Patents Assigned to Automation Technology, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11994843
    Abstract: Embodiments of this present disclosure may include systems that perform operations including receiving a request to access data associated with an industrial automation device from a requesting device and identifying the industrial automation device based on the request. The operations may include sending a query for template data to the industrial automation device based on the request and receiving the template data. The operations may include determining a data structure based on the requesting device and generating the data structure based on the template data and a mapping between the data structure and the template data. The operations may additionally include sending the data structure to the requesting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Alan Mills, Todd A. Wiese, Rob A. Entzminger, David C. Mazur, Roberto S. Marques, Marius G. Chis, Ryan Coon, Robert J. Miklosovic
  • Patent number: 11994962
    Abstract: Embodiments of this present disclosure may include a system that may include a first input/output (IO) module, which may output a first current output. The first IO module may be coupled to a first terminal and a second terminal. The system may include a second IO module that may output a second current output. The second IO module may be coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal. The system may include a load device coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal. The load device may operate based on the first current output and the second current output. The system may include one or more control systems that receive an instruction to perform a coordinated handoff to the first IO module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 11994842
    Abstract: An industrial integrated development environment (IDE) supports collaborative tools that allow multiple designers and programmers to remotely submit design input to the same automation system project in parallel while maintaining project consistency. The industrial IDE also permits localized development of system projects, and provides an infrastructure for intelligently brokering between conflicting edits submitted to common portions of the system project. To facilitate effective collaboration via efficient communication between developers, the IDE system can be configured to send push notifications to personal client devices in response to relevant events originating within the development environment relating to development of an automation system project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Ohlsen, Kenneth Scott Plache
  • Patent number: 11982995
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for improving defect detection in an automated production process. The system comprises a memory that stores executable components and a processor, operatively coupled to the memory, that executes the executable components. The executable components comprise an automation defect component and a machine learning component. The automation defect component retrieves parametric data associated with the production process. The automation defect component provides the parametric data to a machine learning algorithm. The machine learning component generates common attributes between the defective items. The machine learning component identifies a set of common attributes shared between the defective items and a non-defective item. The machine learning component modifies the set of the common attributes shared between the defective items and the non-defective item. The machine learning component generates defect indicators based on the common attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Vance, Robert F. Trinnes, Mikica Cvijetinovic, Francisco P. Maturana
  • Patent number: 11984289
    Abstract: A motor control center includes an enclosure comprising an isolation switch, a main contactor device, and a ground switch device. The isolation switch is selectively manually operable between a connected state and a disconnected state. In the connected state the isolation switch is adapted to conduct electrical power from an associated power source to the main contactor device and wherein the isolation switch in the disconnected state interrupts conduction of electrical power from the associated power source to the main contactor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Navinchandra Bhatt, Paul van Heeswyk, John Kay, Ashwin Baliga B
  • Patent number: 11982585
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring forces exerted at multiple locations on a mover includes multiple sensors, where each sensor is mounted at one of the locations. Each sensor detects an operating condition of the mover at the location on the mover at which it is mounted. The sensors may include accelerometers, strain gauges, or a combination thereof. Each strain gauge is mounted proximate to an area of interest on the mover. Each strain gauge generates a feedback signal corresponding to a deformation of the material measured at the location of the sensor. From the measured deformation of material, a force acting on the mover at the location of the sensor may be determined. The forces exerted at the different locations on the mover may be monitored in real time to determine bearing performance or monitored over a duration of time to observer changes in bearing performance over that duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Gardner, Shankernarayan Ramanarayanan, Tamil K. Rajavel
  • Patent number: 11984814
    Abstract: For open loop phase pre-charge, an apparatus includes a Switching Mode Power Supply (SMPS) charging diode and a charge generator. The SMPS charging diode pre-charges an SMPS to a regulation set point from at least one phase of an Alternating Current (AC) voltage. The charge generator is powered by the pre-charged SMPS. In response to detecting the regulation set point iteratively, the charge generator detects a specified phase angle of the AC voltage. In response to the specified phase angle, the charge generator iteratively generates a charging voltage during positive voltage interval that charges a Direct Current (DC) bus capacitor to a target DC bus voltage within a charging time interval. At least a portion of the charge generator comprises one or more of hardware and executable code, the executable code stored on one or more computer readable storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Peizhong Yi, Robert W. Reese, Brian P. Brown, Jatinkumar Patel
