Motor control center network connectivity method and system
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsKeith Brian Blodorn, David Lee Jensen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A motor control center comprises a plurality of bays in which switchgear components, circuit protective components, automation components and power electronic components are disposed for driving motors and other loads. Network optical conductors are routed through one or more wireways adjacent to the bays. Distribution nodes are coupled to the conductors and are interconnected with respective network terminals within the bays. Components within individual bays for which EtherNet and/or Internet connectivity is desired are coupled to the network terminals. The conductors may comprise plastic optical fibers and may be designed to operate in the relatively high voltage environment of the motor control center bays.
Claims21
An industrial automation system comprising:
- a cabinet configured to house power electronic components that receive power from a source and control application of power to one or more loads, the cabinet comprising a wireway configured to channel data and power conductors to the power electronic components;
- wireway optical network conductors disposed the wireway for conducting data during operation;
- a distribution node coupled to the wireway optical network conductors;
- and
- a data terminal disposed in the cabinet and coupled the distribution node via distribution optical network conductors, the data terminal being configured to be coupled to a component in the cabinet to transmit data between the coupled component and an external network during operation.
An industrial automation system comprising:
- a cabinet configured to house electrical components that receive power from a source and control application of power to one or more loads, the cabinet comprising wireways configured to channel data and power conductors to the power electronic components;
- wireway optical network conductors disposed a wireway for conducting data during operation;
- a distribution node coupled to the wireway optical network conductors;
- and
- a plurality of data terminals disposed in the cabinet and coupled the distribution node via distribution optical network conductors, the data terminals being configured to be coupled to a component in the cabinet to transmit data between the coupled component and an external network during operation.
A method for making an industrial automation system comprising:
- disposing data and power conductors in wireways in a cabinet configured to house power electronic components that receive power from a source and control application of power to one or more loads;
- disposing wireway optical network conductors in a wireway for conducting data during operation;
- coupling a distribution node to the wireway optical network conductors;
- and
- coupling a data terminal in the cabinet to the distribution node via distribution optical network conductors, the data terminal being configured to be coupled to a component in the cabinet to transmit data between the coupled component and an external network during operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.