Abstract: A technique is provided for enhancing performance of a circuit interrupter by deionizing arc plasma developed during an interruption event. A source material is disposed in a secondary current carrying path parallel to a primary current carrying path through the device. Upon movement of a movable contact in the primary current carrying path, current begins to flow through the source material, causing surface ablation of a material which deionizes arc plasma, resulting in greater voltage investment in the arc and more rapid extinction.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) Device manufactured on a microscopic scale using integrated circuit techniques provides a sensitive magnetic field sensor by detecting motion caused by the Lorentz force produced by a current through a MEMS conductor. The resulting MEMS may be used as a component in a variety of devices including current sensors and proximity sensors.

Abstract: An arbiter system comprises a plurality of hardware resources, a common resource, and an arbiter. The plurality of hardware resources are divided into groups of hardware resources and are coupled to the common resource and the arbiter. The arbiter controls which of the plurality of hardware resources has priority to access to the common resource. The arbiter includes a group shifting arbiter which shifts priority among the groups of hardware resources and a level shifting arbiter which separately shifts priority among the hardware resources within each of the groups. An error checking value generator system comprises a general purpose DMA controller and an arithmetic circuit. The arithmetic circuit is coupled to receive data from the general purpose DMA controller. The arithmetic circuit generates an error checking value based on the data received from the general purpose DMA controller and based on a polynomial equation.

Abstract: A pump control system and a controller therefor are disclosed which operate a motorized pump in a controlled fashion. The controller provides a control signal to a motor drive according to a setpoint or according to a cavitation signal from a cavitation detection component in the controller. If the cavitation detection component determines that pump cavitation is likely or suspected, the controller may operate the pump motor according to the cavitation signal, in order to reduce or eliminate the cavitation condition, before resuming normal control according to the setpoint.

Abstract: A technique for securing a conduit box to a housing of an electric motor is disclosed. The technique includes forming a hollow extension from a surface of the conduit box. The conduit box is placed on a motor frame so that the hollow extension is inserted into a hole in the motor frame that passes into the hollow interior of the motor frame. The hollow extension is plastically deformed inside the motor housing to a greater width than the diameter of the hole in the motor housing so that the conduit box cannot be removed from the motor housing. A stator is placed in the motor housing and wiring is routed from the stator to the interior of the wiring box through a passageway formed by the hollow extension.

Abstract: An electrical circuit interrupter includes a primary or normal current carrying path and a transient or alternative current carrying path. The normal current carrying path is established by a movable spanner extending between stationary contacts during normal operation. The transient current carrying path includes at least one variable resistance element which transitions from a lower resistance to a higher resistance during interruption. The transient current carrying path forms an open circuit in parallel with the normal current carrying path during normal operation. Upon interruption, the transient current carrying path is favored for the fault current, completely interrupting the normal current carrying path. The variable resistance elements increase their resistivity during this phase of operation to aid in providing high levels of back-EMF for complete interruption of fault current through the device and limitation of let-through energy.

Abstract: A method for interrupting current is provided wherein substantially all current is conveyed through a first current carrying path in a circuit interrupter. A movable element is displaced for interruption of the current, and current is directed through both the first current carrying path and a second current carrying path in parallel with the first path The second current carrying path includes at least one variable or controllable resistance element. Both current carrying paths conduct current during interruption, with resistance of the paths driving the current to a null level. Current through the first current carrying path may be terminated prior to current through the second path. The variable resistance element draws current into the second current carrying path once an arc in the first path reaches a resistance sufficient to transition a portion of the current to both paths.

Abstract: Extended low priority data is integrated into high priority I/O data in a scanned data transfer protocol using regular transmission fixed data blocks by allocating as little as a single word of the data block to the sequential transmission of this low priority data. Low priority data is buffered on both sides of this transmission to allow it to be transmitted over the course of many data block. As a result, the regular and predictable transfer of input and output data is not upset while allowing arbitrarily large low priority data to be sent at a relatively low data rate.

Abstract: A monitoring and protection system includes a plurality of monitoring modules that are positioned proximate to points of interest in a machine system where dynamic operating conditions are to be monitored. The monitoring modules at individual locations communicate with one another via an open industrial data exchange protocol. The groups of modules may also communicate via the same protocol, creating a flexible and expandable system that accommodates a wide range of modules and that avoids the need for conventional backplane architecture. The groups also communicate with remote equipment via a different standard data exchange protocol, such as via a gateway associated with each of the monitoring module groups.

Abstract: An active filter controller for use with both pure and hybrid shunt filters wherein the controller maintains a minimum DC bus voltage required to generate a compensating current on coupling lines and also extrapolates to estimate an expected feedback current to be compensated so that compensation currents are more accurate and harmonic currents are appreciably reduced.

Abstract: A technique and system for insulating conductors is provided in which insulating tubes are formed by winding insulating tape on a mandrel, with two or more layers of tape being wound in the same or opposite helical directions. The layers are bonded to one another and multiple tubes are formed in a series which can be nestingly assembled. The tubes are selected based upon the insulation rating desired and the size of a conductor. The tubes are assembled on the conductor and bonded to one another and to the conductor.

