Abstract: A synchronous motor is adjustably positioned on a support plate by screws passing through slots in the support plate. An optical filter is attached to an arm which is secured to the rotor of the motor for horizontal rotation of the arm between two stable positions defined by stops so that the filter is held stable either in or out of the path of a light beam in a spectrophotometer, for example. The stops are spaced and positioned in relation to the stator poles of the motor such that application to two stator coils of the motor of one or the other of two predetermined discrete voltage codes will unambiguously drive the rotor in the direction of a predetermined one or the other of the stops toward a stable pole position of the motor corresponding to that code until movement is terminated by that stop.

Abstract: An oscillating device has an electro-mechanical drive, a pivotal or oscillating armature and a regulating circuit, wherein a capacitor, the capacitance of which varies with oscillation of the armature is used as a displacement transducer or pickup. A signal generated by a signal generator is conducted by way of the series-connection of the displacement transducer, a rectifier and a filter to an amplifier circuit, the frequency of said signal being much greater than the natural resonant frequency of oscillation of the electro-mechanical drive. An output voltage which is substantially in phase with the angular movements of the armature i.e. angle-proportional thereto, appears at the output of the amplifier circuit and is supplied to a set value input of a differential amplifier contained in the regulating circuit.

Abstract: An optical scanner or actuator comprising an armature which includes a movable, closed electrically conductive loop, the armature being mounted to rotate about a support axis, current inducing means associated with the electrically conductive loop comprising a stationary flux-conductor extending through and in current-inducing relationship with the loop, and drive means adapted to induce a magnetic current-inducing flux along the flux-conductor in accordance with desired movement of the armature, permanent magnet biasing means comprising a permanent magnet adapted to produce a magnetic field with which current in the electrically conductive loop interacts to cause movement of the armature, one pole of the magnet being permeably connected to one portion of the flux-conductor at a region remote from the electrically conductive loop, and the other pole of the magnet being permeably connected with the flux-conductor via a permeable gap in which a segment of the electrically conductive loop is arranged to move, wh

Abstract: There is disclosed a driving and control circuit for a tuning fork resonator also adaptable to rotary motor control wherein an approximately sine wave signal from a motion sensor is applied to an instantaneous level detector which causes a control signal to be generated during that portion of the sine wave signal where the instantaneous level exceeds an adjustable reference level; the control signal causes the application of a current to the tuning fork drive which is in a direction to cause braking and reduction of motion amplitude. A distinctive feature of the instantaneous level detector is the fact that the sine wave signal is not rectified but is rather converted to a fluctuating direct current signal with a DC level accurately determined by an internal semiconductor voltage reference element.

Abstract: A control arrangement for vibratory conveyors, including bowl and linear types, in which the vibration frequency is set by the behavior of the conveyor and not by an applied frequency. A sensor, SC, senses the behavior of the conveyor and a frequency, of controlled amplitude and phase, is derived from the sensor output to energize conveyor drive means, AV and AH1 to AH3. User controls (HA, VA, PA) for amplitude and phase can be mark/space adjusters (HMS, VMS, DMS) effective on the base circuits of transistors connected to electromagnetic actuators. Low voltage operation (less than 50v) is provided without proportionally increased current, partly by energy recovery from the inductors in the actuators. Two levels of protection against supply ripple are included (RT, RLA) and the actuator drive can be stabilized against supply variation (MSC). The low-voltage operation provided is both safer and more efficient than mains voltage operation.

Abstract: To obtain high accuracy of the control current in spite of tolerances of operation of the positioned element, a current mirror circuit (18) is provided having two current paths (17, 23). A low resistance resistor (11) is connected in series with the positioned element and the first current path (17) of the current mirror circuit. A command element (22) is connected in the second current path (23) of the current mirror circuit and connected to a command value--actual value comparator (24, 26). Thus, high accuracy of operation and control current is obtained in spite of wide tolerances of the positioning element. Losses in the system are minimized by using pulse width--modulated control thereof.

Abstract: A two-directional percussion implement selectively adaptable both for driving in and for extracting, e.g. piles, from the ground, includes two coaxial electromagnetic coils whose movable armatures are represented by extremities of a reciprocable ram. Opposite anvils, one of which is adapted to be coupled with a driven element, are interlinked by a non-magnetic shaft traversing the ram. When the implement is intended for drilling operations, a rotary drive imparts rotation to one of the anvils via a connection permitting independent rotation and reciprocation. The shaft in this case has a central channel for taking samples or for conducting drilling fluids. When adapted only for axial percussions, the implement is vertically suspended on a cable via a shock absorber.

