Abstract: A multi-directional contactless controller senses the displacement of a manipulator with respect to a reference frame along two orthogonal directions and is also provided with a resiliently biased cam and cam follower disposed between the manipulator and the reference frame for providing tactile feedback and returning the manipulator to a central position. For specific applications, the cam surface is programmed with various regions having different restoring forces or rest positions. Access to these regions can be conditioned by selectively activated solenoids or by a requirement for overt operator input. Similarly, a selectively activated solenoid can be used to conditionally prohibit exit from these regions or to selectively return the controller to the central null position.

Abstract: A multi-directional contactless controller senses the displacement of a manipulator with respect to a reference frame along two orthogonal directions and also indicates rotation of the manipulator with respect to the reference frame. The manipulator is journaled to a carrier and means are provided for preventing rotation of the carrier with respect to the reference frame. A rotary-type sensor indicates the rotation of the manipulator with respect to the carrier. Contactless linear sensors indicate the displacement of the carrier with respect to the reference frame. In one preferred embodiment, the carrier is planar and carries a square flat magnet which differentially saturates two pairs of saturable cores secured to the reference frame. In a second embodiment, the carrier is cylindrical and telescopes within a cylindrical frame. In a third embodiment, the carrier is spherical and is received in a ball-and-socket type joint fashioned in the reference frame.

Abstract: A position sensor for producing a variable electrical output signal in response to manipulation of a quadrant lever or the like. A pair of tubes of equal length made of magnetically saturable material are secured to a frame in parallel proximity to a sheet-like permanent magnet which is mounted on a carrier. The magnet has a pair of active angled edges and the tubes are oriented to transversely intersect the respective angled edges, being so spaced from one another that the tubes are magnetically saturated over complementary fractions of their length. Each tube is engaged by at least one turn of wire and a detector circuit is provided having its input connected to the turns of wire for producing an electrical output signal in accordance with the differential magnetic saturation of the tubes. Each tube is angled generally transversely with respect to the direction of relative movement.

Abstract: A manual controller for producing an output signal for control of hydraulic valves and the like. The controller has a quadrant lever consisting of an inner tube connected to a shaft and an outer tube slidable thereover. The inner tube has a palm rest at its upper end while the outer tube has an annular finger grip. The inner tube carries a slidable plug which is downwardly spring pressed and which is coupled to the outer tube to urge the finger grip downwardly away from the palm rest. A cam track is arranged on the frame closely parallel to the plane of swinging movement of the lever. The cam track is engaged by a cam follower which is secured to the outer tube.

Abstract: A liquid cable transfer device is provided for transmitting input forces and/or displacements to corresponding output forces and/or displacements. The transfer device includes a section of tubing adapted to accommodate liquid under pressure, and terminal units attached to opposite ends of the tubing. Each unit includes a piston and a biasing element acting against the piston whereby the pistons of both units coact to maintain a certain minimum liquid pressure within the tubing. The piston displacement stroke within one terminal unit caused by either a pull or push input force being applied thereto is transmitted to the piston within the second terminal unit whereby the latter piston is displaced from its initial equilibrium position a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A squeeze type manual actuator including a control arm with a pair of hand grips extending from the upper end of the arm, at least one of the hand grips being mounted on the arm for movement toward and away from the other hand grips. The hand grips are provided with gripping pads and have a normal spacing in which the pads are respectively engageable by the palm and finger tips of one hand of the operator. The movable hand grip engages a plunger having a return spring. A signal producing device is coupled to the plunger for producing an output signal of pre-selected polarity and which varies in accordance with plunger displacement. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the arm has upper and lower sections with limited lost motion between them in opposite directions from a neutral position.

Abstract: A manually controlled actuating device is provided to assist in overcoming forces, which resist adjustment of the device into certain positions, and at the same time minimize operator fatigue. The device includes a shaft adjustably mounted for movement from a predetermined rest position along a fixed path and having a spring-biased multiple-input-accepting handle attached to one end of the shaft. The handle is adapted to accept push, pull and squeeze inputs. Disposed adjacent the other end portion of the shaft and in proximity to the shaft's path of movement are a pair of fixedly mounted cam plates having the surfaces thereof adapted to be engaged by a follower pin carried by the shaft.