Patents Represented by Attorney Fletcher Yoder Law
  • Patent number: 7624079
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for training a system model with gain constraints. A method is disclosed for training a steady-state model, the model having an input and an output and a mapping layer for mapping the input to the output through a stored representation of a system. A training data set is provided having a set of input data u(t) and target output data y(t) representative of the operation of a system. The model is trained with a predetermined training algorithm which is constrained to maintain the sensitivity of the output with respect to the input substantially within user defined constraint bounds by iteratively minimizing an objective function as a function of a data objective and a constraint objective. The data objective has a data fitting learning rate and the constraint objective has constraint learning rate that are varied as a function of the values of the data objective and the constraint objective after selective iterative steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Jon Hartman, Stephen Piche, Mark Gerules
  • Patent number: 7615988
    Abstract: A current measurement technique is disclosed in which a family of transformer coils having the same number of turns and the same winding resistance may be associated an active circuit for presenting a burden resistance of substantially zero value. The impedance of the coils will vary with their window size, and the active circuitry will reduce the burden resistance accordingly so that reductions and impedance do not result in introducing additional error into measurements. The circuitry may be used for measuring current in single conductors or in multiple conductors passing through the transformer coil, such as for ground fault measurement, monitoring and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John Herman Blakely
  • Patent number: 7616010
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed for determining capacitive, inductive, and resistive components of power line impedance. A measurement circuit switches a burden resistor between power line conductors to cause a droop in a voltage waveform. The voltage waveform is sampled prior to inclusion of the resistor in the circuit, as well as after to identify the droop. The short circuit between the power lines is then removed by opening the circuit and a first effective capacitance in the test circuitry causes a resonant ring due to the inductive component of the power line impedance. The process is repeated a second time with a second effective load capacitance enabled in the test circuitry to cause a second resonant ring. Based upon the frequency of the rings and the voltage measurements, the capacitive, inductive, and resistive components of power line impedance can be computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Gasperi
  • Patent number: 7616442
    Abstract: An improved cooling mechanism for a power electronics device is provided. More specifically, a cooling mechanism is provided wherein an air directing structure with a finite air-flow resistance is deployed in a cooling channel adjacent to a heatsink in a first cooling zone, such that some portion of the cooling air is forced through the heatsink while the rest of the cooling air bypasses the heatsink to provide additional cooling air to a second cooling zone. Additionally, the air-flow resistance of the air directing structure can be chosen so that the fan operates at its optimal point (maximum power input to the air).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mehdi Kaveh
  • Patent number: 7612972
    Abstract: A current sensing module is provided for contactors and similar switch gear. The current sensing module is packaged so as to be capable of mounting on a line or a load side of a contactor. The current sensing module may be eliminated where current signals are not needed, but can be added to the package where monitoring and control functions may benefit from sensed current signals on either or both sides of a contactor. The current sensing module may be configured as a single or multiple-phase device, and may output either analog or digital signals to local devices or to networked devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery John Battani, Ping Soon Lee
  • Patent number: 7610108
    Abstract: A method for providing independent static and dynamic models in a prediction, control and optimization environment utilizes an independent static model (20) and an independent dynamic model (22). The static model (20) is a rigorous predictive model that is trained over a wide range of data, whereas the dynamic model (22) is trained over a narrow range of data. The gain K of the static model (20) is utilized to scale the gain k of the dynamic model (22). The forced dynamic portion of the model (22) referred to as the bi variables are scaled by the ratio of the gains K and k. The bi have a direct effect on the gain of a dynamic model (22). This is facilitated by a coefficient modification block (40). Thereafter, the difference between the new value input to the static model (20) and the prior steady-state value is utilized as an input to the dynamic model (22). The predicted dynamic output is then summed with the previous steady-state value to provide a predicted value Y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Boe, Stephen Piche, Gregory D. Martin
  • Patent number: 7602617
    Abstract: A backplane configuration is described for supporting a range of modular components mechanically and for making electrical connections between the components. The backplane is particularly well-suited to power distribution and control applications, such as in industrial motor drives, and so forth. The backplane includes a number of bays or slots for modular components, as well as a bus topography that allows for switched or common connections between the various components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Brandt, Wayne H. Wielebski, Neil Gollhardt
