|
555 integrated circuit |
A type of
integrated circuit that is often used to regulate the timing functions
of electronic timers. |
|
air bellows |
An
apparatus consisting of a flexible, valved air chamber that is
contracted and expanded by pumping action to force air through a nozzle.
Air bellows are used to sound a pipe organ, increase draft to a fire, or
operate a pneumatic timer. |
|
analog timer |
A timer
that tracks physical quantities or changes using a varying frequency.
Unlike digital signals, analog signals easily handle input that is
highly variable in quality and quantity. |
|
arithmetic counter |
A type of
counter that performs arithmetic operations such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division. |
|
automatic overriding program |
A program
that counteracts the normal operation of a device or process. |
|
axle |
A rotating
shaft attached to a wheel or gear. |
|
batch counter |
A counter
that counts in series a collection of objects or data that is treated as
a single entity. |
|
bimetal strip timer |
A type of
thermal timer that uses a strip formed by joining two different metals
with different expansion rates into one strip that bends when the strip
is exposed to heat and temperature changes. |
|
cam |
A circular
or cylindrical machine component that converts rotational movement into
linear movement. |
|
cam timer |
A type of
mechanical timer that uses cams arranged along a shaft to alternately
press down and release switches that control different timing elements
of a system. |
|
clutch |
A coupling
found inside a motorized device that engages or disengages parts to
drive a mechanism. |
|
composite load |
The
collection of devices or systems that consume energy from the timing
system’s primary energy source. |
|
contactor |
A device
that uses a small control current to energize or de-energize a load. |
|
control device |
Any input
device that controls the flow of current in a circuit. Control devices
determine when loads are energized or de-energized. |
|
control screw |
A screw
that is tightened or loosened to refine the performance of a device. |
|
count range |
The maximum
value the counter can count and register. The count range of the counter
is determined by the number of digits the counter is able to display.
|
|
count speed |
The value
indicating how fast a counter can count. Count speed is measured at
counts per minute and varies depending on the type of counter. |
|
counter |
A device
that counts, calculates, or keeps a record of the number of times
something happens. |
|
dashpot timer |
A category
of mechanical action timers that operate by displacing air or viscous
fluid. Dashpot timers are the oldest type of industrial timer, and they
are typically used for heavy-duty equipment. |
|
delay timer |
A timer
that delays turning on a device until a preset time period has passed. A
delay timer in a car automatically shuts off the headlights after the
car has been turned off.
|
|
delayed make |
An elapsed
span of time before two electrodes connect to form a circuit. |
|
dial |
A flat disk
containing numbers or markings around it that rotates to display a
specific setting or an output value. |
|
digital |
Consisting
of information that is input or output electronically as a series of
pulses or signals either "on" or "off," often
resulting in binary strings of 0s and 1s. |
|
digital timer |
A timer
that operates electronically, providing input or output as a series of
pulses in binary strings of 0s and 1s. |
|
DIP switches |
A Dual
In-line Package Switch. DIP switches use binary settings, on-off /
yes-no, to configure various options on a device. |
|
down-count |
Counting in
a downward or decreasing direction. Counting 3, 2, 1, and so on is a
down-count. |
|
dual-bimetal-strip timer |
A type of
thermal timer that uses two bimetal strips. A bimetal strip joins two
different metals with different expansion rates into one strip that
bends when the strip is exposed to heat. |
|
electromechanical counter |
A category
of counters that operate through a combination of electricity and
mechanical motion. Electromechanical counters receive an electrical
input signal and convert it to mechanical action to output a count, stop
a count, or reset the counter to zero. |
|
electromechanical timer |
A category
of timers that operate through a combination of electricity and
mechanical motion. Electromechnical timers are gradually being replaced
by solid state technology. |
|
electronic counter |
A category
of counters that operate through electricity only. Electronic counters
execute counting functions through digital signals and can handle fast
counting rates. |
|
electronic timer |
A category
of timers that operate through electricity only and have no moving
mechanical parts.
|
|
event counter |
A counter
that counts how many times a specified condition occurs. |
|
frequency counter |
A counter
that counts the number of times something happens within a specific time
or count limit. In essence, a frequency counter combines the functions
of a timer and counter. |
|
gear |
A circular
toothed component that engages, rotates, and transmits power to another
circular toothed component when rotated. |
|
gear train |
A set of
gears arranged to transfer mechanical energy from one part of a
mechanical system to another. |
|
hydraulic timer |
A type of
timer that creates a time delay by controlling the rate at which liquid
passes into or out of a container. |
|
hysteresis |
The delay
between the action and reaction of a measuring instrument. Hysteresis
also refers to the tendency of a component's position to be dependent on
the previous position of the component when reacting to a physical
stimulus. |
|
idle state |
The state
in which current is flowing, but a device is not energized or in motion. |
|
integrated circuit |
A
miniaturized electrical network used to transmit electric power. A
microchip is an example of an integrated circuit. |
|
interval timer |
A timer
that begins the timing period when the control coil is turned on and
starts an operational cycle. The control coil remains on and the
contacts turn on for a time, then off for a time. This cyclical event is
the interval. |
|
LED display |
A luminous
panel on which digital readouts are displayed. |
|
load control element |
The part of
a timing system that controls the load when it receives a signal from
the triggering element and switches the load. |
|
manual override |
A procedure
in which an automatic system is put under manual control. |
|
mechanical counter |
A category
of counters not powered by electricity, but by mechanical means such as
pushing a button or turning a knob. |
|
mechanical timer |
A category
of timers not powered by electricity, but by mechanical means using air
bellows, pistons, or plungers. |
|
mercury |
A metallic
element that is liquid at room temperature. Mercury is used in mercury
displacement timers and acts as the contactor in the device. |
|
mercury displacement timer |
A timer
that operates by displacing a pool of mercury in a container. Mercury
displacement timers are used in environments that may get very hot, or
that require the timer to be completely sealed. |
|
motor-driven cycle timer |
A
motor-operated timer that cycles on and off continuously, or goes
through one cycle only.
