Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology generally relate to industrial automation environments. More specifically, embodiments include systems and methods to train machine learning systems to perform autonomous control in an industrial automation environment. In some examples, a data aggregation component receives operational data from Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) devices, identifies a device type for the operational data, and transfers the operational data for the device type to a machine learning interface component. The operational data characterizes the operations of the OEM devices. The interface component receives the operational data for the device type and generates feature vectors based on the operational data configured for ingestion by a machine learning model. The interface component transfers the feature vectors to a machine learning model.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods and devices for facilitating object-based industrial automation control. An automation control library comprised of a plurality of objects may be maintained in association with one or more industrial automation applications. Code defining the execution of an industrial automation process may be received. A plurality of objects in the object library for implementing the industrial automation control process may be identified. The plurality of identified objects may be matched to one or more hardware components based on one or more operational requirements included in the code, and available hardware resources for performing the automation control process.

Abstract: A human interface module includes a body. At least one input device and at least one output device are connected to the body. A mounting protrusion projects outwardly from the body and that is adapted to be received through a mounting aperture defined in a door or other cabinet panel for fixedly securing said body to the panel. The mounting aperture can be punched and include an alignment notch that receives a locator nib of the mounting protrusion. A nut can be advanced on a threaded portion of the mounting protrusion to secure the body to the panel. The body can be a bezel that receives a removable interface module. A USB Type-C or other electrical connector can be connected to the body and is adapted to mate with a corresponding mating connector of a cable. The connector can be accessible through a hollow core of the mounting protrusion.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein enables automation of component sourcing when designing a process system in an industrial environment. In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving design specifications of a process system in an industrial environment via a system design application. The method further includes determining components to implement the process system from the design specifications and identifying a first subset of the components for sourcing from an external provider. The method also includes populating the first subset into a component sourcing application.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a hybrid circuit breaker for an industrial automation system including a mechanical switch and solid-state switching circuit. The hybrid circuit breaker may receive control signals to open and close a current path based on moving a spanner of the mechanical switch. In some cases, moving the spanner of the mechanical switch may generate electrical arcs when the hybrid circuit breaker is conducting electrical current. In such cases, the hybrid circuit breaker may remove the electrical arcs based on operations of the solid-state switching circuit. The solid-state switching circuit may draw arc currents of the electrical arcs by providing a second current path between the spanner and a fixed conductor of the mechanical switch. Moreover, the solid-state switching circuit may open the second current path and absorb electrical power of the electrical arc by one or more solid-state switches, a parallel voltage suppressor, or both.

Abstract: An industrial development hub (IDH) supports industrial development and testing capabilities that are offered as a cloud-based service. The IDH comprises an enhanced storage platform and associated design tools that serve as a repository on which customers can store control project code, device configurations, and other digital aspects of an industrial automation project. The IDH system can facilitate discovery and management of digital content associated with control systems, and can be used for system backup and restore, code conversion, and version management.

Abstract: An industrial automation device includes processing circuitry and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry of the industrial automation device, cause the processing circuitry to execute a software container and receive, at the software container, data from one or more industrial automation devices communicatively coupled to the industrial automation device. The instructions, when executed, also cause the processor to determine, using the software container, one or more control operations for the industrial automation device or the one or more industrial automation devices based on the data. Furthermore, the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to cause the industrial automation device to perform the one or more control operations or send the one or more control operations to the one or more industrial automation devices.

Abstract: A system may include one or more drives configured to receive a first alternative current (AC) voltage from a power source and provide a second AC voltage to one or more load devices. The system may further include one or more safety relay devices configured to couple the power source to the one or more drives and a communication device, where the communication device includes a processor. The processor may be configured to receive a first dataset via an Ethernet communication protocol, where the first dataset may include safety connection data indicative of one or more safety commands for controlling one or more operations of the one or more safety relay devices. The processor may further be configured to transmit a second dataset to the one or more safety relay devices via a subnet infrastructure, where the second dataset includes the one or more safety commands.

Abstract: A method for correlating data from different sensors for product lifecycle management includes receiving sensor information from an additional sensor of a plurality of sensors of an industrial operation. The additional sensor is different from component sensors used for functionality of a component of the industrial operation. Sensor information from the additional sensor monitors conditions of a portion of the industrial operation different from sensor information of the component sensors used for the functionality of the component. The method includes deriving, using the sensor information, a correlation between an operational parameter of the component and sensor information of the additional sensor. The operational parameter is related to a predicted operational lifetime of the component.

Abstract: A system for detecting linear drive system faults includes a track, a calibrated inspection apparatus, and processing circuitry. The track includes track segments defining a path along which movers travel. Drive coils induce travel of the movers along the track. The calibrated inspection apparatus includes (i) a calibrated inspection mover that travels along the track and/or (ii) a calibrated inspection station including one or more of the track segments. The processing circuitry obtains feedback signals from controllers for the track segments. The feedback signals characterize relative motion between the calibrated inspection apparatus and (i) the track segments and/or (ii) the movers. The processing circuitry determines a fault based on the feedback signals and calibrated characteristics of the calibrated inspection apparatus. The fault includes at least one of (i) a track segment fault in the track segments or (ii) a mover fault in the movers.

