Abstract: Apparatus for rotating an antenna to a predetermined position and maintaining said position is disclosed. The system comprises an antenna position sensing signal source, a desired position signal source, both of which provide analog signals, position comparator means, and antenna drive means. Comparison of the desired position signal and actual position signal generates a direction relay signal and an antenna rotor drive relay signal which together activate the antenna rotor drive means for rotation in the proper direction to the desired position. Circuitry is included for automatic operation in conjunction with equipment utilizing predetermined channels, such as a radio or television receiver, and for manual override or testing and calibration of the automatic operation.

Abstract: A multiple-purpose, closed-loop, automatic control system comprising:a system controlled;a detecting means for detecting a controlled variable output from the system controlled and converting the controlled variable into an electrical feedback signal;a signal converting means for receiving the feedback signal and converting said signal into an angular displacement corresponding to the feedback signal;a comparing means for comparing the controlled variable with a preset desired value and selectively opening or closing a forward or a reverse controlling circuit;a controlling means including the forward and the reverse controlling circuit selectively opened or closed by said comparing means, a braking control circuit and a driving mechanism responsive to said forward and reverse control circuits and said braking control circuit for automatic control over the system controlled to keep the controlled variable within the preset desired value.

Abstract: The servo apparatus includes a series resistor string connected in parallel with the body of the servo slidewire resistor. Upscale and downscale travel limit voltage points, corresponding to upscale and downscale travel limit positions for the slidewire contact, are established along the resistor string. The limit voltages on the limit voltage points are separately compared with the slidewire contact voltage, and appropriate motor drive signal interrupting signals are produced when the slidewire contact voltage exceeds the upscale limit voltage or drops below the downscale limit voltage. The interrupting signals effect their motor drive signal interrupting action by reversing the output polarity of motor drive comparators which produce the motor drive signals under the control of an error amplifier which compares the apparatus input voltage to the slidewire contact voltage.

Abstract: A laser generating tube and associated optical system is mounted on a laser support which is mounted to pivot relative to a cradle about a first axis. The cradle is mounted to pivot about a second axis (transverse to the first) relative to a frame. First and second levelling motors control the angle of the support relative to the cradle and of the cradle relative to the frame. Thus the slope of the laser beam emitted from the optical system is controlled in two planes. Fixed to the laser support is a grade control device consisting of a base and a grade plate which is tripod mounted relative to the base, two of the three support points being on screws which are driven by first and second grade motors so that the slope of the grade plate relative to the base (and then to the laser support) may be adjusted in two planes. First and second potentiometers are arranged to adjust as the screws are turned.

Abstract: An improved regulator is provided for varying the rotational speed of a screw conveyor arranged to supply material to a variable-volume chamber having a piston slidably mounted in a cylinder. The regulator produces a sum signal proportional to the algebraic sum of positive input signals reflecting the desired degree of chamber filling and the desired discharge volume, and negative input signals reflecting the actual filling volume and the actual degree of chamber filling. This sum signal is converted to a proportional time-dependent signal which is used to adjust the speed of the conveyor. The conveyor speed is increased or decreased by an amount depending on the magnitude and polarity of the sum signal. In use, the regulator practices an improved method of regulating the speed of a conveyor.

Abstract: A signal generator for producing a control signal to control specific operations based upon the angular position of a rotating part in devices such as molding presses. An electrical signal related to the position of the rotating part is generated by using a potentiometer. The signal from the potentiometer is compared in a logic circuit to other adjustable electrical signals. Based upon the results of the comparison a control circuit provides the control signal. Furthermore, monitoring circuits are provided to detect any improper deviation in the electrical signals and upon detecting a deviation in an electrical signal the monitoring circuit provides an error output signal. An interrupter circuit is responsive to each monitoring device and disables the motion of the rotating part upon receipt of any error signal.

Abstract: In a servo system for manipulating a displaceble member in response to movement of a control through corresponding changes of position, which operates by comparing an electrical signal representative of the position of the control with an electrical signal representative of the position of the displaceable member to provide error signals which can drive the displaceable member in either of two opposite directions, a safety interlock circuit is provided which detects the presence of an error signal in either direction immediately after the application of operating voltage or immediately after the switching of the machinery into a different mode of operation and locks the displaceable member in position if an error signal initially appears until the error signal is cancelled by bringing the manual control into a position corresponding with that of the displaceable member. Unexpected sudden movements that may endanger personnel are thereby prevented.

Abstract: A position control system capable of relatively great positioning accuracy includes a universal electric motor and a gear box for transferring the motion of the motor and an object being positioned. The position control system includes a conductive brush which moves with the object being positioned and which slides on a plurality of electrical contacts which are part of a control circuit the control circuit includes a plurality switches for selection of the desired position of the object and resistance networks which serve to apply various values of voltage to voltage sensitive motor speed and direction controls which in turn control the speed direction and stopping of the motor hereby controlling the position of the object.

