US3614401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Redundant system
Assignee: Emerson Process Management Ltd
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Filing: 1969-04-01
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1989-04-01
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure shows several forms of multiple channel redundant signal transmission systems which are capable of continued operation in spite of failures of individual transmission elements or channel elements. The redundancy is applied to a multiple channel system as a whole, rather than to individual channels. For example, one additional channel may be used as a redundant backup for two, three or more individual channels to provide continued operation of all channels in spite of a failure in any single channel including the additional channel. The approach is believed to offer significant economics over the more conventional approach of providing separate redundant or backup channels for each individual signal channel.
Inventors
- 👤 Tenny D Lode
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:52
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/0055; G05D1/0077
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
In a system for transmitting a plurality of signals each from a separate input means to a separate output means and having a plurality of independent signal transmission means, means intercoupling said signal transmission means so as to continuously provide continued usable signals at each of said output means upon failure of one of said signal transmission means, the improvement comprising at least two first signal transmission means each coupled between at least one separate input means and one separate output means, at least one second signal transmission means, the total number of said signal transmission means being at least one more than the signals to be transmitted, means continuously coupling at least one second signal transmission means to more than one input means and to more than one output means, means in each of said first signal transmission means to normally maintain the signal level at the output means to which the first signal transmission means is coupled at a preselected relationship to the signal level at the input means for the same first signal transmission means, and means in each of the second signal transmission means continuously coupled to the respective output means and normally operative to maintain a combination of the signals at the output means to which the second signal transmission means is coupled at a preselected relationship to the signals at the input means to which the same second signal transmission means is continuously coupled, whereby failure of one of said signal transmission means will not cause a change in the relationship of signals between each input means and its corresponding output means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
In a system for transmitting a plurality of signals each from a separate input means to a separate output means and having a plurality of independent signal transmission means, means intercoupling said signal transmission means so as to continuously provide continued usable signals at each of said output means upon failure of one of said signal transmission means, the improvement comprising at least two first signal transmission means each coupled between at least one separate input means and one separate output means, at least one second signal transmission means, the total number of said signal transmission means being at least one more than the signals to be transmitted, means continuously coupling at least one second signal transmission means to more than one input means and to more than one output means, means in each of said first signal transmission means to normally maintain the signal level at the output means to which the first signal transmission means is coupled at a preselected relationship to the signal level at the input means for the same first signal transmission means, and means in each of the second signal transmission means continuously coupled to the respective output means and normally operative to maintain a combination of the signals at the output means to which the second signal transmission means is coupled at a preselected relationship to the signals at the input means to which the same second signal transmission means is continuously coupled, whereby failure of one of said signal transmission means will not cause a change in the relationship of signals between each input means and its corresponding output means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said input means and output means comprise input terminals and output terminals, respectively, and wherein each of said transmission paths includes signal-amplifying means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The combination as specified in claim 2 wherein said signal-amplifying means each have amplifying inputs, and said means to maintain the signal level at the output terminals at a preselected relationship to the signal level at the corresponding input terminals comprise feedback means connecting the respective output terminals to the amplifying input of the signal-amplifying means forming part of the signal transmission means connected to that respective output terminal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination as specified in claim 2 wherein said signals are electric signals, and wherein said signal transmission means include impedance means for restricting the flow of current between each of said signal-amplifying means and its connected output terminals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the total number of signal transmission paths is at least two more than the signals to be transmitted, and where there are at least two second signal transmission means, each of said input means being coupled to one of said first signal transmission means, and to two of said second signal transmission means, and each of said outputs being coupled to one of said first signal transmission means and the same second signal transmission means to which the corresponding input means is connected, and each of said second signal transmission means being connected between at least two input means and at least two output means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system as specified in claim 1 wherein the input means comprise gyroscopic sensors developing outputs in response to signals from motion of an aircraft with respect to more than one of its axes and wherein the output means comprise control surfaces of said aircraft, the position of said control surfaces resulting in motion of the aircraft with respect to said axes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the signals at the input means comprise force signals resulting from motion of an aircraft with respect to more than one of said aircraft''s axes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first signal transmission means include analog to digital converters, and wherein there are two second signal transmission means each including means to mix the signals from the input means in a different algebraic manner than the other, and each including an analog to digital converter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
