Abstract: A cross current compensation system for controlling reactive currents in a generator is provided. A control system for receives voltage feedback from a first generator of a plurality of generators and cross current feedback from at least a second generator of the plurality of generators. The control system determines a phase angle based on the voltage feedback from the first generator and cross current feedback from the at least a second generator. The control system determines a compensation signal corresponding to the phase angle and cross current feedback. The control system modifying a generator excitation signal for the first generator based on the respective compensation signal and a bi-linear transformation technique.

Abstract: A valve lock for locking a valve spindle in a selected position corresponding to the valve being for example fully open or fully closed. The lock has a housing which is mounted on the valve body and a hub which engages and rotates with the valve spindle relative to the housing. A latch is provided between the housing and the hub, the latch being actuatable by a key to assume a latched condition in which rotation of the hub relative to the housing is permitted in one direction but prevented in the other direction. A spindle position indicator is coupled by a transmission to the hub so as to be displaced as a result of rotation of the spindle, thereby to indicate the spindle position relative to the valve body. The spindle position indicator prevents actuation of the latch by the key except when the spindle is in the selected position as represented by the spindle position indicator.

Abstract: A modular emergency stop device including a switch unit and a control unit. The switch unit includes a switch which converts from a normal state to an emergency state when an emergency stop is necessary and a housing for the switch. The control unit includes a controller which controls a power source for a machine and a housing for the controller. The switch unit's housing and the control unit's housing are adapted to be selectively coupled together and uncoupled from each other. The switch is operably coupled to the controller when the housings are coupled together whereby the controller may appropriately control the machine's power source when the switch is converted to the emergency state. To replace the switch, the switch's housing is uncoupled from the controller's housing to remove the switch unit and a new switch unit is coupled to the controller's housing.

Abstract: An actuator, with two independent degrees of freedom, rotates a stage about an axis and moves the stage along the axis, the range of motion defining a cylinder or cylindrical section. The stage is mounted on a hollow cylindrical plunger fitting in an annular well. A bearing allows the plunger to move axially and rotationally, in the preferred embodiment the bearing is an air bearing. The plunger has an array of permanent magnets on its external cylindrical face opposite coils in the well. Equal numbers of oppositely-polarized permanent magnets are arranged in a regular cylindrical pattern at 50% packing density forming rings and columns of like-polarity magnets, the rings of one polarity alternating with rings of opposite polarity and the columns of one polarity alternating with columns of opposite polarity. A set of Z-axis coils (for axial movement) curve around the plunger and are shaped to allow a current in them to produce an axial force with respect to the rings of magnets.

Abstract: A multi-element fluid sensor system having a distributed sensor configuration for determining the health state of a fluid. The sensor system includes at least two sensors for collecting data relating to a particular parameter (e.g., pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, chemistry, viscosity) of the fluid. The at least two sensors may be integrated onto a semiconductor base so as to provide for a micro sensor for in situ monitoring of the fluid. The system also includes a data fusion processor operatively coupled to the at least two sensors. The data fusion processor processes the fluid data to at least compensate for information fragmentation attributed to using the at least two sensors. The data fusion processor may condense the data, combine the data, evaluate the data and interpret the data.

Abstract: A shaft or shafts are connected to a rotor core of a dynamoelectric machine without the need for a central hole in the laminations of the core. The shaft is connected to the core by attaching the shaft to a rotor end plate (or forming the shaft and the end plate as a single unit) and connecting the end plate to the core at a distance away from the axis of the core. The rotor may have similar end plates at both ends, the end plates attached to each other and to the core by through studs or bolts that pass through holes in the laminations. The holes and the studs or bolts are evenly circumferentially spaced at a distance from the axis. The through studs or bolts are secured at either end, clamping the end plates with the rotor core between them. The rotor end plate provides support to the rotor end ring that forms part of the squirrel cage of the rotor core. The end plate includes a lip or other portion which restrains movement of the end ring in lateral and/or axial direction(s) as the rotor rotates.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine such as a motor or generator has an end winding ring of ferromagnetic material in an area of the end winding portions of the stator and/or rotor winding. The end winding ring improves the overall power density of the motor by reducing the stator and/or rotor flux leakage (the magnetic flux that is produced by the windings that is not utilized to produce torque in the rotor). By operatively coupling end winding portions of the stator winding with ferromagnetic material, the end winding portion is employed to produce torque in the rotor. The end winding ring may be a ring of ferromagnetic material attached to the stator core or the frame or the rotor, or may be a coating of ferromagnetic material applied indirectly to the end winding portions. The end winding ring also may support the end winding portions to reduce movement thereof.

