Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated

Russell William Brandes

Michael D Kalan

Douglas J Reichard

James Harry Jarrett

Kenwood H Hall

Robert J Kretschmann

Taryl Jon Jasper

Subbian Govindaraj

Ronald Eric Bliss

Kenneth Scott Plache

Raymond John Staron

Gregg M Sichner

Anthony Gerard Gibart

Daniel Baliey Seger

Peter M Delic

Joseph Bronikowski

Arthur Paul Pietrzyk

Jeffery William Brooks

Dennis G Schneider

John Ethan Belcher

Keith M Hogan

Mark E Taylor

Gregory J Shuler

Bruce A Christensen

Todd A Vance

William E Waltz

Thomas G Rodano

Diane N Ritchie

Jeffrey Foley

Louis L Smet

Jason Andrew Weber

Adam B Maki

Scott A Pierce

Harsh Shah

Bret S Hildebran

Eric D Decker

Terence Scott Tenorio

Mark A Chaffee

Andreas P Frischknecht

Richard O Ruggeri

David A Pasela

Charmaine J Van Minnen

Dale Edward Reed

Rae M Varga

Gregory J Svetina

DuWayne D Mulhall

Anthony Sorbello

John J Kolat, Jr

Michael W Rudder

Rae M White

Antoon Laane

Harsh P Shah

Dale E Reed

An industrial control device allows end users to customize the mode model that defines rules for arbitrating between program and operator control. The industrial control device includes configuration tools that allow the user to define which set of states or modes are to be used for arbitrating between program control and operator control in accordance with the usages and standards of a given industrial facility or enterprise. The configuration tools also allow the commands for transitioning between the selected ownership states to be modified to conform to a desired ownership mode model. Using the mode model configuration tools, users can adapt the ownership mode model to conform to their own customer-specific or industry-specific standards of operator/program arbitration. In some scenarios, the customized mode model can be applied to defined multilevel equipment groupings such that control ownership is cascaded to all devices of a defined ownership chain.

Configurable mode model

Aspects describe multiple interface support that provides dynamic switching between new and old interface revisions. A first interface application is selected from a set of alternative interface applications for an industrial automation system. Support for each interface application included in the set of alternative interface applications is provided. A second interface application is downloaded and associated with the first interface application. The second interface application is enabled during runtime. If needed, the second interface application can be selectively disabled and an operation resumed with the first interface application.

Multiple interface support

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.

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

Aspects describe multiple machine interfaces that provide automated implementations of a host that executes at least one service. The service comprises internal aspects, which include a reusable definition and a specification, which are hidden from a user or selectively exposed but not modifiable by the user. Functional connections and controls are provided for the automated implementations of the host. Platform configurations, which include the at least one service, interact with the automated implementation of the host. One or more functionalities of the functional connections can be selectively exposed based on a user credential. The automated implementation of the host comprises execution of the at least one service.

Multiple machine interface

The subject invention relates to systems and methods that facilitate display, selection, and management of context associated with execution of add-on instructions. The systems and methods track add-on instruction calls and provide a user with call and data context, wherein the user can select a particular add-on instruction context from a plurality of contexts in order to observe values and/or edit parameters associated with the add-on instruction. The add-on instruction context can include information such as instances of data for particular lines of execution, the add-on instruction called, a caller of the instruction, a location of the instruction call, references to complex data types and objects, etc. The systems and methods further provide a technique for automatic routine selection based on the add-on instruction state information such that the add-on instruction executed corresponds to a current state.

Systems and methods that facilitate management of add-on instruction generation, selection, and/or monitoring during execution

A design diagram representation for an industrial operator interface that combines configuration and presentation aspects is provided. The design diagram representation illustrates state transitions, interlocks, and/or permissives for an industrial process or device as a dataflow diagram, a state diagram, or other such diagrams, and renders live state information for the process or device as numeric indicators, string indicators, color-animated state icons, and the like. Flow lines of the diagram are highlighted based on the displayed state information to convey an overall status of the process. In addition, the design diagram representation includes one or more data fields that allow an operator to modify or set a numeric variable for the industrial process (e.g. a timer, a setpoint, etc.), thereby allowing the industrial process to be viewed and configured using a single interface.

Configuration and monitoring via design diagram representation

System(s), apparatus(es) and method(s) are provided for to managing and developing an industrial system included in the industrial environment. Intelligence related to a configuration of the industrial system is collected and processed to generate information related to operational condition(s) of the industrial system. Intelligence can be collected actively or passively: In active collection, a platform that collects the intelligence retrieves configuration record(s) from the industrial system, whereas in passive collection, the platform received one or more configuration records from the industrial automation system. Collected intelligence is cast into a set of configuration units that defines industrial system and functionality thereof. In addition, a set of services configured to convey specific functionality associated with at least one configuration unit is composed. At least a portion of the generated information can be supplied to the industrial system or one or more components thereof in accordance with a policy configured by the industrial automation system.

Management and development of an industrial environment

Aspects describe an apparatus, method and system for constructing an application in an industrial automation system. An identification component can receive at least one requirement of the application. Based upon the at least one requirement, the identification component can select at least one service that satisfies the at least one requirement. The at least one service can be associated with at least one operational requirement. The identification component can match at least one host to the at least one service by matching the at least one operational requirement with at least one capability of the at least one service.

Hosting requirements for services

In an industrial control configuration, various instances can exist that are based upon a definition. A definition can be changed and thus it can be appropriate to alter related instances in accordance with the change. However, changing an instance can cause disruption in other actions even when the change is minor. Therefore, various standards can be used to determine if a change to an instance should be propagated automatically or at another time, such as after an operation. The determination can be based on artificial intelligence techniques, user preference, a defined rule set, user instruction, as well as other standards.

Library synchronization between definitions and instances

An object can be used in an industrial control configuration in relation to performing a function or task. Matching can occur such that an object with operational requirements can bind with a host that has capabilities that meet those operational requirements&#x2014;matching can occur automatically as well as through user operation. Once matched, different functionality can be presented to a user pertaining to the object. To assist the user, the object can include external references, logic, local or private data, as well as others in addition to resources. To facilitate operation, capabilities and resources can be published in a directory that can be accessed by different entities&#x2014;sometimes with security constraints in order to protect configuration integrity. Likewise, a subscription system can be employed such that when a change to a related entity is made, a notice can transfer to related entities and operation can alter based upon the change.

Modular object and host matching

Output module for an industrial controller

System(s) and method(s) are provided for implementing a set of interface components across a set of layers of an industrial environment, and for managing at least one interface component or at least one layer of the industrial environment. To implement an interface component in at least one layer in the set of layers, a specification that defines the interface component is acquired and, based at least on the specification, a service is generated. Execution of the service implements the interface component. The managing includes deploying or discovering the at least one interface component or the at least one layer of the industrial environment. The managing also includes indexing specific functional feature(s) of the at least one interface component and searching across the set of layers for one or more interface components that satisfy specific functional criteria. Moreover, the managing can include supplying metadata related to interface component(s) or layer(s).

Layered interface in an industrial environment

An output termination board for a safety system is disclosed herein. The termination board provides simplified wiring between the output modules and the remote devices operated by the controller in the system. Redundant output signals are generated within each pair of output modules and combined such that one control signal is sent to each remote device. In addition, a program executing on the controller of the safety system performs a test to determine if each output module is operating normally. If the program detects a fault in either output module, the safety system may alternately shut down according to a fail-safe procedure or continue operating under a fault-tolerant mode of operation.

Apparatus for fault tolerant digital outputs

Growing community of inventors

Brunswick, OH, United States of America

Russell William Brandes