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 soft touch switch comprises a switch housing, a first soft touch sensor, and a second soft touch sensor. The switch housing has an outer surface which is curved and an inner surface. The first sensor is disposed inside the switch housing adjacent a first portion of the inner surface, and the second sensor is disposed inside the switch housing adjacent a second portion of the inner surface. The first and second sensors are disposed in different planes inside the switch housing. The soft touch switch is especially suited for industrial applications such as punch presses and has enhanced safety, ergonomic, and freedom of installation features.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating a microprocessor-based system produces simulations which are fast and which are accurate in terms of timing information produced. The source code is first compiled so as to produce a first program for a target microprocessor. Timing information is then extracted from the first program. The source code is compiled so as to produce a second program for a simulation microprocessor. The timing information is inserted into the second program, either directly or indirectly by way of the original source code. The second program thus has the timing information embedded therein and available for use by the simulation microprocessor, such that an output based on the timing information may be generated during the execution of the second program. A simulator which simulates execution of a first program by a target microprocessor comprises a simulation microprocessor and a second program. The second program is derived from a same source code program as the first program.

Abstract: A matrix converter utilizes a bidirectional lateral insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) including two gate electrodes. The IGBT can conduct in two directions. The matrix converter preferably is a three phase matrix converter including nine bidirectional IGBT switches. The IGBT switches are controlled by a control circuit which includes eighteen control lines, two for each IGBT. Additionally, the bidirectional IGBT can be used in a precharge circuit of a power inverter or in a dynamic brake associated with a motor controller.

Abstract: Multiple processing units connected along a communication link to form an industrial controller may arrange for efficient block transfer of data by isochronous methods by forwarding to a data producer a connection message including the desired data structure having the variables necessary to be transmitted in a predefined order. Upon receipt of the data structure, the data producer may program itself to collect the data into the structure and forward the data on a periodic basis dictated by the connection message to the data consumer. Changes in the data structure may thus be accommodated efficiently in a manner that is invisible to the user.

Abstract: A task executed on a multi-tasking industrial controller is employed to monitor data exchanged between a control program (executed as a second task on the industrial controller) and the controlled process. The monitoring task, which may be invoked on a periodic basis, reads designated data, compares it to its last value and if it changes, stores the value in a buffer. A separate program reads this buffer and displays relevant information to the user minimizing degradation in the performance of the control program and eliminating the possibility of corruption of the control program as would be required for the introduction of special memory trapping instructions into the control program.

Abstract: A contactor for use in controlling electrical motors may include a mechanical stop engaging the armature of the contactor and having an eyebar receiving one or more shackles of padlocks to prevent closure of the contactor contacts despite the application of an actuation current. An auxiliary switch may disconnect the coil of the contactor when the stop is positioned to lock the contactor providing additional resistance to actuation of the contactor 10.

Abstract: An industrial controller having a number of addressable I/O modules, employs an I/O map table linking software addresses used for developing the control program to actual physical addresses of the I/O modules on a network. By employing software addresses for connection points to the control process, the program may be developed independent of the topology of the network connecting the processor to the I/O modules and changes in that topology may be made without affecting the control program, but simply by changing the I/O map table. A single change in the I/O map table re-connects an I/O module for all references in the control program.

Abstract: A method to be used with a programmable controller that can communicate with peripheral devices in two protocols, the method for automatically switching controller communication between the two protocols when the protocol used by a peripheral device is different than the protocol currently being used by the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a movable contact in a circuit interrupter includes a movable element that is displaced by gas pressure within the interrupter housing resulting from arcs generated during initial displacement of the movable element. The movable element may be a spanner extending between two stationary contacts. The apparatus may be configured as a three phase interrupter in which a single carrier or retainer is common to three power phase sections, and is displaced by interruption of a current carrying path for any one power phase section. The retainer may include a retaining pin which extends through the movable element. The movable element is biased into a conducting position and a head of the retaining pin contacts the movable element to hold it in a non-conducting position following a trip event.

Abstract: A power substrate module having a multilayer circuit board or laminated circuit board for use in a motor controller is described. The power substrate module includes pair of switching devices coupled across a direct current bus for converting direct current power from the bus to controlled alternating current power in response to control signals. The circuit board includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and an insulative layer separating the conductive layers. The first and second conductive layers each include a conductive bus region, one of which is coupled to the first switching device and forms a high side of the direct current bus, and the other of which is coupled to the second switching device and forms the low side of the direct current bus.

Abstract: A PWM based converter including a Y-.DELTA., Y--Y transformer (or a .DELTA.--.DELTA., .DELTA.-Y transformer) wherein the Y-.DELTA. portion of the transformer phase shifts input voltage by 30.degree. with respect to the Y--Y portion of the transformer and thereby eliminates many low order supply line harmonics. The rectifier also includes two series connected PWM switching rectifiers, one rectifier receiving input voltages from the Y--Y portion of the transformer and the other rectifier receiving input voltages from the Y-.DELTA. portion of the transformer, and a controller for controlling the first and second rectifiers so as to eliminate low order harmonics on the supply lines that are not eliminated by the transformer. A capacitive bank is required between each rectifier and the transformer.

Abstract: A structural key is checked under program control to control the mode of operation for a processor-based electronic circuit board. A break-away key portion of the circuit board is connected to the main portion along a boundary of frangible links with circuit paths traversing the boundary and carrying logic signals. The presence or absence of the break-away portion is sensed by sensing the bit pattern at an I/O address. If the absence of the break-away portion is sensed, the function of a user-commanded motion block is tested and processor operation is limited to executing functions for the mode corresponding to the absence of the break-away portion.

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 and apparatus to be used with a peer-to-peer network including a plurality of separate controllers which can control each other, the method and apparatus to be used to determine when a fault conditions occurs when one controller which has controlled a different controller is rendered incapable of network communication. In the present invention, each individual controller includes a control list which tracks all of the other controllers that have controlled the individual controller. When one of the controllers on a control list is rendered incapable of communicating with the individual controller, the controller that is incapable of communicating is cleared from the control list associated with the individual controller and the tools associated with the individual controller are forced into safe fault operation until controlled by an other controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for approximation of integral and RMS values for waveforms of uncertain or unknown period. The technique employed processes values of the waveform sampled at fixed sampling intervals, monitors the actual period of the waveform, and calculates the number of fixed sampling intervals in the period. The sampled data is then used as a basis for mapping the waveform onto a desired number of sampling points. Interpolation techniques are used to assign values to desired sampling points lying between fixed interval sampled points. The desired number of sample points is selected to permit use of Simpson's rule for approximating the integral value (an odd number of points for application of Simpson's 1/3 rule, and a number equal to a multiple of 3 plus 1 for application of Simpson's 3/8 rule). Once the desired sampling points are determined, Simpson's rule is applied to calculate the integral, and the RMS value may be determined based on this integral value.

Abstract: A method for visually displaying the status of edits utilizes a plurality of visual indicia proximal the portions of edited program segments. Program segments which have not been edited and are currently part of the executable program in the programmable logic controller's processor are represented with solid power rails. Edited rungs which have either been inserted, replaced or deleted are noted as such by I, R and D indicia proximal the power rail of the rung. An asterisk symbol (*) is used to visually identify rungs that have been modified at the workstation but which have not yet been downloaded to the controller. Other visual indicia identify to a workstation operator rungs which have been verified. When the controller is put into test edits mode, the state of the program in the controller prior to downloading the edited program segments is maintained but is not executed and the edits are resolved into the program executing in the processor.