Abstract: A plurality of AC synchronous motors used to drive respective machines in a manufacturing or packaging assembly line or system are driven in speed and phase synchronization. A common AC current supply signal is inverted to provide one polyphase set of series of controlled frequency low voltage DC pulses in a lead inverter. This polyphase set of pulses are amplified and utilized to drive the AC synchronous motor for the lead machine in the system. This same set of polyphase pulses are also transmitted directly to follower inverters respectively and there amplified to drive respective synchronous motors in the system to not only insure speed synchronization but also absolute phase synchronization in driving all machines in the line. When the frequency of the polyphase set of pulses is varied to correspondingly drive the AC synchronous motors at predetermined speeds, phase synchronization of the motors will always be insured.

Abstract: A servo system provides phase locked servo control of the rotational speed and phase of one, two, or more, disk packs by operating the disk pack, or packs, approximately 2% faster than desired, and then applying a control current to an existing eddy current brake in the disk pack via a servo circuit to reduce the speed to that desired. The servo circuit regulates the servo control current to the brake via two loops; a phase loop which establishes a pack position relative to an external reference pulse, and a velocity loop which provides compensation to enhance lock-up time and improve overall stability. The summed outputs of both loops provide a composite error signal corresponding to the servo control current.

Abstract: An automatic motion or position control DC servomotor system in which a load-driving axis driven by a DC motor to be controlled in one rotary mechanism is rotated synchronously with, or following the rotation of, a reference axis manually operated or driven by another DC motor. The system comprises a position signal generator producing first sine- and cosine-wave signals corresponding to an angle of rotation of the controlled load-driving axis; a command signal generator producing second sine- and cosine-wave signals corresponding to an angle of rotation of the reference axis; an arithmetic unit processing the first and second sine- and cosine-wave signals and providing a sine-wave feedback voltage output signal; and a driver circuit amplifying the feedback voltage signal and providing a thus amplified signal to the DC motor driving the load-driving axis. When the reference axis is driven by another DC motor, the command signal generator may be a second position signal generator.

Abstract: The operation of a first motor and a second motor generates first and second frequency signals, respectively, which are fed to a phase lock loop (59) for phase comparison. A tri-level detection circuit (61) develops an output signal in response to the phase relationship between the first and second frequency signals. The first frequency signal is converted to a voltage signal by a converter (63) which is fed to an amplifier (64). A feedback circuit (66) is connected across the amplifier and includes several selectable levels of impedance. A switching network (62) responds to the output signal of the detection circuit (61), and thereby in response to the phase relationship between the first and second frequency signals, to connect one of the impedance levels of the feedback circuit (66) across the amplifier circuit (64).

Abstract: In automated press systems it is desirable to be able to control the actuators of an automation system associated with the press based on the speed of the press. To accomplish this, a circuit arrangement is provided which includes a pulse generator for producing a coded signal indicating the position of the press based on a press speed signal. An evaluation circuit having a parallel arrangement of a converter and a process control circuit receives these coded position signals. The outputs of the converter and process control circuit control the actuators of the automation system through pulse converters and positioning control circuits (e.g. speed and position control loops). Information as to the number of press strokes is also provided to the pulse converters through a generator. The converter can be an electronic curve shaper which controls the actuators when the press ram is moving, while the process control circuit can be a CNC control circuit which controls the actuators when the press ram is stopped.

Abstract: A device for controlling the phase of an output pulse sequence relative to an input pulse train of the same frequency comprises a multiplier receiving the pulse train from a frequency generator and emitting to a divider a rectangular waveform having a frequency m times that of the pulse train. The divider is controlled by a comparator to divide the frequency of the rectangular waveform by a factor of m.div.1, m-1, or m, depending on whether the actual phase difference between the pulse train and the sequence is less than, greater than, or equal to a predetermined phase angle, the actual phase difference being communicated to the comparator by a counter registering during each cycle of the pulse train a number of pulses proportional to the phase difference.

