Diagnostics and enhanced functionality for single-wire safety communication

US9797552B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Suresh R. Nair · Amherst, US
• Wayne R. Foster · Tyngsborough, US
• Christopher John Burke · Sydney, AU
• Alex Harris · Salem, US
• Rudolf Papenbreer · Wuppertal, DE
• Dirk Lorenz · Wetter, DE
• Norbert Machuletz · Wetter, DE
• Oliver Heckel · Wuppertal, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 22, 2014
• Grant date: Oct 24, 2017
• Expiry date: Dec 7, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05B19/0425
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A single-wire safety system architecture is provided that yields reliable safety device monitoring without the need for dual redundant signal channels. The safety system comprises a safety relay acting as a communications master device and one or more compatible safety input devices connected in series with the safety relay via a single-wire communication circuit. The safety input device farthest from the safety relay on the safety circuit modulates a safety signal with a recognizable pulse pattern that traverses the single-wire safety circuit to the safety relay via the intermediate safety devices. The safety relay maintains safety mode as long as the pulse pattern is received and recognized. In addition to conveying the safety signal, the architecture allows bi-directional communication of initialization, configuration, and diagnostic messages over the single-wire safety channel. The architecture also facilitates rapid initialization of the safety channel using asynchronous sub-link detection and device enumeration.