Abstract: A busway joint pack for joining busway conductor sections has a heat sink assembly with an interstitial heat sink portion sized to fit between its connector plates; an exterior heat sink portion projecting beyond the exterior surface of a side panel of the joint pack; with the interstitial heat sink portion having thermal conduction to the exterior heat sink portion; to attain cooler operation. The heat sink may include thermally conductive dielectric materials or metals, or both, or other thermally conductive materials used with the thermally conductive dielectric materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting units of material includes a transport media formed in a plurality of segments. A plurality of actuators and at least one of an identification sensor, a segment sensor, a length sensor are connected with respect to the transport media. A parameter of a unit of material is sensed to generate a data update and calculate control outputs in a sort logic controller. The control outputs are sent from the sort logic controller to a network controller for the sensors and actuators. The network controller is synchronized to the output of the sort logic controller to receive and read the outputs, which are written together to the network memory, as soon as they are written from the sort logic controller. The output signal based upon the data update is then immediately multicast through the network to at least one actuator and the units of material are sorted based upon the output signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing a presence of a magnetic field and/or a magnitude of a magnetic flux density of the magnetic field. A direct-current voltage is applied across a first layer of a conductive material, so that a direct current flows in a first direction through the first layer. A second layer of a piezoelectric material is integrated with or positioned adjacent or abutting the first layer. The first layer and the second layer are exposed to or positioned within a magnetic field. A Lorentz force is thus caused, preferably in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the first direction of the direct current and a second direction of the magnetic field to deflect the piezoelectric material thereby causing an output voltage in response to the Lorentz force. A magnetic flux density can be calculated as a function of the piezoelectric output.

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: 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 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: 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 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 railroad brake sensing apparatus particularly suitable for handbrake sensing has a sheave wheel/bellcrank bracket which is slotted to allow the wheel/crank axle to move from a first position when the chain is under tension and the brake is applied; to a second position when the chain is slack and the brake is off. A sensor is placed to detect when the wheel/crank is in the second position. The brake sensing apparatus is easily adapted to be used with other forms of brake actuating force and placed with other moving members of the brake rigging.

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: 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: On a railroad car handbrake system the main handbrake shaft, used to turn the chain, is utilized during its rotation to drive a target object to a magnetic sensor. The target object may be driven by cam plates, gears, screw mechanisms or the like and may be a magnetic or ferromagnetic object. The sensor system disclosed is rugged and easily adapted to existing handbrake systems.

Abstract: A geartooth target providing a consistent magnetic signal for each feature type with unambiguously readable features has three unique 30° segments, each segment ending with a falling edge transition, the segments placed to have a unique pattern of segments every 90°.

Abstract: An environmental sensor apparatus and method of making same is disclosed in which an environmentally sensitive silicon die is sandwiched between an elastomeric media seal and a conductive elastomeric pad contained within a housing. The conductive elastomeric pad contacts a printed circuit board (PCB) which leads from the housing. The die, elastomers and PCB are secured by a press fit plug which contacts the PCB and is heat staked to the housing to provide a substantially flush hermetic seal.

Abstract: A configurable switch having a base and interchangeable stationary contacts positioned in adjustable locations with respect to the base. A plunger is slidably mounted with respect to the base so that the plunger moves between a first position and a second position. One or more moveable contacts are mounted in a normally open position or a normally closed position. In the first position or the second position, the moveable contacts make contact and/or break contact with the stationary contacts depending upon the respective arrangements of the stationary contacts and the moveable contacts. Thus the configuration of a four-circuit switch can be altered with a minimum of different components to be, for example, a four normally closed circuit configuration, three normally closed and one normally open circuit configuration, two normally closed and two normally open circuit configuration, etc., with a minimum of expense or retooling.

Abstract: A switch assembly with three axis actuator tolerance comprises a body containing an actuator floating in the x-y plane for moving a camming device which activates a self-contained switch unit with all parts being contained within the body. The switch assembly is thereby highly useful for accommodating manufacturing tolerances of appliances where the switch actuator must fit through holes in appliance panels or the body must fit between appliance panels or both.

Abstract: A safety restraint buckle apparatus and method wherein a Hall element is mounted with respect to a housing and a magnet is mounted with respect to the housing, at a distance from the Hall element. A latch is movably mounted between a latched position and an unlatched position. A tongue is movable between an engaged position within the housing and a disengaged position. In the engaged position of the tongue, the latch is in the latched position. An ejector with a pole piece or a pole member is movably mounted between a loaded position and an unloaded position. When the ejector is in the unloaded position, the Hall element operates in a high magnetic state. When the ejector is in the loaded position and the tongue is in the engaged position, the Hall element operates in a low magnetic state because the magnetic flux density is shunted through the tongue.

Abstract: A control method is provided by which a laser output can be controlled through the use of a signal provided by a photodiode that receives a reflected ratio of the laser output signal. A time varying signal is added to the low magnitude portions of an electrical data input signal to the laser. This first electrical monitoring signal, which is essentially an average output from the photodiode because of its frequency response, is then passed through a low pass filter to provide a second electrical monitoring signal. The first electrical monitoring signal is multiplied by a time varying signal to provide a third electrical monitoring signal. The time varying signal, which can be a sinusoidal waveform, is added to the low magnitude portions of an electrical input signal provided to the laser. The third electrical monitoring signal is averaged over time by a low pass filter to provide a fourth electrical monitoring signal.

Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser having intensity control for maintaining a constant proportional output under varying conditions of the laser. A tilted window is situated over the laser output to reflect a portion of the light to a photo detector area. Signals representing light on the photo detector go to a feedback circuit which controls the power output of the laser. The tilted window has a metallic coating for partial reflection and for minimizing polarization effects on reflected and transmitted light. The photo detector has an anti-reflective coating for likewise minimizing polarization effects of the detected light. The VCSEL and photo detector are situated on the same substrate.