Patents by Inventor Rainer Drath
Rainer Drath 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: 11501036Abstract: A system model creating and simulation device for a process control system obtains description files of process modules including inputs, outputs and process control devices therebetween, where each description file specifies, for the corresponding module, connection terminals in the form of inputs and outputs, the process control devices and the interconnection of process control devices between the connection terminals, analyses of the description files, having determining a connection terminal of a first process module matching a connection terminal of a second process module, determines connections between the process modules based on the analysis, having determining a connection between the matching connection terminals, selecting simulation objects corresponding to the process control devices of the process modules, interconnecting the simulation objects according to data in the description files as well as through the connections determined between the process modules for forming a simulation model, anType: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Axel Haller, Chaojun Xu, Mario Hoernicke, Rainer Drath
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Patent number: 10606247Abstract: A process module is automatically configured for operation in a plant. During the operation of the process module in a first phase in a first operational environment, operational data that is related to the process module is received by a computer data system. In a second phase, when the process module is connected to a second operational environment, operational data is received again. The computer data system has a reply function that receives and processes a query and provides a response. Processing the query includes processing the operational data that was received during the first and second phases. The process module is then configured by using configuration parameters that are derived from the response.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Mario Hoernicke, Chaojun Xu, Axel Haller, Rainer Drath
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Patent number: 10528042Abstract: A system for monitoring a modular process plant complex having a plurality of interconnected process modules each of which includes a plurality of interconnected physical control objects. The physical control objects and their interconnections inside a physical process module are displayed together with associated control parameters as stylized control objects on an operator display screen with four different zooming levels: a first zooming level displaying diagrams of aggregated key performance indicators of the plant complex; a second zooming level displaying diagrams of the key performance indicators; a third zooming level displaying process modules associated with a plant area of the second zooming level; and a fourth zooming level displaying one or more physical control objects included in a process module of the third zooming level together with the associated control parameters and interconnections as stylized control objects on the operator screen display.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Axel Haller, Chaojun Xu, Mario Hoernicke, Rainer Drath, Ralf Jeske
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Publication number: 20190303516Abstract: A system model creating and simulation device for a process control system obtains description files of process modules including inputs, outputs and process control devices therebetween, where each description file specifies, for the corresponding module, connection terminals in the form of inputs and outputs, the process control devices and the interconnection of process control devices between the connection terminals, analyses of the description files, having determining a connection terminal of a first process module matching a connection terminal of a second process module, determines connections between the process modules based on the analysis, having determining a connection between the matching connection terminals, selecting simulation objects corresponding to the process control devices of the process modules, interconnecting the simulation objects according to data in the description files as well as through the connections determined between the process modules for forming a simulation model, anType: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Axel Haller, Chaojun Xu, Mario Hoernicke, Rainer Drath
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Patent number: 10409248Abstract: A configuration system and method for process automation configured to access structural process diagrams representing process components. Each process component includes interconnections between process components. Each interconnection represents a physical connection. The system has at least one processor configured to generate corresponding process object instances for process components wherein a particular component type defines at least an interlock property and/or an operating condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Mario Hoernicke, Chaojun Xu, Axel Haller, Rainer Drath, Ralf Jeske
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Publication number: 20180329398Abstract: A process module (110) is automatically configured for operation in a plant (B). During the operation of the process INmodule (110) in a first phase (1) in a first operational environment (A), operational data (DATA) that is related to the process module (110) is received by a computer data system (120). In a second phase (2), when the process module (110) is connected to a N second operational environment (B), operational data (DATA) is received again. The computer data system (120) has a reply function that receives and processes a query (Q.) and provides a response (R). Processing comprises to process the operational data (DATA) that was received during in the first and second phases. The process module (110) is then configured by using configuration parameters (150) that are derived from the response (R).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2015Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Mario Hoernicke, Chaojun Xu, Axel Haller, Rainer Drath
