Abstract: A throttle split monitor (11) for monitoring a multiple engine aircraft having an automatic throttle (A/T) control system is disclosed. The throttle split monitor (11) comprises a throttle angle section (13), a tachometer section (15) and a throttle limit section (17). The throttle angle section receives signals containing information representative of the positions of the throttles of an aircraft. Based on the throttle position information, the throttle angle section determines the throttle split angle between the positions of the throttles associated with similarly placed engines on opposite sides of the aircraft and adjusts said throttle split angle to compensate for throttle position differences associated with engines producing equal levels of thrust. The throttle angle section produces an A/T disengage signal when said adjusted throttle split angle exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: Mass air flow into an internal combustion engine is measured as a function of throttle opening. The mass air flow rate is expressed as an idle offset constant and the product of gain and effective air intake area which is a function of throttle position. During idle, the idle offset term is updated in response to an exhaust oxygen sensor feedback and during part throttle operation the gain is similarly updated to achieve stoichiometry. For subsonic air flow the mass air flow is further modified as a function of the ratio of manifold pressure to the pressure upstream of the throttle. At the same time the manifold dilution is controlled via an EGR valve to a predetermined schedule.

Abstract: Deflection detection pick-ups are arranged at the wheels or wheel suspensions of the vehicle, from the signals of which pick-ups a computer determines an averaged pitch angle. These averaged actual values are compared with predetermined or predeterminable set values. the correction of the supporting forces of the support assemblies effected thereupon by the computer is dependent on the extent to which the vehicle body has to execute pure lifting movements, pure rolling movements and/or pure pitching movements to approximate the actual values to the set values and in which proportions the forces necessary for the damping of rolling or pitching movements are to be applied by the support assemblies of the front or rear wheels. In this case, the forces serving for the compensation of rolling movements can be distributed over the front and rear wheels in such a way that a desired control tendency of the vehicle, in particular a tendency toward under-controlling, is obtained.

Abstract: A helicopter engine speed reference (66) is increased (113, 103-105) in response to heavy rotor loading (108). The reference speed is faded up (113, 104) at a rather rapid rate to 107% of rated speed (114). After a fixed time interval (118), reduced rotor loading (119) will cause the reference speed to be faded down slowly (120, 103-105) to rated speed (121). If torque exceeds 111% of rated torque (117), the reference speed is similarly faded down (120, 103-105).

Abstract: A control system for industrial use vehicles such as battery powered fork lifts in which regenerative energy is saved when the direction of travel is reversed. The control system functions to moderate the current drain on the battery. The control system comprising: a travel signal input means for generating an output signal from a travel accelerator, a cargo-handling signal input means for generating a cargo-handling signal, a monitor voltage input means for detecting a voltage at each of a plurality of monitor points and for outputting a detected signal, a sensor input means for generating an output signal from each sensor, monitor input means for generating an output signal from each monitor, and a microprocessor controller for receiving the output signals of the respective means and for outputting predetermined control signals.

Abstract: Method and apparatus by which skidding wheels of a vehicle are quickly recognized and distinguished from drive train vibrations. The method uses the difference between values of a comparison parameter (e.g. wheel circumferential distance) of a driven wheel and a similar comparison parameter of a non-driven wheel. The differences are summed over time intervals as soon as a kinetic parameter (e.g. slippage of the driven wheel) exceeds a threshold value. When the sum of the difference values exceeds a maximum value, a control signal is generated that can be used, for example, as an alarm signal for the driver, or as a control signal for changing the drive moment of the wheel, for changing gears, or for driving additional wheels.

Abstract: A control system/method for controlling the automatic or semi-automatic shifting of a range type compound transmission (10) is provided. The control utilizes a processing unit (106) requiring only two speed inputs, indicative of input shaft (16) and mainshaft (28) rotational speeds, to command both simple and compound shifts and to confirm the execution thereof.

Abstract: A control arrangement including a computer-based controller and bipolar driver for bidirectional current control of air core gauge coils by pulse-width-modulation (PWM). The computer-based controller processes input information to determine the desired deflection of the pointer, and looks-up previously stored PWM duty cycle commands for energizing the gauge coils. The bipolar drivers modulate the polarity of the voltage applied to the coils in accordance with the duty cycle commands. Since the drivers are bipolar, a zero strength magnetic field vector is achieved with a duty cycle command of 50 percent. This eliminates discontinuities in the region of zero strength magnetic field vector, and avoids the requirement of generating duty cycles of 0 percent and 100 percent to achieve a full 360 degrees of pointer deflection. Potential discontinuities in the generation of the duty cycles due to input data processing requirements is eliminated by scaling the duty cycles into the range of (DELTA)% to (100-DELTA)%.

Abstract: A rear wheel speed reference utilized in an anti-lock brake controller as the basis for controlling the rear wheel brakes of a vehicle controlled by a common control signal is established based on the road surface condition. When the vehicle is being braked on a split coefficient of friction surface, the rear wheel speed reference is established at the wheel speed which is the lowest between the two wheels. This provides braking in accord with a select low mode of operation. However, when the two rear wheels are being braked on a uniform surface, the rear wheel speeds are processed such that an average of the two wheel speeds is provided as the rear wheel speed reference for establishing the braking control signal for the rear wheels.

