Abstract: A low cost power control circuit which achieves variable speed, quasi four-quadrant motor control well suited to the requirements of a direct drive clothes washing machine. For handling relatively low frequency motor direction control signals (one or two Hertz), four relatively inexpensive, low frequency thyristors are employed in a four-leg bridge circuit arrangement. For handling relatively high frequency chopper duty cycle control signals (10 kHz), a single high frequency power transistor is employed. To provide quasi four-quadrant control entirely suitable for clothes washing, a fifth thyristor and a series dissipation resistor are connected across the motor terminals and switched ON during agitation just prior to each motor reversal when motor velocity is decreasing and motor back emf exceeds applied emf. A feedback servomechanism is employed to control motor rotational velocity via chopper pulse width modulation.

Abstract: Apparatus for increasing the flow speed of a medium such as air and for recovering its kinetic energy, comprising a series of concentrical, substantially symmetrically arranged annular members separated by annular slots, said members in the direction towards length axis of the apparatus, which coincides with the flow direction of the medium, having successively and substantially symmetrically decreasing dimensions in the direction of said length axis to the formation of an inlet opening wherein said annular members have curved leading edges with intermediary annular slots for removal of turbulent medium, and to the formation of an outlet opening acting as a diffuser for the medium, wherein said annular members are successively thinner to the formation of sharp edges directed outwards from the length axis of the apparatus; the kinetic energy of the medium being recovered by conventional means. Separate accelerator means are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for high slip operation of an AC electric motor at substantially zero rotation and substantially zero torque in an AC electric motor drive system is disclosed. The electric motor produces a rotation in response to an outgoing signal, such as a drive current, of variable magnitude and frequency supplied by the drive system. An idle control signal is furnished when the drive system is in a substantially zero rotation and substantially zero torque state, where the frequency of the current is approximately zero. The idle control signal causes substantially simultaneously an adjustment of the magnitude of the current to a predetermined magnitude level and a rapid raising of the frequency of the current to a higher frequency value to produce per-unit slip s=(n.sub.1 -n)/n.sub.b greater than 0.1, where n.sub.1 is the synchronous rotation of the stator field of the motor, n is the rotation of the rotor of the motor, and n.sub.b is the synchronous speed of the stator field at motor rated rpm.

Abstract: A two stage positive shift starter drive system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A pair of electrical switches are sequentially actuated by an actuator solenoid engaging the starter drive's pinion gear with the engine's ring gear. The first switch actuated after a predetermined displacement of the solenoid's armature applies electrical power to the cranking motor through a resistance connected in series with the cranking motor and connected in parallel with the solenoid's pull in coil. The resistance reduces the electrical power applied to the cranking motor and the potential across the solenoid pull-in coil thereby reducing the rotational speed and the engagement force applied to the pinion gear. The end of the armature travel closes the second switch applying full power to the cranking motor permitting normal cranking of the engine with the pinion gear fully engaged with the ring gear.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece comprising a fundamental frequency oscillator, a plurality of frequency divider stages, a timekeeping mechanism and display, includes circuitry for resetting and setting selective stages of the divider and thereby adding or subtracting timing pulses which are delivered to the timekeeping mechanism. A non-volatile memory stores data which terminates whether a divider stage is to be set or reset. Additionally, a plurality of circuit elements are selectively inserted to modify the circuit of the oscillator and to provide frequency adjustment. External contacts are provided for the inputting of data to memory and for measuring timing rate against an external standard.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a time-piece comprising a system for detecting the non-rotation of a stepping motor and for making-up lost steps.The detection system comprises a device for measuring the current delivered to the motor, the logic level of the measured signal being used for controlling a correction circuit delivering additional pulses to the stepping motor. The measuring device comprises a short duration measuring pulse generator, a reference signal source, and a comparator having an output which controls the correction circuit.

Abstract: A plurality of arbitrarily loaded induction machines are operated from a single, controlled current inverter by regulating the amplitude of inverter output current in response to the average of the individual induction machine phase angles, the machine phase angle being the phase relationship magnitude between machine air gap flux and current, and by regulating the frequency of inverter output current in response to the average of the individual induction machine phase angle and the slip frequency of the most heavily loaded induction machine. The most heavily loaded induction machine is thus assured of having sufficient flux, thereby greatly reducing the possibility of machine pull-out and resultant inverter instability.

Abstract: This disclosure deals with single phase AC electric motors. The motor includes run and start windings, a start winding cutout switch connected in series with the start winding, and an electrical connector. Different power supply arrangements are provided which couple with the connector. One arrangement includes a power supply cable which supplies power and a jumper attachment which connects the start and run windings in parallel, thus causing the motor to operate as a split phase motor. In another arrangement, a cable supplies power and a capacitor attachment is provided for connecting the start winding to a start capacitor, thus causing the motor to operate as a capacitor start motor. The motor may be constructed to receive the attachments at either end of the motor.

Abstract: A frequency converter applies a variable voltage with a variable frequency to an AC motor coupled with a load. At least one frequency region is set up for the variable frequency. The ratio of a percentage input voltage expressed in terms of a percentage of the rated input voltage of the AC motor, to a corresponding percentage input frequency expressed in terms of a percentage of the rated input frequency of the AC motor, is set less than 1 within the frequency region thus set. Also an apparatus for the AC motor control provided.

