Abstract: A method includes user actuating X and Y transducers (16, 17, 38A, 39A, 66, 422A, 704A) to selective X and Y positions; producing x and y electrical signals as functions of the positions; moving a cursor (388) of a display (390) at velocities that are functions of the x and y electrical signals; clicking the cursor (388); correcting initialization errors in one of the transducers; providing a deadband (288A, 288B) in which the moving step is obviated; selectively adjusting the deadband (288A, 288B); delaying transmission of one of the electrical signals to the cursor (388); and stopping the moving step irrespective of the delaying step. The clicking step comprises user actuating one of the transducers (16, 17, 38A, 39B, 66, 422A, 704A) more rapidly; user actuating a manual switch (372, 550, 551); user actuating a sound pressure switch (432); user actuating a voice recognition IC (394), or user actuating an another switching device (384).

Abstract: A method includes user actuating X and Y transducers (16, 17, 38A, 39A, 66, 422A, 704A) to selective X and Y positions; producing x and y electrical signals as functions of the positions; moving a cursor (388) of a display (390) at velocities that are functions of the x and y electrical signals; clicking the cursor (388); correcting initialization errors in one of the transducers; providing a deadband (288A, 288B) in which the moving step is obviated; selectively adjusting the deadband (288A, 288B); delaying transmission of one of the electrical signals to the cursor (388); and stopping the moving step irrespective of the delaying step. The clicking step comprises user actuating one of the transducers (16, 17, 38A, 39B, 66, 422A, 704A) more rapidly; user actuating a manual switch (372, 550, 551); user actuating a sound pressure switch (432); user actuating a voice recognition IC (394), or user actuating an another switching device (384).

Abstract: A switching function is performed in response to a predetermined rate-of-change of an output signal, thereby providing rate-of-change switching. Rate-of-change switches (63 and 154) each include a user-controlled transducer (38A, 38B, or 39), a differentiator (40A, 40B, 112, or 156), and a discriminator (42, 114, 134, 160, or 162). The rate-of-change switches (63 and 154) perform at least one switching function when an output from the differentiator (40A, 40B, 112, or 156) or a second differentiator (158) exceeds an allowable magnitude. The rate-of-change switches (63 and 154) may be used to control a timed-opportunity switch (26 or 172), a conveyance, such as a wheelchair (12), and such functions as extending and retracting leg supports, and/or an environmental control unit (14 or 174). The rate-of-change switches (63 or 154) may be attached to a body member (18, 64, or 67) and be actuated by body-member gestures.

Abstract: Apparatus, such as a wheelchair (10) is proportionally controlled by output signals produced by an X-Y input device (26, 58, 90, 100, 110, 360, or 370), which may be attached to head (90), a hand (112) or some other body component, and which may be actuated by tilting. The output signals are conditioned prior to application to the wheelchair (10).

Abstract: Rate-of-change switches (63 and 154) each include a mechanical-to-electrical transducer (38A, 38B, or 39) and a rate-of-change control device (22, 110, 120, 130, 132, 140, or 146). The rate-of-change control devices (22, 110, 120, 130, 132, 140, and 146) each include a differentiator (40A, 40B, 112, or 156), and a discriminator (42, 114, 134, 160, or 162). The rate-of-change switches (63 and 154) perform at least one switching function when an output from the differentiator (40A, 40B, 112, or 156) or a second differentiator (158) exceeds an allowable magnitude. The rate-of-change switches (63 and 154) may be used to control a timed-opportunity switch (26 or 172), a conveyance, such as a wheelchair (12), and such functions as extending and retracting leg supports, and/or an environmental control unit (14 or 174). The rate-of-change switches (63 or 154) may be attached to a body member (18, 64, or 67) and be body-member actuated.

Abstract: A system (200) provides control of speeds and positioning of linear or rotary actuators (14A, 14B, 342A, 342B), and the system (200) may be used to control both speeds and steering of a conveyance (10). A transducer sensitivity control apparatus (202) provides selective control of sensitivity of transducers (28A, 28B) in an X-Y controller (26). The X-Y controller (26) delivers voltages to a steering sensitivity control apparatus (156, 180) that decreases, differences as an inverse and nonlinear function, in the two voltages supplied by the X-Y controller (26), thereby reducing steering sensitivity of the conveyance (10), increasing controllability in turns by decreasing sensitivity of joystick (34) movement, and/or automatically slowing the conveyance (10) when making sharp turns.

