Abstract: Electrical apparatus comprising a base which can accommodate a constituent member, and which can be fitted to a holding rail, in particular a top hat-type rail, via a locking device with two opposite fastening catches (30), one of which is joined to a slide (31).

Abstract: A signal accessory for a molded case circuit breaker, with the circuit breaker having an operating mechanism with a cradle pin, a cross bar and a trip bar and a main breaker cover. The signal accessory comprises a signal accessory mounting having a bottom mount and a top mount coupled to the bottom mount with the top mount configured to receive a switch and engage the breaker cover in an accessory socket. A switch member is rotably mounted on the bottom mount with the switch member having an actuator lever in contact with the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker and an actuator pad in contact with a switch mounted on the top mount. When the circuit breaker is opened or closed the operating mechanism moves a cross bar coupled to the contact arm. The cross bar moves the actuator lever of the switch changing the state of the switch.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10, 12) includes a sensing circuit (48, 50, 52), a control circuit (46), an actuator (42), an operating mechanism, and an interlock mechanism (70, 94). The sensing circuit (48, 50, 52) is configured to generate the sense signal representative of a power signal flowing through a power circuit (54, 56, 58). The control circuit (46) has a frame (74, 76) and is configured to receive the sense signal and to provide a trip signal on a first terminal (68). The actuator (42) is external to the control circuit frame (74, 76) and has a second terminal (98) coupleable to the first terminal (68). The actuator (42) is configured to receive the trip signal on the second terminal (98). The operating mechanism is coupled to the actuator (42) and is configured to open and close the power circuit in response to actuation of a lever (36). The actuator (42) is configured to actuate the lever (36) in response to the trip signal.

Abstract: A method for determining the measure of control provided to a process by a control system. The determines process model parameters for a simple and complex model of the process and uses those parameters along with the value of the process variable and the final control element position to predict the off control data. The method also uses the process model parameters to determine the optimal tuning and then forecasts the optimal process performance from the predicted off control data and the determined optimal tuning.

Abstract: An edge gripping device grips and ungrips a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer. A blade extends in a distal direction from a base of the device. At least one distal contact member is provided at the tip of the blade. Two proximal lever arms are pivotally coupled for synchronized, oppositely directed rotation to the base. Each lever arm has at least one proximal contact member at an outer end. A biasing member is coupled to the two proximal lever arms and to an actuator to effect pivoting movement of the lever arms. The pivoting motion moves the ends of the arms generally radially toward and away from the center of the substrate to be gripped or ungripped, thereby minimizing sliding of the substrate. The biasing member is biased to retain the lever arms in a closed position in the event of a power failure. Ramps are provided next to each contact member. The contact members and ramps are profiled to minimize the zone of the substrate edge that is contacted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle which includes an electrical system monitoring system which results in detecting arcing in the electrical distribution system of the vehicle and the ability to provide notification and protection for such arcing. The system functions to monitor the electrical distribution system of the vehicle to sense the frequencies of signals in the system using appropriate filtering. One type of filtering which may be used is based upon a heterodyning circuit which provides variable frequency filtering for filtering a signal representative of the current in at least one electrical circuit of the vehicle. The heterodyning circuit output is configured to produce a signal which may be logarithmically related to the filtered signal. If the output signal exceeds a predetermined limit (representative of noise) for a predetermined period (representative of a typical arc duration), the system generates an arc signal.

Abstract: An automated image recording and document generation system is disclosed that generates identity documents using image and text information that is input to the system using computer controlled video cameras. The image and text information is combined with other stored images, such as logos, signatures and seals, to produce official identity documents such as identity cards, drivers licenses and passports. Prior to use the system automatically enters a setup and calibration phase wherein a video camera images a backdrop having borders on the left and right vertical edges and the digitized video output is analyzed to adjust the camera zoom and to locate the center of the backdrop in front of which an individual will sit or stand to have their picture taken. The image of a person whose picture is taken is analyzed and is centered horizontally in a picture by adding or subtracting columns of background color to the left or right side of the picture as needed.

Abstract: A powder paint color changer features a single cleaning fluid port at one end of the color changer manifold for direction of cleaning fluid, such as pressurized air, through the main output interior chamber of the color changer manifold thence through a supply hose which is adapted for coupling to a paint application device. Additionally, the powder paint color changer manifold includes a replaceable insert of impact fusion resistant material which defines the surface of the manifold's interior cavity.