Abstract: A rotating coupling allows a vacuum chamber in the rotor of a superconducting electric motor to be continually pumped out. The coupling consists of at least two concentric portions, one of which is allowed to rotate and the other of which is stationary. The coupling is located on the non-drive end of the rotor and is connected to a coolant supply and a vacuum pump. The coupling is smaller in diameter than the shaft of the rotor so that the shaft can be increased in diameter without having to increase the size of the vacuum seal.

Abstract: The present invention provides cavitation detection systems and methods employing a classifier for detecting, diagnosing and/or classifying cavitation in a pumping system. The classifier can be integral to tie cavitation detection system and/or operatively coupled to the cavitation system via a controller, diagnostic device and/or computer. Parameters such as flow, pressure and motor speed arc measured and/or estimated, and then provided to a classifier system Such systems include Bayesian, Fuzzy Set, nonlinear regression, neural networks and other training systems, for example The classifier system provides a signal indicative of the existence and extent of cavitation. An exemplary classification system is presented that delineates cavitation extent into one or more of the following categories: 0 (no cavitation), 1 (incipient cavitation), 2 (medium cavitation), 3 (fill cavitation) and 4 (surging cavitation).

Abstract: A technique is provided for adapting feedback control system performance to applications involving changing inertial loads. A modified gain profile is applied for a control system block that includes isolated torque scaling. The torque scaling block facilitates the generation of gain profiles specifically adapted to the changing inertial conditions of the load. Dilatory effects of backlash and similar load discontinuity can be avoided, therefore, by appropriately applying gain profiles to reduce gain within a region of reduced load.

Abstract: An in-plane fuse adapter provides a conductive extension that may be received by a standard terminal of a terminal block relay or the like to present side surfaces conforming substantially to the width of the terminal block relay allowing other terminal blocks to be closely abutted to the left and right side of the terminal block relay when it is attached to a connector rail. A wire terminal is held by the housing and attached to the second socket positioned to receive and retain an external electrical conductor of a type normally received by the plurality of terminals of the terminal block relay.

Abstract: A sleeve bearing system is provided in which wear is reduced and thrust loading capabilities are offered. An inner ring is secured tightly to a rotating member via a collar. The inner ring forms a plain or sleeve bearing with a bearing set. The bearing set may be supported within a housing designed to be fitted to a machine frame. A thrust extension of the bearing set interfaces with the collar to transmit thrust loading on the rotating member to the bearing set and housing via the inner ring and collar.

Abstract: A seal system is provided for a bearing. The bearing includes a housing having two sides and a bearing element disposed within the housing. The bearing element is disposed to facilitate motion of a rotating shaft. The seal system includes a seal carrier which is adapted to be mounted on the bearing housing. The seal carrier has a groove in an inner periphery wherein a seal is disposed within the seal carrier groove. The seal has a soft flexible lip which contacts the rotating shaft. A groove is formed in an outer periphery of the seal for receiving a retaining device. The seal and the seal carrier are mountable on either side of the bearing even when the two sides experience dissimilar environments such as vacuum on one side and a liquid spray on the other. The seal and/or the seal carrier may be split for facilitating simpler in-field installation.

Abstract: A dedicated memory object for networked, programmable electrical components is designed to be embedded in the components to receive system and component-specific data. The memory object is preferably resident and includes dedicated blocks for system designation data, component designation data, component location data, and data descriptive of the function of the component. The object may also include dedicated blocks for input and output configuration where interface circuitry is provided in the component. The memory object may be initially programmed via a network and subsequently reprogrammed as the system is modified or designations change. The object may be polled to reconstruct system representations and for monitoring and control operations.

Abstract: An integrated control and diagnostics system for a controlled system (e.g., a motor) includes a diagnostics module and a controller coupled to the motor. To optimize operation, the diagnostics information signal is used to modify the control provided by the controller as required. Moreover, the output of the control module is coupled to the diagnostics module so that the health assessment made by the diagnostics module can be based at least in part on the output of the controller. The invention uses a model-based diagnostics approach that allows integration of control algorithms with diagnostics algorithms to intelligently trade off optimizing performance to avert or accommodate failures, and to meet performance requirements in a wide range of applications.

Abstract: A switch mechanism comprising a housing in which a switch is mounted, the switch being actuable to switch between first and second conditions. A cam is mounted within the housing to rotate about a predetermined cam axis, the cam defining a cam surface against which a cam follower bears such that rotation of the cam causes displacement of the cam follower to activate the switch. An actuator shaft which may be connected to a safety rope is mounted to be axially displaceable within the housing, the actuator shaft being mechanically coupled to the cam such that axial displacement of the shaft causes the cam to rotate about its axis. The actuator shaft is positionable in an intermediate axial position in which the cam is rotatable to a predetermined rotational position such that the cam follower causes the switch to assume the first condition.