Abstract: A method includes obtaining a voltage or current signal associated with a component of a device and isolating and conditioning the voltage or current signal to generate an output signal. The method also includes processing the output signal to identify one or more surge events, where each surge event is associated with an excessive voltage or current experienced by the device. The method further includes generating information associated with the one or more surge events and transmitting or storing the information. The voltage or current signal could be obtained from a case or housing of the device, a cable coupled to the device, or an antenna coupled to the device. The information associated with the one or more surge events could include a date/time stamp, a severity, a duration, or a shape or profile of each surge event.

Abstract: A method includes generating first and second timing signals for a level sensor, where the timing signals have a timing difference. The method also includes determining whether the level sensor is able to generate the timing signals so that the timing difference obtains a target value while a control value in a control loop of the level sensor is within defined margins. The method further includes, in response to determining that the level sensor is not able to generate the timing signals so that the timing difference obtains the target value while the control value is within the defined margins, modifying the target value. In addition, the method includes determining whether the level sensor is able to generate the timing signals so that the timing difference obtains the modified target value while the control value is within the defined margins.

Abstract: A method of operating process variable transmitters configured for sensing within an industrial processing facility connected in parallel to a current loop that receives power from a common power supply. The transmitters include a power accumulator module including an energy storage device including at least one capacitor or a rechargeable battery and a sensor module including a transceiver coupled to a processor having an associated memory that stores a startup sequencing algorithm. After a fixed period of time following a startup, an initial node voltage is measured across the energy storage device. The initial node voltage is compared to a predetermined voltage, and the transmitter is placed in a low power mode when the initial node voltage is <the predetermined voltage, an at least partially random low power state time for the transmitter is set, and startup sequencing algorithm is restarted after the low power time.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a voltage or current signal associated with a component of a device and isolating and conditioning the voltage or current signal to generate an output signal. The method also includes processing the output signal to identify one or more surge events, where each surge event is associated with an excessive voltage or current experienced by the device. The method further includes generating information associated with the one or more surge events and transmitting or storing the information. The voltage or current signal could be obtained from a case or housing of the device, a cable coupled to the device, or an antenna coupled to the device. The information associated with the one or more surge events could include a date/time stamp, a severity, a duration, or a shape or profile of each surge event.

Abstract: A scanning measurement system includes independently driven, self-aligning, dual-sided heads. The system is configured to perform a method that includes receiving information associated with a discrepancy in a desired cross direction alignment of a first sensor head and a second sensor head that are disposed on opposite sides of a web of material and that are configured to move in a cross direction relative to the web. The method also includes adjusting a velocity of at least one of the sensor heads based on the received information to improve the cross direction alignment of the first sensor head and the second sensor head.

Abstract: A method of operating process variable transmitters configured for sensing within an industrial processing facility connected in parallel to a current loop that receives power from a common power supply. The transmitters include a power accumulator module including an energy storage device including at least one capacitor or a rechargeable battery and a sensor module including a transceiver coupled to a processor having an associated memory that stores a startup sequencing algorithm. After a fixed period of time following a startup, an initial node voltage is measured across the energy storage device. The initial node voltage is compared to a predetermined voltage, and the transmitter is placed in a low power mode when the initial node voltage is <the predetermined voltage, an at least partially random low power state time for the transmitter is set, and startup sequencing algorithm is restarted after the low power time.

Abstract: A method includes generating first and second timing signals for a level sensor, where the timing signals have a timing difference. The method also includes determining whether the level sensor is able to generate the timing signals so that the timing difference obtains a target value while a control value in a control loop of the level sensor is within defined margins. The method further includes, in response to determining that the level sensor is not able to generate the timing signals so that the timing difference obtains the target value while the control value is within the defined margins, modifying the target value. In addition, the method includes determining whether the level sensor is able to generate the timing signals so that the timing difference obtains the modified target value while the control value is within the defined margins.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a chassis configured to move back and forth along multiple rails. The apparatus also includes electrical contacts configured to form electrical connections to the rails. The apparatus further includes a power converter/conditioner configured to receive power from the rails via the electrical contacts and to convert the power into a different form and/or condition the power. In addition, the apparatus includes one or more sensors configured to measure at least one characteristic of a material, where the one or more sensors are configured to operate using the power from the power converter/conditioner. The electrical contacts could touch the rails and receive the power directly from the rails. The electrical contacts could also touch rail contacts and receive the power indirectly from the rails via the rail contacts.

