Abstract: A logging system 2 is described in which an input signal value is compared by a signal processor 12 to a trigger-band 34 and an inner-band 36 centered about a previously logged value 34 and changing at a previously determined rate of change. When the trigger-band is exceeded at point 40, intermediate points are logged representing the maximum and minimum points since the last logged point and the point at which the inner-band was left. The intermediate points enable a more accurate subsequent reconstruction of the actual signal to be made from the logged values.

Abstract: A self-aligned optical coupler, and method of manufacturing thereof, for conducting light from and to vertical and/or horizontal ports on optical devices or optoelectric integrated circuits. The device or circuit having the respective port has keys and/or slots on the device or circuit for self-aligning an end of the optical coupler to the port. The end has corresponding slots and/or keys. Visual alignment marks may be used instead so as to permit automatic alignment with machine vision devices. The coupler may have one or a plurality of waveguides. One of the ends of the coupler may have a connector for a self-aligning optical connection to a connector receptacle of a module or a backplane.

Abstract: A circuit placed between an alternating current actuated device and a digital logic controller to isolate the digital logic controller from the AC line power and to provide a signal indicative of actuation of the alternating current device.

Abstract: A light curtain device for creating a curtain of light between a reflective first location and a second location is disclosed. The device includes a light source adapted to provide a light column, a plurality of beam splitters, a plurality of light detectors, and an indicator arranged to indicate the interruption of the light column. The beam splitters are disposed to intersect the light column at intervals, and each of the beam splitters is adapted to direct a deflected portion of the light column toward the first location. The reflective first location receives the deflected portion of the light column from each of the beam splitters and reflects each deflected portion toward the second location. The light detectors are disposed adjacent the second location, with each of the light detectors being operatively associated with a corresponding one of the beam splitters and being positioned to the receive its corresponding deflected portion reflected by the reflector.

Abstract: A sensor with a dynamic latch comprising having a sensor coupled to a gain amplifier, a delay circuit connected to the gain amplifier and a summing circuit coupled through first and second nodes to the gain amplifier. The sensor with a dynamic latch further comprises an output stage coupled to a comparator circuit and the summing circuit and to third and fourth nodes and first and second energy storing devices coupled to the comparator circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus to normalize a flow rate of a fluid in a main flow channel is provided. The apparatus uses a moveable member, such as a flexible membrane disposed for reciprocating displacement, to produce a constant dither flow of the fluid that is independent of fluid composition. This dither flow generates a signal output from a normalizing flow sensor that both represents a characteristic property of the fluid and a flow rate calibration factor. A similar apparatus to determine the characteristic property or flow rate calibration factor is also provided. The devices disclosed may be used in numerous industrial, process, and medical flow system applications for normalization of flow sensors and to derive other properties of a fluid.

Abstract: An interleaved parallel MR bridge array is optimized for sensing fine pitch ring magnets and can be utilized to reduce ring magnet target size for wheel speed sensing applications.

Abstract: A mechanically actuated power stealing solid state low energy switch providing a drop-in replacement for low energy mechanical switches. The present switch eliminates disadvantages of the mechanical switches. Power stealing is done on a constant basis to eliminate spikes, which might interfere with digital logic. Stealing logic with no diode drops allows low power operation on single CMOS substrate and omni-directional hook-up of a power supply with the most negative voltage being directed to the substrate. Hysteresis for the solid state switch is provided to mimic mechanical switch operation but without chatter of the latter.

Abstract: A sensor, such as a proximity sensor, having its components sealed within a case, has its sensitivity adjusted with a remotely settable digital potentiometer after assembly of the sensor. The adjustment connection is then destroyed.

Abstract: An active region of a VCSEL at one (i.e., n doped) end having an expanded effectively undoped region, and another (i.e., p doped) end having a significantly doped region up to or even including a portion of the active region. A previous way had heavy doping of the n and p doped regions up to the active region, at least close to it or even partially into it.

Abstract: A sensing and control circuit for power line shorts works especially well for sensor or actuator devices controlled through a microcontroller. A power control circuit is placed between a pin of a programmable microcontroller and a sensor or actuator device to act as a short detector and switch to control power to the device. A capacitor in the power control circuit is charged and sensed by a single pin of the microcontroller to regulate a transistor which switches power to the device.

Abstract: A micromechanical switch and a method for operating the micromechanical switch between an open position and a closed position by moving a magnet between two positions. The magnet produces a magnetic flux that travels through a magnetically conductive layer. The magnetic flux within the magnetically conductive layer forcibly draws a contact element into contact with an electrically conductive layer and electrically shorts the open electrical contacts.

