Patents by Inventor Dirk Lorenz

Dirk Lorenz 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: 10152030
    Abstract: A safety relay configuration system for configuring safety functions to be carried out by a safety relay is provided. The configuration system comprises a number of features that facilitate intuitive and simplified configuration of an industrial safety relay, including but not limited to features that guide the user through the configuration process using an intuitive sequential procedure that provides feedback and prompts based on user interaction, enforce design consistency throughout the configuration project by intelligently limiting user selections, and visually organize configuration and status information in a manner that efficiently utilizes display space and allows the user to quickly evaluate available configuration options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Prosak, Thomas Helpenstein, Rudolf Papenbreer, Dirk Lorenz, Oliver Heckel, Carol Knez, Christopher Burke, Todd Bubar, Nhat Nam Trinh
  • Patent number: 10020151
    Abstract: A safety relay configuration system for configuring safety functions to be carried out by a safety relay is provided. The configuration system comprises a number of features that facilitate intuitive and simplified configuration of an industrial safety relay, including but not limited to features that guide the user through the configuration process using an intuitive sequential procedure that provides feedback and prompts based on user interaction, enforce design consistency throughout the configuration project by intelligently limiting user selections, and visually organize configuration and status information in a manner that efficiently utilizes display space and allows the user to quickly evaluate available configuration options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Prosak, Thomas Helpenstein, Rudolf Papenbreer, Dirk Lorenz, Oliver Heckel
  • Patent number: 9977407
    Abstract: A safety relay configuration system for configuring safety functions to be carried out by a safety relay is provided. The configuration system comprises a number of features that facilitate intuitive and simplified configuration of an industrial safety relay, including but not limited to features that guide the user through the configuration process using an intuitive sequential procedure that provides feedback and prompts based on user interaction, enforce design consistency throughout the configuration project by intelligently limiting user selections, and visually organize configuration and status information in a manner that efficiently utilizes display space and allows the user to quickly evaluate available configuration options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Prosak, Thomas Helpenstein, Rudolf Papenbreer, Dirk Lorenz, Pujianto Cemerlang, Carol Knez, Christopher Burke, Todd Bubar, Nhat Nam Trinh
  • Patent number: 9916950
    Abstract: A safety switching device for fail-safely switching on and off an electrical load, and to a system comprising at least two safety switching devices which interact in a fail-safe manner via a single-channel. The safety switching device comprises a fail-safe control unit, a first and a second electronic switching element connected with a first and a second output terminal; and at least one input terminal for receiving a first switching signal that causes a switching of said switching elements. Said first and second switching elements each comprise an output which provides depending on the first switching signal an output signal having a first or second potential. A third output terminal connects said safety switching device to a second safety switching device, providing a clocked signal depending on the first switching signal and being monitored by said control unit for performing a cross fault detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Germany GMBH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Lorenz, Norbert Machuletz, Rudolf Papenbreer, Thomas Helpenstein
  • Patent number: 9797552
    Abstract: A single-wire safety system architecture is provided that yields reliable safety device monitoring without the need for dual redundant signal channels. The safety system comprises a safety relay acting as a communications master device and one or more compatible safety input devices connected in series with the safety relay via a single-wire communication circuit. The safety input device farthest from the safety relay on the safety circuit modulates a safety signal with a recognizable pulse pattern that traverses the single-wire safety circuit to the safety relay via the intermediate safety devices. The safety relay maintains safety mode as long as the pulse pattern is received and recognized. In addition to conveying the safety signal, the architecture allows bi-directional communication of initialization, configuration, and diagnostic messages over the single-wire safety channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh R. Nair, Wayne R. Foster, Christopher Burke, Alex Harris, Rudolf Laurenz Papenbreer, Dirk Lorenz, Norbert Machuletz, Oliver Heckel
  • Publication number: 20160254112
    Abstract: A safety switching device for fail-safely switching on and off an electrical load, and to a system comprising at least two safety switching devices which interact in a fail-safe manner via a single-channel. The safety switching device comprises a fail-safe control unit, a first and a second electronic switching element connected with a first and a second output terminal; and at least one input terminal for receiving a first switching signal that causes a switching of said switching elements. Said first and second switching elements each comprise an output which provides depending on the first switching signal an output signal having a first or second potential. A third output terminal connects said safety switching device to a second safety switching device, providing a clocked signal depending on the first switching signal and being monitored by said control unit for performing a cross fault detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: DIRK LORENZ, NOBERT MACHULETZ, RUDOLF PAPENBREER, THOMAS HELPENSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20160178125
