Patents by Inventor Scott D. Braun

Scott D. Braun 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: 11909199
    Abstract: A method may include receiving, by respective processing circuitry of one or more power modules of an industrial automation device, a control signal from a controller of the industrial automation device. The power modules may include driver circuitry and a power converter that may provide power to a motor based on the signal. The method may also include, detecting, by the respective processing circuitry, a lack of communication from the controller based on the signal, and, in response to detecting the lack of communication from the controller, transmitting, by the respective processing circuitry, a first command to gating signal enable circuitry to disable the driver circuitry, and transmitting, by the respective processing circuitry, a second command to driver power circuitry to prevent power from being provided to the driver circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Al J. Campbell, John David Allan, Marius G. Chis, Reginald A. Drake, Scott D. Braun
  • Publication number: 20240006953
    Abstract: A motor drive configured to be connected to an external device is provided. The motor drive includes an outer housing, a power module housed within the outer housing, and a control module housed within the outer housing and in communication with the power module. The motor drive also includes a communications port disposed on the outer housing and in communication with the control module. The communications port supports dual-role power in which the motor drive powers the external device when the external device is of a first type and the motor drive receives power from the external device when the external device is of a second type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph D. Riley, Brian P. Brown, Bruce W. Weiss, Scott D. Braun
  • Publication number: 20230100475
    Abstract: A system includes drives that are communicatively coupled to a gateway communication device via single pair Ethernet (SPE) conductors. The gateway communication device may operate as router or a scanner to facilitate communication between the drives and components of an industrial automation system that are accessible via an Ethernet network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Scott D. Braun, Todd A. Wiese
  • Publication number: 20230096101
    Abstract: A system may include drives that are communicatively coupled to and/or control I/O devices via communication option cards. The drives and/or the communication option cards may include a logic engine to control internal I/O devices and external I/O devices via single pair Ethernet (SPE) conductors accessible via an Ethernet network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Scott D Braun, Todd A. Wiese, Dave C. Mazur, Marius G. Chis
  • Publication number: 20230093802
    Abstract: A system may include one or more drives configured to receive a first alternative current (AC) voltage from a power source and provide a second AC voltage to one or more load devices. The system may further include one or more safety relay devices configured to couple the power source to the one or more drives and a communication device, where the communication device includes a processor. The processor may be configured to receive a first dataset via an Ethernet communication protocol, where the first dataset may include safety connection data indicative of one or more safety commands for controlling one or more operations of the one or more safety relay devices. The processor may further be configured to transmit a second dataset to the one or more safety relay devices via a subnet infrastructure, where the second dataset includes the one or more safety commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Scott D. Braun, Roberto S. Marques, Marius G. Chis
  • Publication number: 20230080622
    Abstract: An industrial device includes an input/output module and a processor. The input/output module is configured to communicate with one or more other devices via an industrial network. The processor is configured to configure the industrial device as a leader device or a follower device. The processor includes a leader module, upon being activated, configured to detect and configured one or more follower devices connected to the industrial network; and a follower module, upon being activated, configured to broadcast identity and receive configuration command from a leader device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Marius G. Chis, JONATHAN A. MILLS, Scott D. Braun, Todd A. Wiese, David C. Mazur
  • Publication number: 20220247165
    Abstract: A method may include receiving, by respective processing circuitry of one or more power modules of an industrial automation device, a control signal from a controller of the industrial automation device. The power modules may include driver circuitry and a power converter that may provide power to a motor based on the signal. The method may also include, detecting, by the respective processing circuitry, a lack of communication from the controller based on the signal, and, in response to detecting the lack of communication from the controller, transmitting, by the respective processing circuitry, a first command to gating signal enable circuitry to disable the driver circuitry, and transmitting, by the respective processing circuitry, a second command to driver power circuitry to prevent power from being provided to the driver circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Al J. Campbell, John David Allan, Marius G. Chis, Reginald A. Drake, Scott D. Braun
  • Patent number: 11171833
