Abstract: A pedal stroke sensor a rotor that rotates with a brake pedal with a pair of brushes fixed on the rotor. The brushes are inclined oppositely to each other along rotating direction of the rotor and contact a circuit printed on a circuit board to generate output voltages V1A and V1B which increase and decrease oppositely to each other in response to the brushes sliding over the circuit board. A difference signal |V1A−V1B| is output as a signal corresponding to pedal stroke S of the brake pedal. When any kind of vibration changes the contacting positions of the brushes on the board, the output voltages V1A, V1B change in the same direction, so that, even if the contacting positions of the brushes change because of a vibration, the difference signal |V1A−V1B| does not change greatly, allowing accurate detection of the position of the brake pedal even if such vibrations occur.

Abstract: A detector for detecting a rotational angle of a gearshift lever. The detector includes a magnet that forms a magnetic flux in a predetermined direction along its surface. A magnetic resistance sensor generates a detection signal corresponding to the direction of the magnetic flux. The detected object is connected to the magnet or the magnetic resistance sensor. The magnet and the magnetic resistance sensor are rotated relatively to each other to generate the detection signal and obtain the rotational angle of the detected object. The magnetic resistance sensor is separated from an axis of rotation of the sensor or the magnet.

Abstract: A damper device for an architectural structure and a monitor and control system of the damper device without requiring an exclusive network for connecting between the damper devices and the monitor and control system, and is able to monitor operations without regard to the distance between the damper devices and the monitor means. The damper device includes detection means 25A for detecting conditions of the damper device, communication means 30 for transmitting information detected by the detection means 25A through a public communication network and/or a local area network, and monitor means 36 for receiving the information from the communication means 30 and monitoring the conditions of the damper devices of the architectural structure.

Abstract: A method of determining the angular position of the steering wheel of a motor vehicle using an optoelectronic steering angel sensor includes disposing a code transmitter between the light source and the line sensor. The line sensor has image points positioned along a line at equal intervals with respect to one another. The line sensor is operable for generating light signals as a function of the position and intensity of light traces imaged onto the image points of the line sensor. The code transmitter concentrically surrounds a steering spindle of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle and is fixed to the steering spindle to rotate therewith. The code transmitter has a scanning line and a reference line for respectively imaging a scanning light trace and a reference light trace from the light source onto the image points of the line sensor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a backing maneuver of an automotive vehicle and trailer combination in which the vehicle has operator-actuated front wheel steering and microprocessor-actuated, reversible electric motor driven rear wheel steering. For a given initial alignment of vehicle and trailer, the computer-executed method first determines whether the driver needs to pull forward before commencing the backing operation. The driver is then requested to turn the front wheels in a direction suitable for backing the vehicle without a trailer in the desired direction. The process then determines whether the driver needs to perform counter front wheel steering before backing. Then the process controls the steering of the rear wheels during the backing operation.

Abstract: A rollover sensor for a vehicle continuously determines the inclination of a vehicle in at least one axis. In order to cancel drift deviations in the sensor, the inclination is average in the at least one axis, continuously along a defined route. The formed average value is assumed as the zero position. Inclination of the vehicle due to inclination of the road surface is compensated based on variations in ambient air pressure indicative of changes in altitude.

Abstract: A steering wheel movement detection device has a magnetic flux source and a magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor is mounted on the steering column and the magnetic flux source is attached to the steering shaft or steering wheel and moves in accordance therewith. The magnetic flux source has lines or bands of varying magnetic flux. The magnetic sensing device is mounted adjacent and opposing the magnetic flux source so that when the steering wheel moves varying magnetic flux impinges upon the magnetic sensing device. The magnetic sensing device forms the inductive component of a resonant LC tank circuit and the frequency of that circuit varies in accordance with the flux impinging on the sensing device. A microcontroller integrates or averages the varying frequency signal over brief periods of time and when the average frequency does not have sufficient deviations an alarm signal is produced. A speaker is driven by the alarm signal to signal the driver to a state of alertness.

