Abstract: A redundant industrial controller system has a primary controller backed up by a secondary controller and recovers from a power loss by analyzing the state memories of the controllers to reach a determination of which controller would best be suited to assume primary control status without resorting to arbitrary tie-breaking procedures or race conditions. The rules and their inputs are applied by both controllers which independently make the determination as to which controller should be the primary controller.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter provides a conducting path between two conductors and interrupts the conducting path in response to overcurrent conditions in the conductors. The interrupter includes a magnetic core around which the conductors are disposed. Each conductor is electrically coupled to an arc runner and a spanner is biased into contact with the arc runners to compete a conducting path between the conductors. A secondary response mechanism is provided adjacent to the core and includes arms extending around the core and a magnetic body. In response to overcurrent conditions of a first magnitude the body of the secondary response mechanism is attracted to the core causing the arms to displace the spanner out of contact with the arc runners. In response to overcurrent conditions of a second magnitude, such as due to direct short circuits, the spanner is repelled rapidly to a non-conducting position and the secondary response mechanism is attracted to the core to hold the spanner in the non-conducting position.

Abstract: A controller based network, where data from a plurality of nodes is placed onto the network in a scheduled predetermined order during a network update interval. The data transmitted onto the network being collected following the issuance of a data collection start signal issued in accordance with a timer, whereby the issuance of the data collection start signal can be varied within the network update interval. The collected data being transmitted onto the network upon the issuance of a data transmission signal.

Abstract: A termination network to be used with an induction motor for eliminating voltage reflections and voltage surges due to voltage reflections, the network includes a resistive element in series with a capacitive element between each two voltage supply lines. The capacitive element initially operates like a short so that a resistive element terminates each line for a short period, the termination network impedance matches the line impedance, and reflection is eliminated. After a voltage pulse passes to a stator winding the capacitor element is charged and the resistive element is effectively removed from the line circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter for bus bar systems with a base element (1, 8, 9, 10) equipped with attachment feet (8, 9, 10) to mount the base element onto the bus bars (11) in a mounting direction (B) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (A) of the bus bars; with an automatic locking mechanism of the base element onto the bus bar system by means of a locking part (26) contained within the base element. In order to ensure a secure connection between the bus bar system and the adapter in the longitudinal direction of the respective bus bar, the invention suggests that the locking part provide a cutting-edge (27) positioned in the mounting direction to obtain an incisive engagement with one of the bus bars when mounting the base element.

Abstract: A method of handling a fault which occurs during execution of an executable program comprises the steps of designating a first sequence of instructions of the executable program as visible and designating a second sequence of instructions of the executable program as invisible. According to this scheme, for the first visible sequence of instructions, faults are reported in a manner which designates an instruction at which the fault occurred. For the second invisible sequence of instructions, faults are reported in a manner which designates the invisible sequence of instructions as a whole. The invention permits fault handling for instructions added by a user to be performed in the same way as fault handling for built-in functions, and is usable with compiled machines.

Abstract: A Manchester decoder blanks random transitions prior to the reception of a valid Manchester encoded signal. Specifically, the decoder according to the present invention comprises a data input, and edge detector, and a blanking device. The edge detector is used to detect edges in a signal which is received by the data input. Thus, in the event that edges are not detected at predetermined intervals (signifying that a valid signal is not being received), the blanking device blanks a data output of the decoder. Advantageously, the decoder circuit filters random transitions prior to the reception of a valid Manchester encoded signal, is of simple construction, and may be implemented in conjunction with a decoder circuit which is used to separate the Manchester encoded signal into its data and clock components.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention overcome the difficulties of balancing paired LVDT probes via provision of a quick and inexpensive process that can be implemented in either hardware or software. In particular, a software method is provided for determining a balance correction factor for paired probes in a LVDT gauging system. The balance correction factor is found through a procedure in which an operator moves a part under measurement within a fixture to which the probes are installed. The balance correction factor is then used to mathematically normalize A/D counts from individual paired probe circuits into a single result for each pair.

Abstract: A program for partitioning a centrally developed industrial control program into component that may be download to distributed devices for execution and control of an industrial process divides elements of the control program into spatially linked elements which are associated with physical devices that have defined locations and spatially independent elements that have no defined location within the control structure. The spatially linked elements are grouped together according to their proximity and the spatially independent elements are assigned to those groupings so as to minimize communications between the various links. The cost of the grouping, the band width of the signals and the capabilities of the modules are also considered.

Abstract: A method of editing a real-time control program as it controls equipment is provided in which the editing occurs in a second area of memory and integrated into the pre-existing program by means of conditional jump instructions concatenated to that edited material. The pre-existing program is uninterrupted by the editing process except for a change of single instructions which do not affect the results of the execution but redirect the execution thread of that control program to be conditionally connected to the edited material. This single writing of single instructions, which do not affect execution results, precludes the possibility of the controller executing partially edited programs. The jump instructions are conditional on a test edit pointer to allow instantaneous implementation of the edits and a simple return to unedited instructions simply by changing the state of the flag.

