Larry A Dew

US Patent:

6611724, Aug 26, 2003

Filed:

Nov 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/448639

Inventors:

Paul Robert Buda - Raleigh NC
Larry Alan Dew - Durham NC
Todd Charles Wheaton - Clayton NC
Jackie Laverne Winn - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

Square D Company - Palatine IL

International Classification:

G05B 1302

US Classification:

700 49, 706 45, 706 49

Abstract:

An online monitor that can be permanently attached to a device to be monitored continuously monitors a set of analog signals and initiates data capture over a window of time when a user programmable set of conditions is satisfied. The online monitor includes a digital signal processing unit, a modular, interchangeable, analog signal conditioning base unit that can be tailored to the specific requirements of the process to be monitored and a modular, interchangeable, communication interface unit. The interface unit permits the digital signal processing unit to exchange data with external equipment such as network computers via a number of industry standard communication fieldbus protocols. The online monitor provides the capability to define the trigger condition under which data capture is initiated by comparing a user defined signal to a function of the instantaneous value of another signal or constant. Data captured is stored indefinitely in internally battery backed memory and the instant at which data capture is initiated is determined accurately via a time tagging function, so the data can be retrieved at a later time.

US Patent:

20060168370, Jul 27, 2006

Filed:

Dec 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/013752

Inventors:

Larry Dew - Haslet TX, US
Todd Wheaton - Wake Forest NC, US
Tim Miller - Clayton NC, US
Jackie Winn - Raleigh NC, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/00
G06F 3/02

US Classification:

710049000

Abstract:

The instant invention is directed to a variety of networked appliances, including equipment controlled or monitored via an Ethernet connection in industrial applications. In one example embodiment of the present invention, a networked industrial-application appliance, having a processor, includes a removable modular circuit board and a memory arrangement. The removable modular circuit board includes an identity circuit memory, an external-connection port for providing communication access between the networked industrial-application appliance processor and the identity circuit memory, and electrical conductors each of which is adapted to provide a connection with the external-connection port. The memory arrangement includes a nonvolatile memory device and is adapted to store an identity profile that is particular to the networked industrial-application appliance. The networked industrial-application appliance processor is communicatively-coupled to the identity circuit memory via the external-connection port and to the identity profile in the nonvolatile memory.

US Patent:

59601744, Sep 28, 1999

Filed:

Dec 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/771621

Inventors:

Larry A. Dew - Durham NC

Assignee:

Square D Company - Palatine IL

International Classification:

G06F 1336

US Classification:

39520038

Abstract:

A communications network is used to couple weld controllers and different operator interface units together, regardless of their data structures. An arbitration system provides a means for one operator interface unit to communicate to a selected weld controller at a given period of time. The operator interface units have one of three modes of operation. These include database master, primary master, and secondary master. During setup of the communications network, the master devices are assigned a physical address that defines the its type and priority within the network. The database master is the only device which can automatically download data to a weld controller. It has the highest priority as a network arbiter. The primary master will act as the network abitrator in the absence of a database master. A secondary master must listen for an access grant from the current network arbiter, before initiating a message packet on the network.

US Patent:

58088857, Sep 15, 1998

Filed:

Dec 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/771620

Inventors:

Larry A. Dew - Durham NC
William B. Davison - Apex NC
Timothy E. Miller - Clayton NC

Assignee:

Square D Company - Palatine IL

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

364132

Abstract:

A weld controller is coupled to a communications network which has an operator interface unit for monitoring and controlling the weld controller and other weld controllers on the network. A common database in the operator interface unit is accessible across the communication network by the weld controller regardless of the data structure of the database. The weld controller can use the database to obtain different weld schedules, duplicate its own weld schedule to provide for easy replacement, and as a data storage for its operating parameters and values. The weld controller has a dual communications port that allows for a variety of operator interface configurations. Data from weld controller can be accessed by the operator interface controller based upon the weld controller's individual data structure and type through embedded objects resident in the operator interface's operating system and program. The data can then be displayed, edited, and stored by any data entry device that is capable of executing the operator interface's program.

