Abstract: An industrial information hub (IDH) serves as a single industrial ecosystem platform where multiple participants can deliver repeatable and standardized services relevant to their core competencies. The IIH system is centered around the development of an ecosystem that creates and delivers value to users—including industrial enterprises, OEMs, system integrators, vendors, etc.—through the aggregation of digital content and domain expertise. The IIH system serves as a trusted information broker between the ecosystem and the OT environments of plant facilities, and provides a platform for connecting assets, contextualizing asset data and providing secure access to the ecosystem. Additionally, the IIH system provides tools and support to OEMs and other subject matter experts, allowing those experts to enable their digital assets for use in the ecosystem. The IIH system reduces the cost and risks for digital transformation of industrial assets.

Abstract: A system and method of determining orientation of a physical location on a cart or end effector located on the cart in an independent cart system receives a feedback signal from a sensor on the cart. A multi-axis device may generate three or more signals corresponding to X, Y, and Z axes orientations. Processing may be performed on the signals to generate a value of yaw, pitch, or roll of the cart. The feedback or processed signals are transmitted from the mover to a remote device external from the track. The real-time orientation information may be used to implement closed-loop control of an actuator mounted on or external to each cart as the cart travels along the track. Power for the devices on the mover may be provided by a battery mounted on the cart or by a wireless power transfer system.

Abstract: An industrial integrated development environment (IDE) identifies modifications to an industrial control program using a combination of program hashing and text differencing. The system performs deep-level hashing of the control program's text model to obtain hash data comprising rung-level hash values that collectively represent the current state of the program. When edits to the program are received, the modified text model is hashed again to yield modified hash data, and differencing analysis is performed on the initial and modified hash data. Differences between the two sets of hash values are used to identify portions of the control program that have been modified so that the targeted updates to a logic view of the program can be implemented. This allows the logic view to be updated without redrawing the entire view, and without the need to store multiple copies of the program's object model for comparison purposes.

Abstract: A method may include receiving, via a first computing node, a first pod from a second computing node. The method may also include retrieving a first image file that may include a first set of containers from a registry based on the first pod. The first set of containers may cause a control system to halt operations. The method may then involve generating a first package based on the first set of containers and storing the first package in a filesystem, receiving a second pod from the second computing node, and retrieving a second image file having a second set of containers from the registry. The second pod may include the second set of containers may cause the control system to update software components. The method may also involve generating a second package based on the second set of containers and storing the second package in the filesystem.

Abstract: For estimating motor torque and velocity, a method estimates a velocity profile for a motor based on line-to-line voltages and phase currents for the motor. The velocity profile is estimated without a position input and a velocity input. The method further estimates a torque profile for the motor based on the line-to-line voltages, the phase currents, and a time interval of the velocity profile of motor velocities greater than a velocity threshold, and wherein the motor is operating over the time interval.

Abstract: A method may include receiving, via a first computing node of a cluster of computing nodes in a container orchestration system, a pod from a second computing node in the cluster of computing nodes. The method may also include retrieving an image file comprising one or more containers from a registry, such that the pod may include an indication of a location of the image file in the registry. The one or more containers may include one or more pre-analytic operations for a control system of a plurality of control systems to perform. The method may then involve generating a package based on the one or more containers and storing the package in a filesystem shared with the control system.

Abstract: A non-transitory, computer-readable medium includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed, by one or more processors associated with a first input/output (I/O) component in an industrial automation system, cause the processors to perform operations. The first I/O component may operate in a single duplex (“suplex”) mode of operation. The operations include detecting a second I/O component in the industrial automation system, determining that a first hardware configuration, a first software configuration, or both, associated with the first I/O component is compatible with a second hardware configuration, a second software configuration, or both, associated with the second I/O component, and reconfiguring the first I/O component to operate in a duplex mode of operation.

Abstract: An improved system for preventing collisions between movers while improving throughput in a linear drive system utilizes a continually variable vehicle length for each mover. A vehicle length is assigned to each mover, where the vehicle length is a minimum track length required by the vehicle to avoid physically contacting a neighboring vehicle along the track. The vehicle length for each mover is then determined for each location along the track based on both the track geometry and the mover geometry. The vehicle length is continually variable along the length of the track allowing movers to be positioned as close together as possible for each location along the track based on both the track geometry and the mover geometry. The continually variable vehicle length provides collision prevention between movers while increasing throughput of movers along segments of the track that do not require the largest spacing between movers.

Abstract: An industrial virtual reality (VR) system includes visualization processing capabilities that allow an augmented reality (AR) human-machine interface (HMI) application to be tested within a virtual representation of the plant environment. This approach can yield an interactable AR HMI that simulates, within the VR environment, what a wearer of an AR appliance will see while traversing the physical plant. In this way, proper operation of the AR HMI can be verified prior to commissioning of the physical system. This can include ensuring that graphics are tied to the correct data points, confirming correct and non-obtrusive locations of graphics within the user's field of view.

Abstract: A motor drive or bus supply power conversion system includes a rectifier with at least one rectifier switch module for rectifying AC input power. A DC bus is connected to the rectifier and supplies DC output power. An optional inverter is connected to the DC bus and includes at least one inverter switch module for inverting the DC bus voltage to an AC output power. The at least one rectifier switch module and the at least one inverter switch module each include a base plate and a housing connected to the base plate. The housing defines an interior space that contains at least one semiconductor switch. A protective cover layer includes a corrosion protection material and divides the interior space into an inner sub-space located between the base plate and the protective cover layer and an outer sub-space located between the protective cover layer and the housing.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein enables automation of component sourcing when designing a process system in an industrial environment. In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving design specifications of a process system in an industrial environment via a system design application. The method further includes determining components to implement the process system from the design specifications and identifying a first subset of the components for sourcing from an external provider. The method also includes populating the first subset into a component sourcing application.

