Abstract: A resolver apparatus for receiving simultaneously a vectorial input signal and an angular input signal. The apparatus comprises a first resolver, a second resolver and a digital angle modifier consisting of a memory and an adder. The angular input signal includes a first part which is coupled to the adder and a second part which is coupled to the adder and the memory. The memory generates at its output a correction signal which is a function of the second part of the angular input signal. The output of the adder includes first and second modified angular input signals which are coupled to the first and second resolver respectively to rotate the vectorial input signal through a total angle corresponding to the angular input signal.

Abstract: In a closed loop type numerical-controlled machine tool in which position control of a mechanical moving part is performed in accordance with a position error variable obtained by making a comparison between commanded positional information and detected positional information from a position detector mounted on the mechanical moving part, deteriorated performance resulting from the inclusion of the mechanical moving part in the closed loop is improved by using correcting means incorporated in the numerical-controlled machine tool.

Abstract: Teach assist apparatus is provided for a programmable manipulator arm to precompute a projected fixed path solution during an initial teaching operation. The projected fixed path solution represents a desired series of manipulator arm work operations to be performed with respect to a workpiece in the minimum execution time while the workpiece is moving at a projected velocity. During the teaching operation, the manipulator arm is moved to various teach positions corresponding to the desired series of work operations relative to the workpiece. The teach assist apparatus computes the minimum execution time on the basis of the maximum dynamic capabilities of the manipulator arm being taught. The precomputed path data is stored and control apparatus is provided to reconstruct the precomputed fixed path solution in a playback work cycle in accordance with dynamic movement of the workpiece.

Abstract: A new microprocessor controlled digital multimeter offers significant advantages to the user. Automatic calibration allows a new reference IC board to be inserted and because of such calibration the multimeter is instantly ready for use.

Abstract: The circuit of the angle resolver compares a first angle to a second angle and produces an output voltage which is an analog representation of the angular difference between the two. One of the angles, which might be a controlled variable is represented by a pair of electrical signals from an electronic compass, for example, which are analog representations of the sine and cosine of the angle. Within the angle resolver circuitry, an analog switch and integrator form an output voltage which is accurately proportional to the sine of the angular difference between the two angles in accordance with: sine (A--B)=(sin A) (cos B)--(cos A) (sin B), where B might be the reference angle, and A, the unknown angle. For cases where A is nearly equal to B, A--B is a small angle, and sin (A--B)=A--B. The values of cos B and sin B are very simply linearly approximated in the present invention by the technique of sampling and integrating the sin A and cos A inputs.

Abstract: In a tandem rolling mill a control computer integrates the entry speed of a work strip having a gauge transition to determine the arrival of the transition at a first roll stand. At that time a screw-down on that stand is updated through a scheduling computer while roll speeds on all the stands remain unchanged. When the gauge transition arrives at each of the succeeding stands as determined by the control computer integrating a roll speed on the preceding stand, the scheduling computer updates a screw-down on the arrival stand and changes roll speeds so as to minimize the sum of the squares of changes in roll speed with the constant mass flow relationship fulfilled.

Abstract: An EDM parameter control system comprising a microprocessor having a memory for storing therein a programmed set of microinstructions representing selectable values for each of the EDM parameters. A gap monitoring circuit derives from the EDM gap a gap status signal representing characteristics thereof, the gap status signal being applied through an input interface to the microprocessor wherein it is used to microprocess the previously stored parameter data to provide control signals applicable to respective control devices for regulating the machining parameters (e.g. machining pulse on-time and off-time, gap spacing, tool reciprocation commands, dielectric supply control parameters). Preferably, the parameters are weighted in microprocessing and the output interface is constituted by a time-sharing unit for actuating the control devices in preset time divisions.

Abstract: A control interface system for use with a memory device executing variable length instructions and implementable utilizing integratable field effect semiconductor devices is disclosed. One example of such a system is a speed synthesis device controlled by the central processing unit of a computer. A control latch is utilized to release the control device, such as a central processing unit, after an instruction has been initiated. A plurality of latches, each set by the conclusion of the execution of a previous instruction, are utilized to reset the control latch. An attempted second access of the memory device during the execution of a previous command will result in suspending the operation of the control device until such time as the previous instruction is concluded and the new instruction is initiated.

Abstract: In a system which performs tracer control through the use of a displacement signal of a tracer head tracing the surface of a model, there is provided: a first coordinate conversion circuit in which signals representative of the cosine and sine of the azimuth angle of the feed axis in the X-Y plane of a mechanical coordinate system and X- and Y-axis displacement signals of the tracer head are respectively multiplied by multipliers and the output signals from the multipliers are added together to thereby obtain a displacement component signal of the feed axis; and a second coordinate conversion circuit in which a signal for controlling the feed rate in the feed axis and the signals representative of the cosine and sine of the azimuth angle of the feed axis are respectively multiplied by multipliers to obtain feed rates along the X- and the Y-axis.

Abstract: A method of deriving the value of any one of the commonly used parameters for characterizing surfaces in surface measurement technology includes the steps of computing the autocorrelation function of a signal representing the surface, and selectively utilizing values of this autocorrelation function together with the value of the sampling interval used in generating the autocorrelation function, to derive the desired parameter values. This method considerably simplifies the information on a surface which is required, and enables micro-processor techniques to be used in the computation of the parameters.

