Abstract: A method for controlling an electric drive motor (10) of a motor vehicle adjusting drive by means of applying a variable voltage to it should be improved so that an EMV interference suppression can be inexpensively executed. To this end, a controllable resistor (12, 18, 20, 22) is used, which supplies the voltage applied to the drive motor (10).

Abstract: An operator and related method for adjusting an internal force setting for a motorized garage door operator is disclosed. The operator checks for the presence of a secondary entrapment safety feature and automatically increases a force threshold setting from a first value to a second value if the secondary entrapment safety feature is detected. If the safety feature is not detected or it is later disconnected, then the operator automatically sets the force threshold to a more sensitive value.

Abstract: Force in a direction opposite to an operating direction imparted from a motor to a rotary knob is increased gradually at the start of an operation to an upper limit value with the increase of a rotating angle of the rotary knob in the same direction as the operating direction, and is gradually decreased at the finish of the operation from the upper limit value to 0 with the increase of the rotating angle in the opposite direction to the operating direction. In consequence, when the operation is stopped before or at the time at which force in the opposite direction to the operating direction imparted to the rotary knob reaches the upper value, the rotary knob returns to the angle at which it has existed before operated, and can come to halt without oscillation.

Abstract: A method and a device for incrementally determining the actual reversal of a rotary drive that rotates on slightly even after a preceding signal switching the rotational direction is applied. A sequence of pulse signals (N; S; SL) that are proportional to the rotational speed, with an intermittent reference signal (SL) that is different from said pulse signals, is output by an asymmetric transmitter wheel (1) and received by a single sensor (3) located on the stator. A pulse signal correction value for determining the pulse signal count value corresponding to the actual reversal (U) of the rotary drive is defined, based on the number of pulse signals that are measured between two reference signals following a switch of direction.

Abstract: A wiper control device in which an abnormal condition of a FET is detected by distinguishing an action of an overheat-cutting protective function normally difficult to be detected with measuring the drain voltage of the FET and by which the control of the pertinent FET is restrained upon the detection of abnormality so as to prevent a short circuit in the wiper control device from occurring. When an FETB (Qb) is set on, whether or not a drain voltage Vd is lower than Vpe ({fraction (l/2)}VG) is judged (step S5), and if lower, it is judged that the drain and ground is short-circuited, that is, an overheat-cutting protective function is acted, and “1” is added to the number of times of short circuit detection Perror (step S7). It is judged whether or not the added value of the number of times of short circuit detection Perror reaches a reference value (step S11).

Abstract: Power tools (1) may include a drive source (22). A device for generating an elevated torque, such as a hammer (4) and anvil (2), may be operably coupled to the drive source. Preferably, a sensor (30) detects when the hammer has begun to strike the anvil and generate the elevated torque. A control device (38) communicates with the sensor and the drive source and communicates signals to the control device when the hammer has begun to strike the anvil and generate the elevated torque. Preferably, the control device determines whether the when the hammer has begun to strike the anvil and generate the elevated torque either (1) before a fastener has reached a seated position against a workpiece or (2) after the fastener has reached the seated position against the workpiece. Thereafter, the control device only controls the operation the drive source based upon signals generated by the sensor after the fastener has reached the seated position against the workpiece.

Abstract: In a power window device an MCU detects motor torque values one by one when a window is opened and closed, compares the detected motor torque values with base values set to the travel regions and stops or reverses a motor determining that an object is pinched in the window when the former values exceed the latter values.

