Abstract: A semiconductor package houses a plurality of single two terminal semiconductor components. The package is a plastic or ceramic small outline integrated circuit package and is adapted for surface mounting. Each semiconductor element is in a die form and one terminal is directly bonded to one of the external leads. The other terminal is bonded to a jumper that in turn is bonded to the other lead. The resultant package is encapsulated and the external leads are formed for surface mounting. V-shaped grooves formed on the top and bottom of the package separate each semiconductor component and provide a means to separate each or a combination of individual semiconductor components from the package by allowing them to be snapped apart at the V-groove. The resultant package has a very low profile that allows it to be used in thin profile, high density electronic assemblies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus records downtime and the probable cause of the downtime of a network of programmable logic controllers and other microprocessor based devices for controlling of a manufacturing process. The method and apparatus also records the total downtime by separate causes and a total downtime of all causes encountered. The apparatus further records the number of times each cause occurred and a total number of all causes encountered. A graphical display provides a visual presentation of the number of times each cause occurred and the total downtime for each cause that occurred in Pareto chart form. The method provides for prioritizing alarms associated with the cause of a downtime and the apparatus has means for deciding which alarm notification, based on the alarm priority and therefore, its corresponding cause, recorded the most number of times it caused a downtime.

Abstract: A communication system between a microprocessor based device and a network of a plurality of remote input/output repeater modules uses a synchronous serial communications protocol. The microprocessor based device contains a transmitter module for generating a data packet containing the status of output device connected to remote input/output repeater modules coupled to the network. A receiver module also contained in the microprocessor based device receives and decodes a returned modified data packet that indicates the status of input devices connected to the same or other remote input/output repeater modules also coupled to the network. The receiver module can detect errors in the returned data packet.

Abstract: A communication system between a microprocessor based device and a network of a plurality of remote input/output repeater modules that control various input and output devices uses a synchronous serial communications protocol. The microprocessor based device contains a transmitter module for generating a data packet that is sent to the remote input/output repeater modules. The transmitter module controls the clock rate of the network and encodes the data packet with an output data byte for each of the repeater modules. The output byte determines the state of the output devices that may be connected to the remote input/output repeater module coupled to the network.

Abstract: A series of remote input/output repeater modules connected on a synchronous serial communication network supervised by a programmable logic controller uses a synchronous serial communications protocol. The programmable logic controller contains a transmitter module for generating a data packet containing the state of output devices connected to the remote input/output repeater modules. A receiver module receives and decodes a returned modified data packet that indicates the state of input devices connected to the same or other remote input/output repeater modules. The remote input/output repeater modules receive and decode the data packet to determine the state of the output devices that may be connected to it and modifies the data packet to indicate the state of its input device if there is one present. The modified data packet is sent to the next in-line remote input/output repeater module coupled to the network.

Abstract: A self checking interlock modular control system allows for an unlimited number of interlocks to be connected into a single interlock control circuit. The interlock control system provides a method of determining if the components within each interlock module of the control system function correctly when the individual interlocks are opened and closed. The interlock control system has redundant components to provide a circuit path to insure that the interlock control system will open circuit the output if one of the components fails.

Abstract: A dry type transformer has an iron core, high voltage windings embedded in cast resin, and low voltage windings resin encapsulated. The low voltage winding is constructed with flexible sheet conductors. Insulating material includes a means to secure the windings in place during a vacuum and pressure resin impregnation process. A unique cylinder or mandril provides a flat surface for one of the low voltage external leads to rest on during the start of the coil winding process. Cooling duct sizes and locations in the windings are varied during winding. The result is a finished coil that maintains an essentially cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A network interface board provides a communication link between a personal computer and a network bus connecting a plurality of programmable logic controllers. The network interface board mounts in an expansion slot of the personal computer. The programmable logic controllers control the operation of various machines. The network interface board includes mailbox registers for storing messages from the network, including three different queues of alarm messages which the personal computer can access in any order. These messages could be in the form of program steps, allowing the personal computer to directly program a programmable logic controller over the communication network.

