Electronic controls for linear and rotary actuators

Abstract

A system (200) provides control of speeds and positioning of linear or rotary actuators (14A, 14B, 342A, 342B), and the system (200) may be used to control both speeds and steering of a conveyance (10). A transducer sensitivity control apparatus (202) provides selective control of sensitivity of transducers (28A, 28B) in an X-Y controller (26). The X-Y controller (26) delivers voltages to a steering sensitivity control apparatus (156, 180) that decreases, differences as an inverse and nonlinear function, in the two voltages supplied by the X-Y controller (26), thereby reducing steering sensitivity of the conveyance (10), increasing controllability in turns by decreasing sensitivity of joystick (34) movement, and/or automatically slowing the conveyance (10) when making sharp turns. A limit switch apparatus (204) shuts down the system (200) when an excessive voltage is developed by one of the transducers (28A, 28B) and a signal limiting apparatus (226) adjustably limits speeds of the actuators (14A, 14B, 342A, 342B). When an eyeglass X-Y controller (58) is used to control the conveyance (10), the system (200) provides head-actuated control of speed and steering, selective adjustment of tilt-angle sensitivity of the mercury-wiped transducers (62), selective adjustment of steering sensitivity, automatic slow-down when making sharp turns, automatic stopping of the conveyance (10) when either one of the two transducers (62) of the eyeglass X-Y controller (58)is tilted to an excessive tilt angle, and adjustable maximum speed of the conveyance (10).