Patents Assigned to Automation, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6036429
    Abstract: A retrieval system for rapidly removing articles from a plastic molding machine or other manufacturing process includes two pairs of lightweight non-metallic telescoping retrieval tubes arranged for telescoping motion into and out of an open mold. Each pair of telescoping retrieval tubes is coupled to a pair of slidable bearing tubes. A movable one of each pair of retrieval and bearing tubes is driven in concert by a low inertia cable or other drive system. A fixed one of each of each pair of retrieval and bearing tubes includes longitudinal strips of plastic bearing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: CBW Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6032339
    Abstract: A fastener for fastening a strap to an article having an end pin attached thereto, the fastener having a retention portion and an engagement portion defining a fastener aperture where movement of the engagement portion relative to the retention portion acts to close the fastener aperture about a reduced diameter portion of the end pin. A locking mechanism restricts movement of the engagement portion thereby maintaining the fastener aperture in its engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Innovative Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: James D'Addario
  • Patent number: 6034581
    Abstract: A contact assembly (22) is adapted for use with a circuit breaker (12) that is set to open a circuit above a predetermined current load. The contact assembly (22) is adapted to reciprocate between a closed position to permit the flow of current through the circuit and an open position to prevent the flow of current. The contact assembly (22) is further adapted to resist unintended reciprocation from the closed position to the open position at current loads up to or exceeding the predetermined current load. The contact assembly includes a line side conductor (38) and a load side conductor (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard DiMarco, David A. Leone
  • Patent number: 6030114
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the calibration of a circuit breaker trip mechanism including a terminal element, a bimetal element connected thereto, and a trip bar. Laser energy is applied to lanced or pre-bent surfaces of the terminal element to thermally induce displacement thereof and thereby modify a trip distance between the bimetal element and the trip bar. Where a laser beam is directed to fall on a middle leg of a lanced or pre-bent section of the terminal element, the bimetal element moves in one direction relative to the trip bar. Conversely, where a laser beam is directed to fall on lateral legs of the lanced or pre-bent section of the terminal element, the bimetal element moves in an opposite direction relative to the trip bar. Thus, laser energy may be applied from the same direction, or to the same side of the trip structure, regardless of whether the trip time is to be increased or decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard DiMarco, Robert G. Bergman, David A. Leone, Christoph Hamann
  • Patent number: 6029424
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying, cleaning, drying, oiling, candling, grading and packing eggs and high speeds. A main conveyor assembly, which includes two or more conveyors, transfers eggs continuously in spaced-apart, aligned relationship to transfer at which eggs are packaged according to their previously-determined individual physical characteristics, such as weight, cracks, dirt, etc. The conveyors can run in the same direction, or may run in opposite directions. The transfers accommodate the at least two conveyors, and include a section which gathers ejected eggs and may convey them to a packing station in a manner which prevents egg collisions. The eject mechanism for ejecting eggs from the conveyors ensures proper distribution of the eggs across a transfer so as to prevent egg collisions and to ensure that the packers are filled equally across their widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Diamond Automations, Inc.
