Abstract: An imaging system is provided for monitoring a field of view with a two-dimensional array of photo elements on which the field of view is imaged. The imaging system determines for each photo element a distance between the photo element and a surface of an object in the field of view by light emitted into the field of view and subsequently arriving on the photo elements and to determine a distance vector to form a coordinate image that includes the distance vector. A first memory unit stores the coordinate image, a second memory unit stores logical relations for the photo elements. A processing unit determines for each of the photo elements whether a logical relation is fulfilled and outputs a trigger signal when at least one of the logical relations is fulfilled.

Abstract: A distance measuring device and a method for determining a distance are provided. The method includes: illuminating an object with a sequence of the light pulses, capturing one arriving light pulse corresponding to an intensity Ie,l within a first integration gate, and outputting a signal value U1, capturing another arriving light pulse corresponding to the intensity Ie,l within a second integration gate, and outputting a signal value U2, capturing one arriving light pulse corresponding to an intensity Ie,h within the first integration gate and outputting a signal value U3, capturing the other arriving light pulse corresponding to the intensity Ie,h within the second integration gate and outputting a signal value U4, and calculating the distance between the distance measuring device and the object based on U1, U2, U3, and U4.

Abstract: An output module comprises two management units each of which calculates the current demand for the module independently from one another. One management unit controls an output current, controller whilst the other unit monitors the current produced by the output current controller against an independently calculated demand. The output module has multiple output modules. In normal operation, each module provides a portion of the required output current, the total output current being equal to the sum of the currents output by each module. in the event of failure on one of the, modules, the other module or modules switch to providing the total current required and the failed module is switched to a fail safe mode by using an isolation circuit to switch off the output current from that module.

Abstract: A magnetic latch for industrial environments includes fixed magnetic pole pieces that may be sealed within a housing to resist environmental contamination and which provide for perpendicular engagement faces for use with gates having a rolling or swinging configuration. An RFID tag reader may be incorporated into the magnet assembly of the latch for reading a specially encoded RFID tag in a keeper portion of the magnetic latch.

Abstract: A portable actuator and safety switch assembly wherein the portable actuator includes a housing and an actuator for selectively engaging with a control mechanism of said safety switch. The actuator is at least one of partially located within the housing, forms a part of the housing, or is attached to the housing. The assembly includes a controller that controls a configuration of the actuator assembly, such that the actuator assembly can selectively and controllably attain a first configuration wherein the actuator is able to interact with the control mechanism of the safety switch and a second configuration wherein the actuator is unable to manipulate the control mechanism of said safety switch.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an analog signal output from a sensor comprising comparing the amplitude of the analog signal to a first high and low threshold, setting a primary monitoring signal to a first value when the amplitude of the analog signal exceeds the first high threshold, setting the primary monitoring signal to a second value when the amplitude of the analog signal decreases below the first low threshold, comparing the amplitude of the analog signal to a second high and low threshold, setting a secondary monitoring signal to a first value when the amplitude of the analog signal exceeds the second high threshold, setting the secondary monitoring signal to a second value when the amplitude of the analog signal decreases below the second low threshold, comparing the primary and secondary monitoring signals and determining from the comparison whether an error exists with the monitoring of the analog signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to input channel diagnostics for an industrial process control system. The invention provides improved apparatus and methods relating to fault containment, overload protection and input channel diagnostics.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for output current control in an Industrial Process Control System, The output module comprises two management units each of which calculates the current demand for the module independently from one another. One management unit controls an output current controller whilst the other unit monitors the current produced by the output current controller against an independently calculated demand. The output module has multiple output modules. However rather than one module providing a backup for the other modules, or alternating between use of each module, in normal operation, each module provides a portion of the required output current, the total output current being equal to the sum of the currents output by each module. In the event of failure on one of the modules, the other module or modules switch to providing the total current required.

Abstract: A portable actuator and safety switch assembly wherein the portable actuator includes a housing and an actuator for selectively engaging with a control mechanism of said safety switch. The actuator is at least one of partially located within the housing, forms a part of the housing, or is attached to the housing. The assembly includes a controller that controls a configuration of the actuator assembly, such that the actuator assembly can selectively and controllably attain a first configuration wherein the actuator is able to interact with the control mechanism of the safety switch and a second configuration wherein the actuator is unable to manipulate the control mechanism of said safety switch.

