Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to a system having a processor and a bridge circuit. The bridge circuit includes a pair of differential voltage sources, a first pair of sensing elements and a second pair of sensing elements. The first pair of sensing elements generate a pair of measurement signals. The pair of measurement signals are independent of one another and based on the respective sensing element. The second pair of sensing elements communicatively coupled to first pair of sensing elements. The second pair of sensing elements define a first divider. The pair of measurement signals are input into the respective second sensing element of the second pair of sensing elements. The first divider is configured to output a first output signal to the processor. The first output signal is a first differential signal of the first pair of sensing elements.

Abstract: Provided are an antenna mount and a system for controlling antenna position. The antenna mount provided by the present disclosure includes: an antenna mount body, a connecting arm connected to the antenna mount body, an adapting piece fixedly connected to the connecting arm, an antenna arranged on the adapting piece, and a non-metallic cylinder arranged on the adapting piece, wherein the non-metallic cylinder can drive the antenna to rotate in a range of 0-90°.

Abstract: A robot includes an arm, a plurality of motors provided in the arm, and a pipe connected to the arm. Wires passing through the inside of the pipe include a first power line, which is one power line for supplying electric power to a pair or more of the motors among the plurality of motors.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an electronic product is provided. The manufacturing method includes following steps. Firstly, a conductive circuit is formed on a film, wherein the conductive circuit is made of a conductive metal layer, the conductive metal layer is a metal foil and the conductive metal layer is patterned to form the conductive circuit. Then, an electronic element is disposed on the conductive circuit of the film, and the electronic element is electrically connected to the conductive circuit. Then, the film and a supporting structure are combined by an out-mold forming technology or an in-mold forming technology, such that the electronic element is wrapped between the film and the supporting structure.

Abstract: A total dimension of spacing dimensions of a gap provided by a metal rod on a side opposite to a metal housing in a first assembling structure and a second assembling structure is set to be larger than a difference in a thermal expansion amount between a resin lid main body and the metal housing in a reference radial direction when a temperature exceeds a reference temperature. A total dimension of each of a spacing dimension of a gap provided by the metal rod on a side toward the metal housing and a spacing dimension between a resin protrusion and the metal housing in the first assembling structure and the second assembling structure is set to be larger than a difference in a thermal shrinkage amount between the resin lid main body and the metal housing in the reference radial direction when a temperature falls below the reference temperature.

Abstract: A drive method for an electrostatic capacitance type transducer is provided. The electrostatic capacitance type transducer includes a plurality of elements, the element including one or more cells, the cell having a first electrode and a second electrode separated from the first electrode by a gap, the first electrode or the second electrode in the plurality of elements being applied with an alternating current voltage. The plurality of elements includes a first element and a second element. A waveform of an alternating current voltage applied to the first element is set the similar as a waveform of an alternating current voltage applied to the second element. A phase difference between the alternating current voltage applied to the first element and the alternating current voltage applied to the second element is set equal to approximately 90 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus for natural torso tracking and feedback for electronic interaction, comprising a plurality of tethers each comprising a line with one end affixed to an attachment point at a fixed location distal from the body of a human user and with the other end being affixed to an attachment point proximal to the body of a human user, the proximal attachment point being configured to be worn or otherwise attached to a user's person or clothing, and at least a portion of the distal attachment points comprising a sensor configured to measure strain of an affixed tether.

Abstract: A dial indicator for accurately measuring displacement of a part along a measurement axis. The dial indicator includes scale electrodes of a given pitch and reader stationary scale electrodes of a given pitch. A reader carries a plurality of reader bars having a pitch of one half that of the scale electrodes. A set of drive signals of a given frequency are applied in different ways to the scale bar electrodes to achieve coarse and fine positions of the reader relative to the scale. One operating mode involves determining the position of the reader 34 with a coarse measurement relative to the scale, and a fine measurement. These signals can combined to obtain an accurate position over the reader and position of a spindle reading displaced.