Abstract: A robotic containerization and palletizing system having a multiple-fingered end effector. The system includes a frame that defines one or more cells. Each cell has one gantry-type robot, which is mounted in a set of tracks on top of the frame. The robot is movable along two axes and has an arm to which the end effector is mounted. The end effector is designed to grasp trays, tubs, and similar items from a conveyor system running through the cell and load them in a cart or on a pallet. The items are gripped by two sets of fingers. One set of fingers may be mounted to a first plate and another set of fingers may be mounted to a carriage that moves in a horizontal direction, either toward or away from the first set of fingers. Each finger has a main shaft and a bent tip. The shafts are rotatable such that the tips can be moved underneath or out from under a load, depending upon whether a pick-up or drop-off operation is being performed.

Abstract: A system for transporting substrates into a clean room is provided. The system has an isolation chamber located between the clean room and a staging area. A first movable closure is coupled to the staging area side of the isolation chamber and is adapted to open a substrate shipping container. A second movable closure is coupled to the clean room side of the isolation chamber and is adapted to open a substrate interprocess container. A substrate transfer robot is located within the isolation chamber and is adapted to transfer substrates from the substrate shipping container, opened by the first movable closure, to the substrate interprocess container opened by the second movable closure.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for communicating non-I/O data between components of an industrial control system (ICS) including control or automation devices and a programmable logic controller. The method includes the steps of: having one of the components, such as a control or automation device, transmit the non-I/O data formatted as a message frame in the same way as a I/O data is formatted as a message frame, including having a message type identifier to identify that the message frame bears non-I/O data; and having another of the components, such as the programmable logic controller, receive the encapsulated non-I/O data as a message frame, wherein the receiving component identifies the non-I/O data based on the message type identifier conveyed with the message frame and extracts the non-I/O data from the message frame. The transmitting component transmits the non-I/O data over a field bus such as a PROFIBUS, INTERBUS, DEVICENET, CAN, or CAN OPEN types of field bus.

Abstract: A automated run-to-run controller for controlling manufacturing processes comprises set of processing tools, a set of metrology tools for taking metrology measurements from the processing tools, and a supervising station for managing and controlling the processing tools. The supervising station comprises an interface for receiving metrology data from the metrology tools and a number of variable parameter tables, one for each of the processing tools, collectively associated with a manufacturing process recipe. The supervising station also includes one or more internal models which relate received metrology data to one or more variables for a processing tool, and which can modify variables stored in the variable parameter table to control the process tools using feedback and/or feed-forward control algorithms. Feed-forward control algorithms may, in certain embodiments, be used to adjust process targets for closed loop feedback control.

Abstract: A control system includes an Internet web interface to a network of at least one programmable logic control system running an application program for controlling output devices in response to status of input devices. The Web interface runs Web pages from an Ethernet board coupled directly to the PLC back plane and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter, a PLC back plane driver, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel. The Web interface provides access to the PLC back plane by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Using this interface, the user can retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the programmable logic controller system.

Abstract: An end effector for a robot is used to unpack flattened stackable items from a container using a fixed sized vacuum plenum and simple adjustable gripping elements. The gripping elements comprise a pair of adjustable, smooth blades. In addition, the end effector includes mechanisms for retaining and transporting the container.

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 semiconductor wafer cassette storage cabinet or stocker having a retrieval and transfer system constructed in the form of a kiosk encircling a pick-up and transfer apparatus. The structure is formed of a plurality of identical sections having wall panels and roof panels joined together to form a nearly semi-circular enclosure around the pick-up and transfer apparatus. Each section has multiple level input/output ports adjacent to each other with a shelf for supporting a semiconductor wafer cassette. Shelves at the input/output ports are constructed of rails supporting drive rollers and a photodetector to activate the drive rollers to fill an output port whenever a cassette has been retrieved and transferred. One embodiment with five identical sections can store and retrieving up to twenty semiconductor wafer cassettes while an optional embodiment with seven identical sections can store twenty-eight semiconductor wafer cassettes.

Abstract: The present invention automates the process of selecting lids to be inserted over produce containers. In one embodiment, labels are affixed to the bottom container when the selected produce products have been loaded into the container. As the containers move along an assembly line, the label is read and the container directed to a specific lidding station where the desired lid is selected and placed over the container. Multiple lidding stations are provided such that the containers are automatically directed to the appropriate lidding station so that the selected lid may be placed on the container. Alternatively, the system may simply track the movement of containers and count quantities of containers rather than rely on labels affixed to the container. In this manner, containers full of produce are directed to the appropriate lidding stations where lids are automatically selected and positioned over the container.