Abstract: A notebook computer may include a display portion, a base portion, a hinge mechanism movably coupling the display portion to the base portion, an optical sensing system configured to capture an image of an object, an actuation system comprising a shape-memory alloy member coupled to the base portion and the display portion and configured to move the display portion relative to the base portion, and a processing system. The processing system may be configured to determine a target position for the display portion based at least in part on a location of the object in the image and cause the actuation system to actuate the hinge mechanism to move the display portion, relative to the base portion, from an initial position to the target position.

Abstract: A motor has built therein a brake for stopping the rotation of the motor and a brake controlling circuit for controlling the brake. The motor is further provided with a bypass circuit for supplying an electric power directly to the brake and a terminal for connecting a power source to the bypass circuit. When the brake controlling circuit develops a fault, the brake is directly released by an external power source.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling an electromechanical servomechanism (20) for moving an output member relative to a variable load (38). The servomechanism includes: a motor (37) having at least one coil (32A, 32B or 32C) adapted to be supplied with current and having a rotor (33) with an output shaft (35); a mechanical transmission (36) arranged between the output shaft and the load, the transmission having a mechanical friction related to the load; a servoamplifier (30) arranged to supply current to the motor coil in response to an input signal (in line 29); a command signal (in line 21) for commanding the position of the load; a load position feedback signal (in line 23) compared (in summing point 22) to the command signal and arranged to produce an error signal (in line 24); and means (28) for generating an offset signal (in line 26) that is summed (in summing point 25) with the error signal to modify the servoamplifier input signal (in line 29).

Abstract: To provide a vibration-damping positioning controller capable of effecting stable positioning operation within a short period of time.

Abstract: An automatic antenna direction controller which automatically turns an antenna rotor and connected antenna to a desired direction which is preselected by a pointer knob. A dual use meter needle is utilized by action of the pointer knob to select the azimuth of an antenna and to indicate the actual azimuth. A multi-color status LED indicator indicates different colors corresponding to the percentage of rotational completion completed. Control is offered by onboard circuitry for automatic brake release and setting, preset electronic end points for rotation limits, overshoot protection, and an unstick routine. Optional control can also be managed by an outboard computer through an RS-232 connection.

Abstract: A blended electrical/friction braking system includes an electric brake feedback monitor which monitors a first signal corresponding to an electric brake effort request of an electric motor of an electrically powered vehicle. The electric brake feedback monitor detects one or more electrical conditions of the electric motor during electric braking and selectively supplies/terminates the first signal to/from a brake controller as a function of the first signal and the one or more electrical conditions. In response to termination of the first signal thereat, the brake controller causes a friction brake of the vehicle to assume the entire braking effort of the vehicle.

Abstract: A braking system for a vehicle has a stepper motor which controls the application of friction elements to a rotating part such as a brake drum. A control circuit controls the motor so that an output member is positioned by the motor in accordance with a variable demand signal. In one application, the control circuit receives a brake pressure signal from a transducer and controls the motor so as to compensate automatically for brake wear. In another application, the motor controls a debooster of an antilock brake system. The system also may include means for operating a parking brake.

Abstract: A fishing reel that includes an eddy current brake mechanism that applies a braking force to the spool of the reel when the speed or acceleration of the spool, as detected electrically, reaches a predetermined value. The reel further includes electrical means for detecting, calculating and comparing rotation of the spool to a predetermined value whereupon a magnetic brake slows the spool to prevent backlash.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a precisely adjustable threaded mechanism, as for focus adjustment of an aerial camera lens, wherein inner and outer threaded members are normally in circumferentially continuous radially stressed play-free engagement to the extent of requiring a characteristic maximum torque for their rotary adjustment. One of these members is continuously excitable (with respect to the other) as to so incrementally change its circumferential extent with respect to the circumferential extent of the other of said members that their characteristic engagement torque is reduced from said maximum. And a rotary-drive torque of a level less than said maximum engagement torque but greater than the reduced engagement torque is operative to impart an incremental thread-advancing rotary drive, during such intervals as the engagement torque is thus reduced.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling operation of at least one operating element of a loom on the basis of a reference signal are disclosed. A rotational position signal developed during each weaving cycle of the loom is compared with the reference signal to issue a rotational angle signal indicating an angle through which the loom has been rotated with respect to a reference angular position. By utilizing this rotational angle signal, the timing of the operation of any operating element can be determined.

Abstract: A control unit for automatically controlling the angular position of a reversible, motorized device, such as an antenna rotor, in response to a signal from an external sensor, such as a potentiometer coupled to the rotating shaft of a windvane. The unit includes integrated circuits and other electronic components for monitoring the windvane signal and for activating the rotor, as necessary, to maintain its alignment with the sensed wind direction. The unit also comprises means for providing: a no-response zone of adjustable width about the momentary, average wind direction; an adjustable, time delayed response to changes in wind direction; an automatic reversal of rotation if the rotor approaches the .+-.180.degree. position while searching for the wind direction; an automatic disabling of the rotor for windspeeds less than a selectable, threshold value.