Abstract: A blocking oscillator for a reciprocating electromagnetic actuator having a solenoid coil, a detection coil for generating a control signal in response to a charge in the magnetic field generated by the solenoid coil, a silicon Darlington amplifier responsive to the control signal to control the current through said solenoid coil, and a diode connected in series with the collector of the Darlington amplifier rendering the Darlington amplifier immune to reverse voltage and transient signals.

Abstract: A vibrating armature motor, which includes a voltage source, an armature, an electromagnet having at least one exciter coil disposed adjacent the armature, a spring for rotationally biasing the armature, a sensor element for sensing the rotational velocity of the armature and for generating a signal proportional to the sensed velocity, a variable duty cycle pulse generator for generating a stream of triggering pulses, the duty cycle of the triggering pulses being dependent upon the sensor signal, and an electronic switch for controlling the current flow from the voltage source through the exciter coil in response to the triggering pulses.

Abstract: A control arrangement for vibratory conveyors, including bowl and linear types, in which the vibration frequency is set by the behavior of the conveyor and not by an applied frequency. A sensor, SC, senses the behavior of the conveyor and a frequency, of controlled amplitude and phase, is derived from the sensor output to energize conveyor drive means, AV and AH1 to AH3. User controls (HA, VA, PA) for amplitude and phase can be mark/space adjusters (HMS, VMS, DMS) effective on the base circuits of transistors connected to electromagnetic actuators. Low voltage operation (less than 50v) is provided without proportionally increased current, partly by energy recovery from the inductors in the actuators. Two levels of protection against supply ripple are included (RT, RLA) and the actuator drive can be stabilized against supply variation (MSC). The low-voltage operation provided is both safer and more efficient than mains voltage operation.

Abstract: A means for producing an optimized cooler expander waveform for a closed le cryogenic cooler. The cooler displacer is driven by magnetic and spring biasing means through four repeated phases of each cycle to produce four portions of the optimized cooler waveform in which each portion takes up about 25% of the total cycle. The portions are comprised of a constant velocity in opposite direction and dwell times with smoothed corner transitions between each portion. Control means for controlling the displacer movement to produce the specific waveform may be provided by a function generator applying the desired waveform into a displacer control drive circuit which has as a second input a sensory signal of the actual position of the displacer.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, energizing electromagnetic vibrators. An electromagnetic vibrator, driven by an electromagnet, is energized directly from an electric mains supply line carrying alternating current at a particular frequency. The electromagnet is operated at a fraction greater than one-quarter, and preferably equal to two-thirds or two-fifths, of the supply frequency such that the current drawn from the mains supply is substantially alternating current.

Abstract: An oscillating-armature electric motor comprises an armature which, during operation of the motor, moves along a path of oscillatory movement that includes a substantial range of movement in which the armature poles are located remote from the stator poles. When the poles are remote from each other, the efficiency of electrical to mechanical energy conversion would be low. The stator winding is energized in dependence upon the position of the motor, to avoid wasteful electrical energy dissipation during that part of the armature swing in which the aforementioned efficiency would be low. During the part of the armature swing in which the efficiency is high, the energization is great enough to establish a range of armature movement which goes beyond the high-efficiency armature positions to predominantly comprise low-efficiency armature positions.

Abstract: A vibrator mechanism, including a transducer and driving circuit, particularly adapted to vibrating a waterbed, includes two independently controlled vibration sources, each of which can generate vibration of varying amplitude and frequency. These two sources are typically mounted at opposite ends of a waterbed frame and vibrated at different frequencies so that interference waves may be produced within the water of the bed to produce a pleasing effect for the user. Additional circuitry is described which provides a time varying frequency and amplitude for each of the vibrators, and this circuitry is in turn controlled by a clock circuit so that, by using the time varying frequency and amplitude, the user may be slowly lulled to sleep or slowly awakened using the vibration within the waterbed as a stimulus for controlling the rate of falling asleep and waking up.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting overstroke, understroke and/or overspeed, underspeed conditions in vibratory equipment includes a vibratory member mounted on the equipment to vibrate therewith and to operate solid-state switches over a large number of cycles. The preferred switches are Hall effect switches operable by a magnet carried by the vibratory member. During normal vibratory motion, a normal stroke Hall effect switch resets a timing means which will operate as a missing pulse detector and will generate an abnormal pulse if it is not reset during a predetermined period of time. If the amplitude is too large, the overstroke Hall effect switch is operated and causes an abnormal condition pulse. A control circuit means is operable by an abnormal pulse to generate an alarm and/or shut down the vibrating equipment.