Abstract: A facsimile recorder has a motor driving a scanning element and also generating recorder pulses occurring proportionally to the recorder scanning speed. A circuit for synchronizing the scanning motor with incoming framing pulses of a facsimile signal comprises a first dual data type flip flop with a first output, a first input receiving the framing pulses and a second input receiving the recorder pulses. The flip flop produces a gating pulse of duration corresponding to the interval between asynchronous occurrence of framing and recorder pulses which causes transmission of power to the recorder motor during the asynchronous interval. Consequently the motor speed and hence the period of the recorder pulses are varied in proportion to asynchronism until the framing and recorder pulses are coincident when the motor is synchronous with the framing pulses.Power is transmitted to the recorder motor at a particular frequency derived from a frequency standard.

Abstract: A speed regulator for a guide and follower motor assembly. A guide pulse frequency generator driven by a guide motor drives a frequency converter which drives a follower motor. The frequency converter includes a frequency regulator with a negative feed back which includes a frequency divider. Adjusting and setting circuits for the frequency divider include an up/down counter for operating the frequency divider, a resetting operation of the counter to provide a frequency indicating value for its output, an adjustable pulse generator for driving the counter, an add/subtract circuit, and a comparator responsive to the add/subtract circuit and the counter to control the pulse generator.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for the synchronization of a gear machining instrument that works according to the hobbing method. It has different drives for the tool and the work-piece. In the process, a series of pulses are produced, dependent upon the rotational speed of each drive. The occurrence of the pulses are compared digitally resulting in an analog control signal for the adjustment of the work-piece drive.

Abstract: A vibratory device has a vibrating chassis disposed horizontally or inclined and which is actuated by linear vibration by means of a vibrator having two unbalanced shafts rotating synchronously in opposite directions. For obtaining continuous regulation, during functional operation, of the reciprocal angular phase displacement of the unbalancing masses, the unbalanced shafts are connected with two drive shafts coupled by a chain. The two runs of the chain can be altered in length by adjustment of a pivoting lever.

Abstract: A digital phase synchronization system in which a received pulse wave is compared in a phase detector with a local pulse wave obtained by frequency dividing the output of a local oscillator. One output of the phase detector is used to control the subtraction or addition of pulses from the local oscillator until phase synchronization is achieved. Another output of the phase detector is used to control the number of pulses which are subtracted or added. The number of pulses subtracted or added is proportional to the phase difference when the phase difference is greater than a predetermined value, and is limited to one or a few pulses when the phase difference is below the predetermined value.

Abstract: A system for determining the relative angular positions of two magnetic-p rotors of respective synchronously driven (same speed) synchronous motors operated from a common frequency generator applying the driving frequency to the motors. Each rotor is provided with an optoelectronic device generating an electronic pulse for each revolution of the rotor. The pulse of one optoelectronic device is applied to the start input of a start-stop counter. The pulse from the other device is applied to the stop input of the counter and the pulse-counting input receives its signals from a frequency multiplier connected to the frequency generator.

Abstract: A rear gauge assembly includes a gauge bar extending between two carriages, each carriage being mounted to a housing mounted to the rear of a press brake bed and having a lead screw and motor associated with it. Front gauges are provided on carriages on a pair of similar housings mounted to a rail mounted to the front of a press brake bed, each of these housings also having a lead screw and motor for driving its respective carriage. A microcomputer is employed to control the two motors for synchronizing movement of the rear gauge carriages with each other while driving the rear gauge, and to control the two motors for the front gauge while the front gauges are being driven to synchronize movement of front gauges with each other. The same synchronizing techniques for two lead screws are employed on a new type of ram drive for press brakes incorporating two ram drive screws, with a motor for each screw, the motors being synchronized by the controller.

