Abstract: A counter abstraction tool generates an abstraction model for one or more counters in a circuit design for use with a formal verification system. The tool detects the presence of a counter in a circuit design, identifies one or more special values for the counter, and creates an abstraction for the counter. The tool can automatically perform the abstraction, guide a user in configuring the appropriate abstraction for the counter, or perform a combination of automatic and manual abstraction. The tool may further accommodate related counters.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an intrinsically safe (IS) circuit for driving a solenoid valve at a low power is disclosed. A voltage source generates a first voltage and is connected to a first side of the solenoid valve. A voltage inverter is connected to the voltage source and generates a second voltage from the first voltage. The second voltage is of opposite magnitude to the first voltage. A controller selectively controls the first voltage and the second voltage to be applied to the solenoid valve. In order to actuate the solenoid valve, the first voltage is applied to the first side of the solenoid valve and the second voltage is applied to the second side of the solenoid valve. In order to hold the solenoid valve in an on position, the first voltage is maintained and the second voltage is no longer applied to the second side of the solenoid valve.

Abstract: In a robotic tool coupler, a rotating cam surface ring having a plurality of surfaces formed therein urges a plurality of ball members in one tool coupling unit radially to contact a coupling surface in the other tool coupling unit. Mechanical energy captured and stored upon decoupling the units is used by an actuation mechanism, upon manual initiation, to at least partially automatically couple the two units by partially rotating the rotating cam surface ring. Further manual rotation of the cam member exerts a radial force through the ball members onto the coupling surface. A component of that force is directed by the coupling surface toward the opposite tool coupling unit, locking the two units together.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method comprising a plurality of activities comprising, for a shaft of an electric motor, the shaft comprising a runout sensing area: determining an electrical runout value for the runout sensing area; rotating the shaft; and/or heating the runout sensing area of the shaft sufficient to reduce the electrical runout value.

Abstract: A timed feeder for feeding corrugated boards to nip rolls of a box finishing machine. A feed member is raised to the feed path to engage and drive a board to the nip rolls and then lowered away from the feed path until the next cycle. An indexing drive mechanism, driven by a computer-controlled servo motor, activates the feed member and has a feed phase when it drives the board to the nip rolls, and a dwell phase when the feed member is away from the feed path and the output shaft of the indexing mechanism is at zero velocity. During the feed phase, the output shaft of the indexing mechanism accelerates the feed member and the board beyond the nip roll velocity and then decelerates them to the nip roll velocity at the point where the board enters the nip rolls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a wafer-level arc in a plasma process chamber. The method includes, for example, monitoring a waveform of a signal supplied to the plasma process chamber; detecting a feature in the waveform; responsive to detecting the feature, determining whether the waveform has stabilized after the feature; responsive to the waveform stabilizing, determining whether the feature is part of a bidirectional waveform anomaly or a unidirectional waveform transition; and recording to a computer-readable medium either an indication of the feature being part of a bidirectional waveform anomaly or an indication of the feature being a unidirectional waveform transition.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing intelligent handset testing are disclosed. The system performs tests on handsets using customized scripts to analyze the handset on a variety of performance metrics while the handset is optionally running on an active telecommunications network. The system allows a user to “teach” a device to the system by interacting with virtual keys on an image of the hand held device and thus calculates the actual position on the hand held device by way of mathematical algorithms, taking into account any camera distortion at different heights and angles. Thus, the user can manipulate the subject test handset via the testing “fingers” using commands entered through the standalone unit to actuate, for example, any push buttons, slide buttons, recessed sensors, or screen touches. Additionally, the user can compare recorded images and sounds against expected images and sounds to validate tests.

Abstract: A method of reducing switching losses in a power supply includes the steps of advancing the output voltage of a first pole of a power cell by a first angle, retarding the output voltage of a second pole of the power cell by a second angle, and producing a combined output voltage of the power cell equal to a positive pulse of a duration angle equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle for a first half of a switching cycle of the power cell, and equal to a negative pulse of a duration angle equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle for a second half of the switching cycle of the power cell.

Abstract: A system and method that does trustworthy multi-objective structural synthesis of analog circuits, and extracts expert analog circuit knowledge from the resulting tradeoffs. The system defines a space of thousands of possible topologies via a hierarchically organized combination of designer-trusted analog building blocks, the resulting topologies are guaranteed trustworthy. The system can perform a search based on a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm that uses an age-layered population structure to balance exploration vs. exploitation, with operators that make the search space a hybrid between vector-based and tree-based representations. A scheme employing average ranking on Pareto fronts is used to handle a high number of objectives. Good initial topology sizings are quickly generated via multi-gate constraint satisfaction.

