Abstract: The present invention employs rotary switches that can be electromechanically set or reset remotely. Typical, although not limiting, is the use of the switch of the present invention by a trainer located remotely from students' STE. Manual operation is still possible. This allows the setting of the rotary switches to an initial position prior to the trainees beginning their testing. This facilitates remote setup and thereby saves the instructor significant time in manually resetting the rotary switches.

Abstract: An electrical power system to provide a selected voltage to a load such as a fluorescent lighting system is characterized by a winding 3 having a positive end connected to a positive rail and is tapped at a predetermined position for supplying an output terminal with a selected voltage. A first relay contact can electrically connect a neutral end of the winding to a neutral rail to provide one selected voltage or a second relay contact can electrically short-circuit a predetermined number of turns of the winding in response to a request for a second selected voltage. When a fault condition is monitored, a third relay contact can electrically short-circuit the neutral end of the winding to the predetermined position to put the system into a failsafe condition which prevents turns of the winding being open circuit.

Abstract: A low voltage power inverter utilizes reed switches to control a number of display tubes. The reed switches are controlled by magnetic coils or permanent magnets. The magnetic coils receive a control signal from a control circuit. The control circuit is powered by a capacitor coupled around a power lead and a capacitor coupled around a return lead. The permanent magnet is coupled to a mechanical actuator.

Abstract: A make-before-break bypass switch is combined with a pair of probes projecting from a support where a member is provided with sockets to slidably receive the probes. The probes define a gap in a first RF circuit. The corresponding sockets are connected by a second RF circuit. A pair of spring clips on the support are connected by a bypass circuit on the support and are designed on retraction of the sockets from the probes to connect a bypass circuit between the probes before the sockets are completely disconnected from the probes. On application of the sockets, the sockets are designed to connect to the probes before a part of the member disconnects the spring clips from the probe. If the first RF circuit may carry signals in either direction and the second RF circuit is directional, the probes and sockets may be arranged to allow reversal of the sockets relative to the probes.

Abstract: A switch circuit for activating and deactivating a motor vehicle cruise control includes a 555 model timer integrated circuit which has a trigger terminal, a reset terminal, a threshold terminal, a control voltage terminal and an output terminal. A substantially constant voltage is applied to the threshold terminal. A first normally-open switch connected between the vehicle ground and the trigger terminal, and a second normally-open switch connected between vehicle ground and the reset terminal. Separate pull-up resistors connect the trigger and reset terminals of the timer to a positive voltage source and a capacitor couples the control voltage terminal to vehicle ground. A relay has a coil connected between the output terminal and vehicle ground, and has a switch that is connected between the common terminal and the ON control terminal of the cruise control. The 555 timer is configured as a latching circuit having an output which toggles in response to operation of the two normally-open switches.

Abstract: False ac signals produced by a noise suppression capacitor across a switch applying a switched ac line voltage signal to a logic input of a microprocessor in an electrical apparatus such as, for example, a contactor or circuit breaker, are phase shifted with respect to a true ac input by inserting two series resistors, and a diode shunting one resistor, between the switch and the logic input. This creates a larger window in which to discriminate between the zero crossings of the true and false ac signals.

Abstract: A capacity responsive keyboard which eliminates the necessity for metal films on the touch surface includes an insulated substrate having a plurality of electrically conductive plate members mounted thereon and a dielectric member positioned over the plate members. A piece of compressible, electrically-conductive foam is compressed between each plate member and the dielectric member to eliminate air from the electrical path between the dielectric member and the plate members. A grid of conductor segments separates the plate members defining a guard band to reduce interference between the switches. The guard band is connected with one power supply line of a switching circuit which produces outputs in response to capacity changes caused by a user touching the dielectric member.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for opening and closing contacts disposed on each phase of a multiphase electric power line has a photo-diode array and a light emitting diode array disposed on opposite sides of a driving rod of a driving mechanism, with a light passing aperture provided in the driving rod. When the aperture in the rod crosses the respective light paths between the photo-diodes and the corresponding light emitting diodes, the photo-diodes issue electric output signals corresponding to movement of the driving rod. By processing these output signals, any abnormal breaking of the breaker contacts among the phases is detected.

