Abstract: An anti-skid control system records the input timing of every n.sup.th sensor signal pulse, where n is so determined that the interval between successively recorded input times is greater than a first predetermined value. A wheel speed calculation is performed whenever three successive input times are recorded. The sample size n is further adjusted until the difference between successive sample-to-sample intervals becomes greater than a second predetermined value. An arithmetic operation for deriving wheel acceleration is performed after the input times for three successive adjusted pulse sampled are recorded.

Abstract: An anti-skid control system samples the input timing of the first pulse of a group of a given number of sensor signal pulses, which given number is so adjusted that the difference between the durations of successive pulse groups is great enough to perform the anti-skid control operation based thereupon. The anti-skid control system performs the sampling operation as an interrupt routine intermittently interrupting a main job which derives a control signal for increasing, decreasing or holding the fluid pressure to be applied to the wheel cylinder. A count of the occurrence of interruption is incremented by one whenever an interrupt occurs and is decremented by one upon completion of each cycle of the main job. The sampling routine is performed in response to the first of each group of the given number of sensor signal pulses.

Abstract: An anti-skid control system takes a procedure for sampling input time data of every given number of sensor signals, which given number is adjusted so as to a difference of period of time measured with respect to mutually adjacent signal-to-signal intervals is great enough to perform the anti-skid control operation based thereupon. The anti-skid control system processes sampling operation as a job to be performed by interrupting main job for deriving control signal for increasing, decreasing or holding the fluid pressure to be applied to the wheel cylinder. The occurrences of interruption are counted up whenever it occurs and counted down upon each cycle of main job is completed. The job for sampling the input time data a performed at each time of inputting of the every given number of sensor signals.

Abstract: An improved reel servo for a recording and reproducing machine is disclosed. The reel servo as well as other servos in the machine are controlled by a single microprocessor which results in greater inherent communication between such servos and significantly improved operating capabilities. The reel servo itself is adapted to have the supply and take-up reels operate in different kinds of close loop servo control during various operating modes. The servo circuitry provides instantaneous information to the microprocessor for determining the diameter of tape that is wrapped on each of the reels. The reel servo has the capability of performing high speed shuttle and cueing operations without engaging the capstan and the tensioning arm can be positioned to provide the appropriate tape tension during shuttling in both the forward and reverse directions. An acceleration loop controls the supply reel so that the tape tension is maintained within predetermined upper and lower limits.

Abstract: In an MWD measurement system, the speed of rotation of a downhole turbine is measured by the interaction of a triaxial magnetometer in a sensor package and a permanent magnet attached to the turbine shaft. The triaxial magnetometer may be part of an existing MWD system for measuring borehole directional parameters. The magnet is a strong magnet mounted on the turbine shaft perpendicular to the axis of the turbine and the axis of the drill string.

Abstract: A pulse counting device wherein a number of pulses is stored in a first register out of a plurality of registers, and subsequently a new pulse number counted is stored in the first register and pulse numbers stored in the registers are successively shifted with a pulse number erased from a final register. The pulse numbers stored in the respective registers are corrected dependent on the latest pulse number stored in the first register, and a value dependent on the corrected values stored in all of the registers is displayed. If the latest pulse number is abruptly varied in excess of a certain preset value upon comparison with the pulse numbers in the registers, then the pulse numbers in the registers are corrected with a value dependent on the latest pulse number.

Abstract: An incremental encoder rotational position detecting apparatus for detecting the incremental rotational position of a rotating member includes a rotatable disk plate rotated with the rotating member, a stationary disk plate opposite to the rotatable plate, and a detector circuit for supplying a rectangular signal to the stationary plate. The stationary plate has first, second, third and fourth electrodes and an earth electrode grounded. The earth electrode is arranged between the first electrode and the third electrode to reduce a distribution capacitance produced between the first and third electrodes. The rectangular signals with opposite phase to each other are applied between the first and second electrodes or the third and fourth electrodes of the stationary plate.

