Patents by Inventor Alan Weddle

Alan Weddle has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7325162
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a control system device, comprising a multiple channel discrete output module, said module storing a plurality of fail-state parameters, each fail-state parameter from the plurality of fail-state parameters corresponding to one channel of the multiple channels. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method for controlling the operation of each of a plurality of channels coupled to a discrete output module upon failure or shutdown of a control system coupled to the discrete output module, comprising, for each of the plurality of channels, storing a predetermined value for a fail-state parameter in a multi-channel discrete output module adapted to control the channel; and upon detecting a control system failure or shutdown, causing the channel to operate in a mode corresponding to the stored value for the channel's fail-state parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Weddle, Stephen Weeks Mowry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7124041
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method for detecting a circuit fault, comprising: for a sensor coupleable to an input circuit, the sensor characterized by an output signal operating voltage range: automatically causing the sensor to be electrically disconnected from the input circuit; automatically causing an invalid sensor voltage to be applied to the input circuit, the invalid sensor voltage having a value outside the output signal operating voltage range for the sensor; automatically causing the invalid sensor voltage to be removed from the input circuit; automatically causing the sensor to be electrically connected to the input circuit; and, in the event that an input circuit voltage value is outside the output signal operating voltage range for the sensor, automatically providing notification that a circuit fault is associated with the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Johnson, Alan Weddle
  • Patent number: 7085963
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a control system device, comprising a multiple channel discrete output module, said module storing a plurality of fail-state parameters, each fail-state parameter from the plurality of fail-state parameters corresponding to one channel of the multiple channels. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method for controlling the operation of each of a plurality of channels coupled to a discrete output module upon failure or shutdown of a control system coupled to the discrete output module, comprising, for each of the plurality of channels, storing a predetermined value for a fail-state parameter in a multi-channel discrete output module adapted to control the channel; and upon detecting a control system failure or shutdown, causing the channel to operate in a mode corresponding to the stored value for the channel's fail-state parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Weddle, Stephen Weeks Mowry, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040078627
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a control system device, comprising a multiple channel discrete output module, said module storing a plurality of fail-state parameters, each fail-state parameter from the plurality of fail-state parameters corresponding to one channel of the multiple channels. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method for controlling the operation of each of a plurality of channels coupled to a discrete output module upon failure or shutdown of a control system coupled to the discrete output module, comprising, for each of the plurality of channels, storing a predetermined value for a fail-state parameter in a multi-channel discrete output module adapted to control the channel; and upon detecting a control system failure or shutdown, causing the channel to operate in a mode corresponding to the stored value for the channel's fail-state parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Alan Weddle, Stephen Weeks Mowry
  • Publication number: 20030226066
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a control system device, comprising a multiple channel discrete output module, said module storing a plurality of fail-state parameters, each fail-state parameter from the plurality of fail-state parameters corresponding to one channel of the multiple channels. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method for controlling the operation of each of a plurality of channels coupled to a discrete output module upon failure or shutdown of a control system coupled to the discrete output module, comprising, for each of the plurality of channels, storing a predetermined value for a fail-state parameter in a multi-channel discrete output module adapted to control the channel; and upon detecting a control system failure or shutdown, causing the channel to operate in a mode corresponding to the stored value for the channel's fail-state parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Alan Weddle, Stephen Weeks Mowry