Patents Assigned to Barber-Colman
  • Patent number: 5294909
    Abstract: An elongate resistive sensor useful as an element of a pneumatic manifold failure detecting and locating system. A sensing loop is based on a coaxial cable having a core of known resistance per unit length. A eutectic salt impregnated insulant separates the core and sheath but has a temperature breakdown characteristic which provides the sensing function. Upon a pneumatic manifold failure, the sensing cable is heated, the eutectic salt insulator breaks down, a core-to-sheath short occurs, and currents in the sensing cable are substantially altered as a result. The cable is connected as a loop, and differential currents into the ends of the loop are detected and processed to determine the position of the short. Terminating resistors are associated with connectors which connect multiple cable sections into a single loop, and the terminating impedance is further sensed to determine an open circuit condition at any connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventor: Glenn E. Frazier
  • Patent number: 5153493
    Abstract: A quick-calibrate control module for use in a heating and cooling system is provided which responds to setpoint signals from a control potentiometer to drive a remote actuator to corresponding positions. The control module comprises a motor coupled to the actuator and a feedback potentiometer coupled to the motor for producing a feedback signal relating to the actuator position. Operational amplifiers combine the setpoint signal and the feedback signal to produce an error signal, and a comparator responds to the error signal and drives the motor to minimize the error signal. A reference supply is connected to the control potentiometer, the reference supply having a zero setting potentiometer which calibrates the closed position of the actuator to a corresponding zero setting of the control potentiometer. A stroke adjustment potentiometer scales the feedback signal to calibrate a desired open position of the actuator with a corresponding setting of the control potentiometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventors: Eugene R. Jornod, Lary L. Field, Fred Fauerbach
  • Patent number: 5113358
    Abstract: A non-contact caliper-type gauge particularly suited for measuring the thickness of a running web. In its preferred form, the system includes a pair of opposed scanning heads defining a gap through which the running web passes, the heads being adapted to transverse across the width of the running web. Each of the heads includes and ultrasonic transducer for directing energy at the web, detecting energy reflected from the face of the web nearest the respective transducer and determining the distance between a reference in the head and the facing surface of the web. One of the heads also includes a transducer, preferably an eddy current transducer, which operates on energy to which the web is transparent. The second transducer senses the distance between the heads thereby to determine any variations in the distance between the heads during traverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventor: Eric J. Reber
  • Patent number: 5107678
    Abstract: The piston of a reciprocating hydraulic actuator carries a pump which is driven by an electric motor and which supplies oil from the low pressure chamber of a cylinder to the high pressure chamber thereof in order to advance the piston. An exhaust valve in the piston is normally held in a closed position by magnetic force created by energizing a coil and, when closed, enables pressurization of the high pressure chamber of the cylinder. When a second coil is energized, the magnetic field of the first coil is negated and the valve is opened by a spring to permit oil to exhaust from the high pressure chamber to the low pressure chamber and permit a second spring to retract the piston. If both the pump motor and the second coil are de-energized, the first coil keeps the valve closed and causes the piston to remain in a commanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventors: Eugene R. Jornod, Lary L. Field, Gerald R. Parsons
  • Patent number: 5061916
    Abstract: A system and method for reporting of alarms (or other conditions) to a remote location, in a building automation system. The alarm is reported in graphical format which shows not only the information related directly to the alarm, but also additional information, including graphical information, intended to put the alarm in context. The system provides the user the ability to specify a transmittable alarm, and to define a graphical message for that alarm which includes fixed or static building parameters associated with real time building operating parameters. Upon occurrence of an alarm condition, the system assembles a graphical display for transmission which includes the specified fixed parameters and measured data for the real time operating parameters. The system assures that data is collected and assembled into the graphic display for all specified real time operating parameters, then initiates a facsimile transmission of the graphic display to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventors: Jonathan C. French, David R. Rounds, James R. Herdeman, Brent S. Bernardi
  • Patent number: 5021666
