Patents by Inventor Arun K. Guru
Arun K. Guru 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).
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Patent number: 11936182Abstract: A system for distributing DC bus voltage and control power to multiple motors includes a rectifier front end supplying a DC bus voltage and a DC control voltage. Both the DC bus voltage and the DC control voltage are distributed via a common set of conductors. Diodes are operatively connected between the DC control voltage and the common set of conductors. The diodes allow forward conduction of the DC control voltage and distribution of control power to distributed devices when the DC bus voltage is not present. Once the DC bus voltage is present, the diodes block conduction of the DC control voltage. Each of the distributed devices are configured with an internal power supply that is operative to generate an internal control voltage from either the DC control voltage or the DC bus voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Zoran Vrankovic, Mark A. Gries, Craig R. Winterhalter, Arun K. Guru
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Publication number: 20240067238Abstract: A mover for an independent cart system includes a drive member for a linear drive system, a power source configured to supply electrical power to at least one device mounted on the mover, and a mounting plate secured to the mover. The mounting plate is configured to selectively receive one of multiple fixtures. The mounting plate includes at least one electrical connector configured to engage a complementary electrical connector on each of the fixtures, at least one connector configured to engage a complementary connector on each of the fixtures to positively retain each of the fixtures to the mounting plate, and a control circuit operative to either transfer at least one control signal to or receive at least one feedback signal from each of the fixtures.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Shankha S. Seal, Eric M. Gardner, Jamie J. Cechvala, Robert H. Schmidt, Arun K. Guru
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Publication number: 20230324432Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an integrated drive module assembly with vibration-based anomaly detection. The integrated drive module assembly may include a motor coupled to a drive module. The drive module may provide electric power to the motor for operation. Moreover, the drive module may provide control signals to control operations of the motor. The drive module may include an accelerometer and a processing circuit. The processing circuit may determine baseline vibration profiles of the motor during operation using the accelerometer. Subsequently, the processing circuit may determine anomaly conditions of the motor based on comparing the vibrations of the motor with the baseline vibration profiles. Accordingly, the integrated drive module assembly may facilitate performing countermeasures with low latency based on detecting the anomaly conditions using the accelerometer when the drive module is coupled to the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Zoran Vrankovic, Arun K. Guru, Todd M. Oestreich, Theodore A. Rodriguez, JR., Kristin N. Yee, Jon P. Vanderpas
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Publication number: 20230318728Abstract: To improve integrity of time synchronization, a node in a safety rated system verifies that its clock remains synchronized to another clock. Two adjacent, time-synchronized nodes transmit diagnostic messages to each other at an agreed upon interval and generate timestamps when the diagnostic message is received from the other node. The nodes then transmit their respective timestamp back to the sending node. Clock drift is detected by comparing a difference between the two timestamps at which the messages were received against a threshold. To avoid accidental detection of clock drift, a difference in transmission delays between the two nodes is stored in a FIFO buffer. Each node monitors the average of the data in the FIFO buffer. If the average deviates from the target value by too great a value, then the node determines the values of the clocks have skewed beyond an acceptable range and generates a fault condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Yanbin Zhang, Xiaobo Peng, Sikai Zhang, Steven T. Seidlitz, Arun K. Guru
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Publication number: 20230318498Abstract: A method and system for communication between a motor controller and an analytic module includes a Single Pair Ethernet interface with power supplied over the two data lines. The analytic module, in turn, connects to a motor or other devices proximate the motor. The analytic module receives input signals from the motor or different types of sensors or devices. A processing unit in the analytic module may perform some initial processing on the incoming data. The processing unit is configured to transmit either the raw input signals or processed data via the Single Pair Ethernet connection back to the motor controller or to other controllers in the system with the motor controller acting solely as a pass-through gateway. The analytic module unit may be configured to transmit data at different update rates. One of the update rates may be synchronized to an update period in the motor controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Arun K. Guru, Shankernarayan Ramanarayanan, Kevin J. Riederer, James C. Sandell, Jon P. Vanderpas, Chetan Chandrasekara
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Patent number: 11689439Abstract: A communication module mounted to a motor provides for communication between a motor controller and a motor or between the motor controller and devices mounted on or proximate to the motor. The communication module may be configured to accept signals from various different encoders and/or load devices mounted on or proximate to the motor. The communication module receives a position feedback signal from a primary encoder interface and is configured to transmit the data to the motor controller at a periodic update rate. The communication module also receives feedback signals from at least one additional device and transmits the data to the motor controller. The communication module synchronizes its periodic update rate with the motor controller such that the position feedback signal may be utilized to control operation of the motor. The additional feedback signals may be communicated at the same or differing update rates.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Arun K. Guru, Dayin Xu, John Figie, Fuhua Ding, Chetan Chandrasekara
