Patents by Inventor Michael Scharnick
Michael Scharnick 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: 9092916Abstract: A remote lock-out, tag-out system for controlling multiple buckets in a motor control center employs a safety network providing serial communication between one or more remote lock-out, tag-out stations and individual buckets of the control center permitting remote disconnection of power without the need for protective gear.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Scharnick
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Patent number: 8810991Abstract: Safety isolation systems and methods adapted for switching DC electrical power applications, including high voltage DC, are provided. A contactor is in series with a solid state DC switch and a switching circuit controls the operation of the contactor and the solid state DC switch. Mirror contacts may be added to the system that are capable of providing a reliable indication about the open/closed status of the main contacts of the contactor.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Scharnick
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Publication number: 20140111303Abstract: A remote lock-out, tag-out system for controlling multiple buckets in a motor control center employs a safety network providing serial communication between one or more remote lock-out, tag-out stations and individual buckets of the control center permitting remote disconnection of power without the need for protective gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Scharnick
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Patent number: 8688247Abstract: A remote lock-out, tag-out system for controlling multiple buckets in a motor control center employs a safety network providing serial communication between one or more remote lock-out, tag-out stations and individual buckets of the control center permitting remote disconnection of power without the need for protective gear.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Scharnick
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Patent number: 8643225Abstract: A remote lock-out, tag-out system for controlling multiple power control circuits in a motor control center employs a safety network providing serial communication between one or more remote lock-out, tag-out stations and individual power control circuits of the control center permitting remote disconnection of power without the need for protective gear.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Scharnick
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Publication number: 20120259475Abstract: A remote lock-out, tag-out system for controlling multiple buckets in a motor control center employs a safety network providing serial communication between one or more remote lock-out, tag-out stations and individual buckets of the control center permitting remote disconnection of power without the need for protective gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Inventor: Michael Scharnick
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Publication number: 20120235515Abstract: A remote lock-out, tag-out system for controlling multiple power control circuits in a motor control center employs a safety network providing serial communication between one or more remote lock-out, tag-out stations and individual power control circuits of the control center permitting remote disconnection of power without the need for protective gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventor: Michael Scharnick
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Patent number: 8188621Abstract: An apparatus and method for restricting operation of a power delivery system are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the apparatus includes a first input terminal at which is received a first command signal, and a second input terminal at which is received an additional signal. The apparatus further includes an output terminal at which is provided a control signal, and a circuit that generates the control signal based at least indirectly upon the first command and additional signals. The control signal generated by the circuit is configured to cause the power delivery system to not deliver at least one type of power when the first command signal indicates a command to do so, if the additional signal indicates an acceptability status. In some embodiments, the power delivery system is an isolation system (e.g., safety isolation system) as are employed in industrial environments, and the apparatus is a permissive module.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Scharnick, Stephen Zbytowski
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Publication number: 20120081829Abstract: Safety isolation systems and methods adapted for switching DC electrical power applications, including high voltage DC, are provided. A contactor is in series with a solid state DC switch and a switching circuit controls the operation of the contactor and the solid state DC switch. Mirror contacts may be added to the system that are capable of providing a reliable indication about the open/closed status of the main contacts of the contactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventor: Michael SCHARNICK
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Publication number: 20110278484Abstract: One or more valves associated with a controlled machine process may be isolated from one or more remote isolation stations. For isolation, a manual switch is activated that are coupled to a safety relay. This relay is, in turn, coupled to a coil that removes power used to control the valve to be isolated. An operator-perceptible indication may be provided by monitoring a parameter representative of the valve state, such as pressure downstream of the valve. Such indication may be provided at each remote isolation station. The arrangement allows for lock-out of valves by remote operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Scharnick
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Publication number: 20110101795Abstract: An apparatus and method for restricting operation of a power delivery system are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the apparatus includes a first input terminal at which is received a first command signal, and a second input terminal at which is received an additional signal. The apparatus further includes an output terminal at which is provided a control signal, and a circuit that generates the control signal based at least indirectly upon the first command and additional signals. The control signal generated by the circuit is configured to cause the power delivery system to not deliver at least one type of power when the first command signal indicates a command to do so, if the additional signal indicates an acceptability status. In some embodiments, the power delivery system is an isolation system (e.g., safety isolation system) as are employed in industrial environments, and the apparatus is a permissive module.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2011Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Michael Scharnick, Stephen Zbytowski
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Patent number: 7868487Abstract: An apparatus and method for restricting operation of a power delivery system are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the apparatus includes a first input terminal at which is received a first command signal, and a second input terminal at which is received an additional signal. The apparatus further includes an output terminal at which is provided a control signal, and a circuit that generates the control signal based at least indirectly upon the first command and additional signals. The control signal generated by the circuit is configured to cause the power delivery system to not deliver at least one type of power when the first command signal indicates a command to do so, if the additional signal indicates an acceptability status. In some embodiments, the power delivery system is an isolation system (e.g., safety isolation system) as are employed in industrial environments, and the apparatus is a permissive module.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2006Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Scharnick, Stephen Zbytowski
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Publication number: 20080294273Abstract: The present invention relates to combination control systems employing at least one intermediate module between different control modules and, in one embodiment, relates to a system for isolating a load from multiple power sources. The system includes a first power isolation system capable of receiving a first power from a first input port and determining whether the first power is communicated to a first output port, and a second power isolation system capable of receiving a second power from a second input port and determining whether the second power is communicated to a second output port. The system further includes an intermediate module connected with the first and second power isolation systems, where the intermediate module allows for at least one intermediate control signal to be provided to both of the power isolation systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Inventor: Michael Scharnick
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Publication number: 20070244579Abstract: An apparatus and method for restricting operation of a power delivery system are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the apparatus includes a first input terminal at which is received a first command signal, and a second input terminal at which is received an additional signal. The apparatus further includes an output terminal at which is provided a control signal, and a circuit that generates the control signal based at least indirectly upon the first command and additional signals. The control signal generated by the circuit is configured to cause the power delivery system to not deliver at least one type of power when the first command signal indicates a command to do so, if the additional signal indicates an acceptability status. In some embodiments, the power delivery system is an isolation system (e.g., safety isolation system) as are employed in industrial environments, and the apparatus is a permissive module.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2006Publication date: October 18, 2007Inventors: Michael Scharnick, Stephen Zbytowski
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Publication number: 20070085424Abstract: The present invention relates to combination control systems employing at least one intermediate module between different control modules and, in one embodiment, relates to a system for isolating a load from multiple power sources. The system includes a first power isolation system capable of receiving a first power from a first input port and determining whether the first power is communicated to a first output port, and a second power isolation system capable of receiving a second power from a second input port and determining whether the second power is communicated to a second output port. The system further includes an intermediate module connected with the first and second power isolation systems, where the intermediate module allows for at least one intermediate control signal to be provided to both of the power isolation systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2005Publication date: April 19, 2007Inventor: Michael Scharnick
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Publication number: 20070061019Abstract: The present invention relates to an intermediate module capable of being implemented in conjunction with a safety isolation system, as well as a control system employing such an intermediate module and related operational method. In one embodiment, the intermediate module includes a first input terminal capable of receiving a first signal from an additional device that is at least one of the safety isolation system and another device, and a first output terminal capable of providing a second signal to a controlled device. The intermediate module additionally includes at least one safety relay circuit that receives at least one of the first signal and a first intermediate signal based upon the first signal, and that generates in response at least one of the second signal and a second intermediate signal upon which the second signal is based. The safety relay circuit includes at least one redundant circuit component.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2005Publication date: March 15, 2007Inventors: Michael Scharnick, Stephen Zbytowski