| ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120119523 | SELF-ALIGNING SAFETY LOCK - A safety lock mechanism is provided that facilitates accurate and consistent alignment between a locking bolt and a locking receptacle prior to engaging the locking bolt. To this end, a safety lock configured to mount to a door frame is provided with an internally disposed hard stop that protects the electrical and mechanical components within the safety lock housing from door impact shock. An extended portion of the hard stop protrudes through the housing facing the direction of door travel. A corresponding receptacle assembly configured to mount to the door is fabricated to include a bolt receptacle hole as well as an open window that engages with the extended portion of the hard stop when the door is in the closed position. When the window in the receptacle is engaged with the extended portion of the hard stop, door movement is limited in five directions even when the locking bolt is not yet engaged. An optional magnet embedded in the hard stop can limit door movement in the sixth direction by magnetically latching to a striking plate mounted behind the window. Thus, the window and the hard stop pre-position the receptacle for proper alignment between the locking bolt and the locking bolt receptacle, ensuring that the locking bolt will properly engage with the receptacle when advanced. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120116546 | Model Predictive Control System and Method for Reduction of Steady State Error - A technique is disclosed for reducing an error in a controlled variable via model predictive control. A predicted error in the controlled variable is determined for a forward-looking control horizon based upon measured or computed variables. The integral of the predicted error is computed. If the error or the integral exceed a tolerance for a determined time period, the model predictive control algorithm is modified to drive the error or the integral to within a tolerance. The modifications to the control algorithm may include changes to coefficients for terms based upon the error and/or the integral of the error. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120112893 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NOTIFYING MULTIPLE HOSTS FROM AN INDUSTRIAL CONTROLLER - The subject invention facilitates alert notification in an industrial environment. The systems and methods enable subscribing devices, such as hosts, to receive events and/or alarms associated with industrial controllers. In addition, a subscribed component can unsubscribe, refresh notification related information, and/or acknowledge a notification. The foregoing can be achieved through a set of objects (e.g., notify objects) that implement a notification and dynamic subscription process. A host system can instantiate an associated notify object, subscribe to an event, and be notified about the event. The invention enables multiple hosts to subscribe to the same event, allows each host to select events of interest, and enables the events to be queued if the events occur faster than can be sent. In one aspect of the invention, the systems and methods can be utilized with an event and alarm infrastructure that is applicable on a Control and Information Protocol (CIP). | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120110490 | DYNAMIC MENU FOR DEVICE SPECIFIC GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE PRESENTATIONS - A machine automation system for controlling a device in a machine automation environment is provided. The machine automation system includes a device and interface software. The interface software is configured to receive a selection of the device, display a control window associated with the device, identify at least one device specific menu item from a group of device specific menu items by querying each of the device specific menu items with a characteristic of the device to identify which of the device specific menu items should be displayed, and display the device specific menu item in the control window. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120110489 | DYNAMIC LOADING OF DEVICE FEATURE SPECIFIC GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE PRESENTATIONS - A device in a machine automation environment is controlled by executing a primary software application to generate a primary graphical view of controls for the device, executing a secondary software application to generate a secondary graphical view of controls for the device, and displaying an integrated graphical view comprising the secondary graphical view integrated with the primary graphical view. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120110216 | INDUSTRIAL CONTROLLER INTERFACE FOR PLUG-IN I/O MODULES - An interface for an industrial controller is provided that enables connection of different types of plug-in I/O modules to the industrial controller. The interface includes several mechanisms, which can be implemented through control logic, circuitry, and/or software, that enable the control/monitoring device to operate in conjunction with different types of plug-in I/O modules. According to certain embodiments, the interface includes setup mechanisms that enable initial communications between the plug-in I/O modules and the control/monitoring device. The interface also may include operational mechanisms that facilitate communication between the plug-in I/O modules and the control/monitoring device during operation. The interface further may include registers that store data for the plug-in I/O modules. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109343 | DISPLAY MODULE FOR TOOLLESS COUPLING WITH PROGRAMMABLE CONTROLLER - An automation controller that includes a central processing unit configured to communicate via an input/output module with automation devices of a process controlled by the automation controller. The automation controller also includes a retention feature configured to toollessly couple with a detachable display and memory module. Further, the automation controller includes a controller connector configured to communicatively couple with a display connector of the detachable display and memory module such that the automation controller and the detachable display and memory module are communicatively coupled, wherein the central processing unit is configured to transmit data for presentation on a display of the detachable display and memory module and configured to receive data from a memory and/or a data entry feature of the detachable display and memory module when the detachable display and memory module is communicatively coupled to the automation controller. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120108107 | SCREW TERMINAL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A terminal assembly is provided for accommodating stripped wires and ring lugs. The assembly includes a fastener and clamp plate, the fastener being secured to a base by threaded engagement. A wire to be terminated may be inserted through an access window and secured between the clamp plate and base, with the threaded fastener serving to urge the clamp plate downwardly on the wire. For terminating ring lugs, the fastener may be raised to upper position where it is retained by elastic deformation of retaining elements within the assembly housing. Once the ring lug is inserted the fastener and clamp plate may be released and the termination completed. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120106210 | MULTI-PHASE POWER CONVERTERS AND INTEGRATED CHOKE THERFOR - Power conversion systems and integrated multi-phase chokes providing high common mode to differential mode choke inductance ratios with circular and triangular shapes for concurrent differential filtering and common-mode voltage blocking in motor drives and other power conversion applications. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120106058 | PROGRAMMABLE CONTROLLER COMPONENT WITH ASSEMBLY ALIGNMENT FEATURES - A programmable logic controller (PLC) assembly includes a bottom housing with a base, a first plurality of elongate alignment features extending from the bottom housing transverse to the base, and a first connection feature. The PLC assembly includes a central processing unit with a circuit board and at least two receptacles therethrough configured to engage and slide along at least two of the first plurality of alignment features. The at least two of the first plurality of alignment features are positioned asymmetrically with respect to the base. The PLC assembly includes an upper housing with a second connection feature configured to slidably couple with the first connection feature and a second plurality of elongate alignment features configured to slidably engage at least two of the first plurality of alignment features, which are positioned asymmetrically with respect to the base. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120105823 | COLOR SENSOR INSENSITIVE TO DISTANCE VARIATIONS - A system for calibrating a color sensing pixel based upon the distance between the color sensing pixel and an object. The distance is determined by measuring the phase shift of electromagnetic radiation as reflected from the surface of the object compared with the wave profile of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the object surface. The color sensing pixel is associated with a Time-of-Flight (ToF) pixel which is employed to determine the distance of the color sensing pixel. The electromagnetic radiation can be from any part of the electromagnetic spectrum, in particular the infrared and visible light portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The color sensing pixel and the ToF pixel can reside on the same semiconductor or on disparate semiconductors. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103774 | TRIGGER ACTION SWITCH OPERATOR - A switch operator is provided that includes a single piece actuator shaft coupled to a single piece cap. According to certain embodiments, the actuator shaft may be snap fit to the cap. The cap may include an annular sleeve and an annular skirt that extend orthogonally from the cap. The sleeve includes recesses that receive tabs of the actuator shaft to couple the actuator shaft to the cap. In certain embodiments, the actuator shaft may include slots that allow the actuator shaft to flex upon attachment to from the cap. A bushing encircles the actuator shaft and extends into the cap where the bushing is disposed between the annular sleeve and a skirt. The actuator shaft also includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots that house a detent assembly. The detent assembly may be employed to retain the switch operator in the actuated position and in the unactuated position. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103769 | ELECTRICAL SWITCH LATCH ASSEMBLY - A latch assembly is provided for securing a switch operator to a contact block. The latch assembly includes a collar designed to retain the switch operator in the latch assembly. The latch assembly also includes a housing having one or more apertures for receiving fasteners to secure the contact block to the latch assembly. The collar is displaceable within the housing between a locked position that secures the switch operator and an unlocked position that permits disengagement of the switch operator from the collar. When the collar is in the locked position, corresponding apertures in the collar align with the one or more apertures in the housing, permitting the fasteners to be inserted through the collar apertures. Insertion of the fasteners through the collar apertures secures the collar in the locked position, thereby impeding unintentional disconnection of the switch operator from the latch assembly. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120102715 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING AN AUTOMATION CONTROLLER AND A PROGRAMMABLE MODULE - An interlocking system for connecting a programmable module and an automation controller of an industrial control and automation system is provided. The interlocking system includes a key comprising a shaft with a head and a first attachment feature. The interlocking system also includes a first keyhole in a programmable module cover. The first keyhole is configured to enable the head to pass upwardly there through. The interlocking system also includes a second keyhole in an automation controller cover. The second keyhole is configured to enable the first attachment feature to slide downwardly there through such that disengagement of the key from the second keyhole is resisted. The interlocking system also includes a second attachment feature on a lower surface of the automation controller cover. The second attachment feature is configured to engage with the first attachment feature when the first attachment feature is rotated about an axis of the shaft. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120097413 | ARC RESISTANT ELECTRICAL ENCLOSURE - Electrical enclosures are provided that include arc resistant features designed to add structural strength for arc containment, to inhibit arc propagation, and/or to direct the release of pressure within and/or from the enclosure in order to provide arc resistant electrical enclosures. In general, the arc resistant features may be designed to provide enclosures where in the event of an arc fault, the doors and covers remain closed, parts are not ejected from the enclosure, holes are not produced in the enclosure, indicators located in close proximity to the enclosure do not ignite, and/or grounding connections remain effective. Further, the foregoing features may be designed to provide electrical enclosures that comply with industry guides and standards for arc resistant ratings. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120096272 | SECURITY MODEL FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVICES - Systems and/or methods are described relating to a security model that provides interoperability with foreign security domains while remaining scalable to small embedded devices. A security token service is provided, which is configured to issue, renew, and/or validate security tokens in response to a token request. A communication protocol, corresponding message structures, and the security tokens are defined in accordance with protocol buffer definitions. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120095575 | TIME OF FLIGHT (TOF) HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE (HMI) - Systems and methods are provided for controlling industrial equipment in the performance of various industrial activities based on the detected body movement of a user in an industrial automation environment. The method includes employing a time-of-flight sensor to detect movement of a body part of the user, ascertaining whether or not the movement of the body part conforms to a recognized movement of the body part, interpreting the recognized movement of the body part as a performable action, and thereafter actuating industrial machinery to perform the performable action. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092485 | TIME OF FLIGHT (TOF) SENSORS AS REPLACEMENT FOR STANDARD PHOTOELECTRIC SENSORS - Systems and methods are provided for utilizing time of flight sensors in an industrial automation environment. The method includes employing a multi pixel camera associated with a time of flight sensor to detect an object located within a defined or bounded target area, comparing pixels with adjacent pixels associated with an image of the object captured by the multi pixel camera, identifying the object as being a colored, texture, or highly reflective object, and controlling industrial machinery based on the identification of the object entering the target area. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120089240 | SCALABLE AND FLEXIBLE INFORMATION SECURITY FOR INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION - A security system that relates to industrial automation security comprises a component that receives a request to modify security relating to a zone of a factory floor, the zone being less than an entirety of the factory floor. A zonal security component generates security procedures for the zone, the security procedures differ from security procedures implemented on the factory floor outside the zone. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086533 | MULTI-PHASE TRANSFORMER - A transformer for converting 3 phase AC to 9 phase AC power is provided. The transformer comprising a laminated core, first, second and third coils constructed on the laminated core, each coil including several windings. Cooling ducts are provided in each coil, wherein at least one cooling duct is disposed between the laminated core and an adjacent winding of the respective coil. The transformer further includes first, second and third input terminals each linked to the first, second and third coils, and configured to receive a first, second and third phases of input AC power and first through ninth output terminals linkable to first through ninth output power lines. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086532 | MULTI-PHASE TRANSFORMER - A transformer for converting 3 phase AC to 9 phase AC power is provided. The transformer includes first, second and third coils, each coil having a plurality of serial windings coupled together to form a polygon. The transformer further includes first, second and third input terminals each linked to a respective winding of the first, second and third coils. The input terminals are configured to receive a first, second and third phases of input AC power and at least one selected input terminal of the first, second and third input terminals is adjustable to alter a number of turns of the respective winding of the corresponding first, second or third coil on either side of the selected input terminal. The transformer further includes first through ninth output terminals linkable to first through ninth output power lines. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086458 | SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF A GROUND FAULT IN A HIGH RESISTANCE GROUND NETWORK - A method is provided for detection of a ground fault in a high resistance network in a voltage source power conversion circuit comprising a power converter that converts incoming AC power to DC power applied to a DC bus and an inverter that converts DC power from the DC bus to output AC power. The method includes detecting a midpoint-to-ground voltage between a low side of the DC bus and a ground potential and detecting the presence of a ground fault in a high resistance network based upon the detected midpoint-to-ground voltage. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120084062 | DYNAMICALLY SELECTING MASTER CLOCK TO MANAGE NON-LINEAR SIMULATION CLOCKS - Systems and methods that efficiently simulate controlled systems are presented. A simulation management component (SMC) controls simulation of a controlled system by controlling a desired number of nodes, each comprising a controller (e.g., soft controller) and a simulated component or process, which are part of the controlled system. The simulation can be performed in a step-wise manner, wherein the simulation can comprise a desired number of steps of respectively desired lengths of time. For each step, the SMC dynamically selects a desired clock (e.g., currently identified slowest clock) as a master clock for the next step. The SMC predicts a length of time of the next step to facilitate setting a desired length of time for the next step based in part on the predicted length of time. As part of each step, components can synchronously exchange data via intra-node or inter-node connections to facilitate simulation. