Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a motor operatively joined to a gear train having an output shaft. An optical encoder is operatively joined to the shaft of the motor for detecting rotation thereof. A controller is operatively joined to the encoder, and is configured for operating the motor to drive the output shaft between minimum and maximum rotary positions as detected by the encoder.

Abstract: A method of transferring semi-conductor substrates from a first location to a second location. The first and second locations are adapted to hold a plurality of the substrates in individual support area. The method comprises use of a transfer mechanism with two substrate holding end effectors which each have support areas adapted to individually support different maximum numbers of substrates thereon. The substrates are transferred from the first location to the second location with the first end effector and, when empty individual support areas in the second location or substrates at the first location are less than the maximum number of support areas on the first end effector, transferring substrates from the first location to the second location with use of the second end effector.

Abstract: An electronic energy meter and its package is described in which the meter package has a reduced number of parts, and the main circuit board assembly has the metering electronics on board, thereby eliminating the need for flying leads and point-to-point wiring within the package. The energy meter includes a first enclosure portion, a circuit board assembly for performing metering functions, a partial terminal block, and a second enclosure portion. The first and second enclosure portions are mateable with each other to form a meter package, in which the circuit board assembly and partial terminal block are at least partially contained within the meter package.

Abstract: An improved end effector for use with a robot includes a pair of carriages. Each carriage supports a pair of fingers and at least one actuator. Each actuator is interconnected with the associated pair of fingers to counter-rotate the fingers. One or both of the carriages is movable toward the other carriage to engage trays on a conveyor system with the fingers. The robot moves the end effector between the conveyor system and shipping containers for shipping the trays. Because the pairs of fingers counter-rotate, the friction forces between each finger and the tray is offset by the friction forces between the other finger in the pair and the tray. The improved end effector thereby maintains trays substantially in the desired stacking orientation within the shipping container. Preferably, an actuator is provided for each finger. A change-out mechanism may also be provided to facilitate replacing the fingers.

Abstract: A disk drive mounting system for isolating a disk drive assembly from machine vibration and shock. In one embodiment, the system includes a suspension frame and a disk drive assembly mounted to the frame using biased vibration isolation members, such as springs, which are each substantially aligned through the center of mass of the disk drive assembly. Accordingly, vibrational forces can be transmitted through the center of mass of the disk drive assembly. Preferably, the disk drive assembly includes a mounting chassis which holds a hard disk drive and includes openings through which damping bumpers can extend. In this embodiment, the bumpers each have a base portion and an extension portion, the extension portion extending through the openings in the mounting chassis to limit the transfer of shock to the disk drive. The bumpers can be attached to the suspension frame and/or to a protective cover for the assembly.

Abstract: An AC-to-DC converter furnishing a regulated DC-output voltage from an AC-input supply voltage which is converted with a rectifier that utilizes, in at least two of its legs, IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) devices, preferably of the kind that have no internal diodes. Also included in the converter of this convention is circuitry which tracks zero-crossing events relative to AC-input voltage for the purpose of establishing switching signals and times for such signals for operating the IGBT devices, and wherein thorough-safe operation is associated with malfunctioning of the zero-crossing tracking subcircuitry whereby a failure in that circuitry will result effectively in a shut down of the entire converter, and a bleed down to zero of DC-output voltage.

Abstract: A system and method for case-packing articles utilizing an infeed conveyor and spaced apart outfeed conveyors positioned at opposite sides of the infeed conveyor and a robotic operating arm arranged for transverse operation with respect to the longitudinal movement of each of said conveyors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit breaker (10) and a cover (20) for a molded case circuit breaker having an operating mechanism (40) and an intermediate latching mechanism (52) with the cover (20) comprising a substantially planer member having a central opening (29) and an accessory compartment (22) formed in the planer member on either side of the opening (29) with the accessory compartment (22) configured to accept a plurality of different types of accessories (20) and having a plurality of holes (24) wherein a circuit breaker accessory (80) is nested in the accessory compartment (22) and is in contact with one of the operating mechanism (40) and the intermediate latching mechanism (52) within the housing (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripping and transport clamp mounted at an end of a robotic arm. The clamp has a support member mounted at the end of the robotic arm and two lower pressing plates and one upper pressing plate mounted on the support member. A sensor is used to detect a reaction force being exerted on the first pressing plate upon displacement thereof. An actuator inserts the first lower pressing plate under the object to be gripped in response to a detection of the reaction force by the sensor. The second lower pressing plate under the first pressing plate moves between a retracted position and an extended position by means of an actuator mounted between the second lower pressing plate and the support member. It is also inserted under the object to be gripped. An actuator moves the upper pressing plate towards the object for gripping it between the plates. A controller receives detection signals from the sensor and operates the actuators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically tuning feedforward parameters is provided, such that feedforward commands can be generated and used in addition to traditional control commands to compensate for known system characteristics. In an exemplary embodiment, feedforward gains are automatically determined after moving an actuator controlled axis, such as a motor imparting motion to a linear slide, through a test motion routine and recording operation data associated with the actuator and axis during the movement. The operation data can include velocity measurements and torque commands. The feedforward gains which are tuned can include a Coulomb friction feedforward gain, a viscous friction feedforward gain, a constant offset feedforward gain, an acceleration feedforward gain, and estimates of velocity loop compensator gains. Capability can also be provided for automatic generation of the test motion routine based upon actuator limit values provided by the user.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a tool center point (TCP) for a beam tool involves the use of a specially design aperture and light sensing device. The method and system oscillates the beam tool across an aperture assembly such that light from the tool periodically passes through the aperture assembly. Center point coordinate information is then determined based on passage of light through the aperture assembly. The method and system further provides for calculating the TCP based on the center point coordinate information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to detect off-hook and intrusion conditions on a telephone line. A voltage to frequency converter is used to convert the voltage measured between the TIP and RING terminals of a telephone line to a frequency. The voltage is continuously monitored, once during each sample period. The measured frequency is compared to predetermined threshold values to determine the state of the telephone line. The predetermined threshold values are updated in each sample period.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a resource in a network is disclosed. The system is accessible by a web tool and includes a configuration database being capable of storing a plurality of parameters for configuring the resource. A configuration page also accessible via the web tool, includes a form to facilitate configuration of the resource. The form is capable of receiving a resource parameter entry and a configuration option selection. The configuration option selection and the resource parameter entry compose a magic-URL. A configuration agent is responsive to the magic-URL wherein the agent and the magic-URL cooperate to manage the configuration database.

