Abstract: Portable EO/IR turret systems and methods of using the same are provided. The portable EO/IR turret systems may be installed and used on a variety of different types of stationary and mobile platforms, and may be optionally self-contained and self-powered. The portable EO/IR turret systems may also be configured and dimensioned as fully operational EO/IR turrets that are contained within a carry-on package or other type of portable chassis that may be temporarily placed and used on a first host platform, and then optionally moved and re-used on a second and different host platform, and further optionally with no required modification/s to either the first or second host platform.

Abstract: An actuator having a switched reluctance motor and a plunger assembly. The switched reluctance motor has a stator and a rotor. The stator has a plurality of stator poles and a plurality of stator windings. Each of the stator windings is wound about a corresponding one of the stator poles. The rotor is rotatable about an axis and has a plurality of rotor poles. The plunger assembly has a plunger and at least one spring. The plunger is co-axially received in the rotor and movable in an axial direction along the axis. The at least one spring is disposed in a force transmission path that includes the plunger and is configured to permit movement of the plunger along the axis in opposite axial directions. The plunger assembly is being driven by the rotor.

Abstract: A gimbal transmission cable management system is disclosed. The system can include a first gimbal portion and a second gimbal portion rotatable relative to one another to provide rotation about a gimbal axis. The system can also include a cable retainer fixed relative to one of the first and second gimbal portions and defining a cable volume between the cable retainer and at least one of the first and second gimbal portions. In addition, the system can include a transmission cable coiled about the gimbal axis within the cable volume. Bi-directional relative rotation of the first and second gimbal portions can alternately coil and uncoil a portion of the transmission cable about the gimbal axis within the cable volume.

Abstract: A controller for a DC motor comprises an output switching element configured to couple to the DC motor; an input switching element coupled to the output switching element; a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal coupled to a control terminal of the input switching element and a supply voltage applied to the output switching element. A resistive-capacitive (RC) network may be coupled to a control terminal of the output switching element, with the RC network being configured to integrate the PWM signal into a DC voltage. A first resistive network may be configured to set a bias for the output switching element when the input switching element is turned off, and a second resistive network may be configured to set the bias for the output switching element when the input switching element is turned on, such that the controller is effective to provide zero-to-full supply voltage control to the DC motor.

Abstract: A stock reel having a variable speed electric reel drive motor and a speed control potentiometer operated by a stock loop control arm for producing a variable control voltage correlative with the angular position of the control arm. The control voltage from the control potentiometer is compared with a reference voltage and an input voltage correlative in amplitude with the difference between the control voltage and the reference voltage is applied to a motor control unit to drive the motor when the control voltage exceeds the reference voltage. The reference voltage is selectively adjustable to vary the angular position at which the control voltage exceeds the reference voltage, to thereby adjust the operating angle of the control arm. The amplification of the input voltage applied to the motor control unit is adjustable to vary the range of control arm movement required to produce a preselected change in motor speed.

Abstract: A device for the remote control of the angular position of an aerial rotor comprising a d.c. motor for the rotation of the rotor and a drive circuit adapted to cause the rotation of the motor in one direction when it receives as input a d.c. voltage higher than a reference value and in the opposite direction when it receives as input a d.c. voltage lower than the reference value. The device provides for a feeder, in proximity of the receiver, for generating at least one d.c. control voltage and comprising a regulator of the value of the voltage as a function of the desired angular position of the rotor of the aerial, and a regulator and stabilizor of the d.c. control voltage, located in proximity of the drive circuit of the motor, to obtain from the d.c. control voltage a stabilized constant voltage of a value lower than the minimum value of the d.c. control voltage, for the feeding of the drive circuit and the motor.

Abstract: A power driver control circuit (38) provides control signals (44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54) for switching transistors in a power driver (56) for an electromagnetic actuator (11) of the type used for controlling a servo head (12) in a closed loop servo system. The control circuit includes variable time delay circuits (70, 71) connected to threshold detectors (74, 84) so that dead zones can be created when the servo error signal changes polarity thereby isolating the switches and preventing switch burn-out.