Abstract: A device for reciprocally rotating an output element such as a scanning mirror by means of an electric motor employs a two-degree-of-freedom suspension in which the motor armature is constrained by a first torsional suspension and the output element is supported from the armature by an independent second suspension. The resonant frequency of the armature and its suspension is substantially equal to the resonant frequency of the output element and its suspension.

Abstract: A material dispensing apparatus including drive structure for driving a feeder bowl is disclosed. A control circuit for controlling the drive includes a Hall effect amplitude sensing transducer for monitoring the magnitude of bowl vibrations and a braking circuit for controlling the damping of vibratory motion after the requisite amount of material has been fed from the feeder bowl. The braking circuit selectively reverses the current flow through a drive coil which comprises a portion of the drive circuitry of the apparatus. This current reversal disrupts the rhythm of forced oscillations which feed material from the bowl and causes bowl motion to be damped. A mechanical brake coupled to the bowl complements the braking action of braking circuit and locks the bowl in place to prevent accidental dispensing of parts.

Abstract: A material dispensing apparatus including drive structure for driving a feeder bowl is disclosed. A control circuit for controlling the drive includes a Hall effect amplitude sensing transducer for monitoring the magnitude of bowl vibrations and a braking circuit for controlling the damping of vibratory motion after the requisite amount of material has been fed from the feeder bowl. The braking circuit selectively reverses the current flow through a drive coil which comprises a portion of the drive circuitry of the apparatus. This current reversal disrupts the rhythm of forced oscillations which feed material from the bowl and causes bowl motion to be damped.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fluid pump having a magnetic circuit responsive to a predetermined position of a reciprocating magnetically permeable piston is disclosed. The reciprocating piston closes the magnetic circuit at the end of its pumping stroke increasing the value of the signal produced by a hall effect switch. The increased value of the generated signal energizes a solenoid coil returning the piston to a cocked position against the force of a resilient member which urges the piston forward on its pumping stroke.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the frequency of vibrations imparted by the vibrating element of a compacting machine to the ground which comprises a vibration pick-up responsive to the amplitude of vibrations of a mass composed of the vibrating element and the ground being vibrated which produces a vibration signal; a position sensor sensing the angular position of an eccentrically loaded rotary shaft on which the vibrating element is mounted, which produces a position signal; and a phasemeter which receives the vibration and position signals and provides an output signal related to the phase difference therebetween. This phase difference may be displayed in which case the motor for the rotary shaft can be controlled manually in accordance therewith or it may be fed to an automatic control system in which it is compared with a set signal to produce an error signal for automatically regulating the speed of motor turning the rotary shaft.

Abstract: There is disclosed a constant amplitude controller with feedback control for a vibratory feeder apparatus wherein a controlled rectifier is used to rectify the A.C. line voltage applied to the feeder solenoid and to control the voltage to the feeder solenoid. Triggering of the controlled rectifier is accomplished by a bias control signal which is composed of an A.C. phase shift voltage superpositioned by a variable D.C. bias voltage. Mechanical coupling is provided between the solenoid and a transducer which provides feedback to control logic circuitry. In the control logic circuitry, the signal received from the transducer is compared with a signal received from an operator adjusted potentiometer. In this manner, the desired amplitude of the vibrator apparatus is compared with the actual amplitude of the vibrator apparatus and, if there is a discrepancy, the control logic circuitry modifies the amount of control voltage being transferred by the controlled rectifier.

Abstract: The vibration motor comprises a concentrator of torsional vibrations, whose end face is in close contact with a rotor, and a piezoelectric cell unit adjoining the concentrator of torsional vibrations. Besides, the vibration motor is provided with a magnetic field source arranged under the rotor at the side of the concentrator of torsional vibrations and having a power sufficient to hold the rotor firmly against the concentrator end face, and with magnetic circuit. One part of the latter is movable, being fashioned as a disk with circumferentially spaced slots and rigidly connected to the rotor. The other part of the magnetic circuit separated from the first one by an air gap is stationary. It surrounds the magnetic field source and has peripheral slots identical to those of the movable disk and arranged opposite to them.

Abstract: A vibratory feed bowl driver having sensor for providing a signal responsive to the frequency and amplitude of vibration of a vibratory (parts) feeder and a driver circuit arrangement.The driver circuit arrangement is responsive to the output signal of the sensor for providing to the bowl's driver coil a variable width drive pulse at the optimum point in the bowl's mechanical cycle to maintain a desired amplitude of bowl vibration at the varying resonant frequencies of the bowl with loading.

