Automation system with integrated safe and standard control functionality
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorGeorge Schuster
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An industrial control system includes a machine, a machine controller, and a safety controller. The machine controller is operable to identify a need for a human interaction, place the machine into a ready state for the human interaction, and generate a ready message responsive to placing the machine into the ready state. The safety controller is operable to receive the ready message, place the machine into a safe state responsive to receiving the ready message, and provide a human interaction indication responsive to placing the machine into the safe state.
Claims29
An industrial control system, comprising:
- a machine having a restricted access portion;
- a machine controller operable to identify a need for a human interaction with the restricted access portion during normal machine operation, place the machine into a ready state for the human interaction, and generate a ready message responsive to placing the machine into the ready state;
- and
- a safety controller operable to receive the ready message, place the machine into a safe state responsive to receiving the ready message, and provide a human interaction indication responsive to placing the machine into the safe state that indicates that the machine is ready for human interaction with the restricted access portion.
A method for controlling a human interaction with a machine, comprising:
- identifying a need for a human interaction during normal machine operation;
- placing the machine into a ready state for the human interaction;
- generating a ready message responsive to placing the machine into the ready state;
- running a series of safety checks to place the machine into a safe state responsive to receiving the ready message;
- and
- providing a human interaction indication responsive to placing the machine into the safe state.
canceled
An industrial control system for a machine, the system comprising:
- a machine controller that provides a ready signal when the machine is positioned for human interaction;
- and
- a safety controller that places the machine in a safety state responsive to the ready signal and provides an indication that the machine is ready and safe for human interaction only after the machine is in the safety state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.