5665 results about "Potentiometer" patented technology

Electrical steering assist systems reduce the operator applied steering effort necessary to operate material handling vehicles. A steer drive unit including a motor is coupled to a steerable wheel for providing steering assist. The amount of steering assist provided by the steer drive unit is determined by a controller that receives input from one or more input sensing devices. The input sensing device(s) may include force sensors that detect an operator applied turning force. The input sensing device(s) may also detect the movement of one steering component relative to another. Further, the input sensing device(s) may include operator activated controls such as a joystick, potentiometer, switches and voice initiated commands. Input sensing device(s) may additionally be provided to detect operational parameters such as the load on the material handling vehicle, vehicle speed, or environmental conditions such as travel path obstruction detection, homing and proximity sensing.

A reference current source for a magnetic memory device is preferably configured with magnetic tunnel junction cells and includes more than four reference magnetic memory cells to improve reliability of the magnetic memory device and to reduce sensitivity at a device level to individual cell failures. The reference current source includes a large number of magnetic memory cells coupled in an array, and a current source provides a reference current dependent on the array resistance. In another embodiment a large number of magnetic memory cells are coupled to current sources that are summed and scaled to produce a reference current source. A current comparator senses the unknown state of a magnetic memory cell. In a further embodiment, an array of magnetic memory cells is configured to provide a non-volatile, adjustable resistance. In a further embodiment, the array of magnetic memory cells is configured with a tap to provide a non-volatile, adjustable potentiometer.

A system and method for sensing movement of a device associated with a limb. In one example, a prosthetic or orthotic system includes a sensor assembly configured to measure movement of a component of the system in a single direction while substantially isolating negative effects of forces and / or loads in other directions. For instance, the sensor assembly may be advantageously coupled to a pivot assembly configured to substantially mimic a natural ankle joint. The sensor assembly may monitor rotation of a foot unit about an axis of a pivot pin of the pivot assembly and disregard other movements and / or forces. For example, the sensor assembly may include a potentiometer that detects rotation of an associated elongated bellow portion about the axis, wherein the bellow portion includes a plurality of ridges configured to substantially eliminate effects of radial and / or axial forces.

An AC-to-DC voltage converter as power supply for lamp converts an AC input voltage to a constant DC voltage at predetermined value set by potentiometer. The converter includes input power supply 210, input protection circuit 201, EMI filter 202, rectifier 203, filter 204, converter 206, output filter 214, lamp 211, start circuit 208, control circuit 209, biasing circuit 212, sampling circuit 207, output protection circuit 200, feedback and dimming circuit 205 and input monitor circuit 213. This version is a flyback converter; versions from other topologies etc are also provided. The converter has feedback function that can regulate output voltage at predetermined value. The converter has dimming function and can adjust lamp brightness for conformability. The output constant brightness decreases peoples' eyes fatigue to minimum level.

A hand-worn controller consisting of a housing having a central opening sized to permit the controller to be worn as ring on the index finger of a human hand. A joystick lever projects outwardly from said housing and is positioned to be manipulated by the user's thumb. The joystick operates on or more control devices, such as switches or potentiometers, that produce control signals. A wireless communications device, such as a Bluetooth module, mounted in said housing transmits command signals to a remote utilization device which are indicative of the motion or position of said joystick lever.

A game controller having a steering wheel communicating wirelessly with a controller base is provided. The steering wheel includes a wireless transmitter while the controller base includes a wireless receiver. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit wheel information of the steering wheel to the wireless receiver of the controller base. Steering wheel information can include wheel rotational information. Wheel rotational information can be obtained using an optical sensor, a potentiometer or an accelerometer. The wireless transmitter can be an RF, IR or ultrasonic transmitter. Power for the wireless transmitter can be provided by an onboard battery. A sleep mode can also further extend the life of the wheel battery. It may also be possible to power the steering wheel from the controller base.