Abstract: A power wheelchair (10) includes wheels (12a and 12b) that are reversibly driven by electric motors (24a and 24b) included in respective ones of electric motor drives (170). The electric motor drives (170) provide driving voltage pulses (142) of a pulse-width-modulated driving voltage (144) to respective ones of the motors 24a and 24b), and the electric motor drives (170) provide dynamic braking pulses (150) that are interposed intermediate of respective ones of the driving voltage pulses (142). The maximum width (146) of the driving voltage pulses (142) is selectively adjusted by a removable speed control knob (46) that is connected to a pair of ganged maximum speed potentiometers (48), thereby adjustably determining the maximum speed of the conveyance (10). The maximum torque of the power wheelchair (10) is selectively adjusted by a removable torque control knob (50) that is connected to a pair of ganged torque enhancement controls (52).

Abstract: An X-Y controller (10) includes a first part (12) that is spherically guided by a second part (20). First and second shafts (26) of first and second transducers (24) are secured to the spherically guided first part (12). First and second levers (54) are mounted to first and second bodies (28) of the first and second transducers (24). The levers (54) each include a slot (58) which engages a respective one of first and second pins (60) that are inserted into the second part (20). In response to a first one of the mechanical inputs (X or Y), both of the shafts (26) of the transducers (24) are rotationally positioned proportional to the first mechanical input. In response to the second one of the mechanical inputs (Y or X), both of the potentiometers (24) are rotationally positioned about the other axis (Y or X); and the levers (54) and the pins (60) cooperate to rotationally position the bodies of both transducers (24 ) proportional to the second mechanical input (Y or X).

Abstract: A conveyance (10) is provided with automatic limiting (223) of the rate of change in power supplied to first (26a or 232a) and second (26b) motors, whether the motors are electrical or hydraulic; and dynamic braking of electric motors (26a and 26b) is achieved by shorting a motor winding (150a) during a portion (233a) of an interval (217a) between power pulses (207a) of a pulse-width-modulated driving voltage (209a).

Abstract: A conveyance (360) is provided with: dynamic braking of electric propulsion motors (26a and 26b) that is achieved by shorting a motor winding (150a) during a portion (233a) of an interval (217a) between pulses (207a) of a pulse-width modulated driving voltage (209a); automatic limiting (233) of the rate of change in power supplied to left (26a or 232a) and right (26b) propulsion motors, whether electrically or hydraulically propelled; power-off braking that is achieved by shorting a motor winding (150a) when power pulses are not being supplied; extended life of relays (144aand 148a) that is achieved by preventing current flow to the motors during opening and closing of the relay contacts (154a and 156a); and a solid-state switching device (168a and 170a) that is controlled by a signal in a single conductor (200a) and that provides an effective delay (219a and 221a) in switching between two circuits (152a and 160a).

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for rapidly attaching and rapidly removing a battern (24) from a conveyance (10) of the type having a foldable frame (14) with side-members (26) that are foldably interconnected by cross-brace arms (28). A first quick-release element (38) is attached to the pivot pin (36) that interconnects the cross-brace arms (28); and a second quick-release element (40) is connected to the battery (24) by a U-shaped strap (84).

Abstract: A conveyance (10) is provided with: automatic limiting (223) of the rate of change in power supplied to left (26a or 232a) and right propulsion motors, whether electrically or hydraulically propelled; dynamic braking of electric propulsion motors (26a and 26b) that is achieved by shorting a motor winding (150a) during a portion (233a) of an interval (217a) between power pulses (207a) of a pulse-width-modulated driving voltage (209a); power-off braking that is achieved by shorting a motor winding (150a) when no power pulses are being supplied; extended life of relays (144a & 148a) that is achieved by preventing current flow to the motors during opening and closing of the relay contacts (154a and 156a); and a solid-state switching device (168a and 170a) that is controlled by a signal in a single conductor (200a) and that provides an effective delay (219a and 221a) in switching between two circuits (152a and 160a).

Abstract: An electric wheelchair, or other conveyance, (10) is provided with a function control (80a) which includes a unitary control (82), and which is effective to control applying and releasing of power transmitted from an electric motor (28a) to a wheel, or to another type of propulsion element (12a), and to control applying and releasing of a parking brake (74a), in response to positioning of the unitary control (82).

Abstract: An air-actuated shock absorber (10) is provided for aircraft of the type generally known as ultralight, and for aircraft of the light utility type. The shock absorber (10) is fabricated from aluminum tubing and plastic. The head-end volume (72) is charged by a hand-actuated tire pump; and damping is provided by aspirating the rod-end volume (70) and by restricting the fluid flow path through which the rod-end volume (70) is aspirated.