Abstract: A cloud-based operator training system includes a snapshot management architecture, which provides a hybrid system for generation of control system level scenarios and system-state snapshots, and which can improve the fidelity of a training simulation. By implementing the simulation system on a cloud platform, the system can generate a large and growing set of snapshot files representing various control states and corresponding process states. These files can then be leverage during operator training sessions to yield high fidelity simulated system operation.

Abstract: A human machine interface for an industrial automation control system includes at least one touchless input device that is adapted to be in a first state in which said human machine interface provides a first input to said industrial automation control system or a second state in which said human machine interface provides a second input to said industrial automation control system. The at least one touchless input device includes first and second touchless input sensors each configured to detect hand gestures of an operator's hand to provide input to said human machine interface based upon said gestures. The first and second touchless input sensors can be identical with respect to each other or different. In one example, one or both of the sensors are both time-of-flight sensors and one of the sensors can be an electric field proximity sensor. A method of providing a human machine interface with at least one touchless input device is provided.

Abstract: A control code collaboration system automatically generates control code for an industrial project based on text discovered within the design documents. The system allows a designer to highlight text within a text-based design document representing an interlock definition, step sequence definition, tag name, or other aspects of the design description. The system then allows the user to link annotations to the highlighted text, the annotations representing interlock programming, sequence programming, or controller tag names. The system then searches the document for similarly formatted text, which are assumed to represent descriptions of similar control aspects, and infers suitable control programming from these discovered pieces of text using the previously provided annotations as a guide. In this way, the system uses text pattern recognition generates suggestions as to how to program portions of the design description based on control logic examples provided by the user.

Abstract: A smart gateway platform leverages pre-defined industrial expertise to identify limited subsets of available industrial data deemed relevant to a desired business objective, and to collect and model this relevant data to apply useful constraints on subsequent artificial intelligence or machine learning analytics applied to the data. This approach can reduce the data space to which AI analytics are applied, and assist data analytic systems to more quickly derive valuable insights and business outcomes. In some embodiments, the smart gateway platform can operate within the context of a multi-level industrial analytic system, feeding pre-modeled data to one or more AI or machine learning systems executing on one or more different levels of an industrial enterprise.

Abstract: A control module for a reversing contactor includes a housing configured to mount to forward and reverse contactors. The control module is configured to receive command signals for the forward and reverse contactors and provide the command signals to an interlock circuit included within the housing of the control module. The interlock circuit is configured to use the forward and reverse commands as well as feedback signals corresponding to the current status of the contactors to prevent both the forward and reverse contactors from being closed in tandem. The control module is also configured to mount to contactors having different physical sizes. The housing may be configured as a telescoping housing, where one portion of the housing is fixed and a second portion of the housing slides with respect to the fixed portion of the housing to adjust the width of the control module.

Abstract: An electronics housing assembly includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion removably connected to the first housing portion to define an interior space that contains electronics components. A first group of the electronics components is connected to the first housing portion and a second group of the electronics components is connected to the second housing portion. A connector alignment and retention panel is connected to the first housing portion. The connector alignment and retention panel includes a connector support platform with a first connector mounting location. A first electrical connector that is part of the first group of the electronics components is operatively engaged with the first connector mounting location of the panel such that the first electrical connector is mounted on the panel and located in a select position relative to the first housing portion.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes two or more poles electrically connected between a power supply and a contactor. Each of the two or more poles comprises a switch. The circuit breaker includes one or more voltage measuring devices configured to measure at least one phase-to-phase voltage level, and one or more current detecting devices configured to detect current going through each of the two or more poles. The circuit breaker further includes a control circuitry configured to: monitor the at least one phase-to-phase voltage level; in response to determining the at least one phase-to-phase voltage level is within a threshold range, close corresponding switches; in response to detecting current flowing through at least one of the two or more poles, maintain the corresponding switches in a closed position; and close all additional switches associated with the two or more poles after a period of time.

Abstract: An industrial integrated development environment (IDE) comprises a development interface that affords a user a great deal of control over the editing tools, workspace canvases, and project information rendered at a given time. The industrial IDE system automatically filters the tools, panels, and information available for selection based on a current project development task, such that a focused subset of editing tools relevant to a current development task or context are made available for selection while other tools are hidden. The development interface also allows the user to selectively render or hide selected tools or information from among the relevant, filtered set of tools. This can reduce or eliminate unnecessary clutter and aid in quickly and easily locating and selecting a desired editing function. The IDE's development interface can also conform to a structured organization of workspace canvases and panels that facilitates intuitive workflow.

Abstract: Secure data transmission between an input device and both industrial controllers in a high-availability system utilizes a secure connection established between the primary industrial controller and the input device. Data required to establish the secure connection is stored on the primary controller as part of the connection data corresponding to the secure connection. The input device transmits data to the primary controller over the secure connection according to the desired level of security. The primary controller transmits the connection data defining the secure connection to the secondary controller. If a failure occurs in the primary controller, the secondary controller establishes a connection to the input device using the connection data for the secure connection, such that the secondary controller may assume responsibility for the controller end of the secure connection. The primary controller transmits the input signals to the secondary controller via the dedicated connection between controllers.