Abstract: An inductorless DC to DC converter comprises an input for connection to a DC supply and an output for connection to a DC load. A first capacitor is connected across one of the input and the output. A plurality of second capacitors are connected in series across the other of the input and the output. The first capacitor and the second capacitors are of equal capacitance. A plurality of switch circuits are provided, one for each second capacitor. Each switch circuit is connected across the first capacitor and one of the second capacitors. A control circuit controls operation of the plurality of switch circuits to momentarily place each second capacitor alternately across the first capacitor to transfer voltage therebetween to selectively step-down or step-up voltage of the DC supply to the DC load.

Abstract: An inductorless DC to DC converter comprises an input for connection to a DC supply and an output for connection to a DC load. A first capacitor is connected across one of the input and the output. A plurality of second capacitors are connected in series across the other of the input and the output. The first capacitor and the second capacitors are of equal capacitance. A plurality of switch circuits are provided, one for each second capacitor. Each switch circuit is connected across the first capacitor and one of the second capacitors. A control circuit controls operation of the plurality of switch circuits to momentarily place each second capacitor alternately across the first capacitor to transfer voltage therebetween to selectively step-down or step-up voltage of the DC supply to the DC load.

Abstract: A motor drive system output filter includes fault detection. A variable frequency drive (VFD) drives a three phase AC induction motor. A filter circuit is connected between the VFD and the AC induction motor. The filter circuit comprises a filter for each phase. Each filter comprises an inductor and a damping resistor connected in series with a blocking capacitor across the inductor. A plurality of detection circuits are provided, one for each phase. Each detection circuit is connected to the capacitor of the associated phase for detecting capacitor voltage to indicate a resistor fault condition.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for minimizing runout of a rotating assembly includes a measurement device and a runout evaluator. The measurement device measures a distance to a surface. The runout evaluator obtains a first runout of a surface of a first member of the rotating assembly from the measurement device. The first runout has a magnitude and a phase. The runout evaluator obtains a second runout of a surface of a second member of the rotating assembly from the measurement device. The second runout has a magnitude and a phase. The runout evaluator determines a rotational position of the first member relative to the second member which results in a reduced runout of the rotating assembly. The determination of the rotational position is based on the magnitude and the phase of the first runout and the magnitude and the phase of the second runout.

Abstract: As described herein, a drive circuit for a three phase AC motor comprises an AC/AC converter. The converter has an input for receiving multiphase AC power from an AC source and converting the AC power to variable voltage and variable frequency from the AC source for driving the AC motor. A filter circuit is connected to the AC/AC converter and comprises at least one inductor per phase and at least one capacitor per phase. The capacitors are connected in a broken wye configuration with one side connected to one of the inductors and an opposite side connected via a three phase diode bridge rectifier to a switch. The switch is controlled by a converter control to selectively open or short a neutral point of the broken wye capacitor configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an industrial robot relative to an intuitive motion coordinate system. The current 3D position of a touch-screen teach pendant relative to the robot is sensed, and an operator-centric frame of reference is developed relative to the robot-centric frame of reference. A simulacra of the robot is generated, oriented so as to correspond with an operator view of the robot from the current position of the controller, and displayed on the pendant. A motion-control construction, generated and displayed on the pendant, is adapted to receive jog commands from the operator indicative of a respective incremental movement of the simulacra in the operator-centric frame of reference. Each jog command is transformed from the operator-centric frame of reference to the robot-centric frame of reference, and the robot moved in accordance with the transformed jog command.

Abstract: A robotic handling apparatus includes a vertical motion mechanism and a first arm member connected to the vertical motion mechanism. The first arm member is movable in a vertical direction by the vertical motion mechanism. The robotic handling apparatus includes a second arm member connected to the vertical motion mechanism via the first arm member, and a first drive unit configured to drive the second arm member to pivot about a first axis. An end effector is connected to the second arm to transfer an article from a first position to a second position by the motion of the vertical motion mechanism, first arm member, and second arm member, the first arm member being mounted to a side of the vertical motion mechanism relative to the vertical direction.

Abstract: A variable frequency motor drive comprises a converter including a rectifier having an input for connection to an AC power source and converting the AC power to DC power. A DC bus is connected to the rectifier circuit. At least one bus capacitor is across the DC bus. An inverter receives DC power from the DC bus and converts the DC power to AC power to drive a motor. A controller is operatively connected to the converter. The controller comprises a speed control controlling the inverter responsive to a speed command to maintain a desired motor speed. A speed foldback control measures DC bus ripple voltage and regulates the speed command responsive to the measured DC bus ripple voltage.

Abstract: A variable frequency motor drive comprises a converter including a rectifier having an input for connection to an AC power source and converting the AC power to DC power. A DC bus is connected to the rectifier circuit. At least one bus capacitor is across the DC bus. An inverter receives DC power from the DC bus and converts the DC power to AC power to drive a motor. A controller is operatively connected to the converter. The controller comprises a speed control controlling the inverter responsive to a speed command to maintain a desired motor speed. A speed foldback control measures DC bus ripple voltage and regulates the speed command responsive to the measured DC bus ripple voltage.

