Abstract: An apparatus for the indirect cooling of a silicon drift detector (SDD) includes an enclosure with a vacuum maintained therein, at least one SDD module that generates substantially no heat positioned within the enclosure, a cooling engine positioned remote from the SDD module within the enclosure for cooling the SDD module, whereby heat is generated by the cooling engine, a thermal conduction device comprising a first end thermally coupled to the cooling engine and a second end thermally coupled to the SDD module and a heat removal device thermally coupled to the cooling engine. The cooling engine indirectly cools the SDD module by transferring thermal energy through the thermal conduction device from the SDD module and the heat removal device dissipates the heat generated by the cooling engine to the environment surrounding the enclosure. A method for indirectly cooling a radiation detector is also provided.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a sensored brushless DC motor, which has a rotably mounted rotor hub, comprises four legs. Each leg has a MOSFET and a diode configured to form four individual nodes. A first primary stator winding is coupled between the first and second nodes, while a second primary stator winding is coupled between the third and fourth nodes. A Hall sensor and an associated interface circuit which detects positions of magnets associated with the motor. As a result of the detected position, the drive circuit turns the MOSFETs on and off in a specified manner so as to rotate the rotor hub without the need for a snubber circuit.

Abstract: A motor assembly includes a commutator having a shaft extending axially therefrom, a commutator end bracket assembly, and at least two brushes carried by the commutator end bracket assembly and in contact with the commutator. A disc is carried by the commutator for rotation therewith. The commutator includes a notch and the disc is rotatable therein.

Abstract: A time interval measurement apparatus and method counts the total number of full clock time periods between two measurement signals. Clock fractional time periods are generated between each of the two measurement signals and the next leading edge of a full clock time period. The total number of full clock time periods and the clock fractional time periods are converted to a time equivalent measurement and combined to generate the total time interval between the two measurement signals.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a motor-fan unit including a motor assembly having a shaft, a commutator supported on the shaft, and a pair of brushes in electrical contact with the commutator, a fan assembly having an impeller coupled to the shaft, an end plate assembly located between the impeller and the motor assembly, said end plate assembly including a plate portion defining an opening throughwhich the shaft passes, wherein said commutator is located near the opening, and a pair of brush retainers adapted to receive the brushes formed on the plate portion adjacent said commutator, the brush retainers opening toward the fan assembly.

Abstract: An arc detector comprising a voltage generator for detecting a voltage and an integrator for integrating said voltage with respect to time and generating an output signal corresponding to said integration. The arc detector also includes a discharge controller for controlling said output signal of said integrator, an amplifier for amplifying said output signal from said integrator and outputting an amplified signal; and a comparator for comparing said amplified output signal to a reference voltage and generating a detection signal based on said comparison.

Abstract: A motor assembly includes a commutator having a shaft extending axially therefrom, a commutator end bracket assembly, and at least two brushes carried by the commutator end bracket assembly and in contact with the commutator. A seal is carried by either the commutator or the commutator end bracket assembly and has engaging contact with the other. The seal may be disposed on either or both sides of the commutator.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a signal to at least one of a plurality of serially-connected devices. The method includes the step of receiving the signal at a first one of the plurality of serially-connected devices, where the signal includes a first address. Then, the signal is sent to each successive device of the plurality of serially-connected devices. Prior to the step of sending the signal to the each successive device, the first address of the signal is modified by a predetermined value at each of the plurality of serially-connected devices. Data associated with the signal can be transmitted to or received from at least one of the plurality of serially-connected devices if the first address received by the one of the plurality of serially-connected devices matches a predetermined address. The method is useful in the operation of programmable limit switches (PLS), especially in a PLS where each output circuit has an addressable controller.

Abstract: A flywheel/motor assembly is disclosed that comprises a motor housing having a sidewall and an end wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the sidewall. The end wall enclose a motor assembly having a rotatable shaft extending therefrom. The motor housing has at least one air flow opening therethrough. A flywheel is coupled to the shaft, and includes a pulley side and a motor side opposite the pulley side, wherein the motor side is aligned substantially with the end wall and does not extend over the sidewall. A plurality of vanes are associated with the flywheel, wherein adjacent vanes form channels therebetween. A ring is coupled to the plurality of vanes and at least partially encloses the channels and forms exhaust ports away from the shaft. Rotation of the flywheel draws air through the motor housing's openings into the channels and out the exhaust ports. The pulley side may include balancing bores for receiving balancing material to balance the finished assembly.

Abstract: A blower includes a blower housing having a chamber, an impeller rotatably received in the chamber, the impeller having a plurality of blades; and at least one resonator ring associated with one of the blower housing and the impeller. The resonator ring provides a plurality of resonator cavities for absorbing noise generated by the plurality of blades. The blower housing has an inlet opening and an outlet opening associated with the chamber; and a baffle assembly sub-dividing at least one of the inlet and the outlet openings.