Abstract: Motor test circuit for supplying an error indication signal if the speed variations of a motor under test exceed predetermined limits. The circuit includes a frequency-to-voltage converter or other source of voltage proportional to the motor speed and a reference source derived from the converter's output signal so that the test results are independent from errors due to drift in the converter's parameters caused by time, temperature, or other effects.

Abstract: A meter overdrive protection circuit is provided using a variable duty cycle drive pulse. Such meters usually comprise speedometers and tachometers used in highway vehicles such as trucks. A programmable pulse generator is utilized to provide a series of pulses of a selected width depending on the truck model. A sensor input corresponding to the rate of rotation of the drive shaft of the truck is used to trigger the pulse generator to produce each output pulse. Such output pulses are supplied to a meter drive which, based on the time average value of the output pulses received, displays an output value related to the rate of rotation of the truck drive shaft. Upon the triggering inputs exceeding a preselected frequency, a microcomputer will change the pulse generator operation to a fixed duty cycle operation whereupon the meter will be held to a full scale deflection. When the triggering inputs decrease below the preselected frequency, the pulse generator will be returned to a triggering output mode.

Abstract: Cruise control system and method for maintaining a vehicle such as an automobile at a desired speed. An overspeed sensor monitors the engine speed and disengages the system in the event of a sudden increase in the engine speed, as occurs, for example, when the clutch of a vehicle having a manual transmission is disengaged.

Abstract: An evaluation arrangement for a digital incremental transmitter of the type wherein two phase-shifted sinusoidal voltages of the same period are produced generates a periodic triangular voltage signal which is subsequently converted to digital values. The digital values are produced in response to an interlinking of linear portions of the sinusoidal voltages. The digital values are used to address a read-only memory in which are stored a plurality of absolute values within a period.

Abstract: A counter is provided to count an output pulse which a pulse generator generates each time a vehicle moves by a predetermined distance. A microprocessor is provided to actuate a timer in synchronism with the leading edges of the output pulse from the pulse generator. The timer is set to a constant time interval during which the speed of the vehicle is to be detected. The microprocessor calculates the speed of the vehicle from the count of the counter which count is a value during the time interval from when the timer starts to operate to when the pulse generator generates a pulse just before or after the end point of the set time interval. Thus, the speed of the vehicle can be detected with good resolution and precision.

Abstract: A motor speed detector employs a magnetic sensor for detecting rotational movement of rotor armature segments of the motor and for producing real tachometer pulses in response to such movement. False tachometer pulses produced by extraneous non-rotor motor components are discriminated against to produce a signal representative of actual motor rotational speed.

Abstract: An engine control apparatus includes a microprocessor, a ROM for holding a program required for the operation of the microprocessor, and a RAM for holding data supplied from the microprocessor. Pulse signals representative of results of the arithmetic operations executed by the arithmetic unit on the basis of input signals available from various sensors as well as data stored in the memory in accordance with the program are supplied to actuators for controlling engine operations through an input/output circuit. The control apparatus further includes a counter for counting crank angle pulses produced in synchronism with rotation of the engine shaft, an interrupt request generating circuit for requiring an interrupt to the microprocessor when overflow occurs in the counter. In response to every interrupt request, the microprocessor causes the count value held in the RAM to be incremented by unity.

Abstract: A speed detecting apparatus having a detector (101) for generating two sine-wave signals (PA, PB) which are .pi./2 out of phase with each other and have a frequency proportional to the speed of rotation of a motor so that actual-speed voltages (V.sub.L, V.sub.H) can be produced which are proportional to the speed of rotation of the motor. The speed detecting apparatus includes a quadrupling circuit and a frequency-to-voltage converter 107. Also included is a first speed generator for generating the actual-speed voltage (V.sub.H) in a high-speed range and a second speed generator which includes a four-phase rectangular signal generating circuit (106), a differentiating circuit (109), and a synchronous rectifier circuit (110) for producing the actual-speed voltage (V.sub.L) in a low-speed range. The voltages generated by the first and second speed generators are selectively issued as an output depending on whether the motor rotates at a high speed or a low speed.