Abstract: An automated garage door closing device for a remote controlled overhead garage door wherein the device is mounted on one of a pair of parallel tracks receiving rollers suitably mounted on the outer edges of the door panels, the device including a switch housing containing a switch for the leading edge of the door, and a circuit located in a second housing adjacent the garage floor and including an interval timer acting to close the door after a predetermined period of time, an audible alarm which is activated upon the garage door reaching the fully open position, a switch deactivating the entire unit when the garage door is deliberately to be left in the fully open position, and a flexible switch arm extending through the switch housing to a position to engage the upper edge of the garage door panel and acts to activate the automated closing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a motor that opens and closes the window of vehicle, for example, is so adapted that when the vehicle becomes submersed in the sea, a lake or a river, etc., the window is prevented from being closed owing to malfunctioning of a relay caused when a leakage current flows into an operating switch for opening and closing the window. When submersion is sensed and it is sensed that the motor is being rotated by a malfunction in a direction that closes the window, a relay for rotating the motor in the forward direction is actuated. This prevents the occurrence of a situation in which the motor is caused to rotate (especially in the direction that closes the window) regardless of the fact that the operating switch has not been operated.

Abstract: An electric motor for driving a component, such as a vehicle window lifter or a machine tool, functions as a generator, when the motor drive voltage is switched off and the motor is short circuited. The motor keeps running due to inertia or other influences. During this period after switch-off a generator voltage and respective generator current are produced. The generator current is measured for various purposes, preferably in combination with a measured r.p.m. signal. The generator current signal alone, or in combination with the r.p.m. signal, is evaluated to provide information regarding the motion of the driven component including information regarding the motion direction and position of the component.

Abstract: A window actuation assembly for a vehicle which is structured to automatically lower at least one, but preferably all of the windows of a vehicle in the event that a vehicle becomes partially or totally submerged in a body of water and regardless if the orientation of the vehicle, is up-right, inverted, on its side, etc. One or more fluid sensors are located strategically throughout the various portions of the vehicle and are specifically structured activate a drive assembly for the lowering of the windows upon sensing a predetermined amount of water within an associated proximity of the vehicle, to the extent that the one or more sensors are themselves at least partially submerged. The sensors are further structured not to be activated in the unlikely event that liquid inadvertently is spilled upon or otherwise applied thereto.

Abstract: An adjunct device for a garage door opener and closer system containing a microprocessor which automatically closes the garage door after a 45 second delay, and includes three LED's to indicate the door closure, motion detection, and a manual override of the system. The adjunct device has a push button switch which programs the adjunct device to the same infrared frequency as the conventional garage door opener device. The adjunct device also contains a manual override element, an oscillator circuit, a reset circuit, a surge protector circuit, and a voltage regulator circuit.

Abstract: A device and method for driving a polyphase DC motor, in which a phase selector circuit, in each case, selects only one phase, which is fed to a commutation detection circuit. After each commutation detected by a commutation detection circuit, as a result of a pulse of constant duration generated by a monoflop, the phase discriminator circuit and, as a consequence, the commutation logic are advanced in a fixed and preestablished sequence. This occurs irrespective of the rotation direction of the motor using the sequential logic device embodied by the commutation logic. When the motor rotates in the preferred direction, constant current-flow angles of 120° are achieved for each phase. When the motor rotates in the reverse direction, markedly varying current-flow angles of the individual phases are generated, and these varying current-flow angles, as a function of the course of the specifically corresponding voltages induced in the individual phases, result in a counter-torque.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus for a reversible motor of a railway switch machine includes a conditional power source having an output voltage. A motor control circuit includes inputs for inputting the voltage from the power source, inputs for inputting a normal signal and a reverse signal, two output terminals for electrical connection to two input terminals of the reversible motor, and a relay logic circuit including a pair of double pole, double throw relays. The contacts of these relays: (a) output the voltage to the two output terminals in response to the normal signal, (b) output an inverted polarity of the voltage to the two output terminals in response to the reverse signal, and (c) short the two output terminals in response to absence of both of the normal and reverse signals.

Abstract: The power window apparatus has a driver's seat side window operating unit and passenger seat side window operating units that have window open/close motors. Each of the window operating units has a window open switch, a window close switch, motor drive means, and motor drive control means for controlling the motor drive means. At least one of the window operating units has submersion detecting means for outputting a submersion detection signal when the submersion of the automobile is detected. The window operating units have signal transmission terminals that transmit and/or receive the submersion detection signal generated by the submersion detecting means.

