Abstract: A motor drive system includes a power sub-assembly that comprises power electronic components and driver circuitry for controlling gate drive signals to the power electronic components. A control sub-assembly is removably mounted to the power sub-assembly and comprises control circuitry for implementing a motor control routine for control of an electric motor. In operation, all control signals originate in the control-subassembly, and are transmitted via mating connectors to the power sub-assembly for driving the motor.

Abstract: A motor drive comprises a power sub-assembly and a control sub-assembly removably secured to the power sub-assembly. The power sub-assembly contains all power electronic circuitry and driver circuitry for the power electronics. The control sub-assembly comprises control circuitry for implementing a motor control routine that generates control signals for the power sub-assembly. The control sub-assembly is configured to conform to a USB mass storage device class such that it will appear as an icon on a configuration station when coupled to the configuration station via a USB cable. Thereafter, the drive may be accessed by selecting the icon, and parameter file and data transfer may be performed, such as by drag-and-drop transfer steps.

Abstract: Provided is a connection detector assembly for detecting a connected state between a keypad and a processor along a flexible circuit. The assembly comprises a keypad with a plurality of buttons, each button including button contacts. A flexible printed circuit having a plurality of electrical traces aligned along a width of the flexible printed circuit and includes a set of two or more button signal traces individually electrically coupled with a first button contact of a corresponding one of the plurality of buttons. A first diagnostic electrical trace and a second diagnostic electrical trace form a diagnostic circuit with one another. A receiving unit receives the flexible printed circuit. A processor electrically couples to the diagnostic electrical circuit performs a diagnostic check of the diagnostic circuit to determine a connected state, the connected state indicating whether or not a failure condition exists along a designated portion of the diagnostic circuit.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for presenting predefined parameter subsets for industrial automation devices and equipment are provided herein. In one example, a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon program instructions executable by a computing device is presented. When executed by the computing device, the program instructions direct the computing device to present a graphical user interface with at least one predetermined subset of parameters, receive a user selection for one of the at least one predetermined subset of operating parameters for an industrial automation device, identify parameters associated with the selected subset, and display the identified subset of parameters.

Abstract: System and method related to a control system including an automation controller with a module bay configured to facilitate coupling with scalable modules. The module bay of the automation controller includes a plurality of bay connectors configured to communicatively couple with the scalable module connectors. The module bay may include an open end to facilitate extension beyond an edge of the open end by a module or a closed end.

Abstract: A motor control system is provided that includes a communication gateway that facilitates connection of components, such as a motor starter, an operator interface, and a terminal block, through a digital communication link. The communication gateway includes control logic designed to discover interface and operational components connected to the digital communication link upon start-up of the motor control system. The control logic may then set up an operational profile for the motor control system based on the discovered components. For example, the control logic may retrieve and load an operational profile that corresponds to the set of discovered components from a storage of the communication gateway. The operational profile can then be used during operation of the motor control system to govern the functionality of the motor control system.

Abstract: Present techniques provide an inductive proximity sensor having a multi-receiver coil assembly and an evaluator circuit configured to receive a differential signal from the multi-receiver coil assembly to determine the presence of a target. The multi-receiver coil assembly includes two receiver coils in a differential coil arrangement and a transmitter coil configured to emit an electromagnetic field and induce a voltage on each of the receiver coils. The voltage difference between the two receiver coils is transmitted as a differential signal to the evaluator circuit. Targets which approach the inductive proximity sensor disrupt the electromagnetic field and change the induced voltages on each of the receiver coils, thereby changing the differential signal. The evaluator circuit processes the differential signal to determine whether the changes indicate that a target is present.

Abstract: A control module for an industrial device is provided. The control module includes a coupling feature configured to facilitate removable attachment of the control module with the industrial device and a communicative coupling feature configured to facilitate communication between the control module and the industrial device when coupled with a corresponding communicative coupling feature of the industrial device. The control module also includes a port configured to communicatively couple with a connector capable of supplying power and data communication, wherein the port is configured to receive power via the connector and exchange data with a computer via the connector.

Abstract: An integral cable guide for an electronic module is provided. The electronic module includes a top housing with a ridge formed on one side. The top housing is configured to removably couple with a bottom housing to enclose electronic components. The electronic module further includes a receptacle within the top housing configured to receive a removable terminal block (RTB), such that a channel is formed between the ridge and the RTB when the RTB is placed within the receptacle. The channel guides cables coupled to the RTB to an outside edge of the module. The electronic module further includes at least one anchor that provides support for the cables.

Abstract: A connector support system for an automation system device is provided. The connector support system includes a device housing configured to hold a printed circuit board with a connector coupled to the printed circuit board. The connector support system also includes one or more support members coupled to a surface of the housing, wherein the one or more support members are configured to support the connector relative to the housing and configured to resist an overturning moment tending to remove the connector from the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electronic component and housing interlocking system is provided. The system includes a device housing configured to hold a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board includes a projection from a side of the printed circuit board. The system also includes a locking member having a tab coupled at a first end of the tab to a side wall of the device housing and free at a second end of the tab such that the tab is configured to flex about the first end when the printed circuit board is slid into the device housing and the projection is pushed against the second end of the tab.

Abstract: An interlocking system for connecting a programmable logic controller and a power supply of an industrial control and automation system is provided. The interlocking system includes features configured to facilitate coupling with a panel or rail and a plurality of vertical slots and a latch disposed on a side surface of the power supply. The latch includes a first attachment feature disposed along a flexible tongue cantilevered proximate an opening in a housing of the power supply such that the tongue can flex into the opening. The interlocking system also includes a plurality of hooks and a second attachment feature formed on a side surface of the programmable logic controller.

Abstract: An I/O module for an industrial controller provides single terminal outputs that may either sink or source current. This capability is provided through the use of dedicated sourcing and sinking transistors connected to the terminal and controlled by lockout logic ensuring activation of only the appropriate transistor in the correct phasing for sinking or sourcing operation modes.