US Patent:

58214917, Oct 13, 1998

Filed:

May 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/653580

Inventors:

Larry A. Dew - Durham NC
Thomas R. Creech - Elgin SC

Assignee:

Square D Company - Palatine IL

International Classification:

B23K 1124

US Classification:

219108

Abstract:

A weld control system, supplied by a polyphase voltage source, consists of an isolation contactor supplying power to separate single phase weld controllers. The single phase weld control systems have their separate power modules combined into a single power module assembly for more efficient cooling and electrical interfacing. The single power module consists of a semiconductor switch for each phase of the polyphase voltage source and a single chiller plate for mounting and cooling the switches. The chiller plate functions as a heat sink and is machined to create a series of channels that become coupled together to form a continuous tube having a single input and a single output for a coolant liquid. A SCR pair, housed in a single package in a back-to-back configuration having an isolated base construction. The base has good thermal conductivity between the heat generating semiconductors in the package and the base.

US Patent:

60876131, Jul 11, 2000

Filed:

Feb 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/027586

Inventors:

Paul R. Buda - Raleigh NC
Jonathan H. Bailey - Raleigh NC
Larry A. Dew - Durham NC
Robert M. Slazinski - Lake Orion MI

Assignee:

Square D Company - Palatine IL

International Classification:

B23K 1124

US Classification:

219110

Abstract:

A weld controller maintains an internal dynamic model of load impedance, which tracks normal impedance variations that occur as the weld tooling degrades. The weld controller contains a weld process monitor function that tests an estimated load impedance of a weld schedule presently under execution against an internal dynamic model and generates events when characteristics of the estimated load impedance of the present weld falls outside an operator definable band, indicating a problem with the workpiece presently being welded. The weld controller further includes the capability to accept a static model of the load impedance that is used as the reference impedance for the weld control and tooling. The weld controller also includes means to declare an event when characteristics of the dynamic model differ from the static model by an operator-defined amount. The weld controller allows a distinction to be made between a short-term difference in load impedance, generally indicative of a weld process variation and the long-term difference in load impedance, generally indicative of tooling degradation.

US Patent:

57603618, Jun 2, 1998

Filed:

May 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/653213

Inventors:

Larry A. Dew - Durham NC
Thomas R. Creech - Elgin SC

Assignee:

Square D Company - Palatine IL

International Classification:

B23K 1124

US Classification:

219108

Abstract:

A weld control system, supplied by a polyphase voltage source, consists of multiple and separate single phase weld controllers. The single phase weld control systems have their separate power modules combined into a single power module assembly for more efficient cooling and electrical interfacing. The single power module consists of a semiconductor switch for each phase of the polyphase voltage source and a single chiller plate for mounting and cooling the switches. The chiller plate functions as a heat sink and is machined to create a series of channels that become coupled together to form a continuous tube having a single input and a single output for a coolant liquid. A SCR pair, housed in a single package in a back-to-back configuration having an isolated base construction. The base has good thermal conductivity between the heat generating semiconductors in the package and the base. This allows the SCR packages to be mounted onto the single chiller plate and still maintain the necessary voltage isolation between each phase voltage.

US Patent:

61516406, Nov 21, 2000

Filed:

Jan 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/012377

Inventors:

Paul R. Buda - Raleigh NC
Jonathan H. Bailey - Raleigh NC
Larry A. Dew - Durham NC

Assignee:

Schneider Automation Inc. - North Andover MA

International Classification:

G06F 1300

US Classification:

710 11

Abstract:

A field bus network of input and output devices is coupled to a control system through an I/O interface module, regardless of their data structures. The I/O interface module is coupled to the control systemthrough a serial communication port. Local input and output devices are coupled to the interface I/O module through a local I/O interface and networked input and output devices are coupled to the interface I/O module through a field bus communication adapter. A different adapter is required for each type of field bus protocol. The interface I/O module includes a microprocessor based device to generate and control the various interactions between the local devices, networked devices, and the controllsystem and also to provide for a visual and status display of the fieldbus and local I/O data local.