Abstract: The arrangement for the control of an electromagnet is intended for an electromagnet consisting of a Stationary core 7, a pickup coil 1 through which current flows temporarily after the switch is closed, a holding coil 2 through which current flows during the operating state, as well as a moveable armature 8 moving in relation to the core 7. Within a magnetically responsive switching circuit 5, which is connected in series with the pickup coil 1, a coupling sensor 22 is included, consisting of at least one winding which is linked to at least a part of the magnetic field of the electromagnet at least then when the air gap is open. At the instant when the air gap is closed, the voltage spike induced in the sensor coil 22 switches a controllable semiconductor 11, connected in series with the pickup coil 1 into a state of high resistivity via an electronic switching circuit arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention constitutes a data crossloading system for use with a programmable controller system having primary and secondary (or "back-up") systems each of which have redundant hardware components and have data structures associated with these components. The present invention further relates to the interconnection of the hardware components and to the processes for providing redundant data structures which enable a secondary or back-up system to rapidly and effectively assume control when a malfunction occurs in a primary control system. Both systems are connected via the same remote data links to common I/O racks which interface to sensing and output devices on the equipment being controlled.

Abstract: A bus bar having reduced parasitic inductance and equal current path lengths. A bus bar of the present invention has a first plate connected to a collector of a first transistor, a collector of a second transistor, an emitter of a third transistor and an emitter of a fourth transistor; a second plate including a second plate input connected to a collector of the third transistor and a collector of the fourth transistor; a third plate including a third plate input connected to an emitter of the first transistor and an emitter of the second transistor; and a fourth plate which is connected to the first plate. The first plate, the second plate, and the third plate are disposed and arranged such that the lengths of the current paths from the fourth plate through the first transistor to the input of the third plate is equal to the length of the current path from the fourth plate through the second transistor to the input of the third plate.

Abstract: A fixture is provided for facilitating the fabrication of a motor controller of the type including a power substrate module and a control circuit board mounted to and electrically coupled to the power substrate module via a plurality of conductors. The fixture is preferably a ring-like structure made of epoxy-fiberglass laminate. Apertures for engaging and holding the conductors are provided in the fixture at locations corresponding to conducting pads on the power substrate module. For fabrication, the power substrate module and the fixture are preformed and solder is disposed on the conducting pads of the module. During fabrication, the conductors are inserted into the apertures in the fixture and the fixture and conductors are positioned over the preformed power substrate module to bring the conductors into contact with the conducting pads. The fixture and power substrate module are then passed through a reflow oven to melt the solder and complete the connection of the conductors to the module.

Abstract: In an industrial controller associated with independent I/O modules for exchanging signals between a controlled machine and the controller, a control program executed by the controller is associated with an I/O map identifying functionality of the independent I/O modules. At initialization of the controller, function keys are transmitted to the I/O modules, the latter which confirm that they are capable of the functions expected by the control program. The I/O modules may change their function according to the function keys and may accept functions not identical to those performed by the I/O module if the I/O module performs at greater functionality.

Abstract: A variable frequency motor drive incorporating a circuit interrupter includes a rectifying circuit for converting incoming AC power to DC power and an inverting circuit for converting the DC power to controlled AC power in response to control signals. A control circuit implements a preset control routine to control operation of the inverting circuit to drive a motor in accordance with desired operating parameters. A circuit interrupter is coupled between the source of AC power and the rectifying circuit and includes an actuator for interrupting power to the drive in response to interrupt command signals from the motor control circuit. The motor drive includes a switching circuit and a capacitive circuit for powering the circuit interrupter. The drive control circuitry monitors operation of the drive and the motor and when conditions require removal of power to the drive, the control circuitry commands the switching circuit to close, energizing the circuit interrupter and thereby removing power to the drive.

Abstract: A bus structure for interconnecting the modules of an industrial automation controller includes DATA lines and associated control lines that enable interface circuits on each module to transfer frames of data. Modules connected to the bus structure support data transfers of differing widths and differing speeds, and interface circuits within each module automatically adapt to data width and speed differences between communicating modules. During a first bus cycle of each transfer, sending and receiving modules negotiate a bus width and clock speed to be used for the transfer by asserting their respective width and speed codes onto a set of wired-or status lines. After the first bus cycle, the status lines are then used for communicating alternate functions between the participating modules.

Abstract: The overcurrent protective switch contains a switch lock 8, which, in the switched on position, holds the movable contact pieces 3 in engagement with the fixed contact pieces 2 against the force exerted by at least one switch-off spring. The switch lock 8 comprises a switch splicing plate 10 connected to the movable contact pieces 3 in an articulated mechanism; a toggle lever splicing plate 12 connected to the switch splicing plate 10 at a toggle joint 13; and a pawl lever 15 mounted in a position inside the housing 1, which is supported by a trigger pawl 17 and connected with the toggle lever splicing plate 12 in an articulate mechanism. The joint axles 11, 13, 16 of the switch splicing plate 10 and the toggle lever splicing plate 12, as well as the pivot bearing axle 14 of the pawl lever 15 are in the on state arranged on a slightly curved line, so that a past dead center condition is created.

Abstract: A mounting for a solderable component module (SCM.TM.) interconnect module includes an elongated trench or blind via for receiving an edge of the module. The module may be a circuit board or other electrical device and preferably includes edge finger connectors. The elongated trench preferably includes hemicylinders located about the periphery. The hemicylinders provide plated through conductors for connecting to the finger connectors of the module. The trench is made according to an advantageous method in which the aperture is etched in order to remove barbs or extra copper material caused by milling the aperture. Preferably, the module fits into the trench with an interference or size-on-size fit. The trench may include strain relief areas. Additionally, the mounting can include apertures for receiving legs on the mounted board.

Abstract: A device and method establishing an electrically conductive path between a pair of contacts in low voltage, low current applications, such as in electronic circuits. The device and method feature a flexible spanner that contacts a pair of fixed contacts with a sweeping movement. The spanner includes a bent portion that flexes when a force is exerted on the spanner such that a contact portion of the spanner sweeps across the surface of the pair of fixed contacts.