  • Patent number: 11984774
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes drive modules for motor-drive assemblies of an industrial automation system. The drive modules may include a housing having a cavity and may also include power circuitry and control circuitry. The power circuitry may convert input DC power to three-phase controlled frequency AC power and may supply the three-phase controlled frequency AC power to a motor. The control circuitry may apply control signals to control operation of the motor. The drive module may also include an adapter that couples to a first end of the housing and couples the housing to the motor. The adapter may be removable and sized according to a frame size of the motor such that the drive module is compatible with the motor. The housing may be independent of the frame size of the motor. As such, the housing may be interchangeable for any motor frame size and/or motor power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristin N. Yee, Barbara Grosek, Piotr Hilary Krawiec
  • Patent number: 11984829
    Abstract: A system has a DC bus circuit with first and second terminals, an intermediate node, first and second capacitors, first and second depletion mode FETs, and first and second switching control circuits, where the first depletion mode FET has a drain coupled to the first bus terminal, a source, and a gate coupled to the intermediate node, the second depletion mode FET has a drain coupled to the intermediate node, a source, and a gate coupled to the second bus terminal, the first switching control circuit turns the first depletion mode FET off responsive to a first capacitor voltage of the first bus capacitor being less than or equal to a second capacitor voltage of the second bus capacitor, and the second switching control circuit turns the second depletion mode FET off responsive to the first capacitor voltage being greater than or equal to the second capacitor voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeljko Jankovic, Ji Jun Cao
  • Patent number: 11984708
    Abstract: A power supply circuit for use with a power supply system. The power supply circuit can be provided within a power supply module connected with one or more additional power supply modules as part of the power supply system. The power supply circuit includes an optocoupler and a resistor ladder connected to the optocoupler. The circuit asserts a synchronization signal responsive to the optocoupler being energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Widen, Jr., Brian P. Brown
  • Patent number: 11977368
    Abstract: A system may include a data delivery pipeline communicatively coupled to one or more microservices that receive a dataset transmitted through the data delivery pipeline. The system may also include a first microservice that receives a first dataset corresponding to operation technology (OT) data or information technology (IT) data and determines a second dataset based on the first dataset. The system may also include a second microservice that receives the second dataset from the first microservice via the data delivery pipeline, determines an action to perform in an industrial automation component of an industrial automation system based on an analysis of the second dataset, and transmits the action to the industrial automation component via the data delivery pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Francisco P. Maturana
  • Patent number: 11978606
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a first set of operational parameters that correspond to one or more semiconductor devices of a solid-state circuit breaker and sending a first command to the solid-state circuit breaker to turn off the one or more semiconductors in response to the first set of operational parameters exceeding a first set of thresholds. The method includes sending a second command to the solid-state circuit breaker to turn on the one or more semiconductors in response to the first set of operational parameters being equal to or less than the first set of thresholds. The method includes receiving a second set of operational parameters that correspond to one or more electrical properties associated with an operation of the solid-state circuit breaker coupled to a load device and generating a baseline profile representative of the first set of operational parameters and the second operational parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aiman Kerim, Juerg Merki, Kyle B Adkins, Randall S. Langer, Jr., Andrew E. Carlson, David Elmiger
  • Patent number: 11979006
    Abstract: An apparatus for interlocking the connection handle of a module for a motor control center (MCC) engages a locking plate to prevent inadvertent motion of the connection handle. When the apparatus is not pressed, it allows the locking plate to fully engage the connection handle, preventing the connection handle from changing position. When the apparatus is in a first angular orientation, it may only be pressed into the module for a first depth. At the first depth, the apparatus engages the locking plate to allow the connection handle to transition between an off position and a test position. When the apparatus is rotated to a second angular orientation, it may be pressed into the module for a second depth. At the second depth, the apparatus causes the locking plate to disengage the connection handle, allowing the connection handle to be moved between any desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian Najdek, Karol Knoll
  • Patent number: 11976376