Abstract: A system of communicating data over a high availability industrial control system is disclosed. The industrial control system includes a first data producer, a second data producer in communicative connection with the first data producer, a first data consumer, and a second data consumer in communicative connection with the first data consumer. The system further includes the first producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the first producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules, and the second producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the second producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules. Also disclosed is a method of communicating data over the high availability industrial control system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods and devices for facilitating object-based cross-domain industrial automation control. An object library comprising a plurality of objects may be maintained. One or more of the objects may represent physical counterparts for use in an industrial automation process. Each object of the plurality of objects in the object library may have at least one property that an automated control device operation can be programmed to act on. Each object of the plurality of objects may also have at least one property that a human machine interface component can utilize in generating display elements corresponding to the objects for display on the human machine interface. When modifications to objects in the object library are received, those modifications may be automatically deployed and incorporated in controller logic and HMI graphics and control.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology generally relate to solutions for integrating machine learning models into industrial automation environments. More specifically, embodiments include systems and methods for implementing machine learning models within industrial control code to improve performance, increase productivity, and add capability to existing programs. In an embodiment, a system comprises: a control component configured to run a closed-loop industrial process comprises a first machine learning model; a measurement component configured to measure a gap between outcome data predicted by the first machine learning model and actual outcome data; a determination component configured to determine, based on the gap, that the first machine learning model has degraded; and a management component configured to replace the first machine learning model with a second machine learning model, wherein the second machine learning model is trained based at least in part on the actual outcome data.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for operating one or more self-driving vehicles. In some embodiments, the self-driving vehicles may include a vehicle processor being operable to: control the vehicle to navigate an operating environment in an initial vehicle navigation mode; monitor for one or more trigger conditions indicating a possible change for the vehicle navigation mode; detect a trigger condition; determine a prospective vehicle navigation mode associated with the detected trigger condition; determine whether to change from the initial vehicle navigation mode to the prospective vehicle navigation mode; and in response to determining to change from the initial vehicle navigation mode to the prospective vehicle navigation mode, adjust one or more vehicle attributes corresponding to the prospective vehicle navigation mode, otherwise continue to operate the vehicle in the initial vehicle navigation mode.

Abstract: A system may include a relay device. The relay device may include an armature that moves between a first position that electrically couples a first contact to a second contact and a second position that electrically uncouples the first contact from the second contact. The relay device may also include a relay coil that receives a voltage configured to magnetize a relay coil, thereby causing the armature to move from the first position to the second position. The system also includes a control system that receives an indication that the armature is in the second position and sends a signal to an actuator in response to receiving the indication. The signal causes an arm associated with the actuator to move the armature to achieve a gap distance between the first contact and the second contact.

Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway having a plurality of regions in which one or more vehicles are propelled, where each such vehicle includes a magnet. Disposed along each region are a plurality of propulsion coils, each comprising one or more turns that are disposed about a common axis, such that the respective common axes of the plurality of coils in that region are (i) substantially aligned with one another, and (ii) orthogonal to a direction in which the vehicles are to be propelled in that region. The plurality of coils of at least one such region are disposed on opposing sides of the magnets of vehicles being propelled along that region so as to exert a propulsive force of substance on those magnets.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology generally relate to integrating machine learning models into industrial automation environments. More specifically, embodiments of the present technology include systems and methods for implementing machine learning models within industrial control code to improve performance, increase productivity, and add capability to existing control programs. In an embodiment, a system comprises a screen capture component configured to capture images of a human-machine interface in an industrial automation environment, wherein the one or more images include at least one visual depiction of data collected from an industrial device. The system further comprises an input component configured to provide the images to a machine learning model configured to analyze an operating condition of the industrial device.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium may include instructions that may cause a processor to perform operations that may include receiving audio data representative of sound waves generated by industrial devices and extracting features from the audio data. The features may be representative of a portion of the audio data. The operations may also include identifying a subset of the features based on distances between each of the plurality of features in an information space. The information space may include known clusters. The operations may then include determining that the subset of the features corresponds to an unknown cluster in the information space, performing a constrained classification operation based on each feature of the subset of the features to identify a new known cluster for the information space, and modifying operations of the industrial devices based on the new known cluster.

Abstract: A system for selecting one of multiple paths in a linear drive system includes track segments having a first drive member and at least one mover having a second drive member for the linear drive system. Each mover includes a drive surface oriented toward the track segment when the at least one mover is driven along the track. Each mover also includes a first channel and a second channel extending along the drive surface. A switch track segment includes a first path and a second path along which the at least one mover may travel, at least one first pin positioned along the first path, and at least one second pin positioned along the second path. The first and second pins are extendable to engage the first and second channels of the at least one mover to direct the mover along either the first path or the second path, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing inter-vehicle communication are disclosed. The method includes receiving, at a fleet management system, operating data from one or more self-driving vehicles via a communication network, and operating the fleet management system to determine a characteristic of a set of vehicles of one or more self-driving vehicles satisfies at least one communication condition. In response to determining the set of vehicles satisfies the at least one communication condition, the fleet management system can operate to select a stored data portion from a manager storage unit based at least on the characteristic of the set of vehicles; and transmit the data portion to the set of vehicles via the communication network. A method of providing inter-vehicle communication between one or more self-driving vehicles is also disclosed.