Abstract: Networked automation systems having electric actuation from a high voltage source. The electric actuator includes a switch mode power supply coupled to the high voltage source as a principal power source. The networked automation systems include a controller device having an output network port wired to an input network port of the motor drive. The controller device is also coupled to an auxiliary source of power. Thus, a regulation circuit of the switch mode power supply can be coupled to the auxiliary source of power, thereby providing power for the regulation circuit at start up.

Abstract: A power control system is provided for AC mains, including an input bridge rectifier connected to the AC power mains, and a buck regulator circuit connected to the DC output of the input bridge rectifier, the output of the buck regulator circuit providing a DC power output bus. A current sensor is connected to the output of the buck regulator circuit, and one or more capacitors is connected across the DC power output bus for receiving current from the buck regulator circuit. The buck regulator circuit is controlled to limit peak output current thereof.

Abstract: Networked automation systems having electric actuation from a high voltage source. The electric actuator includes a switch mode power supply coupled to the high voltage source as a principal power source. The networked automation systems include a controller device having an output network port wired to an input network port of the motor drive. The controller device is also coupled to an auxiliary source of power. Thus, a regulation circuit of the switch mode power supply can be coupled to the auxiliary source of power, thereby providing power for the regulation circuit at start up.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for jet impingement cooling are provided. In one arrangement, a fluid channelling structure engages against a target surface to define a flow volume. Fluid is jetted onto the target surface from inlets and is removed via outlets. Flow directing features form a plurality of channels with no straight paths between inlets and outlets. A time averaged flow direction of fluid in contact with each flow directing feature is more nearly perpendicular to a direction of jetting of the fluid from a nearest inlet than parallel to the direction of jetting One or more pairs of the inlets and outlets are such that a majority of fluid jetted onto the target surface from the inlet of the pair will be removed from the flow volume through the outlet of the same pair.

Abstract: An electric motor drive system is provided wherein safety is achieved by commanding the process system of the relevant axis or set of axes to execute motion that follows a defined path, namely trajectory of position, velocity and acceleration against time, re-constructing an identical trajectory in the safety system and in, the safety system, supervising deviations between the safely reconstructed target position and the safe measurement of position.

Abstract: A torque-limiting safety circuit servo drive for AC permanent magnet motors including a three-phase inverter bridge, a first current sensor in series with a first motor phase, a second current sensor in series with a second motor phase, a third current sensor in series with the DC bus, and a drive control circuit that controls the six pulse-width modulated gate drive signals for the three-phase inverter bridge. The drive circuit has first and second safety channel STO inputs whereby either channel can shut down the three-phase inverter bridge, emits a signal set to represent the switching state of the three-phase inverter bridge, and modifies the switching pattern of the PWM to ensure the dwell times of PWM is sufficiently long to allow a valid measurement of phase current using the bus current sensor. First and second safety processors controls the first and second safety channel STO inputs, respectively.

Abstract: An electric motor drive system is provided wherein safety is achieved by commanding the process system of the relevant axis or set of axes to execute motion that follows a defined path, namely trajectory of position, velocity and acceleration against time, re-constructing an identical trajectory in the safety system and in, the safety system, supervising deviations between the safely reconstructed target position and the safe measurement of position.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for jet impingement cooling are provided. In one arrangement, a fluid channeling structure engages against a target surface to define a flow volume. Fluid is jetted onto the target surface from inlets and is removed via outlets. Flow directing features form a plurality of channels with no straight paths between inlets and outlets. A time averaged flow direction of fluid in contact with each flow directing feature is more nearly perpendicular to a direction of jetting of the fluid from a nearest inlet than parallel to the direction of jetting One or more pairs of the inlets and outlets are such that a majority of fluid jetted onto the target surface from the inlet of the pair will be removed from the flow volume through the outlet of the same pair.

Abstract: A power control system is provided for AC mains, including an input bridge rectifier connected to the AC power mains, and a buck regulator circuit connected to the DC output of the input bridge rectifier, the output of the buck regulator circuit providing a DC power output bus. A current sensor is connected to the output of the buck regulator circuit, and one or more capacitors is connected across the DC power output bus for receiving current from the buck regulator circuit. The buck regulator circuit is controlled to limit peak output current thereof.

Abstract: A torque-limiting safety circuit servo drive for AC permanent magnet motors including a three-phase inverter bridge, a first current sensor in series with a first motor phase, a second current sensor in series with a second motor phase, a third current sensor in series with the DC bus, and a drive control circuit that controls the six pulse-width modulated gate drive signals for the three-phase inverter bridge. The drive circuit has first and second safety channel STO inputs whereby either channel can shut down the three-phase inverter bridge, emits a signal set to represent the switching state of the three-phase inverter bridge, and modifies the switching pattern of the PWM to ensure the dwell times of PWM is sufficiently long to allow a valid measurement of phase current using the bus current sensor. First and second safety processors controls the first and second safety channel STO inputs, respectively.

Abstract: An over-voltage comparator and shutdown circuit for a power converter, comprising at least a first voltage divider connected between ground and a monitored voltage, the voltage divider including a first resistor and a second resistor, a switch mode regulator connected to a primary switch of the power converter, and a first threshold comparator, wherein a monitored input of the first threshold comparator is connected between the first resistor and the second resistor, an anode of the first threshold comparator is connected to ground, and a cathode of the first threshold comparator is connected to the switch mode regulator, and wherein the monitored voltage is voltage at an end of a primary winding of the power converter. An auxiliary output circuit of the power converter may be provided having a first output providing the monitored voltage and a second output providing power to the switch mode regulator.

