Patents Assigned to Automation, Inc.
  • Patent number: 4887836
    Abstract: A cart with foldable side panels for transporting groceries and similar articles is shown. The cart includes a handle movable between a stowage position and an extended position for pulling the cart. A linkage couples the motion of the handle between its stowage position and its extended position to the side panels for causing the side panels to be in their folded position, resting upon the flatbed of the cart, when the handle is in its stowed position, and the side panels to be in their upstanding or erected position when the handle is in its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Command Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Luther G. Simjian
  • Patent number: 4884242
    Abstract: A power supply system for a dynamic memory includes a main power supply, a backup power supply and a power down detection circuit which are all connected in parallel across the input of a DC/DC converter. In turn the DC/DC converter supplies regulated power to the dynamic memory. On interruption of the main power supply, the backup supply provides input power to the DC/DC converter only as long as the power sensed by the power down detection circuit is adequate for the DC/DC converter to maintain a bit pattern stored in the dynamic memory. On sensing inadequate input power to the DC/DC converter the backup supply is automatically disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Applied Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Lacy, William A. Spencer
  • Patent number: 4876521
    Abstract: A tripping coil for a circuit breaker, wherein the circuit breaker is designed to carry high load currents. The tripping coil includes a coil having a first winding and a second winding, a permanent magnet, a return spring, an armature and an actuator rod. The first winding and the permanent magnet produce a magnetic flux to urge and hold the armature into a biased position. The second winding produces a magnetic flux which urges the armature into an unbiased position. The return spring also exerts a force on the armature urging the armature into the unbiased position. The actuator rod is fixed to the armature, and interacts with the circuit breaker such that the circuit breaker is tripped when the armature moves into the unbiased position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Boyd
  • Patent number: 4876424
    Abstract: A barrier for isolating the electrical contacts of a circuit breaker from the operating mechanism for the contacts. The barrier includes openings to allow the operating mechanism to pass through the barrier, and venting channels for venting gas from within the circuit breaker to the exterior of the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Leone, Clifford A. Buxton, W. Dale Robbins
  • Patent number: 4871889
    Abstract: An assembly adapted to commutate arcs from between the main contacts of a circuit breaker to an arcing contact such that a single arc at the arcing contact can be extinguished and dispersed within an arc chute. The assembly is adapted to be pivotally attached to the ends of the main contact carrying arms and includes arc channeling members joined to form a contact surface. An arcing contact can be fixed to the contact surface such that the arcs from the main contacts are channelled into one arc at the arcing contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Leone, Clifford A. Buxton
  • Patent number: 4868437
    Abstract: A temperature activated fan assembly preferably for an electric motor. The assembly includes a fan, a torque transfer means engagable with the fan for transferring torque to the fan and a first member which expands in response to a temperature increase. The expansion of the first member causes the torque transfer means to engage the fan. The first member is situated within the motor such that the first member causes the fan to operate when a critical temperature in the motor is reached. The first member can be fabricated as a rod or coil from a material having a suitably high coefficient of thermal expansion. The first member can also be fabricated from a memory material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Wagner, James P. Somers
  • Patent number: 4868529
    Abstract: An improved magnetic armature for magnetically activated circuit breakers. The armature being configured to provide a consistent engagement length between the armature and the contact operating mechanism of a circuit breaker. The armature also being configured to reduce the air gap distance between the armature and the magnetic yoke of a circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Holland
  • Patent number: 4864848
    Abstract: The invention provides a leak detection system for filled and sealed pliable containers. The system comprises a continuous squeezing conveyor, a line conveyor and high and low fill level container content detectors located at predetermined positions. The squeezing conveyor moves a stream of containers while placing a predetermined pressure on the containers through a predetermined distance. The line conveyor is disposed adjacent the outlet end of the squeezing conveyor. The line conveyor is synchronized for receiving and transporting the container stream. The high fill level detector is disposed adjacent the squeezing conveyor outlet end. The low fill level detector is disposed adjacent the line conveyor at a predetermined distance downstream the squeezing conveyor outlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Minnesota Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald O. Irvine
  • Patent number: 4866225
    Abstract: A crossbar spanning the poles of a multiple pole circuit breaker. The crossbar is formed from a structural member such as beam having an I-shaped cross-section, wherein an insulating material such as plastic is molded to the beam. The shape of the structural member is such that it provides a high strength to weight ratio. The plastic is molded such that it includes means for inhibiting arcing between the poles of the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Leone, Clifford A. Buxton
  • Patent number: 4861555
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the ion chromatographic analysis of ionic species of a common first polarity opposite to a second polarity employ an eluant ion suppressor cell having two electrodes. The ionic species to be analyzed and an eluant solution are introduced in solution to an ion exchange resin bed. The eluant solution essentially consists of an eluting reagent in solution such that the eluting reagent is ionized to form first eluant ions of the first polarity and second eluant ions of the second polarity. An effluent essentially consisting of separated ionic species, first eluant ions and second eluant ions in solution is discharged from the resin bed. The effluent is introduced through an inlet in the suppressor cell such that the effluent flows along a surface of the first and second electrodes. An electrical voltage is applied to the electrodes so as to maintain the first electrode at the first polarity and the second electrode at the second polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Applied Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Mowery, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4852604
    Abstract: A system for monitoring ink flow from an ink storage tank to at least one ink fountain of a high-speed, web-fed printing press employing a scale for measuring the weight of the ink storage tank and comparing weight signals from the scale at successive times to determine the weight of ink consumed over the interval between readings. A pump is associated with the storage tank for pumping the ink to the fountain via coupling lines. An ink level sensor detects the level of ink in the fountain and provides an ink demand signal for operating a valve means in the ink coupling line to in turn cause ink flow to the fountain so as to provide replenishment of ink thereat. With the use of plural fountains, means are provided for prioritizing delivery to the fountains so that individual ink consumption on a per fountain basis can be determined. In this regard, the system also employs a volume sensor preferably in the form of a pump stroke position sensor for determining incremental weight delivery per stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Langdon Wales, H. W. Crowley
