公开(公告)号：US20100079129A1

公开(公告)日：2010-04-01

申请号：US12499983

申请日：2009-07-09

Applicant: Thomas Bruce Meagher

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher

IPC: H02J1/00

CPC classification number: H02M3/33561 ,  G06F11/183 ,  G06F11/184 ,  H02M1/32 ,  H02M3/158 ,  H02M2001/0045 ,  H02M2001/007 ,  Y10T307/383 ,  Y10T307/675

Abstract: A power supply that is capable of supplying power to an input/output channel for an Industrial Process Control System. The power supply includes a primary voltage converter having a first voltage input and a second voltage output, and overvoltage protection components that prevent the second voltage from rising above a predetermined maximum. The power supply includes a first low dropout regulator that is connected to receive the second voltage and to generate a third voltage, a second low dropout regulator that is connected to receive the second voltage and to generate a fourth voltage, and a third low dropout regulator that is connected to receive the fourth voltage and to generate a fifth voltage. The power supply provides an over-voltage fault tolerant self-testable architecture, allows for compact low cost individual channel isolation and fault tolerant EMI/RFI filtration.

Abstract translation: 能够向工业过程控制系统的输入/输出通道供电的电源。 电源包括具有第一电压输入和第二电压输出的初级电压转换器，以及防止第二电压升高到高于预定最大值的过电压保护部件。 电源包括被连接以接收第二电压并产生第三电压的第一低压差稳压器，被连接以接收第二电压并产生第四电压的第二低压降稳压器，以及第三低压差稳压器 被连接以接收第四电压并产生第五电压。 电源提供过压容错自检架构，可实现紧凑的低成本单通道隔离和容错EMI / RFI过滤。

公开(公告)号：US07688560B2

公开(公告)日：2010-03-30

申请号：US11689691

申请日：2007-03-22

Applicant: Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Kenneth John Murphy ,  Linda M. Murphy, legal representative

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Kenneth John Murphy

IPC: H02H3/00

CPC classification number: G05B9/02

Abstract: This invention relates to overload protection for a circuit driving a direct current (DC) load. The invention provides a method of generating an overload condition for an output module driving a load having a load current and a load voltage comprising the steps of: monitoring the load current at sample intervals; comparing the monitored load current to a predetermined load current threshold; starting an overload timer in the event that the timer is not running and the monitored load current is greater than said load current threshold; monitoring the load voltage at said sample intervals; generating a ramped load voltage waveform for reference purposes in dependence upon an initial load voltage and a predetermined step size load voltage in the event that the overload timer is running; generating an overload condition in the event that the monitored load voltage is less than said ramped load voltage reference waveform, the ramped load voltage is less than a predetermined positive ramp limit and the overload timer is running.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及驱动直流（DC）负载的电路的过载保护。 本发明提供了一种为驱动具有负载电流和负载电压的负载的输出模块产生过载条件的方法，包括以下步骤：以采样间隔监视负载电流; 将所监测的负载电流与预定负载电流阈值进行比较; 在定时器未运行并且监视的负载电流大于所述负载电流阈值的情况下启动过载定时器; 以所述采样间隔监视负载电压; 在过载定时器运行的情况下，根据初始负载电压和预定步长负载电压产生用于参考目的的斜坡负载电压波形; 在监控的负载电压小于所述斜坡负载电压参考波形的情况下，产生过载状况，斜坡负载电压小于预定的正斜率限制，并且过载定时器正在运行。

公开(公告)号：US20090195952A1

公开(公告)日：2009-08-06

申请号：US12360225

申请日：2009-01-27

Applicant: Thomas Bruce Meagher

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher

IPC: H02H3/18

CPC classification number: G05B19/0425 ,  G05B2219/21154 ,  H02J1/108

Abstract: A system for protecting against reverse current flow in an output module of an Industrial Process Control System includes a transistor that is driven by a control signal and a current monitor arranged to monitor a current through the transistor. The system includes a processor that is arranged to receive the monitored current and to generate the control signal in dependence upon the monitored current. The processor is configured to turn off the transistor if a reverse current is detected in the transistor. Extension of the system provides a power feed combiner that is protected against reverse current flow.

Abstract translation: 用于防止工业过程控制系统的输出模块中的反向电流流动的系统包括由控制信号驱动的晶体管和被布置成监视通过晶体管的电流的电流监视器。 该系统包括处理器，其被配置为接收监视的电流并根据所监视的电流产生控制信号。 如果晶体管中检测到反向电流，则处理器被配置为关断晶体管。 系统的扩展提供了一个电源组合器，可以防止反向电流流动。

公开(公告)号：US20090195256A1

公开(公告)日：2009-08-06

申请号：US12361612

申请日：2009-01-29

Applicant: Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Gerald Robert Creech

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Gerald Robert Creech

IPC: G01R31/02

CPC classification number: G05B9/02

Abstract: This invention relates to input channel diagnostics for an industrial process control system. The invention provides improved apparatus and methods relating to fault containment, overload protection and input channel diagnostics.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及工业过程控制系统的输入通道诊断。 本发明提供了与故障容纳，过载保护和输入通道诊断有关的改进的装置和方法。

公开(公告)号：US20120146663A1

公开(公告)日：2012-06-14

申请号：US13397209

申请日：2012-02-15

Applicant: Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Gerald Robert Creech

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Gerald Robert Creech

IPC: G01R31/02

CPC classification number: G05B9/02

Abstract: This invention relates to input channel diagnostics for an industrial process control system. The invention provides improved apparatus and methods relating to fault containment, overload protection and input channel diagnostics.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及工业过程控制系统的输入通道诊断。 本发明提供了与故障容纳，过载保护和输入通道诊断有关的改进的装置和方法。

公开(公告)号：US08193817B2

公开(公告)日：2012-06-05

申请号：US12361612

申请日：2009-01-29

Applicant: Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Gerald Robert Creech

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Gerald Robert Creech

IPC: G01R31/02

CPC classification number: G05B9/02

Abstract: Input channel diagnostics for an industrial process control system that provides improved apparatus and methods relating to fault containment, overload protection and input channel diagnostics. The input circuit includes one or more series resistors that have a total resistance that is at least two orders of magnitude greater than the magnitude of the resistance of a conditioned sensor signal source.

