Abstract: A programmable interrupt controller connected to a microprocessor has a register for storing a prevailing vector which is the highest priority vector in service in the microprocessor system. When the microprocessor is executing an interrupt routine, if the programmable interrupt controller or a second programmable interrupt controller connected to the microprocessor receives an interrupt request higher in priority than the executing interrupt, the microprocessor writes the higher priority interrupt vector into the register for storing the prevailing vector of all connected interrupt controllers. Once the higher priority interrupt routine has finished executing, the microprocessor then writes the lower priority previously executing interrupt vector into the register of the prevailing vector of all interrupt controllers and the previously executing interrupt routine continues executing in the microprocessor.

Abstract: A filter module for a frequency converter comprises a filter circuit housed in a casing adapted for connection to the converter. The filter module includes an input filter and an output filter so arranged that input terminals for connection to the AC line voltage and output terminals for connection to an electric motor are disposed on a common side of the casing and so that the connections between the frequency converter and the filter module are disposed on a side of the casing which in use faces the converter.

Abstract: A device is adapted to be associated with a group of input or output channels, especially of a programmable automatic controller, to detect if the channels are subject to an open circuit and/or an overcurrent. To each channel are assigned two analog comparators connected to a processor logic circuit which connects one or the other comparator output to a control unit. Configurator logic activates or deactivates one or the other of the comparators and associated forcing devices and filters according to the operating mode selected.

Abstract: A switch having at least one power switching pole includes a contact bridge cooperating with fixed contacts and adapted to be maneuvered either by mobile parts of a solenoid or by a tripping mechanism. The contact bridge is rotatable and the mobile parts of the solenoid operate the contact bridge through the intermediary of a transmission mechanism.

Abstract: In a device for regulating the transfer of a load suspended by cables from the carriage of a lifting machine the carriage speed is controlled by means of a position corrector and an angle corrector weighted outputs of which are summed to establish the speed set point. The lifting machine operator has an operating mode selector connected to a control unit which enables the correctors as appropriate to the selected control mode.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switch device which features a mobile assembly having contacts cooperating with fixed contacts and displaced by a solenoid. The switch also features an analog sensor for measuring the position of the mobile assembly and electronics for processing the output signal of the position sensor to control the coil current.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing whether data on a network is intended for a terminal of the network. An identifier having a high-order portion and a low-order portion is received by a terminal. The terminal looks up, in a direct read table, whether the direct read table contains an entry corresponding to the high portion. The direct read table can contain, for each high portion, a size of a search table corresponding to low portions of the received identifier, a flag or bit, indicating that there a search table for a particular high portion, and an address of the search table. If the direct read table determines that there is a search table for the received high portion, a dichotomizing search process is executed to find an entry in the search table corresponding to the low portion. The dichotomizing search process divides the search table in half to determine if the received low portion of the identifier is in the lower or upper part of the search table.

Abstract: In a device for pivotally mounting a terminal block on a support, in particular on an interface module case in a programmable controller, the terminal block is mounted on the support by nesting engagement with a rotary member articulated to the support. The articulated member and the terminal block carry complementary coding pegs associated by movement in translation.

Abstract: A device for controlling and protecting outputs against overcurrents, in particular for programmable automatic controllers, comprises for each output channel a protection circuit connected by a single terminal to a power switch and to its control circuit. In the protection circuit a comparator compares with a threshold a voltage imaging the current in the output channel and disabling means are connected to a circuit for forcing the comparator input voltage. A common terminal is therefore used to monitor and to disable the output channel.

Abstract: Output control circuit for a programmable logic controller, comprising a control unit (13) and a circuit (14) for controlling and checking output channels (11), including a deserializing section (16). The output circuit receives descending frames (T1) and ascending frames (T2) and, according to its configuration, it returns ascending frames (T3) to the control unit produced from frames (T1) and/or (T2).

Abstract: An identification device for an electrical cable, optical conductor, or pneumatic pipe includes a sleeve (11) carrying or protecting an identifying element. A stopping element (15) is firmly attached to the sleeve (11) and has a hook (18) which acts as a resilient link shaped to fit around a portion of a jacket (13) surrounding the cable, conductor, or pipe.

Abstract: Arbitration between collisions is performed by means of a special arbitration path ARB conveying access requests expressed in the form of arbitration frames ARB %. An arbitration frame includes a priority field defining different classes of traffic, and a numerical field identifying each station, together with bits that relax priority constraints. The application of arbitration frames is subordinate to recognizing that a delimiter channel of the data path DATA is in an active state. The invention is applicable to industrial networks or buses.

Abstract: An electric circuit-breaker of the magnetic arc extinction type includes a fixed contact member comprising two electrically insulative parts. An auxiliary part of the fixed contact member is connected to an auxiliary terminal and includes an arc deflector branch so disposed that when the contacts open the current flows in opposite directions in this branch and in the mobile contact member.

Abstract: An electrical connection bar for terminals consists of a cut conductive strip having the shape of a comb whose teeth constitute lugs that serve as the bridging for the terminals. The strip is coated in a jacket of insulating plastic leaving the ends of the connection lugs bare. The metal conductive strip forms a plurality of segments that are joined, laterally, with lugs which constitute bridgings between the segments.

Abstract: In a device for pivotally mounting a terminal block on a support, in particular on an interface module case in a programmable controller, the terminal block is mounted on the support by nesting engagement with a rotary member articulated to the support. The articulated member and the terminal block carry complementary coding pegs associated by movement in translation.

Abstract: A circuit for protecting an electronic switch against short circuits comprising circuitry for generating a variable voltage which varies in a direction that depends upon the position of a parameter representative of the current flowing through the switch relative to a reference, first and second threshold detectors comparing the variable voltage to first and second thresholds and an RS bistable circuit connected to the first and second threshold detectors to turn the switch OFF and ON when the variable voltage crosses the second or the first threshold respectively on leaving the range defined by the thresholds.