Automatic control system with pseudoposition feedback and monitor

Claim 2

A control system for positioning a movable element in response to an analog input signal representative of a desired positional change of said movable element, comprising pulse sequencer means, electronic circuitry means enabled by said analog input signal and driving said pulse sequencer means, stepper motor means responsive to said pulse sequencer means, said movable element positioned by said stepper motor means, feedback circuit means responsive to said electronic circuitry means and providing an analog feedback signal, and analog combining means for algebraically combining said analog feedback signal with said analog input signal, whereby said movable element is positioned in accordance with said analog input signal.

Claim 3

The control system as described in claim 1 wherein said electronic circuitry means comprises a threshold circuit having both positive and negative thresholds, a plurality of gates selectively enabled by said threshold circuit, and a pulse generator feeding said pulse sequencer through one of said enabled gates, whereby said stepper motor means is caused to rotate.

Claim 4

The control system as described in claim 2 including means for segregating a long term component from said analog input signal, and means for combining said long term component with said analog input signal and said analog feedback signal.

Claim 5

A control system for positioning a movable element in response to an input signal representative of a desired positional change of said movable element, comprising pulse sequencer means, electronic circuitry means enabled by said input signal and driving said pulse sequencer means, stepper motor means responsive to said pulse sequencer means, said movable element positioned by said stepper motor means, feedback circuit means responsive to said electronic circuitry means and providing a feedback signal, means for algebraically combining said feedback signal with said input signal, whereby said movable element is positioned in accordance with said input signal, and synchronizing means comprising a pickoff coupled to said movable element which provides a synchronizing signal to said feedback circuit means, and means responsive to said synchronizing signal for periodically synchronizing said feedback signal with the movable element position, wherebY coincidence between the desired and the actual position of said movable element is effected.

Claim 6

A control system for positioning a movable element in response to an input signal representative of a desired positional change of said movable element, comprising pulse sequencer means, electronic circuitry means enabled by said input signal and driving said pulse sequencer means, stepper motor means responsive to said pulse sequencer means, said movable element positioned by said stepper motor means, feedback circuit means responsive to said electronic circuitry means and providing a feedback signal, means for algebraically combining said feedback signal with said input signal, whereby said movable element is positioned in accordance with said input signal, and synchronizing means comprising a pickoff coupled to said movable element which provides a synchronizing signal to said feedback circuit means, and means responsive to said synchronizing signal for periodically synchronizing said feedback signal with the movable element position, wherebY coincidence between the desired and the actual position of said movable element is effected.

Claim 7

The control system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said feedback circuit means comprises a pulse to analog memory element whereby said synchronizing signal resets said memory element at a value equivalent to the position of said movable element thereby providing said periodic synchronizing.

Claim 8

A control system for positioning a movable element in response to an input signal representative of a desired positional change of said movable element, comprising pulse sequencer means, electronic circuitry means enabled by said input signal and driving said pulse sequencer means, stepper motor means responsive to said pulse sequencer means, said movable element positioned by said stepper motor means, feedback circuit means responsive to said electronic circuitry and providing a feedback signal, means for algebraically combining said feedback signal with said input signal, whereby said movable element is positioned in accordance with said input signal, said electronic circuitry means comprising a threshold circuit having both positive and negative thresholds, a plurality of gates selectively enabled by said threshold circuit and a pulse generator feeding said pulse sequencer through one of said enabled gates, whereby said stepper motor means is caused to rotate, and further including a trim system comprising trim stepper motor means for controlling a trim element, a trim motor pulse sequencer for driving said trim stepper motor, means for segregating a long term component of said input signal, two AND gates, each having one of its inputs fed by said long term signal and the second of its inputs fed by said positive and negative threshold devices respectively, and a counted fed by said pulse generator, said AND gates selectively enabling said counter to activate said trim motor pulse sequencer whereby said trim element is controlled by said long term signal.

Claim 9

A control system for positioning a movable element in response to an input signal representative of a desired positional change of said movable element, comprising pulse sequencer means, electronic circuitry means enabled by said input signal and driving said pulse sequencer means, stepper motor means responsive to said pulse sequencer means, said movable element positioned by said stepper motor means, feedback circuit means responsive to said electronic circuitry and providing a feedback signal, means for algebraically combining said feedback signal with said input signal, whereby said movable element is positioned in accordance with said input signal, said electronic circuitry means comprising a threshold circuit having both positive and negative thresholds, a plurality of gates selectively enabled by said threshold circuit and a pulse generator feeding said pulse sequencer through one of said enabled gates, whereby said stepper motor means is caused to rotate, and further including a trim system comprising trim stepper motor means for controlling a trim element, a trim motor pulse sequencer for driving said trim stepper motor, means for segregating a long term component of said input signal, two AND gates, each having one of its inputs fed by said long term signal and the second of its inputs fed by said positive and negative threshold devices respectively, and a counted fed by said pulse generator, said AND gates selectively enabling said counter to activate said trim motor pulse sequencer whereby said trim element is controlled by said long term signal.