Abstract: The effector of a robot is constructed with positioning pads at its distal end. The pads provide an accurate registration surface for engagement of the substrate. A pair of idler rollers, which slide along the longitudinal axis of the effector, is moved by an actuator into engagement with the substrate and the assembly urges the substrate against the positioning pads. A pair of wheels is mounted on a platform independent of the effector with one of the wheels driven by a motor. An optical sensor mounted with the wheels detects an orientation mark on the edge of the substrate and allows the driven wheel to rotate the substrate to its specified angular position.

Abstract: A switch assembly for use in an electrical apparatus includes a first contact having a first substrate and a first contact pad. The first contact pad is of copper or of a copper alloy. A second contact has a second substrate and a second contact pad. The second contact pad is of silver or of a silver alloy. The first contact is movably mounting relative to the second contact so that in a make position the first and second contact pads are in electrical contact with one another and in a break position the first and second contact pads are spaced from one another.

Abstract: There is provided a method and a basepan assembly for a panel board. The basepan assembly comprises a basepan having a bottom portion and at least one sidewall. A first bus bar is mounted in the bottom portion of the basepan. A second bus bar is mounted to its side proximate the side wall of the basepan. The side wall can include fasteners to couple the second bus bar to the side wall.

Abstract: A graphic data processing apparatus comprising a CPU coupled to an entry device, storage storing graphic data and a plurality of programs and a display, and adapted such that a command mode for drawing a desired graphic form is selected by designating the corresponding desired graphic form in the already displayed graphic forms and a program for drawing the graphic form is automatically selected.

Abstract: An interface allows for the transfer of real time control data with guaranteed delivery times between devices on a general purpose network and an industrial control system. A proxy server takes the role of a TCP/IP router and is configured to control the rate at which messages are forwarded from the non-real time to the real time portion of the network, keeping the loading of the real time portion stable regardless of the external non-real-time communication demand. Real time data is preconfigured and exchanged in a regular sequence, with the cyclic update period known. The length of any communication message necessary to transmit this information, plus any sequencing and acknowledgment overhead, is calculated in advance and aggregated. Each device with authority to transmit on the shared medium is given a time budget, calculated so that the total transmission quantity in unit time is deliberately limited to some fraction of the maximum transmission capability of the network.

Abstract: A positioning carriage is coupled to a fence structure by a rigid sheet having one or more bends around an axis parallel to the direction of fence structure movement.

Abstract: An improved robot arrangement for performing predetermined tasks, such as paint finishing, features equipping a robot with a plurality of manipulatable arms, with at least two of the arms performing like operations. Alternatively, a plurality of commonly controlled manipulator arms may be provided by clustering a plurality of conventional single arm robots on a common mounting stand.

Abstract: A boring head is disclosed in which a plurality of boring tools provide a plurality of simultaneous cuts to a workpiece. A tool holder supports the plurality of boring tools generally perpendicular to a bore axis, so as to increase the rate of a boring operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically inserting a cable into a protective jacket. A longitudinal cut is made in the protective jacket and the cable is inserted into the longitudinal cut. The cable and jacket are transported through the apparatus along an arcuate guide path formed by a friction wheel.

Abstract: System, including apparatus and method, for processing a material involves automatically measuring the length of a work piece and calculating an optimal plan for cutting the work piece to fulfill cut list requirements.

Abstract: A method for a run-to-run (R2R) control system includes processing materials using a process input and producing a process output, storing the process input in a database, the storing including using a timestamp, and storing at least one measurement of the process output in the database aligned with each process input using the timestamp. The method further includes iterating over the data in the database to estimate one or more coefficients for a model, and, if one or more measurements is missing, replacing the missing measurements based on a prediction from said model. The model is updated with said coefficient estimates. The method additionally includes iterating over the data from the database to estimate a process state, and, if one or more of the measurements is missing from the database, replacing the missing measurements based on prediction from the model. The model is updated with said process state estimate.

Abstract: A programmable logic controller with enhanced and extended the capabilities. A digital input filter implement filters with considerable less logic by simulating the action of a capacitor being driven by a constant current source whose output voltage is sensed by a comparator with a large amount of hysterisis. A pulse catch circuit captures the input pulse even though the update occurs between scan cycles. A pulse output controller includes a hardware pipeline mechanism to allow for smooth, hardware-controlled transitions from wave-form to wave-form. A free port link allows the user to control the port either manually or by operation of a user program. In order to provide higher performance for communication using PPI protocol, the PLC includes a built-in protocol. An n-bit modem protocol ensures data integrity without use of a parity type data integrity system.

