Abstract: An improved window covering and lighting system for a window in a room includes a plurality of cornices, each cornice including a window covering supported by the cornice and movable between an open position and a closed position, an actuator supported by the cornice for moving the window covering between the open position and the closed position, a lighting system mounted to the cornice, and a programmable logic unit for operating at least one of the actuator and the lighting system independently from one another upon demand. The system also includes a remote control unit providing a signal selectively to the programmable logic unit to operate at least one of the plurality of cornices. Each of the plurality of cornices further includes a light sensor for sensing ambient light conditions in the room, and a motion detector for detecting occupance of the room. The programmable logic control unit is responsive to the sensed ambient light conditions and the detected occupance.

Abstract: A stepping motor driver having current sensors that detect winding current values, an angle detection device that detects a rotational angle of a rotor, a first coordinate transformation device that transforms winding current values in a rotational coordinate system, an angle calculation device that calculates a command angle value. A third coordinate transformation device transforms the command current values in the rotational coordinate system according to the difference between the command angle value and the rotor angle value, a current control device that generates current control signals in the rotational coordinate system based on the differences between the command current values in the rotational coordinate system and the winding current values in the rotational coordinate system.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a target speed of a DC motor includes the steps of obtaining a feedback signal from the motor corresponding to motor speed, measuring an actual time for a predetermined number of feedback pulses to be received, comparing the actual measured time with an expected time for the feedback pulses to be received when the rotor shaft is operating at the target speed, and adjusting the controller pulse-width variable signal in response to the compared actual time to the expected time. The drive signal is generated and adjusted by a microprocessor in response to the feedback pulses generated by a feedback element coupled to the motor.

Abstract: The transverse partition for separating an exhaust volume into two adjacent chambers includes at least one gas flow passage between the two chambers, the gas flow section through the passage being modifiable under drive from the difference between the pressures on the two sides of the partition. The partition comprises a wall pierced by at least one slit defined between two adjacent edges of the wall, which wall is elastically deformable under drive from the difference between the pressures on the two sides of the partition, between a rest position in which wall continuity is ensured, the two edges of the slit being substantially touching, and a deformed position in which the two edges of the slit are spaced apart so as to define said gas-flow passage between them.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus, including a processor and software incorporating a table that contains sets of pre-determined correction values that are used to supply different amounts of power to an electric stepper motor when the motor is operating at different speeds. Use of the correction values in the table allows power to be supplied to the motor in differing amounts that are approximately the same as the power actually required by the motor at different motor speeds or ranges of speeds.

Abstract: An H-type motor bridge coil driver circuit is implemented with an electronic switch in each leg segment of an H-shaped circuit, this bridge circuit having its side legs each connected between a power supply and ground, with the inductive load of a motor coil being connectable as the cross leg of the H-shaped circuit. An alternate current path, voltage level stabilizing element may be connected across each leg segment electronic switch. A coil excess energy storage element may be connected to the coil nodes of the circuit, through alternate current path elements and utilized to temporarily store the discharging of the excess coil energy normally available because of the lagging nature of the motor coil current. This temporary storage element then may discharge this energy back to the power supply through a passive circuit element, and reverse polarity protection is included for the power supply.

Abstract: To prevent erroneous detection when a step motor is not rotated by a simple constitution. A control circuit controls to make a transistor to ON/OFF in a rotation detection period immediately after finishing a drive pulse in a state in which transistors is made ON. A comparator compares detection voltage produced at a connection point OUT2 between a resistor for detection and a coil with threshold voltage Vss, determines that a step motor is rotated when the detection voltage is equal to or lower than Vss and determines that the step motor is not rotated when the detection voltage is not equal to or lower than Vss. In this case, current ia does not flow immediately after finishing the drive pulse and therefore, the detection voltage produced at the connection point OUT2 becomes voltage having a polarity reverse to that of the threshold voltage Vss and does not become equal to or lower than Vss and therefore, the comparator determines that the step motor is not rotated.

Abstract: A method of correcting positional error in an actuator that is equipped with a motor and a wave gear reduction drive that transmits a motor output to the target load. Positioning error relative to the absolute position of the actuator output shaft is measured, to compile error correction data relating to each position on the rotation of the motor shaft. The rotational position of the motor shaft is detected and rotational position correction information produced by adding error correction values assigned to the position concerned. The rotational positional error information thus produced is used as position feedback information for controlling the positioning of the output shaft.

Abstract: A muffler includes an outer shell which defines a chamber. A baffle is positioned in the chamber. A pair of plates cooperate with the baffle to partition the chamber into subchambers.

Abstract: A control device for the drive motor of a windscreen wiper device in a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, comprising a control switch which can be activated by means of a manually actuated wiper switch and which automatically controls the drive motor in a switching stage of said wiper switch according to a rain sensor signal corresponding to a characteristic curve. The operating data for the drive motor varies according to the external effects of lighting, temperature, or speed parameters.

Abstract: In an air conditioner having a control unit receiving a power from a switching power supply, a supplied voltage for the control unit is reduced to a possible lowest voltage for the unit to operate. This arrangement provides the air conditioner with less electromagnetic wave noise of the switching power supply, with a quick check and repair, and with having a motor-driven compressor quick start.