Abstract: An actuator for controlling the rotation of a valve spindle relative to a valve body (5). The actuator is in the form of an actuator body which receives a rotatable hub (6). The actuator body (3) is secured to the valve body by for example a mounting plate (7) which is bolted to the valve body or straps which are clamped to pipework connected to the valve body. The hub is retained in a predetermined position adjacent the valve body by the actuator body such that it may rotate with the valve spindle. Jaws (15) are mounted on the hub which may be clamped into engagement with the valve spindle so that torque applied to the hub by for example an actuator bar (12) is transmitted to the valve spindle.

Abstract: A system for removing resin from the stator core of a stator of a motor involves means for removing resin (1) from an inner circumferential surface surrounding the bore of the stator core; (2) from the outer circumferential surface of the stator core; and (3) from between the windings along the end surfaces of the stator core. The circumferential surfaces have resin removed from them by moving the surfaces relative to a series of wipers. The wipers push the resin off the surfaces as they sweep the surfaces. Resin is removed from the end surfaces by blowing the resin radially inward, where it either drips off the core or is deposited on the inner circumferential surface, from which it is removed by wipers.

Abstract: A system for removing resin from the stator core of a stator of a motor involves means for removing resin (1) from an inner circumferential surface surrounding the bore of the stator core; (2) from the outer circumferential surface of the stator core; and (3) from between the windings along the end surfaces of the stator core. The circumferential surfaces have resin removed from them by moving the surfaces relative to a series of wipers. The wipers push the resin off the surfaces as they sweep the surfaces. Resin is removed from the end surfaces by blowing the resin radially inward, where it either drips off the core or is deposited on the inner circumferential surface, from which it is removed by wipers.

Abstract: A system for determining wear of an article including an optical fiber for transmitting light from a light source. The optical fiber is embedded in the article, and operatively coupled to an interferometric system. The interferometric system is operatively coupled to a processor. The interferometric system provides the processor with information relating to wear of the optical fiber, and the processor determines wear of the article rate of wear and remaining useful life of the article based on the information relating to wear of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An X-Y positioning machine has a forcer, with armature coils, that moves around on a platen, supported by an air bearing. Magnets embedded in the motor platen generate a fixed magnetic field with which the armature coils interact. Perpendicular elongated coils interact with the fields of magnets in columns and rows. When a traditional rectangular pattern of the magnets is provided, a packing density and average peak magnetic flux intercepted by the coils are limited to 50%. The present invention provides magnet configurations that provide greater than 50% maximum peak flux density and up to 100% packing density. Several magnet arrangements are provided: a first in which round magnets are used instead of square, and a second in which diamond-shaped magnets are used. The latter can be used at 100% packing density arrangement. In addition to high peak flux density for a narrow coil, these embodiments exhibit low cogging forces. A method of making the magnet is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lacing stator coil windings and leads is provided. Lacing of the stator coil windings and leads is performed during an automated process which occurs while the stator is situated on a pallet which is moved by a conveyer belt through a manufacturing facility. The pallet includes an inner ring and an outer ring rotatably disposed therein. The inner ring supports the stator and allows the stator to be rotated during lacing. The outer ring is rotated at the same rotational speed and direction as the inner ring and includes a plurality of clips for releasably securing leads of the stator. The pallet further includes a lead lift assembly which is movable in a substantially vertical direction. Upon introduction of the pallet to a lacing station in the manufacturing facility, a vertical positioning device engages the lead lift assembly from beneath the pallet and raises the assembly to a predetermined height.

