Abstract: A printing device (10) for a printing press (12) having a cylinder (14) having at least one journal (16 or 18) extending from an end (20 or 22) of the cylinder (14), and a bearing (30 or 32) on the journal (16 or 18) and having an inner edge (44 or 46) located in the range of 1/16 inches to 11/2 inches from the end (20 or 22) of the cylinder (14).

Abstract: A node circuit is operative to couple Manchester encoded data between a transmission medium and an associated electrical device. A first mechanism detects a message frame preamble having a pattern of alternating signal level of substantially identical duration, and a second mechanism that detects a start delimiter in the message frame. The start delimiter has a plurality of binary signal levels in a unique pattern that satisfies a defined set of criteria to optimize the probability that the pattern will be detected while minimizing the likelihood that random valid data will alias into the start delimiter pattern. A data decoder is provided to convert the Manchester encoded data into binary data which then is sent via a signal path to the associated electrical device. Another mechanism is included to detect a unique end delimiter that signals the termination of the message frame.

Abstract: Activity on a digital communication network is divided into periodic intervals, that are further subdivided into first and second phases during which different classes of data are transmitted. A media access controller for a station on the network has an interface that connects to an external device which supplies first and second classes of data for transmission over the network. A first memory stores the first class of data and a second memory stores the second class of data. The external device supplies a third class of data that may be transmitted over the network during either the first or second phases. The third class of data is held in a third memory. A transmitter connects the three memories to the interface in order to send data over the network. A control circuit regulates the transfer of data from the memories to the transmitter, with data being transferred from the first memory when the media access controller has access to the network during one of the first phases.

Abstract: A system for interconnecting the bus structure of separate I/O block units to form a common system backplane for data communications purposes. The system includes sets of pins and matching pin receptacles electrically coupled to bus structures on circuit boards installed on base units onto which different types of I/O modules can be removably mounted. The pins and pin receptacles for each base unit are mounted on opposite lateral sides of the base units. The pins and pin receptacles are constructed and arranged for convenient interconnection between the bases of adjacent units whereby a common system backplane may be formed.

Abstract: A moderator on a communication network periodically transmits a set of parameters for a protocol that is used to communicate over the network. Each node on the network compares the set of protocol parameters from the moderator to a set of parameters stored in that node. If the sets of parameters at a given node do not match, that given node ceases transmitting messages over the network until either the set of protocol parameters from the moderator match the stored set of parameters, or a matching set of parameters is stored in the node. Typically the active node that is assigned the lowest numerical network address functions as the moderator. However, an automatic process is utilized to prevent a node with a non-matching set of the protocol parameters from becoming the moderator for more than a brief period of time. An override procedure is provided to force all the nodes on the network to adopt a common set of protocol parameters in the event that the automatic process fails.

Abstract: A bar code reader for reading two-dimensional bar codes is disclosed herein. The reader includes first and second oscillating mirrors which oscillate to scan the light beam of the reader over the code. The first mirror is oscillated about a horizontal axis at a first velocity during the first half of its oscillating cycle, and at a second velocity during the second half of the oscillating cycle. The second mirror is oscillated about a vertical axis at a generally constant frequency. The reader varies the first and second velocities based upon the error rate monitored during decoding. By varying the first and second velocities, the slope of the scanning lines can be varied to enable reading two-dimensional bar codes which are oriented at slopes which differ from bar code to bar code.

Abstract: A disk drive support system suspends a disk drive within a sleeve-like support housing from two upper corners and two lower corners using four parallelepiped shaped elastomeric mounts, one bridging the drive and housing at each corner. Each mount has one zone affixed to the drive and another opposite zone affixed to the housing by tangs on the drive and housing which engage two respective slots in the mount. A third slot is formed in the mount between the two zones so that there is no straight line path between the zones through the material of the mount which is not interrupted by the slot. The third slot thereby prevents transmission of direct compressive forces between the two zones, and thus requires at least some component of force acting between the two zones to act in shear. Shock absorber pads are provided on the disk drive which are separated from the housing by an air space so as to absorb shocks but not transmit vibrations.

Abstract: Multiple motion controllers for controlling servo motors are connected by a digital communications link so that controlled axes of the motion controllers may be slaved together regardless of their physical proximity. A given controller broadcasts position or command signals on the communications link in response to a request report message from any another controller. A second request report message may stop the broadcasting to conserve link capacity. Time shifting implicit in the link messages is corrected by estimating the velocity of the master axis and extrapolating the position to the local axes' time of updating.

Abstract: A communications protocol for use in implementing serial communications over a common system backplane in an industrial control system such as a remote I/O system. The protocol includes separate start access, read access and write access sequences. Different locations at which I/O modules may be present as defined by select line connections are polled pursuant to the start access sequence to verify the presence of such modules. Module status words and separate groups of data read words and data write words are exchanged over the system backplane in standardized data frames. As the data bits of the data words are transmitted they are echoed back to the transmitting component for error detection purposes.

Abstract: A motor controller receives commands from multiple command sources, the commands having different types, and dynamically allocates an ownership of each command type to a particular command source based on the commands received. In one embodiment, the allocation is according to the first command source to request the command type when there is no other ownership of the command type. A masking table provides the ability to lock out any particular command type from a command source regardless of the ownership. Each command source receives a unique address from a connector system connecting it to the motor controller and, when first connected, responds to a polling by the motor controller with its address and control source type permitting multiple control sources to be automatically configured and accommodated by the motor controller.