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Publication number: 20220329065Abstract: A system for distributing DC bus voltage and control power to multiple motors includes a rectifier front end supplying a DC bus voltage and a DC control voltage. Both the DC bus voltage and the DC control voltage are distributed via a common set of conductors. Diodes are operatively connected between the DC control voltage and the common set of conductors. The diodes allow forward conduction of the DC control voltage and distribution of control power to distributed devices when the DC bus voltage is not present. Once the DC bus voltage is present, the diodes block conduction of the DC control voltage. Each of the distributed devices are configured with an internal power supply that is operative to generate an internal control voltage from either the DC control voltage or the DC bus voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: Zoran Vrankovic, Mark A. Gries, Craig R. Winterhalter, Arun K. Guru
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Patent number: 11404869Abstract: A system for distributing DC bus voltage and control power to multiple motors includes a rectifier front end supplying a DC bus voltage and a DC control voltage. Both the DC bus voltage and the DC, control voltage are distributed via a common set of conductors. Diodes are operatively connected between the DC control voltage and the common set of conductors. The diodes allow forward conduction of the DC control voltage and distribution of control power to distributed devices when the DC bus voltage is not present. Once the DC bus voltage is present, the diodes block conduction of the DC control voltage. Each of the distributed devices are configured with an internal power supply that is operative to generate an internal control voltage from either the DC control voltage or the DC bus voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Zoran Vrankovic, Mark A. Gries, Craig R. Winterhalter, Arun K. Guru
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Publication number: 20220103449Abstract: A communication module mounted to a motor provides for communication between a motor controller and a motor or between the motor controller and devices mounted on or proximate to the motor. The communication module may be configured to accept signals from various different encoders and/or load devices mounted on or proximate to the motor. The communication module receives a position feedback signal from a primary encoder interface and is configured to transmit the data to the motor controller at a periodic update rate. The communication module also receives feedback signals from at least one additional device and transmits the data to the motor controller. The communication module synchronizes its periodic update rate with the motor controller such that the position feedback signal may be utilized to control operation of the motor. The additional feedback signals may be communicated at the same or differing update rates.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Arun K. Guru, Dayin Xu, John Figie, Fuhua Ding, Chetan Chandrasekara
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Patent number: 11211851Abstract: A motor drive utilizes redundant current feedback to monitor force being produced by a motor and to provide safe limited force producing operation of the motor. A first set of current sensors provides a first current measurement, and a second set of current sensors provides a second current measurement. The two current measurements are provided to two diverse force producing calculations, where each force producing calculation provides a value of the force produced by the motor. The motor drive compares the output of the two algorithms to each other. If the output of the two force producing calculations is the same, within an acceptable band, the controller continues operating as commanded. If the output of the two force producing calculations differs beyond the acceptable band, then the controller may generate a fault message provided back to a central controller, stop operation of the motor, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Arun K. Guru, Xiaobo Peng, Robert H. Schmidt, Aleksey Yegorov
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Patent number: 11078978Abstract: A motor includes a housing containing a rotor and stator. A brake assembly is adapted to restrain rotation of the rotor. A brake controller includes a brake diagnostics system. At least one vibration sensor is located in the housing and provides vibration data to the brake diagnostics system in response to a brake operation cycle of the brake assembly. The vibration data is used by the brake diagnostics system to assess an operative condition of the brake assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Chetan Chandrasekara, Arun K. Guru
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Publication number: 20200358340Abstract: A motor drive utilizes redundant current feedback to monitor force being produced by a motor and to provide safe limited force producing operation of the motor. A first set of current sensors provides a first current measurement, and a second set of current sensors provides a second current measurement. The two current measurements are provided to two diverse force producing calculations, where each force producing calculation provides a value of the force produced by the motor. The motor drive compares the output of the two algorithms to each other. If the output of the two force producing calculations is the same, within an acceptable band, the controller continues operating as commanded. If the output of the two force producing calculations differs beyond the acceptable band, then the controller may generate a fault message provided back to a central controller, stop operation of the motor, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2019Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Arun K. Guru, Xiaobo Peng, Robert H. Schmidt, Aleksey Yegorov
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Publication number: 20200358285Abstract: A system for distributing DC bus voltage and control power to multiple motors includes a rectifier front end supplying a DC bus voltage and a DC control voltage. Both the DC bus voltage and the DC, control voltage are distributed via a common set of conductors. Diodes are operatively connected between the DC control voltage and the common set of conductors. The diodes allow forward conduction of the DC control voltage and distribution of control power to distributed devices when the DC bus voltage is not present. Once the DC bus voltage is present, the diodes block conduction of the DC control voltage. Each of the distributed devices are configured with an internal power supply that is operative to generate an internal control voltage from either the DC control voltage or the DC bus voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2019Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Zoran Vrankovic, Mark A. Gries, Craig R. Winterhalter, Arun K. Guru
