Patents Assigned to Rockwell Automation Technologies
  • Publication number: 20240195339
    Abstract: A method for flying start control of a motor, a computer readable medium, and a power conversion system having an inverter and a controller configured by computer executable instructions in a memory to perform flying start of a rotating motor by field weakening control to control the motor responsive to the motor speed exceeding the rated speed or other non-zero threshold at startup of the power conversion system. The method includes measuring a motor speed of a motor, responsive to startup of a power conversion system, and performing a flying start operation using field weakening control to control the motor responsive to the motor speed exceeding a non-zero threshold at startup of the power conversion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bing Li
  • Patent number: 12007755
    Abstract: An industrial device includes an input/output module and a processor. The input/output module is configured to communicate with one or more other devices via an industrial network. The processor is configured to configure the industrial device as a leader device or a follower device. The processor includes a leader module, upon being activated, configured to detect and configured one or more follower devices connected to the industrial network; and a follower module, upon being activated, configured to broadcast identity and receive configuration command from a leader device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marius G. Chis, Jonathan A. Mills, Scott D. Braun, Todd A. Wiese, David C. Mazur
  • Patent number: 12005941
    Abstract: A motion control system for an independent cart system provides for an improved system for controlling operation of movers in areas of high traffic. A controller monitors operation of the movers to detect heavy traffic. In heavy traffic, the controller may bring a mover to a stop to avoid collisions. Once a mover is stopped, the segment controller will look at the present location of the mover and determine whether it is at the desired position set in the motion command. If the mover is not at the desired position, the stop was a result of heavy traffic. After detecting heavy traffic, the controller commands the mover to resume travel using a modified motion command. The modified motion command will command the first mover to its desired position but will command the move at a reduced rate or using a reduced response in the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuhong Huang
  • Patent number: 12005939
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a brake system for a track section of a linear motor system. The brake system includes a housing receiving a brake flag of a mover and a first brake pad disposed within the housing and having a first tapered surface. The brake system also includes a second brake pad disposed within the housing and having a second tapered surface and a wedge disposed within the housing and comprising a third tapered surface. The brake system also includes an actuator that moves the wedge, wherein movement of the activation wedge causes the first brake pad to move and causes the second brake pad to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred A. Sommerhalter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12007933
    Abstract: For a bi-directional bus topology, a node connection includes two select line connections for a select line of a serial network. The select line is broken at the node connection. A bus direction module configures a first select line connection for an input line and a second select line connection for an output line in response to detecting a selection event. At least a portion of the bus direction module includes one or more of hardware and executable code, the executable code stored on a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Brandt, Scott T. Griffiths, Dayin Xu, Yutao Wang, Wojciech Koczwara
  • Patent number: 12001818
    Abstract: An industrial integrated development environment (IDE) supports open or extensible application programming interfaces (APIs) that enable end users (e.g., plant asset owners, original equipment manufacturers (OEM), system integrators, etc.) to build upon the IDE's development platform to create custom views or to code custom functionality. This can include, for example, defining a control programming syntax supported by the industrial IDE, customizing a development environment view afforded by the IDE's interface, modifying or creating project editing functions, defining customized programming guardrails designed to guide compliance with in-house programming standards, or other such IDE customizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Dunn, Karl Staas, Andrew Stump, Anthony Carrara, Eashwer Srinivasan, Christopher Como, Sharon Billi-Duran
  • Patent number: 12001196
    Abstract: Embodiments of this present disclosure may include systems that perform operations including receiving a first symbol instance from an industrial automation device. The first template object instance may characterize a dataset accessible to the industrial automation device. Symbol object instances may inherit a categorization with respect to categories associated with the industrial automation device including an identity, a state, a runtime status, a maintenance status, sustainability information, or any combination thereof. The operations may include receiving a first input corresponding to the first symbol object instance. The first input may include an indication of a change to the original symbolic definition. The operations may include identifying a type of the industrial automation device based on the first symbol object instance and generating enhanced template data based on the type of the industrial automation device, the first input, and the first symbol object instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Mazur, Rob A. Entzminger, Jonathan Alan Mills, Bruce T. McCleave, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12003594