Abstract: About a bobbin, there are wound primary coils in axially displaced locations and wound also is a secondary coil. A core is linearly slidably provided in the bobbin. The primary coils are individually excited by AC signals which are out of phase with each other, e.g. a sine wave signal and a cosine wave signal. The secondary coil thereupon produces an output signal resulting from phase shifting the applied sine or cosine wave signal in accordance with a linear position of the core. Accordingly, the linear position can be detected by measuring phase difference between a reference AC signal and the output signal of the secondary coil. Likewise, velocity and acceleration change may be determined using the position change data.

Abstract: A detection signal of a frequency corresponding to a rotational frequency is applied to a frequency-voltage converter and its converted voltage signal is provided to a sine-cosine current generator, from which sine-wave and cosine-wave currents having sine and cosine values corresponding to the voltage value of the voltage signal are supplied to a cross-coil rotary magnet type indicator for providing an indication of the rotational frequency by a pointer. When the power source is cut off, interruption of the power source voltage supply to the frequency-voltage converter and the sine-cosine current generator is delayed by delay means and, in the delay time, the input to the sine-cosine current generator is reduced, returning the pointer to the zero point. The indicator further includes a zero-resetting magnet which interacts with the rotary magnet to force the pointer to move to said zero point.

Abstract: A digital tachometer in which first pulses are produced at a rate proportional to the speed of a device. Second pulses are produced at a constant rate which exceeds the maximum rate of the first pulses, and a binary counter provides a binary count of the second pulses produced between two consecutive first pulses. A look-up table memory provides several blocks of addressable storage locations containing digital representations of speed. The MSB of the binary count selects a specific block of the memory, and the address of the selected block is derived from the binary count.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement and method for use with a flow metering device for reliably converting a multiphase flow signal including a plurality of input phase signals into a multiphase output signal accurately representing the amount and direction of fluid flow. From each of the input phase signals is derived a sequence of instantaneous graduated reference levels. Each of the input phase signals is compared with an associated sequence of reference levels. A first pulse train is provided when an input phase signal crosses its associated reference level in an ascending direction and a second pulse train is provided when the reference levels are crossed in a descending direction. The amount and direction of fluid flow is then determined from the combined pulse trains generated by the level crossings of each of the input phase signals.

Abstract: An electronic integrating meter comprises a rotatable body having a magnet attached thereto and rotatable in proportion to a quantity to be measured, a magneto-resistive element having a pair of resistances variable responsive to the magnetic field generated as the magnet varies in position upon rotation of said rotatable body, a circuit for generating first clock pulses during intervals of time alternately variable based on two time constants determined by said resistances each time a second clock signal is applied, a device for producing a switching control signal from the second clock signal, and a counter responsive to said switching control signal for counting the first clock pulses during the alternate periods of time determined by the two time constants and for producing the difference between the resulting counts, a flip-flop for producing an output each time the excess between counts switches from one train to the other and logic apparatus for weighting the output of the flip-flop.

Abstract: An operational amplifier is used as a threshold switch and an inductive generator that provides a wave used for timing operation of the threshold switch also feeds a circuit that produces a reference current corresponding to the average absolute magnitude of the generator voltage, which, in turn, is fed to at least one current mirror, the output of which is used to shift the operating threshold of the operational amplifier. A second current mirror is used in alternation with the first for half-waves of the generator voltage which are of opposite polarity and a positive feedback connection around the operational amplifier provides a switching characteristic having an appropriate amount of hysteresis so that the inherent timing shift is compensated on switching in response to both positive-going and negative-going portions of the generator output wave.

Abstract: A system for converting mechanical movement of a body under detection to a digital signal comprises a synchro generator having a primary and a secondary windings movable relative to each other, one of the windings capable of being coupled to said body, an exciting circuit for providing multiple-phase exciting currents to the primary winding at a frequency higher than the frequency corresponding to the maximum speed of the body, and a phase-locked-loop control circuit responsive to the output of the secondary winding for generating a frequency-multiplied digital signal at a frequency equal to the product of the frequency of an AC signal induced in the secondary winding and a predetermined factor.

