Patents by Inventor Linglai Li

Linglai Li 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: 11656589
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology generally relate to power topology discovery in industrial environments. More specifically, some embodiments relate to automatic power topology discovery for factories based on device data that is already recorded for other purposes. Systems and methods described herein may be used to generate an accurate electrical network topology by collecting power data from power devices that may provide real-time or recorded measurements, detecting power change events, and matching power change signatures over power events for the devices in order to calculate the likelihoods of possible topology assumptions. Power change event data is used to recursively update topology probabilities using the Bayesian formula until a system topology can be produced with satisfactory confidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaolong Zhang, Benfeng Tang, Linglai Li, David B. Berman, Phillip R. Bush, Steven T. Haensgen, Michael L. Gasperi, Sean C. Schmelzer, Alex Nicoll
  • Publication number: 20220075337
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology generally relate to power topology discovery in industrial environments. More specifically, some embodiments relate to automatic power topology discovery for factories based on device data that is already recorded for other purposes. Systems and methods described herein may be used to generate an accurate electrical network topology by collecting power data from power devices that may provide real-time or recorded measurements, detecting power change events, and matching power change signatures over power events for the devices in order to calculate the likelihoods of possible topology assumptions. Power change event data is used to recursively update topology probabilities using the Bayesian formula until a system topology can be produced with satisfactory confidence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Xiaolong Zhang, Benfeng Tang, Linglai Li, David B. Berman, Phillip R. Bush, Steven T. Haensgen, Michael L. Gasperi, Sean C. Schmelzer, Alex Nicoll
  • Patent number: 10746590
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein describes a method and system to monitor and identify vibrations in a rotational mechanical system. Various fault conditions in a rotating machine operating at variable speeds may be identified, at least in part, by identifying the multiple of the fundamental frequency, or order, at which the vibration occurs. The orders of vibration present in a measured vibration signal may be determined by finding an order spectrum of a measured vibration signal in the position domain. A fault vector is generated from the order spectrum that identifies the magnitude of each order of vibration present in the measured vibration signal. The fault vector may be plotted on a radar chart to provide a visual indication of the type of fault present in the mechanical system. Evaluation models for each fault determines a probability and magnitude for each fault condition being present in the sampled vibration signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Linglai Li, Zhenhuan Yuan, Kun Wei, Robert H. Schmidt, Michael J. Melfi, Brian Fast, Sunil R. Gaddam, Chris E. Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 10747508
    Abstract: For function block framework generation, a method generates a function block framework for a hardware device. The function block framework includes function block framework source code and a function block framework description. The hardware device includes a logic engine and automation hardware. The function block framework presents a standard interface to a function block core executed by the logic engine. The method instantiates the function block framework and the function block core as an executable image for the hardware device. The method further configures the logic engine to execute the executable image using the function block framework description. The method executes the executable image with the logic engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Benfeng Tang, Tao Song, LingLai Li, Zhen Wei, Bingchao Tang, David W. Siegler, David B. Berman, John P. Caspers, Jeffrey S. Martin, Liz V. Bahl Prosak
  • Publication number: 20200210154
    Abstract: For function block framework generation, a method generates a function block framework for a hardware device. The function block framework includes function block framework source code and a function block framework description. The hardware device includes a logic engine and automation hardware. The function block framework presents a standard interface to a function block core executed by the logic engine. The method instantiates the function block framework and the function block core as an executable image for the hardware device. The method further configures the logic engine to execute the executable image using the function block framework description. The method executes the executable image with the logic engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Benfeng Tang, Tao Song, LingLai Li, Zhen Wei, Bingchao Tang, David W. Siegler, David B. Berman, John P. Caspers, Jeffrey S. Martin, Liz V. Bahl Prosak
  • Patent number: 10571495
