Abstract: An interface layer and method is provided that permits applications, without modification, to operate with any type of meter. The interface comprises an abstraction layer and library or repository of descriptions specific to each meter type. The abstraction layer provides the capability to communicate with any meter through a variety of applications. Upon receiving an application request, the abstraction layer retrieves the description for the particular meter type from the repository and processes the request. In this manner, only one data representation is needed for applications to communicate with a wide variety of meters.

Abstract: A one-piece stainless steel rim for mating a meter cover and base and method of making the same is disclosed. The stainless steel mating rim has integral therewith the various attachment tabs, locking lugs and locking tabs for attaching the rim to the cover, locking the rim to the base and insuring a proper fit of the rim with the cover.

Abstract: An actuator for a papermaking machine. The actuator is designed to function either as a slice lip or coatweight actuator or as a dilution actuator depending on the orientation of a cam disk in the actuator. The drive motor and position sensor in the actuator are in a side by side arrangement allowing for a single cover to enclose both the drive motor and the position sensor. The actuator has a manual adjustment which comes into engagement with the drive motor only when it is desired to manually adjust the actuator. The manual adjustment is designed so that it does not lock with the drive motor and requires only a moderate amount of force to be brought into engagement with the manual shaft. The actuator has a drive block connected to the speed reducer of the actuator. The drive block interfits with the cam disk in a manner to function as a spring loaded splined connection. This connection provides the necessary force to prevent rotary free play of the cam disk.

Abstract: A method and system for on-line measurements of mineral additives in or on a paper web utilizing shaped spectrum x-rays and solid-state PIN detectors. Each of three detectors are cover by a filter used to shape the spectrums of x-rays received by the detectors. The filters are selected to maximize sensitivity differences between detectors for the desired detectable mineral additives. A computer processes signals from the detectors and from basis weight and moisture measuring instruments to determine total mineral content, and the individual amounts of mineral additives in or on (e.g. coating) the paper web.

Abstract: A positioning device for positioning a movably mounted portion of a workpiece. The positioning device includes an attachment structure, a rod, a flange assembly and an engagement mechanism. The attachment structure includes a rod aperture and is coupled to a robotic apparatus. The rod is disposed within the rod aperture and is slidably positionable therein. The flange assembly is coupled to a distal end of the rod and includes a flange structure. The flange structure is rotatable relative to the rod and engages the movably mounted portion of the workpiece. The engagement mechanism is coupled to the attachment structure and is operable for moving the rod in an axial direction within the rod aperture. The engagement mechanism applies an axially directed force to the flange assembly to maintain the flange structure in a stationary position relative to the movably mounted portion of the workpiece when the movably mounted portion of the workpiece is moved relative to a remaining portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A system for monitoring near-instantaneous system parameters of electrical energy having at least one phase provided to an energy meter via a service type comprises a memory for storing reference information reflective of different service types, a digital signal processor for measuring characteristics of the electrical energy, and a microcontroller for retrieving the reference information from the memory and determining the near-instantaneous system parameters responsive to the reference information for the service type and the measured characteristics. The characteristics are derived from phase voltage and phase current, and are measured for a predetermined amount of time, such as a number of line cycles.

Abstract: A device for mechanically gripping, transporting, loading and unloading cylindrical containers of various sizes for attachment to a robotic arm. The containers may be bottles including drinking water bottles. The device includes a plurality of gripping mechanisms for gripping the containers. Support pins are also provided for supporting the rotational motion of full bottles. A system for efficiently removing empty containers from racks and simultaneously loading full containers is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic meter incorporates a TCP/IP protocol suite and an HTTP server to provide two-way access to the meter data. Alternatively, the TCP/IP protocol suite may be incorporated into a gateway serving multiple meters connected through a power line or wireless two-way network. The gateway may incorporate an HTTP server for accessing data from multiple meters and for transmission of data to individual meters. Other aspects of the disclosed system include the use of a common gateway interface for remote access to meter data and to set meter parameters using HTML forms in HTTP browsers; remote reading and setting of multiple meter parameters using a TCP/IP protocol suite; a TCP/IP protocol suite implemented in designated nodes in a CEBus LAN with remote access through TCP/IP to routers and brouters and to individual meters on the LAN; and an SLIP-PPP enabled gateway for remote TCP/IP access through a serial interface to a single or multiple meter parameters.

Abstract: An ionic flame monitor. The flame monitor has a flame rod that produces an ionization current when the flame rod is immersed in a flame and excited by a voltage. The ionization current has a DC component and an AC component each dependent on the intensity of the flame, and a flicker frequency. The flame monitor also has a computing device that is responsive to signals representative of the flicker frequency, and the AC and DC components of the ionization current for determining the existence of the flame.

Abstract: A man machine interface for an A-C motor bypass has a membrane keypad with a multiplicity of pushbuttons connected to a micro-controller. The micro-controller controls the flow of current to the coil of each of the drive and bypass contactors to thereby open or close those contactors depending on if the motor is to be driven and how it is to be driven. The micro-controller includes code that simulates a first state machine that determines the operating condition of the drive and bypass contactors and if it is desired to open that one of the two contactors which is presently open and close that one of the two contactors when is presently open. The micro-controller includes code which simulates a second state machine which is active only when the inverter contactor is open. This state machine determines if the motor is to run or stop and closes or opens the bypass contactor accordingly.

Abstract: A communications module that permits remote meter reading of a utility meter via a wireless modem that communicates using data packet networks along a communications system, such as ARDIS. The communications module is a microprocessor-based transmitter/receiver which receives data collection requests from a system server, initiates data collection from a utility meter, and reports the data back to a host computer system residing, for example, at a central office. Preferably, session-based communication using the meter protocol is implemented between the communications module and the meter, and packet switching is used between the communications server and the communications module through the network.

Abstract: A plurality of random probing sequences are used to perturb a corresponding plurality of cross-machine direction (CD) actuators of a web manufacturing machine. The web of sheet material is measured as the CD actuators are perturbed. The global process machine direction (MD) dynamics is estimated and a CD response is estimated for each of the plurality of CD actuators using the plurality of random probing sequences, measurements of the web of sheet material and the estimated global process MD dynamics. The estimated global process MD dynamics and the estimated CD responses form 2D responses for the plurality of CD actuators. To refine the 2D responses, the estimates of global process MD dynamics, and CD responses for each of the plurality of CD actuators are iterated. The actuator dynamics of the plurality of CD actuators may also be estimated and used in the estimates of the global process MD dynamics of the plurality of CD actuators and CD responses for each of the plurality of CD actuators.