Abstract: A torus motor system includes a hollow stator and a rotor which is driven along a rotor path formed within the hollow stator by a magnet system. The rotor operates as a piston within the rotor path to intake and discharge fluid therefrom. The forces on the rotor all tend to center the rotor within the rotor path. The rotor is accelerated away from the inlet port on the magnet system and decelerated as the rotor approaches the discharge port.

Abstract: A multi-phase motor drive includes coil magnets that generate a magnetic field when energized with an electrical current. The coil magnets are configured in an electrical matrix. Switches are arranged in an electrical circuit with the coil magnets. Each coil magnet is in electrical communication with at least two of the switches and each switch is in electrical communication with more than one coil magnet. The switches operate in pairs to energize the coil magnets and the multi-phase motor drive includes a lesser number of switch pairs than coil magnets.

Abstract: A tool measuring apparatus for a machine tool is provided with a plunger (16) mounted to move along an axis (22) to vary the spacing between the end of the plunger and an inductive element (26) of an inductive displacement measuring device (24). Device (24) generates a signal V.sub.y which varies as a function of the spacing between the plunger (16) and device (24). Spindle (14), engaging a tool (12), is moved to a position M located a known distance from inductive element (26). As the spindle is moved to position M, tool (12) engages plunger 16 and moves the plunger to decrease the spacing between the plunger and the element (26) to a value S.sub.3, corresponding to an unknown length d of tool (12). Levels of V.sub.y corresponding to spacing S.sub.3 and to S.sub.2, representing a known nominal value N of tool length, are coupled to a processor 32 and a control 30 to determine tool offset e, i.e., the difference between actual length d and nominal length N.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a machine tool employs a monitoring system for monitoring the absolute position of a reversibly (and linearly or rotationally) movable moving member in the machine tool. The monitoring system includes a clock, a digital feedback position counter having a predetermined count range, an exciter, a feedback device responsive to movement of the movable member, a digital position storage device, a zero crossing detector, and a zero position counter. The feedback position counter, which operates at a clock frequency, controls the exciter which provides a pulsed exciter signal to the feedback device. The feedback position counter also provides a position count Nc to the position storage device and to the zero position counter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring digital data between a mass memory and a random access memory. The mass memory has a plurality of memory loops, each having a plurality of memory cells, and a read/write device which either outputs data from the memory cells or inputs data to the memory cells. Each memory cell is identified by an address that specifies its place in the loop sequence starting from a reference cell. A loop position counter is set at zero when the reference cell of the selected memory loop is at the read/write device. The loop position counter is advanced by one count each time the next memory cell in the sequence is moved into operative relationship with the read/write device. Transfer of data between the mass memory and the random access memory is accomplished without any delay under the control of a random access memory address counter which is synchronized with the loop position counter.

Abstract: An electronic data processing system which utilizes a variable timing period that is varied in accordance with the access time of the digital devices or circuits utilized in each step of the data processing program. In one embodiment, the data processing system is a computer which performs the basic arithmetic and logical operations. The computer utilizes three memories which have different access times. One memory stores instruction words specifying steps in a computer program for performing basic arithmetic and logical operations involving predetermined data words; another memory stores the data words; and, the third memory stores control words specifying the various machine operations required to execute the corresponding instruction. The three memories can be read out simultaneously, two at a time, or one at a time. In each case, the timing strobe which initiates the next step in the program is generated immediately after the slowest memory utilized in that step is ready for the next readout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring digital data between a mass memory and a random access memory. The mass memory has a plurality of memory loops, each having a plurality of memory cells, and a read/write device which either outputs data from the memory cells or inputs data to the memory cells. Each memory cell is identified by an address that specifies its place in the loop sequence starting from a reference cell. A loop position counter is set at zero when the reference cell of the selected memory loop is at the read/write device. The loop position counter is advanced by one count each time the next memory cell in the sequence is moved into operative relationship with the read/write device. Transfer of data between the mass memory and the random access memory is accomplished without any delay under the control of a random access memory address counter which is synchronized with the loop position counter.