EP0096510A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control system primarily responsive to signals from digital computers
Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
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Filing: 1983-05-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A computer arrangement (15) provides control signals on lines (17) to an apparatus. The arrangement (15) includes dissimilar first and second digital computers (30,31) responsive to signals on input lines (14) and provided with distinct programs for alternate generation of nominally idential first and second output signals (C1. C2) respectively. the first computer (30) also generates limiting values (L2) for the second output signal (C2) and the second computer generates limiting values (L1) for the first output signal (C1), each limiting value (L1, L2) bewing generated concurrently with its corresponding output signal (C1, C2). Unacceptable differences between the output signals (C1. C2) and their respective limiting values (L1, L2) cause control of the system to be switched by a device (91) to a further computer (92). Unacceptable differences between the control signals (C1, C2) or between the limit values (L1, L2) may cause control to be transferred to the further computer (92) or to a separate arrangement generally similar to the arrangement (15).
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Graham Burrage
- 👤 Stanley George Glaze
- 👤 James Tipton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/1629; G06F11/1633; G05; G05B; G05B9/00; G05B9/02; G05B9/03; G06F11/18; G06F11/187; G06F11/188; G06F11/20; G06F11/202; G06F11/2023; G06F11/2025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
271 words
A control system primarily controlled by a digital computer, said system comprising an apparatus responsive to input control signals, and a computer arrangment for generating said control signals, said computer arrangement including a first digital computer responsive to operating conditions of the apparatus for providing first output signals, a further computer responsive to at least some of said operating conditions to generate limiting values for said first output signals, and a switching circuit operable in response to generation by said first computer of output signals outside said limiting values, for causing said input control signals to be derived from said further computer, characterised in that said computing apparatus (15 or- 16) comprises a second digital computer (31) which is dissimilar to said first computer (30), in that said first and second computers (30, 31) are programmed with distinct first and second control programs which are responsive to operating conditions of the apparatus (10) for providing first and second nominally identical output signals (Cl, C2), said input control signals normally being derived from said first (Cl) or second (C2) output signal, said second and first computers (31, 30) also being programmed with first and second distinct limiter programs which generate limiting values (Ll, L2) for said first and second output signals (Cl, C2) respectively, and which provide first and second indicating signals (Fsl, Fs2) if either of said first or second output signals (Cl, C2) exceeds its limiting value (L1, L2) by a predetermined amount (D) said switching circuit (91) being responsive to said indicating signals (Fsl, Fs2) to cause said input control signals to be derived from said further computer (92).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
271 words
A control system primarily controlled by a digital computer, said system comprising an apparatus responsive to input control signals, and a computer arrangment for generating said control signals, said computer arrangement including a first digital computer responsive to operating conditions of the apparatus for providing first output signals, a further computer responsive to at least some of said operating conditions to generate limiting values for said first output signals, and a switching circuit operable in response to generation by said first computer of output signals outside said limiting values, for causing said input control signals to be derived from said further computer, characterised in that said computing apparatus (15 or- 16) comprises a second digital computer (31) which is dissimilar to said first computer (30), in that said first and second computers (30, 31) are programmed with distinct first and second control programs which are responsive to operating conditions of the apparatus (10) for providing first and second nominally identical output signals (Cl, C2), said input control signals normally being derived from said first (Cl) or second (C2) output signal, said second and first computers (31, 30) also being programmed with first and second distinct limiter programs which generate limiting values (Ll, L2) for said first and second output signals (Cl, C2) respectively, and which provide first and second indicating signals (Fsl, Fs2) if either of said first or second output signals (Cl, C2) exceeds its limiting value (L1, L2) by a predetermined amount (D) said switching circuit (91) being responsive to said indicating signals (Fsl, Fs2) to cause said input control signals to be derived from said further computer (92).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 in which said first and second computers (30, 31) are also programmed to compare said limiting values (Ll, L2) and to generate third indicating signals (Fml, Fm3) when a difference between said limiting values (Ll, L2) reaches a predetermined amount (dl).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which said first and second computers (30, 31) are also programmed to compare said output signals (Cl, C2) and to generate fourth indicating signals (Fm2, Fm4) when a difference between said output signals (Cl, C2) reaches a predetermined amount (d2).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 in which said switching circuit (91) is responsive to said third (Fml, 'Fm3) and fourth (Fm2, Fm4) indicating signals to cause said input control signals to be derived from said further computer (31).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 which includes two of said computer arrangements (15, 16), and there is provided a switching device (19) responsive to any of said third (Fml, Fm3) and fourth (Fm2, Fm4) indicating signals from one of said computer arrangements to cause said input control signals to be derived from the other of said computer arrangements.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
74 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim in which said computer arrangement (15 or 16) includes a timer device (34) for generating time signals (Tl, T2) for controlling operation of the first and second computers (30, 31) therein so that said first control program and said first limiter program operate concurrently, and said second control program and said second limiter program operate concurrently, and said first programs are alternated with said second programs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
A system as claimed in claim 6 in which each said computer (30 or 31) includes first (51, 53) and second (52, 54) separate stores for data for said control program and said limiter program respectively, each said computer (30, or 31) being programmed so that one bit of the address data for said stores (51, 52, 53, 54) is indicative of whether said address data relates to a control program or to a limiter program, and there is provided a monitor circuit (59) for comparing said one bit with said timing signals (Tl or T2) and for providing a fifth indicating signal if said one bit and said timing signals (Tl or T2) do not correspond.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as claimed in claim 7 in which said switching device (19) is also responsive to said fifth indicating signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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