Abstract: A control for a d.c. motor having a d.c. thyristor power supply connected to a d.c. motor and a control circuit for selectively varying and controlling the level of the current provided by the thyristor power supply to the motor. The thyristor power supply provides a plurality of selected output current levels to the motor and the motor has a corresponding plurality of torque levels. The level of the output current supplied by the power supply to the motor is independent of the resistance in the motor circuit. The motor is rotatable in opposite directions and the thyristor power supply will provide output voltage at opposite pluralities corresponding to the rotational direction of the motor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a squirrel-cage motor for a winch drive or other application and control means for operating the motor in hoist or lower directions at any one of a plurality of speeds in either direction. The motor and winch are provided with a load brake. In one embodiment, the stator comprises two stator windings having different numbers of poles to provide high speed (fewer poles) and low speed (more poles) windings. The control means comprises a direct current power source, an alternating current power source, means for connecting the sources to the stator windings so that different speed points and braking operations are achieved, and means for operating the load brake. Low speed results from simultaneously energizing the low speed winding and the high speed winding from the alternating current power source and the direct current power source, respectively. Intermediate speed results from energizing only the low speed winding from the alternating current power source.