Abstract: A configurable overload relay selectively operable in a single-phase mode of operation and a multi-phase mode of operation is configured to sense current flow through power conductors. The relay is further configured to determine a parameter related to the current flow, such as average current, vector sum of phase currents, and current imbalance, based on selection of either the single-phase or multi-phase mode of operation. Regardless of the selected mode of operation, the relay can provide protection for multiple types of power conductor fault conditions, including ground faults, overloads, and phase loss. The relay further can be configured to provide a reporting signal indicative of the value of the determined current-related parameter and/or the occurrence of the fault condition.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for selecting a test load and/or bias resistor utilized in an expandable load system employing a backup power source. The test load and/or bias resistor is selected based on the actual load present in the expandable system. The backup power source is periodically tested during normal operation of the expandable load system utilizing the test load. A test load is provided that is sized for the actual load of a local load under worse case conditions. If an expansion load is connected to the local load the test load is adjusted, so that the test load is based on the actual load of the local load and the expansion load. Additionally, a bias resistance can be provided for driving a switch that allows power to be provided to the local load during power loss mode. If an expansion load is connected to the local load, the bias resistance is adjusted to correspond to a bias resistance necessary to provide the current for the actual load of the local load and the expansion load.

Abstract: A method of reconnecting a motor to a motor drive comprises controlling a current which flows through the motor using a current regulator. The current regulator produces a voltage command output based on a current command input. A current is commanded at the current command input of the current regulator. Back EMF measurements are acquired at different instants in time by monitoring the voltage command output of the current regulator. Back EMF phase angles are determined for a plurality of the instants in time based on a respective plurality of the back EMF measurements. A frequency of the back EMF is determined based on the back EMF angles determined for the plurality of instants in time. The motor drive is reconnected to the motor based on the frequency of the back EMF.

Abstract: An encoder includes a plurality of magnetic zones of alternating polarity. At the opposed ends of the encoder magnet are magnetic end zones that provide substantially symmetric magnetic fields. The encoder sensors include first and second sensors that are spaced apart from each other a distance functionally related to the distance between the magnetic end zones. A plurality of first and second sensors are arranged so that the encoder magnet may move relative to the sensors. Each of the first and second sensors provides an associated output signal in response to magnetic influence of the encoder magnet moving past each respective encoder sensor. When each of the first and second encoder sensors senses one of the magnetic end zones of the encoder magnet, the associated output signals are substantially symmetric.

Abstract: A press monitoring and control system includes a press machine, a press configuration module and a press controller. The press machine has a lower die coupled to an upper die, wherein the lower die includes a top surface supporting a strip of material to be formed into a part after a stripper plate coupled to the upper die contacts the strip of material. The press configuration module includes an input module that processes a set of input data corresponding to a particular job and generates a data signal corresponding to the set of input data. The press controller is coupled to the press machine and the press configuration module. The controller processes the data signal, compares the data signal to a set of parameters corresponding to the particular job, and generates at least one servo signal to adjust at least one servo in response to the data signal.

Abstract: A sensor comprises a magnetic flux divider and a winding. The magnetic flux divider comprises first and second magnetic paths through which magnetic flux flows. The magnetic flux divider divides the magnetic flux between the first and second magnetic paths as a function of a total amount of magnetic flux flowing through the magnetic flux divider. The winding produces a signal that is indicative of the total amount of magnetic flux flowing through the flux divider based on the operation of the flux divider. A method of sensing a parameter comprises providing a material with a permeability that varies in accordance with an amount of magnetic flux passing through the material; and acquiring information indicative of the permeability of the material, the permeability of the material being indicative of the parameter. The sensor and method can be utilized to acquire information pertinent to another parameter of ultimate interest, such as information pertaining to a current flow in an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A system of manufacturing a stator is provided. The system comprises: a pallet, which includes, a base portion, a first ring rotatably disposed within the base portion for supporting the stator, a second ring rotatably disposed in the base portion, the second ring including a plurality of clips for releasably securing a plurality of leads extending from the stator; a conveyor system for supporting the pallet and moving the pallet between a plurality of stations; and a means for sleeving at least one of the plurality of leads of the stator at one of the plurality of stations.

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 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 high temperature superconductor (HTS) synchronous motor or generator includes permanent magnets disposed in the rotor. The permanent magnets can be magnetized after the rotor assembly is manufactured. The permanent magnets reduce flux density perpendicular to the superconducting coil. The magnets can be disposed in the d-axis of the motor. The motor is particularly useful in propulsion applications.

Abstract: A control system for an actuator employs a number of discrete feedback controllers each tuned to different operating conditions or parameters. The competing outputs of the feedback controllers are combined using fuzzy logic which dynamically effects a combination depending on the output values. One set of rules in the preferred embodiment gives greater weighting to the output having relatively lower effect on the control process.