  • Patent number: 7528612
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes a power distribution center having an enclosure with an access door configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The power distribution center includes a non-contact sensor disposed inside the enclosure, wherein the non-contact sensor includes a non-contact voltage sensor, or a non-contact temperature sensor, or a combination thereof. The power distribution center also includes an indicator viewable outside of the enclosure while the door is in the closed position, wherein the indicator is coupled to the non-contact sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Gollhardt, David L. Jensen, Fahed Awad, Jie Shen, David D. Brandt, David T. Rollay
  • Patent number: 7530113
    Abstract: An industrial automation system comprises a security access device, an industrial automation device, a user interface, and a security interface. The user interface is configured to provide a user with access to data stored inside the industrial automation device. The security interface is configured to receive information from the access device and, based on the information received from the access device, to provide authorization for the user to access the data stored inside the industrial automation device using the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D. Braun
  • Patent number: 7525809
    Abstract: A packaged electrical system includes an enclosure and a main interior volume for component supports. The component supports may support electrical, electronic, power electronic and similar components, as well as switchgear and the like. A main power wireway is provided adjacent to the main interior volume of the enclosure for accommodating three phase power conductors. A network and control power wireway is formed separately from the main power wireway. The network and control power wireway may be formed toward the rear of the main interior volume, and may accommodate plug-in connections between component supports and network conductors and control power conductors. The network and control power wireway is thus accessible through a separate door from the main power wireway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Herberto Bergmann, Arnaldo Hiroyuki Omoto, Luis Ricardo Luzardo Pereira, José Batista Ferreira Neto, David L. Jensen, Chester Malkowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7526463
    Abstract: System and method for controlling a process with spatially dependent conditions for producing a product with spatially dependent properties, e.g., a web/sheet-based process for producing a web/sheet-based product. Input data comprising a plurality of input data sets are provided to a neural network (analog or computer-based), each data set comprising values for one or more input parameters, each comprising a respective process condition or product property. The input data preserve spatial relationships of the input data. The neural network generates output data in accordance with the input data, the output data comprising a plurality of output data sets, each comprising values for one or more output parameters, each comprising a predicted process condition or product property. The output data preserve spatial relationships of the output data, which correspond to the spatial relationships of the input data. The output data are useable by a controller or operator to control the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Paul Collette, III, W. Douglas Johnson
  • Patent number: 7526392
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining the incident energy of a system. Specifically, there is provided a technique comprising measuring a voltage of an ac waveform, causing a resonant ring in the ac waveform, measuring a frequency of the resonant ring, computing a line impedance based upon the measured voltage and the frequency of the resonant ring, and computing a bolted fault current based on the line impedance and the measured voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Gasperi, David L. Jensen, David T. Rollay
  • Patent number: 7510223
    Abstract: A latch device is provided for an electrical enclosure. The latch device includes a latch plate which is movable between extended and retracted positions. In the extended position, the latch plate allows a door to be secured over an opening in the enclosure. In the retracted position, the latch plate permits unencumbered access to components and mounting structures within the enclosure, such as for removal of a mounting unit. The latching mechanism may bias the enclosure door to a closed position, while permitting movement of the door, without unlatching of the mechanism, during fault conditions within the enclosure, such as to permit the escape of hot gasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chester Malkowski, Jr., G. Erich Heberlein, Jr., James Hunter Meriwether, Eric Krieg
  • Patent number: 7463462
    Abstract: A technique for reducing nuisance tripping is disclosed in which a desired limit temperature is determined for a component of a motor system. The limit is compared to actual temperature signals, or signals indicative of temperature of the component. The component may be the conductor or conductors providing power to the motor. A counter is augmented when the actual temperature exceeds the limit. The limit may be computed, such as based on a heating model. A trip signal is generated only when the actual temperature has exceeded the limit for a predetermined number of periods. The counter may be reset if the actual temperature drops below the desired limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Alan Plemmons, John Herman Blakely, Gregory A. Helton