Abstract: A system for the configuration of power meters.

Abstract: A system for the configuration of power meters.

Abstract: A current switch is automatically calibrated when a flow of electric current is initiated in a power cable.

Abstract: A current switch is automatically calibrated when a flow of electric current is initiated in a power cable.

Abstract: A modular metering system comprises a data processing module, a current module and a voltage module. The current and voltage modules include sensor memories characterizing the respective current and voltage sensors facilitating assembly and repair of the metering system.

Abstract: The computational resources of a digital power meter can be reduced by utilizing an interrupt requested in anticipation of interrupt latency to perform real-time tasks, an approximation of a root mean square load current at an earlier time to compensate for a phase shift between the load current and the current transducer output, and an amplitude that is neither zero nor maximum to distinguish the cycles of a harmonically distorted waveform.

Abstract: The data storage and processing resources required for an electric meter are reduced by basing the selection and application of phase error correction on a root mean square load current flowing through the meter.

Abstract: A current sensor that includes a pair of segments. Each of the segments includes magnetically permeable cores that can be joined together. A winding is used to substantially encircle one of the cores.

Abstract: An electricity metering method and apparatus is provided for determining the phase of first waveform relative to a harmonically distorted, second waveform having cycles temporally distinguished by an occurrence of an amplitude that is neither zero amplitude nor a maximum amplitude of said waveform.

Abstract: An interrupt request is asserted in anticipation of a period of latency preceding preparedness of a power meter data processing device to sample a voltage or current enabling the use an interrupt to control the data processing device's performance of real-time sampling in combination with other tasks related to the power meter's operation.

Abstract: A security system (10), operable to produce an ALARM signal indicative of glass breakage in a region (16) in which a human being (24) may legitimately be present, has a human presence detector (12), a glass breakage detector (14), and an alarm signal activator (30) that includes a one-shot timer (52). A HUMAN PRESENCE DETECT signal (36, 38) output from the human presence detector triggers or retriggers the timer to produce an active output for a predetermined holdoff time interval T.sub.H. The active output causes a gate (58) to prevent a glass breakage alarm or GB DETECT pulse (46) from the glass breakage detector from reaching a control panel (34) and thus from triggering the ALARM signal if the GB DETECT signal occurs within the holdoff time interval after a HUMAN PRESENCE DETECT signal. Another gate (64) prevents a GB DETECT pulse (48) from reaching the control panel if that pulse occurs while the human presence detector is detecting human presence in the region (38).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vibration-generated movement and manipulation, such as transportation, orientation, loading or sorting of materials are provided. At least one electromagnetic coil is disposed to act in a horizontal plane, and another electromagnetic coil may be disposed to act in a vertical plane, imparting two-dimensional vibration to a generally horizontal vibratory surface. Apparatus vibrationally transports parts across a surface while concurrently orienting and sorting them. Reversibility of transport direction is also provided.

Abstract: A system (100) performs concurrent testing and lead verification of an electronic component (104) having two leads (126 and 128). The system includes circuitry (114 and 116) for determining a sum of amounts of contact resistances between first (132) and second (134) probes and one of the leads by producing a current (I.sub.1) that propagates through the first probe, the lead of the component, and the second probe. The sum of the contact resistances is proportional to the difference in voltage between the leads. If the difference exceeds a limit, then the sum of the amount of contact resistances is excessive. The system also includes circuitry (110) for determining a value of a parameter of the component while the sum of the amounts of contact resistances is being determined. The circuit for determining the sum of the contract resistances and the circuitry for determining the value of the parameter are electrically isolated from each other so that they do not influence each other.

Abstract: The apparatus (20) includes electrically conductive contacts (44, 54) that are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the distance between the terminals (34, 36) formed on the components (24) to be tested. One contact (54) is held in position by a spring (112). The other contact (44) is stationary. The contacts (44, 54) slide against the terminal surfaces (52, 56) of the components (24) that are conveyed into a test location (26) between the contacts. The apparatus employs few moving parts and the sliding motion of the contacts (44, 54) against the terminal surfaces (52, 56) ensures that the contacts (44, 54) penetrate any oxide layer present on the terminal surfaces (52, 56). In an alternative embodiment (160), two sets of contacts (44L, 44T, 54L, 54T) are employed for testing components (24) in two adjacent test locations (26L, 26T).