Abstract: An arrangement for detecting toilet flushing by utilizing an acoustically-based motion detector in a simple amplifier circuit. The detector is in contact with the toilet bowl, which acts as a resonant system. Upon detection of such flushing, a subsequent event, such as a cleaning or disinfecting a toilet, ventilating the surrounding area or releasing deodorant into the area, may be triggered. The mechanically resonant system with the provided circuit is capable of separating frequencies from the frequency of the flushing water in a specific bowl design and provides a high degree of immunity to unwanted ambient frequencies. In addition, the system consumes low power and is suitable for battery power operation.

Abstract: A system includes first, second, third and fourth capacitive sensors, each disposed about a longitudinal axis. The first capacitive sensor is disposed along a first axis radial to the longitudinal axis, and the third capacitive sensor is disposed along the first axis opposite the first capacitive sensor. The second capacitive sensor is disposed along a second axis radial to the longitudinal axis, the fourth capacitive sensor is disposed along the second axis opposite the second capacitive sensor, and the second axis is different from the first axis. Each capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a respective signal based at least in part on a position of a rotational component along the respective axis relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A rheometer includes a drive shaft, a drag cup motor for rotating the drive shaft, a first measuring object supported by the drive shaft, a second measuring object, a linear position sensor, and processing and control electronics. The linear position sensor includes a target (e.g., an aluminum target) mounted to the drive shaft, and a pair of coils. The linear position sensor is configured to measure thermal expansion of the drive shaft based on a change in impedance of the coils resulting from a displacement of the target relative to the coils. The processing and control electronics are in communication with the coils and are configured to adjust a position of one of the measuring objects relative to the other based on a change in impedance of the coils resulting from a displacement of the target relative to the coils, thereby to maintain a substantially constant measurement gap therebetween.

Abstract: Incremental angular capacitive displacement transducer has movable and fixed dielectric plates, sections of electrode, sections of two electrodes located on side of movable dielectric plate facing fixed dielectric plate, and signal conversion unit.

Abstract: A capacitive rotary encoder has a stator and a rotor as well as stator electrodes firmly arranged at the stator on an encoding path coaxial to the rotor axis, and coupling electrodes arranged at the rotor. The coupling electrodes are guided over the stator electrodes at a small axial distance from the encoding path by rotation of the rotor, wherein they each cover stator electrodes adjacent in the peripheral direction and connect the latter capacitively to each other. Interrogation electronics detects for each of the stator electrodes a capacitive coupling with an adjacent stator electrode caused by a coupling electrode of the rotor. This permits the reliable detection of the angular position of the rotor both statically and dynamically.

Abstract: An electronic faucet is provided that includes a spout having a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout, an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway, and a capacitive sensor coupled to the faucet. A controller may dynamically change on/off thresholds and monitor a stability signal to determine when to turn off the electrically operable valve.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor is provided that includes a sensing disc having an N-fold rotation symmetry and capacitive sensing pads arranged in an array pattern, where the array pattern has at least 4N-fold rotation symmetry, where N?2, a scale disc disposed opposite the sensing disc, where the scale disc includes a pattern of conductive pads that have a sinusoidal-shape, where the pattern of sinusoidal-shaped conductive pads produce four sinusoidal capacitance waveforms in quadrature phase with the capacitive sensing pads as the sensing disc and the scale disc are rotated relative to one another to provide angular position information. to provide angular position information. This is achieved by making the overlapping area of the of the capacitive sensing pads change in a sinusoidal fashion with rotation.

Abstract: An anti-pinching device (18) for a pivotable actuating element (6) of a motor vehicle (2) is specified. Said device comprises a capacitive sensor (8) which is intended to contactlessly detect an obstacle in the path of the actuating element (6) and has an electrode (14) for generating an external electric field opposite a counterelectrode (16), wherein the electrode (14) extends in a radial direction (R) of the pivoting movement of the actuating element (6), and a control unit (10) which is set up to interpret a change in a measurement capacitance (CM), which is formed between the electrode (14) and the counterelectrode (16), as pinching when the changed measurement capacitance (CM) exceeds a triggering threshold (A) which is predefined on the basis of an opening angle (?) of the pivotable actuating element (6) and to track the triggering threshold (A).

