Patents by Inventor Mark A. Flood
Mark A. Flood 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: 12140933Abstract: A system of communicating data over a high availability industrial control system is disclosed. The industrial control system includes a first data producer, a second data producer in communicative connection with the first data producer, a first data consumer, and a second data consumer in communicative connection with the first data consumer. The system further includes the first producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the first producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules, and the second producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the second producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules. Also disclosed is a method of communicating data over the high availability industrial control system.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2021Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Sivaram Balasubramanian, Kendal R. Harris, Mark A. Flood, Kyle E. Neet, Scott A. Pierce, Anthony G. Gibart, Raymond R. Husted, David M. Fort, Chandresh R. Chaudhari, Jonathan D. Bradford
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Patent number: 11927950Abstract: A system for communicating between redundant devices balances the desired attributes of a high availability (HA) control system and a safety control system. The system includes concurrent connections as a fault tolerant mechanism for industrial protocol connections at the transport layer. The concurrent connections establish multiple paths for redundancy from a data producer to a data consumer. Concurrent connections increase availability of the HA control and safety instrumented systems. More specifically, concurrent connections and architectural redundancies eliminate a single point of failure within the control system and further reduce safety connection timeouts during fault detection and/or recovery. Concurrent connections may be used to keep a HA system operational or to provide detection of a failure in a safety system. The industrial control network may be configured to function as a HA control system, as a safety control system, or with certain degrees of both HA and safety-related operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas L. Stay, Anthony G. Gibart, Mark A. Flood, Chandresh R. Chaudhari, Chad J. Bohl, Sivaram Balasubramanian
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Patent number: 11669076Abstract: A system of communicating data over a high availability industrial control system is disclosed. The industrial control system includes a first data producer, a second data producer in communicative connection with the first data producer, a first data consumer, and a second data consumer in communicative connection with the first data consumer. The system further includes the first producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the first producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules, and the second producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the second producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules. Also disclosed is a method of communicating data over the high availability industrial control system.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Flood
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Publication number: 20220113707Abstract: A system of communicating data over a high availability industrial control system is disclosed. The industrial control system includes a first data producer, a second data producer in communicative connection with the first data producer, a first data consumer, and a second data consumer in communicative connection with the first data consumer. The system further includes the first producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the first producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules, and the second producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the second producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules. Also disclosed is a method of communicating data over the high availability industrial control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Sivaram Balasubramanian, Kendal R. Harris, Mark A. Flood, Kyle E. Neet, Scott A. Pierce, Anthony G. Gibart, Raymond R. Husted, David M. Fort, Chandresh R. Chaudhari, Jonathan D. Bradford
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Publication number: 20220050451Abstract: A system for communicating between redundant devices balances the desired attributes of a high availability (HA) control system and a safety control system. The system includes concurrent connections as a fault tolerant mechanism for industrial protocol connections at the transport layer. The concurrent connections establish multiple paths for redundancy from a data producer to a data consumer. Concurrent connections increase availability of the HA control and safety instrumented systems. More specifically, concurrent connections and architectural redundancies eliminate a single point of failure within the control system and further reduce safety connection timeouts during fault detection and/or recovery. Concurrent connections may be used to keep a HA system operational or to provide detection of a failure in a safety system. The industrial control network may be configured to function as a HA control system, as a safety control system, or with certain degrees of both HA and safety-related operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Nicholas L. Stay, Anthony G. Gibart, Mark A. Flood, Chandresh R. Chaudhari, Chad J. Bohl, Sivaram Balasubramanian
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Patent number: 11221612Abstract: A system of communicating data over a high availability industrial control system is disclosed. The industrial control system includes a first data producer, a second data producer in communicative connection with the first data producer, a first data consumer, and a second data consumer in communicative connection with the first data consumer. The system further includes the first producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the first producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules, and the second producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the second producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules. Also disclosed is a method of communicating data over the high availability industrial control system.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Sivaram Balasubramanian, Kendal R. Harris, Mark A. Flood, Kyle E. Neet, Scott A. Pierce, Anthony G. Gibart, Raymond R. Husted, David M. Fort, Chandresh R. Chaudhari, Jonathan D. Bradford
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Publication number: 20210223761Abstract: A system of communicating data over a high availability industrial control system is disclosed. The industrial control system includes a first data producer, a second data producer in communicative connection with the first data producer, a first data consumer, and a second data consumer in communicative connection with the first data consumer. The system further includes the first producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the first producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules, and the second producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the second producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules. Also disclosed is a method of communicating data over the high availability industrial control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventor: Mark A. Flood
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Patent number: 11022962Abstract: A high availability industrial automation system in disclosed. The system has a primary industrial automation controller, a secondary industrial automation controller, and a communication network connected to the primary industrial automation controller and the secondary industrial automation controller. The primary industrial automation controller includes a processor and a memory configured to store a plurality of instructions, a plurality of automation tasks, input/output (I/O) data, and internal storage data. The processor is operative to execute the plurality of instructions to cross load information from the primary industrial automation controller to the secondary industrial automation controller. The cross loading of information can be less than the maximum amount of communicable information capable of being cross loaded. Also disclosed are methods of communicating over the high availability industrial automation system.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Flood
