Abstract: A control circuit for a stepping motor comprises a voltage multiplier which, in synchronism with the motor timing pulses from a pulse generator multiplies the supply-voltage in such a manner as to obtain an energizing voltage which, at commencement of the excitation of each motor winding, has a value which is a multiple of the value of the supply voltage, in order to reduce the rise time of the current in the windings, and to thus improve the dynamic torque availability. A voltage doubler and tripler are described as examples of the circuit.

Abstract: An emergency control system for use in an elevator system. When an emergency situation arises in an elevator car, an elevator passenger recites a code word. A microphone in the elevator car transforms the vocal signal to an electrical signal, and using a voice-recognition system, the spoken code word is compared with a code word stored in memory. If the spoken code word matches the stored code word, control of the elevator system is switched to an emergency mode. In this mode the elevator car is brought to a predetermined landing and an intercom system providing communication between the elevator car and the guard station is activated. At the predetermined landing, security personnel are available to render assistance to the elevator passenger when the elevator doors open.

Abstract: A motor-driven rotary actuator includes an electric drive motor adapted to be configured for providing one of a plurality of output torques and power transmission means including a rotatable output shaft. The transmission means is coupled to the drive motor and includes drive elements adapted to be formed of disparate materials selected for transmitting one of the output torques. An electric controller is coupled to the motor for providing rotation positioning control of the actuator output shaft in response to analog command signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is an AC elevator control apparatus, in which AC power supplied from an AC source is rectified by a converter and a smoothing capacitor into DC power, the DC power being in turn converted by an inverter into variable-frequency AC power by which an AC electric motor is driven to operate an elevator cage. The apparatus includes a rectifying circuit connected to the AC source, a resistor connected between the rectifying circuit and the smoothing capacitor, a charging time measuring circuit for measuring the time from turn-on of the AC source until the completion of charging the smoothing capacitor, and a control circuit for producing an abnormality detection signal when it is detected that the output of the charging time measuring circuit is shorter than a predetermined value, whereby the reduction in capacitance of the capacitor, and hence the expiration of the lifetime of the same, can be evaluated in advance.

Abstract: An inverter circuit having a bridge circuit comprising a plurality of switching elements connected in the form of a bridge for converting, into alternating current, a DC voltage produced by a DC voltage generating unit and which is received through a first switching circuit. The inverter circuit includes a pair of diodes and a spike absorbing capacitor which constitute a series network wherein the diodes are connected so as to be forward biased with respect to the DC voltage and the spike absorbing capacitor is connected between the diodes. The series network is connected in parallel with the bridge circuit and is connected to the DC voltage generating unit through the first switching circuit. The spike absorbing capacitor is connected in parallel with a smoothing capacitor of the DC voltage generating unit.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for substantially reducing the effect of a low frequency varying torque resulting from a characteristic asymmetric switching of a magnetic flux-sensitive control member when the control member is used to sense the rotating position of a rotor in a brushless d.c. motor.

Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises an electric motor assembly having an output shaft drivingly connected to a vehicle accessory device and arranged to be connected to an internal combustion engine, the motor assembly being designed to generate a high output torque on the output shaft in its first activated condition and to generate a low output torque on the output shaft in its second activated condition, an electrically operated actuator for connecting the output shaft to the engine upon energization thereof and disconnecting the output shaft from the engine upon deenergization thereof, and an electric control circuit for energizing the actuator and the motor assembly to start the engine under the first activated condition of the motor assembly, for deenergizing the actuator after start of the engine, for switching over the motor assembly to its second activated condition from its first activated condition when the accessory device is unloaded and for switching over the motor assembly to its first activated condi

Abstract: For use in a motor vehicle having a windshield, a control system comprises a raindrop sensor which emits a beam of radiation into a section of the windshield from the inner surface thereof at such an angle of incidence that the beam reflects off the outer surface and detects the reflected beam to convert it into a first signal. The first signal is compared with a reference value to generate a second signal. A motor control circuit is responsive to the second signal for closing a window of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electronically controlled apparatus for controllably positioning pneumatic actuators includes, in a first embodiment, first means for selectively flowing compressed fluid to the actuator and valve means for selectively exhausting compressed fluid from the actuator. An electronic control panel is adapted to receive digital command signals from a computerized controller and is coupled to the first means and to the valve means for actuation thereof in response to the command signals. Means are included for isolating electrical switching transients from the controller.In a second preferred embodiment, the positioner also includes transducer means for generating a feedback signal representative of the position of the actuator piston assembly. A third preferred embodiment is similar to that of the second embodiment and incorporates a control adapted to receive analog rather than digital command signals. An optional high limit pressure switch may be used with any embodiment.

Abstract: A power fail circuit provides protection for tape such as used in the tape transport apparatus of a video recorder in the event of a failure of the external power supply. The tape transport apparatus includes as a feature the provision of an electrical error signal used to govern drive motors to maintain substantially constant tape tension when the system is operating normally. After power failure occurs, the power fail circuit continues to respond to the error signal by coupling current from the drive motors to provide dynamic braking. Further, current taken from the drive motors selectively is coupled to an energy storage device operatively associated with the system power supply, to provide augmenting energy from the kinetic energy of the motors for continued control of the power fail circuit as the drive motors are caused to decelerate under control to stop.

