Abstract: A control system configured to control safety-critical and non-safety-critical processes and/or plant components includes: a non-safety controller module, at least one safety controller module, and at least one condition monitoring module. The non-safety controller module is configured to control the non-safety-critical processes and/or the non-safety-critical plant components. The at least one safety controller module is configured to control the safety-critical processes and/or the safety-critical plant components. The at least one condition monitoring module is configured to perform fail-safe condition monitoring and to collect monitoring data. The non-safety controller module is configured to receive the collected monitoring data from the condition monitoring module and to pass the collected monitoring data to the safety controller module. The safety-controller module is configured to evaluate the monitoring data based on safety conditions.

Abstract: A control system configured to control safety-critical and non-safety-critical processes and/or plant components includes: a non-safety controller module, at least one safety controller module, and at least one condition monitoring module. The non-safety controller module is configured to control the non-safety-critical processes and/or the non-safety-critical plant components. The at least one safety controller module is configured to control the safety-critical processes and/or the safety-critical plant components. The at least one condition monitoring module is configured to perform fail-safe condition monitoring and to collect monitoring data. The non-safety controller module is configured to receive the collected monitoring data from the condition monitoring module and to pass the collected monitoring data to the safety controller module. The safety-controller module is configured to evaluate the monitoring data based on safety conditions.

Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of power converters connected to a power supply network is described. Each power converter includes high-power semiconductor devices. Control signals are sent between a controller and a wireless node of one or more of said plurality of power converters using a wireless communication system. The control signals are transmitted to a local wireless node of one or more of a plurality of power converters. The data transmissions include data packets including control information such that a clock of the local wireless node can be synchronized using time synchronization information of the wireless communication system. In other aspects of the invention a system employing the method and a computer program for carrying out the method are described.

Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of power converters connected to a power supply network is described. Each power converter includes high-power semiconductor devices. Control signals are sent between a controller and a wireless node of one or more of said plurality of power converters using a wireless communication system. The control signals are transmitted to a local wireless node of one or more of a plurality of power converters. The data transmissions include data packets including control information such that a clock of the local wireless node can be synchronized using time synchronization information of the wireless communication system. In other aspects of the invention a system employing the method and a computer program for carrying out the method are described.

Abstract: A method to control an industrial robot with a tool including at least one actuator. The industrial robot has at least one robot arm with a tool holder arranged on the arm. A contactless power supply is provided to the at least one actuator of the tool. Control signals are transmitted to and/or received from at least one wireless node including a radio communicator arranged on the tool. Radio technology is utilized that works in a high frequency band from 400 MHz and higher with significant interference suppression by spread spectrum technology.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variable transformer comprising at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding which can be rotated in relation thereto. The primary winding and the secondary winding are subdivided into at least two winding sections. The winding sections interlock in a comb-like manner and the flow of current of directly opposite winding sections is directed in the respective opposite direction.

Abstract: A spot weld gun with thereto belonging power transmission being achieved by means of a rotating transformer including one primary side and one secondary side for transporting electrical power over a rotating joint. The one secondary side is adapted to provide both required power to the weld current and any required auxiliary power.

Abstract: A power supply system for an industrial robot. The power supply includes a transmitting part including a first coil and a first converter for producing an alternating magnetic field from the first coil. The power supply also includes a receiving part including a second coil for providing an alternating current by induction from the alternating magnetic field and a second converter for producing from the alternating current a direct current for providing power to a tool carried by the robot.

Abstract: A robot or manipulator including a wireless power supply and a wireless communication device. One or more actuators on the robot tool may be wirelessly powered and wirelessly controlled. The robot tool may have one or more wireless communication members for transmission of data from sensors on the tool. The power supply includes a primary power supply member and secondary power supply member. Tool changes may be carried out automatically by the robot. In other aspects of the invention a method, a control system and a computer program for carrying out the method are described.

Abstract: An arrangement is described for supplying electrical power to a field device (10) with a housing (11) for monitoring a technical process in a process installation, without the use of wires, which field device (10) has a wire-free communication interface (5). The field device (10) has at least one field device face (11a) facing the process and at least one field device face (11b, c, d) facing away from the process, and is equipped with a thermoelectric transducer (14) which has a transducer face (14b) facing the process and a transducer face (14c) facing away from the process. The heat flow in the field device between the field device face (11a) facing the process and the field device face (11b, c, d) facing away from the process is converted into electrical energy by the thermoelectric transducer (14), and this conversion process may be bidirectional.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variable transformer comprising at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding which can be rotated in relation thereto. The primary winding and the secondary winding are subdivided into at least two winding sections. The winding sections interlock in a comb-like manner and the flow of current of directly opposite winding sections is directed in the respective opposite direction.