  • Patent number: 4852047
    Abstract: An improved machine programming and control system includes the utilization of a continuous, multiple-block, flow chart or charts, all or a portion of which is displayed. Each entered flow chart is executed without conversion to other languages, such that machines are controlled in accordance with the flow charts that are displayed. Multiple flow charts may be entered each to separately control different machines or different parts of the same machine. The flow charts are displayed in a multiple-block presentation and a block numbering system permits rapid on-screen generation of flow charts, editing of the flow charts, and debugging of the flow charts through the utilization of an interrupt. A uniquely improved debugging system, active on an execution interrupt, permits rapid value changing for selected displayed flow chart blocks and permits a single-scan program rerun for verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Universal Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Lavallee, Thomas C. Peacock
  • Patent number: 4850785
    Abstract: A machine for feeding a plurality of tubes (18) to a station at which articles in the tube, such as DIPs (10), are released into a discharge chute (46). The device includes a platen (56) which is inclined with respect to each of the two mutually-perpendicular horizontal axes. The tubes (18) are placed on the platen (56) The platen (56) has a wall (50) which occludes lower open ends of the tubes (18) when they are placed on the platen (56). The tubes (18) pass downwardly on the platen (56) along this wall (50). A second lower edge with respect to the other of the mutually-perpendicular horizontal axes, defines a releasing station, and when a tube (18) is in that station, its lower end is not occluded by the wall (50). Devices within the tube (18) are, thereby, permitted to pass outwardly into the discharge chute (46). Stops (80) are disposed proximate this lower edge of the platen (56) in order to arrest downward movement of the tubes (18) beyond the releasing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Quality Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Machado
  • Patent number: 4846850
    Abstract: In an absorption process utilizing a feed gas compressor, the absorption pressure is maximized within the constraints of the system by a computer controller that automatically increases the pressure until a constraint for compressor speed or absorption pressure is encountered. The control action coordinately manipulates compressor speed and the absorption pressure in response to the actual compressor suction pressure to achieve the desired result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Applied Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Don W. Webb
  • Patent number: 4833564
    Abstract: Ground fault interrupting circuit breaker (10) includes a sensing coil (20) which is the secondary winding of a current transformer having a core (18) and includes a test coil (22) also wound about the core with load conductors passing through the core. A current sensing circuit (30) compares the output from the sensing coil to a reference voltage which is adjustable to set the sensitivity of the breaker. A test circuit (42) generates in the test coil a test current whch has its magnitude determined by the same reference voltage which determines the sensitivity of the breaker, thus causing the test current to automatically track the sensitivity of the breaker without separate adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Von G. Pardue, William E. May, Jerry M. Green
  • Patent number: 4828056
    Abstract: An automatic method and associated apparatus for weighing material and in particular for determining signature counts in association with a printing press. The system provides for the automatic registration of tare weight and for automatic removal detection and automatic registration of the last weight prior to removal. Also, in one embodiment described herein there is displayed a time signal representative of the time to go with regard to obtaining a desired full complement of good signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Langdon Wales, H. W. Crowley
  • Patent number: 4824446
    Abstract: A linear equation which infers elution time in a gas chromatograph as a function of temperature is assigned to a chemical compound. The linear equation is useful in constructing a computer data base which contains a long list of chemical compounds, a list of chromatographs each having a separation column containing a different adsorbent material, and a long list of linear equations associating each chemical compound with each chromatograph. The data base, which is arranged for computer searching, aids researchers in gas chromatography by automating a systematic search for optimum combination of separation columns and operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Applied Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Mowery, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4821586
    Abstract: A pipette system in which a pipette is controlled by a pre-programmed control unit to perform any selected one of a number of liquid dispensing functions, such as pipetting single volumes of liquid, multiple dispensings from an aspirated volume of liquid, dilutions, and titrations. The control unit also permits new programs for liquid dispensing functions to be written and stored therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Medical Laboratory Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Scordato, George Fried
  • Patent number: 4817009
    Abstract: A computer system for a zone fired furnace generates a plurality of temperature set point signals for a plurality of furnace zones. The set point signals are derived from a master controller acting on the measured temperature of fluid that is heated in the plurality of furnace zones and then combined to form a heated stream. The master signal, which is a velocity type signal, is provided to a plurality of zone control stations corresponding to the plurality of furnace zones. Each zone control station integrates the master signal, and then biases the master signal for use as a zone temperature set point. The zone control station can be used to bias the individual coils so as to balance the temperature of the coils with respect to each other, or to intentionally unbalance one or more coils, as desired, so as to improve furnace operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Applied Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Jensen, Terrence A. Davis
  • Patent number: RE32982
    Abstract: A soldering system is described in which a fluid stream is directed onto a soldered board substantially immediately following deposition of molten solder onto the board. Preferably, but not necessarily, the fluid, which may comprise a gas or mixture of gases, is heated prior to contacting the board. The impinging fluid stream relocates solder on, and/or blasts excess solder from the bottom of the board, and any interconnections, component leads and/or component bodies carried thereon before the solder solidifies as shorts, icicles or bridges. If desired, liquid droplets such as soldering oil may be included in the fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Hollis Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold T. O'Rourke