Abstract: A system includes at least one common support configured to span at least a width of a web of material in a manufacturing or processing system. The system also includes multiple sensor heads each configured to move independently along at least part of the at least one common support. The sensor heads can be configured to move simultaneously along the at least one common support, and at least one controller can be configured to control movement of the sensor heads so that the sensor heads do not contact one another. Each sensor head could include one or more sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics of the web. Different sensor heads could include different types of sensors. The sensor heads can be configured to move in non-overlapping patterns over or under the web. Different sensor heads can be configured to move at different speeds.

Abstract: A system includes a frame having multiple separate supports and multiple flexible rails. Each support is configured to be secured in a position apart from another support, and each flexible rail is configured to be coupled to the supports and placed under tension. The system also includes a sensor head configured to be mounted on the rails and to move back and forth along the rails. The sensor head is substantially self-contained and configured to receive operating power over the rails. The frame may further include a tensioned member configured to be coupled to the supports, and the sensor head can be configured to move back and forth using the tensioned member. The sensor head can be self-contained in that the sensor head does not push and pull any wiring assembly during movement along the rails.

Abstract: A system includes at least one common support configured to span at least a width of a web of material in a manufacturing or processing system. The system also includes multiple sensor heads each configured to move independently along at least part of the at least one common support. The sensor heads can be configured to move simultaneously along the at least one common support, and at least one controller can be configured to control movement of the sensor heads so that the sensor heads do not contact one another. Each sensor head could include one or more sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics of the web. Different sensor heads could include different types of sensors. The sensor heads can be configured to move in non-overlapping patterns over or under the web. Different sensor heads can be configured to move at different speeds.

Abstract: A scanning measurement system includes independently driven, self-aligning, dual-sided heads. The system is configured to perform a method that includes receiving information associated with a discrepancy in a desired cross direction alignment of a first sensor head and a second sensor head that are disposed on opposite sides of a web of material and that are configured to move in a cross direction relative to the web. The method also includes adjusting a velocity of at least one of the sensor heads based on the received information to improve the cross direction alignment of the first sensor head and the second sensor head.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a chassis configured to move back and forth along multiple rails. The apparatus also includes electrical contacts configured to form electrical connections to the rails. The apparatus further includes a power converter/conditioner configured to receive power from the rails via the electrical contacts and to convert the power into a different form and/or condition the power. In addition, the apparatus includes one or more sensors configured to measure at least one characteristic of a material, where the one or more sensors are configured to operate using the power from the power converter/conditioner. The electrical contacts could touch the rails and receive the power directly from the rails. The electrical contacts could also touch rail contacts and receive the power indirectly from the rails via the rail contacts.

Abstract: A stand alone sensor apparatus includes a moveable chassis and, mounted to the chassis, a wireless power receiver, a sensor, and a wireless transceiver. The wireless power receiver receives power wirelessly, converts the wireless power to electrical power, and provides the electrical power to the sensor and the wireless transceiver. The sensor measures a characteristic of a continuous web material. The wireless transceiver is coupled to the sensor and wirelessly sends a signal that is based upon the measured characteristic. An air source and/or a temperature control device may be mounted to the moveable chassis and receive electrical power from the wireless power receiver.

Abstract: A stand alone sensor apparatus includes a moveable chassis and, mounted to the chassis, a wireless power receiver, a sensor, and a wireless transceiver. The wireless power receiver receives power wirelessly, converts the wireless power to electrical power, and provides the electrical power to the sensor and the wireless transceiver. The sensor measures a characteristic of a continuous web material. The wireless transceiver is coupled to the sensor and wirelessly sends a signal that is based upon the measured characteristic. An air source and/or a temperature control device may be mounted to the moveable chassis and receive electrical power from the wireless power receiver.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic actuator movement indicator comprising a housing adapted to be connected in series between a pneumatic actuator and a source of pressurized fluid for the actuator, and an indicator located in, and having an equilibrium position in, the housing. The housing includes a first chamber for placing the housing in fluid communication with said actuator at a pressure P1, and a second chamber for placing the housing in fluid communication with said source of pressurized fluid at a pressure P2. The indicator is movable in the housing in response to a difference between P1 and P2. Movement of the pneumatic actuator produces a difference between P1 and P2; and in response to this difference, the indicator moves away from its equilibrium position, indicating the movement of the pneumatic actuator.