Abstract: A UV flame sensor is formed on a multilayer printed circuit board. The circuitry of the sensor includes a photodiode for detecting an input signal, an amplifier for amplifying the input signal, a FET for providing automatic gain control, and at least one capacitor for providing stability to the output signal of the amplifier. The capacitor is formed from a capacitance laminate buried in the PCB. Furthermore, the PCB is designed so that there are guard bands disposed on each layer of the PCB at identical positions, and tracks of equal potential disposed in identical locations on the interior layers of the PCB. These guard bands and tracks are identically shaped. A method of producing the flame sensor is also described.

Abstract: A thermocouple junction box for reducing EMF generated by a stud-and-cup configuration comprises a cup adapted to be electrically connected to a thermocouple sensing junction and a stud disposed, at least in part, within the cup, the stud being electrically isolated from the cup. In another aspect, a thermocouple junction box comprises a contact element adapted to be electrically connected to a thermocouple sensing junction and a stud mechanically coupled to the contact element by means of an insulating material and electrically isolated from the contact element by means of the insulating material. In a further aspect, a thermocouple assembly comprises a thermocouple sensing junction, a contact element, and a stud. The stud is adapted to receive thereon a conductive element electrically connected to a thermocouple cable, the stud being electrically isolated from and mechanically coupled to the contact element.

Abstract: A fan/motor assembly having an integrated brush support and bearing retainer is disclosed. The fan/motor assembly includes a rotatable shaft, a working air fan coupled to the shaft, and a motor bracket and baffle assembly interposed between the working air fan and the motor assembly. The motor bracket and baffle assembly retains a bearing which rotatably receives the shaft and provides integral brush boxes for the motor assembly.

Abstract: A fault detection circuit that includes a controllable switch coupling a power source to a load. Control circuitry is provided that determines if the switch is in the proper conduction state based on a switch control signal and a signal indicative of power delivered to the load. If the switch is determined as improperly closed (conducting), the control circuitry diverts energy delivered to the load through fuse circuitry, thereby blowing a fuse and decoupling the load from the power source. In preferred embodiments, logic circuitry determines the relative states of the control switch and the load and generates a control signal to divert energy away from the load and blow a fuse.

Abstract: A programmable limit switch includes output channels for receiving position data, each position value of the position data representing an incremental advance of a workpiece through a production field, and for producing actuation signals. The channels are connectable to respective output devices responsive to the respective actuation signals and located in the field. Each output channel has an output controller, which is individually programmable to change the state of respective actuation signals in response to reaching selected position values. Preferably, the PLS includes input connectors coupled to a respective channel and connectable to respective input devices located within the production field. Each channel operates its own inputs and outputs according to a variety of programmed functions depending upon system conditions seen by the output controller.

Abstract: A high-temperature connectorized thermocouple probe assembly for use in land gas turbine environments consistent with the present invention comprises a thermocouple junction having a plurality of conductors, a high temperature connector having at least one conductor, a length of cable having at least one conductor coupling at least one of the conductors of the thermocouple junction with at least one conductor of the high temperature connector; and a bushing disposed around the length of cable. In a further aspect, a land gas turbine system consistent with the present invention comprises a land gas turbine and a thermocouple probe assembly disposed at least partly within the land gas turbine, wherein the thermocouple probe assembly comprises a thermocouple junction and a high temperature connector coupled to the thermocouple junction, and wherein the thermocouple probe assembly is removably connected to, or is adapted for removable connection to, the land gas turbine via the high temperature connector.

Abstract: A temperature measuring device comprises a thermocouple junction having a plurality of conductors and a length of cable having at least one conductor coupling to at least one of the conductors of the thermocouple junction, wherein at least one the conductor in the length of cable comprises an iron, copper, constantan, or nickel-based alloy material having a grain size number of four or greater, measured by a grain size method defined by ASTM E112. The use of such a small grain size prevents fracture of the conductors. The length of cable may comprise mineral insulated cable, and the conductors in the length of cable may be of type K or type N.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for automatically setting a threshold for a point level device without having a user select whether a point level element is covered or uncovered. A first and second value is measured from a point level element. Whether the point level element is covered or uncovered is determined based on whether the second measured value has increased or decreased with respect to the first measured value. A threshold value is determined based on at least one of the first and second measured values.

Abstract: A level detection apparatus includes a wave guide or discrete sensors mounted in an outer flexible housing. A weight is attached to a distal end of the outer housing. A biasing spring is coupled to the opposite end of the outer housing for exerting a force on the outer housing to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the outer housing to maintain the weight in close proximity to the bottom surface of an enclosure in which the apparatus is mounted.

Abstract: A bypass motor fan assembly having an integral vent cover retention clip includes a motor assembly having a motor bracket which carries at least a pair of motor brushes. A vent cover is coupled to the motor assembly and is retained by the clip. The integral clip is secured to the motor bracket for slidably retaining a motor brush and for retaining the vent cover to the motor bracket. The vent cover includes a pair of brush caps having a ledge and a downwardly extending rim. The integral clip includes a deflectable finger which is engaged by the ledge. The integral clip further includes a brush clamp having a top member, wherein the deflectable finger extends from the top member. The deflectable finger has a deflection section, wherein the rim initially engages the deflection section and the deflection section engages the ledge after the rim clears the deflection section. A method for assembling the vent cover to the motor assembly using the clip is also disclosed.