Abstract: Present embodiments include an automation control system that includes an input/output device module with a device bus therein. The input/output module also includes a first bus contact on a first side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus, and a second bus contact on a second side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus. The second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side and the input/output device module is configured to be coupled with additional input/output device modules positioned on the first and second sides of the input/output device module via the first and second bus contacts.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an adaptable automation control component that includes a base capable of communicatively coupling with a system bus and with a functional module that includes communication and control circuitry. The adaptable automation control component also includes a device power bus including electrical contacts that are capable of communicatively coupling the adaptable automation control component with a separate automation control component, and an activation mechanism including circuitry capable of continuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is engaged, and capable of discontinuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is disengaged. The adaptable automation control component facilitates functionality of the adaptable automation control component as an input/output module or a power distribution module depending on whether the activation mechanism is engaged or disengaged.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an automation control system that includes an input/output device module with a device bus therein. The input/output module also includes a first bus contact on a first side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus, and a second bus contact on a second side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus. The second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side and the input/output device module is configured to be coupled with additional input/output device modules positioned on the first and second sides of the input/output device module via the first and second bus contacts.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an adaptable automation control component that includes a base capable of communicatively coupling with a system bus and with a functional module that includes communication and control circuitry. The adaptable automation control component also includes a device power bus including electrical contacts that are capable of communicatively coupling the adaptable automation control component with a separate automation control component, and an activation mechanism including circuitry capable of continuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is engaged, and capable of discontinuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is disengaged. The adaptable automation control component facilitates functionality of the adaptable automation control component as an input/output module or a power distribution module depending on whether the activation mechanism is engaged or disengaged.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an automation control system that includes an input/output device module with a device bus therein. The input/output module also includes a first bus contact on a first side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus, and a second bus contact on a second side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus. The second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side and the input/output device module is configured to be coupled with additional input/output device modules positioned on the first and second sides of the input/output device module via the first and second bus contacts.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an adaptable automation control component that includes a base capable of communicatively coupling with a system bus and with a functional module that includes communication and control circuitry. The adaptable automation control component also includes a device power bus including electrical contacts that are capable of communicatively coupling the adaptable automation control component with a separate automation control component, and an activation mechanism including circuitry capable of continuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is engaged, and capable of discontinuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is disengaged. The adaptable automation control component facilitates functionality of the adaptable automation control component as an input/output module or a power distribution module depending on whether the activation mechanism is engaged or disengaged.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an automation control system that includes an input/output device module with a device bus therein. The input/output module also includes a first bus contact on a first side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus, and a second bus contact on a second side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus. The second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side and the input/output device module is configured to be coupled with additional input/output device modules positioned on the first and second sides of the input/output device module via the first and second bus contacts.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an adaptable automation control component that includes a base capable of communicatively coupling with a system bus and with a functional module that includes communication and control circuitry. The adaptable automation control component also includes a device power bus including electrical contacts that are capable of communicatively coupling the adaptable automation control component with a separate automation control component, and an activation mechanism including circuitry capable of continuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is engaged, and capable of discontinuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is disengaged. The adaptable automation control component facilitates functionality of the adaptable automation control component as an input/output module or a power distribution module depending on whether the activation mechanism is engaged or disengaged.

Abstract: A modular base for an electrical device and an electrical device including same and also removable modules are disclosed. The modular base comprises a plurality of base components adapted to be arranged relative to each other to define a backplane comprising a plurality of module mounting locations, wherein each mounting location comprises a first electrical base connector of one base component and a second electrical base connector of another base component. A plurality of removable modules are adapted to be respectively removably connected to the backplane in the mounting locations to provide a modular electrical device. Each of the modules comprises a first module connector adapted to be mated with a first base connector of a mounting location and a second module connector adapted to be mated with a second base connector of the mounting location The backplane comprises one or more coupling devices for releasably engaging a module.