The invention concerns transmitters and a portable receiver-buzzer with programmable triggering, hand-, voice- / sound- and pulse-operated, for remotely warning one or several persons. The inventive device consists of a receiver-buzzer case (16), a presence-detecting (23), telephone jack (30), entrance door (36), central transmitter housing (13) transmitting a coded signal to the reciever (20) triggering the motor-buzzer (21) and light-emitting diode (19). In the central transmitter housing (13) there are a clock (1), a voice / sound sensor (4), an alarm push-button (2), a presence detector push-button (14), a LED sector (8), two battery-controlled LED's (6 and 7), a switch button (5) for clock (1) and voice / sound sensor (4), an acknowledgement button (9), an alarm LED (2), a housing (11) for charging the receiver (20) battery, a potentiometer (10). The inventive device consists of a receiver-buzzer (16) wherein are a battery (22), a watch (18), three LED's (17), a receiver (20) receiving the coded signals from the transmitter triggering the buzzer (21). The device, by virtue of its functions, is designed for remotely warning in case of need, emergency or danger, any person equipped with a portable receiver-buzzer.

The invention relates to an intelligent control system of an insulative aerial platform vehicle, an aerial platform vehicle with the intelligent control system and a control method thereof. The intelligent control system of the aerial platform vehicle comprises a wireless remote control device, an upper arm length sensor, an upper and lower arm angle encoder, a turntable rotating angle encoder, a leg grounding detection travel switch, a horizontal extending detection travel switch, a controller, a lower arm angle sensor, a lower arm length sensor, an arm bracket travel switch, a program download port, a liquid crystal screen, a quintuple proportional valve group, an oil circuit switching valve, a turntable operating switch, a leg action switch and a turntable potentiometer handle. A TTC200 controller is adopted as the controller of the aerial work platform, a wireless remote control handle is arranged at the insulative bucket part, the turntable is provided with the potentiometer handle to control the mechanism movement; the setting and the adjustment of various important parameters in the controller are completed through displaying the work condition of the vehicle body on the LCD display and debugging the software. The method has wide operational range, safety, reliability and high automatization through controlling the work condition of the entire vehicle by the controller.

A steering apparatus for altering steering direction of an exercise bicycle utilizing an interactive computer or television video game simulation which consists of a steering mechanism primary frame (22) that includes a steering tube (24) and a steering plate (26). The steering tube is disposed within an exercise bicycle frame head. A steer frame (58) is rotatably mounted within the primary frame and utilizes a pair of springs (60) that are suspended between the primary frame and the steer frame. Changing steering direction by rotation of the handlebar (70) attached to the steer frame creates progressively linear resistance to the handlebar movement. The steer frame returns to a centered position when unrestrained, duplicating the feel and impression of riding a bicycle. A potentiometer (32) interfaces with the rotating steer frame providing variable electrical resistance relative to the directional movement of the steer frame to the primary frame. An electrical signal is transmitted from an interactive computer or television video game to the potentiometer which interprets the actual steering position of the exercise bicycle.

Electrical steering assist systems reduce the operator applied steering effort necessary to operate material handling vehicles. A steer drive unit including a motor is coupled to a steerable wheel for providing steering assist. The amount of steering assist provided by the steer drive unit is determined by a controller that receives input from one or more input sensing devices. The input sensing device(s) may include force sensors that detect an operator applied turning force. The input sensing device(s) may also detect the movement of one steering component relative to another. Further, the input sensing device(s) may include operator activated controls such as a joystick, potentiometer, switches and voice initiated commands. Input sensing device(s) may additionally be provided to detect operational parameters such as the load on the material handling vehicle, vehicle speed, or environmental conditions such as travel path obstruction detection, homing and proximity sensing.