Abstract: A speed meter system for a vehicle which comprises a first pulse generator for providing pulses in accordance with the speed or engine speed of a vehicle, a first counter which is coupled to the first pulse generator for counting the number of pulses generated by the pulse generator, a second counter and a comparator coupled to the first and second counters for comparing the counts therein, the comparator producing a first judgement signal indicative of whether the count of the first counter is larger than or smaller than the count of the second counter and a second judgement signal indicative of the equality or inequality of the counts in the first and second counts. A gate circuit is coupled to the comparator for receiving the second judgement signal therefrom, the gate being opened when the second judgement signal indicates an inequality and closed when the second judgement signal indicates equality.

Abstract: The present invention describes an adjustable speedometer/odometer to accommodate various vehicle drive configurations such as a variety of vehicle tire size and rear axle ratios. The range adjustment is made at the factory or by service personnel, and is implemented by a plurality of switches, insuring a positive selection of the desired range value, thereby eliminating the need for calibration. The conventional mechanical speedometer/odometer and speedometer cable are replaced by a signal transducer mounted on the transmission, and an electronic speedometer unit. The transducer sends signal pulses to the electronic speedometer unit that displays the vehicle speed and distance travelled, by a moving-magnet meter and an incremental counter, respectively. In addition, the range of the speedometer/odometer is switched to accommodate a dual-axle ratio differential according to a signal from an axle mounted switch.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for mounting a rotational signal transducer on a rotary shaft where the transducer generates a signal proportional to the shaft's rotational velocity. The apparatus includes a gear mounted for rotation with the shaft. A support platform is rotatably secured to the shaft by a roller bearing. The roller bearing permits the shaft and platform to rotate relative to one another but prevents relative axial motion between the shaft and platform. A transducer is mounted on the platform and operably aligned over the gear and generates a signal as gear teeth pass the transducer. A torque rod pivotally fixed to both the platform and a stationary support restrains the platform from rotating with the shaft. The pivotal connections of the torque rod permit the platform to move axially with the shaft.

Abstract: A speed measurement system including a magnetic pickup positioned in proximate relation to a driven element of a gas turbine engine having a plurality of discontinuities therein. The pickup providing a pulse per every discontinuity and thus a multiplicity of pulses for every revolution of the driven element. Conditioning circuitry connected to the pickup for generating a strobe pulse signal for every discontinuity. Interval measuring circuitry receiving interval signals asynchronous to the strobe pulses of a predetermined period which are to form a measurement period which is exactly related to a count of the strobe pulses over a measurement period. Additionally included is circuitry used to lengthen the measurement period up to a maximum of N intervals for increasing the low frequency response of the system.

Abstract: A digital shaft speed sensor modifies a clock frequency and counting period to provide a speed signal having wide dynamic range with adequate resolution. The division ratio of a programmable divider counting pulses from a shaft encoder is modified by a central processing unit based on the count or speed measured in a preceding counting. The output of the programmable divider sets an interval during which clock pulses are counted to determine the shaft speed. Since the dividing ratio of the programmable divider is dynamically changed according to previous speed measurements, the total number of clock pulses is correspondingly changed. In addition, the output frequency of the clock pulses is changed so that, at low speed, a low clock frequency can be used and at higher speeds, one or more higher clock frequencies can be used to maintain resolution with reasonable memory size.

Abstract: An object displacement sensor specifically adapted for high speed counting of passing nonmagnetic objects is disclosed which has a resonant circuit made up of at least one inductive element 2 and a condensor whose one plate consists of a conductive surface 3 and whose other plate is successively formed by each object 4 passing close to this surface 3. The resonant circuit is connected to a first oscillator 6 which determines the functioning frequency such that the signal issued from the first oscillator 6 is modulated in frequency to the rhythm of the passage of the objects 4.

