Abstract: An improved system for monitoring vibration of an electric machine is disclosed. According to one embodiment, sensors are positioned in a plane orthogonal to the motor shaft and each sensor detects vibration along at least one axis of the motor. The sensors are oriented such that the polarity of each sensor is reversed. The pairs of sensors may be used to isolate specific vibrations within the motor. According to another embodiment, a sensor may be mounted directly to the motor shaft. The sensor on the motor shaft directly detects vibrations along the motor shaft. Optionally, a second sensor may be mounted to a fixed location within the motor housing, and the combination of the sensor on the motor shaft and the sensor at a fixed location may be used to isolate specific vibrations within the motor. A motor controller may adjust operation of the motor to reduce the isolated vibration.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a tool for simulating a motion control system that simulates performance and energy for a given configuration. The simulation analysis considers a motion profile and one or more corresponding performance parameters, and the resulting configuration provides hardware elements, such as drives and motors, and settings of those elements. The simulation allows optimization for energy efficiency, as opposed to only speed or accuracy.

Abstract: An improved system for monitoring vibration of an electric machine is disclosed. According to one embodiment, sensors are positioned in a plane orthogonal to the motor shaft and each sensor detects vibration along at least one axis of the motor. The sensors are oriented such that the polarity of each sensor is reversed. The pairs of sensors may be used to isolate specific vibrations within the motor. According to another embodiment, a sensor may be mounted directly to the motor shaft. The sensor on the motor shaft directly detects vibrations along the motor shaft. Optionally, a second sensor may be mounted to a fixed location within the motor housing, and the combination of the sensor on the motor shaft and the sensor at a fixed location may be used to isolate specific vibrations within the motor. A motor controller may adjust operation of the motor to reduce the isolated vibration.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a motion control system implementing an electronic motion profile for a load that is highly optimized for power efficiency by implementing several performance parameters that are non-overlapping with respect to time. Each performance parameter may characterize an acceptable level of performance or error with respect to the electronic motion profile. Performance parameters may include, for example, maximum position error, maximum velocity error, maximum error for regions or sections of the electronic motion profile, position settling time, position repeatability, position accuracy, position bandwidth, velocity bandwidth, acceleration time, motor thermal capacity, motor temperature and drive temperature.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a tool for simulating a motion control system that simulates performance and energy for a given configuration. The simulation analysis considers a motion profile and one or more corresponding performance parameters, and the resulting configuration provides hardware elements, such as drives and motors, and settings of those elements. The simulation allows optimization for energy efficiency, as opposed to only speed or accuracy.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor drive system, the system comprising an AC-DC converter coupled to a DC-AC inverter by a DC bus, a motor coupled to and driven by the inverter, and a load coupled to and driven by the motor is provided. The method includes accessing a motion profile for the motor and load and determining power losses of the converter, the inverter, the motor and the load. The method also includes controlling the voltage of the DC bus based upon the motion profile and the power losses to enhance the motor drive system efficiency, reliability and motor shaft performance.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor drive system, the system comprising an AC-DC converter coupled to a DC-AC inverter by a DC bus, a motor coupled to and driven by the inverter, and a load coupled to and driven by the motor is provided. The method includes accessing a motion profile for the motor and load and determining power losses of the converter, the inverter, the motor and the load. The method also includes controlling the voltage of the DC bus based upon the motion profile and the power losses to enhance the motor drive system efficiency, reliability and motor shaft performance.

Abstract: Power conversion systems and diagnostic techniques are presented for detecting suspected converter faults when a pre-charge circuit is engaged during system startup, in which known or estimated system characteristics are used to derive expected converter voltage values or rate of change values and the levels are measured during startup to ascertain whether the pre-charge circuit or other converter components are faulted.

Abstract: Power conversion systems and diagnostic techniques are presented for detecting suspected converter faults when a pre-charge circuit is engaged during system startup, in which known or estimated system characteristics are used to derive expected converter voltage values or rate of change values and the levels are measured during startup to ascertain whether the pre-charge circuit or other converter components are faulted.

Abstract: A knee prosthetic including a tibial component defining medial and lateral concavities shaped to receive medial and lateral femoral condyles of the femur. The concavities have first portions for contact with the condyles during normal knee flexion and second portions for contact with the condyles during deep, or high, knee flexion. The medial concavity can include a conforming boundary that encompasses at least the first and second portions, wherein an area inside the conforming boundary has a generally flat surface. The flat surface allows the medial femoral condyle to slide and rotate posteriorly during high knee flexion. The conforming boundary can have a generally triangular shape with an apex extending anteriorly and a relatively wider base extending posteriorly, wherein the apex includes the first portion and the base includes the second portion. The relatively wider base portion advantageously allows additional area for posteriorly directed articulating contact during high knee flexion.