Abstract: An electric carrier with a motor controlled by correlative positions includes an operator possible to be a person, a sensor controlled by the operator and having a position reference member driven by and moving together with the operator and a sensing body producing signal at any movement of the position reference member, a spring connected to the position reference member and disfigured by the operator's driving so that the position reference member may return to its position and transmit force to an electric carrier to be mentioned below, a controller operating by signal coming from the sensing body, a motor driven by the controller and accordingly having functions of speed increasing and decreasing clockwise and counterclockwise rotation, and the electric carrier moved by the motor and with the operator synchronously.

Abstract: Latching components of a padlock are driven by a motor between latched and released positions. An encoder element with associated optical elements provides position information to a control circuit. The control circuit correlates the position information with the signal directing power to the motor so that the motor is precisely controlled for moving the latching elements between release and latch. If the motor jams (sensed by overcurrent), it is operated briefly in alternating directions to try and dislodge the grit or ice causing the jam. The padlock shackle is latched into place by balls which are driven into recesses in the shackle legs. The use of plural balls on at least one side helps isolate the drive motor and gears from grit that may enter through the padlock's top shackle holes.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus employs an intermittent motion mechanism. An electromagnetic device selectively causes movement of the intermittent motion mechanism thereby moving a mechanical device coupled thereto. In another aspect of the present invention, a single electric motor selectively actuates two or three intermittent rotary motion mechanisms thereby causing separate mechanical devices coupled thereto to operate within an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: First FET power transistors of first power amplifying parts and second FET power transistors of second power amplifying parts form current paths from a DC power source to three-phase windings. Three-phase first amplified current signals varying smoothly in rising and falling slopes are supplied to conduction control terminal sides of the first power amplifying parts. Three-phase second amplified current signals varying smoothly in rising and falling slopes are supplied to conduction control terminal sides of the second power amplifying parts. A switching control part performs simultaneous on-off switching of the conduction control terminal sides of the first power amplifying parts, thereby causing first FET power transistors of the first power amplifying parts to perform high-frequency on-off switching. As a result, three-phase drive currents to the windings vary smoothly, thereby reducing motor vibration.

Abstract: A drive unit for driving an electric motor includes two motor drive circuits disposed in parallel and each consisting of a bridge circuit of switching devices each incorporating a reverse blocking diode, a power switch provided between a power supply and each of the bridge circuits, and a function switch provided between the electric motor and each of the bridge circuits. In case of failure of one bridge circuit, the other bridge circuit is used to replace the failed bridge circuit, thereby continuing controlled operation of the electric motor. While these switches which are associated with one of the bridge circuits are closed, the switches associated with the other bridge circuit are kept open. This arrangement prevents the current from flowing from the power supply into the failed bridge circuit. The failed bridge circuit does not allow the electric motor to act as a generator even when any of the switching devices causes an ON fault.

Abstract: A motor drive control device, comprises: a switch which operates a motor; a motor which raises and lowers a door glass; a pulse signal generating device which synchronizes with the rotation of the motor and generates a pulse signal; and a determining device which, in a case in which there is a predetermined difference between this pulse signal and a normal pulse signal which is generated by synchronizing with the rotation of said motor, determines that the pulse signal generating device is failed. Therefore, in a case in which it is determined that the pulse signal generating device is failed and the switch is operated so that the motor raises the door glass, raising of the door glass can be stopped.

Abstract: A railroad crossing gate electrical control system for moving a crossing gate in up and down directions also provides for raising the gate counterweights in a failure mode. The control system includes an electric motor having a plurality of electromagnet poles and an armature rotating inside of the poles, with armature movement controlling gate movement. There is a motor and snub relay having contacts connected to the armature and the motor poles. A terminal board has movable contacts which are connected to the motor and snub relay and to a relay coil for moving the contacts of the snub relay. A source of power is connected to the terminal board. The movable terminal board contacts control the application of power to the motor and snub relay coil and the motor and snub relay contacts for operating the motor to cause up and down gate movement. There is a maintenance relay having a coil connected through a normally open switch to the source of power.