Abstract: An industrial control system comprises a first motion control system including a first motor and a first motion controller, a second motion control system including a second motor and a second motion controller, and a user program. The user program is executable by the industrial control system to control the first and second motion control systems. When the user program is displayed to a user, the user program comprises the following graphical elements. In particular, the user program includes a first icon which represents the first motion control system, a second icon which represents the second motion control system, and a third icon which represents a physical relationship between the first and second motion control systems. Finally, also displayed to the user is a plurality of data flow lines that connect the first, second, and third icons and that represent a flow of data between the icons. The various icons are all preferably implemented in an object-oriented programming environment.

Abstract: A diagnostics/prognostics system and related method for collecting and processing data relating to a plurality of subsystems of a dynamic system includes a plurality of sensors, each sensor gathering data and generating a data signal indicative of the health of a corresponding one of the subsystems. In addition, the diagnostics/prognostics system includes a plurality of subsystem modules coupled to corresponding ones of the sensors for generating a subsystem health signal in response to corresponding ones of the data signals. Further, a master diagnostics module is coupled to the subsystems to generate an overall system health signal in response to the subsystem health signals. Preferably, the master diagnostics module includes a memory having an embedded model to facilitate generating the overall system health signal and a related trend analysis.

Abstract: A detachable securement apparatus for a mounting rail, wherein the mounting rail has first and second mounting flanges extending lengthwise along opposite sides of a support section. The apparatus has a body, a securement assembly and a release assembly. Extending from the body, the securement assembly has first and second interface members each including a contact region configured to exert a holding force on the first and second mounting flanges, respectively. The release assembly is configured for removing the holding force on both the first and second mounting flanges to allow vertical removal of the body. The release assembly has an engagement member coupled to the body and to the first and second interface members, and is engagable on a side of the body.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating a phototransducer comprises mounting the phototransducer on a substrate, depositing a surfactant on the substrate, and depositing an encapsulant on the substrate over the surfactant. The surfactant alters a surface tension of the substrate. The encapsulant forms a protective structure that protects the phototransducer.

Abstract: An industrial control system uses a number of autonomous control units, each associated with one piece of equipment in an industrial process. The autonomous control units negotiate by bidding among themselves to determine a common set of input and output values for the interconnected machines with which they are associated. Each autonomous control unit determines whether input values are acceptable by using a model of its associated equipment. The model provides anticipated output values based on given input values and is effectively operated in reverse for external counterbids proposing output values and needing to know input values, or internal counterbids seeking to optimize counterbid input values against output based goals. The reverse modeling iteratively applies inputs to the model until the desired output is attained. The inputs may be constrained by predefined intermediate constraints and may be changed in a binary search pattern. In multi-input models, one input may be specified for iteration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed acquisition of the dimensional parameters of a work piece are effected by simultaneously acquiring probe positional information, converting the probe positional information to standard characteristic data, and calculating multiple dimensional geometries using the converted probe position information. Selected characteristic data may be stored for use with multiple dimensional geometry calculations, reducing the calculation time. A computer and associated software are used to convert the positional information to dimensional geometry information.

Abstract: A Hall effect current sensor system for use in, for example, a relay. The system also includes a core having a central opening for receiving the conductor therethrough. The core further includes a gap sized to receive a Hall generator. The Hall generator and the core are mounted to a first printed circuit board. This circuit board also has an opening to receive the conductor therethrough. The first printed circuit board is electrically and mechanically connected to a second printed circuit board by a board-in-board connection.

Abstract: An input/output device (10) includes housings (12, 120) defining a circuit board receiving cavity (25). An input/output module 160 is removably connected to the housings (12, 120). Circuit board (102) is engaged within the circuit board receiving cavity (25) and has power and data terminals (40, 60) electrically engaged therewith. Each of the power and data terminals (40, 60) have portions extending from the circuit board (102) and are adapted for being electrically engaged with complementary portions of terminals of adjacent devices in a stacked arrangement.

Abstract: A rolling mill system uses a number of autonomous control units, each associated with one piece of equipment of the rolling mill system. The autonomious control units include data indicating not only their constraints of operation, but also reflecting the constraints of operation of machines to which they are attached and with which they share common operating parameters. An autonomous control unit associated with a machine having operating parameters in common with another machine of the rolling mill system adopts the intersection of the ranges of the machine constraints of the two machines. Machine constraints are preserved to the extent possible as ranges, so as to permit flexibility in selecting and seeking goals by the individual autonomous control units.

Abstract: A bearing subassembly includes an improved arrangement for securing the bearing subassembly to a shaft. An adjusting nut is axially locked to a bearing inner ring by sliding the adjusting nut over the inner ring so that a groove in the adjusting nut and recesses, for example, pockets, on the inner ring align. Securement elements, for example, balls, are inserted into the groove and seated in the recesses through a bore from the outer diameter of the adjusting nut to the groove. The inner ring is rotated to allow the securement elements to fall into the recesses and are enclosed between the groove and recesses by inserting, for example, a set screw after the securement elements are loaded. The securement arrangement then prevents the bearing subassembly adjusting nut and inner ring from separating.