    Abstract: Performing multi-layer network discovery of an operational technology (OT) network includes receiving a plurality of discovery data sets, each identifying a respective subset of a plurality of nodes within an OT network having a plurality of network layers, wherein the respective subset of the plurality of nodes for a first discovery data set are disposed within at least two network layers of the plurality of network layers, identifying a set of nodes within the OT network that appear in two or more of the plurality of discovery data sets, generating a holistic discovery data set for the OT network based on the plurality of discovery data sets and the identified set of nodes within the OT network that appear in the two or more of the plurality of discovery data sets, and generating a visualization of the plurality of nodes within the OT network based on the holistic discovery data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Mirth, Taryl J. Jasper, Terence S. Tenorio, Thaddeus A. Palus
  • Patent number: 11994843
    Abstract: Embodiments of this present disclosure may include systems that perform operations including receiving a request to access data associated with an industrial automation device from a requesting device and identifying the industrial automation device based on the request. The operations may include sending a query for template data to the industrial automation device based on the request and receiving the template data. The operations may include determining a data structure based on the requesting device and generating the data structure based on the template data and a mapping between the data structure and the template data. The operations may additionally include sending the data structure to the requesting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Alan Mills, Todd A. Wiese, Rob A. Entzminger, David C. Mazur, Roberto S. Marques, Marius G. Chis, Ryan Coon, Robert J. Miklosovic
  • Patent number: 11994842
    Abstract: An industrial integrated development environment (IDE) supports collaborative tools that allow multiple designers and programmers to remotely submit design input to the same automation system project in parallel while maintaining project consistency. The industrial IDE also permits localized development of system projects, and provides an infrastructure for intelligently brokering between conflicting edits submitted to common portions of the system project. To facilitate effective collaboration via efficient communication between developers, the IDE system can be configured to send push notifications to personal client devices in response to relevant events originating within the development environment relating to development of an automation system project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Ohlsen, Kenneth Scott Plache
  • Patent number: 11994962
    Abstract: Embodiments of this present disclosure may include a system that may include a first input/output (IO) module, which may output a first current output. The first IO module may be coupled to a first terminal and a second terminal. The system may include a second IO module that may output a second current output. The second IO module may be coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal. The system may include a load device coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal. The load device may operate based on the first current output and the second current output. The system may include one or more control systems that receive an instruction to perform a coordinated handoff to the first IO module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 11982995
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for improving defect detection in an automated production process. The system comprises a memory that stores executable components and a processor, operatively coupled to the memory, that executes the executable components. The executable components comprise an automation defect component and a machine learning component. The automation defect component retrieves parametric data associated with the production process. The automation defect component provides the parametric data to a machine learning algorithm. The machine learning component generates common attributes between the defective items. The machine learning component identifies a set of common attributes shared between the defective items and a non-defective item. The machine learning component modifies the set of the common attributes shared between the defective items and the non-defective item. The machine learning component generates defect indicators based on the common attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Vance, Robert F. Trinnes, Mikica Cvijetinovic, Francisco P. Maturana
  • Patent number: 11984814
    Abstract: For open loop phase pre-charge, an apparatus includes a Switching Mode Power Supply (SMPS) charging diode and a charge generator. The SMPS charging diode pre-charges an SMPS to a regulation set point from at least one phase of an Alternating Current (AC) voltage. The charge generator is powered by the pre-charged SMPS. In response to detecting the regulation set point iteratively, the charge generator detects a specified phase angle of the AC voltage. In response to the specified phase angle, the charge generator iteratively generates a charging voltage during positive voltage interval that charges a Direct Current (DC) bus capacitor to a target DC bus voltage within a charging time interval. At least a portion of the charge generator comprises one or more of hardware and executable code, the executable code stored on one or more computer readable storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Peizhong Yi, Robert W. Reese, Brian P. Brown, Jatinkumar Patel
