Abstract: An RFID reader and/or writer module in an industrial controller (e.g., PLC). The RFID module interfaces internally to the controller for tight integration therewith. The RFID module can also be part of a controller communications framework and as a standalone module with the PLC as a master device, and interact with the RFID module in the same manner as it interacts with other I/O devices connected to the controller. In another aspect, RFID read/write tag technology is incorporated into some or all major PLC and rack components, and utilized for wireless communication both between PLC system components and between the PLC and other devices, locations, and media. The RFID tag can be used to store and exchange electronic keying data, security information, module diagnostics and warranty information, series and revision levels code, I/O configuration data, and, replacement data. Artificial intelligence is also employed.

Abstract: The invention provides control systems and methodologies for controlling a process having computer-controlled equipment, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. More particularly, the subject invention provides for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon.

Abstract: A technique is provided for controlling an operator in a circuit such as a relay circuit. The operator may be a coil in an electromagnetic relay. The coil is energized only when current through a leakage current suppression circuit is sufficient to exceed a predetermined threshold. The leakage current suppression circuit is operative to prevent energization of the operator, or to deenergize the operator, when the current is below the threshold, within a range anticipated for leakage current through the circuit.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for cooling exhaust from a power center, such as in the event of an arc fault. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a power center having an enclosure, an exhaust duct coupled to the enclosure, and a phase change material disposed in the enclosure, the exhaust duct, or both, wherein the phase change material is configured to rapidly cool exhaust in response to a high temperature in the enclosure. A method is provided that includes cooling an exhaust at a high temperature from a power center by changing phase of a phase change material from a solid to a vapor. Another method is provided that includes providing a phase change material configured to cool an exhaust at a high temperature from a power center by changing phase from a solid to a vapor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method used to charge a self powered gate driver system. The apparatus may include a current loop for inducing a current in a coil. A bridge rectifier may rectify the current induced in the coil and charge a capacitor used to power a driver in a self powered gate driver system. The current loop and coil may be separated by a dielectric to prevent current from passing between the self powered gate driver system and the current loop. The current loop may couple to a line voltage transformer to drive an alternating current through the current loop. In certain embodiments, a single current loop and transformer may charge a plurality of self powered gate driver systems.

Abstract: The invention provides control systems and methodologies for controlling a process having computer-controlled equipment, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. More particularly, the subject invention provides for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon.

Abstract: The invention provides control systems and methodologies for controlling a process having computer-controlled equipment, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. More particularly, the subject invention provides for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon.

Abstract: The invention provides control systems and methodologies for controlling a process having computer-controlled equipment, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. More particularly, the subject invention provides for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon.

Abstract: The subject innovation provides for systems and methods to optimize control systems for networked industrial sensors or devices and methods for self sensing, communicating with, monitoring of, controlling and optimizing utilization of networked industrial sensors and related control systems primarily in an industrial automation environment. The invention provides self-sensing and communication with sensors, and integration of control methods and strategies with decision support and logistics systems, to optimize specifically defined operational and performance objectives.

Abstract: The invention provides control systems and methodologies for controlling a process having computer-controlled equipment, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. More particularly, the subject invention provides for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon.

Abstract: Systems and methods that configure an embedded historian(s) to a predetermined setting and an automatic propagation thereof to other embedded historians and units on the factory floor. Embedded historian can be automatically configured, and be set up as a default collection for a plant scan, such that when a plant comes on-line, embedded historians announce their presence to such plant, and are discovered thereby and configured thereby.

Abstract: Various amounts of information can be beneficial to different controllers configured upon an industrial control system. Information can be retained in a distributed directory such that controllers quickly learn information concerning other controllers. The distributed directory can be automatically constructed and populated with information from different controllers. When a module enters an industrial control system, information can automatically advertise to other units through use of the distributed directory.

Abstract: In an industrial control system, a relatively large number of bindings can permeate between different controllers. As a modification is made in a primary binding, supplemental bindings can be impacted and can become erroneous. The supplemental bindings can be automatically resolved such that they are no longer erroneous. Resolution can take place through access of a distributed directory that holds information related to the different controllers. To lower a likelihood of control system error or failure, the primary binding and supplemental binding can be placed online in synchronization.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for operating an area scanner having a motorless scanning mechanism provide for enhanced operation of the area scanner. In an embodiment, an area scanner includes a micro-optical-electromechanical device to direct the scan of light from an optical source over a desired area.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to facilitating communication between industrial automation devices such as controllers and data systems and/or services. Systems and methods are provided that receive statements or other unit of data interaction from an automation device, provide the statements to an appropriate system or service for processing, and optionally return a response such as a result set. Furthermore, in accordance with an aspect of the invention native controller code, variables, or tags can be mapped to stored data, procedures or combinations of data and/or procedures and updated automatically or semi-automatically.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting DC voltage across positive and negative DC buses to three phase AC voltages on first, second and third AC output lines, the method comprising the steps of providing first and second three phase inverters that include a first subset of inverter switches and a second subset of inverter switches, respectively, linking a first choke in series with the first three phase inverter between the positive and negative DC buses and the AC output lines, linking a second choke in series with the second three phase inverter between the positive and negative DC buses and the AC output lines and synchronously controlling the first and second inverter switch subsets so that switching of first and second inverter switch subsets is substantially synchronized among the three phases.

Abstract: The present technique relates to the distribution of power and data signals throughout a networked system. For example, three-phase power may be conducted to a device over a set of conductors. One of the conductors, however, may be configured to conduct, in conjunction with a neutral conductor, both one phase of three-phase power as well as data signals in accordance with a predetermined data communications protocol. As an alternate example, the present technique may comprise a set of a first power conductors configured to conduct three-phase power and a secondary power conductor which works in conjunction with an auxiliary conductor to conduct power and data signals. Additionally, the present technique provides for the maintenance data communications and a level of power upon the interruption of three-phase power to a particular component or device.

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 system also includes a monitoring system configured to monitor operational parameters inside the enclosure. Also, the system includes an entry control system coupled to the monitoring system, wherein the entry control system is configured to lock the access door if the operation parameters are indicative of a potentially hazardous condition inside the enclosure.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting operation of a plant or process receive an input value from the plant or process. An integrity of a non-linear model corresponding to a local input space of the input value may be determined. The non-linear model may include an empirical representation of the plant or process. If the integrity is above a first threshold, non-linear model may be used to provide a first output value. However, if the integrity is below the first threshold, a linearized first principles model may be used to provide a second output value. The linearized first principles model may include an analytic representation of the plant or process. Additionally, the analytic representation of the plant or process may be independent of the empirical representation of the plant or process. The first output value and/or the second output value may be usable to manage the plant or process.

Abstract: A system for determining at least one condition of a seal including an optical fiber for transmitting light from a light source. The optical fiber is embedded in the seal and operatively coupled to an interferometric system. The interferometric system is operatively coupled to a processor. The interferometric system provides the processor with information relating to wear of the optical fiber, and the processor determines wear of the seal, rate of wear and remaining useful life of the seal based on the information relating to wear of the optical fiber.