Abstract: Each dispenser, which may be used for candy, is identical except for a identically sized top rectangular panel. The back, bottom, front, and a baffle are formed of one piece of thermoplastic material. A right angle bent is adhered to the top of the baffle. The top panels for a top row of dispensers are adhered to the dispensers and each has a hole communicating with a cylindrical reservoir. Those for a bottom row are hinged to the back. All sides are identical. Depending chutes are rectangular and have a sliding door. The sliding doors and the bent each have identical cylinders adhered to them. The walls of each chute have holes aligned with its cylinder. The hinged tops have a hole through which a cylinder protrudes. A locking cable has a large finial at one end and a small finial at the other. Two washers are provided that fit over the large finial, but not the smaller. A washer is threaded against the large finial and the cable passed through aligned cylinders.

Abstract: A system for robotic control of an object having x, y and z axis translational movement and C and D axis rotational movement capability. The object, which may be a robotic element such as a manipulator or machining tool or a laser beam positioner is controlled by the system for automatic tracking and orientation of the object over the surface of a workpiece including automatically determining the normal vector to the surface of the workpiece. It provides controllable movement and orientation of the object along selectable axes for accurate tracking of the workpiece surface by the object. The system allows processing of the workpiece by the object even when the axis of the object is oriented at an angle other than normal to the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: Laser machining system with x, y and z axis translational movement and C and D axis rotational movement of a beam positioning device to perform automatic tracking over the surface of a workpiece at a constant distance utilizing a sampled capacitive sensing device operative in the refractory interval between laser pulses. The system also automatically determines the normal vector to the part surface and is controllable along a selectable axis for accurate tracking the focal point of the beam across the surface of the workpiece even when the beam is oriented at an angle other than normal to the surface of the workpiece. The system also provides for control of the of the focal point of the beam at a particular displacement from the machining nozzle tip, using a least means squares curve fitting technique and further provides for identification of a mounting fixture unique to a workpiece by sensing coding on the surface of the fixture thereby to select a particular part machining program.

Abstract: A system and method for using a camera and an associated display means for facilitating the loading of the distinguishing characteristics of a workpiece into the control system for a machining system to allow machining of workpieces in accordance with a stored program.

Abstract: Cereal flakes are prepared from an extrusion-cooked dough which is extruded through a rectangularly shaped orifice to obtain an expanded and puffed extruded dough which then is stretched to obtain a dough density of from 75 g/liter to 200 g/liter. The stretched dough is cut into flakes which then are roasted.

Abstract: An embossing module for an automatic embossing machine utilizes a pair of opposed embossing element carrying wheels driven by oscillating bail arms which directly engage the embossing punch and die elements. An electromechanical interrupter mechanically decouples motion of the bail arm from the embossing elements in the event of a failure. The printwheels are driven by separate motors utilizing separate position encoders and common servo command circuits.

Abstract: A laser machining system with x, y and z-axis beam manipulating mechanisms to perform welding, cutting and localized heat treating operations on a workpiece with the operation of the system for each operation and the changeover between operations being under the control of an automatic control system. A computer numerical control (CNC) system provides control of the laser functions and movement of the laser beam using a sampled-data following error servo system.

Abstract: A system for forming an image on the outer surface of a plastic card and for correlating image data with corresponding alphanumeric data, comprises a data acquisition subsystem, an embosser/encoder, an exposure station for scanning an electrophotographic medium in accordance with digital image data generated by the data acquisition system, and a toning station for toning the electrophotographic medium to produce a toner image. The embosser/encoder forms identifying information corresponding to the alphanumeric data on the card and provides the embossed/encoded card to an image transfer station. At the image transfer station, the toner image on the electrophotographic medium is transferred to a portion of the card through heat and pressure. A protective layer is placed over the fused toner image.

Abstract: An automatic damper means and controls, which provide an exceedingly safe automatic damper for the exhaust duct-work of an associated gas furnace or the like, by automatic control of the damper, and automatic control of the gas supply, with redundancy features for providing exceedingly safe operation.

Abstract: An almond tree which is medium size, dense, vigorous, and precocious; foliated with medium size, acuminate, abruptly pointed, thin, smooth leaves having a coarsely serrate margin, long slender petiole, and small, green, alternate, globose glands; blooms heavily with white flowers; and is a regular and heavy bearer of nuts borne in clusters on short spurs; the out-of-hull nuts being of medium size and well sealed, and the out-of-shell kernels being of medium size, ovate, and plump.