Abstract: Switch apparatus having a digital display is provided in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The switch apparatus according to the present invention includes an encoder having a code pattern thereon which is scanned by a reader to produce multi-bit binary information to be displayed. A storage circuit having switch positional information stored therein is also provided and a collator is employed to compare the multi-bit binary information read by the reader with the positional information stored in the storage circuit. When a comparison is obtained a braking force is applied to inhibit scanning so that a switch position corresponding to stored positional information is obtained.

Abstract: In a control apparatus of a flying shear wherein a clutch is actuated to transmit the rotation of a drive motor to a cutting blade to rotate the same for achieving cutting and then the clutch is disengaged and the cutting blade is stopped by means of a brake, there are provided a speed signal generator for generating a signal corresponding to the speed of the cutting blade, a rest point establishing device for establishing a rest point for the cutting blade, an operation circuit receiving the output of the speed signal generator and performing an operation, and an instruction circuit responsive to the output of the operation circuit and the output of the rest point establishing device to produce at least one of an instruction for declutching and an instruction for braking.

Abstract: The drive shaft of a motor can be coupled to an output shaft by an electromagnetically activated friction clutch. The output shaft can be braked by an electromagnetically activated friction brake. The motor drive shaft rotates at constant speed. The rotary speed of the output shaft is regulated by negative-feedback action to maintain a selected value, by activating the clutch and brake alternately as necessary. The activating signals for the clutch and brake are pulse-width-modulated activating signals. The output shaft can be stopped in at least one predetermined angular position when commanded to do so. The movable parts of the brake and clutch are of minimal mass, and the speed-regulating system includes a speed feedback transducer system of very high resolution.

Abstract: A multiple-purpose, closed-loop, automatic control system comprising:a system controlled;a detecting means for detecting a controlled variable output from the system controlled and converting the controlled variable into an electrical feedback signal;a signal converting means for receiving the feedback signal and converting said signal into an angular displacement corresponding to the feedback signal;a comparing means for comparing the controlled variable with a preset desired value and selectively opening or closing a forward or a reverse controlling circuit;a controlling means including the forward and the reverse controlling circuit selectively opened or closed by said comparing means, a braking control circuit and a driving mechanism responsive to said forward and reverse control circuits and said braking control circuit for automatic control over the system controlled to keep the controlled variable within the preset desired value.

Abstract: The drive shaft of a motor can be coupled to an output shaft by an electromagnetically activated friction clutch. The output shaft can be braked by an electromagnetically activated friction brake. The motor drive shaft rotates at constant speed. The rotary speed of the output shaft is regulated by negative-feedback action to maintain a selected value, by activating the clutch and brake alternately as necessary. The activating signals for the clutch and brake are pulse-width-modulated activating signals. The output shaft can be stopped in at least one predetermined angular position when commanded to do so. The movable parts of the brake and clutch are of minimal mass, and the speed-regulating system includes a speed feedback transducer system of very high resolution.

Abstract: Multiple purpose feedback control system comprising and characterized by a detecting means for detecting the controlled variable and converting the detected variable into a feedback signal output; a signal converting means for receiving the feedback signal from the detecting means and amplifying the signal for input into a balancing motor to convert the signal into rotary displacement in proportion to the said signal; a limit control switch for receiving the rotary movement to compare the movement with a desired value; a pair of electro-magnetic devices for transmission actuated or controlled by the limit control switch at upper and lower limits; a pair of electro-magnetic switches actuated by an on/off solenoid; an electro-magnetic device for braking actuated or controlled by the electro-magnetic switch operated by said control switch; a drive means for driving the main shaft of a control gear means; a control gear set moved by the coupling of the pair of electro-magnetic device and braked by the braking ele

Abstract: Signal-processing apparatus for use with industrial instrumentation systems and the like, and comprising memory means to maintain a signal level for long time periods without drift. An input signal level is translated into the positioning of a movable member, through the use of an actuator motor controlled by the input signal and a position feedback signal. A friction device is coupled to the movable member to hold it in any given position, thereby to serve as a memory for the input signal level. The friction device comprises a thin vane-like element which is secured to the movable member and disposed in the air-gap of a permanent magnet. The air-gap also includes a mass of tiny magnetizable particles which, under the influence of the magnetic field, engage the surfaces of the vane-like element to develop a frictional restraining force.

Abstract: A material transfer apparatus which includes a carriage whose movement is controlled along a path between specified locations thereon. The carriage includes means for dynamically indicating its present location on the path which is compared with a specified new location to provide a difference drive for moving the carriage as required.