Abstract: An alarm event generation method and apparatus for signaling an alarm (436, 1400) for a process control system (100). The process control system (100) monitors a production run using a computer system (108). The computer system (108) collects process data corresponding to the production run from operator workstations (104, 106) and stores the process data in a process data database (110). The process data includes a plurality of process parameter counts (430) each corresponding to a process parameter type (428). The process parameter counts (430) are polled from the computer system (108). Each process parameter count (430) has a corresponding manufacturing limit (434) to which it is compared. When a polled process parameter count (430) exceeds its corresponding manufacturing limit (434), an alarm (436, 1400) is signaled. While an alarm (436, 1400) is being signaled, the computer system (108) is prevented from collecting and storing process data.

Abstract: a A positive OFF toggle mechanism 402 is disclosed for a circuit breaker having “ON”, “OFF,” and “TRIPPED” conditions and corresponding handle positions. The circuit breaker 10 includes a pair of contacts 44, one of which is coupled to an operating mechanism 40 having a pivoting member 13. The positive OFF toggle mechanism 402 includes a lower toggle member 404 having a first end 412 operatively coupled to the contact 44 coupled to the operating mechanism 40 and a second end 408 coupled to a toggle pivot pin 416a; an upper toggle member 410 having a first end 412 coupled to the toggle pivot pin 416a and a second end 408 in operative contact with a toggle pin mounted on the operating mechanism 40.

Abstract: A system for providing the reliable and numerically efficient generation of time-optimum trajectories with easy-to-track or continuous acceleration profiles for simple and blended moves of single- and multi-arm robotic manipulators, such as an extension and retraction move along a straight line or a rotary move following a circular arc, with velocity, acceleration, jerk, and jerk rate constraints. A time-optimum trajectory is the set of the position, velocity, and acceleration profiles which describe the move of a selected end effector along a given path in the shortest time possible without violating given constraints, with a special case being an optimum abort trajectory, which brings the moving arm into complete rest in the shortest time. The invention involves firstly identifying the set of fundamental trajectory shapes which cover all possible combinations of constraints for a given category of moves, e.g.

Abstract: Computer system including a computer interface that automatically generates unique graphical representations of computer operations such as data access operations, analysis operations, and graphics operations, linked together by graphical representations of functional relationships existing between the various operations.

Abstract: A compact, electrically-small broadband antenna which combines a folded, top-loaded antenna geometry using broadband radiating elements with a series capacitance applied at the antenna feed is provided. The antenna can be used alone or in combination with a frequency-independent antenna such as a log-periodic dipole array. Additional antenna elements may also be included to improve the transition between the antenna and such a frequency-independent antenna.

Abstract: A motor controller controls a motor operated by an AC line voltage. The controller includes an SCR connectable between an AC line and a motor terminal for controlling application of AC line voltage to the motor. A voltage sensor is operatively associated with the SCR to sense voltage across the SCR. A control circuit is connected to the sensor and the SCR for varying relative duration of on time and off time during each cycle of line voltage to control motor voltage at a reference level. The control circuit determines if a motor stall condition occurs responsive to the sensed SCR voltage and, in response to determining that a motor stall condition occurs, reducing motor voltage by decreasing duration of on time to protect the solid state switch means SCR.

Abstract: An undervoltage release device for a circuit breaker is disclosed having an operating mechanism, a trip bar, line and load terminals, and a cover. The device includes a housing, a solenoid, upper and lower actuators aligned with a plunger of the solenoid and in selective contact with the trip bar, plunger and actuator reset levers mounted upon the solenoid frame, and pair of terminals in electrical contact with the solenoid coil and line terminals of the breaker, wherein the force of the solenoid corresponds to the line voltage. Also disclosed is a method for tripping a circuit breaker when line voltage drops below a selected value, in a circuit breaker having an operating mechanism and a trip unit with an intermediate latch.

Abstract: A valve is provided including a body made of anaerobic, reactive fluid resistant material. The valve also directs pressurized fluid in a substantially planar manner between adjacent port holes on a recessed area of a fluid body section of the valve. The flexible diaphragm can be actuated manually or programmed to dispense pressurized fluid, such as cyanoacrylate fluid. A method of dispensing anaerobic, reactive material is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-phase circuit breaker assembly 10 includes a circuit breaker 12 having a housing 13 containing circuit breaker operating components and having a gas venting chamber 22 associated with each phase of the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker has a plurality of line wiring terminals 26 at a first end 14 of the housing. Each line wiring terminal corresponds to a phase of the circuit breaker. A terminal cover 30 is removably coupled to the first end of the housing so as to cover the line wiring terminals and prevent access to the line wiring terminals when coupled to the first end of the housing, and to gain access to the line wiring terminals only when removed from the first end of the housing. The terminal cover 30 includes a plurality of vent structures 38 integrally formed therewith.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is disclosed which includes a support assembly for defining at least one dispensing location. A storage container is secured to the support assembly for holding a plurality of stackable objects. These stackable objects may include shims, washers, gaskets and seals. An escapement is operably associated with the support assembly. The escapement is operable for moving between a first position and a second position for transporting at least one of the stackable objects from the storage container to an external access location. The escapement may also be designed to be easily operated by a robot or robot actuated apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tuning control loop parameters in a motion control system, is provided. In one embodiment, tuning of the proportional and integral gains of a servocontroller's velocity loop compensator is provided, as well as tuning of the cutoff frequencies of the servocontroller's low pass filters. In this embodiment, random noise excitation is added to the velocity command during a plurality of movement types for a machine tool axis. During each movement type, frequency response measurements are taken. Then, a composite frequency response can be selected by concatenating portions of the various frequency response measurements, so as to simulate a worst case scenario for the machine tool axis. From this composite response, an open loop response can be calculated and displayed, as well as bandwidth, phase margin, and gain margin values. The user can then enter the compensator parameters which were used when this data was taken, as well as proposed parameters.

