Abstract: A demand-based load balancing function may be provided by one or more drive controllers that takes advantage of the affinity laws to linearize the control of the variable of interest (e.g., flow, pressure, etc.). Each drive controller may be set up by the user simply inputting a few values into the drive controller. Based on the inputs, the drive controllers may interpolate control points using an assumed linear relationship between the variable to be controlled (e.g., pressure) and the current driven to the pump. Feedback data from the system may be used to continually update the drive controllers so as to potentially allow them to better balance power usage to each pump.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding documents within a document processing machine. The feeder apparatus includes a first feeder paddle and a second feeder paddle, each capable of linear translatory motion within the document feed path, the first paddle being outwardly displaceable with respect to the document feed path, each paddle having a document support surface and a plurality of cutout features along the document surface that allow either paddle to singularly support the document stack, and that allow both the first and second paddle document surfaces to simultaneously occupy a common level plane within the document feed path. The method uses a first feeder paddle to feed a first stack of documents and a second feeder paddle to add a second stack of documents to the first stack without interrupting the feeding of the first stack, and using the first feeder paddle to feed the combined stack of documents.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide two advantageous features, which are especially beneficial in combination, but which can be advantageously and beneficially employed independently of one another: (1) firstly, a self-cooling motor bearing system; and (2) secondly, a self-lubricating motor bearing system. In the preferred embodiments, one or both of these two advantageous features are integrated inside an electric motor (e.g., within the electric motor's enclosure housing) in such a manner as to greatly enhance bearing operating conditions (e.g., maintaining adequate bearing lubrication and/or bearing operating temperature) without the use of external lubrication units and/or external cooling units.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a fill image of a bank note being processed. At least one magnetoresistive detector is employed to obtain line-scan sensings of a bank note as the note passes. A central processing unit obtains the sensing as magnetic pattern data which is subsequently stored in a database for processing.

Abstract: A drive system for driving a multi-phase motor (such as a three-phase AC motor) or other load. Where a transformer is used, the transformer may have a disconnected wye configuration on the secondary side. The system may also utilize the average or other combination of DC bus voltages of inverters for each load phase, to provide feedback control.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a fill image of a bank note being processed. At least one magnetoresistive detector is employed to obtain line-scan sensings of a bank note as the note passes. A central processing unit obtains the sensing as magnetic pattern data which is subsequently stored in a database for processing.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for implementing adjustable speed drives. For instance, an apparatus may comprise an inverter circuit configured to drive a multi-phase electrical load, the inverter configured to be powered by first and second direct-current (DC) bus lines, a fan drive circuit configured to be powered by the first and second DC bus lines, a fan configured to be controlled by the fan drive circuit and having a plurality of windings coupled together at an electrical node, a first capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the first DC bus line and a second terminal coupled to the electrical node, and a second capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the second DC bus lines and a second terminal coupled to the electrical node.

Abstract: A protective cabinet having an angled deflection bracket, the angled deflection bracket can include a first surface for catching falling debris, wherein said first surface is attached to an uninterruptible power supply, wherein said first surface is positioned at such an angle so as to make the debris impacting it, slide downward along its surface and reach a second surface configured to stop said sliding debris, wherein said second surface is attached to said first surface by a first corner.

Abstract: According to some preferred embodiments, power converter includes a comparator circuit with feedback from current-fed PI or PID control to select one of two regeneration times of at least one active clamp: i) wherein at low loads a regeneration circuit is turned ON for substantially an entire current-transfer cycle such as to avoid output of current-fed converter continuing to rise; and ii) wherein at high loads the regeneration period is reduced to between about ¼ to ½ of a resonance-frequency cycle so that a resonance between the regeneration capacitance and the transformer's leakage inductance avoids excessive ringing currents and/or lost efficiency.

Abstract: A portable diagnostic module may use a standardized physical interface to connect to a series of sensors. The module can be configured to accept different types of sensor outputs, and to collect the sensed data for use in local or networked analysis to help identify errors and faults before they occur.