|
|
motor-driven delay timer |
A
motor-operated timer that creates a delay after the coil is energized. |
|
motor-driven interval timer |
A
motor-operated timer that begins the timing period when the control coil
is turned on and starts an operational cycle. The control coil remains
on and the contacts turn on for a time, then off for a time. This
cyclical event is the interval. |
|
motor-driven reset cycle timer |
A
motor-operated timer that returns to its original starting position
after a preset time interval has passed. |
|
motor-driven timer |
A timer
that is operated by a motor. Motor-driven timers are also referred to as
cam timers. |
|
multivibrator |
An
electronic circuit used to control signal pulses. |
|
NC |
Normally
closed. An NC electrical contact regularly allows electricity to flow
until it is signaled to open. |
|
needle valve orifice |
The opening
to a valve used to provide very fine adjustment. Needle valves require
many turns to open them completely. |
|
NO |
Normally
open. An NO electrical contact does not allow electricity to flow until
it is signaled to close. |
|
off-delay timer |
A delay
timer that immediately closes contacts when the control coil is
energized, then waits for a predetermined amount of time to open them
after power is removed from the coil. |
|
on-delay timer |
A delay
timer that waits for a predetermined amount of time before closing a set
of contacts and energizing a load. |
|
operating lifetime |
The length
of time that a device will work before it becomes unreliable or stops
functioning. |
|
oscillator |
An
electronic device used to generate a vibrating signal at a constant
rate. |
|
PLC |
Programmable Logic Controller. A processor driven device that uses logic
based software to provide electrical control to machines. |
|
pneumatic timer |
A timer
that creates a time delay by controlling the rate at which air passes
into or out of an air bellows. |
|
predetermining counter |
A counter
set in advance to stop or produce output once a specific count has been
reached. A predetermining counter is also called a preset counter. |
|
preset counter |
A counter
set in advance to stop or produce output once a specific count has been
reached. A preset counter is also called a predetermining counter. |
|
pushbutton counter |
A type of
mechanical counter used for manual counting. The operator actuates a
pushbutton and records one count for each actuation. |
|
pushbutton switch |
A manual
control device that opens or closes a circuit when pressed. Pushbuttons
can be normally open or normally closed. |
|
recycle timer |
A timer
that performs continuously until it is stopped. |
|
relay |
A device
that controls one electrical circuit by opening and closing contacts in
another circuit. |
|
repeat cycle timer |
A timer
that performs continuously until it is stopped. |
|
reset timer |
A type of
recycle timer that uses a clutch mechanism to actuate a motor-driven
gear assembly and start a cycle. |
|
resolution |
The
smallest value that can be counted. This value can be as small as
1/1000th. |
|
revolution counter |
A counter
that records one count for each revolution of the shaft. Revolution
counters are used in odometers to keep track of the miles that tires run
by counting axle revolutions. |
|
rotary counter |
A counter
that records a specified number of counts per rotation. |
|
rotary ratchet counter |
A type of
stroke counter. Stroke counters record one count for each stroke. |
|
safety interlock |
A safety
device that disables or prevents a machine startup if a guard or door
remains open. |
|
single revolution cycle |
One turn of
a mechanical device. |
|
slow break |
Allowing
for a delay before the connection is broken. |
|
solenoid
|
A type of
output device coil that converts electrical energy into mechanical
energy via magnetic fields to exert a force, typically in a linear
direction. Soleniods can be used to activate switches and valves. |
|
solid state |
Functioning
by means of electronic components without the use of moving parts. |
|
solid state timer |
A timer
that functions by means of electronic components without the use of
moving parts. |
|
stroke counter |
A counter
that records one count for each stroke. A stroke is a reciprocating back
and forth motion. |
|
thermal expansion timer |
A timer
that operates by heating an upright piece of metal, causing it to expand
and close a set of contacts. |
|
thermal timer |
A type of
analog timer that uses heat generated from an electric current to bend a
bimetal strip, which closes a set of normally open contacts. The time it
takes to heat the bimetal strip produces the timing delay. |
|
thumbwheel |
A rotary
device that allows an operator to input numerical information into a
counter. |
|
timer |
A control
device that automatically starts or stops machines and other devices
when a preset time period has been exceeded. |
|
timing element |
The
mechanism in a timing system that produces the time delay. |
|
timing system |
An
electronic system that uses a timer to energize or de-energize a load. |
|
totalizing counter |
A counter
that sums up the total times something has occurred since the last time
the counter was used. Most totalizing counters are non-resettable, and
will simply roll over to zero once they have exceeded their count range.
|
|
triggering element |
The part of
an electronic timer that detects changes in the timing element and
processes the signal for the load control element. Usually this involves
amplifying the signal enough to trigger the load control switch. |
|
up-count
|
Counting in
an upward or increasing direction. Counting 1, 2, 3, and so on is an
up-count. |