A catheter device having a proboscis, such as a needle, and a transducer which detects the axial displacement of the proboscis in relation to the distal tip of the catheter. The transducer is positioned at a distal portion of the catheter and may comprise an induction coil or a potentiometer. Axial displacement of the proboscis changes the amount of inductance or resistance in the transducer. This change in inductance or resistance can be calibrated to the amount of axial displacement of the proboscis and provided as feedback to the user.

A drive system which integrates an electric generator, one or more electric motors and an electronic control module is configured as a variable speed drive in either single, dual or four wheeled traction drive configurations for a mower. The generator is mechanically driven by the output shaft of an internal combustion engine to generate the electrical power for energizing the electric motors. A central computer in the electronic control module controls the output voltage of the generator and the speed and torque of each of the motors in the drive system. The speed input signal for the motors can be analog signals that come from sources such as a joystick, a potentiometer mounted on a steering wheel, control panel, foot pedal or remote location or digital signals from a digital device. Position / speed detectors on each motor and the generator send signals back to the central computer for closed-loop control of the generator and of the motors. The generator supplies the DC voltage to the power control board for each motor as commanded by the central computer. The rotor of each motor is connected to a gearbox for speed reduction and increased torque that is applied to the wheel mounted on the output shaft of the gearbox. When the motors are not being driven, the generator may optionally supply DC power to the input of an inverter that has an output to standard electric utility AC outlets that can be used to power auxiliary equipment.

A solid-state lighting device has user-engageable actuator physically manipulable by a user and accessible from an exterior of the device to adjust an amount of light output. The user-engageable actuator may take the form of a knob, slider, lever, or other manipulable surface or structure. The user-engageable actuator may extend partially or fully from a housing, or alternatively be recessed or otherwise within the housing with access provided via an aperture, slot or opening. Access may be directly by the user (e.g., finger) or via a tool (e.g., screw driver, Allen wrench, socket) manipulated by the user. The actuator may form part of an adjustment component (e.g., potentiometer, rheostat) which supplies an adjustable output to a drive circuit or electronics. The adjustment component may be electrically coupled to either a primary or secondary side of a transformer, which forms part of a power converter (e.g., flyback).

An electrically powered resistance heating handgrip is provided for a vehicle that employs an electrical storage battery. A control circuit to regulate the amount of power provided to the resistance elements in the grip is provided and preferably located within a hollow core that fits coaxially within the open end of a handlebar of a motorcycle or snowmobile, for example. The control circuit is mounted on a thin, narrow, elongated printed circuit board and includes a microprocessor that is programmed to contain a lookup table of temperatures. A thermistor is embedded in the casing of the handgrip proximate the heating element thereof. The thermistor provides feedback signals to the microprocessor which compares the temperature sensor feedback signals to a target temperature and provides or interrupts electrical power to the electrical heating element depending upon whether the temperature indicated by the thermistor is lower than the target temperature. The target temperature is established by a dial mounted in the butt end of the handgrip. The dial operates the wiper of a variable potentiometer to establish the target temperature. Heat is uniformly distributed throughout each handgrip by wrapping the heating element wire thereof about a thermally conductive sheet of aluminum, and encasing the wire within a temperature resistant dielectric sheathing, such as Teflon(R).

The present invention is to provide a monitor display control apparatus and a monitor display control method, in which ease of operation of scrolling a map image can be improved with an intention of an operator being reflected at the time of scrolling the map image. A value RV corresponding to the square of a distance up to a current position centering on a reference position is operated on the basis of output voltages of potentiometers detecting a tilted position of an operating rod. In a control unit, a scrolling speed and a scale factor of the map image displayed on a display screen of a monitor television are varied in accordance with a signal UP including information on an amount of displacement of the operating rod from the reference position.