    Abstract: For uninterrupted network communications, a method detects a protected reset at a network device. In response to the protected reset, the method maintains communication functions of a communication module. The communication module communicates with other network devices using the communication functions. In response to the protected reset, the method resets the network device without resetting the communication module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Bartz, August Schrab, Robert Alexander, Scott D. Braun, Kurt R. Hohensee, Mohammadreza Serjooei, James B. Vitrano, Jaime D. Fernandes, Sivaram Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 11139768
    Abstract: Control circuitry of a motor drive provides commands for operation of power circuitry based at least in part on signals exchanged with functional circuits, such as for system data and control data, such as feedback of motor or system parameters. The functional circuits may operate at different data rates, with different interrupt intervals, depending upon their capabilities. The control circuitry accommodates all of these flexibly. A physical backplane printed circuit board comprising independent data lines for each functional circuit allows for independent configuration of the data rates, interrupt intervals and communications between the control circuitry and the functional circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Campbell, Scott D. Braun
  • Patent number: 10970369
    Abstract: An industrial device is configured to implement a lightweight file authentication sequence that rapidly verifies the integrity of mobile code supplied to the industrial device. The industrial device generates a file authentication code (FAC), which is stored on the industrial device and only made accessible to users via a local connection to the industrial device. The device-specific file FAC is installed on the program development application used to develop or edit the mobile code to be executed on the industrial device. The development application provides the mobile code to the industrial device together with a hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) generated using a retrieved copy of the FAC. The industrial device only permits execution of the mobile code if the HMAC included with the mobile code matches a locally created HMAC generated by the industrial device based on the mobile code and the device's local copy of the FAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren A. Simonsen, Scott D. Braun, Alex L. Nicoll, James B. Vitrano, James S. Rustad, Daniel J. Middlestetter
  • Patent number: 10938967
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein describes a switch embedded in a motor controller and a network protocol executing on the switch to provide communication between devices connected to the motor controller in a motor drive application. The embedded switch is configured to communicate via separate ports with an external controller, a network interface for the motor controller, additional motor controllers, and with the motor or other devices mounted on the motor. The network protocol includes a first tier for data that requires deterministic delivery at a high data rate, a second tier for data that requires a high delivery rate but is also tolerant of some variation in delivery time, and a third tier for data that may be delivered at a slower data rate. The embedded switch receives data at any port, identifies the communication tier to which the data belongs, and delivers it to another port accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dayin Xu, Zhenhuan Yuan, Robert H. Schmidt, Guolin Zhang, Scott D. Braun, Fuhua Ding
  • Publication number: 20200193000
    Abstract: An industrial device is configured to implement a lightweight file authentication sequence that rapidly verifies the integrity of mobile code supplied to the industrial device. The industrial device generates a file authentication code (FAC), which is stored on the industrial device and only made accessible to users via a local connection to the industrial device. The device-specific file FAC is installed on the program development application used to develop or edit the mobile code to be executed on the industrial device. The development application provides the mobile code to the industrial device together with a hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) generated using a retrieved copy of the FAC. The industrial device only permits execution of the mobile code if the HMAC included with the mobile code matches a locally created HMAC generated by the industrial device based on the mobile code and the device's local copy of the FAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Warren A. Simonsen, Scott D. Braun, Alex L. Nicoll, James B. Vitrano, James S. Rustad, Daniel J. Middlestetter
  • Patent number: 10606742
    Abstract: A power electronics device with an improved human interface module (HIM) is provided. More specifically, a motor drive is provided that includes a HIM with a portable memory device that stores the programming configuration of the motor drive. The improved HIM with portable memory enables improved techniques for quickly and efficiently updating the programming configuration of one or several motor drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Braun, Wanda J. Miller, Calvin C. Steinweg
  • Publication number: 20190349456
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein describes a switch embedded in a motor controller and a network protocol executing on the switch to provide communication between devices connected to the motor controller in a motor drive application. The embedded switch is configured to communicate via separate ports with an external controller, a network interface for the motor controller, additional motor controllers, and with the motor or other devices mounted on the motor. The network protocol includes a first tier for data that requires deterministic delivery at a high data rate, a second tier for data that requires a high delivery rate but is also tolerant of some variation in delivery time, and a third tier for data that may be delivered at a slower data rate. The embedded switch receives data at any port, identifies the communication tier to which the data belongs, and delivers it to another port accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Dayin Xu, Zhenhuan Yuan, Robert H. Schmidt, Guolin Zhang, Scott D. Braun, Fuhua Ding
