Abstract: A call system for an elevator includes a call button and call registration lamp connected to two electrodes of a thyristor. The third electrode is connected to a conversion circuit. The conversion circuit is connected to a control device. The control device determines whether the call signal is to be effective at a given time. The conversion circuit receives the call signal and the indication of effectiveness and forwards the call signal to the control device only when the signal is to be effective. The conversion device includes a memory for storing the state of effectiveness, a call signal detecting circuit and a driving circuit.

Abstract: An electrically-powered school bus sign and crossing arm apparatus mounts on the school bus body. A uni-directional DC motor and associated linkage and limit switch controls are used to deploy and retract the stop sign blade and crossing arm.

Abstract: An electronic map for selectively displaying routes to various locations in a building such as a shopping mall is disclosed. The map displays a floor plan indicating a plurality of stations (shops, public telephones, washrooms, etc.) and paths connecting the various stations. A particular station can be selected at a keyboard, and a path extending from the location of the map to the selected station is then visually indicated, as with a string of light emitting diodes physically located on the map. In a multi-level building where several floor plans are displayed the map can visually indicate a path extending from the map to, for example, a stairwell, the vertical direction to be taken on the stairwell, and a continuation of the path from the stairwell to a station on another level.

Abstract: An elevator call entry system comprises microphones mounted on the floors or in the car, oral message recognizing units producing an oral message signal indicative of a voice calling for a call entry with statement of the floor of destination, or of a voice calling for its cancellation, when said voices are supplied to said microphones, voiceprint recognizing units operable to recognize voiceprints of the voice supplied to said microphone and to produce an output signal when the voiceprint of the voice calling for a call entry is coincident with that of the voice calling for its cancellation, and call effecting units responsive to the output of the oral message recognizing units to issue a command to enter a call to the floor of destination and operable upon reception of an output signal from the voiceprint recognizing units to issue a command to cancel the call entry.

Abstract: A shift-up indicating system for manual speed change gears of an automobile transmission wherein preset values are respectively provided for the speed of the automobile, the engine speed of the engine and the vacuum pressure of the engine to determine a region of running conditions which can provide a good fuel consumption for every shift position of the speed change gears such that when a driver selects one of the predetermined gear positions of the speed change gears, if the condition of fuel consumption is brought out of the determined region, then an indication is given to the driver by an illuminating indicator to thereby urge the driver to shift up the speed change gears to a higher gear.

Abstract: The respective wheels of a vehicle have transducers (11, 12) associated therewith which provide pulse trains (S1, S2) upon revolution of the wheels, the pulses being either "mark" pulses if the transducer senses "correct pressure", or "space" pulses if the transducer senses "low pressure". The pulses from all the transducers are logically combined in a NOR-gate (23), and the output is connected via a common junction (J) to the count or shift inputs of a group of shift registers (22). The shift registers are individually reset by the pulses from the individual transducers. Thus, if one of the transducers signals "low pressure" conditions, the particular shift register (22) will not be reset, and, upon shifting through to its terminal count, will provide respective output signals to individually connected indicators (27).

Abstract: A sensing device for determining the amount of liquid in an oil crankcase of a vehicle. A hollow dipstick, closed at one end and having a metering hole therein, is inserted into the crankcase of a car. The other end of the dipstick is connected by flexible tubing to a suction diaphragm and sensing diaphragm in a sensing module. The suction bellows and sensing diaphragm are linked together and to the dipstick by branches of a T-tubing. An opposed end of the suction diaphragm is connected to a piston of a solenoid. The sensing diaphragm is mounted to move in response to the amount of oil suctioned into the dipstick. An electrical circuit is formed between a push button, a solenoid, ground, and the car battery, such that, when the push button is closed, the solenoid becomes excited, drawing in the piston to thereby move the suction diaphragm. Movement of the suction diaphragm draws oil into the dipstick.

Abstract: A high resolution method and apparatus for measuring the depth of a tool suspended from a cable inside a borehole are described. The tool includes accelerometers for measuring its acceleration and this measurement is combined with a cable depth measurement with which the amount of cable in the borehole is determined. A Kalman filter is employed to continually provide estimates of the velocity and depth of the tool from the accelerometer and cable depth measurements. A filter modifier alters operation of the filter during discontinuous motions of the tool such as when it is stuck and slips. A tool sticking detector senses when the tool is stuck and for how long to correspondingly modify the filter by forcing it to more strongly rely upon accelerometer measurements when the tool is stuck and gradually return to normal filter operation when the tool resumes movement after having been stuck.

Abstract: An electromagnet is formed of a combination of an iron support, an iron piece, and a solenoid, and an interrupter is provided to intermittently excite said electromagnet. A cylindrical diaphragm, equipped with an armature so disposed as to come against said iron piece, covers said iron support so that said iron piece, said solenoid, and said interrupter may be enclose therein.

Abstract: A circuit for sampling the conditions of a liquid level sensor for a short period of time after the circuit is turned on and energizing a warning indicator for an initial check-out period that is followed by continuous energization in the event the sensor indicates a low liquid level condition during the sampling period.

