Abstract: An arrangement for determining an amount of SO.sub.2 present in the gaseous emissions of a combustible process utilizes an oxygen measuring device and the resultant O.sub.2 measurement to make an inferred determination of such SO.sub.2 measurement. A processing element reads an EMF signal representative of the O.sub.2 present and calculates therefrom, an amount of SO.sub.2 which can be selectively or automatically displayed alone or in conjunction with the O.sub.2 measurement.

Abstract: The image pipeline for a vision system includes a series of digital image processing boards controlled by a computer. A video camera generates from a laser beam reflected from the target surface an RS-170 analog video signal which is converted to a digital signal for processing. Bins of digitizing parameters suitable for several target surface reflectivities are stored in computer memory. The appropriate bin is selected from histogram data of pixel intensity levels generated by one of the image processing boards using digitizing parameters from a reference bin. Improved imaging, especially of black surfaces, is achieved by scanning a laser beam to generate a light stripe over a number of image frames using the digitizing parameters from the selected bin and integrating the data from the successive frames using the image processing boards.

Abstract: A communications arrangement for a distributed process control system operable to control an industrial process where different types of data must be communicated between a number of control drops or stations in varying timing priorities includes a first communication channel on which at least two of the control drops are connected. A second communication channel, independent of the first communication channel, accommodates the communication of a type of data that is not as critical in terms of timing as that which is communicated over the first communication channel. All of the control drops are connected to the second communication channel. A control processor, located at each of the control drops, determines the distribution of the types of data between the two communication channels according to a predetermined timing priority.

Abstract: A wire harness assembly arrangement acquires, prepares and routes various sections of wire by means of a wiring tool apparatus attached to a robotic manipulator. The tool apparatus moves coincident with an arm of the process controlled robotic manipulator and acquires the wire section through a front end portion. The first end of the wire section is fed into the tool apparatus and through a tail end portion of the tool apparatus. The next portion is wound around a spool member disposed within the tool apparatus and rotatable in response to a controlled motor operation. The front end portion is movable in relation to a wire feeding unit so that the wire section wound around the spool member is wound in a helical manner. The wire harness assembly arrangement can also include a strip/crimp station to prepare the acquired wire section for termination. The process controlled robotic manipulator then routes the acquired wire section along a predetermined path to form a part of the wire harness assembly.

Abstract: A time-of-use meter is provided with a means for storing a plurality of identifiers that each represent a cyclic event. These cyclic events are described in such a way that a single word of storage is sufficient to represent numerous occurrences of the cyclic event over a period of many years. A microprocessor-based calendar program is provided with a means for storing a plurality of cyclic event identifiers and special event identifiers in a manner which significantly reduces the required memory storage within the microprocessor and its peripheral memory devices.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the process temperature in an industrial process involving an extruding operation includes a summing element which sums the difference between the process temperature and a setpoint temperature with the rate of change of the process temperature and conveys this sum to a proportional and integral controller so that the output thereof acts in an inverse manner with the process temperature. This output of the controller is summed with the change of temperature rate which has been fed forward, to generate a demand signal. The demand signal is shaped and compared to a ramp waveform to generate a variable frequencey pulse for controlling a heating and/or cooling device associated with the extruding device. A change of speed rate can also be summed to form the demand signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the output of a switching amplifier includes a signal dividing circuit which generates a delayed replica of the carrier signal and a doubled signal having twice the carrier frequency. The doubled signal is effective for establishing a second time delayed signal relative to the first time delayed signal. The first and second time delayed signals are logically operated on so that a three state output representing the carrier signal is attained. A summing amplifier utilizes the two time delayed signals to generate this three state output whereby if the two time delayed signals are out-of-phase, a zero voltage is connected to the drive portion of the switching amplifier thereby limiting the output of the switching amplifier.

Abstract: An electropneumatic door control, particularly for the control of doors in public transportation, which includes for the purpose of detecting the respective position of the door linear motion sensors (1, 2) which are mounted on the pneumatic door cylinders (4, 5) or on the axes of rotation of the door wings, and whose output signals are evaluated by electronics (3). The electronics (3) include a computer which automatically detects the end positions as well as the motion behavior of the door or obstructions, respectively, and triggers a monitoring function, if necessary. The proposed door control increases reliability and eliminates previously used limit switches and electropneumatic differential pressure switches.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a circuit arrangement for sampling a conditioned current value and determining operating characteristics related to the current flow through an electrical circuit. Also included is a circuit arrangement for comparing the operating characteristics to preselectable tripping parameters and circuit arrangement for initiating a trip condition when an operating characteristic exceeds a corresponding tripping parameter. Additionally, a circuit arrangement for selecting and displaying operating information in an understandable format and in an easily accessible position on the circuit interrupter is also included.

Abstract: A magneto-optical current measuring device includes a collimating lens arrangement for focusing a light signal into a parallel beam of light, which beam of light, when polarized is communicated through a Faraday rotator which is disposed in surrounding proximity to the transmission line in which it is desired to measure the current flow. The collimating lens element is formed of a segment of a parabolic lens and a spacer lens element which has a flat surface formed by an edge opposite the parabolic surface, this flat surface extending to the focal length of the parabolic surface. The collimating lens element is constructed in the manner of a monolithic configuration and is then secured together with the polarizing element to the Faraday rotator in a manner so as to eliminate all air-to-glass interfaces.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a circuit arrangement for sampling a conditioned current value and determining operating characteristics related to the current flow through an electrical circuit. Also included is a circuit arrangement for comparing the operating characteristics to preselectable tripping parameters and for initiating a trip condition when an operating characteristic exceeds a corresponding tripping parameter. Additionally, a circuit arrangement for establishing a ground fault current limit using a minimum number of components to achieve a wide range of possible settings, is also included.

