Np Industries, Inc.

Other

The State University of New York

Columbus Mckinnon Corporation

Elan Home Systems

Raymond A Newman

Robert H Broyden

Robert P Farinelli, Jr

Steve Christensen

Robert C Dearstyne

Randall J Gephart

David W Dayton

Joseph L Magner

Douglas E Schenk

Randy Fisher

Roger A Schroeder

An example embodiment is directed to use in a facility benefiting from the distribution of audio throughout different facility zones ('audio zones'), with each audio zone receiving an audio signal from a remotely-located audio distribution controller. For controlling audio at a user-controlled speaker load located in one of the audio zones, a circuit arrangement includes isolation circuit, speaker load circuit, user-input device and an audio control unit. The isolation circuit generates a transformed audio signal by provide an impedance-matched termination and by permitting one of a number of impedance-matching circuits to be set wherein each impedance-matching circuit provides a different amount of electrical power to the speaker load. The speaker load circuit delivers, in response to the transformed audio signal, audible signals in the audio zone. The audio control unit has a microprocessor adapted to control the delivery of the audible signals in response to the input commands generated via the user-input device.

Approach for controlling audio signals in remote location

Methods and apparatus are provided for transporting a disabled person in a carrying means. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a dual-track structure for supporting a hoist and trolley which are controlled by the disabled person. In a further embodiment, the structure is designed to be supported by a floor and ceiling together, or by a floor alone, and is adjustable to accommodate rooms of different dimensions. A still further embodiment of the invention includes mechanical and electronic safety means for the hoist which senses a malfunction and provides an appropriate response thereto, such as sounding an alarm and/or lowering the hoist at a specific pre-programmed location and at a controlled descent rate. The embodiments may be used independently or in concert in accordance with the invention. One method of the invention comprises transporting the disabled person utilizing the dual-track structure controlled by the disabled person. Another method comprises utilizing the structure supported by a floor and ceiling togther, and still another method comprises providing safety for the disabled person being transported by sensing a malfunction and providing an appropriate response to the malfunction. The methods may be used independently or together.

Method and apparatus for transporting a disabled person

Load position limits and incremental lowering of a load are controlled by a microprocessor forming an interface between an operator's control station and the hoist. Other hoist status conditions such as underspeed and overspeed of the hoist motor are detected by the microprocessor based upon hoist speed during the position limit setting cycle. Still other hoist status data such a motor overheating, number of power-up cycles, number of under and overspeed shut-downs, number of power failures, etc. are input to the microprocessor and all such data as up-dated are entered into a non-volatile memory which, when extracted, permits maintenance scheduling.

Microprocessor-controlled hoist system

A system for the automatic measurement of the level, flow rate, and flow volume of liquid flowing through a channel is described. An echolocation system operates to detect returns from the surface of the liquid in the channel during successive transmission cycles in response to the reflection of sonic signals. A source of pulses having a frequency which provides a certain number of pulses corresponding to the travel time of the sonic signals over a distance equal to a maximum predetermined level or head of the liquid in the channel provides pulses from which the liquid level, flow rate, and flow volume can be obtained. The control of the frequency of the pulses from which the measurements are obtained may be accomplished by a digital phase locked loop system to minimize the effects of changes in ambient condition, such as temperature, vapor pressure, and composition of atmosphere as often occurs in such conduits. The system may therefore be used for monitoring liquid levels in a container, effluents, such as waste water in a sewage system and controlling the sampling of such waste water each time a preset volume thereof is discharged via the conduit. Also solids levels in a container may be measured as may any distance from the transducer according to its preset range.

Digital phase locked loop frequency control system

A system for controlling operations of a process or of another system or apparatus which must perform its operations in precise time sequence. The control system also initiates the performance of successive cycles of such sequences of operations with the same precision of timing as the operations themselves. A timing generator which operates from or includes a constant frequency source produces pulses of constant periodicity which time the operations so that they occur in selected time sequence during each cycle, starting when a cycle is initiated. The timing of the operations and their duration may be preset for the process, apparatus or system to be controlled. A large timing range is provided to meet the needs of the particular process system or apparatus and to make adjustments as may be required in the field. The cycles of operation sequences may be selected in accordance with the mode of operation desired. A preset interval timer operated by the timing generator may be selected by the mode selector to initiate the cycles of operation at preset time intervals. Other apparatus which may be located remotely from the control system may initiate a cycle of operations. Control of the operations in response to external control signals such for example as represents the level of liquid or other materials being processed or monitored, may be used to control the duration of an operation and if the signal does not arrive, to terminate the cycle of operations and indicate a fault condition.

Operations control system

A system for the automatic measurement of the level, of material in a container and especially of liquid flowing through a channel is described. An echolocation system operates to detect returns of reflected sonic signals from the surface of the liquid in the channel during successive transmission cycles. A source of pulses is provided having a frequency which provides a certain number of pulses corresponding to the travel time of the sonic signals over a distance equal to a maximum predetermined level or head of the liquid in the channel. The time interval between signal transmission and reception is excess of twice the time for travel of the signals between the transmitter and the maximum level of liquid is a measurement of the liquid level in the channel. A first return from a reference reflector disposed in the path of the sonic signals to the surface of the liquid in the channel is utilized in the echolocation system to provide signals for controlling the frequency of the pulses from which the level measurements are obtained. The echolocation system is operative to provide the sonic signals in a burst during a preset interval of time at the beginning of each transmission cycle and to recognize a return as a true return after a number of signals as was transmitted are detected during a certain period of time upon reception. The transmission cycles are repeated each time a sequence of pulses corresponding to the maximum predetermined level is generated, such that the transmission cycles and the measurements are repeated continuously.

Echo location system which provides for measuring liquid level and flow

To measure liquid flow through channels with various cross sections, detectors of liquid level and velocity are placed in proximity to the liquid to measure flow in terms of the product of the cross sectional area of the fluid and its velocity. Adjustable switches are employed to provide input signals to the computation circuitry which are constants while the detectors provide the data signals which result from the dynamic measurements.

Flow measuring system

A system for the automatic measurement of the level of material in a container and especially of liquid flowing through a channel is described. An echolocation system operates to detect returns of reflected sonic signals from the surface of the liquid in the channel during successive transmission cycles. A source of pulses is provided having a frequency which provides a certain number of pulses corresponding to the travel time of the sonic signals over a distance equal to a maximum predetermined level or head of the liquid in the channel. The time interval between signal transmission and reception in excess of twice the time for travel of the signals between the transmitter and the maximum level of liquid is a measurement of the liquid level in the channel. A first return from a reference reflector disposed in the path of the sonic signals to the surface of the liquid in the channel is utilized in the echolocation system to provide signals for controlling the frequency of the pulses from which the level measurements are obtained. The echolocation system is operative to provide the sonic signals in a burst during a preset interval of time at the beginning of each transmission cycle and to recognize a return as a true return after the same number of signals as was transmitted are detected during a like period of time upon reception. The transmission cycles are repeated each time a sequence of pulses corresponding to the maximum predetermined level is generated, such that the transmission cycles and the measurements are repeated continuously.

Growing community of inventors

Cheektowaga, NY, United States of America

Raymond A Newman