Patents by Inventor Robert J. Kretschmann
Robert J. Kretschmann 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: 8996745Abstract: An output module for an industrial controller configurable to simplify setup and commissioning is disclosed. The output module includes configurable PWM outputs that may be scheduled to start at different times within the PWM period, that may be configured to generate a fixed number of PWM pulses, and that may have an extendable PWM period. The output terminals are configurable to enter a first state upon generation of a fault and further configurable to enter a second state after a configurable time delay following the fault being generated. The output module may receive inputs signals directly from another module and set output signals at the terminals responsive to these signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Decker, Robert J. Kretschmann, Kenwood Hall, Andreas P. Frischknecht, Scott A. Pierce
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Patent number: 8937966Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Kretschmann, David S. Wehrle, Gerald R. Creech
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Publication number: 20150018983Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that facilitates employing safety within an industrial environment. An enhancing component can implement at least one of a security level, authentication, authorization, or an access right to a validated action to at least one of the controller or the controller engine instance. The enhancing component can further separate two or more entities within the industrial environment, the first entity related to process control and the second entity related to process safety. Additionally, the enhancing component can employ at least one of a backup controller or a backup controller engine instance in the event of at least one of a software error or a hardware error within the industrial environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Richard J. Grgic, Subbian Govindaraj, Kenwood H. Hall, Robert J. Kretschmann, Charles M. Rischar, Raymond J. Staron, David A. Vasko
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Publication number: 20140371877Abstract: An input module for an industrial controller is configurable to simplify setup and commissioning. The input module includes input terminals configurable, for example, as a counter input. Still other input terminals may be configured to trigger events as a function of the input signals present at the terminals. Time signals corresponding to transitions in state of the input terminals, triggering of events, or operation of the counters may be recorded. The input module is further configurable to transmit data back to the processor or to transmit data directly to another module in the industrial control network.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Bret S. Hildebran, Eric D. Decker, DuWayne D. Mulhall, Peter M. Delic, Robert J. Kretschmann, Kenwood H. Hall, Harsh Shah, Andreas P. Frischknecht, Scott A. Pierce, Terence S. Tenorio
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Publication number: 20140336790Abstract: An industrial control configuration can be a dynamic entity where different controllers are added, are subtracted, fail, etc. When dynamic functions occur, bindings of the configuration can benefit from a modification. Therefore, automatic adjustment of bindings can occur to facilitated improved operation. Automatic adjustment can be practiced when the industrial control configuration is a distributed control configuration without reliance upon a central database.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: David A. Vasko, Charles Martin Rischar, Kenwood H. Hall, Subbian Govindaraj, Robert J. Kretschmann, Michael D. Kalan, Paul R. D'Mura, Taryl J. Jasper, Eugene Liberman, Raymond J. Staron
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Publication number: 20140310730Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: Kenneth Plache, Daniel B. Seger, III, Raymond Staron, Robert J. Kretschmann, Taryl Jasper, James Harry Jarrett, Russell Brandes, Ronald Bliss, Michael Kalan, Subbian Govindaraj, Kenwood Hall, Douglas J. Reichard
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Patent number: 8856522Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that facilitates employing safety within an industrial environment. An enhancing component can implement at least one of a security level, authentication, authorization, or an access right to a validated action to at least one of the controller or the controller engine instance. The enhancing component can further separate two or more entities within the industrial environment, the first entity related to process control and the second entity related to process safety. Additionally, the enhancing component can employ at least one of a backup controller or a backup controller engine instance in the event of at least one of a software error or a hardware error within the industrial environment.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation TechnologiesInventors: Richard J. Grgic, Subbian Govindaraj, Kenwood H. Hall, Robert J. Kretschmann, Charles M. Rischar, Raymond J. Staron, David A. Vasko
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Patent number: 8831751Abstract: An industrial control configuration can be a dynamic entity where different controllers are added, are subtracted, fail, etc. When dynamic functions occur, bindings of the configuration can benefit from a modification. Therefore, automatic adjustment of bindings can occur to facilitate improved operation. Automatic adjustment can be practiced when the industrial control configuration is a distributed control configuration without reliance upon a central database.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David A. Vasko, Raymond J. Staron, Charles Martin Rischar, Kenwood H. Hall, Subbian Govindaraj, Robert J. Kretschmann, Michael D. Kalan, Paul R. D'Mura, Taryl J. Jasper, Eugene Liberman
