Patents Assigned to Schneider Automation
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Patent number: 6744393Abstract: Analog input module for a programmable logic controller, the analog input module having an input circuit with terminals for accepting either a single voltage range or a single current range from process control sensors. The analog input module includes an analog-to-digital converter and an input circuit with an output terminal connected to the input of the analog-to-digital converter, a voltage input terminal, a current input terminal, and a common terminal. The input circuit is configured to accept a voltage input between the voltage input terminal and the common terminal, to accept a current input between the current input terminal and the common terminal, and to provide an output voltage at the output terminal dependent upon either the voltage input or the current input, without switching or configuring between them.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.Inventor: Richard H. Breinlinger
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Patent number: 6739205Abstract: A system, method and program for calculating a fluid flow volume within a conduit having an operably connected flow meter is disclosed. The system includes a controller having a backplane. A flow meter module is operably connected to the backplane of the controller and to the flow meter. A program embedded within the controller is also operably connected to the flow meter. The program includes a plurality of segments for sensing a characteristic of the fluid for determining the flow volume of the fluid. The controller, in cooperation with the flow meter module, monitors the dynamic fluid density of the fluid in the conduit. The controller utilizes the dynamic density to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the fluid flow volume through the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.Inventor: James A. Vun Cannon
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Patent number: 6736944Abstract: An apparatus and technique are provided for generating a plasma using a power supply circuit and arc detection arrangement. The power supply circuit has a cathode enclosed in a chamber, and is adapted to generate a power-related parameter. The arc detection arrangement is communicatively coupled to the power supply circuit and adapted to assess the severity of arcing in the chamber by comparing the power-related parameter to at least one threshold. According to various implementations, arc occurrences, arcing duration, intensity and/or energy are measured responsive to comparing the power-related parameter to the at least one threshold. According to further implementations, the above-mentioned measured quantities are accumulated and/or further processed.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.Inventor: Paul R. Buda
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Patent number: 6738441Abstract: A method and device for filtering an input signal received by an input module in order to produce a filtered input signal, wherein the received input signal is converted such that it has either a HIGH input state or a LOW input state each having a time duration characteristic of the input module, and the filtered input signal is represented by an ON filtered state and an OFF filtered state. The time duration of the HIGH input state and the LOW input state are determined by sampling the converted input signal at a certain sampling rate so as to allow the sampling results to be used by a filtering algorithm to set the filtered input state to ON or OFF based on a set of filter parameters which may vary from one input module to another. The filtering device is adapted to be configurable such that the filter parameters can be electronically selected so that the same filtering algorithm can be used for different input modules having different electrical characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2000Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.Inventors: Steve R. Webster, Richard H. Breinlinger, Kenneth L. Wester
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Patent number: 6732191Abstract: A control system allows a user to access an input/output device over a communication network using a web browser. The system includes an Internet web site between the network and the input/output module. The web site runs from an Ethernet board coupled directly to the input/output module back plane and includes a HTTP protocol interpreter, an input/output module, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel. The web site provides access to the input/output module by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The web site translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the input/output module. Using this interface, the user can input or retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the input/output device.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2000Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Baker, Dennis J. W. Dube
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Patent number: 6715267Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for packing an order of parts. An operator is prompted to select an indicated part. The part is read by the system to verify the selection of the part. An array of indicators directs the operator to where the part should be placed in a shipping tote. An array of sensors confirms the packing of the part.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2001Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.Inventors: James V. Schaefer, Robert J. Bell
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Publication number: 20040055393Abstract: A system, method and program for calculating a fluid flow volume within a conduit having an operably connected flow meter is disclosed. The system includes a controller having a backplane. A flow meter module is operably connected to the backplane of the controller and to the flow meter. A program embedded within the controller is also operably connected to the flow meter. The program includes a plurality of segments for sensing a characteristic of the fluid for determining the flow volume of the fluid. The controller, in cooperation with the flow meter module, monitors the dynamic fluid density of the fluid in the conduit. The controller utilizes the dynamic density to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the fluid flow volume through the conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: SCHNEIDER AUTOMATION INCInventor: James A. Vun Cannon
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Patent number: 6711698Abstract: A controller and a method for operating the controller is disclosed. The controller, in response to a detected Ethernet network error, performs the steps of determining whether a communication error has occurred, notifying the controller that an error has occurred, stopping normal controller operation, and executing fail safe routine.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2000Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.Inventors: Alain Marbach, Andre Peyrache, Richard A. Baker, Dennis J. W. Dube
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Patent number: 6687649Abstract: A system, method and computer program for facilitating the operation of a control system utilizing one or more input devices is disclosed. The control system provides the ability to monitor and modify operating parameters of the input devices. A function integrated within a software code is to be executed by the control system. The function is responsive to the input device. The input device includes at least one condition comprising a state wherein all of the conditions must be met prior to the execution of the function. A display of an unmet condition is exhibited to operator personnel of the control system during the execution of any function having an unmet condition prohibiting the execution of the function. The operator personnel is capable of overriding the unmet condition by selecting the state of the condition that allows the condition to be met, thus allowing the function to be executed. A maintenance log contains a record of the conditions that were bypassed or overridden.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.Inventors: John Ditter, Scott Walczak