Abstract: A system allows for transferring messages between microprocessor based devices, such as programmable logic controllers (PLC), and a host computer over an Ethernet communications network. At the host computer level, these messages can be directed globally or locally. The host computer can immediately obtain messages from a programmable logic controller without interruption of the execution of the PLC's ladder program. The host computer can also receive unsolicited messages from the PLC.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for suppressing transient voltages is adapted for use on high frequency data lines. The semiconductor device combines an avalanche type diode which has high capacitance in series with a rectifying diode which has a capacitance three magnitudes lower. The resultant semiconductor device is fabricated using a single, monolithic silicon die instead of stacking two separate dies as has been done in prior art transient voltage suppressors to achieve the same characteristics. The semiconductor die is adaptable for packaging in surface mountable DIP packages and other common circuit board mountable packages.

Abstract: A housing is used for enclosing a circuit board of the type used in programmable logic controllers. Through the use of an adapter plate, the housing can accommodate a wide variety of circuit boards that have multiple input/output components that must be accessible to the outside of the housing. A hinged side wall provides easy access to the circuit board and the components on it and slots on the top and bottom of the housing provide venting for cooling the components.

Abstract: A scanning radiation sensor (10) for individually determining temperature of a plurality of spots (16') along a scan line (16) on a target (12) responds to inputs to a light marking apparatus (21, 29, 40, 21) to determine which of a plurality of samples produced during a scan cycle are to be selected for averaging (54, 54'). Averages are determined for each scan (54, 54') and then averages for each scan are averaged over multiple scans (56). Both spot target samples (Ts) and reference source samples (Rs) are averaged for improved accuracy, with target samples being converted to temperatures (52) before averaging.

Abstract: A control system contains a communications network, a host computer and a programmable logic controller (PLC). The host computer includes prioritized alarm queues for receiving prioritized alarms from the programmable logic controller. Alarms fall into either a local or a global category, and each category supports three types of alarms: warnings, alerts or faults.

Abstract: A control system allows for transferring messages between a programmable logic controller and a host computer over an Ethernet communications network. The messages include a routing address specifying an originating drop number, a destination drop number, and a routing drop number. The system is responsive to the routing address for transferring the messages between the programmable logic controller and the host computer. The host computer can immediately obtain messages from a programmable logic controller without interruption of the execution of its ladder program. The host computer can also receive unsolicited messages from the programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A mounting bracket is used for holding a housing enclosing a control module assembly of the type used in programmable logic controllers. The bracket has a base or back side, a right side wall, a lower segment and an upper segment that cooperate to define a mounting bracket for a single control module. The base has mounting slots for attaching the mounting bracket to a panel. The side wall has clearance holes for attaching the mounting bracket to the side of a PLC rack assembly instead if desired. The lower segment contains a threaded insert that aligns with and accepts a mounting screw on the control module and the upper segment mates with a slotted opening on the control module. The control module is fastened to the mounting bracket by one mounting screw. This provides a quick and efficient method of attaching or removing the control module.

Abstract: An operator interface panel assembly is used with a programmable logic controller. Through the use of a printed wired circuit board, a wide variety of input and output components that must be accessible to an operator can be assembled by the user at the location of the installation rather than at the point of manufacture. The assembly can be easily reconfigured without costly rewiring of the installation. The same switch or pilot light position can accommodate a variety of one and two pole switches without hardware modification.

Abstract: A control system allows for transferring messages between a programmable logic controller and a host computer over a serial data communications network. The programmable logic controller executes a ladder program and has an integral network interface module for permitting direct communicative coupling to the communications network. Messages can be received and sent by the programmable logic controller without interruption of the execution of the ladder program. The programmable logic controller can receive unsolicited messages from the host computer.

Abstract: A transfer network interface module provides a communication link between a data communications network bus connecting a plurality of processor based devices and a redundant processing system. The redundant processor system has first and second processor based devices communicatively coupled to at least one other remote based device by means of the data communication network. The first processor based device operates on an active status and the second processor based device operates on a backup status until a switch occurs. The switch causes the second processor based device to begin operation on active status. The transfer network interface device is communicatively disposed between the first and second processor based devices and the data communications network and permits continuous communication between either of the first and second processor based devices and the remote processor based device regardless of which of the first and second processor based devices is on active status.