Barber Colman Company

William J Barrett

Elwood J Meyers

Hal G Meyer

George H Anderson

An actuating device is disclosed which is modular in construction. The device employs a modular head having a rotatable output shaft for controlling valves, etc. One or more force motors are arranged to actuate the output shaft according to the required application. The force motors are electromagnetic and can accurately position the output shaft as a function of applied current.

Actuating device

An automatic control system wherein repetitive pulses, the frequency of which is responsive to a remote condition, such as prime mover RPM, are converted to a DC voltage level. The voltage level is compared to a reference by a difference amplifier to produce an error signal. Further signals are produced from the error signal, including an integral thereof, which signals are ultimately used to control the remote condition. The integrator is provided with an offset circuit to prevent saturation thereof during override of the normal control signal by an external limit signal as, for example, excessive engine temperature or smoke output.

Automatic control system with integrator offset

An automatic control system wherein repetitive pulses, the frequency of which is responsive to a remote condition such as prime mover RPM, are converted to a D.C. voltage level which is then compared to a reference to produce an error signal. Three further signals are then produced, one proportional to the error signal, one proportional to its integral and the other proportional to its derivative. The three further signals are summed and amplified to the extent necessary and the resultant used to control an element which in turn controls the remote condition. Included is a fail safe circuit effective to cause the remote condition controlling element to shut off in the event incoming pulses are not present. Provision is made whereby the system may respond to the summed signals described above or an external signal which may be derived from a function generator or a limiting value established by an external condition. A particular application described for the system is its use as a governor system for prime movers such as internal combustion engines and steam turbines.

Growing community of inventors

Rockford, IL, United States of America

William J Barrett