Abstract: A circuit card module having increased cooling efficiency which comprises at least one printed wiring board (PWB), at least one component mounted on the PWB, a heatsink, an interchangeable frame, and a wedgelock for use with a chassis cold wall. One embodiment of the interchangeable frame comprises a protrusion so that it can be used with a convection-cooled chassis (fully compliant with IEEE 1101.2 Specifications). Another embodiment, for use with conduction-cooled chassis only (partially compliant with IEEE 1101.2 Specifications), is maximally efficient in removing heat as it does not include the protrusion. In the embodiment without the protrusion, the conduction contact area between the chassis cold wall and the frame is increased in width from approximately 0.25″ to approximately 0.35″. In either embodiment, the wedgelock is mounted to one surface of the frame such that when installed in a conduction-cooled chassis, the opposite frame surface is forced against the chassis cold wall.

Abstract: A temperature compensation circuit is provided for use in conjunction with a Hall effect element in which the temperature compensating resistors, or epitaxial resistors, are not placed in the signal loop as portions of the feedback loops of amplifiers. The circuit therefore permits a higher degree of linearity and temperature compensation without inducing the problems that are normally caused by varying voltage potentials across the epitaxial resistors. One embodiment of the circuit also provides a means for clamping, or truncating the output voltage of the circuit to a preselected percentage of the supply voltage even though the supply voltage may vary during the operation of the device. The circuit utilizes several external trimmable resistors to perform final adjustment on the circuit in order to permit individual variations from component to component to be compensated.

Abstract: A commutator assembly has a bracket for the placement and protection of Hall element sensors such as may be used for an electrical commutator assembly or other position locating device. The bracket features a surface containing encasements for each Hall element. The encasements have features for locating the Hall within the encasement by the center lead of each Hall element sensor, each Hall element sensor being spaced from one another at a predetermined distance according to said center lead locating features and being substantially surrounded by said encasement except for the forward surface of said Hall case. The bracket may further include a printed circuit board for electrical connections and an optical encoder assembly for supplementary position information.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatuses for reducing the solar or infrared loading on display devices. A reflective material is positioned between a radiant energy source and the absorptive material of a display device to reflect wavelengths of radiant energy in the infrared or near-infrared range. The reflective material allows visible radiant energy to be transmitted, while reflecting the infrared radiant energy to reduce the infrared loading on the display device. The present invention reduces the temperature rise of the display device due to infrared loading by reflection rather than absorption of the radiant energy, while preserving the integrity of the visible wavelength range. The reflective material reduces the infrared loading on the display device by up to 50%.

Abstract: An adapter for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) circuit card modules resulting in increased cooling efficiency. COTS circuit card modules generally have at least one printed wiring board (PWB), at least one component mounted on the PWB, a heatsink or some type of heat path, a frame for supporting the cards, and a wedgelock for use with a conduction-cooled chassis. The adapter increases the cooling efficiency of such COTS modules while allowing them to remain compliant with IEEE 1101.2 Specifications. The invention is efficient in removing heat from the COTS circuit card modules as it increases the conduction contact area between the chassis cold wall and the COTS module. In addition, the adapter allows for the use of an extended width wedgelock to increase the clamping force over the conduction contact area. The extended width wedgelock is mounted to one surface of the frame such that when installed in a conduction-cooled chassis, the opposite frame surface is forced against the chassis cold wall.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatuses for mitigating chatter vibrations in machine tools or components thereof. Chatter therein is suppressed by periodically or continuously varying the stiffness of the cutting tool (or some component of the cutting tool), and hence the resonant frequency of the cutting tool (or some component thereof). The varying of resonant frequency of the cutting tool can be accomplished by modulating the stiffness of the cutting tool, the cutting tool holder, or any other component of the support for the cutting tool. By periodically altering the impedance of the cutting tool assembly, chatter is mitigated. In one embodiment, a cyclic electric (or magnetic) field is applied to the spindle quill which contains an electro-rheological (or magneto-rheological) fluid. The variable yield stress in the fluid affects the coupling of the spindle to the machine tool structure, changing the natural frequency of oscillation.

Abstract: A geartooth sensor utilizes an algorithm for establishing an adaptive threshold for the switch point of the sensor to minimize drift in the point at which the sensor output changes in relation to the target features it is tracking. The algorithm utilizes measured waveform peak and average outputs and applies a separate empirically derived constant to each value to quickly obtain the major portion of the adaptive threshold value from the product of the first constant and the peak output, and to refine the threshold value further with the product of the second constant and the average output.

Abstract: A thermal fluid flow or property sensor having no exposed contact wires or contact pads in the fluid flow path to obstruct measurements, flat fully passivated sensor surfaces and high corrosion resistance is implemented over a honeycombed thermal isolation chamber.