Abstract: A power amplifier is disclosed for controlling the current flow through a load, such as a d-c servo motor. The amplifier includes a plurality of switching elements connected in bridge fashion with the load and a predetermined power source for coupling the load across alternate output terminals of the power source in accordance with the levels of a plurality of control signals respectively coupled to the plurality of switching elements. Logic circuitry, when enabled, couples each of the control signals to their respective switching elements for controlling same. Sensing circuitry is coupled to the load for generating an actual current signal indicative of the actual level of current flow through the load. A current limiter is coupled to the sensing circuitry for comparing the actual current signal with high and low level limit signals and for generating a current disable signal when either the actual current signal exceeds the high limit signal or the low limit signal exceeds the actual current signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to the hydraulic control field wherein an electronic controller provides the necessary electrical elements for controlling the movement of an actuator shaft from one pre-selected position to another pre-selected position at a pre-selected velocity and provided with an automatic timing control circuit to sustain the movement or a manual operation to selectively move the actuator. The pre-selected positions and velocities are adjustable over the full range of actuator movement and velocity limit of the hydraulics.

Abstract: A system for guiding a tool according to a predetermined direction includes a detector head which photoelectrically scans a line of the pattern with the line varying in width at predetermined locations and with the output signals of the scanning photoreceptors being conductable to a switching device having an adjustable switching threshold so that when the scanning is in the area of the altered line width an auxiliary signal is formed in addition to the control signal for the coordinate motors.

Abstract: The disclosed system includes a direct-current bridge circuit and a bridge-balancing reversible motor coupled to the bridge circuit, together with a differential high-gain amplifier which is responsive to even slight bridge unbalance to polarize the motor for rotation in the direction toward rebalance of the bridge circuit and also interrupts the motor operation when balance of the bridge is passed in either direction. Apparatus is included responsive to both positive and negative reversals in the polarity of unbalance of the bridge for deenergizing the motor when the null of the bridge is crossed in either direction.

Abstract: There is disclosed a circuit which supplements a bridge-type detector circuit in order to minimize non-linearities resulting in measurements of thermal conductivity by such type bridges. An auxiliary voltage source is described which has an adjustable output voltage which is servoed to follow the output voltage of a differential amplifier which is connected to the output of the bridge. When the bridge is balanced at the desired operating temperature, the auxiliary supply is switched in and this voltage now controls the current supplied to the bridge instead of the differential amplifier output voltage thus eliminating the cause of the non-linearities at the point of measurement.

Abstract: A control arrangement is described for angularly positioning a member such as an aerial structure in which a potentiometer has a continuous circumferential winding with two sets of tappings of at least two tappings and at least three tappings respectively the relative angular position of the two sets of tappings being variable in dependence upon the angular position of the member. Potentials are applied to one set of tappings and the potentials at the other set are compared with respective ones of a set of preset voltages representative of the desired position of the member. The member is driven to change its angular position until the result of comparison indicates that the desired position has been reached.

Abstract: There is disclosed a motor control circuit that is particularly useful for the control of a damper motor in a heating and ventilating system. The control circuit comprises a bridge circuit having a pair of operational amplifiers with cross connected input terminals. An input signal is provided by input signal circuit means to one of the cross-connecting conductors and a reference signal is provided to the other of the conductors by a reference signal circuit means. The operational amplifiers are provided with feedback circuit means between their output and noninverting terminals to drive the amplifiers into an unstable condition where they function as on and off switches. Dead band means in the form of a load dropping resistor is provided between the input signal circuit and the noninverting terminal of one of the amplifiers.

Abstract: A remote control system for the jack cylinders of a hydraulically operated crane includes a plurality of regulating valves for controlling respective jack cylinders, the regulation of each valve being controlled by the movement of a respective valve spool connected to a respective lever forming part of a linkage including an arm mounted on a rotatable shaft and connectable to the shaft by a respective electromagnetically operated clutch so that by engagement of one said clutch and rotation of the shaft to a predetermined position the corresponding valve spool may be correspondingly positioned to move the associated jack cylinder accordingly.Engagement of the clutches and rotation of the shaft can be controlled by a portable actuating unit connected to the rest of the system by an electrical cable, the system including a control means which adjusts the position of the shaft to correspond with the setting of a control member on the actuating unit.