Abstract: A motor system having a stationary assembly including a winding and a rotatable assembly in magnetic coupling relation to the stationary assembly. A power supply link having upper and lower rails supplied by a power supply provides power to the motor winding. The power supply link has power switches responsive to a motor control signal for selectively connecting the rails to the winding to energize the winding with a motor current whereby an electromagnetic field is produced for rotating the rotatable assembly. The power switches include a set of upper power switches and a set of lower power switches. Each of the power switches has a conducting state and a nonconducting state. The system includes a disable circuit for selectively generating a disable signal and a control circuit for generating the motor control signal to control the power switches.

Abstract: A bi-directionally actuated hand tool provides a power assist during loose forward and loose backward (low torque) operation. The subject tool can be used in conventional mechanisms such as a sleeving spanner, gear wrench, mobile wrench, screwdriver, hoist, power puller, or crane, using only a light torque auxiliary motor drive, power cells, and relevant operation switches to provide a power assist for the purpose of speeding-up low torque operations while permitting manually application of high torques. The operation switches of the auxiliary drive may be synchronized with the switch that normally controls tool direction, and the value of the torque output by the auxiliary motor drive can be limited by either a mechanical or electrical torque detector to cut-off automatically whenever the torque is exceeded.

Abstract: A brushless direct current motor includes a permanent magnet rotor and a set of stator windings. The motor further includes a circuit for changeably connecting the set of stator windings to operate in a first electrical configuration or a second electrical configuration. In the second electrical configuration, the circuit connects only some of the stator windings for receiving current. The circuit electrically isolates the unused stator windings from the used or connected stator windings.

Abstract: An actuating device for operating a safety unit mounted on a vehicle which includes a motor having an output shaft, a movable support for supporting the safety unit and moving it between its retracted and extended positions, and a non-mechanical switch arrangement that includes a pair of beam generators and sensors located in the path of the beams, and a plate for interrupting the beam and generating one control signal, and permitting passage of the beam to the sensor to generate another control signal. A control circuit is provided to operate the motor and movable support between its retracted and extended positions in response to the sensor's signals.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine in which the period of each agitation stroke (comprising "ramp", "plateau" and "coast" phases) is controlled by adjusting the "coast" phase of each stroke in order to maintain consistent washing performance. The "coast" phase is initiated (after a predetermined period has elapsed in the "plateau" phase) by starting a timer and allow the motor to coast until the motor velocity drops to a predetermined reversal velocity at which point the motor is reversed to begin the next agitation stroke. The value of the timer when the velocity reaches the reversal velocity is compared to a desired value or range of values. The predetermined value of the reversal velocity is increased if the timer value is greater than the desired value or range of values. Alternately, the value of the reversal velocity is decreased if the timer value is less than the desired value or range of values. The period of the coast phase of the next agitation stroke should then be closer to the desired period.

Abstract: A drive control device for an opening/closing member may be advantageously utilized in vehicular power window systems and the like. The drive control device is active to detect occurrence of pinching of an object obstructing the path of motion of the opening/closing member and, upon detection of such pinching during closing operation is controlled so as to move in the opening direction for a predetermined distance for preventing serious pinching from being applied to, for example, a persons hand or arm which may be blocking a power window while being closed by a vehicle driver. The drive control device further includes timing functions such that closing operation may not be immediately resumed after pinch detection, until a predetermined time period has elapsed. The pinch detection operation is effective to compensate for overrun of the opening/closing member caused by a lag between the time a closing control signal is stopped and the acutal motion of the opening/closing member finally and completely stops.

