Electrical/Electronic News

Komatsu hybrid excavator is world’s first

How do you save 25% of fuel consumption on a mighty big rig? Japan-based heavy-equipment manufacturer Komatsu is betting on hybrid technology.

The company’s PC200-8 Hybrid excavator, available in 2009 (30 units, Japan only for starters), is powered by the Komatsu Hybrid System which uses a newly developed electric motor to turn the upper structure, a power generation motor, a capacitor, and a diesel engine. The proprietary Komatsu Hybrid System converts energy generated when the upper structure reduces its speed while turning, stores the energy in the capacitor, and uses it to assist the power of the engine via a power-generation motor when the engine accelerates. All components of the Komatsu Hybrid System are made in-house, excluding the capacitator cells.

While standard construction equipment uses only diesel engines for power, the new hybrid excavator utilizes regenerated energy to assist the engine when it is accelerating, enabling the use of the engine in a low-revolution zone with high-efficiency combustion. In addition, while the engine runs idle, the hybrid excavator keeps the revolution at a super low level, achieving impressive reductions in fuel consumption.

Compared with the standard PC200-8 hydraulic excavator, the hybrid model achieves about 25% reduction of fuel consumption, according to the company, but field trials by test customers have demonstrated up to a whopping 41% maximum energy savings at a jobsite where the machine's upper structure turns more frequently.

In May 2007, Komatsu launched the world's first hybrid electric forklift trucks on the market. This hybrid excavator is aimed at being the company’s flagship construction equipment.

To view the full company specs release and learn more, click here: www.komatsu.com/CompanyInfo/
press/2008051315113604588.html

Electrical/Electronic Products

Gold-plated bellows for high-frequency interconnection

Gold-plated bellows contacts from Servometer are an alternative to spring-loaded-type test pins for the next generation of high-frequency test applications. They provide extremely low DC resistance with a minimum of insertion loss, and they have been designed to provide lifetime spring and force repeatability. Servometer contacts are rated for a maximum current of 4 A.

Typical bellows have a low loss of only .20 dB (shorter) to .45 dB (longer) at 6 GHz with a total bandwidth much higher. Length does matter with regard to test pins, so the shorter the part the better. Mechanically, the advantages of Servometer “bellows” over the spring-loaded-type test pins are: one-piece construction, can typically be made as small as .020 in. (0.5 mm) in diameter, and, if required, the bellows can be coated with noise-reduction materials to reduce crosstalk between test pins in close proximity, with little or no loss of mechanical capabilities. The bellows can be made out of different materials such as nickel, copper, gold, or silver.

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Servometer

New custom electrical terminals die satisfies mid-volume demand

A new die design for producing production-quality custom electrical and electronic terminals for customers with mid-volume (25,000 min.) requirements is being introduced by ETCO Incorporated of Warwick, RI.

ETCO Custom Electric Terminals manufactured using their new RPQ (Rapid Production Quality) die are offered with stock widths up to 1.75 in. and thickness up to 0.030 in. Supplied loose or in strip form, they can include blades for plugs, terminals, male and female PCB connects, ring terminals, receptacles, wire splices, and related parts in 25,000 min. quantities.

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ETCO

Coaxial connectors for use in wireless apps

Pasternack introduces its new N Series of Coaxial Connectors designed specifically to terminate to the LMR series of cable using standard LMR trimming and crimp tooling. Pasternack's Type N connector series is ideal for field installations and widely used in wireless, WiFi, and GSM base station applications.

Pasternack's Type N Series of low PIM (Passive Intermodulation Distortion) connectors is designed for 50-Ohm applications where intermodulation distortion is a concern. The connector body is brass with white bronze plating for greater durability and corrosion resistance, and the contacts are gold-plated with no nickel undercoat. These Type N low PIM connectors are fully interchangeable with any type N connector that is designed to the standard MIL-C39012 specification.

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Pasternack

Contact-free DC-operated rotary position sensors

Macro Sensors introduces a new series of contactless, fractional-turn, rotary position sensors that provide an absolute output proportional to shaft rotation over a total range of up 120°. The RSE 1500 Series Rotary RVDT Position Sensors are ideal for measuring the angular displacement of rotating elements such as quarter-turn ball and butterfly valves, air flow dampers, mail sorters, and diverter gates used in packaging and postal sorting machinery. Units are also useful for other limited rotation applications requiring high reliability such as pedal position sensing for mobile equipment or throttle lever position sensing.

Although their shafts can rotate a full 360°, the RSE 1500 Series Rotary RVDT Position Sensors measure shaft angle position over a nominal range of 120°. Units can operate in 0° to 30°, 60°, 90°, or 120° rotation ranges.

