Abstract: An industrial automation input/output module includes a housing, a power supply, and a network adapter. A plurality of I/O sockets are located in the housing, each comprising an socket contacts for power and data. A plurality of I/O segments are located in the housing, and each includes a segment housing that contains an I/O circuit for processing data associated with a controlled system and for communicating said data between to/from the network adapter. Each I/O segment further includes segment power/data contacts connected to the I/O circuit. Each I/O segment is received in one of the I/O sockets such that the segment contacts operably mate with the socket contacts for transmission of power and data and power between the socket contacts and the segment contacts. A plurality of field connectors are connected to the module housing and adapted for operably connecting with the associated controlled system.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an automation control system that includes an input/output device module with a device bus therein. The input/output module also includes a first bus contact on a first side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus, and a second bus contact on a second side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus. The second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side and the input/output device module is configured to be coupled with additional input/output device modules positioned on the first and second sides of the input/output device module via the first and second bus contacts.

Abstract: An industrial automation input/output module includes a housing, a power supply, and a network adapter. A plurality of I/O sockets are located in the housing, each comprising an socket contacts for power and data. A plurality of I/O segments are located in the housing, and each includes a segment housing that contains an I/O circuit for processing data associated with a controlled system and for communicating said data between to/from the network adapter. Each I/O segment further includes segment power/data contacts connected to the I/O circuit. Each I/O segment is received in one of the I/O sockets such that the segment contacts operably mate with the socket contacts for transmission of power and data and power between the socket contacts and the segment contacts. A plurality of field connectors are connected to the module housing and adapted for operably connecting with the associated controlled system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aligning status indicators on a terminal block of an I/O device by locating the status indicators directly adjacent to or integrated directly within their respective terminals on the terminal block. The status indicators are illuminated by LEDs or other light emitters disposed within a housing of the I/O device. Light from the LEDs are directed to the status indicators by light pipes disposed within the housing of the I/O device. LED activation circuitry disposed within the housing determines a manner in which to activate the LEDs to illuminate the status indicators based on inputs and outputs between the I/O device and a controlled process. In certain embodiments, the status indicators are disposed on a raised section of the I/O device, which may be part of a removable LED indication assembly including the LEDs, light pipes, and LED activation circuitry.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an automation control system that includes an input/output device module with a device bus therein. The input/output module also includes a first bus contact on a first side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus, and a second bus contact on a second side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus. The second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side and the input/output device module is configured to be coupled with additional input/output device modules positioned on the first and second sides of the input/output device module via the first and second bus contacts.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aligning status indicators on a terminal block of an I/O device by locating the status indicators directly adjacent to or integrated directly within their respective terminals on the terminal block. The status indicators are illuminated by LEDs or other light emitters disposed within a housing of the I/O device. Light from the LEDs are directed to the status indicators by light pipes disposed within the housing of the I/O device. LED activation circuitry disposed within the housing determines a manner in which to activate the LEDs to illuminate the status indicators based on inputs and outputs between the I/O device and a controlled process. In certain embodiments, the status indicators are disposed on a raised section of the I/O device, which may be part of a removable LED indication assembly including the LEDs, light pipes, and LED activation circuitry.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter comprises a display retention bracket (DRB) that can be attached to, and can retain and horizontally mount, a display using display retention components, without using fasteners, for insertion of the display in a bezel that does not support horizontal mounting; and includes: a cable retention component that enables the cable to withstand a specified pull-out force to maintain connection of the cable to the display; a cable guide to maintain cable wires in a desired position in relation to other components; alignment pins to align the DRB and display with a bezel housing; non-symmetrical tabs to ensure the display is oriented correctly; offset columns that desirably offset loads on the display when an adapter plate is applied onto the DRB and display, and fastened to the bezel to secure the display; and a ground clip to extend the ground path from the bezel to the display.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an automation control system that includes an input/output device module with a device bus therein. The input/output module also includes a first bus contact on a first side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus, and a second bus contact on a second side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus. The second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side and the input/output device module is configured to be coupled with additional input/output device modules positioned on the first and second sides of the input/output device module via the first and second bus contacts.

