Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated

Emerson Electric Company

Will J Preischel

Alvaro Sanchez

Robert P Feller

John Patrick Caspers

Yutao Wang

Dale L Garrison

Wayne C Riley

Richard William Fitzgerald

Patrick K Duffy

Paul Mark DeSantis

Terrence W Snyder

Henry A Jones, Jr

Darrel S Filtz

A system to verify the identity of modules within a stack light is disclosed. A sensor is mounted to a circuit board inserted within a housing of the module, and a target is mounted to or integrally formed in the housing. The sensor detects and generates a signal corresponding to the detected target. Different targets or locations for the target are provided for each housing. The module, a base for the stack light, or a remote controller in communication with the stack light identifies the housing in which the circuit board is mounted based on the feedback signal generated by detecting the target. At power-up, a routine may initiate a verification routine by which each module in the stack light determines the type of housing in which the circuit board for that module is located.

System and method of identifying a module in a stack light

An in-line sound module for a modular stack light system provides electrical and mechanical connectors to allow it to be placed anywhere in the stack. Axial orientation of the audio transducer and a flexible jumpering system allow preservation of central connectors between modules. In-line configuration permits multiple sound modules to be used in a stack light and to be teamed with different beacon modules. In one embodiment the in-line sound module may also include lamps to provide beacon functionality.

Modular stack light with central connectors

Stack light with in-line sound module

A hot water dispensing system comprises a one-piece plastic tank having a main heating chamber, an expansion chamber, and an air collection chamber. The air collection chamber is disposed generally below the expansion chamber and alongside the main heating chamber. The main heating chamber is in fluid communication with the expansion chamber and the air collection chamber. The hot water dispensing system also includes a temperature control system having a heating element, a metal temperature sensing bracket, and a thermostat. The heating element is disposed within the plastic tank and connected to a metal temperature sensing bracket disposed outside the tank. The excellent conductive properties of a metal sheath that connects the metal temperature sensing bracket to the heating element allow the metal temperature sensing bracket to simulate changes in the temperature of water in the tank. The thermostat is mounted to the metal temperature sensing bracket and measures a temperature of the metal temperature sensing bracket and activates or deactivates a heating element in response to the measured temperature of the metal temperature sensing bracket.

One-piece plastic tank and temperature control system for a hot water dispenser

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Racine, WI, United States of America

Will J Preischel