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of power monitors that, in operation, monitor parameters of power in an automation system at points between loads and/or power sources. Each of the power monitors includes sensing circuitry to sense the power parameters, peer-to-peer communications circuitry to communicate with other power monitors via peer-to-peer communication, network communications circuitry to communicate with automation devices via a network, and functional circuits to perform analysis of monitored power parameters in a cooperative manner based upon the power parameters monitored by the respective power monitor and power parameters monitored by other power monitors communicated via peer-to-peer communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Benfeng Tang, Linglai Li, Xuyuan Xiao, Kun Wei, Phillip Bush, David Bradly Berman, Sean Charles Schmelzer, Steven A. Lombardi
  • Patent number: 10488282
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Arun K. Guru, Linglai Li, John Balcerak, Robert H. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10372118
    Abstract: An energy monitoring system includes a memory storing instructions to execute an energy modeling technique and processing circuitry for executing the instructions to operate the energy modeling technique. The energy modeling technique includes receiving energy data from a plurality of segments representative of one or more logical subgroups. The energy modeling technique includes categorizing the energy data of the logical subgroups into a plurality of segments. The energy modeling technique includes organizing the plurality of segments into a plurality of state-based hierarchical levels. The energy modeling technique includes calculating energy usage and factors associated with the plurality of state-based hierarchical levels via an energy model. The energy modeling technique includes outputting a visualization representative of the energy data corresponding to each of the segments to a monitoring and control system, resulting in a graphical representation accessible by a user-viewable screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Linglai Li, Guolin Zhang, David Brandt, Fred M. Discenzo, Philip Kaufman, David Berman, Phillip Bush, Sean C. Schmelzer, Steven Lombardi, Noel Henderson, Richard A. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20190137350
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Arun K. Guru, Linglai Li, John Balcerak, Robert H. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20190101436
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein describes a method and system to monitor and identify vibrations in a rotational mechanical system. Various fault conditions in a rotating machine operating at variable speeds may be identified, at least in part, by identifying the multiple of the fundamental frequency, or order, at which the vibration occurs. The orders of vibration present in a measured vibration signal may be determined by finding an order spectrum of a measured vibration signal in the position domain. A fault vector is generated from the order spectrum that identifies the magnitude of each order of vibration present in the measured vibration signal. The fault vector may be plotted on a radar chart to provide a visual indication of the type of fault present in the mechanical system. Evaluation models for each fault determines a probability and magnitude for each fault condition being present in the sampled vibration signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Linglai Li, Zhenhuan Yuan, Kun Wei, Robert H. Schmidt, Michael J. Melfi, Brian Fast, Sunil R. Gaddam, Chris E. Gottlieb
  • Publication number: 20180372782
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of power monitors that, in operation, monitor parameters of power in an automation system at points between loads and/or power sources. Each of the power monitors includes sensing circuitry to sense the power parameters, peer-to-peer communications circuitry to communicate with other power monitors via peer-to-peer communication, network communications circuitry to communicate with automation devices via a network, and functional circuits to perform analysis of monitored power parameters in a cooperative manner based upon the power parameters monitored by the respective power monitor and power parameters monitored by other power monitors communicated via peer-to-peer communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Benfeng Tang, Linglai Li, Xuyuan Xiao, Kun Wei, Phillip Bush, David Bradly Berman, Sean Charles Schmelzer, Steven A. Lombardi
  • Patent number: 10161970
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mover traveling along a track, the mover system having a mover frame supporting a mover sensor element and a track frame providing a path for which the mover frame travels and supporting track sensor elements for interacting with the mover sensor element of the mover frame. The interaction between the mover sensor element and track sensor elements provides an identification signal of each mover and the identification signal of each mover on the track is arranged according to a cyclic sequence where unique contiguous substrings occur only once within the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xikai Sun, Linglai Li, Peter M. Smit, Oliver C. Haya, Mark R. Cooper, Nanwei Yao
  • Publication number: 20180276436
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mover traveling along a track, the mover system having a mover frame supporting a mover sensor element and a track frame providing a path for which the mover frame travels and supporting track sensor elements for interacting with the mover sensor element of the mover frame. The interaction between the mover sensor element and track sensor elements provides an identification signal of each mover and the identification signal of each mover on the track is arranged according to a cyclic sequence where unique contiguous substrings occur only once within the sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Xikai Sun, Linglai Li, Peter M. Smit, Oliver C. Haya, Mark R. Cooper, Nanwei Yao