Abstract: An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) designed to switch power inputs between an alternating current mode and a battery mode by adjusting the amplitude and/or frequency windows of the input voltage so that the uninterruptible power supply accepts the unstable voltage and/or frequency. This prevents the uninterruptible power supply to switch back to the battery mode during a transfer time between the battery mode and the AC mode. The uninterruptable power supply includes a control circuit. The control circuit modifies the monitored value and/or actual amplitude and/or the frequency window when unstable amplitude and/or an unstable frequency are detected at the input terminal of the input voltage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the solid-state lighting apparatus includes a solid-state light source. The solid-state light source may include a first side and a second side opposite the first side, with the first side including at least one solid-state lighting element. The solid-state lighting apparatus may also include a junction box. The junction box may be positioned at least partially above the solid-state light source, proximate the second side of the solid-state light source. The solid-state lighting apparatus may further include a heat sink. The heat sink may be coupled to the junction box and thermally coupled to the solid-state light source.

Abstract: A variable frequency drive system for controlling the frequency of a high-voltage power source supplied to a first electric motor includes a transformer section that includes a motorized loadbreak switch system, control power transformers, a controller programmed with control logic to ensure that the motorized loadbreak switch system opens contacts between the high-voltage power source and the variable frequency drive system once the power source is removed, and a tank containing a dielectric fluid, wherein the tank also contains, within the dielectric fluid, a manual isolation switch to supply or remove power to the transformer section, an impedance for use in soft-starting the variable frequency drive system, a primary winding, and a plurality of phase-shifted secondary windings.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for use in a bank note processing machine, and a method of use. The system includes a plurality of operating condition sensors positioned to monitor areas of interest within the machine. A CPU automatically reads the sensors to obtain an initial baseline reading against which operating data is compared. Decisions are made based upon this comparison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling note throughput in real time through a currency processing machine. The invention involves the use of asynchronous components, such as independently driven feeder, transport, and final disposition components, to vary individual note velocity and horizontal distance between notes as they are being processed. The adjustments are made in real time based on detected note quality characteristics and event characteristics of the inputting source of the notes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are shown for detecting a blown fuse in a three-phase line by comparing neutral points in the line before and after the fuses. Diode rectifier circuits may be used to compare the neutral points and generate a DC output voltage when neutral points are off from one another, and photocoupler circuits may provide electrical isolation when signaling a neutral point shift. The neutral points compared need not be on immediate sides of the fuses, so intermediate components may exist, and in some embodiments one of the compared points may be within a load connected to the three-phase line.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically detecting the presence of a perforation, tear, or a transparent window security feature in a bank note. The system includes an optical detection device, and an ultrasonic detection device, and a conveyance device for transporting the bank note along a defined path proximate the detection devices. Each detection device comprises a plurality of optical transmitters and corresponding optical receivers that bracket the note path. A computing device is also provided to determine from the output of the optical detection device the presence of an optical abnormality in the bank note; to determine from the output of the ultrasonic detection device the presence of an ultrasonic abnormality in the bank note; and to determine the presence of a perforation, tear, or transparent window feature based upon the results of the optical abnormality determination or the ultrasonic abnormality determination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing notes having gross defects from a currency processing machine prior to the notes entering the primary detection function of the machine. The invention involves the use of a gross defect detector module which detects notes having gross defects that could jam the machine if such defects were note detected and the notes were allowed to continue down the note path for processing. The invention works in conjunction with a conventional reject pocket located further downstream in the note path for the collection of notes identified as rejects during the subsequent main detection function.

Abstract: An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) designed to switch power inputs between an alternating current mode and a battery mode having a sensor to monitor a load current, and a central processing unit (CPU) to boost a bus voltage of the uninterruptable power supply by increasing a calculated reference voltage to a target reference voltage by a slope. The calculated reference voltage is calculated by the CPU based on a voltage drop value in main capacitors that occurs during a transfer time between the battery mode and the AC mode. The target reference voltage is the voltage across an equivalent circuit of the main capacitors before the voltage drop. The slope is based on a ratio of a voltage drop value across an equivalent circuit of main capacitors and a charging up time to reach the target reference voltage.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a full image of a bank note being processed. An array of magnetoresistive detectors is employed to obtain multiple line-scan sensings of a bank note as the note passes. A central processing unit obtains the plurality of sensings as magnetic pattern data which is subsequently stored in a database for later processing.