Abstract: An antenna rotator of the type including a first remote drive motor for rotating a remote shaft and a control unit including a second motor for driving an indicator-control member into alignment with a preselect member is described. Self-synchronization and de-energization of the two motors is provided herein when the shaft has been rotated to an end stop position and the indicator-control member is not in alignment with the preselect member. This self-synchronization and de-energization is achieved by sensing the increased current levels caused when the first motor is prevented from rotating by the end stop to apply the energizing potentials being applied to the first motor directly to the second motor whereupon the indicator-control member is aligned with the preselect member and both motors are de-energized.

Abstract: A device for measuring the angular position of the rotor of a synchronous motor relative to the rotating field thereof wherein the synchronous motor is driven by a frequency generator. The synchronous motor has an optoelectronic device generating a pulse for each rotation of the rotor and applied to the stop input of a counter whose start input receives from a frequency divider connected to the frequency generator and having a dividing factor equal to the number of poles of the synchronous motor. A frequency multiplier is also connected to the frequency generator and the output of the multiplier is applied to the counting-pulse input of the counter. The count registered on the counter in the interval between start and stop pulses is thus proportional to the lag of the rotor behind the rotating field.

Abstract: A high shelf feeding apparatus is movable on rollers riding on rails. It is moved either by motor driven friction gear drive means or by a linear motor means. In either case, the drive elements are operated at the same acceleration or at the same number of revolutions by connecting each drive element with a regulating mechanism which measures the distance travelled by each drive element and then balances each such measured distance in relation to a rated value common to all regulating mechanisms.

Abstract: A control arrangement, especially for use with a track supported implement, having an elongated beam with carriages at the opposite ends supported on respective tracks in which pick-up elements on at least one of the carriages are sensitive to movement of the respective carriage in a horizontal plane and about a vertical axis on the respective track. The pick-up elements are longitudinally spaced on the curve and supply respective signals to a comparator which emits a control signal which varies as the difference between the pick-up signals varies. The control signal is employed for developing an influence on the beam tending to restore it to the condition of parallelism with itself.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating synchronized multi-axis intermittent motion utilizing electronic encoding, memory and a position control system having feed-forward control. A plurality of slave shafts are rapidly and accurately positioned in response to the positioning of a rotatable master shaft, without mechanical interconnections therebetween. An analog transducer is attached to the master shaft providing an analog position output which is fed to a master encoder which feeds a digital output to a plurality of independent digital memory devices. Each digital memory device provides, in response, an output digital signal indicative of the desired position of an associated slave shaft. The output of each memory device, through an appropriate digital-to-analog converter, is fed to a position controller which positions the associated slave shaft as desired. The servo controller includes a feedforward input to speed positioning and reduce system lag.

Abstract: A system for the synhchrotransmission of angular position data between two rotating shafts, using, as the transmitter and receiver, two two-phase Hall effect motors, of which each rotor 2, 52 has a permanent magnet and each stator is formed by two windings 54,54, 73,74, and two Hall effect magnetic sensors 3,4, 23,24, arranged in pairs at a right angle. The electrical signals created by the sensors of the transmitter and the receiver are introduced into comparator circuits 19,29 so as to produce, in the event of angular position differences between the rotors, an error signal which after amplification 40, 41 is applied to the windings 53,54 of the receiver, thus eliminating the position difference by the creation of a torque.

Abstract: A method and system for altering the phase difference between a local motor and a remote motor wherein the phase difference is determined in terms of a count made of reference pulses at a first frequency when both motors are operating at a predetermined speed that is directly related to the first frequency. A phase altering count is determined from the phase difference count indicative of the degree to which the phase difference is to be altered and the reference pulses are produced at the local motor at a second frequency to alter the speed of the local motor. The phase altering count and the reference pulses at the second frequency are used to establish a time interval for operation of the stepping motor sufficient to make the desired change in the phase difference.

Abstract: A reversible mechanical unit of the "slave" type comprising a motor element and position detector is controlled by an assembly which delivers command signals relating to the positions of the motor element. Means are provided for delivering an error signal .epsilon. which is proportional to the difference between the signals delivered respectively by the detector and the control assembly. A signal delivered by a generator and having an amplitude which is proportional to the signal .epsilon. produces direct action on the torque of the motor element; the error signal and the torque are thus in one-to-one correspondence, the error signal being fed back into the control assembly.