Abstract: An input/output (I/O) device for an automation control system includes a base portion configured to communicatively connect the I/O device with at least one other I/O device, an I/O module physically and communicatively connected to the base portion and comprising I/O communication circuitry, a terminal block physically and communicatively connected to the base portion, and an ejection device configured to eject the I/O module or the terminal block from the base portion by pushing the I/O module or the terminal block out of engagement with the base portion when activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aligning status indicators on a terminal block of an I/O device by locating the status indicators directly adjacent to or integrated directly within their respective terminals on the terminal block. The status indicators are illuminated by LEDs or other light emitters disposed within a housing of the I/O device. Light from the LEDs are directed to the status indicators by light pipes disposed within the housing of the I/O device. LED activation circuitry disposed within the housing determines a manner in which to activate the LEDs to illuminate the status indicators based on inputs and outputs between the I/O device and a controlled process. In certain embodiments, the status indicators are disposed on a raised section of the I/O device, which may be part of a removable LED indication assembly including the LEDs, light pipes, and LED activation circuitry.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aligning status indicators on a terminal block of an I/O device by locating the status indicators directly adjacent to or integrated directly within their respective terminals on the terminal block. The status indicators are illuminated by LEDs or other light emitters disposed within a housing of the I/O device. Light from the LEDs are directed to the status indicators by light pipes disposed within the housing of the I/O device. LED activation circuitry disposed within the housing determines a manner in which to activate the LEDs to illuminate the status indicators based on inputs and outputs between the I/O device and a controlled process. In certain embodiments, the status indicators are disposed on a raised section of the I/O device, which may be part of a removable LED indication assembly including the LEDs, light pipes, and LED activation circuitry.

Abstract: An input/output (I/O) device for an automation control system includes a base portion configured to communicatively connect the I/O device with at least one other I/O device, an I/O module physically and communicatively connected to the base portion and comprising I/O communication circuitry, a terminal block physically and communicatively connected to the base portion, and an ejection device configured to eject the I/O module or the terminal block from the base portion by pushing the I/O module or the terminal block out of engagement with the base portion when activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing electronic keying features stored within one of the components (e.g., I/O modules, terminal blocks, bases) of I/O devices may include reading or detecting the electronic keying features using electronic key identification circuitry in one of the other components of the I/O devices. More specifically, the electronic keying features may include unique identification keys that may be read or detected by the electronic key identification circuitry to determine whether the components (e.g., a paired I/O module and terminal block) are associated with each other and intended to operate together. For example, the electronic key feature may be disposed within a terminal block and the electronic key identification circuitry may be disposed within an I/O module, or vice versa. In addition, the electronic key feature and/or the electronic key identification circuitry may be removable from their respective component of the I/O device.

Abstract: An input/output (I/O) device for an automation control system includes a base portion configured to communicatively connect the I/O device with at least one other I/O device, an I/O module physically and communicatively connected to the base portion and comprising I/O communication circuitry, a terminal block physically and communicatively connected to the base portion, and an ejection device configured to eject the I/O module or the terminal block from the base portion by pushing the I/O module or the terminal block out of engagement with the base portion when activated.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter comprises a display retention bracket (DRB) that can be attached to, and can retain and horizontally mount, a display using display retention components, without using fasteners, for insertion of the display in a bezel that does not support horizontal mounting; and includes: a cable retention component that enables the cable to withstand a specified pull-out force to maintain connection of the cable to the display; a cable guide to maintain cable wires in a desired position in relation to other components; alignment pins to align the DRB and display with a bezel housing; non-symmetrical tabs to ensure the display is oriented correctly; offset columns that desirably offset loads on the display when an adapter plate is applied onto the DRB and display, and fastened to the bezel to secure the display; and a ground clip to extend the ground path from the bezel to the display.

Abstract: An electronics circuit board includes a periphery defined by a plurality of edges. At least one power contact is located adjacent a first one of said edges and a plurality of data contacts are located adjacent a second one of said edges. The first and second edges are arranged transversely relative to each other. The circuit board is operatively installed on a base that includes a power connector and a data connector. At least one power contact of the circuit board is operably engaged with the power connector and the plurality of data contacts of the circuit board are operably engaged with said data connector. The power connector is located adjacent said first edge of the circuit board and the data connector is located adjacent a second edge of the circuit board.

Abstract: A serial optical data transmission system is provided. The serial optical data transmission system includes a displaceable optical pathway disposed adjacent to a slot configured to receive a first monitoring and/or control module. The optical pathway is biased towards a serial optical data bus position for transmission of optical data to or from at least one second monitoring and/or control module when the first monitoring and/or control module is removed from the slot. Further, the optical pathway is displaced from the serial optical data bus position when the first monitoring and/or control module is in the slot.

Abstract: A contact device enables a contact method for RIUP operations relative to a backplane. The contact device includes first and second contact portions, each including first and second spaced-apart contact arms. The first and second contact portions are located relative to each other on the backplane such that when the contact device is in a first operative condition, the respective first contact arms abut each other and define a first electrical conduction path and the second contact arms are spaced from each other.

Abstract: A torsional electrical contact includes a body including a helix with N turns around an axis, N?1. The body includes first and second ends. First and second contact arms extend outwardly away from the helix. The contact arms include respective distal ends. The arms define a contact angle ?. At least one of the first and second contact arms is selectively resiliently movable toward the other of the first and second contact arms to reduce the contact angle ?. One or more contacts are installed in a module and/or connected to an electronic component. A module including first and second contacts can be configured in a first condition in which the contacts are connected directly to each other or a second condition in which the contacts are engaged with respective parts of a circuit board or other component inserted into the housing according to a disclosed method.