Abstract: A system serializes control signals within a safety control architecture wherein a safety serial interface at least one of receives and transmits signals from one or more processing components. A serialization component receives and serializes at least one data packet from the safety serial interface to control at least one of an input and an output associated with the safety control architecture. A safety related test circuit verifies input signals associated with the serialization component are not internally falsifying the state of the input signals. A heartbeat watchdog component verifies a true heartbeat bit in the at least one data packet is opposite a complement heartbeat bit in the at least one data packet within a predetermined time interval and shuts off power to at least one of an output and an input if such a condition is not met.

Abstract: AC-to-AC power conversion systems and methods are presented, in which a small number of asymmetrical power switching devices are used to convert input AC power to output AC power of constant or variable frequency.

Abstract: Motor drives, motor speed controllers, motor speed estimation systems, and methods are presented for controlling motor speed and for estimating motor speed, in which a speed estimate controller provides a rotor speed estimate based on a first error term from a torque-based MRAS component for a first range of motor speeds and based on a second error term from a rotor flux-based MRAS component for a second range of speeds.

Abstract: A universal serial bus (USB) locking connector includes a cable, a polymeric body connected to the cable, and a metallic male plug that projects axially from the body. One or more locking prongs extend axially alongside but are spaced from the male plug and are resiliently deflectable toward and away from the male plug. Each locking prong includes a leg having an outer end, and an enlarged tooth defined at the outer end. The enlarged tooth includes an inclined ramp surface and a transverse locking face. When the USB locking connected is mated with a conventional female USB connector, the locking prongs engage a peripheral edge of the female connector and capture the locking connector to the female connector to provide resistance to axial pull-out. In another arrangement, a USB connector locking system includes a female USB connector installed in a housing. A lock ring is movably connected to the housing adjacent the peripheral edge of the female USB connector.

Abstract: AC motor control systems and speed controllers are presented, including a transient-based speed estimation system that provides a rotor speed estimate based on a measured speed-related motor transient signal, and a transient excitation system which selectively modifies at least one switch control signal to excite the measured motor transient. The measured speed-related transient may include a phase error signal, a phase lag signal, a peak current signal, a voltage integral signal, a motor winding voltage signal, a switching device voltage, and a voltage zero crossing signal, and the switching signal modification can comprise removal of select pulse(s) from a switching control pulse stream or selective modification of spacings between pulses to re-excite the motor transient.

Abstract: Motor drives, motor speed controllers, motor speed estimation systems, and methods are presented for controlling motor startup speed and for estimating motor speed during startup, in which a speed estimate controller provides a rotor speed estimate based on a first error term from a torque-based MRAS component for a first range of motor speeds and based on a second error term from a rotor flux-based MRAS component for a second range of speeds.

Abstract: A device for holding a plurality of associated cables in a defined orientation relative to each other is disclosed. The device includes a support structure that defines a plurality of cable retaining locations each adapted to receive and releasably retain an associated cable. The cable retaining locations are arranged in a pattern that corresponds to a pattern of connectors of an associated interface device to which the cables are adapted to be connected so as to provide a one-to-one correspondence between each cable retaining location and each connector of the associated interface device. The support structure is transparent and/or provides a plurality of open viewing windows. The device can be tethered to the associated interface device or a mounting structure.

Abstract: An enclosure housing has a first wall defined as a molded polymeric construction, a first latch defined as a one-piece construction with the first wall, a second wall defined as a molded polymeric construction, and a second latch defined as a one-piece construction with the second wall. A circuit board is connected to the enclosure housing and includes a board member defined by a periphery. The periphery includes: (i) a first tab defined by a first inclined ramp surface and a first locking face that lies transverse to the first inclined ramp surface, wherein the first tab is engaged with the first latch; and, (ii) a second tab defined by a second inclined ramp surface and a second locking face that lies transverse to the second inclined ramp surface, wherein the second tab is engaged with the second latch.

Abstract: A module is adapted to be releasably mounted to a mounting rail such as a DIN rail. The module includes a rail receiving location and first and second latches each movable between a first position where they are retracted from the rail receiving location and a second position where they at least partially obstruct the rail receiving location. The module is selectively attachable to an associated rail located in the rail receiving location by movement of the first and second latches to their respective second positions. One or both of the first and second latches is conformed to capture a projecting portion of an adjacent module when in the second position so as to affix the module and the adjacent module to each other and to the mounting rail.

Abstract: A modular base for an electrical device and an electrical device including same and also removable modules are disclosed. The modular base comprises a plurality of base components adapted to be arranged relative to each other to define a backplane comprising a plurality of module mounting locations, wherein each mounting location comprises a first electrical base connector of one base component and a second electrical base connector of another base component. A plurality of removable modules are adapted to be respectively removably connected to the backplane in the mounting locations to provide a modular electrical device. Each of the modules comprises a first module connector adapted to be mated with a first base connector of a mounting location and a second module connector adapted to be mated with a second base connector of the mounting location The backplane comprises one or more coupling devices for releasably engaging a module.

Abstract: A modular electrical device and/or module for same with improved sealing is disclosed. The device comprises a base comprising at least one mounting location comprising first and second electrical base connectors. The module comprises first and second electrical module connectors that are respectively adapted for mating with the first and second electrical base connectors at respective first and second connector interfaces. First and second seals are located respectively at the first-and second connector interfaces. The first and second seals each comprise first and second sealing elements that act respectively in first and second directions that are transverse relative to each other.

Abstract: A modular base for an electrical device and an electrical device including same and also removable modules are disclosed. The modular base comprises a plurality of base components adapted to be arranged relative to each other to define a backplane comprising a plurality of module mounting locations, wherein each mounting location comprises a first electrical base connector of one base component and a second electrical base connector of another base component. A plurality of removable modules are adapted to be respectively removably connected to the backplane in the mounting locations to provide a modular electrical device. Each of the modules comprises a first module connector adapted to be mated with a first base connector of a mounting location and a second module connector adapted to be mated with a second base connector of the mounting location The backplane comprises one or more coupling devices for releasably engaging a module.