Abstract: The disclosed system utilizes digital electronic programming to establish the rotational or translational speed of a motor driven member. The desired speed can be selected by manipulating a set of digital switches. A stable oscillator is employed to generate a high frequency signal which is processed by frequency dividers to produce a modulaton frequency signal. The modulation frequency is supplied to an optical encoder having a rotary shaft adapted to be connected to a rotary member, the speed of which is to be controlled. The encoder is constructed and arranged to produce a phase variable output signal at the modulation frequency, the phase of such output signal being variable as a function of the shaft angle.

Abstract: A combined electrical switch and fluid control device is disclosed, for simultaneously performing electrical and fluid power control functions. For example, the device may be employed on an automotive vehicle for controlling the operation of electrical components and vacuum operated devices. The control device is particularly well adapted for controlling the operation of a heating and air-conditioning system for an automobile or some other automotive vehicle. The control device may comprise a casing, a control member movable in the casing along a predetermined path, electrical switching means in the casing and operable by the movement of the control member along such path, fluid control means in the casing and including a valve member movable in the casing in a direction transverse to the path of the control member, and camming means operable between the control member and the valve member for moving the valve member transversely to such path in response to movement of the control member along the path.

Abstract: A heavy duty push-button switch for the direct closing and opening of a high-current electrical circuit, such as the starter motor circuit for an internal combustion engine, comprising a casing containing at least two contact points engageable by a contactor disk mounted on a movable carriage member. The contactor disk is freely rotatable on the carriage member when the contactor disk is in transit between the contact points and a backstop. The contact points are preferably made of a silver alloy. Moreover, at least the surface portion of the contactor disk, presented to the contact points, is made of a silver alloy. The transfer of silver is equalized in both directions between the disk and the contact points. The switch preferably includes first spring means for biasing the contactor disk against the backstop.

Abstract: A helical coil comprising a plurality of turns of bar stock is mounted on an expanding mandrel which is operated by a hydraulic cylinder or the like to expand the internal circumference of the coil against the resilient resistance thereof. A severing device is then employed to form a cut across the turns of the coil so as to sever each turn as a separate ring having a gap therein corresponding in width to the thickness of the severing device. The expanding mandrel is then released so as to allow the rings to spring back to their original circumference. In this way, the gap in each ring is closed. Each ring may then be flattened to remove the helical pitch so that the ring will be in a single plane with the severed ends of the ring aligned. The severed ends may be welded or otherwise joined. The disclosed machine preferably employs a rotary abrasive disc for forming the cut across the turns of the coil. The width of the cut corresponds to the thickness of the abrasive disc.