Abstract: A technique is provided for insulating a winding or coil for an electrical machine such as a motor. The coil is wound and placed in a taping station. Multiple layers of insulating tape are applied along an end region with leads bent back from the end region. The taping station permits the leads to be then placed over the insulated end region, and the main body region of the coil is similarly taped in a continuous uninterrupted manner. The tape wrap pitch may be varied along certain regions, where increased dielectric strength is desired. Following the insulating tape application, an armor tape may be applied over both the end region and the main region of the coil in a continuous uninterrupted manner. The coil can then be finished and assembled in a machine such as an electric motor stator.

Abstract: Components designed for use in networked control and monitoring systems including dedicated memory objects which store data representative of the system, the component and the function of the component in the system. The component-specific information may include data indicating the physical location of the component in the system. The objects are reprogrammable to adapt to system changes. A system comprising the components allows the objects to be accessed via a data network. Controlled or monitored parameters of the components may thus be collected in association with the other data stored in the objects.

Abstract: An improved raster engine adapted to render video data from a frame buffer to one of a plurality of disparate displays is disclosed which comprises an integral bounded video signature analyzer, a hardware cursor apparatus supporting dual scanned displays, programmatic support for multiple disparate display types, multi-mode programmable hardware blinking, programmable multiple color depth digital display interface, and programmable matrix controlled grayscale generation.

Abstract: A technique is provided for generating, resizing and rescaling an image. The image may be of a physical system, and may be based upon data collected from components via a data network. Elements in the image are associated into logical groups. The image is displayed in a display area, the dimensions of which may be changed by a user. Upon a change in a first dimension of the display area, the image is rescaled so as to maintain an original aspect ratio of the image. Resizing of the display area in a second direction does not rescale the image, but changes the number of logical groups displayed.

Abstract: Technique for reducing bearing current discharges in a system by increasing the surface area between the shaft and the frame of the system and thereby increasing the rotor to frame capacitance.

Abstract: A technique for monitoring operational parameters of networked components includes storing data within each component descriptive of the component. The data is polled by a monitoring station and provides a basis for monitor views compiled in real time. The monitor views provide a view of current levels of parameters controlled or monitored by each device, such as on virtual meters. Historical levels of operational parameters may be presented in virtual strip chart output. Textual descriptions of the components are provided, along with listings of key settings. More detailed data may be accessed by links between the monitor views and other user viewable representations for the system and the specific components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a motor controller to cause balanced positive and negative current half-cycles in a motor phase, the method comprising the steps of, for an occurring half-cycle, identifying the most recently obtained valid shut-off angle, identifying the fire angle immediately preceding the identified shut-off angle, mathematically combining the identified fire angle and the identified shut-off angle to identify a next virtual zero crossing (VZC) angle, mathematically combining the next VZC angle and the notch angle to determine a fire angle for the occurring half-cycle and repeating the method for the next half-cycle.

Abstract: An insulting cover for industrial control components employs a cover support that may simply attached to existing or specially prepared structures on the control component, which supports a door that may be opened or closed for access to the control component. A variety of different covers may be simply generated using CAD templates executed to cut sheets of plastic that may be formed with relatively simple and low cost techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method for facilitating cooling of a totally enclosed motor. A first thermal barrier is coupled to a first end bracket and is operable to insulate bearings from internal heat produced by the motor. Either an external fan located opposite the drive end of the motor, an externally mounted blower, or free ambient air convection may be employed to provide cooling air to the motor. An air deflector is coupled to the drive end of the motor to capture the cooling air and direct it as high velocity air over the first end bracket thereby keeping the bearings supported within the first end bracket cool. Alternatively, an external fan may be coupled to the drive end of the motor to provide cooling air to the first end bracket.

Abstract: A method for fabricating MEMS structures includes etching a recess in either an upper surface of a substrate that is bonded to a wafer that ultimately forms the MEMS structure, or to the lower surface of the wafer that is bonded to the substrate. Accordingly, once the etching processes of the wafer are completed, the recess facilitates the release of an internal movable structure within the fabricated MEMS structure without the use of a separate sacrificial material. Furthermore, a bridge, which is preferably insulating, is pre-etched before the wafer is attached to the substrate.

Abstract: A technique for supplying power and data signals to panel-mounted components includes distribution of power and data conductors in a trunk wireway and further distribution to component locations via drop cable assemblies disposed in drop wireways. The drop cable assemblies and trunk cable assemblies may include identical cable. The cables have a plurality of parallel conductors in an insulated jacket. Connectors are mounted on the drop cable assemblies for receiving plug-in component cable assemblies routed to individual components mounted within component panels or bays. The components are thus electrically coupled in parallel with one another and may receive both power and data signals via the drop and trunk cable assemblies coupled to a network. Individual components may be independent installed and removed for servicing with interrupting service to upstream or downstream components in the system.

