Patents by Inventor Paul Francis McLaughlin
Paul Francis McLaughlin 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).
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Patent number: 11956339Abstract: A process control system (PCS) includes a cable connection including physical cables including a first cable for connecting between a process controller and an I/O access device, and an independent second cable for connecting the process controller and a second node being the I/O access device or another device. The I/O access device is for coupling to I/O module(s) to receive an output of the I/O access device. An output of the I/O module is coupled to a field device coupled to processing equipment. The process controller and I/O access device each include a processor and memory that implement send and receive logic for communicating using any of multiple redundancy protocols including a first and a second redundant protocol. The cable connection is for supporting simultaneously communicating between the process controller and the second node utilizing both the first redundant protocol and the second redundant protocol.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Harshal S. Haridas, Joseph Pradeep Felix, Jay William Gustin, Paul Francis Mclaughlin, Jason Thomas Urso
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Patent number: 11762742Abstract: A process control system includes first type and second type controllers having different hardware architectures coupled together by a redundancy network for providing a controller pool. Primary application modules (AMs) are coupled to the controller platforms by a plant-wide network. The controller platforms are coupled by an input/output (I/O) mesh network to I/O devices to provide an I/O pool coupled to field devices coupled to processing equipment. A translating device translates states and values from one of the primary AMs running on a first type controller to generate a backup AM having an instruction set compatible with the second type controller. A controller application module orchestrator (CAMO) extends synchronization to the second type controller, makes the backup AM available to the second type controller, and then switches to utilize the second type controller as an active controller running the process.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, Jason Thomas Urso, James Michael Schreder, Joseph Pradeep Felix, Michael James Waynick, Elliott Harry Rachlin
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Patent number: 11726440Abstract: A process control system includes a process controller level including at least one process controller, and an input/output (I/O) module level including at least one I/O module. The process controller level and the I/O module level are communicatively coupled. and each include control logic comprising control hardware or algorithm blocks. The control logic in the process controller level and the I/O module level are configured to execute and exchange data to perform process control for a process run by the process control system in a distributed fashion across the process controller level and the I/O module level.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, Nagaraja Sundaresh, Joseph Pradeep Felix, Jethro Francis Steinman, Ram Mohan Anugu, Jason Thomas Urso, Joseph J Pane
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Patent number: 11520299Abstract: A system includes a shared data center having at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit. The shared data center is configured to service one, two, or more industrial automation systems. For each of the one, two, or more industrial automation systems, the shared data center is configured to receive process-related data associated from at least one local device in at least one local system, analyze the process-related data from the local device, and provide instructions to at least one client device associated with the local system.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, James Michael Schreder, Jason Thomas Urso, David Barry Granatelli
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Patent number: 11481282Abstract: A method of fault-tolerant process control includes providing a network process control system in an industrial processing facility (IPF) including a plant-wide network coupling a server to computing platforms each including computing hardware and memory hosting a software application for simultaneously supporting a process controller and another process controller or an I/O gateway. The computing platforms are coupled together by a private path redundancy network for providing a hardware resource pool. At least some of the computing platforms are directly coupled by an I/O mesh network to a plurality of I/O devices to field devices that are coupled to processing equipment. Upon detecting at least one failing device in the hardware resource pool, over the private path redundancy network a backup is placed into service for the failing device from the another process controller or I/O gateway that is at another of the computing platforms in the hardware resource pool.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, Jason Thomas Urso, James Michael Schreder, John Rosa-Bian, Norman Swanson, Jethro F. Steinman
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Publication number: 20220210252Abstract: A process control system (PCS) includes a cable connection including physical cables including a first cable for connecting between a process controller and an I/O access device, and an independent second cable for connecting the process controller and a second node being the I/O access device or another device. The I/O access device is for coupling to I/O module(s) to receive an output of the I/O access device. An output of the I/O module is coupled to a field device coupled to processing equipment. The process controller and I/O access device each include a processor and memory that implement send and receive logic for communicating using any of multiple redundancy protocols including a first and a second redundant protocol. The cable connection is for supporting simultaneously communicating between the process controller and the second node utilizing both the first redundant protocol and the second redundant protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2020Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Harshal S. Haridas, Joseph Pradeep Felix, Jay William Gustin, Paul Francis McLaughlin, Jason Thomas Urso