A sustainer is provided for prolonging the vibrations of strings of a stringed musical instrument. The instrument has at least one magnetic pickup means responsive to the vibrations of the strings. The pickup produces an output signal in response to the vibrations of the instrument strings. At least one control potentiometer provides the capability to control at least one parameter of the output signal. The sustainer comprises a string driver transducer capable of inducing vibrations in the strings, a sustainer amplifier having an input which accepts the pickup output signal, and an amplifier circuit which amplifies the pickup output signal to form a drive signal. The sustainer amplifier also has an output, from which the drive signal transfers sufficient energy to the string driver transducer to sustain the vibrations of the strings. A power supply provides electrical energy to the sustainer amplifier. A power switch provides connection and disconnection means between the power supply and the sustainer amplifier in response to actuation of the power switch in order to turn the sustainer on and off. The power switch is an integral part of the control potentiometer, where the two are a physical combination. Both switch and potentiometer are actuated by the shaft of the potentiometer. Furthermore, the appearance of the control potentiometer having the power switch as an integral part, when viewed from the outside of the musical instrument, is similar to that of the instrument containing the potentiometer without the power switch being present as the integral part of the potentiometer.

A vibrator sex toy is provided with touch-based sensors for an ergonomic in-situ method of controlling the operation and intensity of the vibrator. The vibrator sex toy has an internal end, an external end and a middle staging section. The staging section includes a control circuit and batteries. The internal end includes electric vibrator motors connected to the control circuit by wires. The external end includes ergonomically placed touch sensors that behave like variable resistors. The touch sensors respond to natural human gestures such as grasping, stretching, compressing and bending the external end of the sex toy with changes in resistance. The touch sensors are connected to the control circuit by wires and act as potentiometers in the control path of the vibrator motors. The user is able to vary the sensations from the motors intuitively and in-situ by manipulating the external end or applying it to a partner.

An implantable, compressible, accommodating intra-ocular lens (IOL) coupled to at least one sensor which detects a signal created by the ciliary muscle. A ciliary sulcus ring can house the at least one sensor, and the sensor can include miniaturized electrodes (ciliary muscle probes) for implanting into the ciliary muscle of the subject. A potentiometer / microcomputer can modulate the ciliary muscle signal detected by the sensor(s) into an electrical signal, and a transmitter sends this electrical signal to a micromotor, which causes compression of the IOL via an annular support ring system, causing a change in the IOL shape. The IOL can be part of an IOL complex including a compressible, accommodating IOL, an external lens membrane, and an annular support ring system. The annular support ring system provides a foundation for the micromotor to compress the IOL.

A combination water and coffee dispenser includes a hollow housing having an interior chamber. A water supply line extends from a domestic water source into the interior chamber for supplying fresh water to a cold water storage tank, a hot water storage tank and possibly to a raw water dispensing nozzle on the exterior of the housing. A liquid coffee concentrate storage container is received within the interior chamber and is in liquid communication with a pump. A discharge tube extends from the pump to a mixing chamber. Hot water is routed from the hot water storage tank to the mixing chamber wherein the hot water is mixed with liquid coffee concentrate to produce coffee having a predetermined concentration. The pump speed and thus the concentration of coffee produced in the mixing chamber is controlled by a potentiometer. The device is also equipped with a chilled compartment for storing refrigerated liquid coffee concentrate formulations.

The invention relates to an airborne shooting device of an unmanned aerial vehicle, in particular to an airborne air-photo image-stabilizing cloud deck of the unmanned aerial vehicle. A cross beam is installed on a fixing rod of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a first flat plate with a middle hole is disposed on the cross beam. A horizontal rotating driving steering engine is arranged on a first frame and connected with the first flat plate through a horizontal transmission mechanism, the counter force of the first flat plate drives the first frame to rotate horizontally, and a horizontal angle detection potentiometer can penetrate through the middle hole of the first flat plate in a relatively rotating mode to be fixedly connected on the first frame. A second frame is rotatably disposed on the first frame through horizontal shafts on both sides of the second frame, the horizontal shaft on one side of the second frame is connected with a perpendicular rotating driving steering engine arranged on the first frame through a perpendicular transmission mechanism, and the horizontal shaft on the other side of the second frame is connected with a perpendicular angle detection potentiometer. The second frame is driven by the perpendicular rotating driving steering engine to rotate perpendicularly and rotates horizontally along with the first frame. The airborne air-photo image-stabilizing cloud deck of the unmanned aerial vehicle is good in shock absorption effect, large in driving torque and stable in rotating speed.

A dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to and thus the intensity of a lighting load comprises a visual display operable to provide a visual indication representative of energy savings and usage information. The dimmer switch comprises an intensity adjustment actuator, such as a slider knob or a rotary knob, which may be coupled to a potentiometer for adjusting the amount of power delivered to the lighting load. The potentiometer may comprise a dual potentiometer including a resistive element and a conductive element having a cut. The visual display may comprise a single visual indicator, which may be illuminated a first color, such as green, when the intensity of the lighting load is less than or equal to the eco-level intensity, and illuminated a second different color, such as red, when the intensity of the lighting load is greater than the eco-level intensity.

A system and method for sensing movement of a device associated with a limb. In one example, a prosthetic or orthotic system includes a sensor assembly configured to measure movement of a component of the system in a single direction while substantially isolating negative effects of forces and / or loads in other directions. For instance, the sensor assembly may be advantageously coupled to a pivot assembly configured to substantially mimic a natural ankle joint. The sensor assembly may monitor rotation of a foot unit about an axis of a pivot pin of the pivot assembly and disregard other movements and / or forces. For example, the sensor assembly may include a potentiometer that detects rotation of an associated elongated bellow portion about the axis, wherein the bellow portion includes a plurality of ridges configured to substantially eliminate effects of radial and / or axial forces.

The invention relates to an LED dimming control circuit, which comprises a pulse width modulation control circuit (100) and a constant current control circuit (200). The pulse width modulation control circuit (100) comprises a trigger and a potentiometer; and the size of the pulse width generated by the trigger is adjusted by adjusting the potentiometer. The constant current control circuit (200) comprises a field effect transistor and an operational amplifier; and the pulse width generated by the trigger controls the on / off time of the field effect transistor, and controls the potential of reference voltage of the operational amplifier according to the on / off time of the field effect transistor so as to adjust the magnitude of constant current. In the LED dimming control circuit, the size of the pulse width generated by the trigger can be adjusted by adjusting the potentiometer manually, and the potential of the reference voltage of the operational amplifier is changed by setting the on / off time of the field effect transistor according to the size of the pulse width so as to adjust the magnitude of the constant current; therefore, the dimming function is realized.

An audio amplifier is provided having a compressor with an automatically-adjustable compressor. Compression is linked to the volume control in an inverse relationship whereby, when the volume is reduced, the compression ratio is increased to boost the listening level of quieter passages in the source material. Conversely, when the volume is increased, the compression ratio is decreased. The compression control may be physically connected to the volume control, such as in a dual-potentiometer, or may be coupled electronically, such as with a digital signal processor. An effects level control may be included to allow a listener to increase or decrease the effect of the compression by applying a multiplier to the compression ratio. An ambient noise detector may also be included such that compression is increased as ambient noise increases or exceeds a predetermined level.

A durable, reliable and comfortable joystick for use in precision applications such as controlling a surveillance camera. The joystick of the present invention incorporates mechanical linkages that convert the user's motion into the rotation of three different resistive potentiometers, one for each of 3 axes of movement (X, Y and Z). The potentiometers and linkages for the X- and Y-axes are incorporated into the joystick base, and the potentiometer and linkage for the Z-axis is uniquely incorporated into the joystick handle. Rotation of the handle is restricted in order to prevent damage to the internal parts and preserve the life of the joystick.