Abstract: A superconductor motor operates as a squirrel cage induction motor. The rotor is covered with a thin film of superconducting material and the magnetic field created by the stator is strong enough to quench the superconducting material to its normal state at periodic spots on the rotor. This periodic quenching both creates a squirrel cage configuration of superconducting material on the rotor and allows the stator field to penetrate the rotor to induce a current. Once the squirrel cage is “created” by the stator field and a current induced, the motor operates as a conventional squirrel cage induction motor.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method for integrating an electric motor with an electromagnetic brake. An integral field cup and front end shield is employed to function as both a brake field cup and a motor end shield. The integral field cup and front end shield houses a bearing assembly for the motor and an electromagnetic coil for the brake. Moreover, the integral field cup and front end shield operatively encloses the opposite drive end of the motor. In addition, an internal fan is positioned at the opposite drive end of the motor outside the brake and is operable to cool both the brake and the motor.

Abstract: A device comprises a first magnetically conductive structure, a second magnetically conductive structure, and a circuit coupled the first and second magnetically conductive structures. The circuit senses information pertaining to a permeability of the first magnetically conductive structure relative to a permeability of the second magnetically conductive structure. The device may be used for various flux sensing and control applications, such as in current sensors.

Abstract: A MEMS structure is provided having a cap that encapsulates and protects the fragile components of the device, while having an electrical trace embedded in a nonconductive substrate. The electrical trace includes a first terminal end that is exposed to the peripheral region of the device, and a second end that is connected to the MEMS structure to facilitate operation of the device.

Abstract: A terminal covering cap is mounted over the connection terminals of a multi-phase electrical switching device in order to increase the electric strength between the connection terminals of neighbouring phases. The L-shaped terminal covering cap closely abuts on its side facing the insulating housing the marginal region of connection openings leading to the connection terminals, with a negligible air gap. With this barrier, the required increased test voltage between the connection terminals can be withstood. On the side facing away from the insulating housing, the terminal covering cap is provided with ribs, to extend the creep distance on this side of the terminal covering cap. The terminal covering cap formed in this way makes it possible to carry out testing a the prescribed, increased test voltage without enlarging the insulating housing in order to extend the creep distance between the connection terminals of neighbouring phases.

Abstract: A monitoring and protection technique for machine systems includes providing multiple processors within a monitoring module. A first processor generally performs management functions, such as data communications control, memory management, and so forth. A second processor performs complex calculations that provide data to the first processor. The module may be specifically adapted to applications, such as vibration monitoring, in which case the second processor may perform analysis of received signals to derive vibrational data that forms the basis for decisions for energizing or de-energizing relay circuitry used to control the machine system or an alarm.

Abstract: A stator assembly for use in an electromechanical machine includes an improved concentric winding arrangement. Groups of concentric coils are alternately inserted from both ends of the stator core. In other words, a first phase group is inserted from one end. The stator core is then rotated 180° for insertion of the second phase group. Next, the stator core is rotated back to its original position for insertion of the third phase group. The alternating process continues until all phase groups have been inserted. Preferably, the winding pattern utilizes a combination of full slots and shared slots, with full slots of different groups of the same phase being adjacent to one another. The invention permits the use of automated winding equipment in large inductions motors where hand insertion was often required in the past.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling and monitoring operation of a valve are disclosed. The system includes an actuator and a switch that, upon being actuated, provides a control signal to the actuator designed to cause the valve to change from a first state to a second state. The system further includes a sensor positioned downstream of the valve, an indicator, and a detection device coupled at least indirectly to the switch, the sensor and the indicator. When not detecting a sensor failure, the detection device allows the indicator to indicate that the valve has changed its state in response to the switch being actuated when the sensor indicates that the valve has so changed. Upon detecting a sensor failure, the detection device prevents the indicator from indicating that the valve has changed its state in response to the switch being actuated.

Abstract: A method of determining a type of touch plane operator input device comprises sensing the impedance across first and second terminals of a touch plane operator input device to distinguish the touch plane operator input device as being one of at least two different types of touch plane operator input devices. A method of processing an input from a touch plane operator input device comprises determining a first location of a first touch on the touch plane operator input device; determining a second location of a second touch on the touch plane operator input device; comparing the first and second locations to obtain an indication of an amount of difference between the first and second locations; and determining whether the indication of the amount of difference exceeds a predetermined amount. These steps are performed by discrete logic circuitry that provides an event notification to a microprocessor when the indication of the amount of difference exceeds the predetermined amount.