Patents Assigned to B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
  • Patent number: 10432838
    Abstract: Light source (1) for industrial image processing for illuminating an image area (3), the light source (1) having at least one sensor (40) and the at least one sensor (40) being provided for capturing an actual relative position (6) of the light source (1) in relation to a reference plane (10), and that a comparison unit (11) connected to the sensor (40) is provided for comparing the actual relative position (6) of the light source (1) with a defined relative target position (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Waldl
  • Patent number: 10416028
    Abstract: To determine the temperature of a link capacitor (C) of a link converter (1) more accurately with less expenditure, a device and a method are described, in which the link capacitor (C) is modeled as a series interconnection of an equivalent capacitance (CS) and an equivalent series resistance (ESR), wherein a modeled capacitor current (iCm) flows across the equivalent series resistance (ESR). A modeled capacitor power loss (PC), from which the capacitor temperature (TC) is determined by means of a specified temperature model, is calculated from the modeled capacitor current (iCm) and the value of the equivalent series resistance (ESR) by means of a first relationship of the form PC=f(iCm, ESR). Direct measurement of the capacitor temperature (TC), of the capacitor current (iC), or of the capacitor power loss (PC) is not required. For example, a measurement of the capacitor voltage (uC) and a further calculation of the modeled capacitor current iCm and finally of the capacitor power loss (PC) are sufficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Doppelhammer, Johann Eder, Gerhard Mayrhofer-Huber
  • Publication number: 20190279355
    Abstract: To produce a real-time smart camera that can be flexibly configured in terms of hardware, a camera core is provided. The camera core is designed as a hardware arithmetic logic unit, and a real-time data bus interface, for connecting a real-time data bus, and a camera control unit are additionally provided in the camera core. The camera control unit is connected to both the real-time data bus interface and the image sensor interface, and the camera control unit is actuated via the real-time data bus interface to prompt the capture of an image. The camera control unit controls the image sensor interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas WALDL
  • Patent number: 10407246
    Abstract: In order to specify a transport apparatus in the form of a long stator linear motor, by which the negative effects of a non-uniform magnetic flux in the joint region between two adjacent transport segments can be at least alleviated, according to embodiments, the spacing between the coil center of an end coil of a transport segment and the relevant end of the transport segment is smaller than half the tooth pitch of the two adjacent end coils of the transport segments, the tooth pitch of the two adjacent end coils corresponding to the tooth pitch of the drive coils of at least one of the transport segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Reinthaler
  • Patent number: 10390412
    Abstract: In order to make flexible, reliable lighting possible for industrial image processing, it is provided that a lighting unit (2), having a lighting device (5) comprising a number of light sources (6), receives a set value of the lighting via a data bus from a lighting control unit (10), that the lighting unit (2) captures a state variable (Z) of the lighting unit (2) and/or the surroundings of the lighting unit (2), and that the lighting unit (2) adjusts the set value in a closed control loop separately and independently from the lighting control unit (10) in that a control variable for at least one light source (6) is calculated in the lighting unit (2) and adjusted at the at least one light source (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Matthias Huber
  • Patent number: 10389806
    Abstract: According to the invention, in order that the asynchronous bandwidth available in a real-time capable Ethernet data network protocol can be better utilized without collision at least one slave (S1, . . . , Sn) which wishes to transmit asynchronous data informs the master (M) in a transmission cycle (Z(m)) by means of a request data packet (DPa) how much asynchronous data this slave (S1, . . . , Sn) wishes to transmit asynchronously and by means of an invitation data packet (DPe) the master (M) informs the slave (S1, . . . , Sn) as to the time (tas) within a following transmission cycle (Z(m+k+l)) at which the slave (S1, . . . , Sn) should transmit the asynchronous data in an asynchronous data packet (DPas).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Dietmar Bruckner, Franz Prenninger, Bernadette Avramov
  • Patent number: 10370195
    Abstract: To make it possible to operate a conveyor installation (1) in the form of a long stator linear motor in a simple manner, a first trigger point (Tx) is defined in at least one first position (Px) on the conveying track (2) and a first program code (Fx) which can be executed in the system controller (6) and with which a transport unit (TEn) is moved along a track section of the conveying track (2) in accordance with a defined movement profile is assigned to the first trigger point (Tx), and this program code (Fx) is executed for each transport unit (TEn) that reaches the first trigger point (Tx).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Stefan Huber
  • Publication number: 20190200425