Abstract: Implementations of actuators that use flexures to provide support to actuators and pivoting mechanisms to the actuators. Such actuators can be electromagnetically activated actuators that include a magnet stator and a coil rotor mounted on a flexure. A positioning sensor, such as a capacitor sensor, is provided to measure and monitor positioning of the actuator and is coupled to a feedback circuit which uses the measured positioning of the actuator to control the actuator.

Abstract: A drive device having at least one electric motor that inputs and outputs motive power includes: a plurality of capacitors; a plurality of relays for capacitors that connects and disconnects the motor and the capacitors; and a relay control device that controls the relays for capacitors. The relay control device controls the plurality of relays for capacitors so that during a system start-up, a part of the plurality of relays for capacitors are connected, that is, a partially-on-state is established, after a first predetermined condition is satisfied during the partially-on-state, the part of relays for capacitors are disconnected and a remaining part of the plurality of relays for capacitors are connected, and after a second predetermined condition is satisfied during the remainder-on-state, all the plurality of relays for capacitors are connected.

Abstract: An electrostatic drive includes a first electrode and a second electrode responsive to a drive signal. The drive signal includes an actuation signal constituent and a sensing signal constituent. The sensing signal constituent is at a frequency higher than a natural mechanical resonant frequency of the electrostatic drive. In response to the actuation signal constituent, displacement between the first electrode and the second electrode changes, which is evaluated by detecting a change in an electrical characteristic of the drive as a function of the sensing signal constituent.

Abstract: A motor drive unit is adapted to detect a motor lock-up condition (in which an electric motor is accidentally locked during driving) based on the fact that motor drive current increases in that event. Then, a capacitor for generating a voltage signal is charged with an arbitrarily adjustable charging current to overcome the motor lock-up. To do this, an IC is formed to incorporate therein such components as a first discharging circuit for discharging the electric charge of the capacitor and a hysteresis-type comparison circuit for comparing the charging current with a threshold level to thereby adjust the charging current suitable for the motor used. Such a versatile IC as described above enables adjustment of the motor startup trial period for individual motors having different characteristics.

Abstract: An electronic controller for a motorized device includes a signal generator generating an output signal to the motorized device. A non-proportional proximity sensor communicates with the signal generator. A proportional proximity sensor communicates with the signal generator. The output signal is determined as a function of respective signals communicated from the proximity sensors to the signal generator. A direction and speed of the motorized device is determined as a function of the output signal.

Abstract: A capacitive motion encoder, for sensing the position of a moving object relative to a stationary object, includes at least one stationary element, coupled to the stationary object and a moving element, coupled to the moving object and in proximity to the stationary element. A field transmitter generates an electrostatic field, which is modulated by a change in capacitance between the stationary and moving elements responsive to relative motion of the elements. A conductive shield, is electrically decoupled from both the moving and the stationary objects, and encloses the moving and stationary elements so as to shield the elements from external electrical interference. Processing circuitry is coupled to sense the modulated electrostatic field and to determine responsive thereto a measure of the position of the moving object.

Abstract: A galvanometer unit includes a limited-rotation motor with a load element such as a mirror attached to a shaft extending from the motor. In a servo loop that controls the angular position of the mirror, a position-sensor attached to the shaft provides position feedback information. The sensor includes a rotor which is positioned at the null point of the fundamental torsional resonance mode of the rotating system, thereby essentially eliminating feedback components resulting from the resonance.

Abstract: A galvanometer unit comprises a limited-rotation motor with a load element such as a mirror attached to a shaft extending from the motor. In a servo loop that controls the angular position of the mirror, a position-sensor attached to the shaft provides position feedback information. The sensor includes a rotor which is positioned at the null point of the fundamental torsional resonance mode of the rotating system, thereby essentially eliminating feedback components resulting from the resonance.