Abstract translation: 为工业过程控制系统提供输入通道诊断，提供与故障控制，过载保护和输入通道诊断有关的改进的设备和方法。 输入电路包括一个或多个串联电阻，其总电阻比经调节的传感器信号源的电阻的幅度大至少两个数量级。

公开(公告)号：US08166362B2

公开(公告)日：2012-04-24

申请号：US11689240

申请日：2007-03-21

Applicant: Thomas Bruce Meagher

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher

IPC: G06F11/00 ,  G06F17/50

CPC classification number: G01R31/2846 ,  G01R31/2839 ,  G01R31/3167

Abstract: This invention relates to fault detection in electrical circuits, in particular it relates to fault detection for a plurality of adjacent input circuits. The invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting a control or communication fault on an analogue circuit by simulating said analogue circuit using a simulated circuit comprising digital circuit components; the simulated circuit receiving a control input to provide a first output; and the analogue circuit receiving said control input to provide a second output; and setting an error condition when the first output and the second output differ.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及电路中的故障检测，特别涉及多个相邻输入电路的故障检测。 本发明提供了一种用于通过使用包括数字电路部件的模拟电路模拟所述模拟电路来检测模拟电路上的控制或通信故障的方法和装置; 所述模拟电路接收控制输入以提供第一输出; 并且所述模拟电路接收所述控制输入以提供第二输出; 并且当第一输出和第二输出不同​​时设置错误状况。

公开(公告)号：US07729098B2

公开(公告)日：2010-06-01

申请号：US11689703

申请日：2007-03-22

Applicant: Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Kenneth John Murphy ,  Linda M Murphy, legal representative

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Kenneth John Murphy

IPC: H02H9/02 ,  H02H1/00

CPC classification number: G05B9/02 ,  G05B9/03

Abstract: This invention relates to fault detection in electrical circuits. The invention provides a switch for a fault tolerant digital output module comprising: an output transistor pair for enabling and disabling an alternating output current; and a current limiter for clamping the output current to a predetermined maximum value.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及电路故障检测。 本发明提供一种用于容错数字输出模块的开关，包括：输出晶体管对，用于启用和禁用交流输出电流; 以及用于将输出电流钳位到预定最大值的限流器。

公开(公告)号：US07613974B2

公开(公告)日：2009-11-03

申请号：US11689224

申请日：2007-03-21

Applicant: Thomas Bruce Meagher

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher

IPC: G01R31/28

CPC classification number: G01R31/318516 ,  G01R31/318536

Abstract: This invention relates to fault detection in electrical circuits. The invention provides a method and apparatus for testing an input circuit by generating a periodic test signal having a predetermined phase and a predetermined amplitude; summing the test signal and an input signal to provide a summed signal; processing the summed signal to provide an output signal; generating an extracted test signal from the output signal; comparing the extracted test signal with a reference signal representing said periodic test signal; generating an error signal in dependence upon the result of said comparing step. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for testing a plurality of adjacent input circuits.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及电路中的故障检测。 本发明提供了一种用于通过产生具有预定相位和预定幅度的周期性测试信号来测试输入电路的方法和装置; 将测试信号和输入信号相加以提供相加的信号; 处理求和信号以提供输出信号; 从所述输出信号产生提取的测试信号; 将所提取的测试信号与表示所述周期性测试信号的参考信号进行比较; 根据所述比较步骤的结果生成误差信号。 本发明还提供一种用于测试多个相邻输入电路的方法和装置。

公开(公告)号：US20090219049A1

公开(公告)日：2009-09-03

申请号：US12393431

申请日：2009-02-26

Applicant: Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Gerald Robert Creech ,  Robert Sidney Ord

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Gerald Robert Creech ,  Robert Sidney Ord

IPC: G01R31/26

CPC classification number: G01R31/024 ,  G01R31/3277

Abstract: A method and system for testing and protecting the operability of an output module. An output channel includes a transistor having a gate, a source, and a drain. The output channel drives a load with a load voltage and a load current in dependence upon a gate drive signal applied to the gate. The system determines a voltage threshold and a current threshold and monotonically varies the gate drive signal from a starting value for a predetermined time interval while monitoring the load current and the load voltage. The system returns the gate drive signal to the starting value if any of the load voltage reaches the voltage threshold, the load current reaches the current threshold, or a predetermined time interval expires indicating the condition of the output module.

Abstract translation: 一种用于测试和保护输出模块可操作性的方法和系统。 输出通道包括具有栅极，源极和漏极的晶体管。 输出通道根据施加到栅极的栅极驱动信号来驱动具有负载电压和负载电流的负载。 系统确定电压阈值和电流阈值，并且在监视负载电流和负载电压的同时，在预定时间间隔内从起始值单调地改变栅极驱动信号。 如果任何负载电压达到电压阈值，负载电流达到当前阈值，或者指示输出模块的状态的预定时间间隔期满，系统将门驱动信号返回到起始值。