Patents Assigned to Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20090065341
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a mechanism of a contact system for circuit breakers. More particularly, the invention encompasses a mechanism for a rotary double-break contact system, which enables a direct transfer of torque from stored energy components, such as, springs, to the contact arm in the ON-position (contacts closed) without using intermediate cam surface. The mechanism described in the invention also ensures reliable locking of the contact arm in the blow-off position using stationary means that are integral with or fixed to a crossbar module. This invention enables to achieve significant reduction or even to eliminate friction at certain critical interfaces between the contact mechanism components, thus, reducing or potentially eliminating hysteresis, and improving performance consistency, and also eliminating mechanism performance dependency on wear level and condition of an intermediate cam surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark I. Shmukler, James Ferree
  • Publication number: 20090065339
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a rotary handle. More particularly, the invention encompasses an improved support bracket for a deliberate action rotary handle. The invention further includes an improved support bracket to support an extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle, such that to turn on a component, such as, a circuit breaker, requires a deliberate manual action by the user. If a deliberate action is not taken by a user but the handle is accidentally pushed then the handle does not engage with a drive shaft and the handle moves to an outer edge of a drive plate thus preventing the engagement of the handle with the other components to turn on the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Blankemeyer, Sheenfar Fong, Jose Hurtado, Huy Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7500556
    Abstract: An adjustable conveyor bed that is adjustable in length to span a gap between two devices of a conveyor system includes a primary section and a secondary section that is extendable and retractable relative to the primary section. The primary section has opposite primary sidewalls and a plurality of primary rollers mounted thereto. The primary rollers include a primary motorized roller and a plurality of primary idler rollers interconnected with one another via a plurality of drive members. The secondary section has opposite secondary sidewalls, with the secondary section sidewalls being nestedly received within the primary sidewalls and being adjustably mounted to the primary sidewalls and extendable and retractable relative to the primary sidewalls to adjust a length of the adjustable conveyor bed. The secondary section is configured to support at least one secondary roller when extended a sufficient amount from the primary section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E Lemke, Jeffrey D Price
  • Publication number: 20090063739
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a first analog input module adapted to, via a sent synchronization signal, automatically terminate a diagnostic cycle of a second analog input module. The synchronization signal can be adapted to cause an initiation of a data conversion cycle at the second analog input module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Alan Weddle
  • Publication number: 20090058584
    Abstract: A three-phase, multi-winding includes a core, the core including a hub and an outer shell around a perimeter of the hub. wherein the hub and the outer shell are in a fixed position with respect to each other. The core also includes multiple slots. In addition to the core, the multi-winding device includes a primary winding positioned in at least two of the slots; and multiple spatially distributed secondary windings, wherein at least one of the secondary windings is positioned proximate the primary winding in at least one of the two slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mukul Rastogi, Richard H. Osman, Peter Willard Hammond, Marc F. Aiello
  • Publication number: 20090063760
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method, which can comprise, via a state machine implemented as an application specific integrated circuit, responsive to an automatically detected asynchronous RAM interface signal, automatically transmitting a corresponding synchronous RAM interface signal. The state machine can be communicatively coupled to a programmable logic controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Alan Weddle
  • Patent number: 7499250
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method, which can comprise configuring a system to compare an electrical value and a selected pre-stored threshold value of a plurality of pre-stored threshold values. The method can comprise configuring the system to modify the plurality of pre-stored threshold values based upon a predetermined change in measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Bin Zhang
  • Patent number: 7494004
    Abstract: A smart belt consists of a standard belt with an embedded sensor capable of wireless communication or visual indicators to notify maintenance for a need for maintenance or replacement. The sensor measures material properties, cycles of operation etc. using a self energizing power source. When the belt requires replacement or maintenance a mode of indication will notify proper personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Stolyar, Daniel Kelly, Rajeev Dwivedi
  • Publication number: 20090048704
    Abstract: A process of tracking mail during postal handling includes an initial step of sorting an incoming stream of mail on an automated sorting machine to a series of pockets based on a sort scheme. During sorting, RFID-tagged, machine-sortable markers are introduced into the incoming mail stream at intervals and the RFID-tagged markers are sorted with the mail into pockets of the sorter. Mail and markers are swept from the pockets into trays, and the markers are introduced such that at least one marker is swept to each of a set of trays containing the sorted mail. The trays containing the mail and markers are then transported away from the automated sorting machine. During a postal operation subsequent to the initial sorting, one or more of the RFID-tagged markers are scanned to identify mail from the initial sorting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS ENERGY & AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventor: Dale E. Redford
  • Patent number: 7492163
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can include an arc fault detection circuit. The arc fault detection circuit can include a zero crossing analysis sub-system including a counter configured to determine, for a first waveform, a count of dips that occur between a pair of predetermined zero crossings of a second waveform. The second waveform can be obtained from an electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Restrepo, Peter Spenlove Staley
  • Patent number: 7492562
