Patents by Inventor Suresh R. Nair
Suresh R. Nair 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: 10143097Abstract: A housing for an industrial sensor comprises integral U-shaped pockets configured to engage with attachment features of a complementary mounting bracket. The bracket comprises an overhang feature on a second end and a snap feature on an opposing first end. The housing can be mounted to the bracket by inserting a mounting boss formed within one of the U-shaped pockets underneath the overhang feature of the bracket, and pressing the housing against the bracket to cause the snap feature to engage with another mounting boss formed in the other U-shaped pocket. These mounting features allow the housing to be mounted easily and quickly without the use for additional tools. The housing can also be quickly removed from the bracket by pressing an extended tab near the snap feature to facilitate disengagement of the housing from the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Roberto S. Santos, Steven R. Tambeau, Brian J. Taylor, Burt Sacherski, Elik I. Fooks, Suresh R. Nair, Michael Flannery, Scott Wakefield
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Publication number: 20180295732Abstract: A housing for an industrial sensor comprises integral U-shaped pockets configured to engage with attachment features of a complementary mounting bracket. The bracket comprises an overhang feature on a second end and a snap feature on an opposing first end. The housing can be mounted to the bracket by inserting a mounting boss formed within one of the U-shaped pockets underneath the overhang feature of the bracket, and pressing the housing against the bracket to cause the snap feature to engage with another mounting boss formed in the other U-shaped pocket. These mounting features allow the housing to be mounted easily and quickly without the use for additional tools. The housing can also be quickly removed from the bracket by pressing an extended tab near the snap feature to facilitate disengagement of the housing from the bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2017Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Roberto S. Santos, Steven R. Tambeau, Brian J. Taylor, Burt Sacherski, Elik I. Fooks, Suresh R. Nair, Michael Flannery, Scott Wakefield
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Patent number: 9891142Abstract: A time-stamping layer is provided for time-stamping of events detected in an industrial safety system. The technique implemented by the time-stamping layer uses autonomous device counters and simple arithmetic to label detected events (e.g., safety switching events) with accurate time-stamps without the need to synchronize clocks of the individual safety input devices and safety relay on the safety circuit. In some embodiments, the time-stamping technique is implemented in a single-wire safety system architecture that yields reliable safety device monitoring without the need for dual redundant signal channels.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Suresh R. Nair
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Patent number: 9846423Abstract: A single-wire safety system is provided that yields reliable safety device monitoring without the need for dual redundant signal channels. The safety system comprises a safety relay acting as a communications master device and one or more safety devices connected in series with the safety relay via a single-wire communication circuit. A smart tap device is used to interface safety devices that are not compliant with the single-wire protocol to the single-wire channel. The safety device or smart tap device farthest from the safety relay on the safety circuit modulates a safety signal with a recognizable pulse pattern that traverses the single-wire safety circuit to the safety relay via the intermediate safety devices or smart taps. The safety relay maintains safety mode as long as the pulse pattern is received and recognized. The architecture allows bi-directional communication of initialization, configuration, and diagnostic messages over the single-wire safety channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Suresh R. Nair, Wayne R. Foster, Alex Harris, Rudolf Laurenz Papenbreer, Norbert Machuletz, Oliver Heckel, Thomas Helpenstein, Van Duros
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Patent number: 9841142Abstract: A single-wire safety system architecture is provided that yields reliable safety device monitoring without the need for dual redundant signal channels. The safety system comprises a safety relay acting as a communications master device and one or more compatible safety devices connected in series with the safety relay via a single-wire communication circuit. The safety device farthest from the safety relay on the safety circuit modulates a safety signal with a recognizable pulse pattern that traverses the single-wire safety circuit to the safety relay via the intermediate safety devices. The safety relay maintains safety mode as long as the pulse pattern is received and recognized. The architecture allows bi-directional communication of initialization, configuration, and diagnostic messages over the single-wire safety channel, and can also allow safety devices to insert prognostic data into the safety signal in order to convey health information while the system is in normal operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Suresh R. Nair, Wayne R. Foster, Alex Harris, Rudolf Laurenz Papenbreer, Norbert Machuletz, Oliver Heckel, Thomas Helpenstein, Van Duros
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Patent number: 9797552Abstract: A single-wire safety system architecture is provided that yields reliable safety device monitoring without the need for dual redundant signal channels. The safety system comprises a safety relay acting as a communications master device and one or more compatible safety input devices connected in series with the safety relay via a single-wire communication circuit. The safety input device farthest from the safety relay on the safety circuit modulates a safety signal with a recognizable pulse pattern that traverses the single-wire safety circuit to the safety relay via the intermediate safety devices. The safety relay maintains safety mode as long as the pulse pattern is received and recognized. In addition to conveying the safety signal, the architecture allows bi-directional communication of initialization, configuration, and diagnostic messages over the single-wire safety channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Suresh R. Nair, Wayne R. Foster, Christopher Burke, Alex Harris, Rudolf Laurenz Papenbreer, Dirk Lorenz, Norbert Machuletz, Oliver Heckel