Abstract: An electric tachometer having a bar-graph display representing revolutions per minute (r.p.m.) on two scales. One scale shows normal r.p.m. while an expanded scale is provided to more accurately indicate r.p.m. while an expanded scale is provided more accurately to indicate r.p.m. lower than a predetermined value. A detector determines whether engine r.p.m. is above a predetermined value and a selector switch permits selection to normal or an expanded display.

Abstract: A quad-gate demodulator circuit for capacitive transducers in which analog gate devices replace the diodes of a prior art diode-quad bridge circuit. This improvement eliminates the temperature and ratiometricity errors associated with the diode-quad circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing improved rotational speed determination for a rotating shaft. Two probes positioned adjacent a circular disk which rotates with the shaft scan markings on the disk and generate four out-of-phase signals in response to rotation of the shaft. A switch, controlled by logic circuitry which detects intersections of the signals, develops a composite saw-tooth-shaped signal from the four signals. A counter counts the number of crossings of the composite signal with a reference "zero" value to develop a determination of the number of discrete angular positions traversed by the shaft during a specified time interval. A memory stores the value of the composite signal at the start of the time interval. Computation circuitry develops a rotational speed based on the counted number of positions, corrected by a factor derived from the difference between the stored value and the value of the composite signal at the end of the interval.

Abstract: An evaluation circuit for receiving the output signals from a tachometer, the output signal consisting of first and second speed-proportional pulse trains which are phase-shifted with respect to one another in response to the direction of rotation. The evaluation circuit converts the phase-shifted pulse trains into a speed-proportional pulse train having a frequency which is four times that of the first and second pulse trains, and into a separate sign signal indicative of the direction of rotation. The first and second pulse trains are conducted to respective first and second signal memories which are controlled by a clock signal. In one embodiment, four possible states for the combined first and second pulse trains are assigned respective designating numbers. The count in a bidirectional counter is caused to follow changes in the designating numbers, the bidirectional counter counting pulses from the clock signal until such coincidence is achieved.

Abstract: A speed detector comprises a rotary shaft for rotation with a sewing machine, a ring-shaped permanent magnet uniformly magnetized in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotary shaft, at least one ring-shaped, internally toothed ferromagnetic member or stator and an externally toothed ferromagnetic circular member or rotor which is secured to the rotary shaft inside the stator to form a varying air gap between the opposing teeth. The permanent magnet and the two ferromagnetic members are disposed to form a closed loop magnetic circuit in which a ring-shaped coil is disposed. The air gap and hence the reluctance of the magnetic circuit changes periodically with the revolution of the rotary shaft so that a voltage is generated in the coil which varies at a frequency proportional to the operational speed of the sewing machine.

Abstract: The physical condition of a bicycle rider is tested by monitoring the heart beat of the rider and the distance traversed during testing. A portable electronic instrument housing includes a digital computer responsive to signals indicative of the heart beat and travel distance, numerical quantities associated with physiological parameters of the rider, and a clock source to derive signals indicative of different physical activities of the rider. The distance signal is derived by mounting a permanent magnet in a reflector carried by wheel spokes of the bicycle. A first reed switch responds to flux from the permanent magnet to derive a pulse for each wheel revolution. A pulse for each revolution of the bicycle sprocket assembly, derived by a second permanent magnet-reed switch combination, is coupled to the computer and combined with the clock source to derive a signal indicative of number of sprocket assembly turns per unit length of time.