    Abstract: To provide an illumination means, which offers reliable protection against undesirably high levels of emitted light intensity, there is provided on the illumination means according to the invention, in addition to a light source and a control unit, which supplies the light source with an electric current (i) or an electric voltage and is equipped to regulate the intensity of an emitted light via the electric current or the electric voltage, a detection unit, which captures at least a performance variable of the light source. In addition, a diagnostic unit is provided, which compares the at least one performance variable (G_ist) against at least one specified limit value and triggers an action, which reduces the intensity independently of the control unit, as soon as the at least one performance variable reaches or exceeds the at least one limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias HUBER, Andreas WALDL, Franz KAUFLEITNER
  • Publication number: 20190199189
    Abstract: To provide a simple and flexibly usable transport device in the form of a long stator linear motor, which enables a movement of a transport unit of the transport device in several different planes, it is provided according to the invention that a transition segment including a continuous-flow conveyor having a longitudinal axis is provided, adjoining the starting point or the ending point of the transport track in the longitudinal direction, for transporting the transport unit in a direction of movement extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the continuous-flow conveyor is provided to move the transport unit in the direction of movement at least sectionally in a conveying plane deviating from the movement plane of the transport track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Michael BRUCKER, Franz SPANLANG
  • Publication number: 20190176463
    Abstract: A method for controlling a drive of a machine having at least one first roll element, which rolls with a surface on a counter surface at least in subintervals of a revolution cycle with the action of a contact force under elastic deformation, that includes a speed correction method, which automatically compensates for deformation-related deviations of the peripheral velocity of the first roll element by way of an adaptation of the setpoint value for the velocity of the first roll element, and a retrospective method, which automatically compensates for deviations of the speed consistency of the first roll element within a revolution cycle by applying a correction signal determined from the curve of a control variable, in particular an actual velocity or actual position of the first roll element, in a preceding revolution cycle or in multiple preceding revolution cycles, are applied in combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim WEISSBACHER, Robert KICKINGER, Albert TRESENS
  • Patent number: 10317201
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the safety of a joint (12) of a serial kinematic structure (30), which carries out tasks within a work region (100) under the control of a control unit (20), wherein a current state variable of the joint (12), such as the absolute position (AP) or the time derivatives thereof, is determined cyclically during operation from the current axis position (P) of the joint (12) and compared to a configurable limit value (SA, TA, SL), wherein a function module (3, 4, 5) is used to monitor the state variable. A function module (3, 4, 5) is assigned to each state variable to be monitored. These function modules (3, 4, 5) are designed independently of the control unit (20) of the serial kinematic structure (30), whereby the safety monitoring system (10) can be operated concurrently with and independently of the control unit (20) of the serial kinematic structure (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Dirschlmayr, Thomas Kapeller
  • Publication number: 20190162207
    Abstract: To utilize and protect a mechanical load torque range of a servo drive in combination with a pump, a control unit is given a target system pressure as a reference variable and an actual system pressure as a control variable. An electric motor torque acting on a pump of the servo drive is specified by the control unit to an electric motor of the servo drive, a volume flow at the hydraulic load is generated by the pump, by which a mechanical load torque sets it at the electric motor and the actual system pressure is produced in the hydraulic load via the volume flow. A dynamic system variable of the hydraulic system is transmitted to the limiting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Elmar Bohatsch, Engelbert Gruenbacher
  • Publication number: 20190161292
    Abstract: Transport device having a transport route, with a turnaround portion to change orientation of a transport unit by 180° in the longitudinal direction along the transport route, including a turnaround portion with an entrance connected to a first transport route portion by a first entrance end and a second, open entrance end, and an exit connected to a second transport route portion by a first exit end and a second, open exit end. A common movement path is formed at least in some portions in a region of a first transfer position, and the transport unit is movable along the path. To be turned around, the transport unit is moved to the entrance of the turnaround portion, transferred from the entrance to the exit of the turnaround portion, and moved from the exit of the turnaround portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Michael BRUCKER, Stefan HUBER
  • Publication number: 20190161284
    Abstract: For a flexibly configurable and easily expandable transport route of a long stator linear motor with transport route modules, it is provided that, in a two-sided route section with a transport route module on both sides, an intermediate space is provided between two transport route modules in transverse direction, and the transport unit is arranged at least partially in this intermediate space. In this way, a movement path is formed midway of this intermediate space in transverse direction that the transport unit follows during movement in longitudinal direction by the guidance on the transport route modules, and the movement path is arranged by the arrangement of the transport route module in transverse direction at a distance of (r·a) from the starting point and ending point, where r is an odd, whole number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Dominic WALTER, Christoph OBERMAIR, Stefan HUBER