Abstract: A reversible electric device M is connected in an H bridge with a first side formed by first top and bottom switches and a second side formed by second top and bottom switches. The current Im flowing in the device from the first side to the second side is determined cyclically with a given constant switching frequency. The difference .DELTA. is determined between Im and an instantaneous set point current. Each cycle is divided with a ratio R into a first part and a second part. R is determined and for each part a set point setting for the switches (diagonal mode or freewheel mode) is chosen according to the sign .DELTA., the sign of the set point current (or of Im) and the value of a preselected correlation law relating to .DELTA. the mean value of the voltage that can be applied to the device during each cycle.

Abstract: Highway crossing gate control circuit in which a permanent magnet motor is controlled to drive up and drive down the gate arm by utilization of a single motor control relay and controller contacts which sense the position of the gate arm. The motor polarity is reversed through utilization of the motor control relay, which is operated by a single up input signal. Provision is included for dynamic breaking on the arm moving downward after an initial drive down mode.

Abstract: An adaptive control system and method for a vehicle window. The system and method include sensors for determining a motor current corresponding to a window position and for detecting a motor stall, and an electronic control module (ECM) for providing a position counter having a count representing the window position. The ECM is also provided for setting, independent of a dedicated motor actuation input signal, a second historical limit equal to the count when the window is driven by the motor toward the closed position and a motor stall is detected, as well as setting, independent of a motor actuation input signal, the second historical limit equal to the difference between the second historical limit and the count, and the count equal to a first historical limit, respectively, when the window is driven by the motor toward an open position and a motor stall is detected.

Abstract: A control device for an electrically driven telescopic antenna including: a counting signal extracting circuit which detects the altered waveform of an rectified current generated during the forward or reverse rotation of a DC motor so as to extract counting signals; a command device which sends a control stop command to a motor drive control circuit when the counted value of the extracted counting signals reaches a certain preset value; a motor current monitoring circuit which monitors the current flow to the motor and outputs information on the completion of the antenna element extension/retraction action when the motor current value exceeds a prescribed value; and a correction device which corrects the counted value based upon the information outputted by the motor current monitoring circuit. The control device can include a large-capacitance capacitor for absorbing power supply fluctuations.

Abstract: In a device for controlling the reverse rotation of a motor, output pulses of a detector connected to an axis of rotation of a motor are counted for each very small unit time period .DELTA.t after a reverse rotation instruction is applied to the motor, and the speed N and the acceleration .alpha. of the motor are calculated for each very small unit time period .DELTA.t. It is judged that the motor begins to rotate in the reverse direction at the time point where the acceleration .alpha. is switched from the negative to the positive after the calculated speed N of the motor is not more than a predetermined reference speed Nth. In addition, when it is not judged that the motor is rotated in the reverse direction within a predetermined time period after a reverse rotation instruction is applied to the motor, it is judged that an abnormality occurs in the control device, so that the motor is stopped.

Abstract: A multiple pole, multiple phase, sensorless DC disk spindle motor in a disk drive is powered by direct current which is commutated among the motor phases from a DC power supply to start the motor and to rotate the disks at constant speed in a predetermined direction whenever the disk drive is in use. When the motor is prevented from rotating by the stiction bond of one or more transducers which have adhered to the disks, the direct current is reversibly commutated among the motor phases near the resonant frequency, a predetermined number of times, to produce substantially sinusoidal, bi-polar motor torques to achieve torque amplification to break the stiction bonds. Following the last of the predetermined number of reversible commutations of direct current, direct current commutation is initiated among the motor phases to rotate the motor and the disks in the desired direction at constant speed.

Abstract: A method of cyclically accelerating an electric motor particularly for use in a laundry machine. A desired speed, direction of rotation and acceleration time is set and power is applied to the motor in a series of incremental steps, each successive step corresponding to an increase in the level of power applied during the previous step. The steps are initially estimated to be sufficient to enable sufficient energy to be supplied to the motor for it to reach the desired speed in the desired acceleration time. The speed of the motor is monitored and the steps of accelerating the motor are repeated with the series of incremental steps adjusted to adjust the supply of energy to the motor dependant on the speed reached in the acceleration time of the previous cycle.