Abstract: A digital speed measurement circuit for an engine includes a magnetic pick-up positioned adjacent an engine-driven gear having a substantial number of teeth so that the pick-up produces a number of speed pulses per revolution of the gear. These pulses are shaped into square waves by a signal conditioning circuit and connected through a synchronizing circuit which responds to the trailing edge of each square wave to produce a triggering pulse, with each triggering pulse supplied to a tooth counter. A high speed clock is connected to a second counter which is reset with each triggering pulse. Sampling pulses are produced in an associated control system which is not coordinated with the speed pulse but which are longer in duration than any of the speed pulses and which control the flow of tooth counts to the tooth counter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electric type speed meter which comprises a pulse generating means for generating a pulse signal corresponding to a vehicle speed. A control circuit means counts the number of output pulses of the pulse generating means during predetermined time intervals and discriminates between a positive and negative difference between the number of pulses counted during a predetermined time interval and the number of pulses counted in a preceding time interval. The control circuit means generates a pulse signal corresponding to the difference therebetween. A pulse motor driving circuit applies the output of the control circuit means to a pulse motor for controlling the pulse motor in either a forward or reverse direction. An indicator means is operable in response to the pulse motor for indicating a speed corresponding to the speed thereof.

Abstract: A wheel speed measuring circuit includes a counter controlled by a wheel speed signal having a frequency proportional to the rotational speed of the wheel sensed by a wheel speed sensor associated with a wheel; a comparator for comparing the digital output of the counter with a predetermined digital value; a wheel speed generating circuit for generating a digital output corresponding to the rotational speed of the wheel on the basis of the output of the comparator; and a pulse generator for generating pulses of a frequency proportional to the digital output of the wheel speed generating circuit, the pulse generator receiving the digital output of the wheel speed generating circuit, wherein the counter receives the output pulses of the pulse generator to count the output pulses thereof for the period of the wheel speed signal or for a time interval relating to the period of the wheel speed signal, and the digital output of the counter is compared with the predetermined digital value in the comparator.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the invention includes a vibration sensor put near a traffic lane and for forming an analog signal the frequency values of which are stored when the analog signal is equal to a reference value. The speed is computed from the two stored values.

Abstract: Piston position detector for generating an electrical signal varying linearly with piston travel of a piston machine. The device comprises a metal cylinder rotating about an eccentric axis synchronously with the crankshaft of the piston machine, the ratio of eccentricity to cylinder radius being substantially equal to the ratio of crank length to connecting rod length of the piston machine. The cylinder surface is faced by the probe of an eddy-current distance meter, the arrangement being such that the desired linear relation is obtained.

Abstract: A skid control device employs a wheel speed sensor and the control circuit which includes a microcomputer. The microcomputer computes wheel speed on the basis of a pulse signal derived from the wheel speed sensor and delivers a break releasing signal when the wheels slip. A brake control apparatus for controlling the pressure of oil for applying the brakes to the wheels responds to the outputs of the microcomputer. The microcomputer contains a free-running counter which counts clock pulses and a memory containing a sequence of storage locations. This sequence of storage locations stores count values of the free-running counter. A pulse signal from the wheel speed sensor is employed to produce an interrupt request for the microcomputer. The contents of successively adjacent locations in memory are employed by the microcomputer for carrying out the necessary calculations and computing wheel speed.

Abstract: In order to develop a suitable analogous voltage to the speed of operation of slow moving machinery having cyclical characteristics, the instant invention provides means for generation of a repetitive electrical input signal for each revolution of cycle of machine operation. The time between repetitions of the input signal is measured, the reciprocal of the elapsed time between cycles or revolutions is calculated, appropriately scaled, and presented as a voltage analog which is proportional to the speed at which the machinery operates. This voltage analog signal may be utilized in conjunction with analog or digital totalizing circuitry to provide totalized signals that may be used to identify the point at which preventative maintenance should be conducted.

Abstract: A system for and a method of recording information concerning vehicle operation comprising a logic circuit interfacing with a microprocessor whereby accurate velocity information can be recorded to provide a precise record of operation, including acceleration and deceleration information, over a period of time.

Abstract: The speed proportional frequency signal from the speed generator being checked is amplified and applied to a highpass filter-rectifier with a low frequency limit corresponding to a predetermined minimum train speed. Polarity of the rectified output is opposite to the DC operating energy so that, with four-terminal load resistor and smoothing capacitor, the filter-rectifier operation is vital. The rectified signal activates an oscillator level detector when its level exceeds the breakdown of a Zener diode control device selected to correspond to minimum speed output. The level detector is coupled by a stepdown transformer to a differential amplifier biased by a signal supplied from an associated zero speed detector. The bias signal has sufficient level to enable the differential amplifier to produce an output in response to the level detector input only when the train speed is greater than zero.