Abstract: For enabling precise operation of an oscillating device, such as a galvanometric optical scanner, a capacitive position transducer is provided with strategically located internal capacitive fiducial features that interact with the armature of the transducer beyond the central range of excursion of the transducer, typically beyond the normal operating range of the device. Electric pulses obtained at instants of interaction with the fiducials enable determination of position drift caused e.g. by change in environmental conditions. The pulses can be detected by simple circuits to produce recalibration of the amplitude and null position of the instrument on an automatic or elective basis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitive resolver (100). The capacitive resolver (100) includes a charge plate (102), a sensing plate (106), and an interrupter plate (400) positioned between the charge plate (102) and the sensing plate (106). The front surface of the sensing plate (500) has a sinusoidal pattern (502). The back surface of the sensing plate (600) includes charge detectors (602), charge collectors (608), and rectifiers (618). The capacitive resolver (100) also includes a signal generator (110) which is electrically connected to the charge plate (102) and a signal analyzer which is electrically connected to the sensing plate (106). The capacitive resolver (100) may additionally include a non-conductive support (112).

Abstract: A capacitive angle detector according to the present invention is capable of detecting a rotating angle with a high precision. The capacitive angle detector includes a first member, a second member and a third member. The first and second members have a plurality of electrodes thereon to form a plurality of capacitors. The electrodes on the first member and the electrodes on the second member are free from relative rotation and arranged opposite each other. The third member rotates relative to the first and second members in accordance with a rotating movement of a rotating body, thus changing capacitance values of the capacitors. Based on capacitance values of the capacitors, the capacitive angle detector detects a rotating angle of the rotating body. In this capacitive angle detector, the third member is made of a dielectric material or a conductive metal material. The third member is partially interposed between the electrodes arranged opposite each other.

Abstract: Measuring device for the measurement of a rotor angle including a capacitive angular displacement transducer generating an output that varies with an angular displacement of a shaft. A first stator has a plurality of transmitting electrodes to generate electric fields within the transducer due to excitation signals applied to the plurality of transmitting electrodes which are electrically conducting circle sectors of equal area which are electrically isolated from each other and which completely cover a rotational angle of 2.pi. on the first stator. A second stator is parallel and coaxial to the first stator and includes a conductive ring electrode receiving excitation from the first stator and producing an electric output signal. A rotor is located coaxially, parallel to the first stator and the second stator. The rotor has at least one rotor blade in the form of circle sectors, the central angle of each rotor blade being equal to at least the sum of the central angles of two sectors of the first stator.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method therefor is capable of automated and/or robotic assembly. The apparatus includes a vacuum nozzle (201) for aspirating and securing a component (202, 204). A spring (312) mechanically coupled to the vacuum nozzle (201) provides a variable spring force thereto in a direction of a placing operation (214, 216). The variable spring force varies in response to the vacuum nozzle (201) moving linearly along an axis of the placing operation (214, 216). The variable spring force corresponds to a variable placement force applied by the vacuum nozzle (201) to the component (202, 204). A linear position sensor (110) coupled to the vacuum nozzle (201) senses a variable linear position of the vacuum nozzle (201). The apparatus adjusts the variable placement force applied by the vacuum nozzle (201) to the component (202, 204) by varying the variable linear position of the vacuum nozzle (201).

Abstract: An auxiliary resolver position tracking (RPT) system for an industrial robot includes a resolver excitation and monitoring system which is powered by an uninterruptable power supply which includes a battery. The RPT system generates trapezoidal excitation pulses for the resolvers in the robot when no external excitation signal is applied, for example when the robot is shut down. Since there is relatively little motion to be detected in these instances, the RPT system switches between a slow position sampling rate, when no motion is detected, and a fast sampling rate when motion is detected. When operating on battery power, the RPT only switches to the fast sampling rate when motion is detected. To ensure that no motion data is lost when the system switches back to the slow sampling rate, the high sampling rate is maintained for a time sufficient to capture any residual motion of the robot.