Abstract: A rotary apparatus in which at least one electrically controlled device is attached to a rotor. The rotor carries coils such that rotation of the rotor generates power for the device. A switch is provided for controlling the supply of power to the device and receives control signals via a contactless communication link.

Abstract: The indicator light is constituted by a panel supporting juxtaposed and alternating neon tubes of blue, yellow, green and red color, these colors being assigned to the cardinal points north, east, south and west respectively. These tubes have voltage applied by means of a selector controlled by a weather vane, activating permanently the neon tubes of the color corresponding to the position of the weather vane. A series of colored lamps, displaying the Beaufort scale, indicates the wind velocity by means of a selector controlled by the anemometer. Colored light sources indicate the air pollution level.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting faults with a self-exciting sensor includes a monitor circuit coupled to the self-exciting sensor for monitoring a signal associated with the sensor and generating a failure signal. A voltage limiting circuit is coupled to a receiver circuit associated with the self-exciting sensor for generating a first output signal within a valid range of operation in the absence of the failure signal. The voltage limiting circuit also generates a second output signal outside the valid range of operation in response to the failure signal so as to eliminate the necessity of an additional input to control logic associated with the self-exciting sensor.

Abstract: To accurately detect a resonance frequency of tire even in high speed range by which tire air pressure state of each wheel is known, a calculation processing unit to which detection signals of wheel speed and resonance frequencies of tire are inputted calculates a timewise change amount of a wheel speed deviation that is a difference between wheel speed ratios of front and rear wheels. Then, it makes corrections to remove the influence of timewise change amounts of resonance frequencies of front wheels from timewise change amounts of wheel speed deviations based on a relationship between the resonance frequency and the wheel speed deviation when air pressure of the tire is changed.

Abstract: The method of detecting a partially deflated tire includes the steps of detecting the angular velocity of each wheel and generating corresponding velocity signals or data, processing the velocity signals or data in a processing unit arranged for calculating the value of a predetermined function of the ratio or of the difference between the product of the angular velocities of two diagonally opposed wheels and the product of the angular velocities of the other two wheels, and generating a warning signal when the difference between the values of this function and a first static reference value corresponding to a normal inflation condition of the tires exceeds a predetermined value, or when the difference between the values of this function and a second reference value determined upon each departure of the motor vehicle and corresponding to the actual inflation condition of the tires upon departure of the motor vehicle exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A warning device for monitoring the rotational speed of a prime mover which includes: a) a converting unit electrically connected to the prime mover for converting a digital signal representative of the rotational speed of the prime mover to an analog voltage; b) a reference unit for providing a specific analog reference voltage corresponding to the digital signal; c) a comparison unit for comparing the analog voltage with the specific analog reference voltage and generating a comparison signal when the analog voltage is not equal to the specific analog reference voltage; and d) an output unit electrically connected to the comparison unit for generating an alarm signal in response to the comparison signal.

Abstract: A method of and a device for determining a turning radius of a vehicle, accurately, without being influenced by the load movement of the vehicle, are disclosed. The rotational angular velocities of left and right tires are detected, respectively. The turning radius of the vehicle is determined, based on the detected rotational angular velocity, by taking a change in effective rolling radiuses due to the load movement of the vehicle into consideration.

Abstract: A detector 1, with its object of detection having operation characteristics that include a shift from a first state to a second state, outputs a signal e1 that corresponds to the operation characteristics of the object of detection. A first state detection circuit 2 generates a first output signal SA corresponding to the first state based upon the signal e1 provided by the detector 1. A second state detection circuit 3 generates a second output signal SB corresponding to the second state based upon the signal provided by the detector 1. The second output signal SB is generated only when the object of detection shifts from the first state to the second state in a normal manner while the first output signal SA is being generated. A state judgement circuit 4 generates a state judgement output signal Z on condition that there has been a period of time during which the first output signal SA and the second output signal SB have been both at high.

