ABB Files Patent for Method Operating Safety Controllers in Engineering Systems
Time:2026-05-15 Browse: 0
According to the China National Intellectual Property Administration, ABB Switzerland Ltd. has filed a patent titled “Method for Operating a Safety Controller – Parallelization”. The patent, with publication number CN121411302A, was filed in June 2025.
Technical Overview
The invention relates to methods for operating safety controllers in safety-critical engineering systems. The disclosed method provides an effective way to manage and execute safety functions by parallelizing control processes, improving the efficiency and reliability of safety operations.
Key Features
Safety Function Grouping: Sensor signals and actuator signals are linked through defined logical dependencies, with safety functions grouped into two categories (SF1 → Category 1, SF2 → Category 2).
Parallelized Execution: The safety functions in Category 1 are compiled and linked to form a first executable code, while Category 2 functions are compiled and linked into a second executable code.
Dual-Processor Architecture: The first and second executable codes are loaded into the memory of the safety controller, executed by separate processors (Processor 1 and Processor 2), enabling parallel operation.
Enhanced Reliability: By executing multiple safety functions simultaneously across processors, the method ensures rapid and reliable generation of actuator signals based on sensor inputs.
Potential Applications
Safety-critical industrial automation systems
Control of engineering systems in manufacturing plants and process industries
Advanced safety controllers for smart factories and automated facilities
This patent highlights ABB’s continued innovation in industrial safety systems, emphasizing high-efficiency, parallelized control methods to improve operational safety in complex engineering environments.