Abstract: A circuit (10) and method for converting a circuit input frequency signal (f.sub.i) to a circuit output frequency signal (f.sub.o) comprising a phase-locked loop (22) for multiplying the input frequency signal (f.sub.i) by a value M to produce a multiple frequency signal (f.sub.i M), and a presettable divider for dividing the frequency signal (f.sub.i M) by a settable value N to produce the output frequency signal (f.sub.o). The circuit (10) and method are used to determine engine speed by converting the signal (f.sub.i) to the signal (f.sub.o) which can be used with a counter having a one second time base to determine such speed. The conversion occurs in the frequency domain and follows smoothly any change in engine speed.

Abstract: In apparatus for measuring injection speed of an injection molding machine having a piston rod reciprocated by an injection cylinder of the injection molding machine, a plunger rod having, at an end thereof, a plunger tip slidably received in a plunger sleeve connected to a die, and a plunger coupling for interconnecting the plunger rod and the piston rod, the plunger coupling is provided with a projection. A proximity switch detects the projection while the plunger coupling moves. In accordance with the output of the proximity switch, the speed of the plunger coupling is computed.

Abstract: A device senses changes in a frequency or speed to be displayed. A display control circuit controls the time interval for updating the display, according to the magnitude of a sensed change in the frequency or speed, thereby avoiding flickering of the display, as well as improving the accuracy and up-to-dateness of the frequency or speed displayed.

Abstract: An event rate counter for measuring the number of events occurring per unit of time with an input pulse train having a fixed number of pulses per each occurrence of the event, wherein the input pulse train is scaled by a multiplier and divider to provide a direct readout in events-per-unit of time. The input pulse train is amplified and applied to a level detector, the output of which is a logic level pulse train having frequency equal to the frequency of the input signal. The pulse train frequency is monitored by a frequency detector for controlling a commutative switch. For low frequency pulse trains, the switch gates the pulse train from the level detector first to the multiplier, the output of which is gated by the switch to the divider. The multiply-divide sequence order is reversed by the switch for high frequency pulse trains thereby extending the dynamic frequency range of the counter.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for measuring the instantaneous speed of an index point on a rotating part. The part may be a toothed gear or a wheel of an engine, and the index point may be an identifiable point on the part. The system comprises a sensor that is mounted adjacent the part, the sensor including two sensing elements that are spaced apart in the direction of movement of the point as the part rotates. As the point passes the sensor, it causes a first pulse to be produced by one element and then a second pulse to be produced by the other element. The system further includes circuitry that responds to the two time-spaced pulses and produces an indication of the time interval between the two pulses. This time interval is a function of the speed of the point which in turn is proportional to the rate of rotation of the part. In the instance where the part is attached to an engine flywheel, the time interval is also an inverse function of engine RPM.

Abstract: A vehicular hazard warning system has an indicator on the vehicle that is energizable to yield a warning signal. The onset of a hazardous condition is detected and, as a result, a control signal is developed which has a variable parameter the amount of which is proportional to the degree of hazard represented by the condition. In response to that condition, the indicator is energized in a manner which quantitatively has a magnitude that is proportional to the amount of hazard. The system primarily responds to abrupt deceleration. It also preferably is responsive to such other inputs as brake pressure, wheel speed change, inertial forces and operator-controlled pedal movement.

Abstract: A velocity decoder system capable of providing information on a wide range of velocities is disclosed. Initially, an estimated velocity of the actual velocity is entered in the system. Then by constantly updating and correcting the estimated velocity in view of the actual velocity, accurate velocity information on a system is obtained almost instantaneously. To broaden the range of velocities decoded without unduly complicating the decoder system or greatly decreasing the sampling rate, circuitry for autoranging that enable utilization of common circuits for different ranges is implemented.