Means for determining errors in signals after transmission of said signals through a plurality of independent signal transmission means, including at least two first signal transmission means each coupled to separate input means, two second signal transmission means, the total number of said plurality of independent signal transmission means being at least two more than the signals to be transmitted, means coupling each of said second signal transmission means to more than one input means, separate means in each of said second signal transmission means combining the signals from the input means to which it is connected in a different algebraic manner from the other second signal transmission means, computer means coupled to each of said signal transmission means to receive signals from said transmission means, and means to compare each of the signals received by the computer for consistency with other signals received by the computer for consistency with other signals received from said transmission means to determine if one of the signal transmission means is transmitting an erroneous signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
171 words
Means for determining errors in signals after transmission of said signals through a plurality of independent signal transmission means, including at least two first signal transmission means each coupled to separate input means, two second signal transmission means, the total number of said plurality of independent signal transmission means being at least two more than the signals to be transmitted, means coupling each of said second signal transmission means to more than one input means, separate means in each of said second signal transmission means combining the signals from the input means to which it is connected in a different algebraic manner from the other second signal transmission means, computer means coupled to each of said signal transmission means to receive signals from said transmission means, and means to compare each of the signals received by the computer for consistency with other signals received by the computer for consistency with other signals received from said transmission means to determine if one of the signal transmission means is transmitting an erroneous signal.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
157 words
The method of providing a redundant analog to digital converter system wherein separate analog signals are passed from independent input means through separate analog to digital converters and then to digital computer means, comprising the steps of passing a plurality of independent signals through separate analog to digital converters into a digital computer, combining said plurality of signals in a first algebraic manner and passing the first combined signal through a separate analog to digital converter to said digital computer, combining said plurality of signals in a second different algebraic manner than the first algebraic manner of combining of signals, and passing said second combined signals through a separate analog to digital converter to said computer, programming said computer to analyze the consistency of the signals received from each of the analog to digital converters with respect to signals received from other analog to digital converters to detect erroneous signal outputs from any one of said converters.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
157 words
The method of providing a redundant analog to digital converter system wherein separate analog signals are passed from independent input means through separate analog to digital converters and then to digital computer means, comprising the steps of passing a plurality of independent signals through separate analog to digital converters into a digital computer, combining said plurality of signals in a first algebraic manner and passing the first combined signal through a separate analog to digital converter to said digital computer, combining said plurality of signals in a second different algebraic manner than the first algebraic manner of combining of signals, and passing said second combined signals through a separate analog to digital converter to said computer, programming said computer to analyze the consistency of the signals received from each of the analog to digital converters with respect to signals received from other analog to digital converters to detect erroneous signal outputs from any one of said converters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 10 wherein there are two input signals, and said first mixing step is adding said signals, and said second mixing step is subtracting said signals before they are passed through their respective analog to digital converters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as specified in claim 11 wherein the consistency analysis is provided by computer programming analyzing partial sums of the signals from the outputs of the separate analog to digital converters.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
152 words
The method of providing for the transmission of signals from separate input means to corresponding separate output means including the steps of transmitting a first signal from a first input means to a first output means through a first transmission means, transmittiNg a second signal from a second input means to a second output means through a second signal transmission means, continuously coupling a third signal transmission means to said first and second input means and to said first and second output means to thereby transmit a combination signal from said first and second input means through said third signal transmission means, continuously maintaining the signal at said first output means proportional to the first signal at said first input means and continuously maintaining the signal at said second output means proportional to the second signal at said second input means regardless of failure of any one of the signal transmission means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
152 words
The method of providing for the transmission of signals from separate input means to corresponding separate output means including the steps of transmitting a first signal from a first input means to a first output means through a first transmission means, transmittiNg a second signal from a second input means to a second output means through a second signal transmission means, continuously coupling a third signal transmission means to said first and second input means and to said first and second output means to thereby transmit a combination signal from said first and second input means through said third signal transmission means, continuously maintaining the signal at said first output means proportional to the first signal at said first input means and continuously maintaining the signal at said second output means proportional to the second signal at said second input means regardless of failure of any one of the signal transmission means.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
174 words
The method of providing for redundant control of a plurality of signals from separate input means to separate output means comprising the steps of transmitting each of the signals from a separate one of the input means to a separate one of the output means through separate first transmission, means, normally maintaining the signals at each output means at a preselected ratio to its corresponding input signal at said input means through the first transmission means, combining the signals between at least two input means and normally continuously passing the combined signal through at least one second transmission means to the corresponding output means to form a combined signal at the corresponding output means, and normally continuously maintaining the combined signal at the corresponding output means at a preselected ratio to the combined signal at the input means coupled to the second transmission means whereby failure of one of one of the first or second transmission means does not substantially affect the relationship of signals between each output means and its corresponding input means.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
174 words