    Abstract: A single-wire safety system architecture is provided that yields reliable safety device monitoring without the need for dual redundant signal channels. The safety system comprises a safety relay acting as a communications master device and one or more compatible safety input devices connected in series with the safety relay via a single-wire communication circuit. The safety input device farthest from the safety relay on the safety circuit modulates a safety signal with a recognizable pulse pattern that traverses the single-wire safety circuit to the safety relay via the intermediate safety devices. The safety relay maintains safety mode as long as the pulse pattern is received and recognized. In addition to conveying the safety signal, the architecture allows bi-directional communication of initialization, configuration, and diagnostic messages over the single-wire safety channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Suresh R. Nair, Wayne R. Foster, Christopher Burke, Alex Harris, Rudolf Laurenz Papenbreer, Dirk Lorenz, Norbert Machuletz, Oliver Heckel
  • Patent number: 9368307
    Abstract: A safety switching device for fail-safely switching on and off an electrical load, and to a system comprising at least two safety switching devices which interact in a fail-safe manner via a single-channel. The safety switching device comprises a fail-safe control unit, a first and a second electronic switching element connected with a first and a second output terminal; and at least one input terminal for receiving a first switching signal that causes a switching of said switching elements. Said first and second switching elements each comprise an output which provides depending on the first switching signal an output signal having a first or second potential. A third output terminal connects said safety switching device to a second safety switching device, providing a clocked signal depending on the first switching signal and being monitored by said control unit for performing a cross fault detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Germany GMBH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Lorenz, Norbert Machuletz, Rudolf Papenbreer, Thomas Helpenstein
  • Patent number: 9361073
    Abstract: A safety relay configuration system for configuring safety functions to be carried out by a safety relay is provided. The configuration system comprises a number of features that facilitate intuitive and simplified configuration of an industrial safety relay, including but not limited to features that guide the user through the configuration process using an intuitive sequential procedure that provides feedback and prompts based on user interaction, enforce design consistency throughout the configuration project by intelligently limiting user selections, and visually organize configuration and status information in a manner that efficiently utilizes display space and allows the user to quickly evaluate available configuration options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Prosak, Thomas Helpenstein, Rudolf Papenbreer, Dirk Lorenz, Christopher Burke, Todd Bubar, Nhat Nam Trinh
  • Publication number: 20150185710
    Abstract: A safety relay configuration system for configuring safety functions to be carried out by a safety relay is provided. The configuration system comprises a number of features that facilitate intuitive and simplified configuration of an industrial safety relay, including but not limited to features that guide the user through the configuration process using an intuitive sequential procedure that provides feedback and prompts based on user interaction, enforce design consistency throughout the configuration project by intelligently limiting user selections, and visually organize configuration and status information in a manner that efficiently utilizes display space and allows the user to quickly evaluate available configuration options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Prosak, Thomas Helpenstein, Rudolf Papenbreer, Dirk Lorenz, Pujianto Cemerlang, Carol Knez, Christopher Burke, Todd Bubar, Nhat Nam Trinh
  • Publication number: 20150186118
    Abstract: A safety relay configuration system for configuring safety functions to be carried out by a safety relay is provided. The configuration system comprises a number of features that facilitate intuitive and simplified configuration of an industrial safety relay, including but not limited to features that guide the user through the configuration process using an intuitive sequential procedure that provides feedback and prompts based on user interaction, enforce design consistency throughout the configuration project by intelligently limiting user selections, and visually organize configuration and status information in a manner that efficiently utilizes display space and allows the user to quickly evaluate available configuration options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Prosak, Thomas Helpenstein, Rudolf Papenbreer, Dirk Lorenz, Christopher Burke, Todd Bubar, Nhat Nam Trinh
  • Publication number: 20150185708
    Abstract: A safety relay configuration system for configuring safety functions to be carried out by a safety relay is provided. The configuration system comprises a number of features that facilitate intuitive and simplified configuration of an industrial safety relay, including but not limited to features that guide the user through the configuration process using an intuitive sequential procedure that provides feedback and prompts based on user interaction, enforce design consistency throughout the configuration project by intelligently limiting user selections, and visually organize configuration and status information in a manner that efficiently utilizes display space and allows the user to quickly evaluate available configuration options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Prosak, Thomas Helpenstein, Rudolf Papenbreer, Dirk Lorenz, Oliver Heckel, Carol Knez, Christopher Burke, Todd Bubar, Nhat Nam Trinh
  • Publication number: 20150187524
    Abstract: A safety relay configuration system for configuring safety functions to be carried out by a safety relay is provided. The configuration system comprises a number of features that facilitate intuitive and simplified configuration of an industrial safety relay, including but not limited to features that guide the user through the configuration process using an intuitive sequential procedure that provides feedback and prompts based on user interaction, enforce design consistency throughout the configuration project by intelligently limiting user selections, and visually organize configuration and status information in a manner that efficiently utilizes display space and allows the user to quickly evaluate available configuration options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Prosak, Thomas Helpenstein, Rudolf Papenbreer, Dirk Lorenz, Oliver Heckel
  • Patent number: 9053884