Abstract: Wheel speed values for each of four wheels are collected and analyzed for a statistical variation which would indicate low tire pressure. Prior to analysis, and following reset of the system, calibration factors are determined for each of the wheels to compensate rolling radius variations, and subsequently used to correct all wheel speed values. The corrected speed values are then filtered to exclude values which represent wheel slippage, rough road fluctuations, vehicle cornering, and uphill or downhill travel. When a sufficient number of values have been collected, an F-value is calculated substantially according to the statistical method "analysis of the variance", and the F-value is compared to an empirically determined value corresponding to a predetermined pressure loss. This comparison can provide the basis for a driver warning. Since a larger F-value indicates a larger statistical difference in wheel speeds, the value can be rechecked after a further interval for additional pressure loss.

Abstract: An integral information and energy storage system is disclosed comprising a disk drive having a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted therein, and a disk platter coupled to the shaft. A flywheel is also coupled to the shaft and includes, embedded in the flywheel, magnets having magnetic fields emanating therefrom. Electrical coils are positioned in the housing for receiving electrical energy from a power supply line and generating an electromagnetic field effective for selectively repulsing or attracting the magnets to thereby rotate the flywheel and convert electrical energy in the coils into kinetic energy in the flywheel. Alternatively, if power is not available on the power supply line, the coils generate electrical energy as the magnetic field is caused from rotation of the flywheel and the magnet embedded therein to move across the coil, thereby converting kinetic energy in the flywheel back into electrical energy in the coil and to the power supply line.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder apparatus for determining the position of a moving object. The encoder has a merged magnetoresistive (MR) head capable of maintaining a magnetic transducing relationship with a magnetic medium on a substrate while there is relative motion between the head and the medium. The merged MR head contains an MR read element and an inductive transducer write element. The inductive transducer write element is capable of writing encoded bits that contain information that defines a position of the substrate. The MR read element is capable of reading these encoded bits and generating an output signal. The output signal is processed by electronic circuitry in order to decipher the position of the moving object that is coupled with the encoder.

Abstract: Measuring device for the measurement of a rotor angle including a capacitive angular displacement transducer generating an output that varies with an angular displacement of a shaft. A first stator has a plurality of transmitting electrodes to generate electric fields within the transducer due to excitation signals applied to the plurality of transmitting electrodes which are electrically conducting circle sectors of equal area which are electrically isolated from each other and which completely cover a rotational angle of 2.pi. on the first stator. A second stator is parallel and coaxial to the first stator and includes a conductive ring electrode receiving excitation from the first stator and producing an electric output signal. A rotor is located coaxially, parallel to the first stator and the second stator. The rotor has at least one rotor blade in the form of circle sectors, the central angle of each rotor blade being equal to at least the sum of the central angles of two sectors of the first stator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for and a method of detecting a tire pressure drop for a four-wheel vehicle. When F1, F2, F3 and F4 are respectively taken as the rotational angular velocities of four tires, a judged value dF given by the following equation (A) is found:dF=(F1+F4)/(F2+F3) (A)The judged value dF is the ratio of the sum of the rotational angular velocities (F1+F4) of a pair of tires on a diagonal line to the sum of the rotational angular velocities (F2+F3) of the other pair of tires. If the pneumatic pressures of the four tires are all normal, (F1+F4)=(F2+F3), so that dF=1. On the other hand, if the pneumatic pressure of any one of the tires drops, dF.noteq.1. Accordingly, it is judged that the pneumatic pressure of a tire drops by comparing the judged value with a predetermined value.

Abstract: In a method for determining pressure loss in a pneumatic vehicle tire on a driven axle of a vehicle the rotational velocities of the wheels are measured and slip values for the driven wheels are calculated therefrom. Simultaneously, wheel drive forces of the vehicle for the calculated slip values are determined. The wheel drive forces and the corresponding calculated slip values are correlated and a characteristic curve is produced. The characteristic curve is compared to a predetermined characteristic curve range and a warning signal is generated when the characteristic curve is outside the predetermined characteristic range. The device for performing the method has sensors for measuring the rotational velocities of the wheels. A device for determining slip of the driven wheels from the measured rotational velocity is provided. A device for determining the wheel driven forces is present.