Abstract: A limited rotation electromechanical torsional oscillator for driving a mirror in an optical deflection system. A drive armature is mounted on a torsion bar at the opposite end from the torsion bar support. The ends of the armature lie in an air gap between two pole pieces. The magnet flux in the gap is caused to vary by means of a drive winding which results in armature rotation. Resonant frequency is varied by adjustment of the length of the torsion bar and the flux density. Q is varied by means of resistance in series with the drive winding.

Abstract: A device for providing a voltage indicating the angular velocity of rotation of the armature in a limited rotation, polarized, moving iron galvanometer. The device includes a means for providing a first voltage dependent upon the angular velocity of the armature, the self-inductance of the galvanometer drive coil, and the drive current in the drive coil. A compensation coil is magnetically coupled to the drive coil and magnetically isolated from the effects of the rotating armature to provide a second voltage which is dependent upon mutual inductance between the drive and compensation coils and upon the drive current, but is not dependent upon the effects of the rotating armature due to the magnetic isolation of the compensation coil from the armature. A combining means proportionally combines the first and second voltages to provide a voltage indicating the angular velocity of rotation of the armature.

Abstract: A printer hammer bank for a dot matrix or other type printer is reciprocated at high speed along a printing position by a low mass, low inertia servo-controlled drive. Precise control is maintained even though a positive drive structure is not used. A reciprocable drive mechanism supporting the hammer bank is mounted to undergo free flight with low friction along a selected axis parallel to a printing line. At each limit of movement, the drive mechanism encounters resilient stop members which reverse the direction of motion of the drive mechanism and included hammer bank following a natural cosine function of the spring mass of the stop members and with low kinetic energy loss. Losses occurring during reversal are compensated by an energy impulse from a coupled linear electromagnetic drive and an associated velocity servo system which eliminates the need for close servo control during reversal, allowing the drive mechanism to rebound naturally.

Abstract: Method and system for the constant amplitude control of an electromechanical oscillator utilizing a phase locked oscillator to generate a secondary a-c setpoint which is compared to the oscillator output to provide a difference signal which is passed as a fast-acting negative feedback signal to stabilize the amplitude.

Abstract: A limited rotation motor has a stator and a rotor mounted for limited rotation relative to the stator. The stator is constructed to conduct bias flux through magnetic circuits that extend across air gaps between the stator and the rotor and a drive system produces drive flux which is conducted through magnetic circuits that extend across air gaps between the stator and rotor to drive the rotor. The stability of radial rotor position in its support bearings is enhanced by an imbalance in the bias flux magnetic circuits which continually produces a resultant radial force on the rotor so that a well defined radial position of the rotor is maintained over the range of limited rotation that the rotor moves in response to the drive system.

Abstract: A solid state switching circuit for an electromagnetic pump is disclosed herein. The circuit comprises a Darlington amplifier controlling the current flow through the pump's solenoid in response to the state of a piston position sensitive electrical switch, a Zener diode and capacitance in the base circuit of the Darlington amplifier in parallel with the electrical switch and an inductive clamp circuit in parallel with the pump's solenoid coil.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump having a piston completely enclosed by and moving within a cylinder. The pumping action is provided by the interaction between a magnetic component embedded in the piston and an external varying magnetic field produced by a permanent magnet, solenoid, etc. The necessary back-and-forth motion is produced by momentarily offsetting the gravitational force by the spatial driving or time variation of the magnetic field and a suitable combination of valves is provided to control the fluid flow through the cylinder.

Abstract: A switch control system particularly well suited for use in a electromechanical vibrator drive. Solid-state switches and diodes are used in combination with a DC power supply to alternately switch energy between the electric field of the power supply filter capacitor and the magnetic field of the actuator coil of a vibrator in a power resonant mode. The control system includes a variable frequency oscillator and a controllable pulse generator which respectively provide signals for controlling the closing and opening of the switches whereby the frequency and amplitude of movement of a vibratory feeder may be adjusted.

Abstract: An electrically damped oscillation motor having a stator component, a rotor component, a permanent magnet which provides a magnetic field across the annular gap transverse to the axis of rotation of the rotor and a drive winding for passing an electric current that interacts with the magnetic field to produce rotational deflection of the rotor. Both a tachometer winding and a compensation winding are provided in fixed relation to the drive winding, the compensation winding being located at a greater radial distance from the annular gap than the tachometer winding, and the tachometer and compensation windings being connected together in circuit so that the signal induced in the tachometer winding due to electric current flow in the drive winding is cancelled by a similar signal induced in the compensation winding, while the tachometer and compensation windings provide a net velocity signal that is used to modify the electric current flow in the drive winding to electrically damp rotational motion of the rotor.