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Patent number: 10717643Abstract: A motor having a circuit board including at least two MEMS sensors. The circuit board is mounted within a housing of the motor using the same fasteners as an encoder of the motor. Mounting the MEMS sensors to the circuit board simplifies assembly of the motor and standardizes the positioning of the MEMS sensors within the housing, while the overall motor footprint is unaffected.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kristin N. Yee, Michael J. Melfi, Zhenhuan Yuan, John A. Balcerak, Arun K. Guru
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Publication number: 20200132149Abstract: A motor includes a housing containing a rotor and stator. A brake assembly is adapted to restrain rotation of the rotor. A brake controller includes a brake diagnostics system. At least one vibration sensor is located in the housing and provides vibration data to the brake diagnostics system in response to a brake operation cycle of the brake assembly. The vibration data is used by the brake diagnostics system to assess an operative condition of the brake assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Chetan Chandrasekara, Arun K. Guru
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Patent number: 10520054Abstract: A motor includes a brake diagnostics system with sensors to assess the brake assembly condition. Acoustic or other vibration sensors provide vibration data that is compared to known vibration spectrum data to compare the condition of the brake assembly to a properly functioning brake assembly. The brake diagnostics system monitors current flow in the brake coil to assess the condition of the brake assembly. The sensed brake coil current is compared to known coil current spectrum data to compare the condition of the brake assembly to a properly functioning brake assembly. The voltage input to the brake coil is varied depending upon the current sensed in the brake coil to minimize heat in the brake coil. The motor also includes a resilient layer of thermally conductive material located between the brake assembly and the housing that provides a continuous, uninterrupted thermal pathway between the brake assembly and the motor housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Chetan Chandrasekara, Arun K. Guru
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Patent number: 10488282Abstract: An improved system for monitoring drive members in a belt-driven application during installation and during operation and for detecting common failure modes in belt-driven equipment is disclosed. Sensors are positioned within or proximate the motor housing to detect vibrations on the belt or in the electric machine. The vibration signals are used to monitor operating conditions and/or to identify the failure modes in belt-driven equipment. The vibration signals may be used, for example, to determine tension on a belt, detect either a static or dynamic force applied along the belt, a misalignment between a pulley and the belt, or a shock load applied to the belt during operation. By monitoring the various operating conditions of the belt-driven equipment, a controller may identify an existing failure mode or predict a premature failure mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Arun K. Guru, Linglai Li, John Balcerak, Robert H. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20190137350Abstract: An improved system for monitoring drive members in a belt-driven application during installation and during operation and for detecting common failure modes in belt-driven equipment is disclosed. Sensors are positioned within or proximate the motor housing to detect vibrations on the belt or in the electric machine. The vibration signals are used to monitor operating conditions and/or to identify the failure modes in belt-driven equipment. The vibration signals may be used, for example, to determine tension on a belt, detect either a static or dynamic force applied along the belt, a misalignment between a pulley and the belt, or a shock load applied to the belt during operation. By monitoring the various operating conditions of the belt-driven equipment, a controller may identify an existing failure mode or predict a premature failure mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Arun K. Guru, Linglai Li, John Balcerak, Robert H. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20190101175Abstract: A motor includes a brake diagnostics system with sensors to assess the brake assembly condition. Acoustic or other vibration sensors provide vibration data that is compared to known vibration spectrum data to compare the condition of the brake assembly to a properly functioning brake assembly. The brake diagnostics system monitors current flow in the brake coil to assess the condition of the brake assembly. The sensed brake coil current is compared to known coil current spectrum data to compare the condition of the brake assembly to a properly functioning brake assembly. The voltage input to the brake coil is varied depending upon the current sensed in the brake coil to minimize heat in the brake coil. The motor also includes a resilient layer of thermally conductive material located between the brake assembly and the housing that provides a continuous, uninterrupted thermal pathway between the brake assembly and the motor housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: April 4, 2019Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Chetan Chandrasekara, Arun K. Guru
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Publication number: 20190092621Abstract: A motor having a circuit board including at least two MEMS sensors. The circuit board is mounted within a housing of the motor using the same fasteners as an encoder of the motor. Mounting the MEMS sensors to the circuit board simplifies assembly of the motor and standardizes the positioning of the MEMS sensors within the housing, while the overall motor footprint is unaffected.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kristin N. Yee, Michael J. Melfi, Zhenhuan Yuan, John A. Balcerak, Arun K. Guru