Tri-tec Manufacturing, LLC

Sundstrand Data Control, Inc.

Other

Caterpillar Inc.

Baker Hughes Corporation

Sundstrand Corporation

Michael M Van Schoiack

Richard Lynn Cordray

Roy Gilbert

Frederick V Holdren

Patrick H Mawet

Martin E Larson

Kim W Atherton

Hans W Hugli

Charles R Clow

John M Kubler

A Brinkley Barr

Peter Von Der Porten

Thomas M Harmon

Marvin E Vandehey

Richard D Weyerts

A system and method to detect the loss or disruption of one or more phases of a three phase alternating current (AC) power source used in the operation of a valve actuator. The loss of one or more phases of a three phase AC power source may cause a peak in AC power output. While a peak in AC power output may not affect an operation of electronic circuitry, all three phases are often required to safely operate other hardware components, such as an AC motor that is associated with the valve actuator. Therefore, in response to detecting the loss or disruption of at least one phase of a three phase AC power source, this disclosure presents a system and method to inhibit damaging operations such as operating an AC motor associated with a valve actuator, and continuing to operate communications and diagnostic circuitry to report the condition.

Power detection system for valve actuators

A method and steering wheel for determining and verifying a state of driver alertness includes receiving a response at a steering wheel. The method includes selectively energizing at least one stimulus annunciator in the wheel in order to present a first stimulus to a driver. A processor in the wheel generates a signal indicative of a stimulus annunciator onset time indicating the moment the stimulus annunciator provided the first stimulus to the driver. A sensor array arranged on the wheel responds to a first grip pressure the driver exerts at a first grip location on the wheel. The processor generates a response signal indicative of a response onset time. The processor calculates a time interval between the stimulus annunciator onset time and the response onset time.

Driver drowsiness detection and verification system and method

The present invention provides a sensor (10) and method for detecting the presence of water or glycol in an oil system. The water/glycol sensor includes a water/glycol concentrator (12) which concentrates the water and glycol in a concentrating zone (84). A water/glycol detection probe (14) is located in the concentration zone (84) such that minute quantities of water or glycol in the system may be detected.

Water/glycol sensor for use in oil systems

A rotational displacement sensor includes a pair of coils stationarily mounted adjacent a rotatable cam formed of a metallic material. The coils are energized by high frequency alternating current. A differential amplifier is connected to the coils such that the output of the amplifier is linearly proportional to the rotational angular displacement of the cam relative to the coils.

Angular displacement sensor

An oil level sensor includes a sensor body adapted to be mounted to the block or casing of an oil-containing reservoir. A probe including a pair of electrodes forming a capacitor extends from the sensor body so that the capacitor will be at least partially immersed in the oil to detect the level thereof. At least one of the electrodes is insulated so that the apparent capacitance of the capacitor is relatively insensitive to any change in the conductivity of the oil at high temperatures. Circuitry is provided in response to the capacitance of the capacitor for signalling the level of the oil, which capacitance is a function of the oil level. The sensor body is mounted to the block by external threads on the probe. The electrodes of the probe extend proximally past the threads to provide an increased capacitance for the sensor. The electrodes of the probe are concentric and the inner electrode is supported at both ends to reduce fatigue. Circuitry is also provided for automatically testing the proper operation of the sensor.

Digital oil level sensor

In order to facilitate construction of a compact, lightweight servoed accelerometer with capacitive pick-off, a one-piece support frame, adapted to be inserted within a cylindrical housing, is used to support a pair of capacitor plates and a lightweight longitudinally reinforced pendulum or seismic mass having a paddle on one end. The paddle is positioned midway between the capacitor plates, thereby forming a pair of capacitors each having a capacitance on the order of 2 to 4 picofarads. Attached to the pendulum is an axle which in turn is supported between two flexures by means of jeweled pivoted bearings. The ends of the flexures are rigidly secured to the support frame, and a desired pressure of the bearings against the axle is maintained by means of adjustment screws. Also attached to the pendulum is a torque coil which interacts with a magnetic assembly, secured to the support frame, to restore the paddle to the midpoint between the capacitor plates when the pendulum has been subjected to an acceleration force. Secured to the support frame above and parallel to the pendulum is a thick film circuit board containing an integrated circuit and associated hybrid elements for applying time varying voltages to each capacitor so that the currents flowing through the capacitors can be used as a measure of the difference in capacitance due to deflection of the paddle; and in response thereto, generate sufficient current in the torque coil to restore the paddle to the midway point between the capacitor plates. The circuitry also includes an output circuit having a servo-compensated network for applying a restoring current to the torque coil wherein the gain and frequency characteristics of the servo system are independent of any impedance used to measure the restoring current.

Accelerometer

In order to provide a substantially error free biasing and scaling circuit for transducer signals, an operational amplifier and a field effect transistor are used in combination with a DC voltage source to bias and scale the transducer signal.

Biasing and scaling circuit for transducers

In order to facilitate construction of a compact, lightweight servoed accelerometer with capacitive pick-off, a one-piece support frame, adapted to be inserted within a cylindrical housing, is used to support a pair of capacitor plates and a lightweight longitudinally reinforced pendulum or seismic mass having a paddle on one end. Attached to the pendulum is an axle which in turn is supported between two flexures by means of jeweled pivoted bearings. Also attached to the pendulum is a torque coil which interacts with a magnetic assembly, secured to the support frame, to restore the paddle to the midpoint between the capacitor plates when the pendulum has been subjected to an acceleration force. Secured to the support frame above and parallel to the pendulum is a thick film circuit board containing an integrated circuit and associated hybrid elements for applying time varying voltages to each capacitor so that the currents flowing through the capacitors can be used as a measure of the difference in capacitance due to deflection of the paddle; and in response thereto, generate sufficient current in the torque coil to restore the paddle to the midway point between the capacitor plates.

To eliminate the high frequency portion of an input signal while permitting low frequency and DC portions to pass, the electronic filter utilizes an n-1 order active network in combination with a capacitor to generate a shunt current, thereby providing a low pass filter having n-order operating characteristics. Included in the active network is an active element, such as an operational amplifier, which responds to an input signal by creating a voltage across the capacitor, resulting in a shunt current that in turn provides the desired filter characteristics. In certain special cases the n-order active filter can utilize a differentiating element in combination with n-2 order active network along with the capacitor to achieve n-order operating characteristics.

Growing community of inventors

Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Michael M Van Schoiack