Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exemplary photoelectric sensor having an emitting portion for emitting light toward a target and a receiving portion for receiving, through a receive lens, reflected light that is at least some of the emitted light that is reflected by the target. The sensor further includes a refraction block having a block first surface and a block second surface wherein the reflected light received from the receive lens is refracted by at least one of the block first surface and the block second surface as it passes through the refraction block. The sensor also includes a photodetector for receiving the reflected light refracted by the refraction block and provides a detection signal indicative of the reflected light received.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for restricting operation of a power delivery system are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the apparatus includes a first input terminal at which is received a first command signal, and a second input terminal at which is received an additional signal. The apparatus further includes an output terminal at which is provided a control signal, and a circuit that generates the control signal based at least indirectly upon the first command and additional signals. The control signal generated by the circuit is configured to cause the power delivery system to not deliver at least one type of power when the first command signal indicates a command to do so, if the additional signal indicates an acceptability status. In some embodiments, the power delivery system is an isolation system (e.g., safety isolation system) as are employed in industrial environments, and the apparatus is a permissive module.

Abstract: A computer system, and related components including network interface devices, as well as methods for implementing and/or operating network interface devices to achieve network-based communications, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the computer system includes a network interface device, and a bus driver in communication with the network interface device. The bus driver has access to a plurality of driver programs, and the bus driver is capable of causing an installation of one such driver program on the network interface device. Also, in at least some embodiments, the bus driver facilitates communications between multiple network interface devices and an operating system of the computer system, and/or between the network interface devices and user mode applications implementing graphical user interfaces. Further, in at least some embodiments, the bus driver governs operation of the network interface devices, for example, in relation to power management and/or interrupt handling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting a plurality of components, at least one of which is a heat-generating electrical device such as a power semiconductor device, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a first structure having a first surface on one side of the structure configured for interfacing a first of the plurality of components and a second surface on another side of the structure, and also includes a second structure capable of receiving the first structure, where one of the second surface and an additional surface of the second structure includes a tip that is in contact with the other of those surfaces. The apparatus further includes at least one component configured to assist in retaining the first and second structures relative to one another, where notwithstanding the at least one component the first structure is capable of pivoting relative to the second structure about the tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intermediate module capable of being implemented in conjunction with a safety isolation system, as well as a control system employing such an intermediate module and related operational method. In one embodiment, the intermediate module includes a first input terminal capable of receiving a first signal from an additional device that is at least one of the safety isolation system and another device, and a first output terminal capable of providing a second signal to a controlled device. The intermediate module additionally includes at least one safety relay circuit that receives at least one of the first signal and a first intermediate signal based upon the first signal, and that generates in response at least one of the second signal and a second intermediate signal upon which the second signal is based. The safety relay circuit includes at least one redundant circuit component.

Abstract: A mounting device configured for mounting a sensing device in relation to a supporting structure, and related method of mounting, are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the mounting device includes a first support component capable of being mounted at least indirectly in relation to the supporting structure, a second support component configured to support the sensing device, and a connecting component coupled between the first and second support components, where the connecting component supports the second support component in relation to the first support component. Also, the mounting device includes an adjustor coupled to at least one of the first support component, the second support component and the connecting component that influences a positioning of the second support component in relation to the first support component.

Abstract: A sensing device mounting mechanism, and related method of operating such a mechanism, are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the mechanism can include a housing that is mountable to a support structure. The housing can define an interior for receiving and supporting a sensing device. The mechanism further includes light pipe device coupled to the housing. The light pipe device can be used to communicate light from a light source to the sensing device, or from the sensing device to a location exterior of the housing such that it can be viewed, detected or received by an operator or other device. Advantageously, the sensing device mounting mechanism is constructed so as to enhance and facilitate, as opposed to interfere with, proper performance of the sensing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for three phase sensing of a polyphase distribution system to provide true RMS signal monitoring capabilities. Each current transformer is provided with a rectifier and a separate burden to not only provide accurate signal representation of the true RMS currents in each phase, but also provide a DC voltage supply to thereby self-power the circuit. Two configurations are disclosed, one in which two CTs sense all three phases. In this configuration, two phases of the three phase system are used as a single primary winding in each current transformer such that each current transformer produces a voltage representation of a sum of two phase currents. A second configuration discloses the use of a current transformer for each phase. In both embodiments, by providing a separate burden and rectifier for each CT, true RMS signal characteristics can be extracted from the produced discrete signals, while at the same time providing a DC voltage supply for self-powering the circuit.

Abstract: Briquettes of either technical or chemical grade molybdenum oxide and a binding material selected from the group consisting of (a) sodium hydroxide, and (b) a binding composition comprising (i) at least one of ammonium and an alkali metal hydroxide, and (ii) an inert filler that has a d.sub.80 particle size at least about the same d.sub.80 particle size of the molybdenum oxide exhibit excellent resistance to breakage and dusting.

Abstract: Fire-refined blister copper is produced from copper concentrate by a process comprising:A. melting and oxidizing the copper concentrate in a smelting furnace to produce molten matte and slag, and to separate one from the other;B. removing the molten matte from the smelting furnace;C. solidifying the molten matte;D. injecting the solidified matte into a converting furnace in which the matte is converted to blister copper and slag; andE. transfering the blister copper from the converting furnace to an anode furnace to produce fire-refined blister copper.After the fire-refined blister copper is produced in the anode furnace, it is typically transferred to an anode casting wheel on which it is converted to copper anodes suitable for subsequent electrolytic refining to cathode copper.