Abstract: An X-Y traversing machine employs optical pickups on a stage that moves around a base on an air bearing. A pattern of dots on the surface of the base forms a scale. Respective X- and Y-direction optical pickups are used to detect incremental movement in X- and Y-directions independently. Each pickup averages the reflected light from an elongated rectilinear region whose long axis is aligned perpendicular to the direction of movement the pickup detects. The dots are formed on an encoder scale element. According to an embodiment of the invention, forces are developed without using serrations in the stage and magnets so that a substantial spacing between the coils and field generator (permanent magnets in the preferred embodiment) can be tolerated. This allows the encoder scale to be placed on or protected by a sheet between the platen and the stage. [For example, the pattern may be printed on a flexible transparent Mylar sheet that can be readily replaced if damaged.

Abstract: A system for determining wear of an article including an optical fiber for transmitting light from a light source. The optical fiber is embedded in the article, and operatively coupled to an interferometric system. The interferometric system is operatively coupled to a processor. The interferometric system provides the processor with information relating to wear of the optical fiber, and the processor determines wear of the article rate of wear and remaining useful life of the article based on the information relating to wear of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A system and a method for forming, storing and loading slot cell insulators into slots in a stator core of a dynamoelectric machine. The system includes a forming assembly for forming slot cell insulators and a loading assembly for storing the insulators and loading the insulators into the stator core. The system also includes a transfer mechanism for moving the insulators from the forming assembly into the loading assembly. In the process, these elements cooperate to align end portions of the insulators before they are inserted into the stator core, thereby improving the efficiency of the loading procedure. When the stator core is ready to receive the insulators, the loading assembly simultaneously loads all of the insulators into the stator core.

Abstract: Phase insulation for separating the end turns of the windings at the lead end of a stator core for a dynamoelectric machine and a method for the simultaneously inserting multiple sets of windings with the phase insulation into the stator core. The phase insulation is connected at its ends to form a continuous ring. The phase insulation includes openings along an edge combined with continuous portions between each opening and another edge. The openings and continuous portions allow the diameter of the phase insulation ring to contract while retaining substantially a ring shape without moving toward or away from the stator core and without tearing to maintain complete electrical separation of the different phase windings.

Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a vibration sensor mounted on a machine which has vibration-generating components having different vibration characteristics with respect to a common sensor. The vibration sensor measures vibrations and sends vibration signals to a diagnostic module for evaluation of the signals. The diagnostic module has software for processing the vibration signals. From a known natural frequency of a vibration-generating component, the diagnostic module measures the amplitude of the vibration signal at more than one harmonic frequency of the known natural frequency and compares the amplitudes to amplitudes at adjacent harmonic frequencies.

Abstract: A machine diagnostic system is provided which includes a host computer for determining a health state of a machine. The host computer is operatively coupled to a network backbone. The system also includes a machine diagnostic module adapted to be integrally mounted to a machine, the machine diagnostic module being operatively coupled to the network backbone. The machine diagnostic module collects data relating to operation of the machine and preprocesses the data, and the host computer analyzes the preprocessed data in determining the health state of the machine. The machine diagnostic system includes a system architecture which facilitates the machine diagnosis. The system architecture includes several software layers which provide for collecting and preprocessing machine data, transmitting the collected and/or preprocessed data over a network and analyzing such for machine diagnosis and process diagnosis.

Abstract: A test procedure detects the onset of stator winding damage, identifies the failure mechanism, determines the winding's susceptibility to further damage, and predicts stator winding failure. This is accomplished by introducing a high frequency signal onto power lines which feed the stator and monitoring a change in the capacitance between the individual windings during introduction of the high frequency signal. In order to monitor the change in capacitance, a current sensor and voltage sensor are used to measure the current and voltage on the power lines during introduction of the high frequency signal. Changes in the capacitance between the individual stator windings are reflected as changes in the broadband impedance response of the stator windings which can be calculated by dividing the measured voltage by the measured current.