Abstract: A flexible process controller for coordinating the operations of various equipment is disclosed. Briefly stated, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, various parameters of the sub-systems in a HVAC system are monitored and made alterable or changeable. These parameters are transmitted to and controlled by a flexible process controller which thereafter cooperates with a motor drive controller. Logic incident to and resident in the flexible process controller consider the various parameters monitored and allow the user or the system to minimize power consumption amongst one or more of the sub-systems while maximizing efficiency and operability.

Abstract: A voltage regulator controller having integral expansion ports. The expansion ports are provided by way of an I/O expansion chassis which is electrically coupled to the controller's microprocessor.

Abstract: A tap changer including a tap positionable to vary the winding ratio of the transformer in response to changes in an electric load on the transformer is disclosed herein. The transformer includes an electric drive which is responsive to raise or lower signals applied thereto in order to selectively position the tap by the raising or lowering of the tap and thereby raising or lowering the transformer winding ratio. Upon sensing the current of the motor control signals, an up/down counter is incremented or decremented. Accordingly, when a tap change signal is detected, the direction of tap changer movement may be determined, based upon the value of the up/down counter. In this way the tap position is also accurately determined and known.

Abstract: A tap changer including a tap positionable to vary the winding ratio of the transformer in response to changes in an electric load on the transformer is disclosed herein. The transformer includes an electric drive which is electrically powered to selectively position the tap to effect incremental changes of the winding ratio. The transformer includes a monitoring system which monitors the load voltage of the transformer with at least one potential transformer which produces signals which are converted to digital data values stored in a circular data buffer. Each time control signals are applied to the electric drive and a subsequent tap change indication is detected, the first and last data values in the circular buffer are compared, and when the difference between the values exceeds a predetermine limit, the system updates a tap position value which represents the position of the tap.

Abstract: This invention relates, generally, to the recording of power related characteristics of power flowing through an electronic circuit breaker. Briefly stated, an electronic circuit breaker having a micro-processor therein and at least one port or pin on the micro-processor is used to produce an output pulse with time and/or frequency of the pulse related to the power characteristic being measured. This output pulse is thereafter transmitted to a recorder which is preferably a pulse data recorder or may be a data recorde.

Abstract: A Redundant Networked Database System is taught. Briefly stated, Control System Computers are designated for primary and backup database operation with applications being inputable to either primary or backup. Upon changes to the database, the primary and backup communication agents communicate with each other and to automatically update the backup. In this fashion, the primary and backup databases are automatically synchronized without manual intervention or the need for reinputting of the changes to the backup database.

Abstract: A high speed programmable logic controller is taught. Briefly stated a Programmable Logic Controller having memory, a microprocessor and a Co-Processor are operatively interconnected using a Harvard style architecture therefore having separate data and instruction busses. The Co-Processor acts as a Boolean Processor and is therefore able to simultaneously perform instruction fetches and executions thereby resulting in substantially increased overall speed of the PLC and therefore allowing for fast process control.

Abstract: A voltage regulator controller is provided with multiple control programs. At any given time, one of the control programs is selected to be "active" depending on the existing operating conditions. An operator (user) configures the voltage regulator control to change its active control program based on a number of factors, which can include, for example, demand metering values, the time and/or date, external inputs such as the measured transformer oil temperature, commands received via a serial communications port and fault/maintenance status. In a preferred embodiment, the configuration settings for activation are handled in accordance with a priority scheme when more than one of the conditions occur simultaneously.

Abstract: A voltage regulator controller of the types used with a multi-tap voltage regulator transformer having a plurality of tap positions for adjusting an output voltage in discrete tap position steps is provided with a number of control algorithms which are dynamically changed responsive to the measured oil temperature in the transformer. In one embodiment, the voltage regulator controller includes a memory having tap movement control code stored therein for controlling the tap positions in accordance with a plurality of tap position control algorithms, means for measuring the oil temperature of the voltage regulator transformer, means for monitoring the oil temperature within the transformer and, means for selecting one of the tap position control algorithms as being active as a function of the oil temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plug-in ground fault monitor module for a circuit breaker trip unit configured to operate with a plurality of different plug-in plug-in modules. The ground fault monitor module includes a memory which stores data representative of the its particular function. This memory is readable by the trip unit and enables the trip unit to automatically adapt to communicate monitored ground fault data to the ground fault module. The ground fault module also includes means for setting threshold levels for a ground fault alarm signal. The ground fault alarm signal is generated independently of ground fault alarms in the trip unit based on its internal thresholds. This signal can be used to control an external relay which operates a shunt trip mechanism or an external alarm. The trip unit includes a processor and programming which permits a bi-directional flow of data between the units, such as display data and control data.

Abstract: An adjustable depth electrical enclosure is taught. Briefly stated, a load center housing has inverted T shaped slots provided along its exterior. A bracket having an adjusting screw swagged thereto is extended through the T slot so that the bracket can ride back and forth in the vertical portion of the T slot. The adjusting screw is rotatably attached to a flange on the enclosure such that rotation of the screw causes the adjusting bracket to move with respect to the front/rear direction of the enclosure. Thereafter, when the brackets are attached to wall studs, mere adjustment of the adjusting screw allows the enclosure to be moved perpendicular to the wall thereby allowing the enclosure to be accurately flush mounted with the wall material utilized.

Abstract: A composition and method for encapsulating a solar cell which minimizes thermal discoloration, or browning, of the encapsulant. The composition includes an EVA encapsulant, a curing agent and one of two particularly well-suited hindered amine light stabilizers, either O,O-t-Amyl-O-(1,2,2,6,6-Pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl) mono-peroxycarbonate or Poly[(4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidine-ethanol)-co-dimethyl succinate]. Alternatively, if the selected hindered amine light stabilizer is O,O-t-Amyl-O-(1,2,2,6,6-Pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl) mono-peroxycarbonate, the curing agent need not be included. The composition is applied to a solar cell then cured. The cured product withstands thermal exposure and resists thermal discoloration.

Abstract: A trip circuit for tripping a circuit breaker has a first coil having a relatively large number of turns and therefore a relatively slow reaction time and a second coil having a relatively small number of turns and therefore a relatively fast reaction time. The first coil is responsive to a relatively low current level through a circuit breaker for tripping the circuit breaker at the rated tripping current. The second coil is responsive to a higher current through the circuit breaker for tripping the circuit breaker with great rapidity in case the higher level is reached before the first coil has an opportunity to react.

Abstract: An X-ray diffractometer having a simple yet accurate means for locating the surface of the sample to be examined with respect to the zero point of the X-ray (RS) is disclosed. Briefly stated, a laser (LA) and camera (KA) are positioned at preferably 90.degree. with respect to each other such that the intersection of the optical axis of the camera and the laser passes through the zero point of the diffractometer. In this fashion, the camera will see at its center, the zero point of the X-ray despite the fact that the X-ray is of course invisible to the naked eye. Accordingly, by movement of the sample (P) with respect to this camera image, the true and correct zero point of the X-ray with respect to the surface of the sample to be examined may be determined without the need for experimental and unnecessary X-ray or examination runs being taken.