Abstract: A control apparatus for manufacturing or treatment processes in which articles or batches of articles are conveyed through a process station on endless conveyor means. The apparatus comprises electrical signal producing means for producing at its output an article or batch digital signal dependent upon the length of the conveyor means associated with one article or batch of articles. Electrical reference means capable of being set with a digital value representing the effective length of the conveyor means are provided together with electrical comparator means for receiving the signals at the outputs of said signal producing means and said reference means and for determining whether the effective length of the conveyor is an exact multiple of the length associated with the article or batch.

Abstract: An incremental digital control system to effect incremental adjustments to an operating system. The control system is responsive to selective relationships between digital signals representative of operational characteristics for producing changes in control signals to effect the desired incremental adjustments.

Abstract: A circuit for synchronizing a motor at the receiving end of a communication link with one at the transmitting end thereof, the circuit preventing an indication of synchronization until the receiving end motor reaches its rated speed.

Abstract: Two movable members driven by individual motors are positioned accurately at any given time and are tracking each other for all displacements. Individual positioning is used with differential positioning to force a follow-up of one member relative to the other. One feedback position loop provides a master reference for a second position loop of the slave motor drive, and the differential position signal makes the second loop operate as a vernier of the master loop. A limiter prevents the master drive from running ahead of the slave drive.

Abstract: A pair of cylinders is rotated in synchronism; each cylinder has a mark on its periphery and the marks are to be moved to angular coincidence. A train of counting pulses is derived from a train of timing pulses which controls the drive of one of the cylinders; when a signal is generated as the mark of this cylinder passes a fixed point, this counting pulse train is applied to a forward-reverse counter to make it count backwards from a reference value. As soon as the signal indicative of the passage of the mark on the other cylinder is generated, the counting pulse train is cut off and a pulse train derived from it but of stepped-down pulse frequency, is applied to the counter to make the same count forward to the reference value. During the forward counting, and until the reference value is reached again, the train of counting pulses is modified by adding or suppressing timing pulses, until the next signals from the one and the other cylinder indicate angular coincidence of the marks.

Abstract: An improved technique is disclosed for adjusting the crankshaft angle of each of a plurality of synchronized tandem-coupled presses with respect to a reference shaft angle. At the start of adjustment, a plurality of first motors that synchronously drive the successive crankshafts during normal press operation are disengaged from the crankshafts and maintained operative with undiminished speed. A plurality of second motors operative at a speed slightly greater than the speed of the reference shaft are thereafter enabled when the angular phase of each crankshaft relative to that of the reference shaft is within a prescribed angular range. Such range is established by means of a synchro-driven control system coupled to the reference shaft and to the crankshaft when the first motor is disengaged from the crankshaft. Once the required angular adjustment is completed, the rotating first motor may be reengaged to the crankshaft to restore normal press operation.

Abstract: A drive system is disclosed which is particularly suitable for use in the glass industry. The drive system is for a plurality of conveying mechanisms to support and to move a load which may be discrete glass objects or a strip or sheet of glass. An electrical line shaft is created by using a plurality of squirrel cage synchronous motors which are connected to drive the conveying mechanisms, whether they be transfer mechanisms for discrete objects or rolls for conveying the strip of glass. One or more electrical inverters supply power to the motors so that not only are the motors operated in synchronism but also in phase register. Thus where discrete glass objects are conveyed the phase register of the transfer mechanisms between glass machines prevents glass breakage, and where rolls are conveying a strip of float glass, the phase register prevents difference in phase rotation of the rolls which could mar the surface of the float glass.

