Abstract: A Hall-effect sensor package for sensing electrical current in an electrical conductor, is provided which includes a ferromagnetic core having an air gap, the core allowing for the electrical conductor to pass therethrough. The sensor package also includes a Hall-effect generator, at least a portion of the Hall-effect generator being located within the air gap, and a lead frame coupled to the Hall-effect generator. An insulative material is used to encapsulate the Hall-effect generator and at least a portion of the core and the lead frame. The insulative material facilitates binding of the Hall-effect generator, the lead frame and the core. The insulative material also facilitates protecting the Hall-effect generator from contaminants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restricting rotation of a threaded fastener, the apparatus including a bracket member having a securing segment and an extending segment that are integrally linked wherein the securing segment forms a recess and the extending segment forms at least one restraining surface wherein a bonding material that solidifies and remains flexible upon curing is provided within the recess and, with the threaded fastener received within an aperture, the bracket member is positionable such that one end of the threaded member is receivable within the recess and within the bonding material prior to curing and the restraining surface contacts a surface of a receiving member to restrict motion of the bracket member about the aperture.

Abstract: A system to facilitate the use of an automation control disposed within an enclosure. An automation control, such as a distributed motor starter, is disposed within an enclosure. The control is coupled to modules, such as I/O modules, mounted to a glandplate. The glandplate is mounted to the enclosure over an appropriate opening. Furthermore, the glandplate is designed to accommodate a variety of module arrangements and to facilitate the connection of various data and power lines without individually wiring the lines to a separate terminal block.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for eliminating greater than twice motor overvoltage by altering modulating signals provided to a PWM controller which in turn provides firing pulses to a PWM inverter. The modulating waves are altered by either tying them to positive or negative DC buses or limiting the maximum magnitudes to a maximum magnitude value above which modulating waveforms are known to cause greater than twice overvoltage. Pass through modulating waveform angles at which waveforms have to be modified are determined as a function of modulating waveform symmetries and the first pass through angle within a waveform cycle.

Abstract: Local clocks used for coordinating events in an industrial control system may be synchronized using time messages transmitted on standard communication networks. A master industrial controller incorporates a time values in a time messages transmitted to the other controllers, the time value indicating the tie of occurrence of an independent global synchronizing pulse. All controllers also capture the local time of the global synchronizing pulse and these times may be compared to the time message from the master industrial controller to deduce a time error value independent of network messaging delays. The error value is used to correct the local clocks.

Abstract: A stack assembly comprising a housing into which an alternating sequence of elements such as heat sinks and printed circuit boards (PCBs) carrying press-packaged semiconductor devices may be mounted and placed under pressure by a clamping device for use in a variety of power system applications. The PCBs are mounted to the heat sinks by a bracket which axially aligns the press-packaged devices with a longitudinal axis defined by the clamping device. Heat sink compartments in the housing are sized slightly larger than the heat sinks to allow the heat sinks some horizontal play within the compartment when the clamping device is loosened. This is further achieved by using floating anchors to connect the heat sinks to the housing and a flexible connector to connect the heat sinks to a power source. The heat sinks may thus be easily shifted to remove a malfunctioning PCB whilst the bulk of the stack remains in the assembled state, thereby facilitating the rapid re-assembly of the stack.

Abstract: A gear reducer housing includes rotating assembly supports in a housing shell, and fixturing pads disposed about the periphery of the housing shell. The fixturing supports are formed in the casting blank from which the housing shell is machined. The pads permit the shell blank to be fixtured once for machining of various features of the final shell. The pads may be formed in a peripheral flange and the flange may be machined around the pads to form a sealing surface. Apertures may be provided in the flange to facilitate assembly of the gear reducer. The apertures and fixturing pads may be provided in mirror image locations about a centerline of the housing. The apertures may be slotted, with major axes of mirror image-located apertures having transverse major axes, such that inherent tolerance is provided for positioning fasteners used to assemble the product.

Abstract: A sealing system for a gear reducer includes a compound sealing arrangement disposed in a bore of the reducer housing through which a rotating member extends. The sealing arrangement includes an outboard shielding seal and a inboard lip seal disposed adjacent to one another. The shielding seal includes an annular metallic shield and forms a labyrinth with the rotating member. An elastomeric sealing member is bonded to the shield. The inboard seal provides at least two additional points of contact for sealing the rotating member. The arrangement defined multiple barriers to liquid and solid contaminants and seals lubricant within the reducer housing. Similar arrangements may be provided about several rotating members, and about ends of members extending through the reducer housing, such as an output hub.

Abstract: The method and system for an industrial control system network jog control of the present invention provides responsive jogging of a machine for a consistent, fixed duration that minimizes the effects of network and processor delays. A jog message is input at a human machine interface by an operator directly observing the operation the machine. The jog message includes an address indicator corresponding to a network location of the controlled equipment and a jog duration period. The jog message is sent along the network directly to an output device attached to the controlled equipment. A jog pulse is then transmitted for the proper duration by the output device. Clock circuitry within the output device is used to limit the jog pulse to the jog pulse duration period of the jog message.

