Abstract: A device for adjusting a signal to a thermally sensitive bridge circuit that may have an impedance coupled to the bridge circuit and an impedance circuit also coupled to the bridge circuit. The impedance circuit may incorporate an amplifier having a non-inverting input coupled to the bridge circuit, a signal adjusting circuit coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier and to the bridge circuit, and an amplifier circuit coupled to the output of the amplifier. The signal adjusting circuit may include a unidirectional current flow mechanism such as a diode.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a signal to a thermally sensitive bridge circuit that may have an impedance coupled to the bridge circuit and an impedance circuit also coupled to the bridge circuit. The impedance circuit may incorporate an amplifier having a non-inverting input coupled to the bridge circuit, a signal adjusting circuit coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier and to the bridge circuit, and an amplifier circuit coupled to the output of the amplifier. The signal adjusting circuit may include a unidirectional current flow mechanism such as a diode.

Abstract: An electric parking brake control system for automatically controlling one or more parking brakes in a vehicle. The parking brake control system includes an electric brake switch in communication with a low-pressure switch for automatically applying the parking brakes. The electric brake switch is preferably a latching type mechanism, which is capable of controlling a solenoid air valve external to the vehicle cab. The low-pressure switch automatically monitors an air reservoir for a low-pressure condition. The electric brake switch incorporates a time delay upon release of the switch, in order to prevent inadvertent application of the parking brakes due to a momentary loss of vehicle electrical power.

Abstract: A wireless valve-position monitor includes a housing having a plurality of possible antenna module mounting ports. A position sensor is within the housing that interfaces to a movable portion of a process-control valve for providing a position detection signal that reflects a position of the process-control valve. A wireless transceiver system including a transceiver coupled to an antenna module is coupled to the position sensor for transmitting a wireless signal that communicates the position of the process-control valve. The antenna module is mounted to one of the plurality of possible mounting ports on the housing.

Abstract: An active human-machine interface system includes a user interface, one or more motors, one or more motor controllers, one or more electrically controllable dampers, and one or more damper controllers. The motors are coupled to the user interface and are configured, upon being energized, to supply a haptic feedback force to the user interface. The motor controllers are coupled to, and configured to selectively energize, the motors. The electrically controllable dampers are coupled to the user interface and are configured, upon being energized, to supply a damping force to the user interface. The damper controllers are in operable communication with the motor controllers and are coupled to, and configured to selectively energize, the electrically controllable dampers.

Abstract: A human-machine interface assembly includes a user interface, a first motor, a second motor, a first sector gear, and a second sector gear. The user interface is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis. The user interface is responsive to an input force to rotate about one or both of the first and second rotational axes. The first motor is disposed apart from the first rotational axis and generates a drive force about a third rotational axis that is parallel to the first rotational axis. The second motor is disposed apart from the second rotational axis and generates a drive force about a fourth rotational axis that is parallel to the second rotational axis. The first sector gear is coupled between the first motor and the user interface, and the second sector gear is coupled between the second motor and the user interface.

Abstract: An electric parking brake control system for automatically controlling one or more parking brakes in a vehicle. The parking brake control system includes an electric brake switch in communication with a low-pressure switch for automatically applying the parking brakes. The electric brake switch is preferably a latching type mechanism, which is capable of controlling a solenoid air valve external to the vehicle cab. The low-pressure switch automatically monitors an air reservoir for a low-pressure condition. The electric brake switch incorporates a time delay upon release of the switch, in order to prevent inadvertent application of the parking brakes due to a momentary loss of vehicle electrical power.

Abstract: An aircraft user interface haptic feedback system includes a user interface, a position sensor, a cogless motor, and a control circuit. The user interface is movable to a position. The position sensor senses the position of the user interface and supplies a user interface position signal. The cogless motor is coupled to the user interface, and receives motor drive signals. The cogless motor, in response to the motor drive signals, supplies feedback force to the user interface. The control circuit receives at least the user interface position signal and a signal representative of the motor current and is operable, in response to at least these signals, to control the motor current supplied to the cogless motor using a non-trapezoidal motor commutation scheme.

Abstract: An active human-machine interface system is implemented without a force sensor. The system includes a user interface that is configured to receive user input and, upon receipt thereof, to move to a position. A position sensor is coupled to the user interface and is operable to sense user interface position and supply a position signal representative thereof. A motor is coupled to the user interface and to receive motor current. In response to the motor current the motor supplies a feedback force to the user interface at a magnitude proportional to the motor current. A control circuit is coupled to receive at least the position signal and a signal representative of the motor current and controls the motor current supplied to the motor.

Abstract: An aircraft user interface haptic feedback system includes a user interface, a position sensor, a cogless motor, and a control circuit. The user interface is movable to a position. The position sensor senses the position of the user interface and supplies a user interface position signal. The cogless motor is coupled to the user interface, and receives motor drive signals. The cogless motor, in response to the motor drive signals, supplies feedback force to the user interface. The control circuit receives at least the user interface position signal and a signal representative of the motor current and is operable, in response to at least these signals, to control the motor current supplied to the cogless motor using a non-trapezoidal motor commutation scheme.

Abstract: A human-machine interface assembly includes a user interface, a first motor, a second motor, a first sector gear, and a second sector gear. The user interface is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis. The user interface is responsive to an input force to rotate about one or both of the first and second rotational axes. The first motor is disposed apart from the first rotational axis and generates a drive force about a third rotational axis that is parallel to the first rotational axis. The second motor is disposed apart from the second rotational axis and generates a drive force about a fourth rotational axis that is parallel to the second rotational axis. The first sector gear is coupled between the first motor and the user interface, and the second sector gear is coupled between the second motor and the user interface.

Abstract: An active human-machine interface system includes a user interface, one or more motors, one or more motor controllers, one or more electrically controllable dampers, and one or more damper controllers. The motors are coupled to the user interface and are configured, upon being energized, to supply a haptic feedback force to the user interface. The motor controllers are coupled to, and configured to selectively energize, the motors. The electrically controllable dampers are coupled to the user interface and are configured, upon being energized, to supply a damping force to the user interface. The damper controllers are in operable communication with the motor controllers and are coupled to, and configured to selectively energize, the electrically controllable dampers.

Abstract: An active human-machine interface system is implemented without a force sensor. The system includes a user interface that is configured to receive user input and, upon receipt thereof, to move to a position. A position sensor is coupled to the user interface and is operable to sense user interface position and supply a position signal representative thereof. A motor is coupled to the user interface and to receive motor current. In response to the motor current the motor supplies a feedback force to the user interface at a magnitude proportional to the motor current. A control circuit is coupled to receive at least the position signal and a signal representative of the motor current and controls the motor current supplied to the motor.