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120084038 | AUTONOMOUS DISTRIBUTED THERMOCOUPLE CONTROL - Aspects describe creation of autonomous control for a composite curing process. Other aspects describe a controller and an apparatus for employing an autonomous control algorithm for a composite curing application. The algorithm can be based on thermocouple rules encapsulated within a thermocouple control wrapper. The thermocouple rules allow the thermocouple wrapper carry out diagnostic operations to determine the health of the associated thermocouple by communicating with neighboring thermocouples and validating temperature readings according to the thermocouple rules. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083919 | SIMULATION TOOL FOR DESIGNING CONTROL INTELLIGENCE IN COMPOSITE CURING MANUFACTURING - Aspects describe creation of autonomous control for a composite curing process. Other aspects describe an intelligent industrial controller that can utilize a control model and a supervisory model to autonomously control the composite curing process. The control model can include intelligent agents corresponding to the physical elements of the composite curing process arranged in a hierarchical manner. For example, an autoclave agent can correspond to the autoclave, and the autoclave agent can be superior to a plurality of thermocouple agents corresponding to a plurality of thermocouples in a one-to-one fashion. The supervisory model can include diagnostic aspects for the composite curing process. For example, the supervisory model can be a finite element model of heat distribution on the surface of a composite material inside the autoclave. Based on a comparison between temperatures from the thermocouple agents and results of the supervisory mode, a malfunctioning thermocouple can be determined and eliminated. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083906 | ENHANCED OPERATION DIAGNOSTICS - Systems and methods are provided that dynamically render permissive status information on a human-machine interface (HMI) to inform an operator of conditions that are preventing an issued control command from executing. A status display generator deployed on the HMI can be associated with a control action to be initiated in a control program via the HMI. The control action can have one or more programmed conditions or permissives that must be satisfied before the control action can be initiated. Operators wishing to review the states of the various conditions can invoke the status display generator, which reads the conditions and their respective statuses from the control program and generates a permissive summary display listing the conditions together with their respective “ready” or “not ready” states. The permissive summary display provides a convenient reference that allows the operator to quickly assess what actions must be taken to place the system in the appropriate state to execute the desired control action. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083903 | MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL WITH VARIABLE TRAJECTORY SHARING - One or more techniques are provided for the sharing of variable trajectories between multiple controllers in a control system. In general, the present technique is based upon the sharing of predicted desired variable trajectories between multiple controllers requiring a common input variable. In one embodiment, a common input variable is shared between two controllers, wherein one controller is tuned to have dominant control with regard to the shared variable. Each controller determines and communicates their own desired trajectory for the shared variable to the other controller and in doing so, the constraints associated with each controller are shared and honored by the other controller. Based on the communicated trajectories, the dominant controller may exercise control over the shared variable, thus improving overall process control. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083165 | NOVEL CONTACT CONFIGURATION FOR ELECTRONICS TO BASE CONNECTION - An electronics circuit board includes a periphery defined by a plurality of edges. At least one power contact is located adjacent a first one of said edges and a plurality of data contacts are located adjacent a second one of said edges. The first and second edges are arranged transversely relative to each other. The circuit board is operatively installed on a base that includes a power connector and a data connector. At least one power contact of the circuit board is operably engaged with the power connector and the plurality of data contacts of the circuit board are operably engaged with said data connector. The power connector is located adjacent said first edge of the circuit board and the data connector is located adjacent a second edge of the circuit board. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083141 | CONTACT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF DEVICE UNDER POWER WITHOUT INTERRUPTION - A contact device enables a contact method for RIUP operations relative to a backplane. The contact device includes first and second contact portions, each including first and second spaced-apart contact arms. The first and second contact portions are located relative to each other on the backplane such that when the contact device is in a first operative condition, the respective first contact arms abut each other and define a first electrical conduction path and the second contact arms are spaced from each other. The device is selectively movable to a second operative condition when an associated circuit board or other removable device is inserted into a slot defined between the second contact arms such that outer ends of the respective first contact arms of the first and second contact portions are moved apart and are separated by the removable device and the outer ends of the second contact arms are electrically connected through the associated removable device so that a second electrical conduction path is defined by the respective second contact arms. A contact method using the contact device and a backplane including the contact device are disclosed. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081841 | MOTOR CONTROL CENTER NETWORK CONNECTIVITY METHOD AND SYSTEM - A motor control center comprises a plurality of bays in which switchgear components, circuit protective components, automation components and power electronic components are disposed for driving motors and other loads. Network optical conductors are routed through one or more wireways adjacent to the bays. Distribution nodes are coupled to the conductors and are interconnected with respective network terminals within the bays. Components within individual bays for which EtherNet and/or Internet connectivity is desired are coupled to the network terminals. The conductors may comprise plastic optical fibers and may be designed to operate in the relatively high voltage environment of the motor control center bays. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081202 | HIGH SPEED TRANSFORMER - Embodiments of the present invention provide novel techniques for creating a high speed transformer such as a pulse transformer. In particular, a secondary coil of the high speed transformer may include a single turn. The use of a single turn secondary coil simplifies the design and manufacture of the transformer and aids in more efficient inspections. Further, the single turn secondary coil transformer may reduce the number of vias used to interconnect the components of the transformer. Additionally, the embodiments described herein may significantly improve voltage isolation by single turn coils, and eliminate vias between board layers. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081107 | INDUCTIVE PROXIMITY SENSOR WITH ACTIVE CIRCUIT TO CANCEL STRAY FIELDS - Systems and/or methods are provided for cancelling stray magnetic fields escaping out the back or sides of an inductive proximity sensor. The inductive proximity sensor includes a coil assembly with a sensing coil. The sensing coil detects magnetic flux escaping out the sides and/or back of the sensor. An active circuit couples to the sensing coil. The active circuit generates a canceling current based upon a current and/or electromotive force in the sensing coil due to the flux. The cancelling current drives a driven coil to generate a magnetic field which can reduce total flux through the sensing coil to zero. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081106 | DOUBLE-COIL INDUCTIVE PROXIMITY SENSOR APPARATUS - Systems and/or methods are provided for a dual-channel inductive proximity sensor. The sensor can include a sensing element which includes a core having a first cavity and a second cavity, a first coil accommodated within the first cavity of the core, and a second coil housed within the second cavity of the core. Each coil can be independently driven by oscillators to generate respective magnetic fields. The magnetic fields can be monitored to determine whether detection of a target object occurs. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081061 | ADAPTIVE HARMONIC REDUCTION APPARATUS AND METHODS - Power conversion systems with active front end converters for example motor drives and power generation systems for distributed energy sources are presented with adaptive harmonic minimization for grid-tie converters for minimized or reduced total harmonic distortion in the line current spectrum including the source harmonic current and the grid-tie converter injected current spectrum referred to the line side. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081058 | DC POWER FOR SGCT DEVICES USING A HIGH FREQUENCY CURRENT LOOP WITH MULTIPLE CURRENT TRANSFORMERS - Motor drives and switch driver power systems are presented in which high frequency AC current (I | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079461 | EXTENSIBLE DEVICE OBJECT MODEL - Systems and/or methods are provided relating to an extensible framework. The extensible framework provides constructs with which device developers can model devices within the framework to enable a host application utilizing the framework to interact with the devices. New devices can be supported by the framework without disrupting existing devices or the host application. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120079217 | SOURCE SIDE WEAK EVENT IMPLEMENTATION - Systems and methods are presented to facilitate implementation of controlling memory management, e.g., garbage collection, of computer objects based upon determination of a source side weak event and associated components. A first class determines the existence of a listener and a second class, based upon an indication from the first class, determines whether the second class should “re-register for finalization” during execution of a finalizing operation. Where existence of the second class is maintained, existence of associated components such as the first class, a delegate, a listener, and the like, is continued and data, etc., continues to be published from the weak event to the listener. Where existence of the second class is no longer maintained (e.g., the second class does not re-register for finalization), the various components, e.g., the first class, the second class, a delegate, a listener, and any other objects are available for garbage collection. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120079157 | DEVELOPMENT OF FUNCTIONAL MODULES USING A MODULE BUS - Systems and methods are provided that facilitate development of a module for use in a control application by assembling one or more predefined aspects onto a module bus. The module bus acts as a virtual backplane that allows module functionality in the form of predefined bus-compliant aspects to be selected and added to the bus, thereby yielding a module having a desired set of functions. When an aspect is added to the module bus, the bus integrates the aspects into the module automatically without the need to modify the module's core code to interface the aspects with the module. The module bus also establishes the necessary interdependencies between aspects representing cross-cutting concerns without requiring new code to be writing to link the aspects. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120079003 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING WITH AN ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING SYSTEM - Present embodiments are directed to a system and method for facilitating communication between an external application stored on an external computer and an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system component without utilizing a format of the ERP system. Present embodiments function to receive configurable material in a first data format from the external application into a user control stored on the external computer and convert the configurable material into a second data format with the user control. Additionally, present embodiments operate to make the configurable material available in the second data format to a server-side scripting component of an ERP system. Further, present embodiments function to receive a response object from the server-side scripting component in a third data format and convert the response object into configuration data in the first data format with the user control, and transmit the configuration data in the first data format to the external application with the user control. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078432 | GOAL-BASED LOAD MANAGEMENT - Systems and methods are provided that facilitate dynamic load shedding control in an industrial environment in accordance with one or more production goals provided by a user. One or more production goals for system of industrial load devices (e.g., target product output, desired maximum peak energy demand, and the like) can be provided to a policy engine, which generates goal-based criteria in a standardized format based on the production goals. The goal-based criteria can be provided to a load modulation component, which uses the criteria to calculate load shed priorities for respective load devices on the system designed to ensure that the one or more specified production goals are achieved. The load modulation component can also generate a load shed schedule or load shed criteria used to determine when or under what conditions load shedding is to be initiated in order to achieve the one or more production goals. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078431 | MODULAR ENERGY LOAD MANAGEMENT - Systems and methods are provided that integrate a modular load management solution within a general control architecture. One or more load modules deployed within a controller act as interlocks to energy consuming field devices or machines fed by an energy distribution system within a facility. One or more feeder modules deployed within the controller collect energy supply data from an energy source or feeder on the energy distribution system. The load and feeder modules publish their energy demand and supply data to a virtual energy bus, which facilitates exchange of energy data between the load and feeder modules. The load modules, feeder modules, and virtual energy bus generate multiple views of the facility's overall energy supply and demand status based on the energy data shared between the components, and perform automated load management for the energy distribution system based on the collected data. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120077244 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FERMENTATION PROCESS - A method for controlling a fermentation process includes injecting a mash into a fermenter and injecting a liquid ammonia additive into the fermenter. The liquid ammonia additive is injected in a closed-loop manner. The method may be used to control the fermentation processes of one or more fermenters operating in parallel. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120077232 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FERMENTATION PROCESS - A method for controlling a fermentation process includes injecting a mash into a fermenter and injecting a liquid yeast additive into the fermenter. The liquid yeast additive is injected in a closed-loop manner. The method may be used to control the fermentation processes of one or more fermenters operating in parallel. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075901 | GEOTHERMALLY COOLED POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present invention provide novel techniques for cooling power conversion circuitry. In particular, a geothermal conditioning system may be used that includes a ground loop heat exchanger. The ground loop heat exchanger may pump heat from the power conversion circuitry into the ground in order to cool the power conversion circuitry. The ground loop heat exchanger may also extract heat from the ground and direct the heat into the power conversion circuitry in order to heat the power conversion circuitry. The geothermal conditioning system may also include a surface loop heat exchanger and combine the cooling and heating abilities of both the ground loop and surface loop heat exchangers in order to improve energy efficiency. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075892 | DISCONTINUOUS PULSE WIDTH DRIVE MODULATION METHOD AND APPARATUS - Control systems, methods and power conversion systems are presented for reducing common mode voltages in AC motor loads driven by inverter PWM control using switching sequences with only active vectors where a first vector of each switching sequence differs by one phase switching state from a last vector of a switching sequence of an adjacent sector, along with enhanced deadtime compensation and reflected wave reduction techniques in providing pulse width modulated switching signals to a switching inverter. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120068654 | CONFIGURABLE MULTI-AXIS ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEM CONCEPT - The present invention includes techniques for configuring an electric drive module designed for various multi-axis drive system configurations. Embodiments include techniques for integrating a three phase dual converter with a diode bridge and drive controller within a single drive module. Further integrating the diode bridge directly within the drive module may result in an integrated, modular building block for multiple electric drive system configurations. In some embodiments, multiple electric drive modules are connected by a DC bus to form a system configured for higher energy efficiency. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120064746 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSLATING COUPLING FEATURES OF A PLUG-IN UNIT - Embodiments of a plug-in unit for an electrical enclosure are disclosed. The plug-in unit includes at least one stab configured to engage a bus, a stab shaft coupled with a base of the at least one stab, and a stab translation mechanism configured to translate the stab shaft such that the at least one stab translates from a retracted position to an extended position. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120062567 | VISUALIZATION SYSTEM(S) AND METHOD(S) FOR PRESERVING OR AUGMENTING RESOLUTION AND DATA ASSOCIATED WITH ZOOMING OR PANING IN AN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION ENVIRONMENT - A visualization system that preserves, augments or increases resolution of images within an industrial automation environment is provided. A reference component identifies, determines, or maps level of zooming or panning in connection with an image within an industrial automation environment, the image data located at a first source. A resolution component retrieves image data from a second sources that is different from the first source, the retrieved image data corresponding to specific portions of the image, the resolution component retrieving the image data from the second source as a function of the level of zooming or panning. A visualization component generates a visualization of the image, and receives the retrieved image data from the resolution component to preserve, augment, or enhance resolution of the image as a function of the zooming or panning. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120047288 | Input/Output Devices Having Re-Configurable Functionality - Systems and methods provide re-configurable functionality within components of I/O devices without the need of disconnecting the components from each other. For example, in certain embodiments, when certain types of components are connected to each other, certain functionality sets within the components may be activated to provide combined functionality sets between the components. The combined functionality sets may, for example, be preferred functionality sets to be used when the particular types of components are connected to each other. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, functionality activation keys may be physically inserted into (or electronically communicated to) the components of the I/O device to activate certain functionality sets within the component into which the functionality activation key is inserted (or electronically communicated to), as well as within the other components of the I/O device to which the component is connected. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120045947 | INPUT/OUTPUT MODULE BUS CONTACT SYSTEM AND METHOD - Present embodiments include an automation control system that includes an input/output device module with a device bus therein. The input/output module also includes a first bus contact on a first side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus, and a second bus contact on a second side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus. The second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side and the input/output device module is configured to be coupled with additional input/output device modules positioned on the first and second sides of the input/output device module via the first and second bus contacts. Further, the first and second bus contacts are positioned on non-lateral surfaces of the input/output device module, the first and second contacts include spring-loaded connectors, the first and second contacts include two-prong or three-prong forks, or the input/output device module is a terminal block. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120045940 | TORSIONAL CONTACT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONICS MODULE - A torsional electrical contact includes a body comprising a helix including N helical turns around a longitudinal axis, wherein N≧1. The body further includes first and second opposite ends that are spaced longitudinally from each other. First and second contact arms extend outwardly away from the helix at the opposite first and second ends of the body, respectively. The first and second contact arms include respective distal ends defined by a part of the contact arm that is located a maximum orthogonal distance from the longitudinal axis. The first and second arms define a contact angle α measured between a first reference plane in which the longitudinal axis lies and that intersects the distal end of the first contact arm and a second reference plane in which the longitudinal axis lies and that intersects the distal end of the second contact arm. At least one of the first and second contact arms is selectively resiliently movable toward the other of the first and second contact arms to reduce the contact angle α. One or more contacts are installed in a module and/or connected to an electronic component. A module including first and second contacts can be configured in a first condition in which the contacts are connected directly to each other or a second condition in which the contacts are engaged with respective parts of a circuit board or other component inserted into the housing. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120045913 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COUPLING INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES - An input/output (I/O) device for an automation control system includes a base portion configured to communicatively connect the I/O device with at least one other I/O device, an I/O module physically and communicatively connected to the base portion and comprising I/O communication circuitry, a terminal block physically and communicatively connected to the base portion, and an ejection device configured to eject the I/O module or the terminal block from the base portion by pushing the I/O module or the terminal block out of engagement with the base portion when activated. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120044657 | FLOATING CIRCUIT BOARD ALIGNMENT - Systems and methods are provided that facilitate accurate alignment of internal and external electronic components during assembly of an electronic device such that proper engagement of mating electrical connectors on the respective components is assured. To this end, a floating circuit board carrier mounts to an adaptor plate comprising a surface of the device housing and positions a circuit board such that it “floats” within the device housing. A modular component having posts molded or attached thereto is mounted to the adaptor plate such that the posts pass through clearance holes in the adaptor plate as well as through notches in the circuit board, thereby effecting proper relative alignment of the circuit board and the modular component as electrical connectors on the respective components are engaged. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120044083 | Input/Output Circuits and Devices Having Physically Corresponding Status Indicators - Systems and methods are provided for aligning status indicators on a terminal block of an I/O device by locating the status indicators directly adjacent to or integrated directly within their respective terminals on the terminal block. The status indicators are illuminated by LEDs or other light emitters disposed within a housing of the I/O device. Light from the LEDs are directed to the status indicators by light pipes disposed within the housing of the I/O device. LED activation circuitry disposed within the housing determines a manner in which to activate the LEDs to illuminate the status indicators based on inputs and outputs between the I/O device and a controlled process. In certain embodiments, the status indicators are disposed on a raised section of the I/O device, which may be part of a removable LED indication assembly including the LEDs, light pipes, and LED activation circuitry. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120044082 | Input/Output Circuits and Devices Having Physically Corresponding Status Indicators - Systems and methods are provided for aligning status indicators on a terminal block of an I/O device by locating the status indicators directly adjacent to or integrated directly within their respective terminals on the terminal block. The status indicators are illuminated by LEDs or other light emitters disposed within a housing of the I/O device. Light from the LEDs are directed to the status indicators by light pipes disposed within the housing of the I/O device. LED activation circuitry disposed within the housing determines a manner in which to activate the LEDs to illuminate the status indicators based on inputs and outputs between the I/O device and a controlled process. In certain embodiments, the status indicators are disposed on a raised section of the I/O device, which may be part of a removable LED indication assembly including the LEDs, light pipes, and LED activation circuitry. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043830 | ADAPTABLE AUTOMATION CONTROL MODULE WITH INTEGRATED POWER BUS DISTRIBUTOR - Present embodiments include an adaptable automation control component that includes a base capable of communicatively coupling with a system bus and with a functional module that includes communication and control circuitry. The adaptable automation control component also includes a device power bus including electrical contacts that are capable of communicatively coupling the adaptable automation control component with a separate automation control component, and an activation mechanism including circuitry capable of continuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is engaged, and capable of discontinuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is disengaged. The adaptable automation control component facilitates functionality of the adaptable automation control component as an input/output module or a power distribution module depending on whether the activation mechanism is engaged or disengaged. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043378 | Automation Control System Components with Electronic Keying Features - Systems and methods are provided for utilizing electronic keying features stored within one of the components (e.g., I/O modules, terminal blocks, bases, and so forth) of I/O devices, and which may be read or detected by electronic key identification circuitry in one of the other components of the I/O devices. More specifically, the electronic keying features may include unique identification keys that may be read or detected by the electronic key identification circuitry to determine whether the components (e.g., a paired I/O module and terminal block) are associated with each other and intended to operate together. For example, in certain embodiments, the electronic key feature may be disposed within a terminal block and the electronic key identification circuitry may be disposed within an I/O module, or vice versa. In addition, in certain embodiments, the electronic key feature and/or the electronic key identification circuitry may be removable from their respective component of the I/O device. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120036500 | CHANGE MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGIES FOR INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS - Systems and methods that facilitate electronic audit recording and tracking of interactions in an industrial control system via employing a differentiation engine that supplies an object-oriented presentation of an audit trail—and further present a view of a desired segment associated with a PLC program (e.g., a particular run of the PLC program), for an object that an audit is requested for. A user (e.g., a customer of the industrial process) can initially identify an object and subsequently view typically all changes to such identified object. Accordingly, a general requirement for checking every version to determine a change to the object is mitigated. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120029678 | INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION INTERFACES INTEGRATED WITH ENTERPRISE MANUFACTURING INTELLIGENCE (EMI) SYSTEMS - A visualization system integrated with an enterprise manufacturing intelligence (EMI) system utilizing preconfigured EMI data models, workflow reports and process event notifications to optimize a manufacturing process. The visualization system and the EMI system exchange data and information providing both systems with a broader process view than either system has independently. The visualization system can specifically target information and action requests to different classes of manufacturing personnel such as operators and engineers. Additionally, the visualization system maintains an audit log of all production identities, raw material usage, and requested corrective actions. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029664 | EDITING LIFECYCLE AND DEPLOYMENT OF OBJECTS IN AN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION ENVIRONMENT - An editor in an industrial automation environment comprises an input component that receives modification data relating to at least one of lifecycle and deployment of an object, the object is associated with a programmable logic controller and configured in accordance with a hierarchically structured data model. An implementation component can implement the modification data with respect to the object. The editor can further comprise a security component that determines that an entity providing the data to the input component is authorized to implement the modification data. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028559 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VENTILATING AND ISOLATING ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT - According to various embodiments, a system includes a power center or other electrical system. The system includes an enclosure having a ventilation opening and an isolation assembly. The isolation assembly includes a deformable portion and a blocking portion. The blocking portion is capable of substantially blocking the ventilation opening with a blocking surface. The deformable portion is configured to deform due to a level of pressure being applied to the isolation assembly such that the deformable portion plastically deforms and carries the blocking surface toward the ventilation opening. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023061 | ASYMMETRICAL PROCESS PARAMETER CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A technique is disclosed for asymmetrically controlling a process parameter based upon the direction of a prediction error between a predicted value determined using an inferential model and a laboratory measurement of the parameter. The present technique provides for the adaptive biasing of the predicted value based upon the direction of the prediction error. In one embodiment, a biasing factor may be determined by filtering the prediction error, such that the prediction error is emphasized more heavily in the biasing factor if the prediction error is in a less tolerable direction and emphasized less heavily if the prediction error is in the opposite direction. The biasing factor may further be determined as a function of a previous biasing factor computed during the process. Asymmetric control of the process parameter may be performed by controlling the parameter using model predictive control techniques based on the biased predicted values of the parameter. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120022907 | SOCIAL NETWORKING IN AN ASSET PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Systems and methods are provided that link automation asset analytics with social networking. Automation asset performance is monitored and analyzed in view of one or more asset application models, and asset performance anomalies or inefficiencies are identified. Asset performance management data generated by the analysis is used to search a repository of expert consultants, and one or more suitable consultants having requisite expertise to assist with the identified asset performance issues are identified. In some embodiments, the asset performance management data is forwarded to the selected consultants in order to convey the nature of the asset performance issue. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120022670 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UTILIZING A HYBRID MODEL - A system and method for predicting operation of a plant or process receive an input value from the plant or process. An integrity of a non-linear model corresponding to a local input space of the input value may be determined. The non-linear model may include an empirical representation of the plant or process. If the integrity is above a first threshold, non-linear model may be used to provide a first output value. However, if the integrity is below the first threshold, a linearized first principles model may be used to provide a second output value. The linearized first principles model may include an analytic representation of the plant or process. Additionally, the analytic representation of the plant or process may be independent of the empirical representation of the plant or process. The first output value and/or the second output value may be usable to manage the plant or process. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120017021 | BUS TO BUS POWER INTERCONNECT - A bus interconnect in accordance with present embodiments includes a via block having first and second interfaces separated by a conductive body, wherein the via block is configured to communicatively couple with a first bus through the first interface and wherein the conductive body is configured to extend through an opening in a bus support panel. A first coupling section of the jumper includes a first attachment feature, wherein the first attachment feature is configured to facilitate attachment with the second interface of the via block. A neck section of the jumper extends perpendicularly from the first coupling section, and a second coupling section of the jumper extends perpendicularly from the neck section in parallel with the first coupling section. The second coupling section includes a second attachment feature configured to facilitate attachment with a second bus. The first coupling section and the second coupling section each extend away from the neck section in different directions. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120016500 | PREEMPTIVE CHANGE VERIFICATION VIA ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES IN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION SYSTEMS - The subject invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating automated manufacturing processes in a regulated industrial controller environment. In one aspect, a system for automated industrial processing is provided. The system includes an interface component to facilitate processing of one or more electronic signature components and a verification component that operates with the interface components and the electronic signature components to validate requested or proposed process changes before actual system implementation of the process changes. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014154 | MOTOR DRIVE COOLING DUCT SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention relates generally to tuning the flow of cooling air across converter and inverter heat sinks in a motor drive system. More specifically, present techniques relate to motor drive duct systems having parallel cooling air duct channels dedicated to providing cooling air for a converter heat sink and an inverter heat sink, respectively. In particular, a first duct channel through an inverter duct and a converter duct is dedicated to providing cooling air to the converter heat sink without cooling the inverter heat sink, whereas a second duct channel through the inverter duct and the converter duct is dedicated to providing cooling air to the inverter heat sink without cooling the converter heat sink. A guide vane adjacent to the inverter duct may control the flow of cooling air from a blower between the first and second duct channels. In addition, the inverter duct and the converter duct may both include baffled walls that direct cooling air into contact with the inverter heat sink and the converter heat sink, respectively, such that temperature gradients across the heat sinks are minimized. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014147 | POWER LAYER GENERATION OF INVERTER GATE DRIVE SIGNALS - Solid state switches of inverters are controlled by timing signals computed in power layer interface circuitry for individual inverters. Multiple inverters may be placed in parallel with common three-phase output. Common control circuitry generates timing signals or data used to reconstruct the common signals and sends these signals to the power layer interface circuitry. A processor in a power layer interface circuitry used these signals to recomputed the timing signals. Excellent synchronicity may be provided between parallel inverters that each separately reconstruct the timing signals based upon the identical received data. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014067 | HEAT SINK FOR POWER CIRCUITS - The present invention relates generally to a heat sink comprising a plurality of fins, each fin having two or more prongs extending from a root section of the fin. In certain embodiments, the heat sink may be assembled by aligning the plurality of fins within slots between protrusions extending from a base of the heat sink. However, in other embodiments, the plurality of fins may have connector ends having female sides and opposite male sides, wherein the plurality of fins may be attached to each other via the interlocking female and male sides, thereby forming at least part of the base of the heat sink, and fortified with reinforcing members. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014063 | HEAT SINK COOLING ARRANGEMENT FOR MULTIPLE POWER ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS - The present invention relates generally to tuning the flow of cooling air across converter and inverter heat sinks in a motor drive system. More specifically, present techniques relate to motor drive duct systems including heat sinks with separate, sequential heat sink fin sections disposed in a common cooling air path and having different geometries to optimize the flow of cooling air across and between fins of the separate heat sink fin sections. For example, the heat sink fin sections may have different fin lengths, fin heights, fin counts, fin pitch (e.g., distance between adjacent fins), and so forth. Each of these different geometric characteristics may be tuned to ensure that temperatures and temperature gradients across the heat sinks are maintained within acceptable ranges. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014062 | COOLING DUCT ATTACHMENT AND SEALING FOR A MOTOR DRIVE - The present invention relates generally to efficiently cooling converter and inverter components of a drive system in accordance with present embodiments. More specifically, present techniques relate to a motor drive duct system that facilitates efficient cooling and access to motor drive components. The motor drive duct system includes duct channel paths that are parallel and adjacent to one another. These channels are formed by various duct segments coupled together or integrated to form the duct system. In particular, the duct system includes a converter section that houses a converter heat sink, an inverter section that houses an inverter heat sink, an exhaust section, and an air inlet section. The air inlet section may include a blower for blowing cooling air through the duct channel paths of the converter and inverter sections. The converter section and the inverter section are configured to be attached and detached from each other at end sections that are angled to receive one another. Further, the inverter section, converter section, and air inlet section are configured to roll into and out of a cabinet, which facilitates access to field wiring. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014042 | COMMON MODE MAGNETIC DEVICE FOR BUS STRUCTURE - Embodiment relate to an extruded high power electrical distribution. The bus can be employed in a MCC, a drive cabinet, or any such electrical enclosure to facilitate transmission of power. A body of the bus includes an elongate metal extrusion with first and second ridges extending along a length of the body from opposite edges of the body. Further, the bus includes a first groove and a second groove extending along the length of the body and into the body from a face of the body such that each of the first and second grooves comprises a cross-section having a narrow passage extending from the face into a broader cavity within the body. Additionally, the bus includes machined openings into each groove, wherein each of the machined openings is wider than the width of the corresponding groove to which it provides access. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014039 | POWER BUS SYSTEM AND METHOD - Embodiment relate to an extruded high power electrical distribution. The bus can be employed in a MCC, a drive cabinet, or any such electrical enclosure to facilitate transmission of power. A body of the bus includes an elongate metal extrusion with first and second ridges extending along a length of the body from opposite edges of the body. Further, the bus includes a first groove and a second groove extending along the length of the body and into the body from a face of the body such that each of the first and second grooves comprises a cross-section having a narrow passage extending from the face into a broader cavity within the body. Additionally, the bus includes machined openings into each groove, wherein each of the machined openings is wider than the width of the corresponding groove to which it provides access. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013372 | POWER LAYER GENERATION OF INVERTER GATE DRIVE - Techniques include systems and methods of synchronizing multiple parallel inverters in a power converter system. In one embodiment, control circuitry is connected to a power layer interface circuitry at each of the parallel inverters, via an optical fiber interface. The system is synchronized by transmitting a synchronizing pulse to each of the inverters. Depending on the operational mode of the system, different data exchanges may occur in response to the pulse. In an off mode, power up and power down data may be exchanged between the control circuitry and the inverters. In an initiating mode, identification data may be transmitted from the inverters to the control circuitry. In an active mode, control data may be sent from the control circuitry to the inverters. In some embodiments, the inverters also transmit feedback data and/or acknowledgement signals to the control circuitry. Power layer circuitry of the inverter adjusts a local clock based upon sampled data from the control circuitry to maintain synchronicity of the inverters between synchronization pulses. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013285 | MOTOR DRIVE COMPONENT VERIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A technique is provided for verifying the proper selection, installation, communication and operability of components in power electronic systems, such as motor drives. A processing circuit is coupled to multiple components or subsystems that identify themselves to the processing system. An identification code is stored that is compared to a similar code built based upon the information reported by the components at the time of commissioning, operation or servicing. If the comparison indicates that all components are properly installed, and communicating and operative, operation may continue. The technique may be applied in parallel motor drives at a power layer level to allow separate and parallel verification of component and component operation in the parallel drives. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013284 | PARALLEL MOTOR DRIVE DISABLE VERIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods are provided for performing diagnostic testing for multiple motor drives operating in parallel. In one embodiment, the diagnostic testing may involve determining which of the multiple motor drives are in operation and communicating the active configuration of motor drives to testing circuitry. The testing circuitry generates an enable input signal transmitted to the transistor gates in each of the active motor drives. The testing circuitry also generates a power supply input signal transmitted to a DC to DC converter in each of the active motor drives. The responses to the enable input signal and the power supply input signal are measured to determine safety compliance. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013283 | PARALLEL POWER INVERTER MOTOR DRIVE SYSTEM - Multiple inverter motor drives are interconnected in parallel to provide a common output to a motor. Common control circuitry is coupled to all parallel drives via optical cables and provides signals to power layer circuitry of each inverter for generation, at the power layer, of timing for gate drive signals for the respective inverter power electronic switches. The resulting timing exhibits a high degree of synchronicity such that very little imbalance occurs in the outputs of the paralleled drives, resulting in very low circulating currents. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120005480 | METHODS FOR FIRMWARE SIGNATURE - A method for installing embedded firmware is provided. The method includes generating one or more firmware file instances and generating one or more digital certificate instances that are separate instances from the firmware file instances. The method includes associating the one or more digital certificate instances with the one or more firmware file instances to facilitate updating signature-unaware modules with signature-aware firmware or to facilitate updating signature-aware modules with signature-unaware firmware. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120004755 | CONTROLLING THE COOLING OF FERMENTERS OF A BIOFUEL PRODUCTION PLANT - According to various embodiments, a biofuel production system includes a plurality of parallel-operated fermenters, a cooling tower water system configured to supply cooling water to the plurality of parallel-operated fermenters, a chiller water system configured to supply chiller water to the plurality of parallel-operated fermenters, and a cooling system coupled to the plurality of parallel-operated fermenters, the cooling tower water system, and the chiller water system. The cooling system controls the flow rates of the cooling water and the chiller water to the plurality of parallel-operated fermenters based upon temperatures of fermentation products of the fermenters. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120003623 | NONLINEAR MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL OF A BATCH REACTION SYSTEM - The present invention provides novel techniques for controlling batch reaction processes. In particular, a parametric hybrid model may be used to parameterize inputs and outputs of batch reaction processes. The parametric hybrid model may include an empirical model, a parameter model, and a dynamic model. Critical quality parameters, which are correlated with, but not the same as, end-of-batch quality values for the batch reaction processes may be monitored during cycles of the batch reaction processes. The quality parameters may be used to generate desired batch trajectories, which may be used to control the batch reaction processes during the cycles of the batch reaction processes. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110320386 | EXTRAPOLATING EMPIRICAL MODELS FOR CONTROL, PREDICTION, AND OPTIMIZATION APPLICATIONS - The present disclosure provides novel techniques for defining empirical models having control, prediction, and optimization modalities. The empirical models may include neural networks and support vector machines. The empirical models may include asymptotic analysis as part of the model definition as allow the models to achieve enhanced results, including enhanced high-order behaviors. The high-order behaviors may exhibit gains that are non-zero trending, which may be useful for controller modalities. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110320028 | SIGHT-LINE NON CONTACT COUPLED WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY - Control systems and methods are disclosed for controlling operation of movable systems in an automated process with a stationary system having a first control system component and at least one movable system having a second control system component, in which optical or other non-contacting signaling between the stationary and movable systems is used to ascertain whether a movable system is proximate the stationary system, and wireless communications is used to transfer control data between the systems while the non-contacting signal link is maintained. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110316490 | CURRENT SOURCE CONVERTER-BASED WIND ENERGY SYSTEM - Switching control systems and methods are presented for controlling power conversion systems to provide electrical power to a grid or other load in which a synchronous machine is driven by a wind turbine or other prime mover to provide generator power to a switching type current source converter (CSC), with a current source rectifier (CSR) of the CSC being switched to provide d-axis control of the synchronous machine current based on grid power factor feedback, and with a current source inverter (CSI) of the CSC being switched to provide leading firing angle control and selective employment of dumping resists to dissipate excess generator energy in a fault mode when a grid voltage drops below a predetermined level. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110312003 | DETERMINING PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF A FERMENTER BATCH OF A BIOFUEL PRODUCTION PLANT - A method for determining performance characteristics of a fermenter batch in a biofuel production plant based on stoichiometry of fermentation reactions, comprising determining a cell mass of a sample of the fermenter batch; a glucose equivalent total (GET) based at least on the cell mass of the sample of the fermenter batch, and a starch to glucose conversion factor (SGCF) based at least on the GET; a total amount of glucose based at least on the SGCF, a volume of ethanol based at least on the total amount of glucose and the GET; at least one of a fermenter yield based at least on the volume of ethanol, and a fermenter efficiency based on the fermenter yield or the volume of ethanol; and generating an output based on the fermenter yield and/or the fermenter efficiency. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110310642 | LOW COST CURRENT SOURCE CONVERTERS FOR POWER GENERATION APPLICATION - A system comprising low cost topology for power converter systems is provided. The system takes advantage of the voltage-boost characteristic of a current source inverter (CSI) and utilizes a PWM CSI as a grid-side converter for power generation systems. Moreover, the generator-side converter employs low-cost devices, such as, but not limited to diode bridge, thyristor bridge, and/or a combination of diodes and thyristors, and accordingly simplifies generator-side converter and control. Further, the system provides a wider range of operation than traditional voltage source converter based topologies that utilize a voltage source inverter (VSI) as the grid-side convertor along with a diode rectifier as the generator-side converter. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110309875 | CONVERTER LIFETIME IMPROVEMENT METHOD FOR DOUBLY FED INDUCTION GENERATOR - The present techniques include methods and systems for operating converter to maintain a lifespan of the converter. In some embodiments, the operating frequency of the converter may be increased such that stress may be reduced on the bond wires of the converter. More specifically, embodiments involve calculating the aging parameters for certain operating conditions of the converter operating in a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) mode and determining whether the MPPT operation results in aging the converter to a point which reduces the converter lifespan below a desired lifespan. If the MPPT operation reduces the converter lifespan below the desired lifespan, the frequency of the converter may be increased such that the converter may be controlled to operate at a percentage of MPPT. Thus, in some embodiments, power output may be optimized with respect to maintaining a desired lifespan of the converter. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110307096 | BLENDING ALGORITHM FOR TRAJECTORY PLANNING - The present exemplary embodiment relates to motion control and planning algorithms to facilitate execution of a series of moves within a motion trajectory. In one example, a trajectory is specified as a sequence of one or more path segments. A velocity profile is calculated for each of the one or more path segments, wherein each velocity profile is divided into a blend-in region, a blend-out region and a remainder region. Each path segment is executed such that the blend-in region of its velocity profile overlaps only with the blend-out region of the previous profile. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110301734 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODELING INTERDEPENDENCIES IN BATCH PROCESSES - According to various embodiments, an interdependency modeling method for controlling a batch process with an industrial automation system includes evaluating an input parameter expression residing in a level of a supervisory system of the industrial automation system to determine a value, transferring the value of the input parameter expression to a level of an equipment control system of the industrial automation system, transferring data from the level of the equipment control system to the level of the supervisory system, and evaluating an output parameter expression residing in the level of the supervisory system based on the data from the level of the equipment control system. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110301725 | SYNCHRONIZATION OF EXECUTION OF SEQUENTIAL FUNCTION CHARTS USING TRANSITION GROUPS - Systems and methods are provided that are capable of synchronizing an industrial process. The industrial process may include a plurality of process levels. A visualization group may be displayed, showing the various levels of a process. A transition group may be graphically defined that allows for the linking of the transitions between the various process levels. In certain embodiments, sequential function charts (SFC) may include expanded capabilities that allow for the visual definition, editing, and review of the transition groups. Such SFC embodiments may be capable of process flow synchronization across any levels of the modeled process. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299308 | COMMON MODE VOLTAGE REDUCTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CURRENT SOURCE CONVERTER BASED DRIVE - Current source converter drives and common mode voltage reduction techniques are presented in which a space vector modulation zero vector for current source inverter (or rectifier) control is selected according to the switching state of the current source rectifier (or inverter) and according to the AC input power and the AC output power to control the output common mode voltage. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110298796 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMMERSIVE SYSTEM FOR REPRESENTING AN AUTOMATION CONTROL ENVIRONMENT - A computer-implemented system for representing a production environment comprises a modeling module that creates a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of a production environment. The system also includes a view module that renders a graphical depiction of at least a portion of the three-dimensional model from a reference point that is based at least in part upon a location. Methods of using the system are also provided. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110298720 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE OPERATION OF A TOUCH SCREEN - A method of operating a human-machine interface system is provided. The method includes displaying a plurality of objects on a display system, each of the plurality of objects displayed according to object parameters, and receiving touch information corresponding to a plurality of touches on the display system. The method also includes processing the touch information to identify which object of the plurality of objects was touched, and upon identifying the first object that was touched, processing the touch information to identify a first gesture represented by the plurality of touches. The method further includes upon identifying the first gesture, determining a first command based on the first gesture, generating first new parameters for the object based on the first command, and displaying at least the first object that was touched according to the first new parameters for the object. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110298579 | DYNAMICALLY ADAPTABLE SAFETY ZONES - Systems and methods are provided for defining a safety zone in an industrial automation environment. The method includes monitoring an object that approaches an operating zone where equipment is controlled within the operating zone. This includes determining the speed or direction that the object approaches the operating zone. The method includes dynamically adjusting a safety region in view of the determined speed or direction of the object and enabling or disabling the equipment within the operating zone based in part on the object entering the safety region. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110295585 | OPTIMAL SELF-MAINTAINED ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND USE - The present invention provides novel techniques for controlling energy systems. In particular, parametric hybrid models may be used to parameterize inputs and outputs of groups of equipment of energy systems. Each parametric hybrid model may include an empirical model, a parameter model, and a dynamic model. Critical parameters for groups of equipment modeled by the parametric hybrid models, which are correlated with, but not the same as, input and output variables of the groups of equipment may be monitored during operation of the energy system. The critical parameters may be used to generate optimal trajectories for the energy system, which may be used to control the energy system. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110295437 | WIND POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM WITH GRID SIDE REACTIVE POWER CONTROL - The present techniques include methods and systems for operating a wind power system to maintain a lifespan of the rotor side converter. In some embodiments, the current of the rotor side converter may be minimized to reduce the stress and/or junction temperature variation in the switching transistors and bond wires of the converter. More specifically, embodiments involve using a minimal current in the rotor side converter based on the rotor side and grid side reactive powers. If the grid side reactive power is greater than a maximum grid side reactive power, the grid side reactive power may be reduced. Further, if the total reactive power does not meet the grid reactive power requirements, the minimal current in the rotor side converter may be adjusted such that the system may sufficiently power the grid. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110292696 | VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVE AND METHODS FOR FILTER CAPACITOR FAULT DETECTION - Variable frequency motor drives and control techniques are presented in which filter capacitor faults are detected by measuring filter neutral node current and/or voltages and detecting changes in the fundamental frequency component of the measured neutral condition at the fundamental frequency of the input power and/or based on input current unbalance. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110292695 | POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM AND METHOD - A three-phase power converter includes a converter configured to convert a three phase AC power input to a DC power output, the DC power output being provided to high and low sides of a DC bus, and an inverter coupled to the DC bus and configured to convert the DC power to a three phase AC output. The inverter comprises three legs and each leg comprises a pair of solid state switches and a respective output therebetween. The power converter further includes a common mode voltage control filter comprising three filter inputs and two filter outputs, each filter input coupled to an output of a respective leg of the inverter and each filter output coupled to a respective side of the DC bus. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110292604 | AIR COOLING OF MEDIUM VOLTAGE DRIVE COMPONENTS - A parallel redundant fan system includes at least first and second fans located adjacent each other. Each fan includes: (i) a fan housing defining a fan chamber in which an impeller is supported for rotation about an axis of rotation; (ii) a first chamber outlet in communication with the fan chamber and defined by an opening in a first wall of the fan housing; (iii) a second chamber outlet in communication with the fan chamber and defined by an opening in a second wall of the fan housing; and, (iii) first and second backflow prevention dampers respectively associated with the first and second chamber outlets. The first and second dampers respectively include first and second damper plates that selectively pivot from their closed positions toward their opened positions against the closing force of respective first and second counterweights in response to exhaust air flow pressure exerted thereon. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110291848 | VARIABLE ADJUSTABLE DOOR LATCH - Systems, methods, and devices that efficiently stop and latch a door are presented. A first bracket component is attached to a door frame and has an overhang portion, comprising a holder component, that extends into the doorway to act as a door stop. A second bracket component, comprising an extended portion, is desirably adjusted in position in relation to the holder component and attached to the door such that the extended portion has a desired amount of overlap on the holder component, wherein the amount of overlap corresponds to an amount of latching force in accordance with the force profile associated with the extended portion based at least in part on shape of the extended portion. An operation device is attached to the first bracket component and/or second bracket component and the door latching holds the door in the desired position to facilitate operations of the operation component. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110291846 | EFFICIENT AND SAFE DOOR LOCKING CONTROL IN POWER-OFF AND POWER-ON CONDITIONS - Systems, methods, and devices that efficiently control the operating state of an electromagnetic lock under power on and power off conditions are presented. A lock component includes a solenoid component (e.g., bi-stable latching solenoid) that holds a lock pin in a locked or unlocked position without using power to hold the lock pin in the desired position, and using power to transition from one position to another position. A sensor component senses when power to the lock component will be lost, and if the lock pin is not in the desired position for the power off condition, the lock pin can be transitioned to the desired position, and if the lock pin is in the desired position for power off condition, the lock component can maintain the lock pin in the desired position, while the lock component is in the power off condition. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110291641 | VOLTAGE DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT CIRCUIT - A voltage detection and measurement circuit is provided. The circuit includes a first Zener diode operatively coupled to an AC power input line and a second Zener diode operatively coupled to a reference voltage line. The first and second Zener diodes are configured to pass portions of input AC voltage from the AC power input line to generate output waveforms. The circuit also includes an optocoupler coupled to the first and second Zener diodes to receive the output waveforms from the first and second Zener diodes to detect the input AC voltage and a processing circuit configured to receive the output waveforms from the optocoupler and to determine a magnitude of the input AC voltage based upon the output waveforms | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110286244 | ADJUSTABLE SPEED DRIVE LIFETIME IMPROVEMENT METHOD - The present techniques include methods and systems for operating an inverter to maintain a lifespan of the inverter. In some embodiments, the switching frequency and/or the output current of the inverter may be changed such that stress may be reduced on the inverter bond wires of the inverter. More specifically, embodiments involve calculating the aging parameters for certain operating conditions of the inverter and determining whether the operating conditions result in aging the inverter to a point which reduces the inverter lifespan below a desired lifespan. If the operating conditions reduce the inverter lifespan below the desired lifespan, the switching frequency may be reduced to a lower or minimum switching frequency of the inverter and/or the output current of the inverter may be reduced to a maximum output current at the minimum switching frequency. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110278484 | VALVE ISOLATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - One or more valves associated with a controlled machine process may be isolated from one or more remote isolation stations. For isolation, a manual switch is activated that are coupled to a safety relay. This relay is, in turn, coupled to a coil that removes power used to control the valve to be isolated. An operator-perceptible indication may be provided by monitoring a parameter representative of the valve state, such as pressure downstream of the valve. Such indication may be provided at each remote isolation station. The arrangement allows for lock-out of valves by remote operation. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110269339 | SYSTEM FOR SECURING A DEVICE USING TWO DIN RAILS - A system for securing a device to first and second DIN rails is provided. The system includes a static attachment structure configured to secure the device to the first DIN rail and a movable attachment structure configured to secure the device to the second DIN rail. The movable attachment structure includes a carrier secured to the device and a latch secured to the carrier and configured to engage the device to the second DIN rail in a latched position. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268974 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COATING SUBSTRATES - According to various embodiments, a coating mixture is capable of being applied on a substrate. The coating mixture includes acidified graphite particles, a suspension of polytetrafluoroethylene resin in water, and silver ion doped microporous particles. When the coating mixture is applied to a surface of the substrate, the coating resists growth of microorganisms. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110267851 | CONVERTER CIRCUIT WITH ADJUSTABLE DC BUS VOLTAGE - A method for controlling voltage of a DC bus in a converter circuit is provided. The method includes monitoring a duty cycle of a switch that connects a resistive circuit across the DC bus, the switch being closed when the DC bus voltage reaches an upper voltage value and opened when the DC bus voltage reaches a lower voltage value and altering the lower voltage value based upon the duty cycle of the switch. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110267722 | COST EFFECTIVE DESIGN FOR A CURRENT TRANSFORMER WITH AN INTEGRATED MAGNETIC ACTUATOR - A system comprising a magnetic actuator, a current transformer and operational electronics in a dual-coil circuit breaker. The system includes an inline, but non concentric, implementation of the primary and secondary coils to maintain a narrow width suitable for retrofitting in standard industrial rack mounted enclosures. The system further comprises a split core design that is integrated into an upper and lower plate which slide together and are retained by a secondary coil bobbin. Typically, the two parts of the split core can be manufactured into net shapes by utilizing a powder metal or metal injection molding process. Moreover, the split core design disclosed herein can reduce costs and time associated with manufacturing and assembly of the current transformer. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110242720 | MAGNETIC CORE COUPLING IN A CURRENT TRANSFORMER WITH INTEGRATED MAGNETIC ACTUATOR - A system comprising a magnetic actuator, a current transformer and operational electronics in a dual-coil circuit breaker. The system includes an inline, but non concentric, implementation of the primary and secondary coils to maintain a narrow width suitable for retrofitting in standard industrial rack mounted enclosures. The system further comprises an I-shaped lamination stack that is designed to abut on the ends of an upper and lower plate of the current transformer. The I-shaped lamination stack significantly increases the overlap between the lamination and the upper and lower plates, which results in lower magnetic reluctance and improves magnetic coupling. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241580 | MOTOR DRIVE SYSTEM WITH BUS VOLTAGE CONTROL - A method for controlling a motor drive system, the system comprising an AC-DC converter coupled to a DC-AC inverter by a DC bus, a motor coupled to and driven by the inverter, and a load coupled to and driven by the motor is provided. The method includes accessing a motion profile for the motor and load and determining power losses of the converter, the inverter, the motor and the load. The method also includes controlling the voltage of the DC bus based upon the motion profile and the power losses to enhance the motor drive system efficiency, reliability and motor shaft performance. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110231939 | MEMORY CARD WITH EMBEDDED IDENTIFIER - A software installation system comprises an interface component that receives a request to access data resident upon a flash memory card. An installation component compares a unique identifier associated with the data with a unique identifier embedded within the flash memory card, and the installation component determines whether to allow access to the data based at least in part upon the comparison. The installation component prohibits access to the data if the unique identifier associated with the data does not match the unique identifier embedded within the flash memory card. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110230991 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR QUEUING AN ACTION IN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION SYSTEMS - The subject invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating automated manufacturing processes in a regulated industrial controller environment, wherein operator commands are tied to one or more signature requirements before the requested commands take effect in a batch system. In one aspect, a system is provided for signature processing in an industrial control environment. The system includes a queuing component to hold a pending request for an action. A signature component then determines when an electronic signature is completed for the action, wherein a batch processor executes the action from the queuing component after the electronic signature is completed. A policy component can be provided to define one or more conditions for completing the electronic signature. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110229124 | SERIAL OPTICAL DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH DISPLACEABLE OPTICAL PATHWAY - A serial optical data transmission system is provided. The serial optical data transmission system includes a displaceable optical pathway disposed adjacent to a slot configured to receive a first monitoring and/or control module. The optical pathway is biased towards a serial optical data bus position for transmission of optical data to or from at least one second monitoring and/or control module when the first monitoring and/or control module is removed from the slot. Further, the optical pathway is displaced from the serial optical data bus position when the first monitoring and/or control module is in the slot. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110225216 | METHOD FOR CONSISTENT STORAGE OF DATA IN AN INDUSTRIAL CONTROLLER - A system and method for employing a file system and file system services on the industrial controller. The file system allows industrial control programs to implement many functions previously performed within the industrial control program and stored in the same memory as the industrial control program. An execution engine is provided that interprets instructions included in an industrial control program. The instructions utilize services in the file system for including user defined routine files loaded from local or remote locations, to load and unload recipe files from local and remote locations, to log and retrieve measured data and trend data to files at local or remote locations, to select different operating systems and to select a running program from a plurality of running programs utilizing the file system. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110218651 | OPERATOR INTERFACE TERMINAL FOR CORRELATING DATA POINTS TO TIME POINTS - An operator interface terminal receives individual data points from a machine at individual time points. The operator interface terminal correlates the individual data points to the individual time points as the data points are received. The operator interface terminal transfers the data points correlated to the time points to a central information system. The operator interface terminal receives a control instruction from an operator. The operator interface terminal processes the control instruction to transfer a control signal to the machine, wherein the control signal drives the machine to operate based on the control instruction. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110202688 | MACRO FUNCTION BLOCK FOR ENCAPSULATING DEVICE-LEVEL EMBEDDED LOGIC - The present invention provides techniques for encapsulating device-level embedded logic into user-defined instructions using configuration software. More specifically, the disclosed embodiments enable add-on instructions for device configuration embedded logic. Programming interfaces specific to an application or device may be combined into a single instruction as a reusable Macro component that may be reused in the same or different applications or devices. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110202149 | WEB-BASED VISUALIZATION MASH-UPS FOR INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION - A visualization system that generates visual mash-ups for industrial automation includes a ash-up component that combines output from a subset of disparate sources into a common interface. The disparate sources include at least one of equipment, computers, or devices within an industrial automation environment. A visualization component generates and displays a mash-up visualization that includes information associated with the common interface. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110202147 | MULTIPLE BOOLEAN INPUTS AND OUTPUTS FOR DEVICE FUNCTION BLOCKS - The present invention provides techniques for splitting bundled inputs and outputs into separated Boolean inputs and outputs for function blocks of automation devices. More specifically, previously-defined bundled inputs and outputs may be used, whereas separated Boolean inputs and outputs may be used as well. In other words, the newly added Boolean inputs and outputs do not replace, but rather compliment, the previously defined bundled inputs and outputs. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110202145 | AUTOMATIC DEVICE PARAMETER BINDING METHOD AND SYSTEM - The present invention provides techniques for automatically binding device parameters to an input and output interface. Doing so enables dynamic parameters to be available to the core firmware engine. More specifically, there is no input and output data in the configuration software domain required for mapping the parameters. Rather, the configuration software may directly access the device parameters during the logic execution. This is achieved in a library by representing the parameter repository and the EPATH pointing to each parameter from the configuration software domain. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199072 | POWER CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for controlling an electrical device is provided. The method comprises receiving three phase power from a source, decomposing signals representative of power in each phase of the three phase power to provide a positive-sequence component of each phase and tracking the positive-sequence component of each phase via a phase locked loop and a tracking filter. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110196528 | HISTORIANS EMBEDDED IN INDUSTRIAL UNITS - Systems and methods that provide a historian integrated as part of an industrial unit and/or product manufactured by the industrial process. A historian integrated as part of the industrial unit itself, can increase data resolution and supply immediate and real time data regarding the industrial unit's operation—while mitigating short comings of conventional PC historians. Moreover, a locator component can detect embedded historians that are distributed on the back plane of an industrial network, and integrated as part thereof. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110193715 | DYNAMIC CONDITION MONITORING SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED WEB SERVER - A dynamic condition monitoring system is disclosed, such as for monitoring vibrations in complex machine systems. The system includes monitors on which server software is provided. The server software may access pre-defined graphical user interface pages that can be populated and served directly from the monitors. The data may be accessed via conventional networks for viewing and analyzing monitored data, as well as for configuration of the individual dynamic condition monitors. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110178627 | INTEGRATED MENU-DRIVEN MANUFACTURING METHOD AND SYSTEM - A menu-driven manufacturing technique includes determining a product and product configuration, along with process steps to be carried out in manufacturing workstations. Display screens corresponding to the particular manufacturing process steps are accessed and displayed on monitors at the workstations to lead operators through the processes. Control circuitry may verify that the correct components and tools are utilized as called for by the various process steps. Powered tools and test setups may be integrated with the system to enable improved quality control. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110172838 | INDUSTRIAL CONTROL ENERGY OBJECT - An energy object extension to an industrial protocol having a comprehensive suite of attributes, messages and services utilized for the monitoring and control of energy consuming or producing resources by a manufacturing automation application is provided. The energy object includes an identifier associated with an energy resource that is associated with a manufacturing automation application and an energy type associated with the energy resource. This includes a measurement characteristic associated with the energy resource to facilitate energy management by the manufacturing automation application. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110169433 | SERVOMOTOR SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROL - A servomotor system is provided. The servomotor system includes an enclosure and a motor stator and rotor disposed in the enclosure. The servomotor system also includes a motor brake disposed in the enclosure and configured to selectively brake the rotor from rotation and a brake control switch disposed in the enclosure and coupled to the motor brake for selectively providing power to the motor brake for selectively engaging and/or disengaging the brake. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110156895 | SUBSCRIBING TO ALARMS AND EVENTS IN A HIERARCHY - An alarm provision system comprises a recognizer component that receives an alarm/event and recognizes the alarm/event. A provision component analyzes hierarchical relationships associated with an industrial environment and automatically provides a subscribing entity with the alarm/event and at least one other alarm/event that is related to the received alarm/event, the provision of the at least one other alarm/event is based at least in part upon the analysis of the hierarchical relationships. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110153234 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A ground fault detection system is provided. The ground fault detection system includes a magnetic core having first and second primary legs and a secondary leg disposed between the first and second primary legs. The ground fault detection system also includes first and second primary windings disposed around the first and second primary legs respectively and configured to introduce current in the first and second primary legs. Further, the ground fault detection system includes first and second secondary windings disposed around the first and second primary legs respectively and configured to detect a ground fault based upon a magnetic flux generated in response to the introduced current. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110144800 | MODULAR WIRELESS CONVEYOR INTERCONNECTION METHOD AND SYSTEM - A modular conveyor system is disclosed in which components of each conveyor module is designed for wireless mesh communication. The communications may be within a module or between modules. Certain of the components may be powered by battery, such that the components may be completely wireless. The network may be entirely self-configuring such that the modules may be assembled and the network established in a straightforward manner. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110143021 | CONFORMAL COATING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A conformal coating system and method for coating a printed circuit board (PCB) is provided. The system comprises a coating station configured to coat the PCB with a coating material and without cleaning the PCB with a saponifier. A surface energy of the PCB is maintained above a target surface energy at least through the cleaning station to promote adhesion of the coating material. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110140822 | ELECTRIC COIL AND CORE COOLING METHOD AND APPARATUS - Provided is an electrical apparatus comprising a magnetic core, a conductive coil wound around at least a part of the core, a cooling element configured to receive a cooling fluid to cool the core and the coil during operation, and at least one biasing element operatively associated with the core to urge the core and the coil into engagement with the cooling element despite differential expansion or contraction of the core and the coil and manufacturing tolerances. Further provided is a method for making an electrical apparatus comprising disposing a conductive coil wound around at least a part of a magnetic core, disposing a cooling element between the core and the coil, the cooling element configured to receive a cooling fluid to cool the core and the coil during operation, and urging the core and the coil into engagement with the cooling element despite differential expansion or contraction of the core and the coil and manufacturing tolerances. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110130993 | DIGITAL IMPLEMENTATION OF A TRACKING FILTER - Methods and systems for tracking an electronic signal corresponding to an operating frequency of an electronic component are provided. A method may include sampling the signal to determine previous and current time samples of the signal. A frequency of interest in the signal may also be pre-warped to decrease adverse warping effects resulting from processing signals having relatively higher operating frequencies. The previous and current time samples of the signals, along with the pre-warped frequency of interest, may be input into a digital tracking filter. The digital tracking filter may be configured to execute one or more algorithms on the previous and current time samples and the pre-warped frequency of interest to estimate a current operating frequency. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110128054 | PHASE LOCK LOOP WITH TRACKING FILTER FOR SYNCHRONIZING AN ELECTRIC GRID - Methods and systems for synchronizing an electric grid having unbalanced voltages are provided. Voltage vectors may be synchronized in a phase-locked-loop configured to maintain synchronous operation of the grid even when the voltages are unbalanced. For example, a phase-locked-loop may be coupled to one or more tracking filters designed to estimate a disturbance in an error signal of the voltages. The estimated disturbance(s) may be removed from the error signal before the phase lock loop determines an estimate of the grid frequency. Thus, adverse affects of voltage unbalance, such as abnormal current behavior, may be mitigated. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110116241 | MODULAR SOFT STARTER - Modular soft starters are disclosed having a plurality of soft starter modules with stacked SCRs and heat sinks for accommodating a single phase of a three phase motor, where the modules may be connected serially for starting each phase of a higher voltage motor, and where the modules can be mounted in a cabinet in a variety of different orientations to facilitate optimized cabinet space utilization. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110110049 | MOTOR CONTROL CENTER UNIT WITHDRAW WITH DOOR CLOSED - An electrical enclosure wherein an electrical component can be moved between various positions (e.g., connected, disconnected, test, etc.) without opening an enclosure door. The electrical enclosure supports a component for movement between a withdrawn position, a test position, and an inserted position. A handle is accessible by an operator from an exterior of the enclosure and is configured to move the component between the respective positions without having to open the enclosure. The handle is integral with the enclosure and thus an operator needs no special tool or other device to effect movement of the electrical component between its respective positions. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110106277 | INTEGRATED OPTIMIZATION AND CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION PLANTS - The present invention provides novel techniques for optimizing and controlling production plants using parametric multifaceted models. In particular, the parametric multifaceted models may be configured to convert a first set of parameters (e.g., control parameters) relating to a production plant into a second set of parameters (e.g., optimization parameters) relating to the production plant. In general, the first set of parameters will be different than the second set of parameters. For example, the first set of parameters may be indicative of low-level, real-time control parameters and the second set of parameters may be indicative of high-level, economic parameters. Utilizing appropriate parameterization may allow the parametric multifaceted models to deliver an appropriate level of detail of the production plant within a reasonable amount of time. In particular, the parametric multifaceted models may convert the first set of parameters into the second set of parameters in a time horizon allowing for control of the process plant by a control system based on the second set of parameters. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110103105 | POWER TRANSFORMER AND POWER CONVERTER INCORPORATING SAME - Embodiments of the present invention provide novel techniques for using multiple 18-pulse rectifier circuits in parallel. In particular, each rectifier circuit may include an autotransformer having 15 inductors coupled in series, joined by 15 nodes interposed between pairs of the inductors. The inductors may be represented as a hexagon in which alternating sides of the hexagon have two and three inductors, respectively. Each rectifier circuit may also include three inputs for three-phase AC power coupled to alternating vertices of the hexagonal representation and nine outputs for AC power coupled between each node that is not a vertex of the hexagonal representation and a respective diode bridge. Outputs of the diode bridges for the rectifier circuits may be coupled to a DC bus. In addition, a means for reducing circulating current between the parallel rectifier circuits and for promoting load sharing between the parallel rectifier circuits is also provided. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110103096 | THIRTY-SIX PULSE POWER TRANSFORMER AND POWER CONVERTER INCORPORATING SAME - Embodiments of the present invention provide novel techniques for using multiple 18-pulse rectifier circuits in parallel. In particular, each rectifier circuit may include an autotransformer having 15 inductors coupled in series, joined by 15 nodes interposed between pairs of the inductors. The inductors may be represented as a hexagon in which alternating sides of the hexagon have two and three inductors, respectively. Each rectifier circuit may also include three inputs for three-phase AC power coupled to alternating vertices of the hexagonal representation and nine outputs for AC power coupled between each node that is not a vertex of the hexagonal representation and a respective diode bridge. Outputs of the diode bridges for the rectifier circuits may be coupled to a DC bus. In addition, a means for reducing circulating current between the parallel rectifier circuits and for promoting load sharing between the parallel rectifier circuits is also provided. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110102176 | RETEACHABLE NON-CONTACT SWITCHING CIRCUIT - A method for reteaching a switching circuit is provided. The method includes presenting a target within a sensing range of a sensor of the switching circuit for a pre-determined duration and acquiring an identification code of the target via the sensor. The method also includes comparing the acquired identification code with all stored identification codes of other targets previously used by the switching circuit as a basis for switching and reteaching the switching circuit for switching based on the acquired identification code if the acquired identification code is different from all stored identification codes previously used by the switching circuit as a basis for switching. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110102170 | REMOTE MONITORING OF REAL-TIME INFORMATION - A method for remote monitoring of real-time information is provided. In the method, a representation is displayed of each of a plurality of items configured to generate the real-time information. Also displayed is a representation of each of a plurality of destinations configured to receive the real-time information. The real-time information is received from the items. A command is received which selects one of the items and one of the destinations. After receiving the command, at least a portion of the real-time information received from the selected item is transmitted to the selected destination. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110102132 | RETEACHABLE SWITCHING CIRCUIT WITH ABILITY FOR LOCKING - A method for teaching a switching circuit is provided. The method includes presenting a target within a sensing range of a sensor of the switching circuit for a pre-determined duration and acquiring an identification code of the target via the sensor. The method also includes storing the acquired identification code for operating the switching circuit and locking the switching circuit against learning identification codes of any other target prior to reaching an allowed number of reteaching attempts. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110102012 | PARAMETER ESTIMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN INDUCTION MOTOR - A method of estimating stator resistance of an induction motor is provided. The method includes applying voltage pulses through two phase paths of the motor for a plurality of electrical cycles to inject current in the motor, wherein the voltage pulses are applied until rotor flux of the motor is substantially stabilized and measuring stator voltage and stator current in response to the applied voltage pulses for each of the plurality of electrical cycles. The method also includes calculating the stator resistance based upon the measured stator voltages and the stator currents. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110101967 | ENHANCED PERFORMANCE PROXIMITY SENSOR - An industrial control sensor is provided. The sensor includes a sensor circuit to detect changes in an electromagnetic field induced from an object or material passing in proximity of the electromagnetic field. This includes a housing that employs the sensor circuit as part of an inductive proximity sensor. A sensor face is attached to the housing, where the sensor face receives the changes in the electromagnetic field and transmits the changes to the sensor circuit, and where the sensor face has a higher electrical resistivity or a lower temperature coefficient of resistivity than stainless steel. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110101897 | DC BUS BOOST METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REGENERATIVE BRAKE - Embodiments of the present invention provide novel techniques for using a switched converter to provide for three-phase alternating current (AC) rectification, regenerative braking, and direct current (DC) voltage boosting. In particular, one of the three legs of the switched converter is controlled with a set of pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals so that the input AC phase having the highest voltage is rectified and one of the switches in the two other legs is turned on to allow for added voltage. This switching activity allows for voltage from multiple AC line mains to be combined, resulting in an overall boost of the DC voltage of the rectifier. The DC voltage boost can then be applied to the common DC bus in order to ameliorate voltage sags, help with motor starts, and increase the ride-through capability of the motor. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110101795 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RESTRICTING POWER DELIVERY - An apparatus and method for restricting operation of a power delivery system are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the apparatus includes a first input terminal at which is received a first command signal, and a second input terminal at which is received an additional signal. The apparatus further includes an output terminal at which is provided a control signal, and a circuit that generates the control signal based at least indirectly upon the first command and additional signals. The control signal generated by the circuit is configured to cause the power delivery system to not deliver at least one type of power when the first command signal indicates a command to do so, if the additional signal indicates an acceptability status. In some embodiments, the power delivery system is an isolation system (e.g., safety isolation system) as are employed in industrial environments, and the apparatus is a permissive module. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110093800 | HMI FRAMEWORK FOR EXTENSIBLE AUTOMATION SYSTEM ENGINEERING PLATFORMS - A GUI framework leverages interfaces of extensible engineering platforms to provide a tool that easily constructs HMIs for automation systems. The GUI framework can import existing GUI components and/or create new GUI components. The GUI framework can also combine basic GUI components to create complex composite GUI components. An import mechanism can also be employed to import existing GUI components by encapsulating them in common, reusable software code that is compatible with an extensible engineering platform. The GUI framework utilizes function blocks to represent the GUI components and automatically generates GUI function block networks with linking as required. This allows complex GUIs to be created with minimal user effort. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110087702 | DISTRIBUTED HISTORIAN ARCHITECTURE - A distributed historian framework is provided where historical data is collected in accordance with an organizational model of a hierarchical system that is distributed across various elements of an enterprise. A directory service operates with the organizational model to enable configuration of historian components within the organization and to enable data to be located within the organization. In one aspect, an industrial automation system is provided. The system includes at least one historian component to archive data within an organization. A common data model then exposes functionality and data of the organization to the historian component. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110066261 | HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE SUPPORT OF REMOTE VIEWING SESSIONS - A human-machine-interface (HMI) system comprises a machine interface, a communication interface, and a processing system. The machine interface receives operation data from a plurality of machines within an industrial automation environment, wherein the operation data corresponds to operations of the plurality of machines. The communication interface receives a request for a remote viewing session from a communication device, and in response to the request, transfers graphics data and the operation data for delivery to and display by the communication device. The processing system monitors for changes to the graphics data and the operation data during the remote viewing session. The communication, upon a change occurring to the graphics data, transfers updated graphics data for delivery to and display by the communication device, and upon a change occurring to the operation data, transfers updated operation data for delivery to and display by the communication device. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110057588 | DYNAMIC BRAKING FOR CURRENT SOURCE CONVERTER BASED DRIVE - Current source converter (CSC) based motor drives and control techniques are presented in which DC link current is regulated to a level set by the output inverter during dynamic braking operation by pulse width modulation of a braking resistance connection signal to maintain control of motor torque and speed while mitigating or preventing line side regenerative currents. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110057444 | GRID FAULT RIDE-THROUGH FOR CURRENT SOURCE CONVERTER-BASED WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS - Current source converter (CSC) based wind energy power conversion systems (WECS) and methods are presented in which a unified DC link current control scheme is employed to facilitate grid fault ride-through conditions, with a multiple-mode converter control system that combines the power flow control capabilities of the generator-side and grid-side converters, in which transitions between normal operation and fault condition are achieved automatically by monitoring the grid voltage without the need for, or with partial additional ride-through components. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110038122 | Phase Change Heat Spreader Bonded to Power Module by Energetic Multilayer Foil - Power electronic devices are solder to a phase change heat spreader using an energetic multilayer foil. This foil may be sandwiched between layers of solder, the first layer in contact with the power electronic devices and the second layer in contact with the phase change heat spreader. When activated, this foil may induce the solder to physically and thermally bond the power electronic devices to the phase change heat spreader. Certain embodiments may also employ energetic multilayer foil to thermally bond the phase change heat spreader to a heat dissipation structure. Other embodiments may employ a phase change heat spreader with an integrated heat dissipation structure. In addition, some embodiments may employ a heat sink as the heat dissipation structure, while other embodiments employ a liquid cooling system. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110029103 | MULTIPLE LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT USING SHARED RESOURCES - An operator interface system with respect to an industrial automation device comprises text/symbol translation strings persisted in a computer-readable medium for utilization with the operator interface system. An interface component relays the translation strings to a client device that includes fonts that enables the client device to graphically render text/symbols abstracted by the translation strings in a desired language. For example, the translation strings can be Unicode strings. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110025300 | ELECTRICAL POWER QUALITY TEST CIRCUITRY AND METHOD - Electrical power quality test circuitry for testing response of an electrical device to input power disturbances is provided. The test circuitry includes a power structure having a rectifier configured to convert incoming AC voltage to DC voltage on a DC bus, and a power inverter configured to convert DC voltage from the bus to three-phase output AC voltage applied to the electrical device. The test circuitry also includes a control circuit configured to apply control signals to at least the power inverter to emulate at least one of a change in the amplitude of at least one phase of the output AC voltage at least one phase angle of at least one phase of the output AC voltage, and a frequency change for all phases of the output AC voltage. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110025249 | MOTOR DRIVE HAVING INTEGRAL PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER - A system, in one embodiment, includes a drive having a housing, a stator disposed in the housing, a rotor disposed in the stator, and a programmable logic controller disposed inside, mounted on, or in general proximity to the housing. In another embodiment, a system includes a network, a first motor having a first integral programmable logic controller coupled to the network, and a second motor having a second integral programmable logic controller coupled to the network. In a further embodiment, a system includes a rotary machine having a rotor and a stator disposed concentric with one another, a microprocessor, memory coupled to the microprocessor, a power supply coupled to the microprocessor and the memory, and a machine sensor coupled to the microprocessor. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110024482 | FLUXOMETER SYSTEM AND METHOD - A fluxometer system and method is provided. The fluxometer comprises a frame, a simulated circuit board disposed in the frame and having a plurality of holes formed therein extending generally transverse to a plane of the board and a cover. The cover is received on the frame over the simulated circuit board and includes several protrusions simulating leads that extend into the holes of the simulated circuit board. The fluxometer further includes an indicator sheet disposed between the simulated circuit board and the cover, the protrusions extending through the indicator sheet. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110022978 | INTELLIGENT DEVICE FRAMEWORK - The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate consistent experiences with respect to control or configuration of a feature or function of a device. In particular, a reusable graphical user interface (GUI) component can be employed to interact with a specific feature or function of the device rather than to a specific device or application. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022827 | MULTIPLE INTERFACE SUPPORT - Aspects describe multiple interface support that provides dynamic switching between new and old interface revisions. A first interface application is selected from a set of alternative interface applications for an industrial automation system. Support for each interface application included in the set of alternative interface applications is provided. A second interface application is downloaded and associated with the first interface application. The second interface application is enabled during runtime. If needed, the second interface application can be selectively disabled and an operation resumed with the first interface application. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022626 | HOSTING REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICES - Aspects describe an apparatus, method and system for constructing an application in an industrial automation system. An identification component can receive at least one requirement of the application. Based upon the at least one requirement, the identification component can select at least one service that satisfies the at least one requirement. The at least one service can be associated with at least one operational requirement. The identification component can match at least one host to the at least one service by matching the at least one operational requirement with at least one capability of the at least one service. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022362 | ENERGY USAGE ANALYSIS IN SERVO DRIVE SYSTEMS - Systems and methods analyze energy consumption of a servo motor driven system during a conceptual design phase thereof. By breaking up loss of the servo motor driven system to its loss constituents, a designer tool is provided, which readily informs a user regarding losses that are created from a particular design. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022198 | LAYERED INTERFACE IN AN INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT - System(s) and method(s) are provided for implementing a set of interface components across a set of layers of an industrial environment, and for managing at least one interface component or at least one layer of the industrial environment. To implement an interface component in at least one layer in the set of layers, a specification that defines the interface component is acquired and, based at least on the specification, a service is generated. Execution of the service implements the interface component. The managing includes deploying or discovering the at least one interface component or the at least one layer of the industrial environment. The managing also includes indexing specific functional feature(s) of the at least one interface component and searching across the set of layers for one or more interface components that satisfy specific functional criteria. Moreover, the managing can include supplying metadata related to interface component(s) or layer(s). | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022195 | MULTIPLE MACHINE INTERFACE - Aspects describe multiple machine interfaces that provide automated implementations of a host that executes at least one service. The service comprises internal aspects, which include a reusable definition and a specification, which are hidden from a user or selectively exposed but not modifiable by the user. Functional connections and controls are provided for the automated implementations of the host. Platform configurations, which include the at least one service, interact with the automated implementation of the host. One or more functionalities of the functional connections can be selectively exposed based on a user credential. The automated implementation of the host comprises execution of the at least one service. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022192 | MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT - System(s), apparatus(es) and method(s) are provided for to managing and developing an industrial system included in the industrial environment. Intelligence related to a configuration of the industrial system is collected and processed to generate information related to operational condition(s) of the industrial system. Intelligence can be collected actively or passively: In active collection, a platform that collects the intelligence retrieves configuration record(s) from the industrial system, whereas in passive collection, the platform received one or more configuration records from the industrial automation system. Collected intelligence is cast into a set of configuration units that defines industrial system and functionality thereof. In addition, a set of services configured to convey specific functionality associated with at least one configuration unit is composed. At least a portion of the generated information can be supplied to the industrial system or one or more components thereof in accordance with a policy configured by the industrial automation system. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110004589 | DIAGNOSTICS IN A DISTRIBUTED DIRECTORY SYSTEM - Providing diagnostic functions for a distributed directory employed in an industrial control environment is described herein. By way of example, status of directory entries can be monitored, updated based on activity within the control environment, and propagated to entities coupled with the environment by way of distributed directory nodes. Directory entries can be validated over time and optionally flagged as valid or deleted if invalid. In some aspects, validation can occur via direct communication with entities coupled to the control environment. Changes to directory entries can be tracked, and can be propagated through the distributed directory. Further, automatic reconfiguration of control entities can be implemented based on the changes, resulting in a dynamic and self-adapting control environment. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110004426 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENERGY MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT USING A BACKPLANE - An energy monitoring and management system and method are provided herein. The system and method centralize load metering by utilizing at least one sensor for observing load characteristics (e.g., Volts, Amperes, Watts, active energy . . . ) communicatively coupled via a backplane to a waveform analyzer component of a control component. The waveform analyzer component generates metered data values after receiving input from the at least one sensor. Subsequently and if so desired, the control component can send a control signal to the load to alter the state of the load or simply reduce the power to a load. Such input, output, and processing functionality, according to an aspect of the present invention, are employed using a backplane to facilitate high-speed communication among components and to allow metered data to be centrally stored, manipulated, analyzed or communicated to other components or sub-components. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100332046 | CURRENT TRANSFORMER WITH INTEGRATED ACTUATOR - A system comprising a magnetic actuator, a current transformer and operational electronics in a dual-coil circuit breaker. The system includes an inline implementation of the primary and secondary coils to maintain a narrow width suitable for retrofitting in currently designed industrial rack mounted enclosures. The system further comprises network connectivity allowing interrogation of the components for operational data associated with the component. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100328825 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A FAULT CONDITION - A system and method for detecting a fault condition by a relay is provided. The system includes means for detecting phase currents through three electrical phases, means for detecting a ground fault current, a processor configured to perform a current-based function based upon at least one of the phase currents and a filter. The processor is configured to perform current-based functions based on whether the filter is enabled or disabled. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100321385 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMMERSIVE SYSTEM FOR REPRESENTING AN AUTOMATION CONTROL ENVIRONMENT - A computer-implemented system for representing a production environment comprises a modeling module that creates a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of a production environment. The system also includes a view module that renders a graphical depiction of at least a portion of the three-dimensional model from a reference point that is based at least in part upon a location. Methods of using the system are also provided. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100318339 | SIMULATION CONTROLS FOR MODEL VARIABLITY AND RANDOMNESS - A tool for simulating an industrial control system is provided. The tool includes a simulation component to emulate one or more simulation models according to a simulated execution environment. A switch component is associated with the simulation component to selectively enable or disable variability in the simulation models. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100314166 | BUS SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR CONROL CENTER - A bus support system is provided. The bus support system includes a bus support having a plurality of vertical channels configured to receive vertical bus conductors, each of the plurality of vertical channels having a rear protrusion on a rear side of the bus support. The bus support system also includes a plurality of add-on bus support braces disposed on the rear side of the bus support and configured to contact the plurality of channels to limit a movement of the vertical bus conductors during a high current event. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100306692 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF A HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE - A human-machine interface system for an industrial automation environment is provided. The human-machine interface system includes a communication interface configured to receive machine data from an aggregation server, a user interface configured to display graphical data to a user, and a processor coupled to the communication interface and the user interface. The processor is configured to process the machine data to produce first graphical data including a first human-machine interface including one or more tabs, transmit the first graphical data to the user interface for display, and detect a pointer indicating an interest over one of the one or more tabs. The processor is also configured to process the machine data to produce second graphical data including the first human-machine interface including an open drawer corresponding to the one of the one or more tabs, and transmit the second graphical data to the user interface for display. The drawer includes a thumbnail graphic of a second human-machine interface. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100306001 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC MULTI-OBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION OF MACHINE SELECTION, INTEGRATION AND UTILIZATION - The invention provides control systems and methodologies for controlling a process having one or more motorized pumps and associated motor drives, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. More particularly, the subject invention provides for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304683 | WIRELESS USER INTERFACE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE MONITORING - What is disclosed is a user interface system for controlling a process, where the process is implemented in a machine system. The user interface system includes a user interface configured to receive user input to control the process of the machine system. The user interface system also includes a first transceiver coupled to the user interface and configured to provide user power to the user interface, where the first transceiver is configured to wirelessly receive input power from a second transceiver. The user interface system also includes a processing system configured to monitor a performance factor of the first transceiver, process the performance factor to determine when a power transfer problem exists between the second transceiver and the first transceiver, and transfer an alert in response to the power transfer problem. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100301995 | FLUID HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE - A method of operating a communication device to interface with a machine system comprises projecting a human-machine interface (HMI) system for the machine system on a surface, wherein the HMI system comprises a plurality of commands associated with the machine system, detecting an input from a user, wherein the input comprises a fluid motion in air performed by the user corresponding to a selection of a command of the plurality of commands associated with the machine system, and transferring the selected command for delivery to the machine system. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100301790 | ROTOR POSITION ESTIMATOR FOR AN ELECTRICAL MACHINE - A method for estimating a rotor position in an electrical machine is provided. The method is applicable to electrical machines that have magnetic saliency. The method includes extracting the rotor position from a demodulated output signal generated in response to an injected high frequency carrier signal and determining a position error compensation based upon a demodulation delay and a velocity or rotational frequency of the electrical machine. The method also includes estimating the rotor position by applying the position error compensation to the extracted rotor position. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100298955 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORING DATA FROM AN INDUSTRIAL CONTROLLER - A system for storing data from an industrial control system having an industrial controller including a communication module and first memory containing data for controlling an industrial process is provided. The system comprises a computer separate from the industrial controller and having a second memory and an application for automatically accessing the data from the first memory of the industrial controller via the communication module and storing the data on the second memory. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100293307 | PROGRAMMABLE ROUTING MODULE - A programmable routing module is disclosed for interconnecting field wiring with a control system. The routing module includes a field connection to connect field signals from a controlled process to the routing module, an I/O connection to connect I/O signals from the control system to the routing module, and a configurable interconnection system that selectively couples particular field and I/O signals with one another. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100275147 | INDUSTRIAL ENERGY DEMAND MANAGEMENT AND SERVICES - The innovation relates to systems and/or methodologies for facilitating industrial energy demand management and services. A demand management and services component obtains one or more utilization data elements via a communication network. The utilization data elements are instances of discrete data pertaining to sustainability, energy consumption, or emissions by manufacturing and/or facility elements. The demand management and services component analyzes the utilization data elements, and based on the analysis generates a set of user interfaces and/or provides one or more optimizations to improve sustainability and/or energy utilization. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274942 | CONSTITUTING A CONTROL SYSTEM WITH VIRTUAL AND PHYSICAL BACKPLANES AND MODULES AS BUILDING BLOCKS - A custom control system created based on combinations of software applications and hardware control and communication modules overlaid in a virtual backplane. The user can select the modules of interest and map them together without the loss of communications between the modules while the control system is configured and overlaid. The user can then archive the system design and implement the system with a greater level of confidence in the ability of the design to meet the requirements of the application while reducing the costs of the implementation. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274810 | DYNAMIC SUSTAINABILITY SEARCH ENGINE - The innovation relates to systems and/or methodologies for facilitating dynamic sustainability searches. A sustainability search component executes a query, and returns one or more results that satisfy a set of search criteria and a set of sustainability factors. The search criteria can include keywords, such as product types, process types, and additional features related to the keywords, such as price, location, brand, and so forth. The sustainability factors are alternative cost measures for a given process, product, or plant element. The sustainability search component can analyze the returned results, and rank the results based on sustainability. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274629 | PRODUCT LIFECYCLE SUSTAINABILITY SCORE TRACKING AND INDICIA - The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate sustainability monitoring and indicia thereof for a product over the course of the entire lifecycle of the product. In particular, the architecture can acquire a status update associated with a state of the product. Based upon the state, the architecture can determine an impact of that state to a sustainability score associated with the product. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274612 | UTILIZING SUSTAINABILITY FACTORS FOR PRODUCT OPTIMIZATION - An industrial control system is provided. The system includes a processor to analyze one or more sustainability factors and a scoring component to assign a weight to the sustainability factors. An optimizer automatically adjusts a production process in view of the sustainability factors, the weight, and at least one of a recycling requirement, a carbon footprint, a procurement process, a shipping process, or a regulatory requirement. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274611 | DISCRETE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Discrete resource tracking systems (and corresponding methodologies) that collect, tag and store resource consumption and usage values associated with industrial environment processes are provided. The specification can track water, air, gas, electricity, or steam consumption and usage view of a discrete (or batch) processes. Emissions and/or effluents associated with processes and sub-processes can also be collected, tagged and stored as desired. These stored resource consumption and usage and/or emissions and/or effluents data elements can be used for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to, simulation, planning, forecasting, valuating, optimizing, etc. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274603 | DYNAMIC SUSTAINABILITY FACTOR MANAGEMENT - A dynamic sustainability factor management system that can facilitate scoring of sustainability factors associated with an industrial environment is provided. Particularly, the system can evaluate factors related to the ‘planet,’ ‘people,’ and ‘profits’ to establish a sustainability rating. This rating can be generated and applied in most any level of granularity as desired. Additionally, weighting factors can be individually applied to sustainability factors in computation of the sustainability score. These weighting factors facilitate individualization or personalization in calculation of a score. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274602 | REAL TIME ENERGY CONSUMPTION ANALYSIS AND REPORTING - The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate analysis, processing, or reporting in connection with energy consumption data and/or emissions or sustainability factors associated with an automation process. In particular, the architecture can obtain process-level or machine- or device-level energy consumption data collected during execution of an automation process. The data can be analyzed or processed, with general or application-specific results output to a specified recipient and/or formatted (e.g., parsed, filtered, or transformed) according to a general or application-specific scheme. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274377 | DISCRETE ENERGY ASSIGNMENTS FOR MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATIONS - An industrial control system is provided. The system includes tagged data that is collected from a plurality of sustainability factor-associated data sources across an industrial automation environment, where the tagged data is associated with a portion of a process that is attributed to the sustainability factor data sources. A manufacturing model is associated with the tagged data, where the manufacturing model is employed to enhance the efficiencies of the process. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274367 | PROCESS SIMULATION UTILIZING COMPONENT-SPECIFIC CONSUMPTION DATA - Methods and apparatuses are provided for simulating components and processes using discrete, variable-granularity, component-specific data relating to energy consumption or other sustainability factors. Simulations can be analyzed and optimized to facilitate forecasting of sustainability factors and determine advantageous modifications to the components or processes. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100271038 | DIFFERENTIAL-MODE CURRENT SENSOR METHOD - Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed, including a ground-fault sensor that has a plurality of conductors each disposed one inside of another except for an outer conductor and a field sensor configured to sense an electric field, a magnetic field, or both. In some embodiments, the field sensor is disposed adjacent the outer conductor. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100271037 | DIFFERENTIAL-MODE CURRENT SENSOR - Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed, including a ground-fault sensor that has a plurality of conductors each disposed one inside of another except for an outer conductor and a field sensor configured to sense an electric field, a magnetic field, or both. In some embodiments, the field sensor is disposed adjacent the outer conductor. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100265740 | IMPROVED SELF POWERED SUPPLY FOR POWER CONVERTER SWITCH DRIVER - Self-powered supplies with on-board diagnostics are presented for powering a power converter switch driver with power obtained from an associated snubber circuit, including a first converter stage with a full bridge rectifier with a crowbar circuit creating a first DC bus and a second stage with an isolated DC to DC converter, and on-board diagnostics to indicate snubber failures and abnormal conditions of the self-powered supply. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100249956 | ELECTRONIC OPERATOR INTERFACE BASED CONTROLLER AND DEVICE AUTOMATIC DOWNLOADS - The invention relates to systems and/or methodologies for electronic operator interface based controller and device automatic downloads. More particularly, an electronic operator interface can determine if control logic or content used by an industrial controller has been updated, changed, or otherwise modified. If the content has been modified, then the electronic operator interface can automatically obtain the content and store a back-up copy in memory. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic operator interface can periodically update a backup copy of the content. Furthermore, the electronic operator interface can determine if the controller has lost its content, and restore the content from the most recent version saved in memory. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100249954 | DISTRIBUTED HISTORIAN ARCHITECTURE AND INTERFACES - A distributed historian framework is provided where historical data is collected in accordance with an organizational model of a hierarchical system that is distributed across various elements of an enterprise. A directory service operates with the organizational model to enable configuration of historian components within the organization and to enable data to be located within the organization. In one aspect, an industrial automation system is provided. The system includes at least one historian component to archive data within an organization. A common data model then exposes functionality and data of the organization to the historian component. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100241244 | NATIVELY RETAINING PROJECT DOCUMENTATION IN A CONTROLLER - An industrial controller comprises a processing component and a memory that comprises logic code that is executable by the processing component. The memory further comprises documentation associated with the logic code and other control components, wherein the documentation is stored in a native form to enable individualized access to a portion of the documentation to an accessing entity. For example, the documentation can comprise one or more of descriptive text relating to a rung of ladder logic, a text box associated with a portion of the sequential function chart, a text box associated with a function block diagram, and embedded descriptive text within structured text. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100235614 | INDUSTRIAL CONTROL DEVICE CONFIGURATION AND DISCOVERY - The subject disclosure pertains to the communications configuration of programmable logic controller modules in an industrial automation environment. Systems and methods are provided that automatically enables a programmable logic controller module to operate on a communications network once communicatively coupled thereto. Other control modules, a personal computer, or the like can access and/or otherwise interact with a module as soon as it coupled to a network. Accordingly, manual module configuration it is not required prior to access and interaction in an industrial control system. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100225177 | SWTICHING PHASE OFFSET FOR CONTACTOR OPTIMIZATION - A system and methods providing for minimizing the arc energy delivered to the pads of a plurality of contactors using a single control coil based on monitoring the electrical sine waves of the three alternating current electrical poles and calculating the instant to energize or deenergize a single control coil. The remainder of the contactors will make or break based on an offset in time from the making or breaking of the control contactor. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100217902 | INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION WITH AUTOMATION SYSTEMS - The subject disclosure pertains to transparent communications in an industrial automation environment amongst automation system components and IT systems. Systems and methods are provided that send and receive data to, from and amongst automation devices and transactional based IT systems. The system is viewed as a control system to the automation device and as a transactional system to the IT system. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a custom interface between automation devices and the IT systems. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100205271 | RELIABLE MESSAGING INSTRUCTION - The subject invention provides reliable messaging with and within a control environment. The systems and methods utilize a message broker that facilitates message exchange. The message broker can be located within an industrial controller, as a dedicated entity within a control environment and/or an entity external to the control environment. Messages transmitted from an industrial controller and/or the external entity can be routed through the message broker prior to reaching a destination, wherein the message can be stored in the message broker and subsequently obtained by a recipient. The message broker decouples the message sender (e.g., an industrial controller, an external entity . . . ) from the message recipient (e.g., an industrial controller, an external entity . . . ) such that messages can be successfully transmitted (to the message broker) regardless of a state of the recipient, and messages can be retrieved (from the message broker) regardless of a state of the sender. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100176755 | POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Power conversion systems and methods are provided for driving a plurality of motor loads, in which an autotransformer receives AC input currents and provides a plurality of multiphase outputs at a non-zero phase angle relative to one another, and the individual multiphase outputs are provided to corresponding motor drives with rectifiers to convert the multiphase outputs to DC electrical power, and inverters to convert the DC power to AC to drive corresponding motor loads. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100172162 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMON-MODE VOLTAGE REDUCTION IN FULLY REGENERATIVE AC DRIVES - Control systems, methods and fully regenerative power conversion systems are presented for mitigating common mode voltages in AC loads by employing inverter and/or active rectifier PWM control using switching sequences with only active vectors where a first vector of each switching sequence differs by one phase switching state from a last vector of a switching sequence of an adjacent sector. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100172161 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMON-MODE VOLTAGE REDUCTION IN AC DRIVES - Control systems, methods and power conversion systems are presented for controlling common mode voltages in AC motor loads driven by inverter PWM control using switching sequences with only active vectors where a first vector of each switching sequence differs by one phase switching state from a last vector of a switching sequence of an adjacent sector, along with enhanced deadtime compensation and reflected wave reduction techniques in providing pulse width modulated switching signals to a switching inverter. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100165674 | POWER CONVERSION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING HARMONIC DISTORTION - Control systems, methods and power conversion systems are presented for controlling harmonic distortion, in which multi-sampling space vector modulation (SVM) is employed for controlling power converter switching devices, with a reference vector being sampled two or more times during each SVM period to update the SVM dwell times more than once during each SVM cycle. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100161133 | DYNAMIC CONSTRAINED OPTIMIZATION OF CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING - System and method for chemical manufacture utilizing a dynamic optimizer for a chemical process including upstream and downstream processes. The dynamic optimizer includes a maximum feed calculator, operable to receive one or more local constraints on the downstream processes and one or more model offsets, and execute steady state models for the downstream processes in accordance with the local constraints and the offsets to determine maximum feed capacities of the downstream processes; and a feed coordinator, operable to receive the maximum feed capacities, and execute steady state models for the upstream processes in accordance with the maximum feed capacities and a specified objective function, subject to global constraints, to determine upstream production parameters for the upstream processes, which are usable to control the upstream processes to provide feeds to the downstream processes in accordance with the determined maximum feeds and the objective function subject to the global constraints. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100153771 | PEER-TO-PEER EXCHANGE OF DATA RESOURCES IN A CONTROL SYSTEM - System(s) and method(s) are provided for peer-to-peer exchange of data in a control system. Decentralized storage and multi-access paths provide complete sets of data without dependence on a specific or pre-defined data source or access paths. Data is characterized as data resources with disparate granularity. The control system includes a plurality of layers that act as logic units communicatively coupled through access network(s). Server(s) resides in a service layer, whereas client(s) associated with respective visualization terminal(s) are part of a visualization layer. Peer-to-peer distribution of data resource(s) can be based on available access network(s) resources and optimization of response time(s) in the control system. When client requests a data resource, all the locations of the data resource and the quickest source to retrieve it are automatically determined. The client stores copy of data resource. Peer-to-peer distribution of data resource(s) can be implemented within the service layer or the visualization layer. | 06-17-2010 |