Abstract: An actuating device (10) for operating a safety unit (12) mounts on a vehicle (14) and moves between a retracted position adjacent the vehicle and an extended position extending outwardly from the vehicle. A housing (16) is fixedly mounted on the vehicle and a bracket (18) is pivotably mounted on the housing for movement about a predetermined pivot axis between the retracted and the extended positions. The actuating device (10) also includes a drive mechanism (20) for pivoting the bracket (18) about the pivot axis between the retracted position and the extended position. A torsional spring (22) is mounted about the pivot axis and torsionally interconnects the bracket (18) and the drive mechanism (20) for allowing relative movement therebetween when a predetermined force is applied to the bracket.

Abstract: A method of cyclically accelerating an electric motor for example for use during an agitation cycle in a laundry machine. A desired speed, direction of rotation and acceleration time is set and power is applied to the motor in a series of incremental steps, each successive step corresponding to an increase in the level of power applied during the previous step. The steps are initially estimated to be sufficient to enable sufficient energy to be supplied to the motor for it to reach the desired speed in the acceleration time. The speed of the motor is monitored and the steps of accelerating the motor are repeated with the series of incremental steps adjusted to adjust the supply of energy to the motor dependant on the speed reached in the acceleration time of the previous cycle.

Abstract: A positioning control for linearly displacing an object (31) has a direct current motor (1) and a gear (2,21) for converting rotary into linear motion, a current supply (4) of current pulses having given frequency, amplitude and duration; a pole reverser; a rotatable operating element (51) coupled to an angular step generator (5) and a sensor of the sense of rotation. The pulse frequency of the current supply (4) is determined by the angular step generator (5) and the polarity of the pole changer is determined by the sensor of the sense of rotation. The characteristic curve of the speed of displacement of the object (31) as a function of the pulse frequency is kinked, in that for low pulse frequencies the speed increases proportionally slowly, and up from the level of a pulse frequency threshold, the speed increases markedly quicker. The invention is useful for microscope focussing drives.

Abstract: A novel electric, gear driven, frequency controlled oscillating device that oscillates a toy mouse or other toys to amuse, occupy, and entertain pets. Because this unit is gear driven, it provides enough torque to insure self restarting after being stopped by a playful cat. The device has a low profile, thereby making it difficult to tip over. The cat toy operates in a very low variable voltage range, 6 volts DC, for maximum safety. The device is battery operated and has no exposed wires for pets to chew on. Device may be mounted in virtually any plane for further variation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a lumbar support device provided in the seat back of an automotive seat. The control for support against the lumbar of an occupant on the seat is effected through manual and automatic control modes, and the automatic control mode emits alternating pulses for causing repeated alternating series of normal and reverse drives of a motor, to thereby move a lumbar support plate reciprocally forwards and backwards, offering a massage effect to the occupant's lumbar part.

Abstract: An orbital shaker apparatus which has a tray for cyclic motion is flexibly suspended from a frame which is flexibly suspended from a plurality of stationary supports. The flexible suspension constrains the tray to move only translationally along one axis with respect to the frame and constrains the frame to move only translationally along one axis perpendicular to the tray movement axis. A single chip microprocessor is used to scan, input store, display and control the speed, duration and control functions for the orbital motion. Embodied in the software of the microprocessor is a real-time closed loop speed control which monitors the actual speed of the orbital motion thru an interrupt facility by calculating the duration of pulses received from an optoelectric sensor. The measured pulse duration is digitally compared to the desired duration and a digital control signal is provided to drive a DC motor which is directly coupled to the drive shaft which imparts the motion.