    Abstract: Systems, methods and power converters are disclosed to provide regulated individual DC output signals to anode structures using a PWM inverter to generate a first AC signal, a sinewave filter to provide a filtered AC signal, a multiphase isolation transformer to provide a plurality of isolated AC signals, a multi-pulse diode bridge rectifier to provide a DC rectifier output signal, an output filter to provide a filtered DC rectifier output signal, and a blocking diode to provide the filtered DC rectifier output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolay N. Guskov, Gary L. Skibinski, Zhijun Liu, William John Sarver
  • Patent number: 11972177
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software to facilitate simulating machines used in industrial automation are disclosed herein. In at least one implementation, an API is utilized to establish at least a communication link between a simulation model created in a simulation application and an industrial controller system outside of the simulation model, wherein the simulation model comprises definitions for a virtual representation of at least a portion of a machine used in an industrial automation environment. Data is then exchanged between the industrial controller system and the simulation model over the communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco Maturana, Haithem Mansouri, Jaroslav Kriz
  • Patent number: 11972257
    Abstract: An industrial integrated development environment (IDE) allows project topologies to be defined using an industrial domain-specific language (DSL) script. DSL scripting language can be used to define a control system topology in terms of the devices that make up the control system as well as the data connections between those devices. The IDE system can translate resulting topology to a project tree that serves as the basis for a control system project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A Pierce, Anthony J Diblasio, Douglas B Sumerauer, Christopher E Stanek
  • Patent number: 11967470
    Abstract: A method for determining contact thickness change in a contactor includes sensing a first displacement distance moved by an armature of the contactor from a reference location to a first transition point during a switch-off operation of the contactor at a first contactor life reference time when movable contacts and fixed contacts of the contactor define a first contact thickness. The method further includes sensing a second displacement distance moved by the armature from the reference location to a second transition point during a switch-off operation at a second contactor life reference time that is after the first contactor life reference time when the movable and fixed contacts define a second contact thickness that is less than the first contact thickness. The first displacement distance and the second displacement distance are used to determine a contact thickness change between the first contact thickness and the second contact thickness. A contactor adapted to implement the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Junfeng Liao, Benfeng Tang
  • Patent number: 11964685
    Abstract: External interaction with a mover in an independent cart system is allowed at known locations along the track. The mover is initially propelled along the track in a first operating state. When the mover arrives at a station, the controller generates a signal to alert the external actuator of the presence of a mover at the station. After waiting at the station for a first predefined time interval, the controller switches to a second operating state, in which the coils are de-energized or the controller is reconfigured to operate in a less responsive manner than in the first operating state. The controller remains in the second operating state for a second predefined interval, during which the external actuator interacts with the mover or a load on the mover. After the second predefined interval, the controller enters a third operating state, and the controller propels the mover away from the station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhong Huang, Jesse R. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 11968811
    Abstract: An industrial automation controller includes a housing with a forced convection chamber. First and second fans are releasably connected to the housing and are adapted to induce airflow through the forced convection chamber. The first and second fans are each connected to the housing by respective first and second latch systems that each include a primary latch and a secondary latch. The secondary latch imposes a time delay during removal and replacement of a fan to facilitate hot swapping of the fan with a replacement fan. A make-last/break-first contact system is provided for each fan such that the fan is shutdown in a controlled manner prior to removal of the fan from the housing. The controller monitors internal temperature and fan speed. The controller initiates, logs, and reports fault conditions based upon the monitored temperature and/or fan speed. The controller is shut down if the monitored temperature exceeds a select temperature level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Baran, Jason N. Shaw, Gary D. Dotson, Bruce J. Moore, Milan Svoboda, Pavel Jicha, John C. Laur, Keith O. Satula
  • Patent number: 11953889
    Abstract: An adapter of a common gateway platform associated with an industrial automation system is described for communicating data acquired from various devices using a data model of the common gateway platform with external components using various data models. The computing device may determine a relationship between datasets of the native data model and datasets of an external component based on obtaining an application programming interface (API) and/or software development kit (SDK) of the external component. Accordingly, the adapter may enable the common gateway platform to interact with the external component by providing functionalities of the external component as native functions of the computing device. That is, the adapter may provide functions to connect, create, read, write, update, delete, run commands and queries, and disconnect from the external component using native commands and actions of the common gateway platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Hawthorne, Stephen C. Briant, Nicholas J. Marangoni