Abstract: An under voltage trip device for low and medium voltage breakers is disclosed. Briefly stated, a first power supply receives unregulated power from a control voltage supply, such as typically used in switchgear type substations, which is rectified and regulated with portions of the power supply monitored by a processor. The output of the first power supply is supplied to a second power supply which allows pulsing modulating power to be supplied to a solenoid connected thereto. The current supplied to the solenoid is measured so as to represent the solenoid armature position which is measured and calculated by a processor and stored therein as well as being compared to stored values, thereby determining solenoid armature position and predicting or warning of solenoid failure. Connected to the second power supply is a third power supply which operates in a voltage regulator supply mode and a switcher mode during start-up and continuous running operation respectively, such mode being controlled by the processor.

Abstract: An end effector for use with an industrial robot and capable of holding a stack of substantially flat, folded articles. The end effector includes a body which defines a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber has a port which may be coupled to a vacuum source and an opening or vacuum face which is positioned in spaced relation relative to the port. Sealing material is mounted on a portion of the peripheral edge of the vacuum face, and a first blade is mounted on the peripheral edge of the vacuum face adjacent to the strip of sealing material. A second blade is mounted on a third portion of the peripheral edge of the vacuum face in axial opposition to the first blade so that the two blades face one another. A second strip of sealing material is mounted on a fourth portion of the peripheral edge of the vacuum face. The first and second blades and sealing material ensure a proper vacuum seal between the end effector and the articles of interest.

Abstract: Arcing in an AC power system is detected by monitoring the power waveform for wideband high-frequency noise, and examining the detected noise for patterns of variation in its amplitude synchronized to the power waveform. A narrowband, swept-frequency detector and synchronous averaging may be employed to improve discrimination of arc noise from background interference. An arcing fault interrupter for controlling a single circuit, and a whole house monitor, for detecting arcing anywhere in a house, are described.

Abstract: A cable interlock system is provided for preventing at least two circuit breakers from both being closed, comprising: a first circuit breaker assembly comprising a first main contact, a first cross bar, a first cross bar plunger, a first transfer assembly and a first operating handle, wherein the first operating handle is adapted to close or open the first circuit breaker assembly, and wherein the first cross bar plunger is adapted to contact the first cross bar, and wherein the first transfer assembly is adapted to move the first cross bar plunger; a second circuit breaker assembly comprising a second main contact, a second cross bar, a second cross bar plunger, a second transfer assembly and a second operating handle, wherein the second operating handle is adapted to close or open the second circuit breaker assembly, and wherein the second cross bar plunger is adapted to contact the second cross bar, and wherein the second transfer assembly is adapted to move the second cross bar plunger; a cable assembly h

Abstract: The PLC has a user configurable protocol port attached thereto. Briefly stated, at the PLC communication port or as a result of a user program or I/O event, a special flag bit may be set which thereby allows the communication port to be activated. This is done by the flag bit causing an interrupt to occur in the PLC user program which allows a user to communicate with a user specified protocol scheme rather than the normal communication/programming protocol when this special bit is not set.

Abstract: A guide member for guiding a wire from a nozzle of a gas metal-arc welding device. The guide member includes a ceramic body portion having a generally centrally located opening for receiving and guiding an electrode wire therethrough. A plurality of gas diffusion openings are provided in the ceramic body portion radially outward from the centrally located opening. The guide member allows an extended wire stick out and a narrower tapered nozzle while protecting the nozzle and contact tip from spatter and heat and thereby enhances welding performance.

Abstract: A concentric-shaft rotational drive system for an articulated arm transfer device adaptable for imparting movement to an assembly inside a vacuum chamber wherein rotary movement is imparted to rotors inside the vacuum chamber by means of magnetic fields produced by stators outside the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An electric load center having a basepan having a surface, the surface having a tab with a tapered lower edge and a prong extending from a side edge of the tab for capture by lances found in the enclosure of the load center.