Abstract: A diagnosing apparatus and method for determining an occurrence of failure in a rear road wheel steering angle sensor of a motor-driven four wheel steering system of an automotive vehicle which can achieve a highly accurate detection of the occurrence of failure in the single rear road wheel steering angle sensor at an appropriate timing irrespective of a sensor failure mode. The detection of failure in the rear road wheel steering angle sensor is carried out on the basis of whether a target deviation between a rear road wheel steering angle sensor value and a target rear road wheel steering angle exceeds a predetermined deviation value and whether a generation time duration during which the target deviation exceeds the predetermined deviation value has continued over a predetermined period of time. In addition, the detection of failure in the rear road wheel steering angle sensor is carried out on the basis of whether an accumulated value of a rear road wheel steering angle estimated deviation .intg..DELTA..

Abstract: A signal processing method includes the steps of inputting first to N-th 2-phase sinusoidal wave signals, where N is a natural number (N.ltoreq.2) and an m-th 2-phase sinusoidal wave signal has an m-th frequency where m is a natural number and satisfies a relation of 1.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.N, and processing the first to N-th 2-phase sinusoidal signals by product summation or product differentiation of the first to N-th 2-phase sinusoidal wave signals to produce at least one signal having a frequency equal to a sum of the frequencies of the first to N-th 2-phase sinusoidal wave signals.

Abstract: A centrifuge system and method includes generating a radio frequency excitation field within a housing containing a rotor of interest. The excitation field may be generated by an exciter coil fixed to the cover of the housing. The rotor includes a locking knob that encloses a receiver coil inductively coupled to the exciter coil. The excitation field causes current flow through the receiver coil. The current is rectified and used to power encoding circuitry. The encoding circuitry produces a modulated signal unique to the rotor or to a model in which the rotor is classified. The encoded signal is transmitted from within the locking knob to a reader coil connected to the housing of the centrifuge. The reader coil receives the encoded signal, whereafter the signal is decoded and used to identify the rotor or rotor model.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting rotation of a shaft include a first antenna for transmitting electromagnetic energy into the shaft, a second antenna disposed for rotation with the shaft for modulating electromagnetic energy passing through the shaft in relation to the shaft rotational speed, and a detector for detecting the modulated electromagnetic energy that passes through the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the incoming transducer signal or synchronizing signal from an optical encoder in real time and display the degree of stability. The incoming transducer signal or optical encoder signal comprises of a certain number of voltage pulses. The number of pulses for a set period of time is measured to develop an actual frequency of voltage pulses per set unit of time. Furthermore, a representative numerical value for the time between two adjacent pulses is also developed. This time between adjacent pulses is altered by means of a look-up table to develop an average pulse frequency for that same set period of time. The average value for this period of time is then compared against the actual frequency of voltage pulses per set period of time. This comparative value can then be outputted to a display.

Abstract: Multiple output signals of rotary displacement sensors of a machine tool spindle are processed by a multi-displacement detector to detect a displacement which is different from a radial displacement in a moving direction. This results in a reduced number of displacement sensors. The multi-displacement detector includes: a moving section whose surface is continuously irregular in the moving direction; a stationary section including a plurality of sensors each outputting a signal that contains an output component whose level is proportional to a sine-wave value of a displacement in the moving direction and has an amplitude modulated in proportion to a variation in the gap from the irregular surface; and an arithmetic logic device for receiving the output signals of the plurality of sensors and for outputting signals indicative of a displacement in the moving direction and another at least one displacement of the moving section.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotor identification system operable to identify each of a plurality of 2.sup.N rotors. Each rotor has at least two synchronizing detectable elements thereon and up to N additional identifying detectable elements. The identification system comprises a first and a second detector, each detector being operative to generate a synchronizing signal upon the passage of a synchronizing detectable element in proximity thereto; and means responsive to the substantially simultaneous generation of a synchronizing signal from each of the first and second detectors for generating an identification enabling signal. Rotor identification signal generating means responsive to the identification enabling signal is provided for generating a rotor identification signal in accordance with the number of identifying detectable elements provided on the rotor.