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Publication number: 20180314222Abstract: A configuration system and method for process automation configured to access structural process diagrams representing process components. Each process component includes interconnections between process components. Each interconnection represents a physical connection. The system has at least one processor configured to generate corresponding process object instances for process components wherein a particular component type defines at least an interlock property and/or an operating condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2015Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Mario Hoernicke, Chaojun Xu, Axel Haller, Rainer Drath, Ralf Jeske
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Publication number: 20180039261Abstract: A system for monitoring a modular process plant complex having a plurality of interconnected process modules each of which includes a plurality of interconnected physical control objects. The physical control objects and their interconnections inside a physical process module are displayed together with associated control parameters as stylized control objects on an operator display screen with four different zooming levels: a first zooming level displaying diagrams of aggregated key performance indicators of the plant complex; a second zooming level displaying diagrams of the key performance indicators; a third zooming level displaying process modules associated with a plant area of the second zooming level; and a fourth zooming level displaying one or more physical control objects included in a process module of the third zooming level together with the associated control parameters and interconnections as stylized control objects on the operator screen display.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Axel Haller, Chaojun Xu, Mario Hoernicke, Rainer Drath, Ralf Jeske
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Patent number: 9869993Abstract: A system and method monitor and/or diagnose the operation of a production line of an industrial plant which is controlled by an automation system. The system includes a remote data processing server, which is installed outside of the industrial plant. The remote data processing server is configured to receive a digital input signal reflecting at least one control input signal and a digital output signal reflecting a second operational state, to determine at least first and second modeled states corresponding to the at least first and second operational states, respectively, by inputting the digital input and the digital output signals to a digital observer model of the production line and the automation system and by processing the digital observer model, and to forward the first and second modeled states to an output interface from where they can be accessed by modeling and/or diagnosing modules.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Rainer Drath, Mario Hoernicke, Sönke Kock, Christoph Winterhalter
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Patent number: 9535414Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for distributing and exchanging elements for planning and/or operating automation operating equipment, which include at least one interface device, at least one processing device and at least one data store, wherein the interface device effects an integrated connection to at least one engineering tool and/or an integrated link to at least one engineering tool such that functionalities of the at least one interface device and of the at least one processing device can be retrieved from the respective engineering tool and carried out. The respective processing device, the respective interface device, and the respective engineering tool, elements created and/or marked by a first engineering tool can be transferred to the respective processing device and processed and/or can be made available on the at least one data store to be retrieved and/or to be transferred to and/or implemented in at least one second engineering tool.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Kay Wilke, Georg Gutermuth, Volker Jung, Rainer Drath
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Patent number: 9471044Abstract: An exemplary method and a system for debugging a control system of an industrial plant where the system includes at least two different control sub-systems, of the same or different control equipment type, on plant or sub-system level, and has specific programmable controller units in devices like PLCs, DCSs, robots, drives, instruments and/or other process specific components whereas all specified parameters and signals of the control system across its sub-systems, devices, and technologies are extracted and visualized on a single sight and are utilized for the definition of system wide breakpoints, utilizing a subset of those signals or parameters, and related conditions, e.g. logical combinations of the signals or parameters.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Mario Hoernicke, Rainer Drath, Ben Schroeter, Kurt Langer, Jarkko Lalu
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Patent number: 9400696Abstract: A method and system are provided for performing the computational execution of automation tasks with automation devices by combining one or more central processing units (CPU) and one or more Graphics Processing Units (GPU). The control tasks and/or control algorithms are executed by the single-core or multi-core control unit (CPU) and a multi-core-graphics processor (GPU) or both in parallel at the same time.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY AGInventor: Rainer Drath
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Publication number: 20150277429Abstract: A system and method monitor and/or diagnose the operation of a production line of an industrial plant which is controlled by an automation system. The system includes a remote data processing server, which is installed outside of the industrial plant. The remote data processing server is configured to receive a digital input signal reflecting at least one control input signal and a digital output signal reflecting a second operational state, to determine at least first and second modeled states corresponding to the at least first and second operational states, respectively, by inputting the digital input and the digital output signals to a digital observer model of the production line and the automation system and by processing the digital observer model, and to forward the first and second modeled states to an output interface from where they can be accessed by modeling and/or diagnosing modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: ABB Technology AGInventors: Rainer DRATH, Mario HOERNICKE, Sönke KOCK, Christoph WINTERHALTER