Abstract: A torque coupler includes a first torque plate having a first slot extending in a radial direction, and a second torque plate having a second slot extending in the radial direction. The second slot has a side formed of a flexible beam. A cam plate is pivotable about an axis, and has a cam slot having a first portion at a first radial distance from the axis and a second portion at a second radial distance, where the second distance is greater than the first distance. A torque transfer member is slidably received within the first slot, the second slot, and the cam slot. The transfer member transferring torque between the first and second torque plates. A drive device rotates the cam plate about the axis, which causes the first cam slot to radially slide the transfer member along the flexible beam.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes a memory and a setting selector. The memory is configured to store setting items each relating to a motor, and the setting sequence to sequentially set the setting items. The setting selector is connected to the memory and configured to select a newly selected item from among the setting items based on the setting sequence, a user input, and a currently selected item of the setting items.

Abstract: A programmable logic controller controls at least one robot to manipulate a plurality of workpieces. The programmable logic controller includes a sensor interface configured to receive sensor data that represents information of the workpieces. The programmable logic controller includes a scheduler configured to create a schedule that includes information representing an order in which the workpieces are to be manipulated. The schedule created by the scheduler is based on the sensor data. The programmable logic controller includes a synchronizer that is configured to receive the schedule. The synchronizer is configured to cause a robot to manipulate the workpieces based on the schedule and based on a function block. The function block is configured via the programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A device for gripping a cylindrical object comprises two gripping springs and an actuator, wherein: each gripping spring comprises a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an arcuate section disposed therebetween; the gripping springs are disposed on the device such that the first ends are pivotally coupled to the device, and the arcuate sections oppose each other so as to define an opening through which the cylindrical object is inserted; and the actuator is mechanically coupled to at least one of the second ends of the gripping springs such that movement of the actuator causes the arcuate sections of the gripping springs to grip the cylindrical object when inserted into the opening.

Abstract: As described herein, a drive circuit for a three phase AC motor comprises an AC/AC converter. The converter has an input for receiving multiphase AC power from an AC source and converting the AC power to variable voltage and variable frequency from the AC source for driving the AC motor. A filter circuit is connected to the AC/AC converter and comprises at least one inductor per phase and at least one capacitor per phase. The capacitors are connected in a broken wye configuration with one side connected to one of the inductors and an opposite side connected via a three phase diode bridge rectifier to a switch. The switch is controlled by a converter control to selectively open or short a neutral point of the broken wye capacitor configuration.

Abstract: An inverter system includes an inverter apparatus and a smoothing capacitor charging-power apparatus. The inverter apparatus includes a transformer and an inverter cell. The transformer includes primary windings and secondary windings. Each of the inverter cells includes a converter circuit, a smoothing capacitor, and an inverter circuit. The converter circuit is configured to convert an intermediate alternating-current voltage to a direct-current voltage. The smoothing capacitor is configured to smooth the direct-current voltage. The inverter circuit is configured to at least partially generate a phase voltage of a variable alternating-current voltage from the direct-current voltage smoothed by the smoothing capacitor. Electric power is to be supplied from a second power supply different from a first power supply to the smoothing capacitor charging-power apparatus.

Abstract: A method for programming an industrial robot, which includes providing a processing operation that is divided into a plurality of layers, and providing, via a processing unit, for selection among predetermined selections in each layer of the plurality of layers to program the processing operation. An apparatus for programming an industrial robot that includes a processing unit configured to provide a processing operation that is divided into a plurality of layers, where the processing unit is configured to provide for selection among predetermined selections in each layer of the plurality of layers to program the processing operation.

Abstract: A torque coupler includes a first torque plate having a first slot extending in a radial direction, and a second torque plate having a second slot extending in the radial direction. The second slot has a side formed of a flexible beam. A cam plate is pivotable about an axis, and has a cam slot having a first portion at a first radial distance from the axis and a second portion at a second radial distance, where the second distance is greater than the first distance. A torque transfer member is slidably received within the first slot, the second slot, and the cam slot. The transfer member transferring torque between the first and second torque plates. A drive device rotates the cam plate about the axis, which causes the first cam slot to radially slide the transfer member along the flexible beam.

Abstract: A method for teaching an industrial robot, which includes providing, on a user interface, symbols corresponding to input selections for teaching the industrial robot a processing operation, receiving input, via the user interface, of selected symbols, and utilizing the input of the selected symbols to formulate the processing operation of the industrial robot. An apparatus for teaching an industrial robot that includes a user interface having symbols corresponding to input selections for teaching the industrial robot a processing operation, and a processing unit configured to receive input, via the user interface, of selected symbols, the processing unit being configured to utilize the input of the selected symbols to formulate the processing operation of the industrial robot.

Abstract: A variable frequency motor drive comprises a converter including a rectifier having an input for connection to an AC power source and converting the AC power to DC power. A DC bus is connected to the rectifier circuit. At least one bus capacitor is across the DC bus. An inverter receives DC power from the DC bus and converts the DC power to AC power to drive a motor. A controller is operatively connected to the converter. The controller comprises a speed control controlling the inverter responsive to a speed command to maintain a desired motor speed. A speed foldback control measures DC bus ripple voltage and regulates the speed command responsive to the measured DC bus ripple voltage.

Abstract: An AC/DC converter system comprises an input circuit for connection to a three-phase AC source. An isolation transformer comprises a symmetrical core with a set of primary windings and first and second sets of secondary windings wound on the symmetrical core providing balanced flux in all three phases and magnetically coupling to the set of primary windings. The first and second sets of secondary windings are phase shifted by select amounts from the set of primary windings. The set of primary windings is connected to the input circuit. An AC/DC converter comprises first, second and third three-phase rectifiers, the first three-phase rectifier is powered by the first set of secondary windings, the second three-phase rectifier is powered by the second set of secondary windings, and the third three-phase rectifier is powered by the input circuit. An output circuit is connected between the AC/DC converter and a DC load.