Abstract: A vehicle alarm system sensing unauthorized use of the vehicle and providing a warning signal for a predetermined warning time interval which may be extended as desired. A latching circuit includes a bistable flip-flop with a capacitor discharging through a voltage divider circuit to define an extended warning time interval. Logic gates are switched to change the voltage divider circuit voltage reference levels to charge the capacitor during a predetermined exit time interval to inhibit warning signal actuation when exiting the vehicle. A re-entry timer is included to inhibit warning signal actuation when re-entering the vehicle.

Abstract: A tire pressure transmitting apparatus characterized by an elongated antenna having a first end coupled within a wheel and a second end biased towards the wheel such that the antenna is positioned substantially within the circumferential depression in the absence of a counter-biasing force being exerted on it. As the wheel rotates, centrifugal force causes the second end of the antenna to move to a transmitting position within the void of the tire. The antenna is safely biased to a non-transmitting position as the wheel stops rotating.

Abstract: A pair of biased electrostatic probes (27a, 28a) disposed directly within respective dilution air inlets (32) of the combustor (20) in a gas turbine engine (10) provide an indication (62, 68) of surge/stall in response to the outflow of ionic combustion products from the burner can, and block (120, 122, 128) signals (129), indicative of charged engine debris, from reaching wear monitor signal processing apparatus (134).

Abstract: A pair of biased electrostatic probes (27, 28) disposed adjacent respective inlets (32) of the combustor (20) in a gas turbine engine (10) provide an indication of surge (82) if signals, resulting from the outflow of ionic combustion products from the burner can, appear thereon simultaneously, or indications of stall stagnation (97) if signals appear on the two probes out-of-phase with one another, or if either probe senses repetitive signals thereon.

Abstract: A wheel trouble detecting and warning device for wheeled motor vehicles, comprising tire pressure detecting valves, an air horn and a plunger unit to be mounted on each wheel, the tire pressure detecting valves being adapted to allow air from the tire to be supplied to the air horn to produce a warning sound when the tire is over or under inflated. In the meantime air is also supplied to a plunger unit which is then caused to activate an electrical switch mounted on the wheel axle housing to flash a warning lamp provided in the vehicle. The wheel is further provided with a dog member fixedly mounted on the wheel rim to activate the electrical switch when the wheel wobbles as a result of loosening of the wheel bolts or failure of the wheel bearing.

Abstract: A method for detecting the opening of a throttle valve in a fully closed position in an internal combustion engine. The opening of the fully closed throttle valve is detected at intervals of time corresponding to the pulse separation of a predetermined timing pulse signal. When it is determined that a detected value of the valve opening is smaller than a value of the valve opening previously detected and presently stored, and the detected value has kept the same value for a substantial period of time, the detected value is newly stored in place of the above presently stored value.

Abstract: A swimming pool implement comprises an elongated stick having means on the end for lifting the removable lid of a swimming pool skimmer. A rectangular water-sampling vial may be inserted into a transverse recess formed in an intermediate portion of the stick. The stick may be inserted to a desired depth into the pool, and then the stick may be withdrawn to obtain a water sample in the vial. A dual function is thereby performed by the implement.

Abstract: An ion/electrostatic probe for an afterburning gas turbine jet engine comprises an afterburner flameholder (24) electrically insulated from other engine parts by means of non-electrically-conductive support rods (30, 45) or by means of electrically conductive rods (30) insulated (50, 52) from the engine case (12). An electrical connection (54) may be brought through the engine case. The flameholder (24) may be insulated (70) from an attached igniter.

Abstract: A method is proposed for measuring the throughput of a medium, in particular the air aspirated by an internal combustion engine, in a flow cross section and for correcting the flowthrough measurement value (U.sub.s) furnished by a air flow measuring device in the event of a pulsating flow. To this end, the air flow measurement value (U.sub.s) is modified, in a selected range of the characteristic curve of the air flow measuring device, in such a manner that the error in the air flow measurement value (U.sub.s) resulting from the pulsation of the medium is reduced or compensated for. The range of the characteristic curve selected for modification of the air flow measurement value (U.sub.s) preferably is located below a minimum air flow measurement value (U.sub.sm) characterizing a minimum air flow value (Q.sub.m). In like manner, in order to modify the air flow measurement value (U.sub.s) below the minimum air flow measurement value (U.sub.sm) characterizing the minimum air flow value (Q.sub.

Abstract: A device is provided for sensing the condition of a pneumatic tire preferably of the type used on an automobile wherein the tire is mounted on a tire rim and the tire is subject to normal vibrations. The device comprises a housing, a band for mounting the housing to the tire rim, a sensor for monitoring the condition within the tire, circuitry operatively connected to the sensor for generating radio signals indicative of the tire condition, power supply operatively connected to the circuitry and a receiver for receiving the radio signals. The power supply includes a piezoelectric reed having a base portion and an end portion. The base portion is elastomerically bonded to the housing. A tuning mass member is mounted to the end portion and is configured for mating abutment against stop members which limit the flexure stroke of the piezoelectric reed and inhibit compound bending of the reed.