  • Publication number: 20190100382
    Abstract: Method for controlling a lifting device to move a load along a trajectory, to move the load in an efficient, automated, and collision-free manner between points, includes a start point and end point of the trajectory and prohibited zones are established which, during motion of the load are avoided. A computing unit calculates a geometric or rounded geometric or smooth geometric path, that kinematic and geometric limit values of the lifting device are predetermined, from which the computing unit, on the basis of the geometric or rounded geometric or smooth geometric path, calculates a dynamic or rounded dynamic or smooth dynamic path which provides time information about motion of the load along the geometric or rounded geometric or smooth geometric path. The geometric or rounded geometric or smooth geometric path and the dynamic or rounded dynamic or smooth dynamic path are combined for producing the trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Ralf SKOTSCHEK
  • Patent number: 10250176
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling the n LLM coils of an LLM stator making it possible to change the polarity of the coil voltage of the n LLM coils more easily and with little circuit complexity. It is proposed to apply a first operating potential to n first input terminals of n half bridges, and apply a second operating potential to n second input terminals of the n half bridges. For each half bridge, a first switch is connected between a center point of the respective half bridge and the first input terminal, and a second switch is connected between the center point of the relevant half bridge and the second input terminal. The center point of the n half bridges is connected in each case to n first terminals of then LLM coils, and the second terminals of then LLM coils are connected in a control point that is regulated to a predetermined potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Leopold Faschang, Christof Klappauf
  • Patent number: 10246266
    Abstract: To reduce mechanical loading due to guidance of the transport unit of a conveyor installation in the form of a long stator linear motor and nevertheless ensure safe retention of the transport unit on the conveyor track of the conveyor installation in all operating conditions, the normal force (FNn) is controlled with a controller (Rk) for controlling the normal force (FNn). The controller (Rk) determines a normal-force-forming current component (iAnd) of the drive current (iAn) of the drive coils interacting with the transport unit (Tn) so that a resulting normal force (F?Nn) acting on the transport unit (Tn) as the sum of the normal force (FNn), a magnetic force (FMn) in the normal direction (N) caused by the drive magnets, and an external force (FEn) in the normal direction (N) acting on the transport unit (Tn) corresponds at least to a specified retaining force (FNnmin) in the normal direction (N).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Weber, Franz Spanlang
  • Publication number: 20190097628
    Abstract: Method and device for safe switching of a signal between a first and second point. Device includes a first branch having a first switch and second switch arranged between the first and second point, and a parallel second branch having a third switch and fourth switch. A testing device instructs a control unit, in a test sequence, to open the first switch for a first period of time, open the second switch for a second period of time, open the third switch for a third period of time, and open the fourth switch for a fourth period of time. Neither the first nor second periods of time overlap with the third or fourth period of time. A testing unit tests functioning of the switches during respective period of time, and generates an error signal in the event of a malfunction of at least one switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Christof KLAPPAUF, Christian SCHNEIDER, Winkler NORBERT
  • Publication number: 20190077277
    Abstract: For a long stator linear motor comprising a switch and secure guidance of the transport vehicles in the direction of movement along the transport track, it is provided that the transport vehicle (Tn) is force-guided, at least in sections, in the direction of movement (x) outside the switch (W), and at least one one-sided track section (2d) is provided on the transport track (2), along which a vehicle guide element (7) only on one side of the transport track (2) interacts with the track guide element (6) on the assigned side of the transport track (2) for the mechanical forced guidance in the direction of movement (x), and the forced guidance in the direction of movement (x) in the transverse direction (y) is canceled in the region of the switch (W).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Alois HOLZLEITNER, Martin HOECK, Michael BRUCKER
  • Patent number: 10220862
    Abstract: In order to avoid a collision between transport units, which are moving along a transport path of a transport assembly, and/or the collision of a transport unit with a barrier and/or the surpassing of a local speed limit, for at least one transport unit (TEi) it is preemptively determined if for the transport unit (TEi) a stopping maneuver (SMi) with a predetermined cinematic may be performed, without causing a violation of these safety requirements. In case of violation of a safety requirement, the stopping maneuver is effectively activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Huber, Helmut Herzog