Abstract: A hybrid blocking oscillator for an electromagnetic fuel pump is disclosed herein. The blocking oscillator embodies a temperature regulated bias control and two current dissipators for controlled dissipation of the currents induced in the solenoid and detection coils when the oscillator is in a blocked state. The disclosed hybrid circuit is capable of 5,000 hours of operation with a 99 percent reliability.

Abstract: An electromagnetic vibrator that is resonant at a frequency below one third of the frequency of an alternating current power source is driven by a linear electromagnetic motor, the airgap of which varies with the vibration of the vibrator, in which motor current flow from the power source is established during the first half cycle of the power line voltage that occurs after the airgap is a maximum, is maintained independently of the power source during at least a major portion of the next half cycle, and is reduced to zero during the next following half cycle of power source voltage. Preferably two electromagnetic motors are employed, one for each direction of relative motion between the vibrator parts.

Abstract: A dynamic mechanical system is driven at its resonant frequency by a drive system which maintains the vibrational amplitude of the system constant. A displacement transducer senses the mechanical displacement of the system and provides a displacement signal which is used to generate a control signal related to the energy necessary to maintain the mechanical system in resonance. The zero crossover points of the displacement signal are shifted in-phase 90.degree. and used to selectively switch the control signal to provide an in-phase drive signal for the system. An offset correction system senses any asymmetry present in the displacement signal and adjusts the drive signal to compensate for such asymmetry so that the mechanical system operates about a zero point of the displacement transducer.

Abstract: An electromechanical resonator is disclosed for use in optical scanning systems. The resonator comprises a torsionally resonant system including a torsion rod having one end fixed to a nodal zone member and an oscillatory mass at the free end. A flexurally resonant system includes a pair of oppositely disposed flexure arms extending transversely of the torsional axis and having their inner ends fixed to the nodal zone member. The nodal zone member is suspended by a coupling spring from a frame member and the coupling spring permits energy transfer from the flexurally resonant system to the torsional resonant system through nodal zone member. The resonant systems are maintained in oscillation by electrodynamic means coupled with the flexure arms.

Abstract: A radiation-to-electrical energy converter in which transmission of radiation from a radiation source is controlled by radiation gates to alternate the build up of positive potential on a pair of radiant energy absorbers and in which the positive potentials on the absorbers are employed to produce an alternating current. The radiation gates are liquid crystals which are specially constructed to pass radiation when in an un-energized state.

Abstract: An electromagnetic reciprocating motor is disclosed having a minimum number of moving parts. The motor consists of a hollow, tubular guide having a first drive coil mounted about a first end, a second drive coil mounted about a second end, and a third drive coil mounted about a central portion thereof. A ferromagnetic piston is mounted in sliding engagement within the hollow guide and a ferromagnetic pivot plate is pivotally mounted on the central portion of the guide with a switching means attached thereto for alternately energizing the first or second drive coils.

Abstract: Integrated circuit mask patterns are laser machined by mounting substrates on a support that is periodically stepped in a y direction after each scan by a laser writing beam in an x direction. X-direction scanning is accomplished by mounting a mirror on a carriage that reciprocates by rebounding between two displaced coil springs. A coding laser beam is reflected from the carriage through a stationary code plate, comprising alternate transparent and opaque stripes, to monitor the position of the carriage and to control the modulation of the writing beam.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus for producing pulsating high torque rotational vibration movement combined with a slow superimposed unidirectional rotary motion is disclosed. The apparatus includes an alternating current motor combined in a mechanically resonatable system with electrical apparatus producing a non-alternating component of magnetic flux in the motor structure. The torque generating ability of the motor is increased approximately five-fold even though the motor is operated from the same supply voltage. The disclosed apparatus is illustrated connected to a waste disposer device.

Abstract: Conventional crib rockers and the like are operated mechanically by means of an electric motor linkage and a timer mechanism connected to the cradle portion of the crib which is mounted in pivots upon the frame and they are normally switched on and off as required. The present device is electronically actuated and may be connected to a conventional crib which is often manually rocked by pushing and pulling on the foot or headboard to give the slight rocking action desired. The device is preferably actuated by a baby's voice picked up by a microphone or microphones and the periodicity and duration of the rocking may be adjusted within limits. It can also be set into motion by manual actuation of a switch.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus producing pulsating high torque rotational vibration movement combined with a slow superimposed unidirectional rotary motion is disclosed. The apparatus includes an alternating current motor combined in a mechanically resonatable system with electrical apparatus producing a non-alterating component of magnetic flux in the motor structure. The torque generating ability of the motor is increased approximately five-fold even though the motor is operated from the same supply voltage. The disclosed apparatus is illustrated connected to a waste disposer device.