Abstract: An automated system for performing an operation on a component within a manufacturing workstation is disclosed. The system includes a robot controller having seven axes of motion control. A robotic manipulator is connected to the robot controller and has six axes of motion. The robotic manipulator includes tooling for grasping the component upon which the operation is performed. A fixed location tool is provided for performing the operation, and a servo mechanism is provided for operating the fixed location tool. The servo mechanism is controlled by one of the seven axes of motion control of the robot controller, whereby the robotic manipulator moves the component with respect to the fixed location tool for performing the operation.

Abstract: A cylinder key lock and locking hasp assembly for use with a stored energy assembly, having a housing and an operator mechanism that may be manually actuated, for use with a circuit breaker assembly, the cylinder lock and locking hasp assembly comprising a cylinder key lock mounted in the stored energy assembly housing, wherein the cylinder key lock extends into the stored energy assembly housing and wherein at least a portion of the cylinder key lock may be moved when actuated, and further wherein the at least a portion of cylinder key lock may be moved to at least one unlocked position or to at least one locked position; a cylinder lock arm, wherein the cylinder lock arm is used to secure one end of said cylinder key lock in the stored energy assembly housing and wherein key actuated movement of the cylinder lock also causes the cylinder lock arm to move to at least one corresponding unsecuring position or to at least one securing position; a lifting member comprising a mounting member and a securing liftin

Abstract: A substrate heater having a chamber, a heating element located in the chamber, and an elevator having a substrate holder. The holder can hold a plurality of planar substrates in a general spaced stacked configuration. The holder can be moved to allow substrates to be inserted and removed from various locations on the holder. In one embodiment the substrates are located very close to each other to accelerate the rate of heat transfer to newly inserted substrates. In another embodiment, the holder has an individual horizontal heater on the elevator for each substrate.

Abstract: A system is provided for determining an eccentricity vector &egr; which defines the magnitude and direction of an initial placement displaced from a desired location of a centroid O of a right quadrilateral semiconductor wafer which may be clear or opaque. With an initial point of reference desirably established on its peripheral edge for detection by an edge sensor, the wafer is rotated about a point P and a curve defining the profile of the peripheral edge is obtained. The eccentricity vector is computed from the sensed positions of the corners of the wafer and has a magnitude representative of the spatial dislocation of the centroid O relative to the point P and having an orientation &phgr; representative of the angle subtended by a first line connecting the point P and the centroid O relative to a second line connecting opposite corners of the wafer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively controlling a system parameter, such as the temperature in an injection molding machine. In a preferred arrangement, the current status of the system is obtained by sampling the parameter a number of times and by making calculations based upon the samples taken, and then compared to data stored in a database or look-up table to determine whether the status has been encountered previously. The database also contains data corresponding to previous outputs and previous results obtained for each previous output. If the current status matches a previous status, an output is provided that is proportional to a previous output attempted, the proportion being based upon the response achieved by that previous output. If no match is found, an output is provided that is based upon a predetermined value. After the output is provided, a response to the output is monitored, and the current status, the output, and the response are saved for future use.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit is adapted for connection to a circuit breaker for circuit interruptions. The electronic trip unit includes a frame module shaped to define a recess. An electronics module is releasably connected to the frame module. The electronics module has a housing, a circuit board assembly, and a facing surface providing access for adjustment of the electronics module. The housing of the electronics module is sized and shaped to fit at least partially within the recess defined by the frame module. An engagement surface is positioned for releasable engagement between the frame module and the electronics module in order to permit removal and replacement of the electronics module with respect to the frame module.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for testing for improper assembly of moving parts features the use of a plurality of vibration sensors placed on predetermined locations of an external surface of a device housing the moving parts. A computing element analyses the sensor outputs to determine whether an assembly error exists, the nature of the error and its location within the device.

Abstract: Problems associated with delta motors and motor controllers being subjected to the potentially damaging combination of extremely low motor torque and very high overcurrent conditions resulting from a single dead ended motor winding are eliminated in a motor controller that automatically inhibits operation of the delta motor upon detecting that the two leads of a single motor winding have both been connected to the supply lines for a single phase of a three phase power source.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker and includes a molded case (12) having a main cover (20), a first terminal (16) and a second terminal (16) mounted inside the case (12) with a stationary contact (44) electrically coupled to the first terminal (18) and a movable contact (42) electrically coupled to the second terminal (16). The movable contact (42) is coupled to an operating mechanism (40) which has a pivoting member (13) moveable between an ON position, an OFF position and a TRIPPED position. An intermediate latching mechanism (52) also is mounted in the housing (12) and is coupled to the operating mechanism (40). The intermediate latching mechanism (52) is selectively operated by a trip unit (60) which comprises a magnetic short circuit release and a thermal overload release.