Abstract: Analog input module for a programmable logic controller, the analog input module having an input circuit with terminals for accepting either a single voltage range or a single current range from process control sensors. The analog input module includes an analog-to-digital converter and an input circuit with an output terminal connected to the input of the analog-to-digital converter, a voltage input terminal, a current input terminal, and a common terminal. The input circuit is configured to accept a voltage input between the voltage input terminal and the common terminal, to accept a current input between the current input terminal and the common terminal, and to provide an output voltage at the output terminal dependent upon either the voltage input or the current input, without switching or configuring between them.

Abstract: A flange alignment and grasping assembly is adapted to straighten the flanges of a bag in a filling and sealing apparatus so that the flanges may be clamped by the assembly. The assembly includes opposed guides that engage the side of the bag in the general location of the flange. The guides position the flange in an extended position between the jaws of a clamp where the clamp will pinch the flange when the clamp closes. The invention also provides an apparatus for grasping a bag and pulling a portion of the bag tight. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes arms that swing upwardly and inwardly to position jaws with respect to the bag.

Abstract: A bus brace comb assembly for use in a switchgear assembly. The switchgear assembly has a channel bus bar for conveying electrical current in each phase of the switchgear assembly. The bus brace comb assembly holds the bus bar in place against magnetic forces associated with short-circuit currents in the switchgear bus bar. The bus brace comb assembly comprises a front comb assembly including a first bus clip configured to position the bus bar and a front brace coupled to the bus clip. A rear comb assembly including an interlock clamp configured to engage the channel bus bar and a second bus clip secured to the interlock clamp with a fastener and a rear brace coupled to the interlock clamp/bus clip assembly. A flange of the channel bus bar is pinched in the interlock clamp/bus clip assembly to secure channel bus bar in the switchgear assembly.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a securement adapted to interface with a circuit breaker. A circuit breaker can comprise an actuator operable within an actuator operation zone defined by movement of the actuator between a first pole and a second pole. The securement can comprise an actuator restrainer and/or a substantially planar actuator guard coupled to said actuator restrainer. The securement can be operable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the actuator can be manually operated between the first and second pole. In the second position, the substantially planar actuator guard can be located outside the actuator operation zone and/or substantially prevent manual access to the actuator.

Abstract: A closed-loop control system for a DC motor includes a DC motor 12, a current sensor 14 for determining a current of the motor, a voltage sensor 32 for measuring a voltage of the motor 12, and a micro-controller 33. The micro-controller is constructed and arranged to (1) compare the determined current with a set point and output a pulse width modulated (PWM) duty cycle to control the motor, and (2) calculate a PWM duty cycle limit based on the measured voltage and compare the outputted PWM duty cycle to the PWM duty cycle limit such that when the outputted PWM duty cycle greater than the PWM duty cycle limit, the outputted PWM duty cycle is set to the PWM duty cycle limit. A method, in a DC motor, of preventing a current surge during severe voltage changes is also disclosed.

Abstract: Arc fault detector device (such as arc fault circuit interrupter) testing apparatus and methods including generating a true arc fault current by energizing a contact relay at a predetermined frequency, applying and regulating the true arc fault current to a detection device under test by selecting a load from a resistor bank that is coupled to the tested device, determining whether the device under test was able to detect the arc fault current. The invention is useful for determining whether an arc fault circuit interrupter is capable of tripping in response to an arc fault current.

Abstract: The direct torque control (DTC) principle is used to control the torque of a wound ring rotor slip induction machine, also known as a doubly fed or cascade machine, by utilizing a solid state inverter on the rotor side. In addition, the DTC principle is used to control the power factor at the stator terminals of the doubly fed machine to a desired level and also to perform the task of synchronization of stator voltage to the grid voltage. An integrated controller is used to implement these three functions.

Abstract: A system, method and program for calculating a fluid flow volume within a conduit having an operably connected flow meter is disclosed. The system includes a controller having a backplane. A flow meter module is operably connected to the backplane of the controller and to the flow meter. A program embedded within the controller is also operably connected to the flow meter. The program includes a plurality of segments for sensing a characteristic of the fluid for determining the flow volume of the fluid. The controller, in cooperation with the flow meter module, monitors the dynamic fluid density of the fluid in the conduit. The controller utilizes the dynamic density to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the fluid flow volume through the conduit.