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally compensating a voltage signal for a circuit protection device. The circuit protection device is coupled to a powered circuit and having current flowing through it. A bus carries the power therethrough. A sense resistor is electrically coupled to a bus for sensing the current flowing through the bus. A temperature sensitive circuit is coupled to the sense resistor for compensating ambient temperatures. The invention is useful for providing an accurate sense resistor that supplies a temperature independent current in a power line and the related voltage output of the sense resistor at varying ambient temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Tery John Evans, Elton C. Johnson, Carlos Restrepo
  • Patent number: 7488218
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a retainer adapted to restrain a plurality of electrical conductors. The electrical conductors can be operably connectable to one or more circuit breakers. The retainer can be adapted to define a plurality of through-holes. Each of the plurality of through-holes can be adapted to nondestructively receive therethrough a conductor from the plurality of electrical conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Scott Dixon, Roland Joseph Montalbo
  • Patent number: 7487075
    Abstract: A system and method for simulating a plurality of networked program logic controllers includes, in one aspect of the invention, determining if a configuration of networked program logic controllers exists; populating a configuration by creating a plurality of program logic controllers in a network if the configuration does not exist, the populating of the program logic controllers provided by use of a network view for collecting network information; and interacting with at least one of the program logic controllers to simulate a networked program logic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Martin, C. Eric Gibson, Scott Phillips, Harry A. Brian, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7481728
    Abstract: A drive system for a robot includes a track including opposed sidewalls, an electrified rail positioned between the sidewalls, a shoe mounted on the robot for contacting the electrified rail providing power to the robot, a drive motor mounted on the robot, a rotating drive member, the drive member engaging the track to drive the robot when the drive motor is actuated, means for coupling the drive member to the drive motor and means for increasing the friction between the drive system and the track at selected locations along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Pippin
  • Patent number: 7479757
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a system comprising an electric drive system for a machine. The system can comprise a rectifier adapted to convert AC power from an alternator to DC power. The system can comprise an inverter adapted to receive DC power from the rectifier and provide power to a traction motor and/or auxiliary devices. Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a system and method for dissipating excess energy from a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Raed H. Ahmad
  • Publication number: 20090016018
    Abstract: An electronic module. The electronic module includes a chassis, a plurality of capacitors, and a heat sink. The chassis includes a first end and a second end. The first end is opposite the second end. The chassis also includes a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side. The second side is opposite the first side. The third side is connected to at least one of the first and second sides. The fourth side is connected to at least one of the first and second sides, and is opposite the third side. The chassis is fabricated from a material which stops component debris from passing through the sides of the chassis. The capacitors are positioned within the chassis. The heat sink is positioned between the capacitors and the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS ENERGY & AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventor: Jonathan Kunkle
  • Patent number: 7477037
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least two series-cell based drives connected in parallel. The method comprises detecting a failed cell in one of the drives, inhibiting operation of the drive with the failed cell, determining a peak output voltage capability of the drive with the failed cell, communicating the peak output voltage capability to a master controller, and limiting a maximum voltage that each drive can apply to a motor. The method also comprises bypassing the failed cell and resuming operation of the drive with the failed cell after the motor voltage falls below the peak output voltage capability of the drive with the failed cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Amorino, Mukul Rastogi, Anthony C. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20090009362
    Abstract: A traffic signal is provided for controlling vehicular traffic. The traffic signal includes a light source (10) having a light emitting diode (LED) array (D1, D2, D3, D4). A power regulator (14) is associated with the light source and is constructed and arranged to control input current to the light source. A traffic signal controller (16) is remote from the light source and the power regulator. The traffic signal controller is constructed and arranged to provide an input voltage signal to the power regulator, with the input current being based on the input voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: David D. Miller
  • Publication number: 20090009149
    Abstract: A system and method for limiting input voltage to a power delivery system having regeneration capability. According to various embodiments, the system includes a regulator having a multiple input variables and at least one output variable; and an accumulator in communication with the regulator wherein the accumulator presets the output of the regulator to facilitate a quick output as well as accumulates error values related to the multiple input variables and facilitates a change by the regulator to the at least one output variable based upon the accumulated values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: JOHN CHANNING BOUSFIELD, III, XUAN ZHANG, RONALD GAILLOT
  • Patent number: 7472386
    Abstract: A method and system for generating programming code and/or configuration data for programmable controller and the networks on which they operate is disclosed. In one embodiment, programming code is generated on a centralized server having a web-enabled engineering tool. The engineering tool operates on client devices that are in communication with the server over a network, such as the Interntet. Preferably, the engineering tool runs in a browser application (or other network-interfacing-application) on the client device and a user generates the programming code on the server with the aid of the client device. By centralizing the engineering tool, which may contain a configuration editor and a configuration management tool having version management functionality, a new business paradigm for providing engineering tool services to customers having programmable controllers. In addition, new methods and tools for collaborative engineering of programming code are enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: George Lo