    Inventors: John Christie McEvoy, James M. Nield, George Nelson Bliss
  • Patent number: 6031699
    Abstract: A sputtering arc fault detector (10) for a system having an electrical conductor (14) carrying current to a load. The sputtering arc fault detector includes a current monitor (64) coupled to the conductor for generating a variable signal responsive to behavior of the current in the conductor. A level detector (58) is coupled to the monitor and generates a first pulse when the variable signal exceeds a first level. A step detector (62) is coupled to the monitor and is responsive to rapid step increases of the variable signal. The step detector generates a second pulse when the variable signal exceeds a second level. An arc verifier (48), which is coupled to the level detector and the step detector, combines the first and second pulses, and generates a fault signal when the combined pulses exceed a third level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Randall Dollar, II, Elton C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6025766
    Abstract: Simplicity and reliability in a trip mechanism for an overload relay is achieved in a construction including a housing containing a bistable armature mounted on a pivot for movement between two stable positions. Fixed contacts are located within the housing and moveable contacts are carried by the armature for movement to a closed position with the fixed contacts for one of the two stable positions and for movement to an open position relative to the fixed contacts for the other of the two stable positions. A latch arm is carried by the armature and has a latch surface thereon. A torsion spring is mounted on the housing and has a latch finger for engaging the latch surface and retaining the armature in one of the two positions. A push button is provided for disabling the latch finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Henry Passow
  • Patent number: 6024349
    Abstract: A stabilizing fixture particularly suited for use with a robot end effector and holding relatively flexible components while they are cut, trimmed, or otherwise machined by the end effector. The fixture includes a chassis with wheels and a plurality of upwardly projecting posts that support an upper frame. The upper frame defines a platform for supporting, aligning, and stabilizing a flexible workpiece. The frame includes a two L-shaped brackets to support the workpiece and one or more vacuum-powered suction cups for tightly gripping and holding the workpiece against the brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Flexible Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Hoffmann, Douglas L. St. Onge
  • Patent number: 6026423
    Abstract: A processor system apparatus and method for determining a square root of a particular value of a square of a parameter for use with an electronic circuit breaker system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. McKoy
  • Patent number: 6023030
    Abstract: An improved bus plug door interlock for use with a bus plug in conjunction with an electrical power busway distribution system is described. The bus plug includes the bus plug door interlock, a door, a housing and an electrical switch. The bus plug door interlock prevents the bus plug door from opening when the electrical switch is in the "on" position and prevents the power from being turned "on" when the door is open. The bus plug door interlock includes a door interlock pivot with a single flat surface and a elongated slot with a narrow and a wide section. When the door interlock pivot is in the narrow section of the elongated, the single flat surface engages narrow section of the elongated, preventing the electrical switch from being turned "on". When the door interlock pivot is in the wide section of the elongated slot, the door interlock pivot can rotate freely, allowing the electrical switch to be turned "on".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Latimer, Daryl R. Van Brocklin, Jill M. Post
  • Patent number: 6021171
    Abstract: A multiplexing decoder/counter circuit for monitoring quadrature position encoders. The system includes an edge detector, a position counter, a position latch, a capture latch, and compare management means. Addressable memory blocks are used throughout the design. Information from external differential receivers is directed into a single quadrature decoder circuit using a switch with an effective 16 to 1 selection. An axis scanning state machine addresses multiple memory block based functions simultaneously. Scanning is performed in a circuitous manner in conjunction with the switch. The total circular loop frequency for the sequence is chosen to be equal to or greater than the maximum encoder frequency required. At each visitation of any particular memory address, the state of the circuit is reestablished from the last visit by the scanning state machine. Any change in quadrature signals is noted, and any up or down count is accumulated to the position counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Douloi Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Randolph Andrews
  • Patent number: 6020801
    Abstract: Simplicity and reliability in a trip mechanism for an overload relay is achieved in a construction including a housing containing a bistable armature mounted on a pivot for movement between two stable positions. Fixed contacts are located within the housing and moveable contacts are carried by the armature for movement to a closed position with the fixed contacts for one of the two stable positions and for movement to an open position relative to the fixed contacts for the other of the two stable positions. A latch arm is carried by the armature and has a latch surface thereon. A torsion spring is mounted on the housing and has a latch finger for engaging the latch surface and retaining the armature in one of the two positions. A push button is provided for disabling the latch finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Henry Passow
  • Patent number: 6018451