Abstract: A power circuit protection and control device simulator emulates in real time identical circuit protection and control functions performed by the actual device being simulated and generates real time simulated operational information concerning at least one of the device or the power circuit. A human-machine interface, such as through a web browser, allows a user to input power circuit operational parameters, such as motor current and load, and device variable circuit protection and control operational parameters, such as trip class, ground fault detection or phase unbalance protection. The simulator displays in real time simulated operational information on the human-machine interface. The simulator may be used to simulate operation of an electronic overload relay and an electric motor controlled by the relay.

Abstract: Gauge system, including methods and apparatus, for positioning workpieces to be processed. In some embodiments, the gauge system may have a plurality of stops for positioning the end of a workpiece at distinct distances from a processing station. In some embodiments, the plurality of stops may be arrayed along a rail assembly having an adjustable length.

Abstract: The invention provides an insulating meter jaw guide featuring a loop belt, a retaining fastener, a meter blade receiving slot, and a cavity housing. The insulating meter jaw guide may be positioned on a meter jaw of watt-hour meter socket, effectively covering the receiving end of a meter jaw or a meter jaw assembly, therefore, protecting the meter jaw from accidental contact by a meter cover or the like.

Abstract: A mail cart for use in manual sorting of mail pieces according to the inventions includes a generally rectangular frame and wheels mounted on the frame for rolling support of the cart on a floor. A bottom, substantially horizontal shelf is secured to the frame along with a first inclined shelf secured to the frame above the bottom shelf and spaced from the bottom shelf in a vertical direction, which first inclined shelf extends forwardly and upwardly at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane. A second inclined shelf is secured to the frame above the first inclined shelf and spaced from the first inclined shelf in a vertical direction. The second inclined shelf extends forwardly and upwardly at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane, which angle is preferably the same as the angle of first shelf.

Abstract: A circuit is provided that includes a power source and a sensor circuit electrically coupled by a switch to the power source. The circuit further includes an A/D converter electrically coupled to the sensor circuit and adapted to read a voltage difference across a resistive element to determine an impedance of the sensor circuit. A method is provided that includes closing a switch electrically coupling a power source to a sensor circuit and measuring a voltage difference across a resistive element at an A/D converter electrically coupled to the sensor circuit. The method further includes determining an impedance of the sensor circuit based on the voltage difference.

Abstract: A gateway having an input/output scanner is disclosed. The gateway includes a local area network interface, a serial interface, and a processor configured to provide protocol conversion between the local area network interface and the serial interface. Further, an input/output scanner module is operatively connected to the serial interface and configured to poll the slave device.

Abstract: A material handling system and method of automatic address assignment of components of the material handling system, includes a conveying surface divided into a plurality of zones, a plurality of motors propelling each zone, a plurality of lower level controllers and a plurality of sensors adapted to communicate the presence of an article on the conveying surface to the associated lower level controller. An upper-level controller in communication with the lower level controllers assigns a unique communications address to a specific lower level controller identified by a reference article being detected by the sensor with that lower level controller.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a slide connector that can be adapted to electrically couple a first circuit board to a second circuit board. The first circuit board can comprise a first receptacle. The second circuit board can comprise a second receptacle. The slide connector can be adapted to be slideably releaseably coupled to each of the first receptacle and the second receptacle.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus having a frame, a housing, an access system and at least a substrate transport apparatus or a substrate processing device. The housing is connected to the frame. The access system is connected to the frame and forms an access through which substrates are moved in and out of the housing. The substrate transport apparatus or substrate processing device are connected to the frame and are at least partially positioned in the housing. The frame comprises a movable portion. The movable portion is movable relative to the frame so that movement of the movable portion causes separation of the access system and at least one of the substrate transport apparatus or substrate processing device from an installed position. The substrate transport apparatus is selectable from a number of different interchangeable substrate transport apparatus.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a system comprising an electric drive system for a machine. The system can comprise a rectifier adapted to convert AC power from an alternator to DC power. The system can comprise an inverter adapted to receive DC power from the rectifier and provide power to a traction motor and/or auxiliary devices. Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a system and method for dissipating excess energy from a machine.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a peristaltic precision metering device, system and method of using the same. Disclosed is a metering device which includes a metering element that can engage with a compressible material line, wherein the metering device can place a selectable peristaltic effect upon the material in the line. Also disclosed is a metering system comprised of a metering device similar to above and a control system attached to the metering element and a robotic positioning system also attached to the metering device. Finally disclosed is a method of precision material dispensing comprised of providing a metering element and base, positioning a compressible material line between the metering element and base, moving one of the base, metering element, material line, or combination thereof, thereby causing a peristaltic effect upon material in the line, and dispensing a precise unit of material from the device.