Abstract: The present invention relates to a control device for a combustion engine and particularly to a combustion engine for use with hydrostatic transmissions particularly as used in a fork lift truck.

Abstract: A wheel slip correction system of the type in which boost current is supplied to the field winding of a d-c electric traction motor driving a slipping wheel from an a-c source in order to correct the slip is provided with a control system which automatically inhibits the application of boost current if control power fails. A current transformer connected to provide power to the field winding from the a-c source has a secondary winding normally short-circuited by inversely paralleled thyristors thus inhibiting power transfer to the field winding. The thyristors are maintained short-circuited by a current amplifier connected across the transformer secondary and adapted to normally supply current to the gate terminals of the thyristors. The current amplifier is inhibited by receipt of a wheel-slip signal so that the thyristors remain non-conductive and boost current is supplied to the motor field.

Abstract: When a stacker motor slows down before stopping or reversing, it generates an error signal the polarity of which is detected by a sensing circuit which is optically coupled to a motor reversing circuit. If the detected error signal is positive, a first set of LED's in the sensing circuit are illuminated and trigger associated photo-sensitive transistors in the reversing circuit, which in turn energize selected pairs of back-to-back SCR's to connect the lines of a polyphase power source in a "forward" drive direction to the windings of the stacker motor in question, so that the motor is driven in a forward direction. When the error signal is negative, different LED's in the sensing circuit are illuminated and energize different transistors in the reversing circuit so that the motor is driven in the opposite or reverse direction. Inhibiting devices are employed in the reversing circuit to prevent undesirable shorting out of lines upon sudden motor reversal.

Abstract: When the user presses a touch-activated switch a first time, a first digital storage device becomes set and furnishes a platter-motor-start signal to the control electronics of the platter drive motor. If the touch-activated switch is pressed a second time, the first digital storage device becomes reset, and the signal commanding that the platter drive motor operate terminates. A second digital storage device likewise assumes its set and reset states in response to the first and second pressing of the touch-activated switch. Sensors ascertain various operating conditions during the course of turntable operation, such as the swinging of the tone arm to the position corresponding to the lead-in groove of a phonograph record. The states of the digital storage devices are additionally dependent upon the conditions sensed by the sensors. Logic circuitry interprets the combinations of states of the digital storage devices and causes the requisite turntable operations to be performed, e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing and transmitting physical intelligence is disclosed. In one embodiment the intelligence is transmittable from the sensing device to a remotely positioned, intelligence processing unit. The apparatus taught has particular applicability to gas turbine engine control systems requiring the encoding and transmission of accurate physical intelligence from a hostile environment to the remotely positioned intelligence processing unit. Techniques employing time sequencing through a fiber optic circuit of the transmitted intelligence to reduce the size, weight and complexity of the apparatus are developed.

Abstract: A guidance system for positioning a welding apparatus with respect to a seam or joint to be welded by sensing changes in the surface of the seam. The torch of the apparatus is mounted upon and positioned by a motor-driven cross-slide providing both horizontal and vertical movement.A probe is adapted to follow the reference surfaces. Two variable resistors within the probe detect horizontal and vertical deviations of these surfaces. A voltage on each variable resistor is used to generate pulses which are applied to a SCR network through which power is supplied to the corresponding slide positioning motor. The voltage supplied to the motor corresponds in magnitude and polarity to the deviation in the direction of the path being followed by the probe and welding apparatus.The invention also includes a circuit for disabling the motors when the respective cross-slides reach the limits of their travel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit for automatically controlling the feed rate of parts that is particularly adapted for controlling inductive loads. Disposed on either side of a passageway is a light source and a photo-sensing device which emits a signal pulse whenever a part interrupts the light beam between the light source and the photo-sensor. The pulses from the photo-sensing device are supplied to a monostable multivibrator which converts the pulses to uniform width, fixed amplitude pulses that are integrated and provided to a control circuit which controls the charge on a capacitor. When the charge on the capacitor exceeds a predetermined level an SCR is triggered, operating the motive means of the circuit.

Abstract: A light responsive toy comprising a housing, such as in the form of a mechanical robot, which has a first photocell that is connected to the relay of a double polarity motor which is geared to suitable means to drive the toy along a first path when light from a hand-held source, such as a flashlight, is incident upon the first photocell. A second photocell is on the housing and is operatively connected to the motor through a double throw, double pole switch to reverse the direction of the toy along a second path when light is incident upon the second photocell.