Abstract: An industrial robot is provided with a body, a horizontal arm pivotally supported on the body, and a vertical arm mounted on the tip end portion of the horizontal arm for rotation about its own center axis. The robot includes a drive motor for rotatively driving the vertical arm, speed reduction means for speed-reducing and transmitting the drive force of the drive motor through a first output pulley to a second output pulley, and first and second detected portions mounted on the first and second output pulleys, respectively, with respective predetermined ranges of extension and indicating the original point position of the vertical arm by the difference between the respective phases.

Abstract: Detector of angular position comprising a stator (1) and a toothed rotor (3) in relative rotation. The stator (1) has magnetoresistors (M1 through M8) in pairs and preferably numbering four or a multiple of four. The magnetoresistors in each pair are almost diametrically opposed and in electrical phase opposition to eliminate magnetic torques on the rotor (3). The use of at least two pairs allows a useful signal to be easily obtained for all angles if the signals of the pairs are out of phase at a 90.degree. electrical angle. The detector provides a very high degree of precision, strength and low energy consumption.

Abstract: A high speed communication apparatus for a Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) scanner utilizes large diameter slip rings to permit continuous rotation of a rotatable gantry. A communication signal is applied at a first point on one slip ring, and is terminated by a resistive termination point 180.degree. opposite the driving point. The communication signal may then be received at any point on the slip ring by a receive connection and a matching receive connection which are 180.degree. opposite one another. The drive and termination connections to the slip ring may be made by brushes, with the receive and matching receive connections being made by a physical connection to the slip ring. Alternately, the drive and terminate connections may be made by physical contact, with the receive and matching receive connections being made by brushes.

Abstract: A method of detecting a partially deflated pneumatic tire on a vehicle having four tires each mounted on a wheel comprising sensing the angular velocity of each wheel by providing for each wheel, a signal generator to provide a single signal or pulse for each turn of the wheel, characterized by selecting a first wheel and measuring the time for one rotation of that first wheel, after beginning the first measurement similarly measuring the times of rotation for each other wheel, storing the times for each of the wheels for at least three rotations of each wheel and averaging the times to produce an average angular velocity value for each wheel, processing the four signals in a processor unit which subtracts the sum of the signals from one pair of diagonally opposite wheels from the sum of the signals from the other pair of diagonally opposite wheels, sensing when the magnitude of the result is between 0.05% and 0.

Abstract: A fixture containing a compact rotational position sensor mounted directly to a driving contrivance for detecting movement of a member. The fixture comprises an attachment flange having a central bore with a front face for engagement with the driving contrivance. The front face has a recess proximate to the central bore and an opening from the outer surface of the attachment flange in communication with the recess. A control shaft passes through a central bore whereby the control end is attached to the member and the free end is attached to the driving contrivance. The sensor for detecting the rotational position of the control shaft is disposed in the recess whereby the attachment flange conceals the sensor when it is attached to the driving contrivance.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting speed sensor failure in an overspeed protection device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of tachometers having outputs for indicating the speed of rotation of a machine relative to plural setpoints. If the comparison indicates that certain conditions exist, then a sensor failue is indicated. The apparatus may also be employed to detect a failure of, or loss of power to or within, one of the tachometers.

Abstract: A self-powered back-up alarm for mounting to the wheel hub of a heavy truck or like vehicle. The alarm includes a housing adapted to be mounted to a vehicle wheel hub. Inside the housing is a magnetized stator that is held stable by a counterweight mounted for free rotation to a spindle in the housing. Also mounted in the housing is a power supply including a coil positioned adjacent the stator in the housing and attached thereto so that it rotates about the stator when the wheel hub turns. A battery stores the energy developed across the coil when the wheel hub rotates. Also mounted inside the housing are sensors located adjacent the stator that similarly rotate with the wheel hub. The sensors, in combination with an associated detect circuit, produce a reverse motion signal whenever the vehicle backs up. An audio alarm, located in the housing, is actuated by the reverse motion signal and emits an audible warning whenever the vehicle backs up.

