公开(公告)号：US09256211B2

公开(公告)日：2016-02-09

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: G01R31/00 ,  G05B9/02

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：US08199448B2

公开(公告)日：2012-06-12

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：US20090198348A1

公开(公告)日：2009-08-06

申请号：US12361603

申请日：2009-01-29

Applicant: Kenneth John Murphy ,  Linda Murphy ,  Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Philip John Agar ,  Ian David Wynne Jones ,  Gerald Robert Creech

Inventor： Kenneth John Murphy ,  Linda Murphy ,  Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Philip John Agar ,  Ian David Wynne Jones ,  Gerald Robert Creech

IPC: G06F3/00 ,  G05B19/02

CPC classification number: H04L12/40176 ,  G05B19/0421 ,  G05B2219/21053 ,  H04L12/44 ,  H04L41/04 ,  H04L2012/4026

Abstract: An industrial process control apparatus and method that includes a number of processors and a number of input/output modules. Each processor is connected to a plurality of the input/output modules by a unidirectional command line. Each input/output module is connected to a plurality of the processors by a unidirectional response line. The processors are arranged to issue an identifier request to all of the connected input/output modules and each input/output module is arranged to respond to the identifier request via the respective response line with a response that includes a unique identifier. Such a configuration allows each processor to identify the physical location of each respective input/output module.

Abstract translation: 一种包括多个处理器和多个输入/输出模块的工业过程控制装置和方法。 每个处理器通过单向命令行连接到多个输入/输出模块。 每个输入/输出模块通过单向响应线连接到多个处理器。 处理器被布置为向所有连接的输入/输出模块发出标识符请求，并且每个输入/输出模块被布置成经由具有包括唯一标识符的响应的相应响应行来响应标识符请求。 这种配置允许每个处理器识别每个相应的输入/输出模块的物理位置。

公开(公告)号：US07504975B2

公开(公告)日：2009-03-17

申请号：US11689266

申请日：2007-03-21

Applicant: Thomas Bruce Meagher

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher

IPC: H03M1/12

CPC classification number: G06F11/182 ,  G06F11/165 ,  H03K17/0822

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for output current control. The invention provides an output module slice for controlling an output current comprising: an output field interface controller for controlling an input voltage to a first field effect transistor; an analogue to digital converter connected to read the current flowing through said first field effect transistor and to provide a digital signal dependent thereon to said output field interface controller.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及一种输出电流控制的方法和装置。 本发明提供一种用于控制输出电流的输出模块切片，包括：输出场接口控制器，用于控制第一场效应晶体管的输入电压; 连接到模拟数字转换器，用于读取流过所述第一场效应晶体管的电流，并提供依赖于所述输出现场接口控制器的数字信号。

公开(公告)号：US07476891B2

公开(公告)日：2009-01-13

申请号：US11689254

申请日：2007-03-21

Applicant: Thomas Bruce Meagher

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher

IPC: G01R27/08

CPC classification number: H04B10/802

Abstract: This invention relates to fault detection in electrical circuits. The invention provides an input module for electrically isolating an input signal received via a field sensor to be transmitted to a plurality of processors, in which the input module comprises a plurality of optical coupler/controller circuits; and each optical coupler/controller comprises a light emitting diode drive sub-circuit driving a light emitting diode; and an input sub-circuit; and in which a sensor voltage representing said input signal and a supply voltage are connected to each input sub-circuit; and each of said light emitting diode drive sub-circuits are connected in series between the supply voltage and ground.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及电路中的故障检测。 本发明提供了一种输入模块，用于将通过场传感器接收的输入信号电隔离以传输到多个处理器，其中输入模块包括多个光耦合器/控制器电路; 并且每个光耦合器/控制器包括驱动发光二极管的发光二极管驱动子电路; 和输入子电路; 并且其中表示所述输入信号的传感器电压和电源电压连接到每个输入子电路; 并且每个所述发光二极管驱动子电路串联在电源电压和地之间。

公开(公告)号：US08352051B2

公开(公告)日：2013-01-08

申请号：US12403581

申请日：2009-03-13

Applicant: Thomas Bruce Meagher

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher

IPC: G05B9/02

CPC classification number: H03K17/163 ,  G05B9/02 ,  Y10T307/826

Abstract: An output module for an Industrial Process Control System that drives a load in a failsafe manner. The output module drives a load in response to a driving signal and includes a controller that generates a command signal and a drive enable signal in response to said driving signal. A keep alive circuit generates an active keep alive signal unless the drive enable signal is inactive. The output module includes a driver circuit that generates a drive signal in accordance with the command signal when the keep alive signal is active such that the load can be driven with a channel failsafe switch in response to the drive signal. The output module can be integrated into any of a number of industrial process control systems to enhance the operability of such systems.

