Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated

Bret S Hildebran

Kenwood H Hall

Terence Scott Tenorio

Robert J Kretschmann

Gregg M Sichner

Anthony Gerard Gibart

Scott A Pierce

Eric D Decker

Andreas P Frischknecht

Peter M Delic

Harsh Shah

DuWayne D Mulhall

Richard O Ruggeri

Charmaine J Van Minnen

David A Pasela

Russell William Brandes

Mark A Chaffee

Raymond R Husted

Gregory J Svetina

David M Fort

Daniel E Killian

Dale R Terdan

John R O'Connell

Chandresh R Chaudhari

Steven A Zuponcic

Sean P Overberger

Thomas K Sugimoto

Neal R Krejci

Anthony Sorbello

John J Kolat, Jr

Antoon Laane

Eric C Decker

Harsh P Shah

Mark Chaffee

A first component of an industrial automation system includes an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) storing data identifying the first component. The data identifying the first component is read from the EEPROM by a second component to which the first component is communicatively coupled to authenticate the first component. The first component lacks a processor and a microcontroller, and does not run firmware.

Systems and methods for authenticating industrial automation components

An improved system for handling events in an industrial control system is disclosed. A module in an industrial controller is configured to generate an event responsive to a predefined signal or combination of signals occurring. The event is transferred to an event queue for subsequent execution. The event queue may also be configured to store a copy of the state of the module at the time the event is generated. The event queue may hold multiple events and each event is configured to trigger at least one event task. Subsequent events that occur during execution of the event task are stored in the event queue for later execution. An event, or combination of events, may trigger execution of an event task within the module, within the controller to which the module is connected, or within multiple controllers.

Method of managing event generation for an industrial controller

Event generation management for an industrial controller

An output module for an industrial controller configurable to simplify setup and commissioning is disclosed. The output module includes configurable PWM outputs that may be scheduled to start at different times within the PWM period, that may be configured to generate a fixed number of PWM pulses, and that may have an extendable PWM period. The output terminals are configurable to enter a first state upon generation of a fault and further configurable to enter a second state after a configurable time delay following the fault being generated. The output module may receive inputs signals directly from another module and set output signals at the terminals responsive to these signals.

Peer communication between modules in an industrial controller

Pulse width modulated outputs for an output module in an industrial controller

An I/O circuit for use with an industrial controller provides a photovoltaic optical isolator communicating between a controller and a field-side of the I/O circuit, the photovoltaic optical isolator eliminating the need for high wattage power dropping circuits for powering the field-side of the I/O circuit from high-voltage field signals. The field effect transistor type transistors permit use of the low-power photovoltaic optical isolator while allowing flexible connections to various field circuit types.

Output module for industrial control with sink and source capability and low heat dissipation

An input module for an industrial controller is configurable to simplify setup and commissioning. The input module includes input terminals configurable, for example, as a counter input. Still other input terminals may be configured to trigger events as a function of the input signals present at the terminals. Time signals corresponding to transitions in state of the input terminals, triggering of events, or operation of the counters may be recorded. The input module is further configurable to transmit data back to the processor or to transmit data directly to another module in the industrial control network.

Event generation in an input module for an industrial controller

Integrated counters in an input module for an industrial controller

Input module for an industrial controller

Output module for an industrial controller

An I/O module samples an industrial process to acquire data indicative of performance of the industrial process. The I/O module has an internal memory in which the data from multiple samples is stored until readout by, or produced to, an industrial controller. The I/O module assigns a time-stamp identifier to the stored samples thereby providing time information to the industrial controller for the stored data when read out by the industrial controller.

High-speed sequential sampling of I/O data for industrial control

A system and/or method for synchronizing one or more modules of an industrial controller relative to a common time base. A module may be programmed and/or configured to employ an activation interval for controlling periodic activation for sampling one or more inputs and/or applying data at outputs of the module. The module synchronizes its activation interval based on a coordinated time base signal.

Low overhead synchronized activation of functional modules

Growing community of inventors

Chagrin Falls, OH, United States of America

Bret S Hildebran