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Patent number: 11294843Abstract: A process control system includes a first process controller coupled to a first set of input/output (I/O) modules that provided first channels, including an I/O software agent coupled to an I/O module pool that includes a first and at least a second I/O module collectively providing pooled channels. The first channels and the pooled channels are each coupled by a respective field device to first and second processing equipment, respectively. The I/O software agent is configured for enabling addition of the first set of I/O modules to the LO module pool, coupling of a plurality of additional process controllers in a controller pool to the first process controller, and enabling at least one of i) making any of the first channels available to any of the process controllers in the controller pool, and ii) making any of the pooled channels available to the first process controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, Joseph Pradeep Felix, James Michael Schreder, John Rosa-Bian, Jason Thomas Urso
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Publication number: 20220091922Abstract: An implementation is for one or more hardware-based non-transitory memory devices storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors disposed in a computing device, cause the computing device to monitor a logic block and a memory block to detect a fault condition, determine a subset of the logic block or the memory block that is impacted by the fault condition, and perform at least one action on the logic block and the memory block.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2020Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, Christopher Paul Ladas
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Publication number: 20220004156Abstract: A process control system includes a process controller level including at least one process controller, and an input/output (I/O) module level including at least one I/O module. The process controller level and the I/O module level are communicatively coupled. and each include control logic comprising control hardware or algorithm blocks. The control logic in the process controller level and the I/O module level are configured to execute and exchange data to perform process control for a process run by the process control system in a distributed fashion across the process controller level and the I/O module level.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, Nagaraja Sundaresh, Joseph Pradeep Felix, Jethro Francis Steinman, Ram Mohan Anugu, Jason Thomas Urso, Joseph J Pane
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Publication number: 20210303499Abstract: A process control system includes a first process controller coupled to a first set of input/output (I/O) modules that provided first channels, including an I/O software agent coupled to an I/O module pool that includes a first and at least a second I/O module collectively providing pooled channels. The first channels and the pooled channels are each coupled by a respective field device to first and second processing equipment, respectively. The I/O software agent is configured for enabling addition of the first set of I/O modules to the LO module pool, coupling of a plurality of additional process controllers in a controller pool to the first process controller, and enabling at least one of i) making any of the first channels available to any of the process controllers in the controller pool, and ii) making any of the pooled channels available to the first process controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, Joseph Pradeep Felix, James Michael Schreder, John Rosa-Bian, Jason Thomas Urso
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Publication number: 20210302927Abstract: A process control system includes first type and second type controllers having different hardware architectures coupled together by a redundancy network for providing a controller pool. Primary application modules (AMs) are coupled to the controller platforms by a plant-wide network. The controller platforms are coupled by an input/output (I/O) mesh network to I/O devices to provide an I/O pool coupled to field devices coupled to processing equipment. A translating device translates states and values from one of the primary AMs running on a first type controller to generate a backup AM having an instruction set compatible with the second type controller. A controller application module orchestrator (CAMO) extends synchronization to the second type controller, makes the backup AM available to the second type controller, and then switches to utilize the second type controller as an active controller running the process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, Jason Thomas Urso, James Michael Schreder, Joseph Pradeep Felix, Michael James Waynick, Elliott Harry Rachlin
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Patent number: 11036656Abstract: An industrial automation system employing a mesh topology of input/output allows flexibility in pairing field devices and controllers though the I/O mesh. Field devices can be connected to the geographically closest I/O module channel without regard to the location of the necessary controller. Modular prefabrication and deployment of the I/O modules becomes less complex and less time consuming thereby reducing costs.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, Christopher Paul Ladas, Angela Lee Lordi, James Michael Schreder, Stanley Robert Gorzelic
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Patent number: 10924338Abstract: A network control system within an industrial processing facility (IPF) includes a controller platforms coupled to one another by a private path redundancy network providing a controller pool, each controller platform having at least one controller including computing hardware and a memory. An application module (AM) pool includes a plurality of AMs, wherein the controller platforms are coupled by an input/output mesh network to input/output devices coupled to field devices that are coupled to processing equipment in the IPF. A control application module orchestrator (CAMO) coupled to the plant-wide network is for dynamically deploying the AM's to the controller platforms, wherein the CAMO receives resource consumption attribute data regarding the controller platforms including a pool of available storage in the memory and processing resources available for the computer hardware.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: John Rosa-Bian, Joseph Pradeep Felix, Paul Francis McLaughlin