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Patent number: 9634424Abstract: A modular connector system allows a user to configure physical and functional aspects of a sensor or electrical connector assembly to suit the requirements of a particular installation or application. A header module houses an electrical component, such as a photo sensor, a proximity switch, a safety sensor, etc. A variety of field modules and adapter modules are provided that can be selectively added to the header module to accommodate a wide range of applications. These field and adaptor modules can include power modules, communication modules, or other types of signal processing modules. The housings and electronics of the header, field, and adapter modules are designed such that the field and adapter modules can be rotated relative to the header module to suit physical environment of the connector's location.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dennis C. Mackey, JianHua Wang, Michael Burdenko, Robert M. Black, Eric Clinton Henefield, Derek Washington Gallon, Suresh R. Nair
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Patent number: 9489832Abstract: An industrial-enabled mobile electronic device, such as a personal mobile phone or tablet computer, allows a user to wirelessly interact with industrial devices for a variety of purposes. The mobile electronic device can communicate with an industrial device to read and write configuration settings, read and view log data, send commands to the industrial device, and other such functions. The mobile electronic device can perform various types of analysis on images and video of the industrial device captured by the mobile electronic device, including identifying and translating a model or device number printed on the device, or translating error codes displayed by the industrial device. The mobile electronic device can also retrieve additional information about the industrial device or the device's stored data via interaction with a remote technical support service, and can be used to facilitate dialog with a remote technical support person.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Suresh R. Nair, Burt Sacherski, Christopher J. Burke, Derek W. Jones, Frederic Boutaud, Martin Hardegger, Rudolf Laurenz Papenbreer, David M. O'Brien, Kentaro Sugimoto
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Publication number: 20160299484Abstract: A single-wire safety system is provided that yields reliable safety device monitoring without the need for dual redundant signal channels. The safety system comprises a safety relay acting as a communications master device and one or more safety devices connected in series with the safety relay via a single-wire communication circuit. A smart tap device is used to interface safety devices that are not compliant with the single-wire protocol to the single-wire channel. The safety device or smart tap device farthest from the safety relay on the safety circuit modulates a safety signal with a recognizable pulse pattern that traverses the single-wire safety circuit to the safety relay via the intermediate safety devices or smart taps. The safety relay maintains safety mode as long as the pulse pattern is received and recognized. The architecture allows bi-directional communication of initialization, configuration, and diagnostic messages over the single-wire safety channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: Suresh R. Nair, Wayne R. Foster, Alex Harris, Rudolf Laurenz Papenbreer, Norbert Machuletz, Oliver Heckel, Thomas Helpenstein, Van Duros
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Publication number: 20160290559Abstract: A single-wire safety system architecture is provided that yields reliable safety device monitoring without the need for dual redundant signal channels. The safety system comprises a safety relay acting as a communications master device and one or more compatible safety devices connected in series with the safety relay via a single-wire communication circuit. The safety device farthest from the safety relay on the safety circuit modulates a safety signal with a recognizable pulse pattern that traverses the single-wire safety circuit to the safety relay via the intermediate safety devices. The safety relay maintains safety mode as long as the pulse pattern is received and recognized. The architecture allows bi-directional communication of initialization, configuration, and diagnostic messages over the single-wire safety channel, and can also allow safety devices to insert prognostic data into the safety signal in order to convey health information while the system is in normal operation mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Suresh R. Nair, Wayne R. Foster, Alex Harris, Rudolf Laurenz Papenbreer, Norbert Machuletz, Oliver Heckel, Thomas Helpenstein, Van Duros
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Publication number: 20160178125Abstract: A single-wire safety system architecture is provided that yields reliable safety device monitoring without the need for dual redundant signal channels. The safety system comprises a safety relay acting as a communications master device and one or more compatible safety input devices connected in series with the safety relay via a single-wire communication circuit. The safety input device farthest from the safety relay on the safety circuit modulates a safety signal with a recognizable pulse pattern that traverses the single-wire safety circuit to the safety relay via the intermediate safety devices. The safety relay maintains safety mode as long as the pulse pattern is received and recognized. In addition to conveying the safety signal, the architecture allows bi-directional communication of initialization, configuration, and diagnostic messages over the single-wire safety channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Suresh R. Nair, Wayne R. Foster, Christopher Burke, Alex Harris, Rudolf Laurenz Papenbreer, Dirk Lorenz, Norbert Machuletz, Oliver Heckel
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Publication number: 20160146710Abstract: A time-stamping layer is provided for time-stamping of events detected in an industrial safety system. The technique implemented by the time-stamping layer uses autonomous device counters and simple arithmetic to label detected events (e.g., safety switching events) with accurate time-stamps without the need to synchronize clocks of the individual safety input devices and safety relay on the safety circuit. In some embodiments, the time-stamping technique is implemented in a single-wire safety system architecture that yields reliable safety device monitoring without the need for dual redundant signal channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventor: Suresh R. Nair