    Abstract: A pass-line independent measuring device for producing thickness related measurements (e.g., thickness, basis weight, density, etc.) of a moving web. The thickness measurements themselves are based on a nuclear source and detector mounted on one or both sides of the web, the source emitting radiation and the detector detecting emitted radiation from the web as an uncorrected measure of web thickness. An ultrasonic distance measuring means is fixedly associated with either the source, the detector, or both and continuously directs ultrasonic pulses in a direct path to the web, measures reflections in substantially a similar direct path, and by means of the time delay between a pulse and its reflection determines the actual pass-line of the web between the source and detector. The pass-line is used with a correcting function to correct the nuclear readings and provide a substantially accurate measure of web thickness corrected for pass-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventor: Eric J. Reber
  • Patent number: 4945316
    Abstract: A computer implemented control system which includes interface circuitry by which signal intelligence is taken in to the computer from external devices such as sensors and is fed out from the computer to external devices such as actuators which correctively adjust controlled parameters. An interface circuit for each of the several external devices is made "universal" in that either an analog input, bistate input, analog output, or bistate output device may be connected to any given one of the terminal points. A voltage follower amplifier sends the intelligence signal to an output device through a low-cost diode, with negative feedback taken from the downstream side of the diode. When an input device is elected for a given terminal point, simple program editing assures that the diode will be reverse biased to isolate the amplifier from the input signal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventors: Mark D. Sebald, Richard E. Neumeyer
  • Patent number: 4944861
    Abstract: An oxygen sensing probe of the type in which a sensor tip made of a solid electrolyte is secured within a supporting tube by an hermetic seal. The tip is made of yttria-stabilized zirconia; the tube is made of magnesium-aluminate spinel, calcia and zirconia; and the tip and the tube are bonded together by a fusion weld consisting of a eutectic mixture of the tip material and the tube material. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the tube material very closely matches that of the tip material so as to prevent the seal from cracking when the probe is cycled rapidly and repeatedly through a wide temperature range. A frustoconical shoulder on the sensor tip engages a slotted frustoconical seat within a tubular outer conductor to establish good electrical contact between the tip and the electrode while allowing gas to circulate freely past the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventor: Eric J. Reber
  • Patent number: 4872213
    Abstract: A computer implemented control system which includes interface circuitry by which signal intelligence is taken in to the computer from external devices such as sensors and is fed out from the computer to external devices such as actuators which correctively adjust controlled parameters. An interface circuit for each of the several external devices is made "universal" in that either an analog input, bistate input, analog output, or bistate output device may be connected to any given one of the terminal points. A voltage follower amplifier sends the intelligence signal to an output device through a low-cost diode, with negative feedback taken from the downstream side of the diode. When an input device is elected for a given terminal point, simple program editing assures that the diode will be reverse biased to isolate the amplifier from the input signal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventors: Mark D. Sebald, Richard E. Neumeyer
  • Patent number: 4858169
    Abstract: An electronic integrator employing an algebraically summing operational amplifier which accepts input signals of opposite polarities, relative to a reference voltage, and wherein wind-up is alleviated by diodes which are normally reverse-biased and non-conductive but which respectively become conductive to clamp the net input voltage to a positive or negative magnitude which precludes further "wind-up" of the integrator output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventor: Lary L. Fields
  • Patent number: 4855702
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a frusto-conical projection having a central opening formed therein. A winding is contained in a housing surrounding the projection which encompasses the projection. A shaft extends through a central opening in the projection and carries an armature having a reciprocally configured frusto-conical surface. Excitation of the winding causes linear movement of the shaft on bearings contained within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventors: Thomas K. Swanson, Elwood J. Meyers
  • Patent number: 4817022
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus by which a transducer is employed to create a digital signal representing numerically the value of a changeable physical parameter. The signal from the transducer is subject to large and unpredictable amounts of offset due to either or both (i) manufacturing tolerance departures from the desired target of creating a zero output signal value when the sensed parameter is zero and (ii) changes in offset due to changes in one or more physical conditions (other than the sensed parameter) to which the transducer and its associated electrical components are subjected. A bistate device is associated with the transducer and controlled so as (a) to first apply substitutionally to the transducer a known, and preferably zero, value of the parameter--with the output signal value being stored so as to represent the then-existing offset, and then (b) to apply the changeable physical parameter to the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventors: Eugene R. Jornod, James G. Mueller, Matthew S. Solar