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Macro Sensors

Temp control goes global: Precision Snap Disc Thermostats

Fenwal Controls, a leading manufacturer of automatic gas ignition and temperature controls, offers global manufacture of its Series 08 Precision Snap Disc Thermostats while maintaining full product responsibility including design, performance, quality, and supply chain logistics under the Fenwal brand at their Massachusetts plant.

Fenwal's Series 08 Precision Snap Disc Thermostats are available as hermetically sealed stainless steel probes (Series 08-8X) or as surface mounting (Series 08-0X) with calibrated temperature settings from 35°F to 550°F (2°C to 288°C). These rugged devices feature a precise and repeatable snap-acting bimetallic disc as the actuating element and have silver contacts to assure long life. They are individually calibrated to meet both thermal and electrical characteristics.

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Fenwal Controls

World’s smallest modems feature LSI technology

Cermetek Microelectronics announces its newest embedded modems, the XE2400G and XE5617G. These modems integrate LSI modem technology into the world’s smallest complete modem module. Cermetek has targeted these new modems towards remote monitoring applications where small size is critical. These include home medical monitoring, security, and instrumentation.

The XE2400G and XE5617G utilize the unique Cermetek Hybrid PLCC (HyPLCC) package. The HyPLCC package delivers a complete modem in a 68-pin PLCC outline, less than 1 sq-in. When the modem serves as a system option, the XE5617G and XE2400G can be installed in a 68-pin PLCC socket; otherwise the modules can be soldered directly to the PCB using standard surface-mount solder processes.

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Cermetek

30-A half-brick DC-DC converters feature 93% efficiency

Lambda has expanded its line of DC-DC converters with the launch of the new iHG series of 100-W fully isolated, single-output, half-brick devices. Providing exceptional thermal performance, using the industry standard half-brick footprint with no base plate, the modules are ideal for engineers designing low-airflow, high-temperature, 48-V power architectures for telecom, wireless, medical, industrial, and many other applications. The initial product offering includes 5-V/10-A, 5-V/20-A, and 3.3-V/30-A devices, with further products planned.

The single-board construction combined with up to 93% efficiency delivers a very high level of usable power in convection-cooled environments, particularly where airflow rates are low. Furthermore, the all new digital control circuitry means a significant component count reduction, improved reliability, and lower cost. The iHG family is well-suited as replacements or upgrades in legacy applications.

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Lambda

Smallest, lightest, most environmentally resistant crimp splices

D-200 MiniSeal Crimp Splices from Tyco Electronics are ideal for aerospace and defense applications where performance, reliability, or size reduction is essential. With a temperature rating of 200°C, the splice combines a nickel-plated copper crimp barrel with a separate, heat-shrinkable, transparent sealing sleeve that provides strain relief and environmental protection. These splices preserve electrical integrity by preventing the penetration of liquids and the resulting chemical and galvanic corrosion and potential short circuits.

D-200 MiniSeal splices are available for a wire range from 26 AWG to 12 AWG and can be used to seal and protect high-temperature-rated wires with Teflon insulation such as RCW and BMS13-60 nickel-plated wires. Termination is with standard AD-1377 crimp tool.

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Tyco Electronics

Light guides are thinnest LED-based backlights yet

Global Lighting Technologies (GLT) has introduced new LED-based high-brightness backlights that offer exceptional thinness — down to 0.4 mm or less — to provide the slimmest molded light guide BLUs available for backlighting LCDs in a wide array of consumer electronics products, as well as the keypads/keyboards used in mobile phones and laptop and desktop PCs.

GLT’s patented MicroLens light extraction technology and improved manufacturing processes are making light guide packages that are thinner than ever available to OEMs who need to meet the increasing consumer demand for smaller, slimmer size with no sacrifice in performance.

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GLT

Thermocouple temperature recorder

The TCTemp2000 is a thermocouple temperature recorder that has an internal temperature sensor and one external thermocouple input. The device is compatible with J, K, T, E, R, S, B, and N type thermocouples, and can take 131,107 readings per channel.

The convenient LCD display allows for quick reference should the temperature need to be written down or used for another purpose. When using an infrared thermocouple, users can find the difference between air temperature and surface temperature.

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MadgeTech

More control over sensors for automation

EMX Industries, a manufacturer of sensors for automation, announces the ColorMax P version color sensor, the highest resolution and fastest RGB sensor on the market. In addition, the ColorMax P version application software allows for data communication and statistical analysis based on the standard Office Excel software.

EMX’s new sensor comes with standard features that are not provided standard in the industry. Unlike many other sensors, the ColorMax has full application software with control over the target illumination and the ability to view color without reflection. Most color sensors have only a red and green LED, which provide little information.