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Publication number: 20140243999Abstract: An output module for an industrial controller configurable to simplify setup and commissioning is disclosed. The output module includes configurable PWM outputs that may be scheduled to start at different times within the PWM period, that may be configured to generate a fixed number of PWM pulses, and that may have an extendable PWM period. The output terminals are configurable to enter a first state upon generation of a fault and further configurable to enter a second state after a configurable time delay following the fault being generated. The output module may receive inputs signals directly from another module and set output signals at the terminals responsive to these signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: BRET S. HILDEBRAN, ERIC D. DECKER, DUWAYNE D. MULHALL, PETER M. DELIC, CHARMAINE J. VAN MINNEN, KENWOOD HALL, RICHARD O. RUGGERI, HARSH SHAH, ANDREAS P. FRISCHKNECHT, SCOTT A. PIERCE, ROBERT J. KRETSCHMANN, MARK A. CHAFFEE, TERENCE S. TENORIO, DAVID A. PASELA
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Publication number: 20140244002Abstract: An output module for an industrial controller configurable to simplify setup and commissioning is disclosed. The output module includes configurable PWM outputs that may be scheduled to start at different times within the PWM period, that may be configured to generate a fixed number of PWM pulses, and that may have an extendable PWM period. The output terminals are configurable to enter a first state upon generation of a fault and further configurable to enter a second state after a configurable time delay following the fault being generated. The output module may receive inputs signals directly from another module and set output signals at the terminals responsive to these signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Decker, Robert J. Kretschmann, Kenwood Hall, Andreas P. Frischknecht, Scott A. Pierce
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Publication number: 20140226460Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Rockwell Automation, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Kretschmann, David S. Wehrle, Gerald R. Creech
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Patent number: 8776092Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Plache, Daniel B. Seger, III, Raymond Staron, Robert J. Kretschmann, Taryl Jasper, James Harry Jarrett, Russell Brandes, Ronald Bliss, Michael Kalan, Subbian Govindaraj, Kenwood Hall, Douglas J. Reichard
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Patent number: 8769158Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 6, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Kretschmann, David S. Wehrle, Gerald R. Creech
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Patent number: 8762588Abstract: An output module for an industrial controller configurable to simplify setup and commissioning is disclosed. The output module includes configurable PWM outputs that may be scheduled to start at different times within the PWM period, that may be configured to generate a fixed number of PWM pulses, and that may have an extendable PWM period. The output terminals are configurable to enter a first state upon generation of a fault and further configurable to enter a second state after a configurable time delay following the fault being generated. The output module may receive inputs signals directly from another module and set output signals at the terminals responsive to these signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bret S. Hildebran, Eric D. Decker, David A. Pasela, Duwayne D. Mulhall, Russell W. Brandes, Peter M. Delic, Charmaine J. Van Minnen, Anthony Sorbello, Robert J. Kretschmann, Kenwood Hall, Richard O. Ruggeri, Harsh Shah, Andreas P. Frischknecht, Scott A. Pierce, Terence S. Tenorio, Gregory J. Svetina
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Patent number: 8732658Abstract: 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).Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Plache, Daniel B. Seger, III, Raymond Staron, Robert J. Kretschmann, Taryl Jasper, James Harry Jarrett, Russell Brandes, Ronald Bliss, Michael Kalan, Subbian Govindaraj, Kenwood Hall, Douglas J. Reichard
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Publication number: 20140065863Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Douglas R. Bodmann, David S. Wehrle, Joseph G. Vazach, Robert J. Kretschmann, Nathan J. Molnar, Gregg M. Sichner
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Patent number: 8628004Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing electronic keying features stored within one of the components (e.g., I/O modules, terminal blocks, bases) of I/O devices may include reading or detecting the electronic keying features using 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, 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, the electronic key feature and/or the electronic key identification circuitry may be removable from their respective component of the I/O device.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph G. Vazach, David S. Wehrle, Douglas R. Bodmann, Robert J. Kretschmann, Gregg M. Sichner
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Patent number: 8606928Abstract: A requesting entity can submit a query to an industrial control configuration to determine a location for a module. A distributed directory can be employed to discover an absolute location of the module, which can be provided to the requesting entity. This discovery can occur in real-time such that an answer can be given with a relatively high degree of certainty. In addition to providing the absolute address in the answer, a path on how to reach the module can be provided. The path can be optimized in order to allow quicker response time and to manage system resources.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David A. Vasko, Raymond J. Staron, Charles Martin Rischar, Kenwood H. Hall, Subbian Govindaraj, Robert J. Kretschmann, Michael D. Kalan, Paul R. D'Mura, Taryl J. Jasper, Eugene Liberman
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Patent number: 8579639Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Douglas R. Bodmann, David S. Wehrle, Joseph G. Vazach, Robert J. Kretschmann, Nathan J. Molnar, Gregg M. Sichner
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Publication number: 20130010588Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: Robert J. Kretschmann, David S. Wehrle, Gerald R. Creech