Abstract: There is provided an injector diagnosis system for a motor vehicle having a plurality of injectors mounted on an engine and a control unit for generating a pulse signal to control the injectors. A sensor detects a current which is supplied to the injectors when the pulse signal is generated. A calculator calculates an injector load current on the basis of the current detected by the sensor. A diagnosis device determines whether the injectors are normal by comparing the injector load current and a reference current. A judging device judges whether a fuel cut condition is satisfied on the basis of signals from various sensors which detect driving states. And an instruction device operates the diagnosis device to stop the determination when the judging device judges that the fuel cut condition is satisfied, whereas the determination is executed when the judging device judges that the fuel cut condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: At a vehicle, pressure probes are arranged, which generate signals from which differences and differential quotients are formed. As a result, quantities may be generated by a computer which reflect the angle of incidence as well as the ram pressure of the cross wind on the vehicle.

Abstract: An optical keyboard comprising: a flat optical block whose top face (9) is intended to co-operate with the keys (12); light inlets (2) and light detection outlets (3) having intersections (4) which couple one light inlet with one light detection outlet; key-actuated elements situated at the intersections for coupling or decoupling the inlets and the outlets; optical ducts which are unobstructed from a corresponding light inlet to a corresponding matrix intersection, and from a corresponding matrix intersection to a corresponding light detection outlet; and a scanning stage for applying a signal successively to each of the inlets and for observing the state of each of the outlets after each signal application; is characterized in that the light inlets and the light detection outlets are disposed along the same one of the sides (31) of said optical block, with each key emplacement being directly connected to a single light emitter and a single light receiver via respective optical ducts (2, 3).

Abstract: A computerized control system and method is disclosed for controlling a temperature differential balancer associated with a rotating device. The control system utilizes a microprocessor under stored program control which automatically recalibrates the phase angle difference between a vibration signal and a position signal of said rotating device. This difference is then used to define a corrected chamber to be heated or cooled in order to effect the desired device balance.

Abstract: A speed control apparatus for an automotive vehicle performs creep control and suppresses wheel slipping. At low vehicle speeds, a control unit calculates a target vehicle speed based on the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal and controls a throttle actuator to maintain the target speed. The driver can change the target speed by adjusting the amount of accelerator pedal depression. The brakes of the vehicle are automatically applied when the accelerator pedal is released. A vehicle separation sensor measures the separation from a preceding vehicle. When the vehicle separation falls below a prescribed level, the control unit automatically applies the brakes of the vehicle. The control unit detects wheel slip by monitoring the speed difference between the front and rear wheels. When wheel slip occurs, the control unit decreases the throttle valve opening and applied the brakes until wheel slip is suppressed.

Abstract: An automatic turn signal cancelling apparatus for a motorized cycle, in which a signal provided from a handlebar turning angle detector is accumulated in response to a signal provided from a travel distance detector, and the cancellation of turn signal is made on the basis of comparisons of such accumulated value and the output of the turning angle detector with respective preset values, whereby a more appropriate function of cancellation of turn signal can be achieved.Further, by providing with a device for determining a turning angle center in accordance with signals from the turning angle detector and the travel distance detector, a more accurate function of cancellation of turn signal can be attained.Moreover, an easier and more reliable operation is assured by providing a compact and functional operating switch assembly.

Abstract: A speed control apparatus for a vehicle performs cruise control at high vehicle speeds, creep control at low vehicle speeds, and wheel slip suppression at high and low vehicle speeds by controlling the degree of opening of the throttle valve of the vehicle. During creep control, a control unit controls the degree of opening of the throttle valve in accordance with the vehicle speed and the amount of depression of the brake pedal by the driver. When the brake pedal is not depressed, the control unit controls the throttle valve so that the vehicle runs at a predetermined creep speed. When the brake pedal is depressed, the brakes are applied and the control unit decreases the opening of the throttle valve. When a wheel slip sensor detects slipping of the wheels, the control unit decreases the throttle valve opening until slipping is no longer detected.

Abstract: A system provides for controlling various vehicle functions by use of a free-running counter that drives the address lines of a random access memory which are shared with a control microprocessor. The counter represents a clock which directly maps addresses in the RAM to discrete moments in time. Each bit at each RAM memory location describes an on or off control command of a particular function. The microprocessor sets selected bits corresponding to the control function in two address locations corresponding to the on and off points in time so as to enable the generation of a pulse of exact direction for control.

Abstract: A joystick assembly for converting push-button keys to joystick actuation comprises a handle and a multi-arm member, the multi-arm member includes arms located for contact with keys of a computer keyboard, each arm having a depending end for engaging a respective key. The handle inserts perpendicularly through the multi-arm member through a central aperture and is adjustable perpendicularly with respect to the keyboard. Apparatus is incorporated for fastening an end of the handle to a central key of a keyboard.

Abstract: An encoder for a wheel or other devices with relative movement comprises in the use of a printwheel, a linear Hall-effect sensor and magnet mounted in a non-ferrous metal shaft with a flux conducting spiral ring molded in the printwheel and encircling the shaft. The angular position of the printwheel is absolutely determined by the magnitude of the signal relative to the transition point of the spiral. The values are converted to digital information and stored in non-volatile memory for comparison to the values measured as the wheel is positioned during operation of the wheel. In another embodiment, a second Hall-effect sensor is placed on the shaft opposite the first sensor to provide an enhanced signal.

Abstract: An automated multi-purpose utility water meter readout system. The disclosed system obtains water usage information from an existing water meter without any modifications or attachments to the meter. The device needs only to be located in proximity to the water meter and obtains water flow information by sensing the magnetic flux lines generated by the internal rotating coupling magnets of the water meter. The varying magnetic flux is converted to a periodic electrical signal whose frequency is proportional to the flow rate. The instantaneous flow is continually totalized and stored in a solid-state counter, from which the totalized flow information is periodically transmitted to a remote receiver by a standard, well-proven radio frequency telemetry link. The remote receiver stores data from multiple meters (up to 10,000) and periodically sends the data to the data processing office by means of telephone lines, CATV cable, or RF link.