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EMX

Data Bank high-density cable system

Samtec has recently expanded its High Speed Data Rate Cable family to include the new Data Bank High Speed, High Density Cable System designed for applications requiring very high density and superior signal integrity.

Data Bank (GCCA/GCAM Series) is a 100-Ohm Differential Pair 30-AWG Eyespeed MS twinax ribbon cable system. It features Samtec’s rugged Edge Rate contacts and “Direct-to-Lead” cable termination technology for optimized signal integrity. Data Bank is available with one or two banks each with four chicklets containing eight signal pairs each for a total of 32 or 64 pairs. The system is available in surface-mount or panel-mount orientations. Mounting blocks, right-angle applications, and mating surface mount terminals (GCAM Series) are also available.

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Samtec

Vibration displacement sensor for machinery monitoring

Wilcoxon Research announces the addition of a displacement sensor to its popular PC420 Series of 4-20 mA vibration sensors. The PC420D is the first IEPE displacement transducer and 4-20 mA vibration transmitter packaged as a single sensor. The PC420 Series of sensors monitors rotating equipment and outputs a real-time 4-20-mA signal proportional to the vibration level.

The PC420D sensor outputs a 4-20-mA signal based on the displacement level of the machine vibration. The 4-20-mA output is determined by first measuring the peak-to-peak vibration, then converting that level to a 4-20-mA signal. Because balance components tend to dominate the vibration spectrum when viewed in displacement units, the PC420D sensor is able to track the balance component of machines, one of the most sought-after parameters. Integrating this signal into an existing PLC, DCS, or SCADA system simplifies real-time health monitoring because vibration, formerly considered too complex, can now be trended in easily understood units of mils or millimeters of displacement.

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Wilcoxon

Limit controllers for simple on/off apps

Athena Controls, an industry-leading manufacturer of temperature/process controllers, temperature sensors, and related accessories, is now offering their Series 86 and 88 Limit Controllers as an economical solution for On/Off "Limit" Applications.

Designed for quick and easy installation via fast-on lugs or terminal strips, Series 86 Non-Indicating Temperature Controllers and Series 88 Electronic Temperature Controllers are available with remote, local, or fixed setpoints, and case, din-rail, or snap-trak mounting options. Both controllers offer 20-A relay, high or low limits with auto or manual reset, Fahrenheit or Celsius readout, and sensor break protection for positive system shutdown.

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Athena Controls

Rugged keypads feature Touch-Thru metal technology

Featuring unique product advantages including touch-sensitive activation, weather/water/dust resistance, raised sculpted keys with permanent markings, and solid metal vandal-proof construction, the next generation of access control keypads is available from ITW Switches, a unit of Illinois Tool Works (ITW).

Provided in both 12-key (3x4) and 16-key (4x4) configurations, the new ActiveMetal keypads are ideal for indoor/outdoor access control, kiosks, and point-of-sale, security, and alarm systems, keyless entry points, gas pumps, ATMs, medical and clean rooms, prisons and secured facilities, and many more industrial/commercial/retail applications.

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ITW

Solenoid valve connectors achieve CSA approval

Virtually indestructible as well as affordable, the 5F and 5J DIN solenoid valve connectors from Canfield Connector have been awarded Canadian Standards Association approval. These rugged yet flexible connectors offer a completely molded design for superior environmental integrity over field wire versions.

The 5F and 5J features include captive-screw and molded-in gasket with the assembly, so there’s nothing to lose. Low-profile, straight-line, or right-angle configurations allow for installation in many limited space applications. The 5F and 5J connectors are available in ISO, Mini, 8-mm, and 9.4-mm sizes, with or without indicator light, and 6-ft or 15-ft standard wire lengths; custom wire lengths and hard usage (STO) cable are also available.

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Canfield Connector

StackableUSB Standard moves to adopt 1/4- and 1/2-size boards

StackableUSB uses the popular USB 2.0 connectors to mate CPUs and I/O boards. The new StackableUSB I/O boards more closely match the space needed to implement simple I/O onto stackable boards today than the older and large 104 form factor. This shrinking size is a natural evolution for SackableUSB I/O boards as microcontrollers and I/O chips pack more functionality into smaller packages.

The introduction of the new sizes of StackableUSB boards also solves the CPU cooling dilemma. The challenge with higher power Pentium-class single-board computers (SBC) on the 104 form factor has been providing cooling to the CPU when an I/O board is plugged on top and completely covers the CPU chip, trapping heat and seriously reducing air flow. Now, however, between the space gained with the smaller StackableUSB connector and the greater exposed board space with 1/4- and 1/2-size I/O boards, the 104 form factor becomes more viable for Pentium-class SBCs.

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Micro/sys (StackableUSB)