Abstract: An electromechanical A.C. motor reverser having a timed cam-driven SPDT switch with the side terminals thereof connected to separate motor stator coils. The movement of the transfer blade between contacts to break one motor coil circuit and complete the other reversing motor coil circuit is delayed sufficiently by the cam to permit the motor rotor speed to decay enought to enable reversal of rotation upon completion of the reversing coil circuit. The minimum contact transfer time is set at the period corresponding to two cycles of power line current.

Abstract: A wiper controller, responsive to any of a plurality of wash and wipe conditions, causes a short circuit protection circuit to inhibit control if the wiper motor becomes shorted. Hysteresis is employed for comparator operation of an intermittent wipe circuit that enables suitable short circuit protection.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method for an electric motor having sensing devices which sense the frequency and polarity of EMFs in the rotor windings down to a condition where the rotor is in condition for reversing, and causing reversing of the motor when the frequency is such as to allow reversing and the polarits of a selected winding is at or near a zero crossing between positive and negative polarities. Cyclical reversal is effected by measuring the time the rotor takes to coast from a "power off" condition to the condition for reversing and with an electronically commutated motor reversing can usually be effected in one commutation period. The motor is used in a clothes washing machine or similar application where rapid reversal is required or timing of the time from one reversal to the next is required to be constant.

Abstract: An electronic controller for a therapeutic table with a shaft encoder for sensing the angular position of a movably mounted patient support and means for controlling the movement in accordance with a comparison between the sensed angular position and an angular limit reference. The left and right preselected tilt angles are alternately automatically selected as the reference. Fault conditions, such as a jam condition, occurs when the drive mechanism to briefly reverse to automatically correct the condition prior to power termination. In the event of excessive tilt, actuation of limit switches results in reversal and movement of the patient support to a horizontal position before power termination. The jam condition is sensed by a strain gauge for detecting the work required for movement of the patient support and comparing it to a preselected work reference. In the event of drive clutch disengagement, power to the motor is terminated.

Abstract: A reversible electric motor is operatively arranged to drive an air circulating fan. Circuitry is provided to reverse the direction of rotation of electric motor periodically to provide alternating direction of air movement. Timing and reversal is provided by either a timing clock, a microprocessor, a thermal relay or a rotating disc which carries a pair of touch stops therein.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical oscillator has a DC motor with an output shaft coupled to a ball screw. A ball nut riding on the ball screw is coupled to an output sleeve which moves linearly with the ball nut. When the ball nut reaches one of two extreme positions its direction of movement is reversed by reversing the polarity of the voltage supplied to the motor. A control board is provided for monitoring the position of the ball nut, for reversing the motor and for controlling the speed of the motion.

Abstract: A motor driving a garage door is controlled by a controller, and the rotation of the motor in the normal and reverse directions is normally controlled in response to an actuating signal applied to the controller from a main push button switch. In a specific-mode in which an actuating signal is applied to the controller from an emergency push button switch, a mat switch or a fire sensor, the latter signal has priority over the former signal, and the motor is driven to move the garage door to its full-open position.

Abstract: Apparatus for an electrically moved sliding window used in automotive applications, having a built-in safety device is described. This detector is a proximity detector which detects the approach of a portion of a human body, e.g. a gloved hand. This detector is advantageously comprised of a capacitive pickup carried along the upper edges of the window, connected to a detector stage which, as a function of the rate of change in the signal appearing across the pickup, acts, via an amplifier, to remove the electrical power supplied to the drive motor of the window.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method for an electric motor having sensing devices which sense the frequency and polarity of EMFs in the rotor windings down to a condition where the rotor is in condition for reversing, and causing reversing of the motor when the frequency is such as to allow reversing and the polarits polarity of a selected winding is at or near a zero crossing between positive and negative polarities. Cyclical reversal is effected by measuring the time the rotor takes to coast from a “power off” condition to the condition for reversing and with an electronically commutated motor reversing can usually be effected in one commutation period. The motor is used in a clothes washing machine or similar application where rapid reversal is required or timing of the time from one reversal to the next is required to be constant.