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Publication number: 20150287318Abstract: An industrial-enabled mobile electronic device, such as a personal mobile phone or tablet computer, allows a user to wirelessly interact with industrial devices for a variety of purposes. The mobile electronic device can communicate with an industrial device to read and write configuration settings, read and view log data, send commands to the industrial device, and other such functions. The mobile electronic device can perform various types of analysis on images and video of the industrial device captured by the mobile electronic device, including identifying and translating a model or device number printed on the device, or translating error codes displayed by the industrial device. The mobile electronic device can also retrieve additional information about the industrial device or the device's stored data via interaction with a remote technical support service, and can be used to facilitate dialog with a remote technical support person.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2014Publication date: October 8, 2015Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Suresh R. Nair, Burt Sacherski, Christopher J. Burke, Derek W. Jones, Frederic Boutaud, Martin Hardegger, Rudolf Laurenz Papenbreer, David M. O'Brien, Kentaro Sugimoto
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Publication number: 20150055305Abstract: A modular connector system allows a user to configure physical and functional aspects of a sensor or electrical connector assembly to suit the requirements of a particular installation or application. A header module houses an electrical component, such as a photo sensor, a proximity switch, a safety sensor, etc. A variety of field modules and adapter modules are provided that can be selectively added to the header module to accommodate a wide range of applications. These field and adaptor modules can include power modules, communication modules, or other types of signal processing modules. The housings and electronics of the header, field, and adapter modules are designed such that the field and adapter modules can be rotated relative to the header module to suit physical environment of the connector's location.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dennis C. Mackey, JianHua Wang, Michael Burdenko, Robert M. Black, Eric Clinton Henefield, Derek Washington Gallon, Suresh R. Nair
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Patent number: 8046588Abstract: System(s) and method(s) that facilitate utilizing biometric sensors (e.g., fingerprint, hand scan, voice recognition . . . ) in manufacturing systems in order to maintain accurate safety audit trails. A safety audit system, utilizing a biometric sensing device, facilitates determining if a user is allowed to access and change the configuration of the manufacturing system. Once a user is allowed to change the configuration (e.g., programmable electronics, tooling changes, software updates, etc.) the changes are automatically recorded in a safety audit database. Automatic storage of configuration changes mitigates manual recording of changes thereby enhancing the safety audit data often necessary to meet safety standards for manufacturing systems.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Anthony G. Gibart, James E. Dogul, Richard Galera, George E. Rollins, Derek W. Jones, George K. Schuster, Suresh R. Nair, Ray C. Delcher
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Patent number: 7657814Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides industrial automation systems and/or methods that configure available redundancy. An interface component can obtain input data. Additionally, an optimization component can generate a voting configuration that allocates available redundancy to provide an optimized combination of safety and availability based at least in part on the input data.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: George K. Schuster, James E. Dogul, Richard Galera, George E. Rollins, Derek W. Jones, Suresh R. Nair, Ray C. Delcher
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Patent number: 7652759Abstract: An industrial device comprises a light emitter and a detector that is optically coupled to the emitter. A first deformable mirror/lens is optically coupled to the emitter, the first deformable mirror/lens is dynamically shaped to facilitate receipt of light at the detector. For example, the deformable mirror/lens can be associated with one or more actuators that causes the mirror/lens to be shaped in a desirable manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James E. Dogul, Richard Galera, George E. Rollins, Derek W. Jones, George K. Schuster, Suresh R. Nair, Ray C. Delcher
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Patent number: 7539550Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides industrial automation systems and/or methods that visualize availability and safety levels. An optimization component can generate a voting configuration that provides an optimized combination of a safety level and an availability level based upon available redundancy. Additionally, a graphical user interface can present a visualization of the safety level and the availability level.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Suresh R. Nair, James E. Dogul, Richard Galera, George E. Rollins, Derek W. Jones, George K. Schuster, Ray C. Delcher
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Patent number: 7533798Abstract: Systems and methods of risk management that employ a risk assessment component to continuously update risk estimation associated with a machine of a manufacturing system. A data input component is provided for receiving a measured parameter associated with a current machine condition. A comparison is performed between the measured parameter from current machine condition with predetermined risk estimations/assessment parameters to determine whether the current machine condition is within the range of acceptable operator risk conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Derek W. Jones, James E. Dogul, Richard Galera, George E. Rollins, George K. Schuster, Suresh R. Nair, Ray C. Delcher
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Patent number: D817891Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Roberto S. Santos, Steven R. Tambeau, Brian J. Taylor, Burt Sacherski, Elik I. Fooks, Suresh R. Nair, Michael Flannery, Scott Wakefield