Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

Michael Scharnick

Stephen Zbytowski

Derek William Jones

Julian Poyner

William E Anderson

Derek Sawyer

David Howard Kerr

David T Williams

Geoffrey Alan Talbot

Gillian P Parker

A remote lock-out, tag-out system for controlling multiple buckets in a motor control center employs a safety network providing serial communication between one or more remote lock-out, tag-out stations and individual buckets of the control center permitting remote disconnection of power without the need for protective gear.

Lock-out, tag-out system using safety programmable logic controller

Safety isolation systems and methods adapted for switching DC electrical power applications, including high voltage DC, are provided. A contactor is in series with a solid state DC switch and a switching circuit controls the operation of the contactor and the solid state DC switch. Mirror contacts may be added to the system that are capable of providing a reliable indication about the open/closed status of the main contacts of the contactor.

Safety isolation systems and methods for switching DC loads

A remote lock-out, tag-out system for controlling multiple power control circuits in a motor control center employs a safety network providing serial communication between one or more remote lock-out, tag-out stations and individual power control circuits of the control center permitting remote disconnection of power without the need for protective gear.

Lock-out, tag-out system using safety network

An apparatus and method for restricting operation of a power delivery system are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the apparatus includes a first input terminal at which is received a first command signal, and a second input terminal at which is received an additional signal. The apparatus further includes an output terminal at which is provided a control signal, and a circuit that generates the control signal based at least indirectly upon the first command and additional signals. The control signal generated by the circuit is configured to cause the power delivery system to not deliver at least one type of power when the first command signal indicates a command to do so, if the additional signal indicates an acceptability status. In some embodiments, the power delivery system is an isolation system (e.g., safety isolation system) as are employed in industrial environments, and the apparatus is a permissive module.

Apparatus and method for restricting power delivery

There is provided a safety switch having a housing configured to receive a removable key, and a mechanism arranged to be operated when the key is moved from an engaged position to a partially disengaged position, the mechanism being arranged to cause a signal to pass to a separate apparatus, wherein the safety switch further comprises a lock which is controlled by the separate apparatus and is arranged to prevent the key from being fully disengaged from the safety switch until a signal has been received in response from the separate apparatus.

Safety switch

The present invention relates to combination control systems employing at least one intermediate module between different control modules and, in one embodiment, relates to a system for isolating a load from multiple power sources. The system includes a first power isolation system capable of receiving a first power from a first input port and determining whether the first power is communicated to a first output port, and a second power isolation system capable of receiving a second power from a second input port and determining whether the second power is communicated to a second output port. The system further includes an intermediate module connected with the first and second power isolation systems, where the intermediate module allows for at least one intermediate control signal to be provided to both of the power isolation systems.

Combination control system with intermediate module

The present invention relates to an intermediate module capable of being implemented in conjunction with a safety isolation system, as well as a control system employing such an intermediate module and related operational method. In one embodiment, the intermediate module includes a first input terminal capable of receiving a first signal from an additional device that is at least one of the safety isolation system and another device, and a first output terminal capable of providing a second signal to a controlled device. The intermediate module additionally includes at least one safety relay circuit that receives at least one of the first signal and a first intermediate signal based upon the first signal, and that generates in response at least one of the second signal and a second intermediate signal upon which the second signal is based. The safety relay circuit includes at least one redundant circuit component.

Growing community of inventors

Brookfield, WI, United States of America

Michael Scharnick