Abstract: A modular electrical device and/or module for same with improved sealing is disclosed. The device comprises a base comprising at least one mounting location comprising first and second electrical base connectors. The module comprises first and second electrical module connectors that are respectively adapted for mating with the first and second electrical base connectors at respective first and second connector interfaces. First and second seals are located respectively at the first-and second connector interfaces. The first and second seals each comprise first and second sealing elements that act respectively in first and second directions that are transverse relative to each other.

Abstract: A modular base for an electrical device and an electrical device including same and also removable modules are disclosed. The modular base comprises a plurality of base components adapted to be arranged relative to each other to define a backplane comprising a plurality of module mounting locations, wherein each mounting location comprises a first electrical base connector of one base component and a second electrical base connector of another base component. A plurality of removable modules are adapted to be respectively removably connected to the backplane in the mounting locations to provide a modular electrical device. Each of the modules comprises a first module connector adapted to be mated with a first base connector of a mounting location and a second module connector adapted to be mated with a second base connector of the mounting location The backplane comprises one or more coupling devices for releasably engaging a module.

Abstract: A modular electrical device and/or module for same with improved sealing is disclosed. The device comprises a base comprising at least one mounting location comprising first and second electrical base connectors. The module comprises first and second electrical module connectors that are respectively adapted for mating with the first and second electrical base connectors at respective first and second connector interfaces. First and second seals are located respectively at the first-and second connector interfaces. The first and second seals each comprise first and second sealing elements that act respectively in first and second directions that are transverse relative to each other.

Abstract: A modular base for an electrical device and an electrical device including same and also removable modules are disclosed. The modular base comprises a plurality of base components adapted to be arranged relative to each other to define a backplane comprising a plurality of module mounting locations, wherein each mounting location comprises a first electrical base connector of one base component and a second electrical base connector of another base component. A plurality of removable modules are adapted to be respectively removably connected to the backplane in the mounting locations to provide a modular electrical device. Each of the modules comprises a first module connector adapted to be mated with a first base connector of a mounting location and a second module connector adapted to be mated with a second base connector of the mounting location The backplane comprises one or more coupling devices for releasably engaging a module.

Abstract: A disk drive support system suspends a disk drive within a sleeve-like support housing from two upper corners and two lower corners using four parallelepiped shaped elastomeric mounts, one bridging the drive and housing at each corner. Each mount has one zone affixed to the drive and another opposite zone affixed to the housing by tangs on the drive and housing which engage two respective slots in the mount. A third slot is formed in the mount between the two zones so that there is no straight line path between the zones through the material of the mount which is not interrupted by the slot. The third slot thereby prevents transmission of direct compressive forces between the two zones, and thus requires at least some component of force acting between the two zones to act in shear. Shock absorber pads are provided on the disk drive which are separated from the housing by an air space so as to absorb shocks but not transmit vibrations.

Abstract: A method for multiplexing data between a set of line circuits and a set of time division multiplexed highway lines connected to a central switch. Line circuits are organized into clusters of fixed numbers of circuits. Groups of four clusters send data to and receive data from a single multiplexer/demultiplexer. One or more multiplexers may be connected to the same set of highways. A single master processor performs all of the highway and time slot assignments for the network. These assignments are made so that each cluster will transmit or receive during consecutive time slots on a single highway line. The multiplexer is capable of providing conductivity between any cluster and any of the highways. The highway and time slot assignments for each cluster may be altered by reprogramming the multiplexer.

Abstract: A pressure sensing device utilizing force transducer ink comprises a resistive region deposited between a first and a second conducting region on a first insulating material, the resistive region electrically coupling the two conducting regions. On a second insulating material, a conducting region is deposited and a layer of force transducer ink is deposited over the conducting region. The two insulating materials are positioned in such a manner that the pressure transducer ink is in contact with the resistive region and separates the resistive and coupled conducting regions from the conducting region. A determination of the force applied to this configuration can be made by measuring the resistance between the first and second conducting regions. According to a second embodiment, a second resistive region and coupled conducting regions replace the conducting region on the second insulating material.