  • Patent number: 11984708
    Abstract: A power supply circuit for use with a power supply system. The power supply circuit can be provided within a power supply module connected with one or more additional power supply modules as part of the power supply system. The power supply circuit includes an optocoupler and a resistor ladder connected to the optocoupler. The circuit asserts a synchronization signal responsive to the optocoupler being energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Widen, Jr., Brian P. Brown
  • Patent number: 11984289
    Abstract: A motor control center includes an enclosure comprising an isolation switch, a main contactor device, and a ground switch device. The isolation switch is selectively manually operable between a connected state and a disconnected state. In the connected state the isolation switch is adapted to conduct electrical power from an associated power source to the main contactor device and wherein the isolation switch in the disconnected state interrupts conduction of electrical power from the associated power source to the main contactor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Navinchandra Bhatt, Paul van Heeswyk, John Kay, Ashwin Baliga B
  • Patent number: 11982585
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring forces exerted at multiple locations on a mover includes multiple sensors, where each sensor is mounted at one of the locations. Each sensor detects an operating condition of the mover at the location on the mover at which it is mounted. The sensors may include accelerometers, strain gauges, or a combination thereof. Each strain gauge is mounted proximate to an area of interest on the mover. Each strain gauge generates a feedback signal corresponding to a deformation of the material measured at the location of the sensor. From the measured deformation of material, a force acting on the mover at the location of the sensor may be determined. The forces exerted at the different locations on the mover may be monitored in real time to determine bearing performance or monitored over a duration of time to observer changes in bearing performance over that duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Gardner, Shankernarayan Ramanarayanan, Tamil K. Rajavel
  • Patent number: 11984829
    Abstract: A system has a DC bus circuit with first and second terminals, an intermediate node, first and second capacitors, first and second depletion mode FETs, and first and second switching control circuits, where the first depletion mode FET has a drain coupled to the first bus terminal, a source, and a gate coupled to the intermediate node, the second depletion mode FET has a drain coupled to the intermediate node, a source, and a gate coupled to the second bus terminal, the first switching control circuit turns the first depletion mode FET off responsive to a first capacitor voltage of the first bus capacitor being less than or equal to a second capacitor voltage of the second bus capacitor, and the second switching control circuit turns the second depletion mode FET off responsive to the first capacitor voltage being greater than or equal to the second capacitor voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeljko Jankovic, Ji Jun Cao
  • Patent number: 11984774
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes drive modules for motor-drive assemblies of an industrial automation system. The drive modules may include a housing having a cavity and may also include power circuitry and control circuitry. The power circuitry may convert input DC power to three-phase controlled frequency AC power and may supply the three-phase controlled frequency AC power to a motor. The control circuitry may apply control signals to control operation of the motor. The drive module may also include an adapter that couples to a first end of the housing and couples the housing to the motor. The adapter may be removable and sized according to a frame size of the motor such that the drive module is compatible with the motor. The housing may be independent of the frame size of the motor. As such, the housing may be interchangeable for any motor frame size and/or motor power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristin N. Yee, Barbara Grosek, Piotr Hilary Krawiec
  • Patent number: 11976376
    Abstract: Systems, methods and power converters are disclosed to provide regulated individual DC output signals to anode structures using a PWM inverter to generate a first AC signal, a sinewave filter to provide a filtered AC signal, a multiphase isolation transformer to provide a plurality of isolated AC signals, a multi-pulse diode bridge rectifier to provide a DC rectifier output signal, an output filter to provide a filtered DC rectifier output signal, and a blocking diode to provide the filtered DC rectifier output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolay N. Guskov, Gary L. Skibinski, Zhijun Liu, William John Sarver
  • Patent number: 11979006
    Abstract: An apparatus for interlocking the connection handle of a module for a motor control center (MCC) engages a locking plate to prevent inadvertent motion of the connection handle. When the apparatus is not pressed, it allows the locking plate to fully engage the connection handle, preventing the connection handle from changing position. When the apparatus is in a first angular orientation, it may only be pressed into the module for a first depth. At the first depth, the apparatus engages the locking plate to allow the connection handle to transition between an off position and a test position. When the apparatus is rotated to a second angular orientation, it may be pressed into the module for a second depth. At the second depth, the apparatus causes the locking plate to disengage the connection handle, allowing the connection handle to be moved between any desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian Najdek, Karol Knoll