Abstract: One or more actuator driven devices on a sheet forming machine receive power and engage in bi-didrectional communications with one or more quality control systems either by having no physically connected cables to transmit the power to the actuators and no physically connected cables used for the bi-directional communications; or contactless power and communication on a power cable; or a cable connected from the power source to the actuators to provide both power and bi-directional communications; or power is provided to the actuators by a cable and the bi-directional communications are wireless.

Abstract: An arrangement is described for supplying electrical power to a field device in a process installation which is equipped with a wire-free communication interface without the use of wires. At least one fuel cell having a membrane/electrode block and a fuel tank as well as an electrical energy store are integrated in a housing in the field device, with the fuel cell being equipped with an oxygen reservoir which provides the oxygen that is required for production of electrical energy by oxidation of the fuel in the membrane/electrode block. In addition, the fuel cell is equipped with a water reservoir unit which holds the water which is created during the production of electrical power in the membrane/electrode block by oxidation of the fuel with the oxygen. The fuel cell together with the membrane/electrode block, the fuel tank, the oxygen reservoir and the water reservoir unit form a modular, closed system.

Abstract: A magnetic field production system is proposed and has a two-dimensional winding configuration with two windings. The windings are disposed essentially orthogonally with respect to one another and enclose a machine or system. The windings have winding axes that are essentially at right angles to one another, and which are supplied with alternating variables via two feed circuits. In order to produce a two-dimensional, rotating magnetic field, the two alternating variables are at the same frequency, have similar current amplitudes and similar voltage amplitudes, and are synchronized to one another. A phase shift of preferably 90° is set between the alternating variable of the first feed circuit and the alternating variable of the second feed circuit. Furthermore, a three-dimensional magnetic field, as well as an configuration for wire-free supply of a large number of sensors and/or actuators using a magnetic field production system are possible.

Abstract: A proximity sensor with a sensor head for generating sensor signals is described. The proximity sensor is divided into a fastening portion containing a sensor head, and an electronics portion that can be connected to the fastening portion and has at least a sensor-signal evaluation unit and a power supply. The sensor signals pass from the fastening portion to the electronics portion via electrical contacts or contactlessly. Furthermore, a modular system for forming proximity sensors is proposed, and contains a multiplicity of fastening portions, respectively containing a sensor head, with different dimensioning and, connectable herewith, in each case identical electronics portions.

Abstract: A configuration for producing electrical power from a magnetic field includes a three-dimensional winding configuration formed from a central core of a magnetic material on which at least three windings are fitted. The windings have winding axes each disposed at right angles to one another and intersecting at a common point. Each of the windings is connected to a rectifier. Each of the windings is, preferably, connected to a resonant capacitor to form a resonant circuit.

Abstract: A system for a machine, in particular an automated production machine, has a large number of proximity sensors. Each proximity sensor has at least one secondary winding that is suitable for drawing power from a medium-frequency magnetic field. At least one primary winding, which is fed from a medium-frequency oscillator, is provided for supplying the proximity sensors with electrical power without using wires. Each proximity sensor is equipped with a transmitting device that emits radio signals, which contain sensor information of interest, to a central receiving device that is connected to a process computer for the machine. A proximity sensor and a primary winding for this purpose are also proposed.

Abstract: A configuration and method for the wire-free supply of electric power to a large number of sensors and/or actuators mounted on a machine includes a micro fuel cell with associated fuel tank integrated into the sensors/actuators and converting the stored fuel, preferably methanol, into electric power to supply the sensor. Also included is a sensor or actuator with such an integrated micro fuel cell and fuel tank. Further included is a system for a machine, in particular an automatic production machine, having a large number of sensors/actuators equipped with a transmitting device and/or receiving device communicating through radio signals with a central transmitting and/or receiving device connected to a process computer belonging to the machine, and a micro fuel cell with associated fuel tank integrated into the sensors/actuators and converting the stored fuel into electric power to supply the sensor.

Abstract: A configuration for supplying a large number of actuators with electrical power without using wires includes at least one primary winding that is fed from a medium-frequency oscillator. Each actuator has at least one secondary winding that is suitable for drawing power from a medium-frequency magnetic field.

Abstract: A sensor with a wireless power supply includes, as a sensor unit, a resonant circuit having a capacitance and a coil, the coil being used not only for measurement but also for reception of electromagnetic waves for supplying power to the sensor. In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor has a filter for frequency separation of the sensor signal into a supply component and payload signal component. In such a case, the sensor can be supplied during a measurement. In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor has a changeover switch for time separation of the sensor signal into the supply component and the payload signal component. In such a case, the sensor is supplied on an alternating cycle with a measurement.