Abstract: A communications adapter and method are provided for interfacing between a master device and an I/O device (body) having an output and/or an input. In the case of the I/O body having an output, the adapter has a TCP port for coupling to the master device via a transmission path for receiving a request message. The adapter also has a connector for operable coupling to the I/O device for receiving the output of the I/O device. The adapter further has an interface circuit operably connected to the TCP port and the connector for transmitting a response message over the transmission path in response to the request message, the response message correlating to the output received from the I/O device. The request message and the response message is limited to a length that is less than a TCP transaction length and/or a maximum transmission unit limit, or both, depending on the embodiment of the present invention.

Abstract: A telescoping tire inflation apparatus for inflating wheel-mounted tires having a variety of different diameters and widths without requiring a hardware change. The apparatus includes a bell assembly that moves from a retracted position to an extended position where either an outer bell housing or an inner bell housing engages a larger-sized or smaller-sized wheel-mounted tire, respectively. A controller presets the inner bell housing to either a retracted position wherein the inner bell housing is disposed within the outer bell housing or an extended position where the inner bell housing telescopes downwardly from the outer bell housing. The inner bell housing can be moved to its extended position to push downward upon the sidewall of a relatively smaller-sized wheel-mounted tire, thereby creating a gap between the tire bead and the rim of the wheel through which compressed air supplied to the inner bell housing enters the tire at a high rate.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus comprising a drive section and an articulated arm assembly. The articulated arm assembly is pivotably mounted to the drive section. The arm assembly has a first end connected to the drive section and a second end opposite the first end. An end effector is supported from the second end of the arm assembly. The articulated arm comprises a pair of opposing forearms on opposite sides of an axis of translation of the end effector. The axis of translation extends substantially over a center of the first end of the drive assembly. When the arm assembly is retracted to a home position the second end of the arm assembly is over the center of the first end of the arm assembly. Also, when the arm assembly is retracted to its home position, the opposing forearms are angled relative to the axis of translation at an angle of about 90°.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system 10 (FIG. 1) using electronic trip units 35 is disclosed. The electronic trip units 35 are coupled to a communications bus 30 whereby the electronic trip units 35 can be reconfigured, controlled, and/or monitored by a central computer. Further, the electronic trip units 30 include a data acquisition circuit 100 (FIG. 4) that uses chopping to provide better accuracy and increased dynamic range of current measurements.

Abstract: A sputtering arc fault detector (10) for a system having an electrical conductor (14) carrying current to a load. The sputtering arc fault detector includes a current monitor (64) coupled to the conductor for generating a variable signal responsive to behavior of the current in the conductor. A level detector (58) is coupled to the monitor and generates a first pulse when the variable signal exceeds a first level. A step detector (62) is coupled to the monitor and is responsive to rapid step increases of the variable signal. The step detector generates a second pulse when the variable signal exceeds a second level. An arc verifier (48), which is coupled to the level detector and the step detector, combines the first and second pulses, and generates a fault signal when the combined pulses exceed a third level.

Abstract: A person-guided vehicle (PGV) is provided for transporting and manipulating at least one carrier containing items such as semiconductor wafers to be loaded or unloaded at a load port. The PGV includes a wheeled cart having a frame configured to align with the load port. A carrier support assembly is mounted to the frame. The carrier support assembly includes a cradle configured to support the carrier, a lifting mechanism operative to raise and lower the cradle vertically, and a horizontal slide mechanism operative to move the cradle horizontally to and from a position outboard of the cart. A damping system is coupled to the cart and operative to dampen vibrations of the carrier in the carrier support assembly. One side of the cart is free of structural members to allow operator access to the carrier support assembly and to allow ready manipulation of the cart by the operator.