Abstract: A guidance system for seeking, following, and maintaining the position of a welding apparatus with respect to a seam or joint to be welded by sensing changes in the surfaces, hereinafter called reference surfaces, at or adjacent to the seam. The system includes a probe adapted to detect and follow the reference surface(s) and to detect changes and deviations in the vertical and/or horizontal components of these surfaces, respectively. The torch of the welding apparatus is mounted upon and positioned by a motor-driven cross-slide providing both horizontal and vertical movement. The probe is mounted on the torch or on its own slide, which may be either on the torch or separate therefrom.

Abstract: A reduction in speed of a movable member is sensed by an R. C. time delay circuit including light activated silicon controlled rectifiers which are respectively activated by light beams sequentially applied thereto at the rate of movement of said movable member.

Abstract: An optical encoder comprises a housing capable of being clamped in an end wall of a motor or rotating component about its shaft, a shaft opening in the housing, a fixture for mounting an optical encoding disc firmly in an end portion of the shaft when projecting through the housing opening, a peripheral aperture in the housing provided with a removable closure supporting a caliper assembly inside the housing at a position at which its opposite arms overlie opposite sides of the disc, the arms carrying light generating and light-sensitive elements respectively so that an electrical signal provided by the light-sensitive elements is a function of the rotational movement of the disc. An adjustment facility is also provided which allows the caliper assembly limited arcuate movement with respect to the shaft axis during setting up of the encoder.

Abstract: The spindle motor for a flexible recording disk is connected to a disk with an annular track of optical markings which are scanned to derive therefrom a train of reset pulses for a counter counting higher frequency clock pulses. Reaching of a particular count state is ascertained for each reset cycle to obtain a train of pulses of constant duration with pauses inbetween, varying with motor speed. A steady signal linearly varying with motor speed is derived from that train, compared with a reference and used to controlthe motor.

Abstract: An article handler or positioner includes an X-Y table driven by reversible stepping motors. Zero position sensors function to provide an output signal when the X-Y table moves into a zero or home or reference position. The sensors are electro-optical devices having two beams of light one of which is gradually interrupted while the other one is gradually uninterrupted as the table moves into the zero position. Photo detectors provide output signals one of which increases and the other of which decreases as the table moves into the zero position and, at the point of crossover of the respective output signals, another output signal is generated indicating the home position is reached. This signal is then used to inhibit further operation of the driving motors.

Abstract: An elevator system including an elevator car mounted in a structure to serve the landings therein, and an opto-electronic position detector for determining when the elevator car is within a predetermined distance from a selected landing. The position detector includes a source of electromagnetic radiation which is pulsed at a predetermined rate, such as a light emitting diode, and a photovoltaic device which provides an output current having a magnitude responsive to the level of the electromagnetic radiation it is subjected to, such as a photo transistor. The source of electromagnetic radiation and photovoltaic device are mounted in a common housing with a beam splitter, such as a half-silvered mirror, and this assembly is preferably mounted on the elevator car. A control device or target is mounted adjacent each landing to be served by the elevator car, with the control device including a retrodirective reflective surface or retroreflector.

Abstract: A threading and/or tapping device has a housing including a tubular portion and a chamber portion that provides a shelf for a motor. A shaft rotatably connected to a slide within the tubular portion extends downwardly through the chamber portion with a tool holder on its exposed end. The slide is movable by the operator to advance and retract the shaft and a gear train within the chamber includes a drive gear on the motor shaft and a driven gear through the axis of which the tool holder shaft extends to rotate therewith and to slide relative thereto as the operator advances or retracts the shaft. The housing includes means for detachably attaching it with the work holder shaft either normal to or axially aligned with a support.

Abstract: A leak detection apparatus for a dispensing apparatus having a pump and a pressure-sensing apparatus with an output switch responsive to a predetermined pressure has a pump interrupter circuit with a control input. A pump interrupter control circuit has an input and an output connected to the control input of the pump interrupter circuit. A timing circuit has an output, and an input for initiating a signal at the output for a predetermined period of time. The timing circuit is connected through the pressure-sensing apparatus output to the input of the pump interrupter control circuit such that a leak in the dispensing apparatus will cause closure of the output switch, transferring the signal at the output of the timing circuit during the predetermined period of time to the input of the pump interrupter control circuit causing the pump interrupter circuit to interrupt the operation of the pump.