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Patent number: 10901399Abstract: A high availability industrial automation controller used in a high availability industrial automation system is disclosed. The controller includes instructions executable by a processor to receive information about a lost redundancy in the industrial automation system, change a first redundancy state and a second redundancy state associated with a first task and a second task, respectively, upon receiving the information, perform the first task and the second task. The performing the first/second task can include identifying the first/second redundancy state has been changed, modifying operation of the first/second task in response to the first/second redundancy state being changed, and resetting the first/second redundancy state. Also disclosed is a method of operating the industrial automation controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Flood
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Publication number: 20200221718Abstract: A smoke generation pod for use in a smoke generation system includes an enclosure that has there within a material such as wood that is heated or ignited by a heating element housed within the smoke generation pod receiving energy from an induction coil. The smoke generation pod has an input vent for accepting air and an output vent for distributing smoke. The smoke is routed to an object such as a glass (with or without a liquid there within) for infusing the smoke into the liquid or onto the object. In some embodiments, the output vent has a filter and, some such filters also remove some or all carcinogens from the smoke that is emitted.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventor: Mark Flood
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Patent number: 10638768Abstract: A smoke generation pod for use in a smoke generation system includes an enclosure that has there within a material such as wood that is heated or ignited by an igniter or arc housed within the smoke generation pod. The smoke generation pod has an input vent for accepting air and an output vent for distributing smoke. The smoke is routed to an object such as a glass (with or without a liquid there within) for infusing the smoke into the liquid or onto the object. In some embodiments, the output vent has a filter and, some such filters also remove some or all carcinogens from the smoke that is emitted.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Inventor: Mark Flood
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Publication number: 20200103861Abstract: A high availability industrial automation system in disclosed. The system has a primary industrial automation controller, a secondary industrial automation controller, and a communication network connected to the primary industrial automation controller and the secondary industrial automation controller. The primary industrial automation controller includes a processor and a memory configured to store a plurality of instructions, a plurality of automation tasks, input/output (I/O) data, and internal storage data. The processor is operative to execute the plurality of instructions to cross load information from the primary industrial automation controller to the secondary industrial automation controller. The cross loading of information can be less than the maximum amount of communicable information capable of being cross loaded. Also disclosed are methods of communicating over the high availability industrial automation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventor: Mark A. Flood
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Publication number: 20200103860Abstract: A high availability industrial automation controller used in a high availability industrial automation system is disclosed. The controller includes instructions executable by a processor to receive information about a lost redundancy in the industrial automation system, change a first redundancy state and a second redundancy state associated with a first task and a second task, respectively, upon receiving the information, perform the first task and the second task. The performing the first/second task can include identifying the first/second redundancy state has been changed, modifying operation of the first/second task in response to the first/second redundancy state being changed, and resetting the first/second redundancy state. Also disclosed is a method of operating the industrial automation controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventor: Mark A. Flood
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Publication number: 20200033840Abstract: A system of communicating data over a high availability industrial control system is disclosed. The industrial control system includes a first data producer, a second data producer in communicative connection with the first data producer, a first data consumer, and a second data consumer in communicative connection with the first data consumer. The system further includes the first producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the first producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules, and the second producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the second producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules. Also disclosed is a method of communicating data over the high availability industrial control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Sivaram Balasubramanian, Kendal R. Harris, Mark A. Flood, Kyle E. Neet, Scott A. Pierce, Anthony G. Gibart, Raymond R. Husted, David M. Fort, Chandresh R. Chaudhari, Jonathan D. Bradford
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Publication number: 20180139973Abstract: A smoke generation pod for use in a smoke generation system includes an enclosure that has there within a material such as wood that is heated or ignited by an igniter or arc housed within the smoke generation pod. The smoke generation pod has an input vent for accepting air and an output vent for distributing smoke. The smoke is routed to an object such as a glass (with or without a liquid there within) for infusing the smoke into the liquid or onto the object. In some embodiments, the output vent has a filter and, some such filters also remove some or all carcinogens from the smoke that is emitted.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2017Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventor: Mark Flood
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Publication number: 20180139974Abstract: A hand-held smoke generation device includes a hand-held housing that has a receptacle for removably receiving a smoke generation pod. The receptacle has a first plurality of electrical contacts for mating with a second plurality of contacts on the smoke generation pod. A source of electrical power is contained within the hand-held housing and a switch selectively provides electrical power from the source of electrical power to the second plurality of contacts. Operation of the switch provides the electrical power and causes a material within the smoke generation pod to generate smoke. Another device within the hand-held housing pulls the smoke from the smoke generation pod and routes the smoke out of the hand-held housing (e.g. out of a tube or muzzle for directing into a container such as a glass).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2017Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventor: Mark Flood
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Patent number: 9649342Abstract: Compositions and processes for the effective and efficient regeneration of spinal discs are provided. These compositions contain stem cells, donor cells, and platelet plasma compositions. By using these compositions, there is an increased likelihood of acceptance and proper cell differentiation.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Laser Spine Institute, LLCInventor: Mark Flood
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Publication number: 20150246077Abstract: Compositions and processes for the effective and efficient regeneration of spinal discs are provided. These compositions contain stem cells, donor cells, and platelet plasma compositions. By using these compositions, there is an increased likelihood of acceptance and proper cell differentiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2015Publication date: September 3, 2015Applicant: Laser Spine Institute, LLCInventor: Mark Flood
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Patent number: 9114190Abstract: Compositions and processes for the effective and efficient regeneration of spinal discs are provided. These compositions contain stem cells, donor cells, and platelet plasma compositions. By using these compositions, there is an increased likelihood of acceptance and proper cell differentiation.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Laser Spine Institute, LLCInventor: Mark Flood
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Patent number: D855882Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Inventor: Mark Flood