Abstract: An auxiliary resolver position tracking (RPT) system for an industrial robot includes a resolver excitation and monitoring system which is powered by an uninterruptable power supply which includes a battery. The RPT system generates trapezoidal excitation pulses for the resolvers in the robot when no external excitation signal is applied, for example when the robot is shut down. Since there is relatively little motion to be detected in these instances, the RPT system switches between a slow position sampling rate, when no motion is detected, and a fast sampling rate when motion is detected. When operating on battery power, the RPT only switches to the fast sampling rate when motion is detected. To ensure that no motion data is lost when the system switches back to the slow sampling rate, the high sampling rate is maintained for a time sufficeint to capture any residual motion of the robot.

Abstract: A capacitive position sensor includes a capacitor arrangement assembled of a stator (5) and a rotor (6). The stator supports at least three coplanar electrodes (21, 22, 23) having the shape of circle sectors 120.degree.. The rotor supports at least a counterelectrode (25) having the shape of a circle sector of 240.degree.. An oscillator (30) applies two a.c. voltage (u1, u2) of equal amplitude and opposite phase to two of the stator electrode (21, 22). The range of rotation of the rotor is such that the remaining third electrode on the stator is always overlapped by the counterelectrode. Voltage induced on the counterelectrode by means of the a.c. voltages on the stator electrodes is inverted and fed back as a neutralizing voltage (uR) to the third stator electrode (23) until the induced voltage on the counterelectrode reaches zero value. The neutralizing voltage is rectified and integrated into a d.c. voltage (UA) which serves as a measure of the angular position of the rotor (6).

Abstract: Sensor circuitry which detects the presence or absence of material and activates a motor responsive thereto, having a capacitor which emits electric signal responsive to the presence of the material, a signal processing unit receives the capacitor's signal and shapes it into a usable signal, wherein the usable signal is received by a timer which is held in reset thereby. When the material's presence is no longer detected, the timer counts a delay during which a control signal is output to a control transistor which responsively actuates a relay which is connected to and forms a link of a power circuit that supplies energy to the motor. A transformer is connected to the power circuit and selected windings of the transformer are connected to the relay. When the transistor is off and relay is inactive, there is a large voltage drop across the transformer thereby deactivating the motor.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operating speed of a can machine having an input conveyor for temporarily storing cans while moving them along a path toward the machine includes a metal wire capacitance sensor. The wire may be formed in a repeating pattern and serve as an area mass sensor. The capacitance formed by the sensor wire and the can is connected in a capacitance bridge circuit which is excited by an oscillator. A detector circuit coupled to the bridge circuit generates an output signal representative of the number of cans in the conveyor. Output drive circuitry including an optical coupler for isolating the detection circuitry from the machine under control, transmits a signal for a desired control function to a remotely located variable speed drive controller for controlling either the machine to which the cans are being fed or a machine which is feeding the cans to keep the size of the can queue at a desired value.

Abstract: A notch filter, used in a servo loop, for dampening a mechanical resonance of a mechanism to be servo-controlled, including a serial T-type filter with a capacitor-resistor (CR) network having a serial connection of a first, second and third capacitors connected between an input terminal of the serial T-type filter and an output terminal of the Cr network; a first resistor connected between a return terminal of the CR network and an interconnection of the first and second capacitors; a second resistor connected between the return terminal and an interconnection of the second and third capacitors; and a third resistor connected in parallel to the three serial capacitors. A notch frequency of the notch filter is adjusted by varying the resistance values of the first and second resistors. The first and second resistors may include fixed and/or potentiometer-type variable resistors. An output from the CR network may be divided to be fed back to the return terminal to provide feedback.

