes of coordinated motion are offered each of which may use a servomotor, a single or double rod air cylinder. The control for the system is a series of digital commands that cause the cylinder to accelerate, decelerate, maintain a given velocity, stop or pause and repeat a series of commands. It uses a low power servo system which, when activated, opens an air valve to an air cylinder which then moves until the valve actuator is turned off by the cylinder thus causing the air cylinder to follow the lower power servo system.

Abstract: A method of controlling a variable speed draft inducer motor and fan in a gas furnace. The method comprises the steps of: detecting a first fault driving the motor to a maximum operating range; detecting a second fault forcing the motor to operate towards a minimum operating range; and generating a fault signal if both faults are detected substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of controlling a variable speed draft inducer motor and fan in a gas furnace. The method comprises the steps of: detecting a first fault driving the motor to a maximum operating range; detecting a second fault forcing the motor to operate towards a minimum operating range; and generating a fault signal if both faults are detected substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A controller for a work transfer system, capable of performing precise positioning of feed bars during sole driving of the transfer system and simplified in structure to contribute to savings in installation space and cost. The controller has a cam angle detector mounted on a cam shaft for feed cams and controls servo motors for respective lift bars according to information which is related to cam angle of the feed cams detected by the cam angle detector and looked up in a motion table set by a transfer controlling PLC serving as a motion table setting means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rotatably positioning a machine housing is disclosed. A pump produces pressurized fluid to a motor that responsively rotates the machine housing. A control valve regulates fluid flow from the pump to the motor. A position sensor detects the rotational position of the housing and responsively produces an actual position signal. A device produces a signal indicative of a desired rotational position of the housing. A controller compares the desired and actual position signals, responsively produces an error signal, multiplies the error signal by a variable gain value representative of the housing acceleration and delivers a control signal to the control valve to rotate the housing to the desired position.

Abstract: A robot welding device with a servo-valve controlled drive for the electrodes and an electrical control for the servo-valves with at least one transducer for actual data on the welding process and an interface for the measurements to a computer unit. By way of a holder program running on the computer, it is possible to freely select the set data assigned to the individual work phases. The comparison between the set values of the holder program and the actual data measurement sensors makes it possible, in conjunction with the interface for the servo valves, to complete the preselected work phases with precision.

Abstract: An integrated compliance electrohydraulic servovalve system connected to a load such as a simulated living being to provide more realistic movement thereto. The system includes a pressure transducer for sensing the pressure appearing at the output of the electrohydraulic servovalve and which is applied to an actuator connected to the load. The pressure as sensed is developed into a corresponding electrical signal which is used as a feed back signal to the drive motor of the electrohydraulic servovalve. The actuator position signal is also provided and is summed with the position command input signal to provide the command signal which is also summed with the pressure signal prior to application to the drive motor. The utilization of the pressure feed back signal provides compliance to the over all system resulting in a realistic movement of the simulated living being.

Abstract: An integrated compliance electrohydraulic servovalve system connected to a load such as a simulated living being to provide more realistic movement thereto. The system includes a pressure transducer for sensing the pressure appearing at the output of the electrohydraulic servovalve and which is applied to an actuator connected to the load. The pressure as sensed is developed into a corresponding electrical signal which is used as a feed back signal to the drive motor of the electrohydraulic servovalve. The actuator position signal is also provided and is summed with the position command input signal to provide the command signal which is also summed with the pressure signal prior to application to the drive motor. The utilization of the pressure feed back signal provides compliance to the over all system resulting in a realistic movement of the simulated living being.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a housing of an excavator housing. A motor receives pressurized fluid to cause rotation of the excavator housing. A motor position sensor determines the rotational position of the housing and responsively produces a housing position signal. A pressure sensor determines the fluid pressure supplied to the motor and responsively produces a pressure signal. A microprocessor produces a signal indicative of a desired rotational position of the housing. The microprocessor receives the position and pressure signals, and responsively controls fluid to the motor in order to rotate the housing to the desired position.

Abstract: A control circuit for a motor driving a fan for inducing a draft in the exhaust of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The control circuit may be used in conjunction with either a variable pressure sensor or one or two discrete pressure sensors. A controller receives information defining the pressure set point. The information may be from a switched register or low or high pressure input signals. The motor speed/torque is increased until the pressure set point is reached.