Abstract: A circuit for a clock having a time indicating mechanism is connected to regulate the driving of a DC motor by a predetermined amount at predetermined time intervals, so as to actuate the time indicating mechanism without being affected by the variation in the amplitude of the DC energizing voltage available for driving the motor and the variation in the load on the motor. The motor driving circuit has a timing pulse generating circuit for generating timing pulses at the predetermined time intervals, a holding circuit actuated by the timing pulse applied thereto by the timing pulse generating circuit so as to be self-held thus enabling the motor to be energized from the DC energizing voltage, and switching means, connected to the motor or the time indicating mechanism so as to be actuated when the motor is driven by the predetermined amount.

Abstract: A steering control for an electrically powered vehicle having a pair of traction wheels on each side of the vehicle's frame, each of said wheels being driven by a synchronous type motor. The rotor field producing coils of each motor being separately controlled by the accelerator control of the vehicle and a frequency changing circuit which selectively changes the rotational speed of individual motors. The frequency changing circuit includes frequency divider switches and frequency counters connected to the rotor field producing coils; the wipers of said frequency divider switches are connected to the steering control in such manner as the output of each frequency dividing counter is varied independently. A battery included in such vehicle for producing electric power needed for the motors can be charged by a generator or alternator.

Abstract: Apparatus for synchronizing the relative positions of motor-driven machines. Preliminary to operating the machines in synchronism, the rotors of individual synchronous motors that drive the machines are moved to a stop at certain angular positions. The angular positions are such that when inverter voltage is thereafter applied to the stators of all of the motors from a common inverter, the instantaneous angular position of the stator magnetic field with respect to the respective rotor is the same for all of the motors. In one embodiment, several machines are synchronized as to position by first operating each at low speed to a home position.

Abstract: A box making machine includes a supply roll of a continuous web whose tension is monitored by a pivotally mounted oscillating rod which guides the web by means of a dancer roller provided at one end thereof. The web is carried through an imprinting machine which prints information on the web before it is passed through a die press which punches out portions of the web at predetermined locations on the latter. A cutter machine is provided which cuts the web into blanks suitable to be formed into boxes. The cutter machine includes a drive motor for actuating the cutter and for advancing the web from the supply roll. A box forming machine is provided for operating on the blanks and for forming the same into boxes. The box forming machine includes a drive motor for actuating the box forming machine.

Abstract: A register control system is disclosed for maintaining longitudinal or lateral register of a moving web wherein a comparator has a first input controlled in accordance with error count and has a second input controlled by a resistance-capacitance timing circuit with a non-linear characteristic such as to compensate for the non-linear characteristic of the digital to analog converter responsive to error count, and thus to provide a correction motor on time linearly proportional to error count. An adaptive circuit is provided responsive to web speed and providing for a correction cycle with respect to each repeat length of the web at relatively low web speeds, but providing for skipping of alternate error cycles at higher web speed.

Abstract: A system for providing a predetermined phase relationship between signals representing the operation of first and second moveable members, the operation of said first moveable member being regulated in accordance with the operation of said second moveable member. The phase relationship is determined by comparison means which produces a pulse signal indicative of said phase relationship. Signal storage means, responsive to the pulse signal, produces an analog signal, the amplitude thereof varying at a first rate, the maximum amplitude attained by said analog signal being proportional to said phase relationship. The output of said signal storage means is coupled to signal generating means comprising variable gain means, said variable gain means being adjusted to correspond to a predetermined gain, said signal generating means generating an analog signal proportional to the signal stored by said storage means.

Abstract: Synchronizing apparatus is disclosed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention wherein the operation of a first device is regulated in accordance with the operation of a second device. The phase relationship between signals representing the operation of the first and second devices, respectively, is determined by comparison means which produces a pulse width modulated signal indicative of said phase relationship. Control signal generating means responds to the pulse width modulated signal to generate an analog signal having an amplitude established by said phase relationship. Feedback means, including variable frequency generating means, is controlled by the analog signal to modify the operation of the first device whereby said first device is urged into a synchronous relationship with said second device and the signals representative of the operation of said first and second devices admit of a desired phase relationship.