William E Floro

US Patent:

6459173, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Oct 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/699802

Inventors:

Richard Scott Gunsaulus - Highland Heights OH
William E. Floro - Willoughby OH

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H02D 700

US Classification:

307 66, 307 64, 307 23, 307 18, 307 85

Abstract:

A system and method is provided for selecting a test load and/or bias resistor utilized in an expandable load system employing a backup power source. The test load and/or bias resistor is selected based on the actual load present in the expandable system. The backup power source is periodically tested during normal operation of the expandable load system utilizing the test load. A test load is provided that is sized for the actual load of a local load under worse case conditions. If an expansion load is connected to the local load the test load is adjusted, so that the test load is based on the actual load of the local load and the expansion load. Additionally, a bias resistance can be provided for driving a switch that allows power to be provided to the local load during power loss mode. If an expansion load is connected to the local load, the bias resistance is adjusted to correspond to a bias resistance necessary to provide the current for the actual load of the local load and the expansion load.

US Patent:

6483317, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Oct 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/699446

Inventors:

William E. Floro - Willoughby OH
Frank J. Priore - Willoughby Hills OH

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H01H 3102

US Classification:

324537, 324539, 324500, 361 87, 713330, 714 22

Abstract:

Circuitry for protecting a first electrical system when connected to a second electrical system via a bus which provides a current-carrying signal to the first electrical system and includes a reset signal which is monitored by the second electrical system. The circuitry includes a capacitor connected to the current-carrying signal of the bus. A first switch is electrically connected between a node of the capacitor and a ground point. The first switch is closed when the first electrical system is powered-up and open when the first electrical system is powered down. A second switch is electrically connected between the reset signal of the bus and the ground point. The second switch closes due to the energy accumulated by the capacitor when the first switch is open.

US Patent:

6760672, Jul 6, 2004

Filed:

Jan 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/058625

Inventors:

William Edward Floro - Willoughby OH
Frank Joseph Priore - Willoughby Hills OH

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

702 63, 702 64, 702 65

Abstract:

Battery backed memory for use in an industrial controller allows volatile memory to be retained in instances of line power loss. A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing assurance that sufficient battery voltage was present during the entire power down period to maintain data integrity.

US Patent:

6822346, Nov 23, 2004

Filed:

Jan 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/059061

Inventors:

William Edward Floro - Willoughby OH
Frank Joseph Priore - Willoughby Hills OH

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H02J 700

US Classification:

307 66

Abstract:

Battery backed memory for use in an industrial controller allows software disconnect of the battery and memory so that unplanned power outages may receive the benefit of battery backup, but battery power is not unduly wasted during planned power outages when data loss may be accommodated or other provisions may be made for saving data in nonvolatile memory.

US Patent:

6888267, May 3, 2005

Filed:

Jan 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/058959

Inventors:

William Edward Floro - Willoughby OH, US
Ronald Edwin Schultz - Solon OH, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H02J007/00

US Classification:

307 66, 307 85, 702 63

Abstract:

A memory system having power backup having memory circuits that may be set to a low power mode by means of volatile control registers, disconnects the memory circuits from the battery when low voltage conditions are detected so as to prevent reversion of the memory circuits to high current consumption modes such as would drain batteries after replacement.

US Patent:

6912678, Jun 28, 2005

Filed:

Oct 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/699392

Inventors:

William E. Floro - Willoughby OH, US
Frank J. Priore - Willoughby Hills OH, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

G01R031/28

US Classification:

714724, 324500

Abstract:

A method and circuitry for ensuring proper connections of a multi-wired cable bridging two electrical components in a programmable logic controller (PLC) system. The method involves: generating a pre-specified voltage level when the cable is properly connected, testing for the existence of this pre-specified voltage level, and generating an error signal if the pre-specified voltage level is not detected. The error signal generated by a component causes the component to electronically switch off its data connection via the multi-wired cable with the other component, and may cause the component to reset itself.

US Patent:

54169089, May 16, 1995

Filed:

Apr 28, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/875173

Inventors:

David A. DiCarlo - Windsor OH
William E. Floro - Willoughby OH
Mike Keith - Willowick OH
John J. Baier - Saline MI
Jeffrey H. Campau - Pinckney MI
Daniel P. Noonen - Saline MI
Stuart B. Siegel - Clinton MI

Assignee:

Allen-Bradley Company, Inc. - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

G06F 1314

US Classification:

395275

Abstract:

Data is exchanged between two modules of a programmable controller by originator module writing the information in an interface memory in one of the modules and the recipient module reading the information from the memory. An initialization procedure is performed before any information is exchanged in that manner. The module containing the memory writes the size of the memory for reading by the other module. Sets of test data are stored in the memory by each module and checked by the other module to determine if data can be passed accurately between the modules in both directions. Then data identifying the type of one of the modules is exchanged to insure that the other module knows the type of module with which it is dealing.

US Patent:

48092177, Feb 28, 1989

Filed:

Oct 31, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/793588

Inventors:

William E. Floro - Willoughby OH
Mark Luboski - Euclid OH
Timothy J. Murphy - Parma OH
Alan J. Campbell - New Berlin WI

Assignee:

Allen-Bradley Company, Inc. - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

G06F 1312
G06F 1516

US Classification:

364900

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for access to a programmable controller at a remote location. A peripheral device with a peripheral processor is connected to a port on an I/O module. Blocks of discrete and block transfer data are transferred to and from a common memory in the I/O module where the data is accessible to a serial communication controller that interfaces the module to a high speed serial data channel. Asynchronous communication is provided between the serial communication controller and the peripheral device using a circular buffer in the common memory. Timing considerations are also disclosed.