Abstract: Testing an engine having a rotary power output shaft by mechanically-coupling the output shaft of the engine to the rotor of a rotary electrical machine, operable alternatively in motor and generator modes, by connecting output/input conductors of the machine to conductors of an electrical supply main from which electrical power will be taken by the machine, when the machine is operating in the motor mode, and to which electrical power will be supplied by the machine, when the machine is operating in the generator mode, the electrical connections between the machine conductors and the supply main conductors being effected by a power converter including power-carrying devices of a semi-conductor type, e.g.

Abstract: A proximity switch is connected to close a circuit between a source and a load when a metal object is adjacent to a coil in the switch. The coil is part of an oscillator circuit that is selected to have its output damped below a selected amplitude when the metal object is close enough to the coil. The reduced amplitude of oscillation opens a capacitor shunting switch thereby permitting the capacitor to be charged. The charging of the capacitor to a selected level turns on an SCR to connect the load to the source through the SCR. A power storage circuit has a capacitor that is charged when the SCR is turned off to provide operating current for the circuits of the switch when it is not available because the SCR is turned on to shunt the current from the main power source.