Allen-bradley Company, LLC

Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated

Rockwell Technologies, Inc.

Joel C Clemente

Anthony Gerard Gibart

Michael S Baran

Paul Jerome Grosskreuz

Dennis G Schneider

Kevin G Hughes

Yasuyuki Nakanishi

Takao Suzuki

John Kitscha

Michael R Havey

Daniel J Bolda

John J Gilge

Michael A Feavel

Paul Wied

Brian Fleischman

A system of interlocking modules for use with a programmable logic controller. The system utilizes a plurality of modules, e.g. input/output modules, that are mechanically and electrically interlinked. Modules are electrically connected to adjacent modules by plug portions The mechanical interlocking features and the plug portions are designed to permit insertion and removal of individual modules disposed between adjacent modules, without moving either of the adjacent modules. Also, the plug portions are designed to isolate the electrical connections from vibration.

Programmable logic controller module assembly and locking system

A system of interlocking modules for use with a programmable logic controller. The system utilizes a plurality of modules, e.g. input/output modules, that are mechanically interlinked to obviate the need for a rack or back plane. Each module includes a movable plug portion that selectively may be moved into engagement with a corresponding plug receptacle of the next adjacent module. The mechanical interlocking features and the plug portions are designed to permit insertion and removal of individual modules disposed between adjacent modules, without moving either of the adjacent modules.

A rack for an industrial controller has a metallic top and bottom plate with grooves to receive circuit cards of functional modules. A heat sink on the functional modules has flanges forming parts of the edge of the circuit cards that engage the grooves of the rack to provide a direct path of conduction from the heat sinks to the rack augmenting the cooling of the heat sink normally provided by heat sink fins. The heat sink stands away from the circuit card and has cantilevered flanges returning to the circuit card surface that provide flexure ensuring good contact between the heat sink and the grooves on the rack.

Industrial controller card rack with heat transfer across card edges

A flash-on reduction circuit for use in the binary state output circuitry of an industrial controller employs a current conductor to charge parasitic capacitances of the output circuitry when the industrial controller is first turned on and a current limiter for preventing high current flows through the output power stages of the output circuit when the industrial controller is first turned on. The current limiter is deactivated by a timing means after the parasitic capacitances have been charged by the current conductor. In a first embodiment, the current conductor and current limiting means are provided by a current source applying increasing power to the output circuit.

Start-up pulse suppression circuit for industrial controller output

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Mequon, WI, United States of America

Joel C Clemente