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Publication number: 20150012141Abstract: A method and computer system are disclosed to support technical tasks in distributed control systems. The system can store a workflow-aware object of a plurality of workflow-aware objects, wherein the workflow-aware object represents at least one component of an automation system. A computation component can be associated with the workflow-aware object, and have an interface to receive specific data of the automation system. The computation component can compute a workflow item based on a workflow item profile with user related information, and based on the specific data of the automation system, wherein the workflow item profile specifies an object reference to the at least one component of the automation system, and wherein the user related information is configured for retrieval of a user identifier associated with the automation system engineer. A workflow item collector can identify the workflow item based on predefined identification rules for communication to the automation system engineer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGYInventors: Dirk SCHULZ, Rainer DRATH
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Publication number: 20140200688Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for distributing and exchanging elements for planning and/or operating automation operating equipment, which include at least one interface device, at least one processing device and at least one data store, wherein the interface device effects an integrated connection to at least one engineering tool and/or an integrated link to at least one engineering tool such that functionalities of the at least one interface device and of the at least one processing device can be retrieved from the respective engineering tool and carried out. The respective processing device, the respective interface device, and the respective engineering tool, elements created and/or marked by a first engineering tool can be transferred to the respective processing device and processed and/or can be made available on the at least one data store to be retrieved and/or to be transferred to and/or implemented in at least one second engineering tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: ABB Technology AGInventors: Kay Wilke, Georg Gutermuth, Volker Jung, Rainer Drath
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Patent number: 8539448Abstract: A method and system are provided for automatically testing a program for automation systems (e.g., programmable logic controllers) with regard to maintaining programming guidelines for program design for automation systems. A copy of at least part of a safety-related program is obtained from a development system for automation systems as a copy to be tested. The program copy to be tested is loaded into a test device for testing programs. The test device has access to programming guidelines for program testing. The test device automatically performs the program test with regard to maintaining programming guidelines, and outputs the test result.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: ABB AGInventors: Heinrich Neupärtl, Mario Hörnicke, Oliver Gramberg, Rainer Drath, Yauheni Veryha
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Publication number: 20120303586Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a system and method for data integration using at least two independent engineering tools including their private database, where all data in the first tool being of interest for the second tool are identified, specified and stored in an electronic data container. Each data item stored in the electronic data container is provided with a link to the original data and with a copy of the stored data items. The electronic data container that includes the data items can be accessed by the target tool or a separate application to obtain a read-only view of the engineering data of the source tool for further use in the target engineering tool and navigation through the data for the engineer as well as for a data import.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTDInventors: Rainer DRATH, Jens Hofschulte
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Publication number: 20120162235Abstract: A method and system are provided for performing the computational execution of automation tasks with automation devices by combining one or more central processing units (CPU) and one or more Graphics Processing Units (GPU). The control tasks and/or control algorithms are executed by the single-core or multi-core control unit (CPU) and a multi-core-graphics processor (GPU) or both in parallel at the same time.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: ABB Technology AGInventor: Rainer DRATH
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Publication number: 20120036499Abstract: A method and system are provided for automatically testing a program for automation systems (e.g., programmable logic controllers) with regard to maintaining programming guidelines for program design for automation systems. A copy of at least part of a safety-related program is obtained from a development system for automation systems as a copy to be tested. The program copy to be tested is loaded into a test device for testing programs. The test device has access to programming guidelines for program testing. The test device automatically performs the program test with regard to maintaining programming guidelines, and outputs the test result.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: ABB AGInventors: Heinrich Neupärtl, Mario Hörnicke, Oliver Gramberg, Rainer Drath, Yauheni Veryha
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Publication number: 20080294473Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for automatically testing planning results, the tests being made possible by a data processing device in which planning results that are to be verified are stored in an electronic format, and with the aid of software used for performing automatic and systematic tests. The software can contain test criteria that are stored in the form of rules as well as test programs which have access to the planning results and the rules. Additionally, display and/or output media are provided to output test results.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2006Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AGInventors: Alexander Fay, Rainer Drath