Abstract: An electric fence controller (20) interconnected to electric fence terminals (136, 138) by a three terminal spark gap arrangement (140) one terminal (142) being interconnected to the fence hot terminal (136), a second terminal (144) being interconnected to the fence ground terminal (138) and a third terminal (146) being interconnected to utility ground (48). High voltage surges on the electric fence will thus be diverted either to the local fence ground terminal (138) or to the utility ground (48) whichever ground has the least resistance to ground thereby assuring an effective ground so as to prevent damage due to lightning strikes.

Abstract: In a relay circuit, a stationary contact of a relay is coupled to a DC voltage source and a moving contact of the relay is coupled to a load circuit. The moving contact is switched to the stationary contact in response to a rapidly rising edge of a DC voltage applied to the relay. A voltage sensor is connected to the moving contact for detecting a voltage which appears thereat. For operating the relay, a switch is closed to apply a voltage from the DC voltage source to a pulse generator. The pulse generator generates a rectangular pulse and applies it to the relay to cause it to switch the moving contact to the stationary contact. If a voltage is not detected by the voltage sensor at the moving contact after energization of the relay, the pulse generator reapplies a rectangular pulse to the relay until a voltage appears at the moving contact, whereupon the pulse generator applies a constant voltage to the relay.

Abstract: An electrical circuit is employed for receiving current from a small battery and converting it into a large intermittent force which will move a heavy load. In the example shown the load is a clock spring which is wound in small increments by the large intermittent force. A capacitor is charged by the battery. The battery and capacitor, therefore, temporarily have a higher output current than the battery alone. The output of the battery and capacitor is applied to a solenoid for attracting an armature and providing the large force. The resulting movement of the armature opens the circuit to the solenoid but the solenoid remains energized temporarily since a small capacitor is across it. When the armature returns to its normal off position it reenergizes the solenoid. The resulting on and off operation of the solenoid continues until the clock spring is fully wound.

Abstract: A staged switch for conducting a large electrical current for an indefinite time period and then rapidly switching the current into a load circuit. The switch comprises a first stage which can conduct a large electrical current for an indefinite time period without damage to the stage and a second stage which is a fast-opening element. The first stage includes primary and secondary contacts wherein the primary contacts conduct a charging current and the secondary contacts divert the current into the fast-opening second stage. The secondary contacts "make" before the primary contacts "break", reducing the damage to the contacts which might otherwise be experienced. The second stage is a low-inductance element which reduces the level of energy absorbed by the first-stage contacts, minimizing damage to the contacts. The second-stage element may be constructed in a cartridge and may be loaded into the switch using an autoloader device.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electric fence energizer, including: two or more transformers, the primary windings of said transformers being connected to the main circuitry of the energizer and the secondary windings of the transformers being connected to an electric fence, the main circuitry including: a control circuit connected to the primary windings, said control circuit being responsive to the load upon the primary windings or secondary windings detected within the energizer; two or more energy generating devices connected to said control circuit and respectively controlled by said control circuit, said energy generating devices being also connected to the primary windings of the transformers, said control circuit being operative to active the energy generating devices in accordance with the load upon the energizer.

Abstract: A DC power controller for controlling the rate at which direct current is furnished to a load. A signal generator provides a periodic signal having a first value during a first portion of each period and a second value during a second portion of the period. A switch such as a power MOSFET enables direct current from the source to flow through the load during the time the signal has one of said values and prevents the current from flowing during the time the signal has the other value. A control is manually operable to vary the relative durations of the first and second portions of each period and thereby control the rate at which electric power is furnished to the load. A plurality of MOSFETS may be arranged in parallel if the load draws more current than one MOSFET can safely switch. Surge and back EMF protection are provided for inductive or variable resistance loads.

Abstract: A pulse generator is disclosed comprising a toothed disk which is rotatable with a rotary shaft and is capable of actuating at least two contact pairs for generating pulses and for sensing the direction of rotation of the rotary shaft via a rocker engaging the teeth of the toothed disk by means of a mating portion, the rocker being deflectable in different directions depending on the direction of rotation of the rotary shaft, the mating portion being movable out of engagement with a tooth space and into engagement with the following tooth space, and at least one contact spring of each contact being capable of being actuated in the range of the maximum deflections and prior to the return movement.