Abstract: A crystal oscillation-type electronic timepiece having an oscillator with a crystal oscillator as a time base, means for dividing the frequency of the oscillator, display driving means and time display means. The oscillator has a complementary metal oxide semiconductor logic circuit including an inverter with a gated N-channel transistor and a gated P-channel transistor. The inverter is designed such that a ratio of the width and length in a channel of the gated N-channel transistor is made less than one and that a ratio of the width and length in a channel of the gated P-channel transistor is made less than two. The capacity of an input capacitor connected to an input of the crystal oscillating element is larger than that of an output capacitor connected to an input of the crystal oscillating element. The consumed power at the oscillating part is thereby decreased.

Abstract: A second hand correction device comprising a second hand correction member which may be moved manually in inward and outward directions and in forward rotation and reverse rotation directions and a cam wheel, having a plurality of cams, which is fixed to the second hand axis. The second hand correction member is moved in such a direction as biased under an engagement with the cam wheel when the same is lowered, and engages with the cam at the rear half of its stroke. Subsequent lowering operation of the second hand correction member will cause the rotation of the cam wheel and thereby the second hand will be rotated by a specified angle to enable a repetitive continuous correction for the second hand.

Abstract: A time sound generating device which generates a time announcement sound by detecting a change of time from a portion of a display element driving signal supplied to a time display element of a digital electronic clock and by driving an audio sound signal source by the detected time signal.

Abstract: An improved watch stand so that a wrist watch can serve as a night table clock when not being worn on a wrist, the stand including a triangular base around which the watch band is fitted, the base in one design including a pad that is screw adjustable to bear against a rear of the watch case, and the base in another design being compressible by having one triangular side outwardly arged by an internal compression spring.

Abstract: A self-propelled traction vehicle equipped with an a-c traction motor energized by the a-c output of a controlled current inverter is propelled by a process comprising the steps of providing a traction alternator on-board the vehicle, rotating the rotor of the alternator, exciting the field winding of the alternator, converting the output current of the armature windings of the alternator to a unidirectional current, and feeding the unidirectional current to d-c terminals of the controlled current inverter without appreciably smoothing the unidirectional current. A system for carrying out this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: The power factor in an inverter-driven induction motor is held relatively constant at a desired optimum value, despite variations in mechanical loading on the motor, by monitoring the d-c bus current to determine the ratio of real and reactive currents, thereby to detect the actual power factor. The actual and desired power factors are then effectively compared and the resulting error signal is fed back to the inverter's d-c power supply to adjust the inverter output voltage to change the reactive current to the extent necessary to maintain the desired power factor.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an improved windmill design that combines the blade and rotor support system with the electrical generating system in such a way as to simplify the windmill construction. Specifically, it eliminates the need for shafts, gears, and other coupling devices between the turbine blade system and the electrical generating system. In addition, the windmill design also includes a means for varying the pitch of the turbine blades automatically so as to provide near-optimum blade angles under varying wind conditions, and a tendency toward self-governing at high wind speeds. Furthermore, the blades are attached rigidly to the hub without the need for bearings or other mechanical couplings. Blade pitch changes are produced by twisting the blades elastically by forces produced by fixed weights. The effect of these features individually and in combination is to reduce the complexity of the wind turbine, the generating system, and their associated parts.

Abstract: A hydroelectric power generator having a bulb turbine generator housed in a bulb shaped inner casing. The turbine runner of the generator is connected to a main shaft of the electric power generator. The outer casing is coupled to the inner casing by stay vanes. A draft tube is coupled to the downstream end of the outer casing. A liftable gate is positioned to retain water in the open channel and the outer casing is fixedly secured to the gate and vertically movable with it.

Abstract: A wind driven generator comprising a shaft having one end rotatably mounted in the apex of a conical wind deflector, a wind wheel keyed on the shaft in an open housing behind the deflector. An armature is mounted on the other end of the shaft in close proximity to a stator in a housing so that when the shaft is rotated by the wind the armature rotates in the stator to generate an electric current. Semi-circular perforated shields are hinged in front of the wind wheel so as to cover the space between the periphery of the housing and the outer edges of the deflector. The shields are held open by a counter weight until the wind attains an excessive velocity.

Abstract: A substantially zero rotation and substantially zero torque detector and method for an AC electric motor drive system includes an AC electric motor producing a rotation in response to an outgoing signal, e.g., drive current, of variable magnitude and frequency. An actual rotation signal is generated and is proportional to the rotation of the AC electric motor or to the frequency of the outgoing signal. A rotation reference signal proportional to a desired level of rotation is established. A rotation difference signal representative of any difference between the rotation reference signal and the actual rotational signal is generated. A torque command signal is provided as a function of the rotation difference signal and is used to produce a frequency control signal and a current control signal. Alternatively, the torque command signal is generated proportional to a desired level of torque when the drive system utilizes a desired torque level as opposed to a desired rotation level.

Abstract: A closed-loop drive system for variable speed induction motors for maintaining a constant slip frequency, regardless of motor speed. A slip frequency oscillator generates a signal having a frequency proportional to the desired slip of the motor and a tachometer generates a signal having a frequency proportional to the actual rotational speed of the motor. The stator frequency is the sum of the rotor speed and the slip frequency during acceleration and the difference between the rotor speed and the slip frequency during braking. Exclusive OR gates are used to add the slip frequency signal either to the tachometer signal or to the stator signal, the outputs of the gates being applied to a digital phase detector. The phase detector drives a voltage controlled oscillator which provides the stator signal. The output of the voltage controlled oscillator is used to trigger the slip frequency oscillator to prevent overlap of pulses to the digital phase detector.