Abstract: The motor control for a universal or D.C. electric motor controlled by opposing SCRs in parallel includes a comparator for controlling timing of firing of the SCRs based on a comparison of a sensed motor speed error signal and a synchronous ramp and also includes a circuit for sensing motor current as representative of motor torque and generating a motor shut-down signal when the sensed torque or current is greater than a setpoint value. When the shut-down signal is generated, the sensed speed error signal is overridden or prevented from being input to the comparator by deactivation (reverse biasing) of a current switch (diode) and results in the SCRs being deactivated. When the motor is restarted, a soft start circuit provides an alternate gradually increasing speed signal to the comparator in lieu of the sensed speed error signal for a selected short time after restart to gradually increase motor speed.

Abstract: A guide for prevention of fouling of rope or cable wound on a capstan is a short helical ramp at the driven end of the capstan, which ramp guides the rope onto the cylindrical capstan body. The capstan rotates conventionally; the ramp is fixed concentrically. The ramp winds through an arc which is less than 360.degree.. In another embodiment, an arm connects to the ramp. The ramp with connected arm, is free to rotate near the driven base of the capstan. The rotatable ramp/arm assembly allows the rope to approach the capstan from any radial angle and be properly wound onto the capstan.

Abstract: The hydraulic crimping tool includes a piston follower mechanism to provide an automatically sequentially reduced crimping force and extent of crimping deformation in predetermined manner in dependence on the extent of travel of a movable crimping jaw toward a stationary jaw.