Abstract: A solution pumping system is disclosed which is embodied as a disposable pump cassette including a self-contained positive displacement pump, and an associated pump driver including a reciprocable pump piston for driving the pump of the cassette. This system is particularly suited for use in compounding in preparation of parenteral solutions for administration to patients. In order to promote high liquid output with minimum peak pumping pressures, the controls of the system operate to provide a "square" pumping pressure waveform, thus optimizing performance of the system. This is achieved by selectively varying the velocity of the pump piston during its operation.

Abstract: A rivetting machine has a hydraulic cylinder connected with a hydraulic power source, the cylinder including a piston shaft, a motor-driven spindle extending through and journaled to the piston shaft, and a rivet head forming tool secured to the bottom end of the spindle and carrying a forming shaft. A controller of the machine has a linear encoder for detecting the axial position of the piston shaft, an electric hydraulic servo valve provided in a hydraulic circuit between the hydraulic power source and the hydraulic cylinder, a machining data input unit for inputting machining data of the work rivet into a programmable control unit. The control unit receives the output of the linear encoder and the input machining data and controlling the hydraulic cylinder via the electric/hydraulic servo valve based on the machining data and the output of the encoder.

Abstract: The motor drive circuit has an instrumentation amplifier with a programmable gain set by selectively blowing fuses during initial circuit calibration. The quasi-sawtooth waveform of a relaxation oscillator is compared with the amplified and conditioned signal produced by a pressure responsive Wheatstone bridge circuit. The result of this comparison is a drive signal which controls the pump motor speed. Radio frequency interference is minimized by storing the motor drive current in a capacitor located near the motor. Further interference is minimized by a reactive matching circuit which combines with the motor impedance to result in a purely resistive load.

Abstract: A Stirling cycle cooling engine with separate linear motor drives for the compressor and displacer, the drives being powered by a common oscillator via respective look up table/digital to analog converter circuits and respective displacement regulating servo-loop circuits and to regulate the temperature of the element cooled by the engine, a temperature sensor arranged to control the amplitude of the compressor piston displacement.

Abstract: A constant speed hydrostatic drive system is disclosed wherein a generator drive shaft is maintained at a constant speed by utilizing an electro-hydraulic controlled displacement pump responsive to a pressure transducer to control a hydraulic motor. A speed sensor is used to produce a direct current signal responsive to the drive shaft speed. The signal is converted into a series of voltage pulses also responsive to the shaft speed which are compared to a speed reference signal to provide a speed error signal. A loop gain control means is provided to utilize said speed error signal to adjust the shaft speed to coincide with said reference signal. A timing reference and digital trim control are also provided to compensate for long term drifting in the type speed control circuit described above.

Abstract: An electropneumatic position regulator having a current/pressure transducer has, as electric input, at least one coil (11) fed with a current (setting signal), as well as a permanent magnet (16) whose relative position is variable as a function of the current for the adjustment of a nozzle/impact-plate arrangement (17, 18) of a pneumatic system. The position regulator serves for a pneumatic setting device (23) which has a stroke output and is connected with the nozzle/impact-plate arrangement. The position regulator furthermore comprises a position report device with an electric path transmitter (31) which is connected to the stroke output (32) of the setting device (23). The report signal from the electric path transmitter (31) is fed back to the electric input (coil 12) of the current/pressure transducer.

Abstract: Parallel, pulse-width-modulation controlled three-way valves each both supply and exhaust a pressure chamber of a fluid actuator. The phase difference of the oscillator carrier waves of the pulse width modulation input circuit effectively increases the frequency of a net actuator carrier wave so as to quicken the response of the actuator.

Abstract: A load support servomechanism circuit controls the armature of a shaker apparatus. The circuit includes a position sensor, peak detectors connected to outputs of the position sensor, an A/D converter connected to outputs of the peak detectors through a switching bank, a power supply and a microprocessor which provides clock, read, write and ready signals and which automatically controls the position of the armature through solenoids operating on an exhaust valve and a pressure valve. Manual operation of the shaker armature is also provided.

Abstract: A low pressure control system for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus, including a vacuum pressure chamber and an exhaust pump, is provided by a vacuum pump DC motor which is supplied power from a DC motor speed controller coupled to a DC control input signal from a pulsewidth modulation DC converter. The converter receives a single pulsewidth modulated pulse train having its percentage of modulation controlled in accordance with a DC to pulsewidth modulation controller which operates in accordance with the difference between a pair of DC input signals corresponding to the actual pressure inside the vacuum pressure chamber and a desired or set point pressure respectively. The vacuum pump motor speed and accordingly the exhaust pump is controlled with a high degree of precision, thereby providing improved coating uniformity of semiconductor wafers being fabricated by the CVD apparatus.