Abstract: A magnetic latch for industrial environments includes fixed magnetic pole pieces that may be sealed within a housing to resist environmental contamination and which provide for perpendicular engagement faces for use with gates having a rolling or swinging configuration. An RFID tag reader may be incorporated into the magnet assembly of the latch for reading a specially encoded RFID tag in a keeper portion of the magnetic latch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a safety switch assembly having a number of fixed and movable contacts, a control mechanism that alters the conducting state of the contacts, and a magnetizable member that extends between alternate portions of the safety switch assembly. The safety switch assembly includes a magnetically operable electrical switch that is positioned proximate the magnetizable material such that changes in the magnetic condition of the magnetizable material alter the conducting state of the magnetically operable electrical switch.

Abstract: A safety switch assembly having a number of fixed and movable contacts, a control mechanism that alters the conducting state of the contacts, and a magnetisable member that extends between alternate portions of the safety switch assembly. The safety switch assembly includes a magnetically operable electrical switch that is located in a body of the switch assembly and positioned proximate the magnetisable material such that changes in the magnetic condition of the magnetisable material alter the conducting state of the magnetically operable electrical switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a safety switch assembly having a number of fixed and movable contacts, a control mechanism that alters the conducting state of the contacts, and a magnetisable member that extends between alternate portions of the safety switch assembly. The safety switch assembly includes a magnetically operable electrical switch that is positioned proximate the magnetisable material such that changes in the magnetic condition of the magnetisable material alter the conducting state of the magnetically operable electrical switch.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for output current control in an Industrial Process Control System. The output module comprises two management units each of which calculates the current demand for the module independently from one another. One management unit controls an output current controller whilst the other unit monitors the current produced by the output current controller against an independently calculated demand. The output module has multiple output modules. However rather than one module providing a backup for the other modules, or alternating between use of each module, in normal operation, each module provides a portion of the required output current, the total output current being equal to the sum of the currents output by each module. In the event of failure on one of the modules, the other module or modules switch to providing the total current required.

Abstract: An output module for an Industrial Process Control System that drives a load in a failsafe manner. The output module drives a load in response to a driving signal and includes a controller that generates a command signal and a drive enable signal in response to said driving signal. A keep alive circuit generates an active keep alive signal unless the drive enable signal is inactive. The output module includes a driver circuit that generates a drive signal in accordance with the command signal when the keep alive signal is active such that the load can be driven with a channel failsafe switch in response to the drive signal. The output module can be integrated into any of a number of industrial process control systems to enhance the operability of such systems.

Abstract: A system for protecting against reverse current flow in an output module of an Industrial Process Control System includes a transistor that is driven by a control signal and a current monitor arranged to monitor a current through the transistor. The system includes a processor that is arranged to receive the monitored current and to generate the control signal in dependence upon the monitored current. The processor is configured to turn off the transistor if a reverse current is detected in the transistor. Extension of the system provides a power feed combiner that is protected against reverse current flow.

Abstract: Input channel diagnostics for an industrial process control system that provides improved apparatus and methods relating to fault containment, overload protection and input channel diagnostics. The input circuit includes one or more series resistors that have a total resistance that is at least two orders of magnitude greater than the magnitude of the resistance of a conditioned sensor signal source.

Abstract: A lockable safety switch mechanism having a lockable switch mechanism that cooperates in an offset or skewed manner with an electrical switch. The lockable switch mechanism includes a switch plunger that is displaceable along a predetermined axis between a first position and a second position. A contour is formed along the switch plunger and cooperates with one or more locking mechanisms. A fork cooperates with the locking mechanism so as to selectively interfere with free movement of the switch plunger depending on the interaction between the contour and the locking mechanism. A link extends from one of the locking mechanism and the fork and interacts with a plunger of an electrical switch contact carrier so that an axis of movement of the switch plunger can be offset or skewed relative to an axis of movement of the electrical switch plunger.

Abstract: This invention relates to fault detection in electrical circuits, in particular it relates to fault detection for a plurality of adjacent input circuits. The invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting a control or communication fault on an analogue circuit by simulating said analogue circuit using a simulated circuit comprising digital circuit components; the simulated circuit receiving a control input to provide a first output; and the analogue circuit receiving said control input to provide a second output; and setting an error condition when the first output and the second output differ.

Abstract: A power supply that is capable of supplying power to an input/output channel for an Industrial Process Control System. The power supply includes a primary voltage converter having a first voltage input and a second voltage output, and overvoltage protection components that prevent the second voltage from rising above a predetermined maximum. The power supply includes a first low dropout regulator that is connected to receive the second voltage and to generate a third voltage, a second low dropout regulator that is connected to receive the second voltage and to generate a fourth voltage, and a third low dropout regulator that is connected to receive the fourth voltage and to generate a fifth voltage. The power supply provides an over-voltage fault tolerant self-testable architecture, allows for compact low cost individual channel isolation and fault tolerant EMI/RFI filtration.