Abstract: There are disclosed both one and two-dimensional, high resolution, brushless DC servomotors that are linear, rotary, planar and cylindrical in nature. All of these employ a capacitive method for deriving the required position and motor commutation information. In suitable circumstances, particularly two-dimensional planar motors on air bearings, the method allows the use of the motor ferromagnetic cores themselves as the capacitive position sensing elements. This leads to a particularly simple and compact type of sevomotor design. In addition, since such motors can move at high speed, there are also disclosed two transformer coupled methods for handling the current drive to the motor windings. Both methods are simple, energy efficient, applicable to motors of any number of phases, and in addition, handle motor direction reversals automatically.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operating speed of a can machine having an input conveyor for temporarily storing cans while moving them along a path toward the machine includes a metal wire capacitance sensor. The wire may be arranged either as a linear sensor if it is desired to determine the number of cans in a single file queue; or it may be formed in a repeating pattern and serve as an area mass sensor. The capacitance formed by the sensor wire and the can is connected in a capacitance bridge circuit which is excited by an oscillator. A detector circuit coupled to the bridge circuit generates an output signal representative of the number of cans in the conveyor.

Abstract: A capacitive linear or rotary transmitter for controlling and positioning displaced objects by measuring the displacement, angle or speed of the displaced object is formed, in one embodiment as a rotary transmitter, by two mutually opposed stators defining a reciprocal spacing, their gap having rotatably arranged in it a rotor which is rotatably coupled to a spindle which is coupled to the displaced object. Capacitive values varying during the rotation of the rotor may be measured in the air gaps produced in each case between one stator and the rotor, and the other stator and the rotor. To attain a superior degree of precision and resolution, coatings are so arranged on the rotor and the stators, as to produce at least two concentric annular areas, of which one area forms the measurement track of a coarse measuring system and the other area forms the measurement track of a precision measuring system.

Abstract: There is provided an optical scanning apparatus having an angular positioning means that is generally comprised of a variable capacitor including a rotor disc with a plurality of equally spaced conductors and a stator disc with twice as many equally spaced conductors axially spaced from the rotor disc for capacitive coupling. Excitation of the variable capacitor provides a feedback signal to the controller of the optical scanning apparatus that is proportional to the angular position.

Abstract: A capacitive position transducer for detecting position changes or producing position feedback signals in a servorecorder comprises a rhombic transmitter electrode connected to a voltage source and a plurality of rectangular receiver electrodes insulated from and adjacent to each other. Current flowing through the coupled transmitter and receiver electrodes is rectified by diode circuits and flows through a circuit of serially connected resistors, thereby forming an output voltage signal at an end of the resistor circuit. The linearity of the output voltage signal can be changed by changing the value of the resistors in the resistor circuit. The capacitive position transducer can also provide commutating signals required by brushless linear motor.

Abstract: A capacitive position encoder which provides a digital output indication of the relative position between two plates. One of the plates includes first and second conductive input areas which are separated by a gap having the shape corresponding to a square wave. The second plate includes a number of rectangular output pads whose length is equal to one-half of the wavelength of the square wave. The pads are separated from one another by an integral fraction of the wavelength. Periodic input signals which are the inverse of one another are applied to the input areas and are capacitively coupled to the output pads. When the degree of overlap between an output pad and the input areas is equal, a null signal will be generated. Each pad will provide a null signal corresponding to a different position of the plates.

Abstract: A capacitive position sensor for sensing changes in the position of a rotating element, in which there are two sets of stationary capacitive surfaces, one set forming a first integral unit, the other set forming a second integral unit; the two units are held together with the surfaces of each set resting in corresponding spaces in the other unit such that all surfaces of both sets intersect a common radial plane and the surfaces of one set are electrically isolated from the surfaces of the other set.

Abstract: In a measuring arrangement for measuring or regulating spacing on thermal working machines (for example, flame cutting installations), two capacitive electrodes are arranged at different spacings from the workpiece. Interference signals can result from changes in the dielectric constant between the electrodes and the workpiece during the thermal working operation. The output signals of the two electrodes are in negative feedback relationship for compensation purposes.