Abstract: A system and method for programming a Hall effect sensor while the sensor is connected into the circuitry for a given application. The system includes a fixture for receiving the printed circuit board to which the sensor is mounted. A plurality of contacts, such as pogo pins, are arranged to contact the circuit board at desired pads that permit programming of the sensor, reduction of the voltage applied to the overall circuit during programming, and measurement of the sensor and circuit output. The system includes a voltage limiting circuitry that is electrically connected, via appropriate pogo pins, to the circuitry intermediate the subject sensor and potentially damaged circuit components.

Abstract: A methodology of sleeving at least one lead of a stator is provided. The methodology includes the steps of robotically selecting at least one of the stator leads, and robotically positioning an insulating sleeve over the stator lead.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement facilitates mounting and removal of an article, such as an elongated housing for a proximity sensor. A bracket and a coupling each have an aperture extending therethrough for receiving the article. A central axis extends through the apertures. The coupling includes a plurality of spaced apart flexures located adjacent the coupling aperture. Each flexure includes an axially extending arm portion for engaging a respective part of an inner sidewall portion of the bracket aperture. Upon rotation of the coupling about the central axis, the bracket sidewall portion engages or releases the arms of the coupling to effect radial movement of the arms. In particular, rotation of the coupling in one direction about the central axis relative to the bracket urges the arms radially inward and rotation of the coupling in the other direction permits a radially outward movement thereof.

Abstract: A switch comprises a first and second contacts, a plunger, a toggle bar, and a spanner. A preferred trip lever arrangement is used in which a trip lever transfers an actuating force from the plunger to the toggle bar, and the toggle bar is caused to move farther than the plunger to provide a short trip point. Swing arms that are acted upon through a series of rigid body force transfers allow an operator to manually force welded contacts to be broken in the event that the contacts become welded to a spanner or other components of the switch assembly.

Abstract: A technique for computing RMS values for sampled waveforms. More specifically, a technique for computing RMS values for periodic waveforms, using data taken from a full waveform, a half waveform or some other portion of a waveform is described. Each RMS calculation is based on a different algorithm and provides accurate, real time data.

Abstract: A computer numerical control system for controlling and monitoring machine motion. The CNC system combines a CNC executive and a logic engine for controlling execution of a part program. The logic engine is capable of executing under an operating system of a personal computer. The logic engine is coupled to the CNC executive such that the logic application can be executed in synchronization with the CNC executive.

Abstract: An electromechanical device comprises a stator and a rotor which is capable of rotating relative to the stator. The rotor has a sensor embedded therein. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor is disposed within a plurality of laminations that are stacked one on top of another. For example, one of the plurality of laminations may be a sensor lamination, in which case the sensor is at least partially disposed within a cavity formed in the sensor lamination. Advantageously, the sensor may be used to directly measure rotor-associated operating conditions, such as rotor current (including the magnitude, frequency and phase of the rotor current), rotor fatigue, rotor temperature, rotor airgap, rotor flux and rotor torque. The sensor is especially well-suited for measuring current in the rotor of an induction motor.

Abstract: A current sensor includes a deflectable member disposed in a magnetic field. Nulling or compensating members may be mechanically coupled to the deflectable member. Feedback or readout devices coupled to the structure provide signals indicative of deflection of the deflectable member under the influence of applied current and the magnetic field. Nulling current applied to the nulling members tends to oppose deflection of the deflectable member. The nulling current may be modulated to drive the feedback signal to a desired level and is used as a basis for calculating the current to be measured. The current may be measured directly upon calibration of feedback devices coupled to the deflectable member or to the nulling members. Arrays of sensors may be coupled to common busses for applying measured and nulling currents to sensors of the arrays and for detecting feedback signals.

Abstract: A system for controlling contrast of a liquid crystal display is provided by means of a parallel network of resistors. A processor controls general operations of the system and is configured to determine a desired contrast setting of the LCD. The processor is operative to assign a binary value corresponding to the desired contrast setting. A binary decoder is operatively coupled to the processor and is configured to receive the binary value of x bits from the processor. A circuit includes N number of resistors (N being an integer greater than x) configured to be coupled in parallel to effect a plurality of cumulative parallel resistance values for the circuit. The circuit is operatively coupled to the binary decoder. The binary decoder selectively combines the resistors to effect a specific cumulative parallel resistance value corresponding to the desired contrast setting.

Abstract: An electromagnetic operator includes first and second coils wound coaxially. An armature partially surrounds the coils for channeling flux during energization of the coils. The armature may be formed of a bent plate and secured to a ferromagnetic support. A control circuit applies energizing signals to the coils during operation. Both coils are energized during an initial phase of operation. One of the coils is subsequently released or de-energized automatically. A timing circuit removes current from the second coil after a variable time period. The time period may be a function of the configuration of the timing circuit, such as an RC time constant, and of the energizing signal.

Abstract: A technique for supplying power and data signals to panel-mounted components includes distribution of power and data conductors in a trunk wireway and further distribution to component locations via drop cable assemblies disposed in drop wireways. The drop cable assemblies and trunk cable assemblies may include identical cable. The cables have a plurality of parallel conductors in an insulated jacket. Connectors are mounted on the drop cable assemblies for receiving plug-in component cable assemblies routed to individual components mounted within component panels or bays. The components are thus electrically coupled in parallel with one another and may receive both power and data signals via the drop and trunk cable assemblies coupled to a network. Individual components may be independent installed and removed for servicing with interrupting service to upstream or downstream components in the system.