  • Patent number: 4756506
    Abstract: A rotor is provided for use in combination with a stator and sleeve to function as a valve attached to an actuator. The rotor is comprised of a rotor body containing the drive section with the necessary elements to turn the rotor within the stator and sleeve, and a rotor stem with parts to act with complementary parts on the sleeve to form variable orifices that function as the valve. The rotor body is connected to the rotor stem by a flexible joint which includes a contoured surface to compensate for misalignments in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventors: Elwood J. Meyers, Laurence E. Jones
  • Patent number: 4724516
    Abstract: Method and apparatus by which continuously existing analog voltage command signals for various channels within a control system are changed by determined amounts and senses as a result of supplying "pulse" signals of different durations and polarities. Electronic integrators preferably operating to create linear slope changes in their outputs, and to hold their outputs steady absent any input, are receptive to the change signals ("pulses") of differing durations to create analog command signals which change by increments proportional to the time duration and in a direction corresponding to the polarity of the change signal. This permits computer control of servo devices requiring continuously-existing, changeable command signals in the same fashion as servo devices which respond directly to variable duration, pulse-type change signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Day, John C. Wetter, Paul H. Brace, Lary L. Fields
  • Patent number: 4673317
    Abstract: A shaper cutter includes a conical body having teeth formed around its periphery and further includes a thin wafer disposed against the face of the body and formed with peripheral cutting teeth which lie against the teeth of the body, the teeth of the wafer serving to cut a workpiece and being backed by the teeth of the body. The wafer is bonded to the face of the body by a high strength adhesive which may be heated to destroy the bond and enable removal and replacement of the wafer when the cutting teeth thereof become worn. As a result of bonding the wafer directly to the body, there are no clamps creating axial interference ahead of the wafer and, in addition, lateral deflection of the wafer teeth during cutting is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventor: Edward W. Haug
  • Patent number: 4647006
    Abstract: A rotor is provided for use in combination with a valve and sleeve to function as a valve attached to an actuator. The rotor is comprised of a rotor body containing the drive section with the necessary elements to turn the rotor within the sleeve, and a rotor stem with ports to coact with complementary ports in the sleeve to form variable orifices to control fluid flow, and a flexible means for connecting the rotor stem to the rotor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Glynn, Laurence E. Jones
  • Patent number: 4595081
    Abstract: The output shaft of a rotary actuator is rotated in one direction by an electric motor and is returned in the opposite direction by a spring which is wound during driving of the shaft by the motor. The motor drives the output shaft and winds the return spring by way of a speed-reducing, torque amplifying gear train. To enable the use of a lighter return spring and the use of a gear train effecting greater torque amplification from the motor to the output shaft, intermediate gears in the drive train apply winding torque to the return spring differentially of the drive torque applied to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventor: Gerald R. Parsons
  • Patent number: 4576527
    Abstract: A shaper cutter includes a conical body having teeth formed around its periphery and a flexible wafer is disposed against the face of the body and is formed with peripheral teeth overlying the teeth on the body. The face of the body is concave and conical so that, when the center portion of the wafer is clamped to the body, the wafer flexes to lie against the face with the result that the teeth on the wafer are held firmly against the teeth on the body. The edges of the teeth of the wafer constitute the cutting edges of the cutter so that, when the cutting edges become dull, the wafer is simply removed and replaced with a new one. In another form, the teeth on the body are helical and their end faces are inclined in stepped relation while the wafer teeth are on the free ends of flexible fingers which, when the wafer is clamped to the body, flex to lie against the end faces of the teeth on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventor: Edward W. Haug
  • Patent number: 4533800
    Abstract: A reversible electric motor supported on a sub-base acts through a reduction gear train to rotate an output shaft supported by a main mounting base, the sub-base being capable of turning through a limited range relative to the main base about the axis of the output shaft. When the output shaft encounters excessive resistance torque in either direction, the sub-base automatically turns relative to the main base and effects the opening of switch means to de-energize the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventor: Gerald R. Parsons
  • Patent number: D344716
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventors: Richard H. Munger, David K. Spahr, Stephen M. Degnen