Abstract: A capacitive position encoder which provides a digital output indication of the relative position between two plates. One of the plates includes first and second conductive input areas which are separated by a gap having the shape corresponding to a square wave. The second plate includes a number of rectangular output pads whose length is equal to one-half of the wavelength of the square wave. The pads are separated from one another by an integral fraction of the wavelength. Periodic input signals which are the inverse of one another are applied to the input areas and are capacitively coupled to the output pads. When the degree of overlap between an output pad and the input areas is equal, a null signal will be generated. Each pad will provide a null signal corresponding to a different position of the plates.

Abstract: There is provided a capacity type rotation detecting apparatus which comprises a first insulating circular plate having on one surface thereof at least one pair of sets of electrode pieces arranged circumferentially and connected electrically to one another and at least one ring-shaped electrode, a second insulating circular plate having on one surface thereof at least one set of electrode pieces arranged circumferentially to face the at least one pair of sets of electrode pieces on the first insulating circular plate and connected electrically to one another and at least one ring-shaped electrode arranged to face the at least one ring-shaped electrode on the first plate and connected electrically to the at least one set of electrode pieces on the second plate, and a periodic signal supply circuit for applying periodic signals of opposite phase to the at least one pair of electrode-piece sets, respectively, on the first insulating circular plate, whereby, when the first and second insulating circular plates a

Abstract: A sensing apparatus has a probe displacement with respect to a support arm and to a reference position. The probe has a flat disc mounting three transducers which are spaced apart from one another at regular intervals. Each transducer has an elastomeric dielectric and is capable of producing an electrical output signal in response to displacement of the probe from the reference position. An electrical circuit compares output signals produced by the transducers and evaluates the direction and/or extent of probe displacement. Such evaluation may be used in the manipulator control system of an article-handling equipment.

Abstract: A capacitance article density monitor which is adjusted to have a zero voltage output when no articles are positioned adjacent a sensor and wherein the output of the circuit may be utilized directly to control a variable speed drive for a machine to which articles are being directed depending upon the density of such articles in a conveying area in advance of the machine. This abstract forms no part of the specification of this application and is not to be construed as limiting the claims of the application.

Abstract: Device for moving a member linearly is composed of at least two permanent magnets, a driving coil, circuit for supplying the driving coil with current, a moving member, and a detector. The two permanent magnets form magnetic field of first direction in first space and field of second direction being reverse to the first direction in second space. Since the driving coil includes a portion disposed in the first space and a portion disposed in the second space, a movement of a given direction is created based on the current flowing through the driving coil. The first and second spaces include a region where the strength of the magnetic field varies gradually. Therefore the relative movement of the driving coil and the permanent magnets can be detected using the detector. The moving member is connected to either the driving coil or the permanent magnet a pen or the like can thus be moved linearly if attached to the member.

Abstract: There is provided a capacity type rotation detecting apparatus which comprises a first insulating circular plate having on one surface thereof at least one pair of sets of electrode pieces arranged circumferentially and connected electrically to one another and at least one ring-shaped electrode, a second insulating circular plate having on one surface thereof at least one set of electrode pieces arranged circumferentially to face the at least one pair of sets of electrode pieces on the first insulating circular plate and connected electrically to one another and at least one ring-shaped electrode arranged to face the at least one ring-shaped electrode on the first plate and connected electrically to the at least one set of electrode pieces on said second plate, and a periodic signal supply circuit for applying periodic signals of opposite phase to the at least one pair of electrode-piece sets, respectively, on the first insulating circular plate, whereby, when the first and second insulating circular plates

Abstract: An electronically controlled apparatus for controllably positioning pneumatic actuators includes, in a first embodiment, first means for selectively flowing compressed fluid to the actuator and valve means for selectively exhausting compressed fluid from the actuator. An electronic control panel is adapted to receive digital command signals from a computerized controller and is coupled to the first means and to the valve means for actuation thereof in response to the command signals. Means are included for isolating electrical switching transients from the controller.In a second preferred embodiment, the positioner also includes transducer means for generating a feedback signal representative of the position of the actuator piston assembly. A third preferred embodiment is similar to that of the second embodiment and incorporates a control adapted to receive analog rather than digital command signals. An optional high limit pressure switch may be used with any embodiment.