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety switching device for actuating actuators in a fail-safe manner, and further relates to an emergency shut-off circuit comprising a safety switching device according to the present invention. The safety switching device includes at least one first and second safety input for receiving a first and second input signal, at least one first and second safety output for transmitting a first and second output signal, and a control unit for evaluating said input signals and for generating said output signals. The first and second safety outputs further comprise a feedback loop said that couples the output signals back to the control unit such that the control unit is operable to perform a test routine for testing said output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Germany GMBH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Lorenz, Kevin Zomchek, Rudolf Papenbreer, Norbert Machuletz, Thomas Helpenstein
  • Publication number: 20140300209
    Abstract: A safety switching device for fail-safely switching on and off an electrical load, and to a system comprising at least two safety switching devices which interact in a fail-safe manner via a single-channel. The safety switching device comprises a fail-safe control unit, a first and a second electronic switching element connected with a first and a second output terminal; and at least one input terminal for receiving a first switching signal that causes a switching of said switching elements. Said first and second switching elements each comprise an output which provides depending on the first switching signal an output signal having a first or second potential. A third output terminal connects said safety switching device to a second safety switching device, providing a clocked signal depending on the first switching signal and being monitored by said control unit for performing a cross fault detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Germany GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Dirk Lorenz, Norbert Machuletz, Rudolf Ppenbreer, Thomas Helpenstein
  • Patent number: 8766774
    Abstract: A method, system, and a control device are provided for reducing RFID reaction times. A control unit receives a data signal, which comprises a code signal if a passive RFID transponder is located in the carrier field of an RFID reader. The code represents the identification code of the passive RFID transponder. The carrier field is disabled to reset the data signal, and thereafter enabled to receive a first portion of the code signal only. The code of the passive RFID transponder is then validated on the basis of said first portion of the code signal only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Germany GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Lorenz, Anatoly Grinberg
  • Patent number: 8736118
    Abstract: A safety switching device for fail-safely switching on and off an electrical load, and to a system comprising at least two safety switching devices which interact in a fail-safe manner via a single-channel. The safety switching device comprises a fail-safe control unit, a first and a second electronic switching element connected with a first and a second output terminal; and at least one input terminal for receiving a first switching signal that causes a switching of said switching elements. Said first and second switching elements each comprise an output which provides depending on the first switching signal an output signal having a first or second potential. A third output terminal connects said safety switching device to a second safety switching device, providing a clocked signal depending on the first switching signal and being monitored by said control unit for performing a cross fault detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Germany GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Lorenz, Norbert Machuletz, Rudolf Papenbreer, Thomas Helpenstein
  • Publication number: 20110268455
    Abstract: A modular safety switching device system for actuating actuators in a fail-safe manner. and a switching device system wherein a plurality of switching devices are connected in series and optically communicate with each other. The system includes a first and a second safety device. The first and second safety devices are connected to each other via an optical link. The optical link may be formed in a way that the first safety device comprises an optical transmitter and the second safety device comprises an optical receiver configured to receive information from the optical transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Dirk Lorenz, Norbert MacHuletz, Thomas Helpenstein, Rudolf Papenbreer
  • Publication number: 20110266890
    Abstract: A safety switching device for fail-safely switching on and off an electrical load, and to a system comprising at least two safety switching devices which interact in a fail-safe manner via a single-channel. The safety switching device comprises a fail-safe control unit, a first and a second electronic switching element connected with a first and a second output terminal; and at least one input terminal for receiving a first switching signal that causes a switching of said switching elements. Said first and second switching elements each comprise an output which provides depending on the first switching signal an output signal having a first or second potential. A third output terminal connects said safety switching device to a second safety switching device, providing a clocked signal depending on the first switching signal and being monitored by said control unit for performing a cross fault detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Dirk Lorenz, Norbert Machuletz, Rudolf Papenbreer, Thomas Helpenstein
  • Publication number: 20110204729
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety switching device for actuating actuators in a fail-safe manner, and further relates to an emergency shut-off circuit comprising a safety switching device according to the present invention. The safety switching device includes at least one first and second safety input for receiving a first and second input signal, at least one first and second safety output for transmitting a first and second output signal, and a control unit for evaluating said input signals and for generating said output signals. The first and second safety outputs further comprise a feedback loop said that couples the output signals back to the control unit such that the control unit is operable to perform a test routine for testing said output signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Dirk Lorenz, Kevin Zomchek, Rudolf Papenbreer, Norbert Machuletz, Thomas Helpenstein