Abstract: A variable pneumatic output device for use with ophthmalic micro-surgical instruments including a reversible servo motor which operates in response to instructions from an electronic control circuit. The rotatable drive shaft of the servo motor is operatively connected to the adjustable level control of a precision pressure regulator which operates between a fully open level and a fully closed level. The pressure regulator is operatively connected between a pressurized air source and the pneumatically driven micro-surgical instrument and according to the instructions of the electronic control circuitry, the servo motor, through the connecting drive to the regulator, adjusts the level of pneumatic output to the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A resistive network is used for an electro-pneumatic converter so that the speed of the electro-pneumatic converter can be regulated. The converter includes a reversible DC servo motor having a pair of terminals connected to a pair of lines. The lines are selectively connectable to a common terminal of a power supply. The power terminal of the power supply is connected over a variable resistor to a terminal connecting the lines. Selectively connecting one of the lines to the common terminal causes electrical power to pass through the motor and one for an opposite direction to turn the motor shaft in a selected direction of rotation. The speed of rotation is determined by the position of the variable resistor. The motor shaft is used in conjunction with a cam that is associated with a nozzle supplied with pressurized gas over a bellows. The nozzle is moved closer or further away from the cam edge as the bellows expands or contracts.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for guiding, positioning, and measuring through robot control, a tool and a work zone relative to each other, by a noncontacting probe of at least one transceiver for generating shock waves, and for sensing their reflections, with one or more multiple apertured lenses for focusing and concentrating such shock waves and their reflections.

Abstract: Probe method and means are disclosed for guiding and positioning a robot-actuated tool, such as a gripper or a welding head, through at least one transceiver for generating and sensing focused shockwaves, the probe being associated with the tool for relative movement with respect to the object or objects being sensed, without physically contacting the same.

Abstract: A system for evaluating whether a work-performing robot can perform a series of programmed motions is disclosed which includes means for continuously comparing the velocity of the various links of a robot simulator, which is manually moved through the sequence of motions to be programmed, against predetermined velocity limits associated with the corresponding links of the work-performing robot which will reproduce the programmed steps, and providing humanly perceptible alarm indications uniquely identifiable with the various robot links when the motions manually programmed on the robot simulator exceed the velocity limits of the work-performing robot. Additionally, the individual velocities of the various robot simulator links are summed, and the sum continuously compared against the power limit of the hydraulic pump driving the link actuators of the work-performing robot.

Abstract: A method and control apparatus are disclosed for maintaining a measured parameter of an environment in a closed-loop system within a range of the desired level for that parameter, to an accuracy greater than that of the parameter measuring device in the closed-loop system. The control apparatus periodically receives measurement readings of the parameter to be controlled from a sensor, having a fixed measurement accuracy. An adjustable length memory stores a historical value of changes between the periodically obtained parameter measurements that have occurred over a predetermined length of time. The control apparatus and method generates a control signal for regulating a prime mover acting on the environment which affects the measured parameter, by combining the historical value change data stored in the memory with the difference between a current parameter measurement and the desired parameter value.

Abstract: An electrical control arrangement which includes firstly an electronic transducer, which is adapted to receive a controlled stream of fluid, and secondly control means to be controlled by the electronic transducer to control the speed of a micro-motor in a linear manner.

Abstract: A pneumatic fail-safe sensor system including a probe adapted to monitor the outline of a master pattern as the directed cutter spindle system of an N/C machine tool forms a part is disclosed. When the probe impinges on the master pattern to indicate that the cutter is deviating from the desired path of travel, a valve is opened and causes a pressure drop that actuates a pressure switch. The valve includes a pressurized dome that presses a valve plate against a valve seat. A valve stem is attached to the valve plate and supports the probe. Movement of the probe disturbs the static pressure of an annular chamber contained wholly within the valve seat area and, thereby, creates the pressure drop that activates the pressure switch. Activation of the pressure switch causes an electronic circuit to energize the control system of the N/C machine tool that terminates its operation by deenergizing the blocking valves.

Abstract: A system for measuring the rotation of a shaft without direct mechanical connection to it uses a digital system to maintain a second shaft that connects to a cylindrical chart recorder in a constant angular position relationship with the measured shaft. Two limit switches on the recorder shaft sense the rotation of a reference point on the measured shaft beyond a range defined by the location of the limit switches. A stepper motor driven by digital power supply incrementally rotates the recorder shaft to move a reference point on the recorder shaft back into alignment with the reference point on the measured shaft. A digital counter controls the number of pulses supplied by the power supply to stop the recorder shaft in the aligned position.