Patents by Inventor Gerald R. Creech

Gerald R. Creech has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10222770
    Abstract: An output module comprises two management units each of which calculates the current demand for the module independently from one another. One management unit controls an output current, controller whilst the other unit monitors the current produced by the output current controller against an independently calculated demand. The output module has multiple output modules. In normal operation, each module provides a portion of the required output current, the total output current being equal to the sum of the currents output by each module. in the event of failure on one of the, modules, the other module or modules switch to providing the total current required and the failed module is switched to a fail safe mode by using an isolation circuit to switch off the output current from that module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Limited
    Inventors: Thomas B. Meagher, Gerald R. Creech, Philip J. Agar, Shelby A. Murrell, Ian David D. W. Jones
  • Patent number: 9338919
    Abstract: Base modules are provided over a backplane network for high availability control of industrial processes or machines. The base modules may include, for example, an I/O base module, which may control the industrial processes or machines and which may releasably receive an I/O function card, an adapter base module, which may communicate with an industrial controller over a separate control network, and a bus expansion base module, which may provide coupling to another bank of base modules. The base modules may be arranged side-by-side via electrical and mechanical connections. Logic of the I/O base module may detect the presence or absence of the I/O function card to allow coupling or bypassing of the I/O function card with respect to the backplane network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kretschmann, David S. Wehrle, Gerald R. Creech
  • Patent number: 9182754
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for output current control in an Industrial Process Control System, The output module comprises two management units each of which calculates the current demand for the module independently from one another. One management unit controls an output current controller whilst the other unit monitors the current produced by the output current controller against an independently calculated demand. The output module has multiple output modules. However rather than one module providing a backup for the other modules, or alternating between use of each module, in normal operation, each module provides a portion of the required output current, the total output current being equal to the sum of the currents output by each module. In the event of failure on one of the modules, the other module or modules switch to providing the total current required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Limited
    Inventors: Thomas B. Meagher, Gerald R. Creech, Philip J. Agar, Shelby A. Murrell, Ian D. W. Jones
  • Publication number: 20150092355
    Abstract: Base modules are provided over a backplane network for high availability control of industrial processes or machines. The base modules may include, for example, an I/O base module, which may control the industrial processes or machines and which may releasably receive an I/O function card, an adapter base module, which may communicate with an industrial controller over a separate control network, and a bus expansion base module, which may provide coupling to another bank of base modules. The base modules may be arranged side-by-side via electrical and mechanical connections. Logic of the I/O base module may detect the presence or absence of the I/O function card to allow coupling or bypassing of the I/O function card with respect to the backplane network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Robert J. Kretschmann, David S. Wehrle, Gerald R. Creech
  • Patent number: 8937966
    Abstract: Base modules are provided over a backplane network for high availability control of industrial processes or machines. The base modules may include, for example, an I/O base module, which may control the industrial processes or machines and which may releasably receive an I/O function card, an adapter base module, which may communicate with an industrial controller over a separate control network, and a bus expansion base module, which may provide coupling to another bank of base modules. The base modules may be arranged side-by-side via electrical and mechanical connections. Logic of the I/O base module may detect the presence or absence of the I/O function card to allow coupling or bypassing of the I/O function card with respect to the backplane network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kretschmann, David S. Wehrle, Gerald R. Creech
  • Publication number: 20140226460
    Abstract: Base modules are provided over a backplane network for high availability control of industrial processes or machines. The base modules may include, for example, an I/O base module, which may control the industrial processes or machines and which may releasably receive an I/O function card, an adapter base module, which may communicate with an industrial controller over a separate control network, and a bus expansion base module, which may provide coupling to another bank of base modules. The base modules may be arranged side-by-side via electrical and mechanical connections. Logic of the I/O base module may detect the presence or absence of the I/O function card to allow coupling or bypassing of the I/O function card with respect to the backplane network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kretschmann, David S. Wehrle, Gerald R. Creech
  • Patent number: 8769158
    Abstract: A modular, high-availability network for an industrial control system employs a plurality of base modules having backplane and using network ring topology. Base modules may include I/O base modules for communicating with industrial processes or machines, an adapter base module for communicating with a programmable logic controller (PLC) and/or a bus expansion base module for providing additional I/O base modules. Base modules may be arranged side-by-side, having a backplane in a bank. Another embodiment may include having plurality of banks. The network ring topology used by the base modules is normally opened by a ring supervisor at the ring supervisor location. Upon failure of the network, the ring supervisor reconnects the ring to provide an alternative transmission path around the failure point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kretschmann, David S. Wehrle, Gerald R. Creech
  • Publication number: 20130010588
    Abstract: A modular, high-availability network for an industrial control system employs a plurality of base modules having backplane and using network ring topology. Base modules may include I/O base modules for communicating with industrial processes or machines, an adapter base module for communicating with a programmable logic controller (PLC) and/or a bus expansion base module for providing additional I/O base modules. Base modules may be arranged side-by-side, having a backplane in a bank. Another embodiment may include having plurality of banks. The network ring topology used by the base modules is normally opened by a ring supervisor at the ring supervisor location. Upon failure of the network, the ring supervisor reconnects the ring to provide an alternative transmission path around the failure point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Robert J. Kretschmann, David S. Wehrle, Gerald R. Creech