Abstract: A damper 3A is provided with an inner peripheral waveform portion 11 and an outer peripheral waveform portion 12. A flat portion 10 is provided between the inner peripheral waveform portion 11 and the outer peripheral waveform portion 12. When the damper is used for a loudspeaker, the flat portion 10 does not elastically deform in a radial direction R, so that linearity of the damper 3A in a vibrating direction Z is ensured by elastic deformation of the waveform portions. In addition, a rolling phenomenon of a voice coil bobbin and a diaphragm can be suppressed.

Abstract: A method of operation for a motor-driven worm gear actuator coupled to a load device energizes the motor in a series of pulses during an initial period of motor operation when reversal of the motor is commanded. The pulsed energization produces a slow initial axial movement of the motor armature without moving the load device, minimizing the contact force between the armature shaft and a mechanical end stop of the motor. Rotation of the motor is determined by identifying and counting motor current pulses due to commutation, and the pulse count is adjusted at each reversal of motor rotation to compensate for motor current pulses due to the pulsed energization.

Abstract: A starter control system is comprised of a starter motor, a control circuit for controlling the starter motor to rotate at a preliminary rotation speed that is high enough to engage a pinion with an engine for a predetermined time and low enough to suppress a harsh noise caused when the pinion engages the engine and, thereafter, at a normal rotation speed that is high enough to start the engine, and a control circuit for changing the preliminary rotation speed according to an engine temperature. The starter control system is effective to reduce noises that are caused when the engine is started by an economy-run system.

Abstract: An exhaust sound attenuation and control system combines the functions of a muffler and resonator in a single, relatively compact device. The internal components of the device may also be coated with one or more emission reduction materials to provide a catalyzing function for the exhaust gases flowing through the system. The present exhaust system provides multiple gas flow paths therethrough, with different paths producing different effects in order to reduce sound output at certain frequencies, as in a resonator, and to attenuate sound throughout a broader frequency range, as in a muffler. The cross-sectional areas of each of the various internal passages and outlet pipe are at least as great, or greater, than the cross-sectional area of the inlet pipe, thereby providing a free flow system with relatively low backpressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for control of the speed of rotation of a separately excited direct current motor for model vehicles, the speed of rotation of the motor being controlled by means of a pulse sequence, the motor being alternately supplied with a supply voltage during a switch-on period and disconnected from the supply voltage during a switch-off period, the duration of the switch-off period being dependent on the deviation of an actual value from a set value for the speed of rotation of the motor. In order to further develop the method in such a way that the separately excited motor has a low noise output and stable control is possible over a wide range of speed of rotation, it is proposed that a pulse width modulated signal is provided, the pulse width of which is dependent on the average torque loading of the motor, and that the pulse width modulated signal is combined with the pulse sequence by an AND-operation.

Abstract: Space vector modulation methods and structures are provided that reduce feedback errors which degrade motor control performance. In particular, the rotation of a reference voltage vector Vref is modified as it rotates with respect to voltage vectors that each represent a respective one of converter switch states in an electric-motor control system. One embodiment modifies the reference voltage vector Vref as it approaches various voltage vectors and another modifies the reference voltage vector Vref when its magnitude is less than a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: Axial error calculation unit is provided for estimating an axial error &Dgr;&thgr; between a d-q axis and a dc-qc axis by using Ld, Lq, Ke, Id*, Iq*, Idc and Iqc in a range of all rotational speeds except zero of a rotational speed command of a synchronous motor, Ld denoting an inductance on a magnetic pole axis d of the synchronous motor, Lq an inductance on a q axis orthogonal to the magnetic pole axis d, Ke a generated power constant of the motor, Id* a current command of the d axis, Iq* a current command on a q axis, Idc a detected current value on an assumed dc axis on control, and Iqc a detected current value on an assumed qc axis orthogonal to the assumed dc axis. Irrespective of presence of saliency, position sensorless control can be achieved in a wide range a low to high speed zone.

Abstract: A self-diagnosis device is provided with a fan motor having a stator on which a stator coil is mounted, a rotor having a permanent magnet and a fan, a Hall device for detecting magnetic pole position of the permanent magnet and a current control device for controlling rotation of the rotor by controlling current fed to the stator coil. The self-diagnosis device judges if the fan motor has exceeded its service life. Further, the self-diagnosis device interrupts the current fed to the stator coil when the rotational speed is higher than an allowable value, and restarts the current automatically to return the fan motor into normal operation when the rotational speed is not higher than the allowable value.

Abstract: The invention features an acoustic waveguide and system for transmitting pressure wave energy produced by an electroacoustical transducer in a medium that propagates pressure wave energy. The acoustic waveguide and system includes a tube defining a spiral-shaped channel with a length of L. The tube has a first end and a second end with the first end closed and the second end open to the medium. The tube has a transducer opening for accommodating an electroacoustical transducer located between the first and second end of the tube. The system includes an electroacoustical transducer mounted to the acoustic waveguide.