Abstract: A brake light, particularly for a vehicle other than an automobile, that operates using minimal energy from the vehicle. A first embodiment teaches a brake light using inertial change to initiate its operation. A second embodiment uses a magnetic sensor to determine the speed of a rotating wheel and initiates operation of the brake light when the speed of the rotating wheel decreases by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A photo-optical coupler is connected to a shaft to provide a series of electronic pulses at a frequency corresponding to rotational velocity of the shaft. Apparatus electronics is responsive to frequency of such pulses for indicating a low speed alarm condition when such frequency is below a preselected threshold. The apparatus electronics includes a digital counter that is set to a first preselected count upon occurrence of each of the shaft rotation pulses, and which is thereafter decremented between the shaft rotation pulses. A low speed alarm condition is indicated if the counter reaches a count of zero prior to a succeeding shaft rotation pulse. In the preferred embodiment, the counter is decremented by an oscillator having a clock frequency coordinated with the first preselected count so as to activate the alarm when rotational velocity of the shaft decreases to a predetermined threshold percentage of a nominal rotational velocity of the shaft.

Abstract: A microwave oscillator circuit having an antenna, wherein the effective reactive impedance of the oscillator circuit is altered by the movement of a reactive impedance changing element past the antenna to cause change of the oscillation condition of the oscillator. A change in oscillation condition is sensed and sent to a utilization device to determine speed and/or position. The utilization device can be a computer which receives a signal from a wheel speed determining system, wherefrom a signal is sent back to a braking system for the wheel to control braking thereof. This can be accomplished individually for each of the four wheels to provide an anti-locking braking system.

Abstract: A device for monitoring and verifying the operation of a rotating source, such as a rotating civil defense-type siren being tested by sounding the siren for a short period of time, employs a sensor mounted near the siren. The signal from the sensor is amplified, filtered and converted to a sinusoidal signal of the same frequency as the rotation of the siren. The sinusoidal signal is processed to sense siren turn-on, to determine whether the siren rotates more than a predetermined minimum number of times, and to sense siren turn-off. This information is stored and displayed by the device until it can be inspected by an individual, and can be relayed to a remote site.

Abstract: A stability monitoring and alarm system for a motor vehicle (e.g., a truck or a tractor trailer) provides an early warning to the driver of unsafe or potentially unsafe conditions. Front wheel desynchronization and rear load distribution are each monitored, and an alarm is generated if either the front wheels become desynchronized or the load is unevenly distributed in the rear of the vehicle. Various filtering and averaging techniques avoid false alarms and increase reliability and sensitivity. Thresholding of the front wheel desynchronization comparison is based on a model which takes turning lateral G force for particular speeds into account so that an alarm based on front wheel descynchronization is not generated because of taking turns too rapidly. Rather, such alarm is generated by monitoring shifting rear load distribution --a better and more accurate measure of vehicle stability. The resulting indications provided by an easy to read user interface warn the driver of a variety of conditions (e.g.

Abstract: A malfunction detecting system issues an alarm signal when a torque converter turbine speed measuring device is out of order.

Abstract: A warning and safety system for tractor-trailer dump trucks to indicate that the raised trailer is in a precarious position and in danger of tipping over, which system measures the pivot angle or the angle of revolution of the front end of the trailer. When the raised trailer is in an unstable position and begins to tip over, the front end of the trailer pivots on the hydraulic telescoping cylinder extending from the fifth wheel of the trailer. Mounted directly onto to hydraulic telescoping cylinder is an instrument sensitive to angular motion, or, alternatively, mounted on the fifth wheel of the tractor is a pivoting canister containing that instrument, from which a cable extends, parallel to the hydraulic telescoping cylinder, to the bottom of the front end of the trailer, where the cable engages with a pulley arrangement securely mounted on the cylinder well of the trailer.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a recording or playback head over a rotating recording medium, such as a magnetic disk. When access to a desired track is attempted, the head is quickly moved and placed within a range close to the track under open loop control. When the head enters the range close to the desired track, the head control is switched to servo feed under closed loop control. During the servo feed, the head is moved according to a head position signal representing the actual position of the head, the head position signal being given by a head position detector having a portion moving together with the head. The head is thus directed to a predetermined position according to an error signal corresponding to the deviation of the head position. When the head has passed through the desired position, driving force in the reverse direction is generated and the head is forced back toward the desired position. The head thus oscillates around the desired position but converges to it.