Abstract: Multiple purpose feedback control system comprising and characterized by a detecting means for detecting the controlled variable and converting the detected variable into a feedback signal output; a signal converting means for receiving the feedback signal from the detecting means and amplifying the signal for input into a balancing motor to convert the signal into rotary displacement in proportion to the said signal; a limit control switch for receiving the rotary movement to compare the movement with a desired value; a pair of electro-magnetic devices for transmission actuated or controlled by the limit control switch at upper and lower limits; a pair of electro-magnetic switches actuated by an on/off solenoid; an electro-magnetic device for braking actuated or controlled by the electro-magnetic switch operated by said control switch; a drive means for driving the main shaft of a control gear means; a control gear set moved by the coupling of the pair of electro-magnetic device and braked by the braking ele

Abstract: A vehicle with apparatus for discharging material such as salt on a roadway or the like at a rate that a control system automatically varies with vehicle speed includes means that ordinarily interrupts normal control to prevent discharge of material while vehicle speed is below preselected threshold value. The system also includes a blast circuit which responds to momentary manual operation of a switch to impose a blast signal on control system to override all other control activity to cause rapid dispensing of material for a preselected period even if vehicle is stopped or moving below the threshold speed.

Abstract: The disclosed system includes a direct-current bridge circuit and a bridge-balancing reversible motor coupled to the bridge circuit, together with a differential high-gain amplifier which is responsive to even slight bridge unbalance to polarize the motor for rotation in the direction toward rebalance of the bridge circuit and also interrupts the motor operation when balance of the bridge is passed in either direction. Apparatus is included responsive to both positive and negative reversals in the polarity of unbalance of the bridge for deenergizing the motor when the null of the bridge is crossed in either direction.

Abstract: A position sensing device is disclosed including an assembly of a Hall effect generator element shiftably supported relatively to a permanently magnetizable element. Each such Hall effect generator element being randomly chosen from an inventory of parts having wide tolerance limits of Hall effect output under like magnetic flux influence; and each magnetizable element from an inventory having a widely varying magnetic capability after exposure to like magnetizing influence. The magnetization of the magnetizable element of each such assembly being imparted thereto under control of the Hall effect output of the specific Hall effect generator in the assembly with the result that every position sensing device so assembled can be made to produce substantially identical Hall effect output in each relative position of said elements.

Abstract: Two extreme points of a range within which a movable body is reciprocated, are set by two position setting means provided with variable resistors. The voltage at the sliding contact of a variable resistor coupled to the movable body is always compared with the voltages preset by the respective position setting means. The two signals produced as a result of the two comparisons are applied to a control circuit, the output of which causes the motor to drive the movable body to rotate in the forward or reverse direction in accordance with the two signals. Thus, the movable body automatically performs a reciprocal motion between the two preset extremes.

Abstract: A control arrangement is described for angularly positioning a member such as an aerial structure in which a potentiometer has a continuous circumferential winding with two sets of tappings of at least two tappings and at least three tappings respectively the relative angular position of the two sets of tappings being variable in dependence upon the angular position of the member. Potentials are applied to one set of tappings and the potentials at the other set are compared with respective ones of a set of preset voltages representative of the desired position of the member. The member is driven to change its angular position until the result of comparison indicates that the desired position has been reached.

Abstract: An adjustable filter regulator for a microspectrophotometer including adjustment means connected to a scale for controlling the setting of the interference filter wherein the filter is moveably connected to a servomotor; follower circuit, differential amplifier, and signal transmitter.

Abstract: An electro hydraulic system for controlling a hydraulic function includes a pump and a reservoir connected to the function through a manually operable, electro-hydraulic control valve. The valve is positionable to either side of a neutral ports blocked position and may be held to one side by the engaging of a spring loaded detent. The detent is disengaged by an electrical signal produced by a comparator when a preset, operator-controlled, limiting signal is equalled by a feed back sensor signal proportional to the output of the function. The system will allow initial activation of the valve to provide continuous operation of the function until the limiting input is reached at which time the function will be stopped. The system further provides manual override of the electrical control system to permit operation of the valve when the feedback signal is greater than the limiting input signal.

Abstract: An electronic system for controlling the extent of motion and starting and stopping positions of a hydraulically driven member is described. The driven member is equipped with voltage sensitive means which provides a voltage indicative of the position of the driven member along the path of motion. The position indicative voltage is compared with reference voltages and the resulting comparison voltages actuate switching circuitry to effect changes in the travel speed of the driven member and to control the start and stop positions of the driven member. Hydraulic or mechanical apparatus responsive to the switching circuitry controls the motion extent and velocity of the driven member in accordance with the comparison voltages. The inventive control system thus provides accurate positioning and selected velocity changes along the path of motion of a member driven by a hydraulic source.

Abstract: A remote control system for the jack cylinders of a hydraulically operated crane includes a plurality of regulating valves for controlling respective jack cylinders, the regulation of each valve being controlled by the movement of a respective valve spool connected to a respective lever forming part of a linkage including an arm mounted on a rotatable shaft and connectable to the shaft by a respective electromagnetically operated clutch so that by engagement of one said clutch and rotation of the shaft to a predetermined position the corresponding valve spool may be correspondingly positioned to move the associated jack cylinder accordingly.Engagement of the clutches and rotation of the shaft can be controlled by a portable actuating unit connected to the rest of the system by an electrical cable, the system including a control means which adjusts the position of the shaft to correspond with the setting of a control member on the actuating unit.