    Abstract: A logging device for a trip unit records temporal information related to a circuit breaker trip event, with the circuit breaker (11) including a trip unit (12). The device (10) includes at least a clock circuit (13), a microcontroller (14), and a storage medium (15). The device (10) can be configured as either a plug-in module for the trip unit (12), or as an accessory is mounted on the panel proximate to and in communication with the trip unit (12). The clock circuit (13) generates signals representing temporal information, such as real-time date and time information. The microcontroller (14) is adapted to be coupled to the trip unit (12) to receive signals from the trip unit (12). These signals from the trip unit (12) indicate a circuit breaker trip event. The microcontroller (14) receives the time and date information from the clock circuit (13) and associates a given trip event with the time and date information related to that given trip event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Lyke, John L. Culligan, Scott C. Turner, James O. Alexander
  • Patent number: 6016523
    Abstract: An transfer body is provided for interfacing between field devices and a field master. One form of the transfer body is an input/output (IO) body. The IO body has a plurality of in-data registers for accepting data from the field devices, a plurality of out-data registers for sending data to field devices, and an identification register for identifying the data in relation to the field devices. The IO body also has an interface portion having an identification port communicating with the identification register, an in-data port communicating with the in-data registers, and an out-data port communicating with the out-data registers. The body can directly attach to and communicate with a plurality of different types of communications adapters through the interface portion for communication with a field master. The body can also directly attach to and communicate with a PLC type of field master through the interface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Schneider Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Achim Zimmerman, Heinz Schaffner, Edgar Polly, Helmut Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6012324
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring gas content in a fluid, such as papermaking pulp or coating paste, and to a gas content measuring device. Pressure variations generated by a pump, for instance, are to occur in the fluid. Travel time, phase and/or attenuation of the microwave signal (20) are measured with the gas content measuring device while the signal (20) penetrates through the fluid (13), and the gas content is determined on the basis of changes in travel time, phase and/or attenuation of the microwave signal (20) caused by pressure variations of the fluid (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Valmet Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Pekka Jakkula, Urpo Kasurinen, Rauli Virkkala, Jouko Niinimaki
  • Patent number: 6010059
    Abstract: A method of mechanically joining electrically conductive parts to form an electrically conductive joint by providing first and second electrically conductive parts that are to be joined to establish electric conductivity between them wherein the first part comprises non-alloying material and the second part comprises non-ferrous material. Brazing material is disposed between the parts at a location where they are to be joined. Ultrasonic energy is then applied. The brazing material is selected to comprise at least two materials, one of the two materials being elemental copper, and the elemental copper being the largest single constituent of the brazing material. The invention also provides a novel construction for parts that form a portion of an interruptable current path through a circuit protection device such as an electric circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles A. Newland
  • Patent number: 6009760
    Abstract: A flow meter for measuring the flow in a dielectric pipe is disclosed. Two microwave signals are transmitted at measurement points via at least two transmitter antennae through the dielectric pipe and a flowing material. The distance between the measurement points is known. The signals that have passed through are received by receiver antennae and signal cross correlation is formed by a correlator, the flow rate being determined on the basis of the best correlation result. The measurement result is improved by filtering and/or directing the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Valmet Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Pekka Jakkula, Kari Luostarinen, Esko Tahkola
  • Patent number: 6010571
    Abstract: A paint spray booth with capability to separately exhaust clean powder paint overspray by a clean overspray upper exhaust system at floor level, and the additional exhaust air and paint overspray passing through a grated floor and conveyor system is exhausted by a lower exhaust system. The upper and lower exhaust systems each include a pair of channels having a first and a second sloping surface with a slot disposed at a lower portion thereof. The slot opens into an exhaust duct which extends longitudinally along the paint spray booth. The upper exhaust channels are disposed beneath a surface of a body to be painted, while the lower exhaust channels are disposed beneath a grated floor and the upper exhaust channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Flexible Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Leif E. Josefsson, Tim S. Slagle, Tim J. Sutton
  • Patent number: 6005207
    Abstract: A circuit breaker housing includes a base having a main portion and a separate subbase portion. The line contact arms for the breaker are mounted on the subbase portion and attached to the main portion which includes the load contact arms. The main portion of the base includes a bottom wall which insulates the load contact arms from the line contact arms along a portion of their lengths. In addition, the bottom wall forms a structural member which rigidly ties the two sidewalls of the main portion of the base. The bottom wall of the main portion of the base includes an opening through which line contacts coupled to the line contact arm make contact with load arm contacts coupled to the load contact arms. Adjacent to the opening, the main portion of the base includes vertical ribs directly tied to the bottom wall which strengthen internal and external side walls in the main portion of the base and reinforce the structural member formed by the bottom wall of the main portion of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard DiMarco, David A. Leone, Bruce D. Guiney, Neal Reeves
  • Patent number: D419966
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Mowery, James G. Sepelak