Abstract: A method of detecting a deflated tire on a vehicle which includes sensing the angular velocity of each wheel and producing a signal proportional thereto, processing the four signals in a processor unit which subtracts the sum of the signals from one pair of diagonally opposite wheels from the sum of the signals from the other pair of diagonally opposite wheels, sensing when the magnitude of the result is between 0.05% and 0.60% of the mean of the two sums, comparing the signals for each of the four wheels in turn with the signals for each of the other wheels, sensing when one of said signals is different from the average of all four signals by more than 0.1% and in the event of both sensed signal factor being present, operating a warning device to indicate a tire is partially or completely deflated.

Abstract: A vehicle speed detecting device utilizes two vehicle speed pulse generators, a vehicle speed memory device, pulse counters, abnormality detectors, pulse signal transfer devices and an alarm device which are all integrated into the electronic control circuit of a micro-processor through two sets of signal processing devices. The detecting device not only indicates the speed of the vehicle but also detects abnormalities in either of the vehicle speed pulse generators and provides an appropriate alarm.

Abstract: A self guided vehicle employs a highly accurate velocity sensor to determine vehicle speed and position. The velocity sensor includes a resolver connected to and rotatable with a ground engaging wheel. A resolver to digital converter (R/D) provides a highly accurate 8-bit digital signal representative of the angle of wheel rotation. A second less expensive and less accurate velocity sensor also receives the modulated sine and cosine signals from the resolver and produces a series of pulses representative of vehicle speed. The pulses are produced by detecting the zero crossings of the sine, cosine, and combinations of the sine and cosine signals. The velocity information present in the second velocity sensor signal is not used to actually guide the vehicle, but merely to generally validate the information present in the R/D signal.

Abstract: A warning for a vehicular air brake system, which system is powered by air compressed by a rotary compressor. A sensor senses rotation of some part of the compressor, and if a signal respective to rotation is not sensed during a predetermined increment of time, an alarm is caused to alert the operator of an impending lack of compressed air.

Abstract: An apparatus mounted upon an automotive vehicle to determine the impact of centrifugal force upon the vehicle in traveling through a curve of a road for the purpose of ascertaining an upper safe speed limit for posting the curve.

Abstract: In strip casting, a melt is pressed between a travelling belt and a casting drum rotating along with the belt. A method and device for measuring the speed difference between the speed of the belt and the peripheral speed of the drum involves providing the belt on one side with a pattern of alternately darker and lighter stripes. Around the periphery of the casting drum there is arranged a number of measuring zones, each having the same width as that of the stripes. Each measuring zone includes a transducer built up of a number of photocells which, via optical conductors opening out to the measuring zones, can be activated by the stripes. When, during a casting operation, a measuring zone has arrived at a given measuring region, the number of activated photocells is read. The same procedure is repeated when the same transducer arrives at the end of the measuring region.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and warning of an undesirable velocity condition in a rotating shaft includes a magnetic reed switch having on and off domains oriented with respect to an actuation magnet which is displaced on an outward radial path with respect to the shaft by centrifugal force, such that the actuation magnet can pass from within an on domain to within an off domain and vice versa, thereby switching the reed switch on and off according to the speed of rotation of the shaft. The reed switch is connected electrically to a warning light or buzzer or control circuit. An alternative embodiment employs a ferromagnetic shield variously interposed between the actuation magnet and the reed switch in response to centrifugal force.