  • Patent number: 10375216
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein describes a switch embedded in a motor controller and a network protocol executing on the switch to provide communication between devices connected to the motor controller in a motor drive application. The embedded switch is configured to communicate via separate ports with an external controller, a network interface for the motor controller, additional motor controllers, and with the motor or other devices mounted on the motor. The network protocol includes a first tier for data that requires deterministic delivery at a high data rate, a second tier for data that requires a high delivery rate but is also tolerant of some variation in delivery time, and a third tier for data that may be delivered at a slower data rate. The embedded switch receives data at any port, identifies the communication tier to which the data belongs, and delivers it to another port accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dayin Xu, Zhenhuan Yuan, Robert H. Schmidt, Guolin Zhang, Scott D. Braun, Fuhua Ding
  • Patent number: 10282285
    Abstract: A power electronics device with an improved human interface module (HIM) is provided. More specifically, a motor drive is provided that includes a HIM with a portable memory device that stores the programming configuration of the motor drive. The improved HIM with portable memory enables improved techniques for quickly and efficiently updating the programming configuration of one or several motor drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D Braun, Wanda J Miller, Calvin C Steinweg
  • Publication number: 20190104205
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein describes a switch embedded in a motor controller and a network protocol executing on the switch to provide communication between devices connected to the motor controller in a motor drive application. The embedded switch is configured to communicate via separate ports with an external controller, a network interface for the motor controller, additional motor controllers, and with the motor or other devices mounted on the motor. The network protocol includes a first tier for data that requires deterministic delivery at a high data rate, a second tier for data that requires a high delivery rate but is also tolerant of some variation in delivery time, and a third tier for data that may be delivered at a slower data rate. The embedded switch receives data at any port, identifies the communication tier to which the data belongs, and delivers it to another port accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Dayin Xu, Zhenhuan Yuan, Robert H. Schmidt, Guolin Zhang, Scott D. Braun, Fuhua Ding
  • Patent number: 10135384
    Abstract: A system may include a motor drive that controls one or more operations of a motor. The motor drive may include a first processor that controls the operations of the motor according to a first control mode application. The system may include a second processor that controls the operations of the motor according to a first control mode profile that corresponds to the first control mode application, receives a request to operate the motor according to a second control mode application, and executes a set of computer-readable instructions upon receipt of the request. The set of computer-readable instructions may cause the second processor to load an executable file associated with the second control mode application onto the first processor and send a first command to the first processor to execute the executable file associated with the second control mode application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Kabitzke, Scott D. Braun, Ting Yan, Kenneth J. Fiore
  • Publication number: 20180175768
    Abstract: Control circuitry of a motor drive provides commands for operation of power circuitry based at least in part on signals exchanged with functional circuits, such as for system data and control data, such as feedback of motor or system parameters. The functional circuits may operate at different data rates, with different interrupt intervals, depending upon their capabilities. The control circuitry accommodates all of these flexibly. A physical backplane printed circuit board comprising independent data lines for each functional circuit allows for independent configuration of the data rates, interrupt intervals and communications between the control circuitry and the functional circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Alan J. Campbell, Scott D. Braun
  • Publication number: 20170237385
    Abstract: A system may include a motor drive that controls one or more operations of a motor. The motor drive may include a first processor that controls the operations of the motor according to a first control mode application. The system may include a second processor that controls the operations of the motor according to a first control mode profile that corresponds to the first control mode application, receives a request to operate the motor according to a second control mode application, and executes a set of computer-readable instructions upon receipt of the request. The set of computer-readable instructions may cause the second processor to load an executable file associated with the second control mode application onto the first processor and send a first command to the first processor to execute the executable file associated with the second control mode application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Gary A. Kabitzke, Scott D. Braun, Ting Yan, Kenneth J. Fiore