The invention discloses a digital electric valve positioner and a method thereof. The positioner consists of a control unit, an I / P electric conversion unit, a valve position feedback unit and a malfunction diagnosis unit. By the configuration of the flux characteristic parameters of the positioner, the working flux characteristic aberration which is caused by the factors such as a change of the pressure drop ratio of the adjusting valve, etc. is corrected, which is based on that a plurality of flux characteristics and action directions of the adjusting valve integration are provided. The control to the valve position of the adjusting valve is based on a Fuzzy-PI dual-mode no-interference shifting algorithm. Depending on the internal relationship between the valve position given value, the valve position feedback value and the valve film head pressure which are arranged by a control center and applying a rule-based knowledge reasoning, the malfunction diagnosis is realized through that the user selects to release or partly release the valve film head pressure during the stuck freeing operation. The valve displacement / electric conversion of the valve position feedback unit depends on a non-contact magnetic sensitive potentiometer. The man-machine interaction adopts a touch screen technique, and the control unit is accessed in a control network by an Ethernet interface.

The invention discloses a control device, a pan tilt applied by the control device and a pan tilt controlling method. The pan tilt is used for controlling the execution motion of an optical device and comprises the control device, a control component connected with the control device and an executing component connected with the control component, the control device comprises a rocker which is used for receiving motion instructions and generating a control instruction sent to the control component, the rocker comprises a rocker handle and a potentiometer component connected with the rocker handle, the control component is used for generating an executing instruction for achieving corresponding motions according to the control instruction sent by the control device, and sending the executing instruction to the executing component, and the executing component is used for achieving directional control over the optical device according to the executing instruction. Due to the fact that the rocker is adopted to send the control instruction, the pan tilt is convenient to operate and good in operation hand feeling.

The invention discloses a dual-redundancy attitude control system of a coaxial unmanned helicopter, which consists of a serial communication module, a PCM (Pulse-Code Modulation) decoding module, an AD acquisition module, a PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) output module and a CPU control module. The serial communication module, the PCM decoding module and the AD acquisition module are used as system input, the CUP control module carries out improved digital PID control, and the PWM output module carries out output in the form of PWM pulses, and thus, the control of a backward-stage high power valve is realized. A debug method comprises the following fives steps of: firstly, connecting a defined I / O port to a high or low-level end according to a parameter debug object; secondly, adjusting a potentiometer to provide initial parameters for Kp and Kd and controlling the backward-stage high power valve; thirdly, keeping a neutral position of Futaba unchangeable, adjusting the potentiometer so that a steering engine achieves a critical state of self-excitation vibration; fourthly, operating the Futaba to output a signal exceeding a pulse threshold; and fifthly, operating the Futaba to return to a central position. The method realizes the debug and the storage of relevant parameters, decreases interference and improves the system stability and the response speed.

An implantable, compressible, accommodating intra-ocular lens (IOL) coupled to at least one sensor which detects a signal created by the ciliary muscle. A ciliary sulcus ring can house the at least one sensor, and the sensor can include miniaturized electrodes (ciliary muscle probes) for implanting into the ciliary muscle of the subject. A potentiometer / microcomputer can modulate the ciliary muscle signal detected by the sensor(s) into an electrical signal, and a transmitter sends this electrical signal to a micromotor, which causes compression of the IOL via an annular support ring system, causing a change in the IOL shape. The IOL can be part of an IOL complex including a compressible, accommodating IOL, an external lens membrane, and an annular support ring system. The annular support ring system provides a foundation for the micromotor to compress the IOL.

A LED full-color lighting device contains a control unit, a light source unit, and a light display unit. The control unit relies on at least a potentiometer to apply various voltages to constant current sources, which in turn individually vary the current conducting through the red, green and blue LEDs of the light source unit, so as to deliver light of various colors. The colored light emitted from the light source unit can be easily and conveniently adjusted to fit a user's specific preference and mood. Colored patterns or textures can be formed on the light display unit so that the color of the light of the light source unit would mix with the colors of the patterns or textures to produce a visual effect as if some of the patterns or textures are changed.