Abstract: An electrical firing arrangement for the sequential firing of a plurality of mortars stacked in end-to-end relationship within a single launching barrel. The firing arrangement comprises a pulse generator for producing mortar firing pulses and a circuit for applying these pulses to an electro-magnetic stepping switch which applies the pulses in turn over pairs of wires to igniters of the respective mortars as the stepping switch is stepped from one position to the next. The stepping switch comprises normally-open contacts which close when an operating coil is effectively energized by a firing pulse and switch wipers move out of engagement with one pair of associated contacts on the stepping switch towards the next pair of associated contacts on the same switch.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the state of a relay comprises an electrical insulation transformer whose secondary winding is connected, through a rectifier, to the output terminals of the relay. The primary winding of the transformer is in series with an oscillator having an impedance greater than that of the primary winding when the relay is closed. A transistor receives a signal from the primary winding and delivers an on-off output signal representing the impedance across the terminals of the relay.

Abstract: A multi-function circuit controller provides auxiliary control functions for an existing single-pole, single-throw toggle switch by counting the number of changes of state of the switch that occur within predesignated delay periods from one state change to the next. An encoder responsive to a sequencer counter develops control functions such as dimming and timing functions which attenuate the power delivered to the load and regulate the on-off time of the load. The invention may be used in conjunction with a household lighting circuit to provide these functions for an existing wall-mounted switch, thereby providing dimmer and programmable timing for the lighting normally controlled by the switch.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to ornamental lighting controls and particularly to a lighting control for Christmas tree lighting having preferably at least four duty cycle outputs and wherein the duty cycle pattern of each output differs, with respect to a predetermined time interval, from the duty cycle pattern of each of the other outputs of the control thereby to produce, in a plurality of ornamental lighting strings respectively connected to the outputs of the control, a coordinated condition of continuously changing light intensities between strings that occur in predetermined sequential time differing order to result in an overall lighting effect totally unobtainable by any other form of light controlling apparatus.The present device is an improvement over applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos.

Abstract: The timing controller includes a triac, a receptacle, and an AC wall outlet coupled in series. A sensor is coupled across the receptacle to sense when a lamp plugged therein is turned on or off. A microprocessor is coupled to the sensor circuit and stores each time the lamp is turned on and each time it is turned off. After twenty-four hours have lapsed, the microprocessor operates the electronic switch in accordance with the stored temporary program to turn the lamp on and off at the same times on each succeeding day. In the event of a power failure, the subsequent reapplication of power will cause the microprocessor to turn the lamp on and off for four-hour periods.

Abstract: To control the operation of a piezoelectric relay, control circuitry is disclosed for direct ohmic connection to a utility AC source to draw the minimal power required to actuate the relay's bimorph member pursuant to selectively switching power current through either one of two separate loads. The control circuitry, which is largely implimented in a single integrated circuit chip, utilizes isolating resistance and the capacitances of a voltage doubler circuit and the piezoceramic plate elements for transient suppression and circuit protection.

Abstract: An electromechanical pulse generator includes a toothed disk driven by a rotating shaft to operate two pairs of contacts to generate one pulse output and one direction-of-rotation output. The pulse contacts and the direction-of-rotation contacts operate independently of each other. The toothed disk is rotatable and axially displaceable. The axial displacement is dependent on the direction of rotation via an inclined plane in the form of a screw thread which is rotatable by the rotary shaft. By axial displacement of the toothed disk, the direction of rotation of the shaft is detected, and by rotation of the toothed disk, the pulses are generated.

Abstract: The circuit for controlling the stopping of equipment comprises a switch with two contacts and with a pushbutton able to bring about the switching of the contacts into an open position and a closed position. The circuit comprises a supplementary member which functions like the pushbutton and is controlled by a relay in series with one of the contacts of the switch, this relay being responsive to a remote control device.

Abstract: Automatic high insulation switch with low consumption level and small overall dimensions. The switch is associated with an apparatus for measuring very low currents (10.sup.-7 to 10.sup.-14 amperes) comprising an amplifier controlled by an input field effect transistor. The invention aims to switch on the amplifier's very high value resistors with the aid of magnetically controlled, flexible reed interrupters or switches, actuated by a permanent magnet, which is itself controlled by a conventional servomechanism having a motor and a potentiometer controlled by a microprocessor. Other interrupters ensure the protection of the transistor. The invention is more particularly used for measuring currents supplied by ionization chambers.

Abstract: Device and method for transmission of electric power between two parts turning at low relative speed. A flexible electrical conductor connects an intermediate part to the turning. A driving device is located between the intermediate part and the turning part with clutching means and electrical switching means disposed between the intermediate and fixed parts. Control means is located between a position detector and the electrical switching means and the clutching means. Thus, when the turning part has been displaced by a certain angle with respect to the fixed part, the electrical connection is displaced so as to cancel the twist which it has undergone because of the rotation of the turning part. The connection between the fixed part and the turning part is then reestablished for another rotation.