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Publication number: 20040015844Abstract: This invention relates to a programming station for an automation application that will be executed in an automation equipment. The programming station stores at least one file in an internal memory containing a description grammar for automation applications in text format, for at least one of the graphic automation languages (Ladder, SFC, FBD) using a single, hierarchised and object oriented language. It also contains a set of one or several description files, each description file describing part of the automation application and being expressed in this single language. The single, hierarchised and object oriented language is the XML (eXtended Markup Language) language.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2002Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: Schneider AutomationInventors: Pascal Nicolle, Christian Tuccinardi, Bruno Bories
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Publication number: 20040015827Abstract: This invention relates to a programming station comprising a memory containing description files, each description file describing part of an automation application and being expressed in a single, hierarchised and object oriented language such as the XML language. The programming station uses a compression program that generates a file in the compacted format stored in a memory on the automation equipment, for each description file. The compression program comprises a step to reduce tags contained in a description file by applying a specific stylesheet and a step to execute a compaction algorithm adapted to XML files.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2002Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: Schneider AutomationInventors: Pascal Nicolle, Christian Tuccinardi, Bruno Bories
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Patent number: 6679628Abstract: A method and system for automated temperature measurement is described. The system includes a programmable logic controller, a temperature measurement diode, an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the diode and the programmable logic controller, a current source coupled to the diode and configured to generate a first current and a second current different from said first current, and a processor coupled to the current source and to the analog-to-digital converter. The processor controls the current source such that the current source sequentially applies the first current to the diode at a first point in time and applies the second current to the diode at a second point in time. The processor also receives a first voltage across the diode measured when the first current is applied to the diode and a second voltage across the diode measured when the second current is applied to the diode. Based on the first and second voltages, the processor determines the temperature proximate the diode.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.Inventor: Richard H. Breinlinger
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Publication number: 20040008467Abstract: The invention relates to a safety communication system in a automation application (5), comprising a first communication bus (19) on which at least one first safety monitor (12) is connected fitted with several outputs (13), and a second communication bus (29) on which are fitted a second inputs safety module (25), capable of generating a second safety signal, and a second safety monitor (22) receiving said safety signal and fitted with several outputs (23), on the second communication bus (29). Outputs (13) of the first safety monitor (12) are electrically connected to inputs of the second inputs module (25) so as to control at least one output (23) of the second safety monitor (22) as a function of the state of the outputs (13) of the first safety monitor (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: Schneider AutomationInventors: Jean-Marc Calandre, Andre Ganier
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Patent number: 6671569Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a workpiece (WSx) during a transportation and/or production process with at least one workpiece agent (WA1 . . . WAn) assigned to the workpiece. To enhance the freedom of the process from failure on the one hand and to facilitate the incorporation of new workpieces into the process on the other, it is provided that the failure of a workpiece agent (WA1 . . . WAn) assigned to a workpiece (WSx) is detected; that the monitoring of the workpiece (WSx) is taken over by a further workpiece agent (WAk), and workpiece-specific data of the taken-over workpiece (WSx) are contained in the workpiece agent (WAk) taking over the monitoring and/or in a database and are transmitted in the workpiece agents.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2000Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Schneider Automation GmbHInventors: Ronald Schoop, Siegfried Ralf Neubert, Eckart I. Tietze
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Patent number: 6669004Abstract: The invention relates to a transportation system (10) for transporting objects (WSx), in particular workpieces, including a plurality of parallel or substantially parallel transportation paths (12, 14, 16) and a device (18) for shifting the objects (WSx) between at least two adjacent transportation paths (12, 14, 16). In order to reduce both the space required for the transportation path and the time consumption for displacing the workpieces between the transportation paths, it is proposed that the transportation paths (12, 14, 16) are disposed one above the other in different planes, and that the workpieces (WSx) on being shifted are moved on a path (30) that defines a plane extending perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the transportation paths (12, 14, 16).Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2000Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Schneider Automation GmbHInventors: Ronald Schoop, Siegfried Ralf Neubert, Eckart I. Tietze
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Patent number: 6654355Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for communicating a controller area network (CAN) message between a sending node, attached to a sending CAN network, and a receiving node, where the sending and receiving nodes are interconnected by a network communicating according to transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP). The invention provides for having the sending node extract the CAN message payload (arbitration field, control field and data field if any) from a CAN message, having it embed the CAN message payload in a TCP/IP frame as the TCP/IP data field of the TCP/IP frame, having it refer to a routing form to determine the address on the TCP/IP network of the receiving node; and having it transmit the TCP/IP frame over the TCP/IP network using the address for the receiving node from the routing form.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1999Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.Inventors: Alain Marbach, Wolfgang Langer
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Patent number: 6644133Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a controller to monitor a flow volume in a fluid transportation system. The controller being operably connected to a module. The module being operably connected to a flow meter. The module senses a series of pulses that represent a known fluid volume in a proving loop. The module also measures the fluid density of the fluid in the proving loop. The controller utilizes a dynamic density of the fluid and the sensed pulses to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the flow volume through the measuring flow meter. The controller ensures the accuracy of the flow meter by utilizing the partial pulses sensed during a meter-proving period by using an interpolation method.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Schneider Automation, Inc.Inventor: Michael B. Williams
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Patent number: D482005Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Schneider Automation, Inc.Inventors: Jean-Louis Droulin, Jean-Marc Tixador, Benoit Lecoanet
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Patent number: D482663Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2002Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Schneider Automation, Inc.Inventors: Jean-Louis Droulin, Jean-Marc Tixador, Benoit Lecoanet
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Patent number: D488133Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Schneider Automation, Inc.Inventors: Jean-Louis Droulin, Jean-Marc Tixador, Benoit Lecoanet