Kelsey-hayes Company

Twin Disc Incorporated

Mts Systems Corporation

Robert B Bertolasi

Dennis N Harvey

Paul C Blank

Dean J Bratel

Mark B Wilson

Robert N Schenk

Frederic E Nystrom

Michael B Gee

Steven B Hall

Dana L Birkland

Russel E Gates

Darryl S Babu

Klaus Meyersieck

David D N Vann

Richard A Zwicky

A programmable trim control system for marine applications preferably includes a controller, a control panel, a display device and a plurality of sensors. The controller receives input from the control panel and the plurality of sensors. The display device acts as a monitor for the controller. Each sensor monitors a single drive device, trim device or operational parameter. The controller further includes output ports connected to the drive devices and trim devices for controlling thereof. The trim control system preferably includes a manual mode, a diagnostic mode, a program mode and a preset mode. The positions or settings of the trim and drive devices are set in the program mode and recorded in the controller. Data stored in the controller will be accessed by the trim control system when in the preset mode.

Programmable trim control system for marine applications

An electronic control for the automatic transmission of a motor vehicle receives input signal in digital, analog, and pulsed form from signal generating devices responsive to operating conditions in the apparatus, processes them in accordance with a stored program and provides output signals to operate various tranducers. The electronic control is embodied in a stack of customized circuit boards. Each board is connected to a control bus (for information exchange between boards) and to an I/O signal bus (for information exchange between the apparatus and the electronic control). A connector board is connected to an electric power supply, to the signal generating devices, to the transducers and to visual display devices. A CPU (central processing unit) board protects against data loss in low/off power conditions. An input signal board employs high-speed logic circuits for measuring time length between leading edges of pulsed input signals to ascertain magnitude and rate of change of the rotational speed of certain components and actuates clutch solenoids accordingly. An output signal board embodies improved transducer-drive circuits for the clutch solenoids.

Electronic control for motor vehicle transmission

A non-contact, displacement transducer (optical extensometer), which is relatively simple to make and operate, and therefore low cost, utilizes 35 mm camera optics for the lens system and will focus a beam of light along a linear path of light sensitive elements representing a gauge length of a specimen or member. Flags or similar indicators that change the pattern of the light beam are mounted or marked on the specimen at two spaced loations. As the specimen is loaded, the flags will change in spacing, and, as shown, the change in the location of shadow will cause changes in the affected light sensitive elements which provide outputs that indicate displacement in the specimen. The sensing circuitry providing the output is compact and easily mounted within a module carrying the lens. The module may be mounted directly to a test specimen frame.

Optical displacement transducer usable as an extensometer

An analog/digital numerical control system that utilizes analog techniques to process large scale (macro) differences and digital techniques to process small scale (micro) differences. In this manner, advantage is taken of the respective virtues of both analog and digital processing techniques while avoiding the disadvantages associated with the exclusive use of either approach. In addition, a novel tach responsive braking generator is disclosed for particular use in controlling the positioning of high mass heads that is adapted to provide dynamic braking of the controlled machine assembly to accomplish proper positioning without 'hunting'.

Analog/digital numerical control system

A data display terminal that is particularly adapted for displaying data output from a batch computer. The invention utilizes a pair of conventional cathode ray tubes which are positioned adjacent one another so that the available display area is double that of a conventional display terminal. The terminal is adapted to display a line of data in sequence across both display screens. In this manner, with conventional 80 characters per line video monitors, a full 160 characters per line capability is realized. Further disclosed herein is circuitry for automatically positioning the display of data in relation to the 'fold' that exists between the two screens. The terminal is adapted to shift the displayed data either left or right as directed by the viewer so that the fold appears in a convenient location. The balance of the available viewing area is automatically filled with blanks. In addition to the conventional scrolling feature found on most data display terminals, a heading protect circuit is disclosed which prevents a designated heading from being scrolled off the top of the display screen as additional information is scrolled onto the bottom of the screen. Furthermore, the terminal is adapted to remember information scrolled off of the screen so that the information can be retrieved and displayed again at a later time. Finally, a separate message page is provided so that interactive batch communications such as error messages, will not overwrite the text being prepared by the terminal operator.

Dual-screen data display terminal for data processing units

An anti-spin control system for wheeled vehicles having an improved steering angle compensating unit which is preferably in the form of a potentiometer having a resistive element with opposite end terminals connected to a reference potential and an intermediate terminal which is connected to receive the wheel speed signal from its respective wheel speed sensor and which is asymetrically disposed with respect to the end terminals. The potentiometer additionally has a wiping arm which is associated with a vehicle steering member so as to be movable therewith across the resistive element so as to provide a potential at the wiper arm which is determined in accordance with the position of the vehicle steering member and the asymmetrical location of the intermediate terminal. An adjusted wheel speed signal is thus provided at the wiper arm of the potentiometer which initially increases and then decreases in accordance with the position of the steering element for turns in one direction. In this manner, the speed signals of the steerable wheels of the vehicle are compensated for changes in turning radius due to changes in steering angle. Alternative embodiments which utilize the steering angle compensation unit to adjust other signals in the circuit to accomplish the same result are also disclosed.

Anti-spin control system

A skid control system for use in connection with controlling the application of the brakes on a two-wheeled vehicle which includes a sensor device for sensing the velocity of wheel rotation, a triple integration circuit connected to the sensor for producing an analog signal which is proportional to the wheel velocity and a proportioning circuit connected to the triple integration circuit. The output of the proportioning circuit is fed to a hysteresis and low speed cut-off circuit, and a ramp generator circuit, the outputs of the two above noted circuits being fed to the input of a comparator circuit which compares the wheel velocity with a simulated vehicle velocity signal generated by the ramp generator circuit. The output of the comparator is utilized to control a brake application valve associated with the brake system. The brake control system also includes a plurality of fail-safe systems which continuously monitor various other circuits within the brake control system and produces an output signal when a fault condition is sensed.

Skid control system for two-wheeled vehicles

A system for monitoring and displaying the consumption of energy by measuring the actual energy consumed and comparing the measured energy consumption with an ideal or desired energy consumption. The desired energy consumption data may be based upon actual operations or may be generated by ideal consumption characteristics. In some instances, the ideal figures may be modified to compensate for variations in external conditions.

Energy monitoring system

A novel spin control system for an engine-driven wheeled vehicle for reducing the power applied to driven wheels of the vehicle when an incipient wheel spin is detected. A normally closed electrically-actuated intake manifold valve is mounted on the intake manifold of the engine for actuation to an open position by an electronic circuit which detects an incipient wheel spin via wheel speed sensors. With the intake manifold vented to atmosphere via the open intake manifold valve, engine intake manifold vacuum drops automatically throttling down the engine irrespective of the carburetor throttle position to reduce the power input to the spinning wheel or wheels thereby effectively counteracting the incipient spin condition.

Growing community of inventors

Rockford, IL, United States of America

Robert B Bertolasi