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Publication number: 20200320024Abstract: An industrial automation system employing a mesh topology of input/output allows flexibility in pairing field devices and controllers though the I/O mesh. Field devices can be connected to the geographically closest I/O module channel without regard to the location of the necessary controller. Modular prefabrication and deployment of the I/O modules becomes less complex and less time consuming thereby reducing costs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2019Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, Christopher Paul Ladas, Angela Lee Lordi, James Michael Schreder, Stanley Robert Gorzelic
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Publication number: 20200310920Abstract: A method of fault-tolerant process control includes providing a network process control system in an industrial processing facility (IPF) including a plant-wide network coupling a server to computing platforms each including computing hardware and memory hosting a software application for simultaneously supporting a process controller and another process controller or an I/O gateway. The computing platforms are coupled together by a private path redundancy network for providing a hardware resource pool. At least some of the computing platforms are directly coupled by an I/O mesh network to a plurality of I/O devices to field devices that are coupled to processing equipment. Upon detecting at least one failing device in the hardware resource pool, over the private path redundancy network a backup is placed into service for the failing device from the another process controller or I/O gateway that is at another of the computing platforms in the hardware resource pool.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, Jason Thomas Urso, James Michael Schreder, John Rosa-Bian, Norman Swanson, Jethro F. Steinman
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Publication number: 20200310368Abstract: A system includes a shared data center having at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit. The shared data center is configured to service one, two, or more industrial automation systems. For each of the one, two, or more industrial automation systems, the shared data center is configured to receive process-related data associated from at least one local device in at least one local system, analyze the process-related data from the local device, and provide instructions to at least one client device associated with the local system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: PAUL FRANCIS MCLAUGHLIN, JAMES MICHAEL SCHREDER, JASON THOMAS URSO, DAVID BARRY GRANATELLI
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Publication number: 20200313960Abstract: A network control system within an industrial processing facility (IPF) includes a controller platforms coupled to one another by a private path redundancy network providing a controller pool, each controller platform having at least one controller including computing hardware and a memory. An application module (AM) pool includes a plurality of AMs, wherein the controller platforms are coupled by an input/output mesh network to input/output devices coupled to field devices that are coupled to processing equipment in the IPF. A control application module orchestrator (CAMO) coupled to the plant-wide network is for dynamically deploying the AM's to the controller platforms, wherein the CAMO receives resource consumption attribute data regarding the controller platforms including a pool of available storage in the memory and processing resources available for the computer hardware.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: John Rosa-Bian, Joseph Pradeep Felix, Paul Francis McLaughlin
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Patent number: 6272386Abstract: There is disclosed a redundant process controller for use in a process facility having a plurality of process systems that produce process data, wherein the process data are gathered by process controllers associated with the process systems and are exchanged by the process controllers via a network. The redundant process controller is associated with a first selected process system and is capable of receiving process data from at least one remote process controller and intermittently transferring the received process data to the first selected process system.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1998Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Honeywell International INCInventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, Joseph P. Felix, Norman Raymond Swanson
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Patent number: 6170044Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for maintaining data coherency between a primary process controller operable to execute process control tasks and a backup process controller operable to replace the primary process controller upon failure, wherein the primary process controller cyclically executes the process control tasks during base control cycles having a period, T. The system comprises 1) a tracking circuit operable to detect changed data in a main memory in the primary process controller; 2) a data buffer for temporarily storing the changed data; and 3) data transfer circuitry for transferring the changed data in the data buffer to a backup memory in the backup process controller at least once during each base control cycle of the primary process controller, such that the transfer of changed data does not interfere with execution of the process control tasks.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1997Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Honeywell Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, Norman Raymond Swanson