Abstract: A draw control system for a process line is provided wherein the process line comprises a number of stand or sections having the speeds N.sub.1, N.sub.2 -N.sub.n. The stands are provided with a master reference voltage V which may be modified at each section to change its speed to N.sub.n +.DELTA.N.sub.n where n=1-2, 3-n. One section is selected as a no-draw section, i.e., the master voltage is applied without change to the speed regulator for that section to determine its speed, say N.sub.1. All succeeding sections comprise non-inverting summation operational amplifiers arranged in cascade respectively so that the output of one determines the speed for its section and this output is also applied to the input of the non-inverting summation amplifier for the succeeding section. With this arrangement all perturbations ripple on through the draw control system so that interstand tension is maintained under all conditions. Thus, if the master reference voltage is changed to V+.DELTA.V then ##EQU1## and if N.sub.

Abstract: This simulation circuit is a one-port network having a pair of nodes connected to inputs of first and second voltage followers that have associated switched capacitors alternately connected across them for being discharged and connected to an integrator for being charged to the output voltage on the latter. A third switched capacitor is alternately connected in series with the voltage follower outputs for sensing the input voltage applied to the nodes, and connected to the integrator where the input voltage is integrated and transferred to the first and second switched capacitors. A floating inductance L=T.sup.2 C4/C1C3 is simulated across the nodes, where T is the reciprocal of the switching frequency, C1, C2 and C3 are the capacitances of associated switched capacitors, C1=C2, C4 is the capacitance in the integrator, and the circuit is characterized by the LDI transformation.

Abstract: In a numerically controlled machine tool including a scale, a scanning unit, and a programmable controller a switch is provided to designate the tool correction to be applied to compensate for variations in tool dimensions. This switch has a first position, in which the controller is directed to lengthen the tool path length by an amount corresponding to the tool correction, a second position, in which the controller is directed to shorten the tool path length by an amount corresponding to the tool correction, and a third position, in which the controller is directed to apply no tool corrections to the tool path length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling production processes utilizing a three-state, four-mode process controller which operates on the basis of counteracting any process change by utilizing the difference between a feedback signal related to a current condition of the process and a desired value related to the desired condition of the process, and a signal related to the rate of change between said feedback signal and said desired value signal, to produce a correction signal which is utilized to operate said three-state, four-mode process controller in its three states depending on certain relationships between the value of the desired value and feedback signals, as well as the summation of those values.

Abstract: There is provided a transit vehicle control apparatus and method, including a plurality of vehicle carried signal receivers operative with a transposed signal transmitting cable positioned along the vehicle track for providing an initial and higher speed position determination and then a lower speed and more accurate position determination in relation to stopping the vehicle at a desired location.

Abstract: Oscillations in helicopter attitude sustained by the aerodynamic response of the helicopter to an automatic flight control system which is responsive to an attitude sensor, are eliminated by band reject (notch) filtering of a control system stability command to the aircraft, derived from rate of changes of such attitude at a frequency related to the aircraft attitude oscillations induced by the rate-controlled stability compensation.

Abstract: An improved method for automatically controlling the rate of mass flow in a system having a mass mover powered by a power supply which is attenuated by a control device for transferring mass through a conduit, wherein a signal proportional to said mass flow is transmitted to an automatic control unit, characterized by the improvement among others, whereby the improved automatic control unit is provided with a process control mode in which new operating conditions are entered into the program, and the automatic control unit determines the correct mode of control for the new process conditions.

Abstract: A programmer unit for developing part programs for numerically controlled machines includes a keyboard through which the operator enters data and a display which outputs data. The programmer unit leads the operator through a series of steps which include the entry of selected composite numbers and the entry of geometric data taken from part drawings. When the required geometric data is not available on the drawing, a composite calculation mode of operation can be enabled by the operator and employed to calculate the required data from data that is available on the drawing.

Abstract: A microprocessor based sequence controller is disclosed in connection with a soup and beverage vending machine, in which sequences of functions required in the operation of the vending machine are under the control of the microprocessor unit. The microprocessor unit has two separate storage sections, one of which is not alterable and contains the basic program for the vending machine. The other section is alterable and contains adjustable modifications of the basic program. The alterable storage section is modifiable through the use of a separate service module, which is not normally connected with the sequence controller during normal vending operations. The start and stop times of each function of the sequence of functions are independently modifiable, and an interlock is provided to assure against unintentional modification of the start and stop times. The integrity of the stored modifications is automatically checked periodically, and the stored modifications are ignored if the integrity check fails.

Abstract: A novel universal signal generator is disclosed comprising a composite system including a library or bank of signals consisting of pre-recorded signals of desired form which may be selected as the output of the apparatus. The output of the library or bank of signals may be varied in a manner which is permutated, systematic, random, jittered or wobulated, or in accordance with a predetermined mathematical curve. The output of the bank or library of signals, either as is or as modified, may be fed through a suitable correlator and/or a power spectra density comparator. The signal output, as is or as modified, or the output from the correlator or the power spectra density comparator may be modified by a suitable secondary modulator or second signal generator. A recording mechanism is provided for amplifying and recording a signal from within the system on separator recording tracks in both a forward and reverse direction.