Abstract: A device holder (25) holds a device (27, 28) in spaced relation to a printed circuit board (30), sufficient space (43) being provided between the printed circuit board (30) and the device (27, 28) for mounting of circuit components (47,49) on the printed circuit board (30) between the device holder and the printed circuit board. A connection is provided between a connector (85) mounted on the printed circuit board (30) and a connector (82) mounted on leads (78) which are attached to the device (27, 28), the connection providing for the electrical connection and disconnection of the device (27, 28) and the printed circuit board (30). A housing (10) is provided for mounting the printed circuit board (30), device holder (25) and device (27, 28) therein. The device holder (25) is provided with a deformable retention clip (56) for retention of the device (27) within a chamber (51) of the device holder (25), and in response to actuation by an operator, removal of the device from the device holder.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus for recursive parameter estimation which closely approximates actual values is taught. Briefly stated, the within invention estimates impedance parameters of network branches in both on-line and off-line modes, providing accurate estimation of branch parameters in the presence of noise in measurements and rejecting gross measurement errors, by use of a Kalman type Markov filter scheme using maximum likelihood estimation.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including an improved arc detection system which trips the interrupter in response to currents having frequencies and/or characteristics associated with arcing within the associated alternating current electrical system. The arc monitoring circuit determines if the signal produced by a current transducer is the result of arcing. The arc detection system includes two swept filters and associated amplifiers which produce a signal which has an amplitude representative of the frequencies present in the alternating current of the electric system. The portion of the filtered signal which has amplitudes above a predetermined level is integrated to produce a trip signal for the circuit interrupter when the value of the integration exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A basepan for an electric load center having a surface with integrally formed posts with an undercut extending around its periphery for securing a component of the load center to the surface by heat staking.

Abstract: A hoisting mechanism attached to the transom of pleasurecraft is provided which raises and lowers a platform to hoist personal watercraft, such as a water jet propelled personal watercraft, into and out of the water with a minimal amount of apparatus externally of the transom.

Abstract: An adjustable pallet for supporting work pieces having a carriage rod mounted on the pallet; and a pair of support member. At least one the support members is mounted for travel on the carriage rod. The support member, which is mounted for travel, includes a spring having a helical portion which encircles the carriage rod and engages the carriage rod when the spring is relaxed, thereby fixing the position of the support member on the pallet, and disengages from the carriage rod when the spring is compressed, thereby enabling the position of the support member to be adjusted.

Abstract: A device to remove any bias in the position of a cut line on a continuous strip of cloth. The device has at least two detecting devices located along a predetermined path to detect the position of the cut line and a straightening bar to tilt the continuous strip to compensate for the bias.

Abstract: An oven for electronics manufacturing including a heated chamber having openings at each end to the ambient environment wherein heated air is circulated by a centrally located fan to pass over workpieces in a substantially upward (or downward) flow. Equal temperatures at the entrance and exit ends of the heated chamber are promoted by a crossover air return arrangement in which a portion of the air from each end of the heated chamber is mixed with the air from the other end of the chamber as the circulating air is drawn into the fan for recirculation. In addition, a moveable shutter mechanism is provided at the entrance end and exit end of the heated chamber to adjust the air flow at the ends of the heated chamber. The shutter mechanism operates to selectively close off an adjustable portion of the heated air flow at the ends of the heated chamber.

Abstract: A plenum for a paint spray booth including at least one improved plenum module having a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls each comprised of a truss adapted to cooperate with a plurality of stilts thereby independently supporting the plenum above the paint application zone of a paint spray booth. The improved plenum module permits the spacing between plenum stilts to be increased to at least sixty feet thereby decreasing construction costs, increasing the uniformity of airflow from the plenum and decreasing the potential for air leaks from and into the plenum. The improved plenum modules are adapted to be coupled in series and in parallel to provide plenum modules of varying lengths and widths.

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.

Abstract: A hoist system having triangular suspension bands minimizes sway and twisting during the lifting of a payload. The system includes three depending retractable and extensible triangular tension members which provide three sets of opposed horizontal tensile forces aligned along three non-parallel lines. Each tension member comprises a flexible triangular band attached along one side to one of three rotatable spools arranged at 60.degree. to each other. The bands are attached near their vertices to a payload gripper assembly which is raised or lowered as the bands are wound or unwound from the spools. The three triangular bands provide six horizontal force components which provide good lateral stability and torsional rigidity, thereby minimizing sway and twisting of the payload. The bands also provide good payload lifting strength.

Abstract: A graphics based display for use with an electronic circuit protection device. Briefly stated, a utility-type electric meter or an electronic circuit protection device includes a liquid crystal device display which allows for the graphical display of information. Upon system start-up or key activation, a menu appears which allows for user selection of the information or parameters to be sampled and displayed.