Abstract: An automatic speed controller for a universal, series-wound, electrical motor, is part of a system whereby the motor is energized by a A.C. supply from control means including a triac, in turn, controlled by the speed controller. Within the controller signals are derived comprising solutions of the equation: ##EQU1## or a derivative thereof, or an approximation thereof, where N is the armature speed, R.sub.a is the resistance of the armature, K is a constant dependent upon the motor design, (V.sub.a -I.sub.a R.sub.a) is the true average of the alternating quantity (v.sub.a -i.sub.a R.sub.a), where v.sub.a and i.sub.a are, respectively, the instantaneous armature voltage and current, and .0..sub.AV is the true average flux in the magnetic circuit of the motor, both true averages being obtainable when the motor is operating under steady state conditions.

Abstract: Described is a control device for an a.c. elevator wherein the a.c. voltage from the commercial a.c. source is rectified by a rectifier device, the thus rectified voltage is converted by an inverter into an a.c. power of variable frequency and variable phase order, and an a.c. motor is driven by this a.c. power for driving the elevator car, characterized in that electrical contacts are inserted between said a.c. source and said rectifier so as to be closed and opened at the time of start and stop of the elevator car, respectively.

Abstract: A drive control device for a motor vehicle with rear axle drive and equipped with an anti-blocking system. As part of a rotational speed sensor arrangement provided to determine the state of movement of the vehicle wheels, each of the non-driving front wheels has an associated rotational speed sensor and the two rear wheels have a common rotational speed sensor, which measures the rotational speed of the propeller shaft in the transmission system. A hydraulic actuator provided for brake pressure control corresponds in construction to that of a 4 channel anti-blocking system. These components are utilized for both the drive control and the anti-blocking control. An electronic control system of the drive control device, which processes the output signals of the rotational speed sensors, initially activates the right-hand rear wheel brake, as soon as a driving wheel starts to spin.

Abstract: The commutator of a DC motor is uniquely constructed to include at least one dead segment at least as wide as the associated brush (brushes). A silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) is arrranged in the circuit between the voltage source and said brush (brushes) to provide a switching means to automatically cut off current flow therethrough each time a brush passes over the dead segment. The current is reestablished by way of a gating means, which in the preferred embodiment is a variable frequency pulse generator.

Abstract: In a sewing machine with a universal motor, a speed control for the motor, a lamp, and a plug connection on the sewing machine housing for connecting the power supply and speed control lines to the motor and to the lamp, for equivalent replacement of the normal impedance starter by one with integrated phase angle control, a phase angle control is provided as a speed controller which comprises a rectifier bridge consisting of diodes for current supply to the phase angle control and to the lamp, as well as a rectifier bridge with semiconductor devices controlled by the phase angle control, for the control of the motor.

Abstract: An engine is automatically stopped under predetermined conditions, thereafter, restarted under other predetermined conditions. The conditions of automatically stopping the engine includes at least a stopped state of a wiper which is driven by two-speed typed motor. Operating condition of the motor for driving the wiper is detected by a signal from either a low terminal or a high terminal of the motor.

Abstract: Manually actuated switches mounted externally at spaced monitoring locations on a vehicle are actuated in sequence by a vehicle driver during inspection at each of such locations. Actuation of such switches triggers operation of timers having overlapping timing cycles for enabling the engine starting circuit of the vehicle during a period of sufficient duration to permit the driver to enter the vehicle and initiate the starting operation by actuation of the ignition switch.

Abstract: An electrical braking control circuit for use in a control system for a direct current traction motor which may be employed, for example, to propel an electrically driven vehicle. The electrical braking controller of the invention initiates electrical braking in a plug mode of braking and then, when conditions are suitable for regenerative braking, causes a transition to regenerative braking, followed by return to a plug mode of braking whenever regenerative braking can no longer be efficiently achieved, all of which is carried out smoothly and efficiently without unduly wasting regenerative power.

Abstract: A closed loop control system for a stepper motor provides the necessary feedback to accurately control the position of a motor during acceleration, constant velocity and deceleration. Generation of commutation signals is based upon a monitoring of motor position to determine the points where commutation would result in maximum accelerating torque during acceleration and constant velocity and minimum braking torque during deceleration. These points indicate the earliest points at which commutation may occur. Commutation may be delayed in order to reduce the accelerating torque during acceleration and constant velocity or increase the braking torque during deceleration.

Abstract: The motor unit comprises a stator, two independent rotors having each a permanent magnet located in a cylindrical space defined by three pole faces of the stator, two windings and at least a positioning magnet for holding both rotors, in the absence of current in the windings, in a position in which the magnetic axes of their magnets are each coincident with a rest axis. The field produced by the flow of a current in one of the windings is always at an obtuse angle to one of the rest axes and at an acute angle to the other.The two rotors perform steps of 360.degree. independently of each other in response to pairs of current pulses, the first of which is applied to one of the windings and the second of which is applied to the other winding. The direction of the current pulses determines which of the rotors performs a step, and the order in which the current pulses are applied to the windings determines the direction of rotation of that rotor.The motor unit can be used in particular in an electronic timepiece.