Abstract: A device for communicating and providing power over a cable having at least two conductors comprises an inductor having two secondary windings and one primary winding, and a transceiver coupled to the primary winding of the inductor, the two secondary windings of the inductors being coupled to two of the at least two conductors of the cable. Further, a voltage signal provided by the secondary windings of the inductors to the conductors varies symmetrically from an average potential. The inductor of the device can also comprise two primary windings connected in series and two secondary windings connected in series, the secondary windings also connected to two of the at least two conductors in the cable, wherein the voltage signal provided to the two conductors from the secondary windings varies symmetrically from an average potential.

Abstract: An over-voltage comparator and shutdown circuit for a power converter, comprising at least a first voltage divider connected between ground and a monitored voltage, the voltage divider including a first resistor and a second resistor, a switch mode regulator connected to a primary switch of the power converter, and a first threshold comparator, wherein a monitored input of the first threshold comparator is connected between the first resistor and the second resistor, an anode of the first threshold comparator is connected to ground, and a cathode of the first threshold comparator is connected to the switch mode regulator, and wherein the monitored voltage is voltage at an end of a primary winding of the power converter. An auxiliary output circuit of the power converter may be provided having a first output providing the monitored voltage and a second output providing power to the switch mode regulator.

Abstract: A control circuit configured to control an electromechanical brake is provided. The control circuit includes: a switching regulator configured to control a magnitude of voltage applied to a brake coil of the electromechanical brake; wherein said switching regulator includes at least one semiconductor switch, one diode, one capacitor and one inductor; the control circuit is configured such that, in operation, at least one signal from a process sub-system specifies the magnitude of the voltage for the brake coil; and at least one brake applying control signal from a safety sub-system can cause the brake coil voltage to be reduced to a level low enough to apply the brake by opening a switch and each brake applying control signal from the safety sub-system has a corresponding diagnostic feedback signal to the safety sub-system that indicates the state of the corresponding switch. A method and a system are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for communicating and providing power over a cable having at least two conductors comprises a first inductor having a primary and a secondary winding, a second inductor having a primary and a secondary winding, the primary winding of the second inductor being coupled at one end to the primary winding of the first inductor, each of the secondary windings of the first and second inductors being coupled to one of the at least two conductors in the cable. The device further includes a transceiver coupled to the primary windings of the first and second inductors, wherein the first inductor is coupled to local ground potential, in a manner that varies the potential of each of the said conductors symmetrically from an average potential.

Abstract: A torque sensor assembly for use in a vehicle power steering system has magnets, coaxial first, second, and third flux closure members around the magnets, and first and second magnetic sensors. Each of the plurality of magnets emits a magnetic field. The second flux closure member is between the first and third flux closure members. The first and third flux closure members collect the magnetic fields having a first polarity. The second flux closure member collects the magnetic fields having a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity. The first and second magnetic sensors are positioned to have like polarity. The first sensor is between the first and second flux closure members. The second sensor is between the second and third flux closure members. A torque signal is calculated by subtracting a second signal generated by the second sensor from a first signal generated by the first sensor.

Abstract: A device for communicating and providing power over a cable having at least two conductors comprises an inductor having two secondary windings and one primary winding, and a transceiver coupled to the primary winding of the inductor, the two secondary windings of the inductors being coupled to two of the at least two conductors of the cable. Further, a voltage signal provided by the secondary windings of the inductors to the conductors varies symmetrically from an average potential. The inductor of the device can also comprise two primary windings connected in series and two secondary windings connected in series, the secondary windings also connected to two of the at least two conductors in the cable, wherein the voltage signal provided to the two conductors from the secondary windings varies symmetrically from an average potential.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a droplet fraction of an oil mist sample of a gas turbine is provided. A collecting device collects the oil mist sample, wherein the collecting device is arranged within a breather pipe which is coupled to the gas turbine such that oil mist is flowing through the breather pipe. The droplet fraction is separated from a gaseous fraction of the oil mist sample by a filter device, wherein the filter device is soaked with the droplet fraction, the droplet fraction is extracted from the filter device by using a tetrachloroethylene solvent. A composition of the droplet fraction is analyzed by a spectrometer.

Abstract: A control circuit configured to control an electromechanical brake is provided. The control circuit includes: a switching regulator configured to control a magnitude of voltage applied to a brake coil of the electromechanical brake; wherein said switching regulator includes at least one semiconductor switch, one diode, one capacitor and one inductor; the control circuit is configured such that, in operation, at least one signal from a process sub-system specifies the magnitude of the voltage for the brake coil; and at least one brake applying control signal from a safety sub-system can cause the brake coil voltage to be reduced to a level low enough to apply the brake by opening a switch and each brake applying control signal from the safety sub-system has a corresponding diagnostic feedback signal to the safety sub-system that indicates the state of the corresponding switch. A method and a system are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of supporting communications over a common network connection in a master-slave field bus network with a first type of packet formatted with a time-sensitive protocol and a second type of packet formatted with a non-time-sensitive protocol are provided. The slave devices are configured with filters to prevent the first type of packet from reaching a configurator and the second type from reaching a master device. The slave devices are also configured with arbitration logic so that the packets formatted with the time-sensitive protocol are provided with a priority over the packets formatted with the non-time-sensitive protocol.