Abstract: An electric fence energizer which comprises a capacitor connected across a power supply to an output transformer. An SCR is provided between the capacitor and the primary stage of the transformer and the SCR is arranged to discharge the capacitor. A controllable switch is provided with a control circuit which controls the charge in the capacitor via the controllable switch and also triggers the SCR.

Abstract: A random timer including a reversible electric drive motor, an output means, and a power circuit connecting a power supply to the drive motor and output means and where two dissimilar cam type timing elements are controlled by the drive motor to provide irregular non-continuous operative phases of output energy, and the power circuit of the motor includes a switch which is opened temporarily by each power phase actuation of the timing elements to provide an opportunity for the drive motor to reverse and change the timer cycle.

Abstract: A controller which can be set to operate a group of sprinkler control valves, which can be easily set and tested for proper automatic operation, and which can operate a sprinkler system in a variety of ways. The controller includes a clock, a series of dividers for dividing down the frequency of the clock, and a group of controls that can be operated to begin sprinking cycles at predetermined times and close the sprinking control valves after predetermined durations. A selector control can be utilized to effectively increase the frequency of the clock, as by bypassing a divider stage, to operate the system at a very rapid rate, which is useful in testing the system for automatic operation after it is set and for repetitive short duration sprinkling cycles. The controller has a cascade input that enables the beginning of a cycle of operation by an external signal, to permit repeated cycling of the system, and to synchronize a group of controllers.

Abstract: A random timer including a drive motor, an output means, and a power circuit connecting a power supply to the drive motor and output means and where two dissimilar timing elements are controlled by the drive motor, and the power circuit includes a multi-contact switch having a normally closed terminal position and a normally open second terminal position, a control member associated with the switch to move it from its normally closed position to its second position, and a control means individually engageable with the two different timing elements for moving the control member to its actuated second position and interrupt power flow to the output means on an irregular basis.

Abstract: A controller for sequentially energizing a plurality of lights, such as commercial display lighting or Christmas tree light strings, includes a plurality of outlet receptacles into which the lights or light strings may be connected, a Triac for each receptacle to control the energization thereof, a timing circuit and a programmable gating circuit responsive to the timing circuit and generating gating signals for the Triacs according to any of several predetermined sequential combinations.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electric pulses is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a generator or oscillator for charging a storage capacitor and a control circuit for controlling the discharge of the capacitor through an output or discharge circuit which includes a controllable switch device and two output terminals or electrodes. In an embodiment, the output circuit also includes a high voltage output pulse transformer.Whenever a load resistance exists or occurs between the two output electrodes, a particular detector current will flow through the load resistance and through a specific detector or load sensing circuit in the apparatus. This detector current indicating that an external load resistance is present, will automatically start the charging generator which then will operate to charge and recharge the storage capacitor as long as the detector current exists, i.e. as long as the external load is present.

Abstract: A method and device according to which it becomes possible to operate a window shade automatically. Thus, by way of this method and device a window shade can be automatically closed during the night and automatically opened during the day. In this way it is possible to give to an unoccupied home an outside appearance tending to indicate that the occupants are at home.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for determining a precise switching sequence for the power switching elements of electric power delivery systems of the on-off switching type and which enables extremely fast transient response, precise regulation and highly stable operation. The control utilizes the values of the power delivery system power handling network components, a desired output characteristic, a system timing parameter, and the externally imposed operating conditions to determine where steady state operations should be in order to yield desired output characteristics for the given system specifications. The actual state of the power delivery system is continuously monitored and compared to a state-space boundary which is derived from the desired equilibrium condition, and from the information obtained from this comparison, the system is moved to the desired equilibrium condition in one cycle of switching control.

Abstract: An electric fence controller for controlling the charge on an electrified fence. A charging circuit is provided which includes a ferro-resonant input transformer. The transformer is provided with primary and secondary windings wound on separate legs of a saturable core. A capacitor is connected across the secondary winding and forms a resonant circuit with the secondary winding. An energy storing capacitive circuit is connected to the charging circuit. A voltage multiplying output circuit is connected to the capacitive circuit through a switching circuit. This arrangement enables the input to the transformer to be electrically isolated from the output circuit.