Abstract: A highly distributed industrial control system employs a number of separate control modules communicating together on a shared communications medium. Each module emulates one or more basic electrical parts having electrical terminals, such as switches and relays, and transmits production messages indicating the state of the parts, such as conducting current or not. A connection list for each part in each control module defines message identifiers of other parts whose production messages are received by the control module and interpreted as current flow to one or more of its parts. The control system is programmed by generating a schematic on a programming terminal showing connections of terminals on symbols of the parts such as would represent actual wiring of the emulated parts. This schematic is analyzed to determine the immediate upstream neighbors of each part and the message identifiers of those parts in the control modules form the connection lists.

Abstract: A rack for an industrial controller has a metallic top and bottom plate with grooves to receive circuit cards of functional modules. A heat sink on the functional modules has flanges forming parts of the edge of the circuit cards that engage the grooves of the rack to provide a direct path of conduction from the heat sinks to the rack augmenting the cooling of the heat sink normally provided by heat sink fins. The heat sink stands away from the circuit card and has cantilevered flanges returning to the circuit card surface that provide flexure ensuring good contact between the heat sink and the grooves on the rack.

Abstract: A digital signal processing system for interfacing with a central control having at least a control port. The system has a control processor having an interface port connected to the control port of the central control. The control processor also has at least first, second and third ports. At least first, second and third kernel processors for running software application tasks have first, second and third ports connected to the first, second and third ports of the control processor, respectively, each of the kernel processors having a plurality of channel ports connected to a bus for providing a plurality of channels. The control processor in response to data received from the central control establishes one of a plurality of software application tasks in each of the kernel processors.

Abstract: A composite signal recognizer separator, and PSK, AM, FM demodulator apparatus for processing received communication signals. The receiver utilizes N demodulators cascadely-coupled, where N is equal to or greater than the number of co-channel signals or perceived interference. Detailed in both dual and single stages cascaded fashion, the receiver first tracks to a predominant (stronger) signal, and regeneratively improves track on other (weaker) signals by subtracting predominant noise portion from the input of further demodulation stages. A unified approach to PSK carrier phase tracking, character data tracking, and recovery clock tracking is utilized.

Abstract: A device (10) for heating ink on a printed web (12) from a printing press (14) having a tunnel (16) defining a chamber (18) which has an inlet (20) for introducing the web (12) into the chamber (18), and an outlet (22) for removing the web (12) from the chamber (18). The device (10) has a microwave power source (24) for introducing microwave energy in the chamber (18) in order to heat the web (12) and heat set inks on tile web (12).

Abstract: A V-band coupling for use on an explosion-proof enclosure. The V-band coupling includes a V-band having a toughened layer along its interior surfaces for gripping the flanges on the enclosure which the V-band engages when it is installed on the enclosure. The roughened layer results in an increased coefficient of friction between the V-band and flanges which is effective for reducing the load experienced by the trunnion joints of the coupling during explosion events thereby allowing the explosion-proof enclosure to withstand high internal pressures without system failure.

Abstract: An electrical contactor including a control system for regulating the voltage applied to the contactor's coil. The control system is adapted for gradually increasing the applied voltage and the resultant current through the coil so that contact closure takes place under controlled conditions. The control system enables the contacts in the contactor to be closed with a minimum of contact bounce upon activation of the contactor.

Abstract: A latch for connecting a switch operator, such as a push button, to contact blocks in an industrial switch employs opposed spring loaded teeth to engage detent surfaces on the operator. The teeth are attached to jaws generally along a line parallel to the line between the opposed teeth but to one side of a sleeve receiving the operator. The jaws and teeth are connected so that separation of the jaws separate the teeth allowing disengagement of the operator. The space between the jaws is accessible along an axis extending toward the back of the switch so as to permit release of the operator by means of a tool such as a screwdriver without clearance about the switch. The teeth may be wedge shaped to permit the operator to snap in place, only, without the use of the tool.

Abstract: This invention is for magnetic actuators which are composed of individually controlled layers. Each layer comprises a stationary sheet 34, a movable sheet 30 and a roller 40 between the sheets. Each layer may either have ribs 32 or sheet portions having conductors, remanent portions or permeable portions which apply a magnetic force against the roller to move the sheets. The magnetic force may be between a current carrying roller and a current carrying rib or sheet portion, a current carrying roller and a remanent rib or sheet portion, a current carrying roller and a permeable rib or sheet portion, a magnetic roller and a current carrying rib or sheet portion, or a permeable roller and a current carrying rib or sheet portion. The sheets in each layer may be moved in parallel or normal directions. When the layers are stacked, actuators may be made. The actuators can be controlled in pairs or larger groups to position and move objects and motor shafts. Thus motors generators and actuators can be made.

Abstract: An automatic call distribution system (10) with a computer controlled (14) multiport switch (12) provided with groups of remote data terminals (56) and remote internal telephonic units (54) which communicate with local data terminals (28), local internal telephonic units (22) and external telephonic units (18) of an external telephonic network (20) through the multiport switch (12) by means of local and remote internal telephonic multiplexing equipment (38 and 52) and local and remote wireless transceivers (44 and 48) to enable wireless expansion of the system (10) with the addition of remote units (54 and 56).