Abstract translation: 用于以故障安全方式驱动负载的工业过程控制系统的输出模块。 输出模块响应于驱动信号驱动负载，并且包括响应于所述驱动信号产生命令信号和驱动使能信号的控制器。 保持活动电路产生有效的保持活动信号，除非驱动器使能信号无效。 输出模块包括驱动器电路，当保持活动信号有效时，根据命令信号产生驱动信号，使得可以响应于驱动信号利用通道故障保护开关来驱动负载。 输出模块可以集成到多个工业过程控制系统中的任何一个中，以增强这些系统的可操作性。

公开(公告)号：US08125104B2

公开(公告)日：2012-02-28

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差稳压器，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：US07948257B2

公开(公告)日：2011-05-24

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。

公开(公告)号：US07917675B2

公开(公告)日：2011-03-29

申请号：US12361603

申请日：2009-01-29

Applicant: Kenneth John Murphy ,  Linda Murphy, legal representative ,  Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Philip John Agar ,  Ian David Wynne Jones ,  Gerald Robert Creech

Inventor： Kenneth John Murphy ,  Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Philip John Agar ,  Ian David Wynne Jones ,  Gerald Robert Creech

IPC: G06F13/00 ,  G06F11/00 ,  H04L12/28

CPC classification number: H04L12/40176 ,  G05B19/0421 ,  G05B2219/21053 ,  H04L12/44 ,  H04L41/04 ,  H04L2012/4026

Abstract: An industrial process control apparatus and method that includes a number of processors and a number of input/output modules. Each processor is connected to a plurality of the input/output modules by a unidirectional command line. Each input/output module is connected to a plurality of the processors by a unidirectional response line. The processors are arranged to issue an identifier request to all of the connected input/output modules and each input/output module is arranged to respond to the identifier request via the respective response line with a response that includes a unique identifier. Such a configuration allows each processor to identify the physical location of each respective input/output module.

Abstract translation: 一种包括多个处理器和多个输入/输出模块的工业过程控制装置和方法。 每个处理器通过单向命令行连接到多个输入/输出模块。 每个输入/输出模块通过单向响应线连接到多个处理器。 处理器被布置为向所有连接的输入/输出模块发出标识符请求，并且每个输入/输出模块被布置成经由具有包括唯一标识符的响应的相应响应行来响应标识符请求。 这种配置允许每个处理器识别每个相应的输入/输出模块的物理位置。

公开(公告)号：US07747405B2

公开(公告)日：2010-06-29

申请号：US11689281

申请日：2007-03-21

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

Inventor： Thomas Bruce Meagher ,  Kenneth John Murphy

IPC: G01R35/04

CPC classification number: H03L7/08 ,  H03L7/087

Abstract: This invention relates to line frequency synchronisation for use in diagnostics for alternating current electrical circuits. The invention provides a method of synchronising measurement system frequency with an alternating current line frequency comprising the steps of: adjusting the frequency of the measurement system frequency using a frequency locked loop until the measurement system frequency is within a predetermined range of said alternating current line frequency; and when the measurement system frequency is within a predetermined range of said alternating current line frequency adjusting the phase and the frequency of the measurement system frequency using a phase and frequency locked loop.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及用于交流电路诊断的线路频率同步。 本发明提供了一种使测量系统频率与交流电频率同步的方法，包括以下步骤：使用频率锁定环调整测量系统频率的频率，直到测量系统频率在所述交流线路频率的预定范围内 ; 并且当测量系统频率在所述交流电线频率的预定范围内时，使用相位和频率锁定环来调节测量系统频率的相位和频率。