  • Publication number: 20180088567
    Abstract: An energy monitoring system includes a memory storing instructions to execute an energy modeling technique and processing circuitry for executing the instructions to operate the energy modeling technique. The energy modeling technique includes receiving energy data from a plurality of segments representative of one or more logical subgroups. The energy modeling technique includes categorizing the energy data of the logical subgroups into a plurality of segments. The energy modeling technique includes organizing the plurality of segments into a plurality of state-based hierarchical levels. The energy modeling technique includes calculating energy usage and factors associated with the plurality of state-based hierarchical levels via an energy model. The energy modeling technique includes outputting a visualization representative of the energy data corresponding to each of the segments to a monitoring and control system, resulting in a graphical representation accessible by a user-viewable screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Linglai Li, Guolin Zhang, David Brandt, Fred M. Discenzo, Philip Kaufman, David Berman, Phillip Bush, Sean C. Schmelzer, Steven Lombardi, Noel Henderson, Richard A. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9568514
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an upstream/downstream probability module that determines, for each measurement point in an electrical power system, an upstream/downstream probability. The apparatus includes a zone module that identifies a plurality of zones within the power system and an upstream/downstream module that identifies, for each measurement point and for each zone, if a power quality event in a zone is upstream or downstream of a measurement point. The apparatus includes a zone probability module that determines a zone probability for each zone by multiplying the upstream probability or the downstream probability for each measurement point. The zone probability is a probability that the event happened in a zone. The zone probability module uses the upstream probability of a measurement point when the zone is upstream of the measurement point and uses the downstream probability when the zone is downstream of the measurement point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: LingLai Li, Benfeng Tang, Fredrick M Discenzo, David Berman, Phillip Bush
  • Publication number: 20150331035
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an upstream/downstream probability module that determines, for each measurement point in an electrical power system, an upstream/downstream probability. The apparatus includes a zone module that identifies a plurality of zones within the power system and an upstream/downstream module that identifies, for each measurement point and for each zone, if a power quality event in a zone is upstream or downstream of a measurement point. The apparatus includes a zone probability module that determines a zone probability for each zone by multiplying the upstream probability or the downstream probability for each measurement point. The zone probability is a probability that the event happened in a zone. The zone probability module uses the upstream probability of a measurement point when the zone is upstream of the measurement point and uses the downstream probability when the zone is downstream of the measurement point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: LingLai Li, Benfeng Tang, Fred Discenzo, David Berman, Phillip Bush
  • Patent number: 8810173
    Abstract: Continuous monitoring and fault diagnosis of rotating machinery during variable speed operation is performed using only a position feedback signal. The position sensor generates a periodic waveform having multiple pulses per revolution of the machine. A circuit is included to detect, for example, a zero crossing or edge of the periodic waveform. At each detected zero crossing or edge, the time and position of the event is stored in memory. Other data, such as the current in the motor, may also be sampled and stored in memory. Because the sampled data is triggered by repeated feature of the position feedback signal, the sampled data is in a stationary reference frame in the position domain. Frequency analysis is performed on the sampled data, and the frequency components present in either the sampled signal are analyzed to identify the presence of a fault in the rotating machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Linglai Li, Wei Qian, Thomas D. Lundell
  • Publication number: 20120126738
    Abstract: Continuous monitoring and fault diagnosis of rotating machinery during variable speed operation is performed using only a position feedback signal. The position sensor generates a periodic waveform having multiple pulses per revolution of the machine. A circuit is included to detect, for example, a zero crossing or edge of the periodic waveform. At each detected zero crossing or edge, the time and position of the event is stored in memory. Other data, such as the current in the motor, may also be sampled and stored in memory. Because the sampled data is triggered by repeated feature of the position feedback signal, the sampled data is in a stationary reference frame in the position domain. Frequency analysis is performed on the sampled data, and the frequency components present in either the sampled signal are analyzed to identify the presence of a fault in the rotating machinery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Linglai Li, Wei Qian, Thomas D. Lundell