Abstract: An economical despatching arrangement for despatching load and fuel assignments on a multi-boiler cogenerative type steam generating plant includes a logic arrangement of determining a present value of flow of each fuel to each boiler, a logic arrangement of determining a present value of the share of the steam load carried by each of the boilers, a logic arrangement for calculating an optimal next value for each of the load and fuel assignments, a logic arrangement for estimating a proportionate share value for one of the boilers and the fuel flow values for one of the fuels and a logic arrangement for implementing the optimal next values as a function of whether a manual or automatic mode of operation has been selected for the particular parameter.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a circuit arrangement for sampling a conditioned current value and determining operating characteristics related to the current flow through an electrical circuit. Also included is a circuit arrangement for comparing the operating characteristics to preselectable tripping parameters and for initiating a trip condition when an operating characteristic exceeds a corresponding tripping parameter. Additionally, a circuit arrangement for initiating a hardware override trip condition using a minimum number of components upon sensing an override signal, is also included; the override signal representing a limit selectable from a range of values.

Abstract: An across-the-stack gas analyzing spectrometer has a radiation source assembly including a cylindrical tube 22 having, in succession from its outer end toward the stack end a radiation emission assembly 28, a first lens assembly 30, and an AOTF assembly, all in optically aligned arrangement because of the circular perimeter of the elements in the circular tube, the arrangement also including a projecting second lens nozzle 98 received in an air window assembly 104 which forms a venturi with the second lens, the air window having a ball joint arrangement 120 for easy alignment of the directed beam, and also including a small diameter air window tube 142 through which clean air is directed into the stack through a larger diameter stack opening.

Abstract: The present invention includes an interpreter in which a parser examines a message using grammar and lexical tables to produce a parse table. The parse table is compared to data needed in a semantics table to fire a rule. The firing of a rule causes a function table to be evaluated. The function table includes function calls which can perform user desired functions. Among the functions is a generate function which will take the contents of a table and turn it into a message and route the message to a destination where the destination can be a table, process or device. Plural interpreters can be created where each interpreter includes a workspace containing the above-mentioned tables. Each interpreter can perform a different task such as recognizing the meaning of a message in one language and performing some action such as sending out a message in a different language or updating a database.

Abstract: An improved system for quantitative chemical analysis incorporates a chromatographic column. A radiation source of a predetermined range of wavelengths is in optical communication with an emerging specie from the chromatographic column by of a first optical path whereby radiation is modified by characteristic of the specie. A detector is in optical communication with the emerging specie by a second optical path whereby a first output signal reflective of the detected radiation is generated. An acousto-optic tunable filter system is disposed in one of either the first or second optical paths. The radiation is passed through the crystal at a predetermined angle relative to the crystal's optic axis. An acoustic transducer is coupled to the crystal to launch acoustic waves into the crystal to interact with a selected narrow bandwidth portion of the radiation to make it distinguishable from the remaining radiation.

Abstract: A wheel-speed detecting arrangement for detecting the wheel-speed of a vehicle having a fixed wheel-and-axle configuration includes a wheel generator connected to the wheel/axle configuration such that a first distance signal is produced indicating rotational displacement of the wheel. This first distance signal is then synchronized by use of a basic clock and passed onto a first counter which produces a first data signal indicative of the number of distance pulses. A second counter, enabled as a function of the output of the first counter, measures the number of clock pulses occurring within a measuring time period and generates a second data signal representing that time count. The first distance signal also operates a latch circuit such that, upon initial occurrence of any distance pulse, a reading of the second counter is taken and passed through to a calculating circuit.

Abstract: A vital switch control circuit for a railroad switch machine includes a permanent magnet motor which is immune to stray or induced a.c. currents, and which is operable to either of two directions depending on the polarity of energy applied thereto. Switch-normal and switch-reverse contacts of a switch request relay logic circuit establish alternate positive and negative-current paths which are connected over a minimum number of line wires to a motor control contact arrangement and to a mechanically-interlocked, dual-coil, reversing contactor. The reversing contact is operable only above a specific d.c. voltage, therefore providing low-level d.c. immunity in case of grounding or cross-over conditions arising in the line wires. A reverse motor contact and a normal motor contact are used to alternately establish negative-current paths to the permanent magnet motor.

Abstract: An air-drying apparatus for use with compressed air-operated systems such as, for example, a vehicle suspension system, includes a housing having an inlet portion, a drying material portion, and an outlet portion. An activation piston is disposed within the inlet portion and is influenced by an operating compressed air in an operating phase, and is movable under the influence of a regenerative compressed air to open an exhaust valve during a regenerative phase. A throttle bypass opening between the inlet portion and drying material portion allows a secondary regenerative compressed air to contact the activation piston, thereby achieving a standby phase. An inlet check valve having a deflectable sealing lip portion is also formed on the activation piston. A discharge valve is disposed in the outlet portion to control the flow of compressed air to and from the vehicle-operating systems.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a circuit arrangement for sampling a conditioned current value and determining operating characteristics related to the current flow through an electrical circuit. Also included is a circuit arrangement for comparing the operating characteristics to preselectable tripping parameters and initiating a trip condition when an operating characteristic exceeds a corresponding tripping parameter. Additionally, a fault indicating and selecting arrangement which utilizes a trip curve graph to assist in the operation of the circuit interrupter, is also included.