Abstract: A slotted spool valve for a speed control apparatus offering rapid response to prevent speed searching and cogging at low speed settings. Round port spool valve arrangements are replaced with a valve arrangement having rectangular-shaped ports. Response of the rectangular-shaped ports provides for rapid and sufficient fluid flow or bypass with less movement of a control shaft than that required for use with round port spool valve arrangements.

Abstract: A global positioning planter system for planting of seeds by a seed planter. A population control controls the seed planter. A global positioning system computer with digitized maps connects to the population control. The population control connects to the seeder for planting of seeds such as corn or beans or to seed drills for controlling the seed drill, and plants the seeds according to the population control which receives and transmits data with the global positioning system computer.

Abstract: Astro capsule intended for use as a toy and raisable and rotatable on a four-bar linkage by hydraulic cylinders through hydraulic circuits. An electrical circuit provides for sequenced flashing flight lights, pulsating front gun lights, and for providing through a speaker a rocket sound and a phasor gun sound. The hydraulic circuits include a novel single spool for regulating flow through a valve between a combined motor pump tank to a cylinder at a fast speed up and slow speed down, and a hydraulically actuated system for rotating the capsule about its vertical axis. The vertical motion valve is mechanically linked to the joystick for ascending and descending motion and electrically controlled by the joystick for hydraulic actuation of the capsule about its vertical axis. The four-bar linkage includes a safety bar which overrides the joystick in the event that an individual or an object is positioned under the linkage in an elevated condition.

Abstract: Helicopter intended for use as a toy and raisable on a four-bar linkage by a hydraulic cylinder through a hydraulic circuit. An electrical circuit provides for alternately flashing flight lights, pulsating front gun lights, and for providing through a speaker a chopper sound and a phasor gun sound. The hydraulic circuit includes a novel single spool for regulating flow through a valve between a combined motor pump tank to a cylinder at a fast speed up and slow speed down. The valve is mechanically linked to the joy stick. The four-bar linkage includes a safety bar which overrides the joy stick in the event that an individual or an object is positioned under the linkage in an elevated condition. The hydraulic circuit is provided with a joy stick stop limit within the joy stick throttle structure, a valve control stop link, a safety bar limit, and the inherent four-bar linkage limit, all of these limits acting to keep oil in the cylinder and provide for safety of operation.

Abstract: Ground control system for use with a spreader of dry bulk material at a predetermined rate and speed. The spreader mounts on a vehicle or like structure. The ground control system has input variables of travel rate of the vehicle and conveyor rate of the conveyor running through the spreader, and an output signal for controlling height of a feedgate movable at an exit port of the spreader. The travel rate input signal includes sensing the speed of the vehicle and accounts for calibration signals dependent on vehicle components such as tire sizes and other constants, and includes variable inputs such as the swath width and the application rate of spreading. The conveyor speed input signal includes the speed of the conveyor, predetermined constants such as conveyor width, gear ratio, etc., and input variables including the density of the material and the weight of the material. The input signals are differentiated for controlling the servo coupled to the feedgate.