The method of providing for redundant control of a plurality of signals from separate input means to separate output means comprising the steps of transmitting each of the signals from a separate one of the input means to a separate one of the output means through separate first transmission, means, normally maintaining the signals at each output means at a preselected ratio to its corresponding input signal at said input means through the first transmission means, combining the signals between at least two input means and normally continuously passing the combined signal through at least one second transmission means to the corresponding output means to form a combined signal at the corresponding output means, and normally continuously maintaining the combined signal at the corresponding output means at a preselected ratio to the combined signal at the input means coupled to the second transmission means whereby failure of one of one of the first or second transmission means does not substantially affect the relationship of signals between each output means and its corresponding input means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
197 words
The method of providing redundant transmission of a plurality N of identifiable signals from a separate input means to a separate output means for each respective signal through signal transmission means in spite of a zero-output-type failure of a signal transmission means, passing each of said signals through more than one of said signal transmission means from the separate input means to the separate output means for that signal, normally maintaining the signals at each separate output means at a preselected relationship to the corresponding input signal at the separate input means for that signal, normally continuously passing a combination signal comprised of more than one of said signals from more than one separate input means to more than one corresponding separate output means for said signals through at least one of said signal transmission means, and continuously maintaining the combination of signals at the said more than one separate output means at a preselected relationship to the combination signals at the corresponding more than one separate input means whereby failure of one of said signal transmission means does not substantially affect the relationship of the identifiable signal between each output means and its corresponding input means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
197 words
The method of providing redundant transmission of a plurality N of identifiable signals from a separate input means to a separate output means for each respective signal through signal transmission means in spite of a zero-output-type failure of a signal transmission means, passing each of said signals through more than one of said signal transmission means from the separate input means to the separate output means for that signal, normally maintaining the signals at each separate output means at a preselected relationship to the corresponding input signal at the separate input means for that signal, normally continuously passing a combination signal comprised of more than one of said signals from more than one separate input means to more than one corresponding separate output means for said signals through at least one of said signal transmission means, and continuously maintaining the combination of signals at the said more than one separate output means at a preselected relationship to the combination signals at the corresponding more than one separate input means whereby failure of one of said signal transmission means does not substantially affect the relationship of the identifiable signal between each output means and its corresponding input means.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of providing redundant transmission of a plurality N of identifiable signals from a separate input means to a separate output means for each signal through signal transmission means in spite of a worst-case-type failure of an individual transmission means, comprising the steps of providing more than N plus 1 signal transmission means, each coupled between an input means and its corresponding output means, passing each of said plurality of signals through more than two of said signal transmission means, each of the signal transmission means passing said signals being operably coupled between the separate input means and separate output means for each of the signals it passes, and passing a combination signal corresponding to more than one of said signals through at least two of said transmission means from more than one of the separate input means to more than one respective separate output means for said signals, And normally maintaining a preselected relationship for each of said signals between the separate output means and the separate input means for each of said signals to which each of the signal transmission means is coupled, whereby failure of one of the signal transmission means does not substantially affect the relationship of the signals between each separate output means and its corresponding separate input means.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of providing redundant transmission of a plurality N of identifiable signals from a separate input means to a separate output means for each signal through signal transmission means in spite of a worst-case-type failure of an individual transmission means, comprising the steps of providing more than N plus 1 signal transmission means, each coupled between an input means and its corresponding output means, passing each of said plurality of signals through more than two of said signal transmission means, each of the signal transmission means passing said signals being operably coupled between the separate input means and separate output means for each of the signals it passes, and passing a combination signal corresponding to more than one of said signals through at least two of said transmission means from more than one of the separate input means to more than one respective separate output means for said signals, And normally maintaining a preselected relationship for each of said signals between the separate output means and the separate input means for each of said signals to which each of the signal transmission means is coupled, whereby failure of one of the signal transmission means does not substantially affect the relationship of the signals between each separate output means and its corresponding separate input means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a control device having signal transmission means for transmitting a plurality of separately identifiable signals from separate signal input means to separate signal output means to provide continued usable identifiable signals at each of the separate output means in the case of failure of any one transmission means, thereby to provide a redundant control, the improvement comprising a plurality of signal transmission means, at least one more in number than the plurality of signals to be transmitted, each transmission means being continuously coupled to transmit at least one signal from at least one input means to a corresponding output means, at least one of said signal transmission means transmitting only a combination of said identifiable signals and being continuously coupled to the input means and output means for each of the identifiable signals forming the combination, said signal transmission means each including means to maintain the relationship of the signals each of the separate output means to which that transmission means is continuously coupled at a desired relationship to the signal at the respective separate input means continuously coupled to the same transmission means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a control device having signal transmission means for transmitting a plurality of separately identifiable signals from separate signal input means to separate signal output means to provide continued usable identifiable signals at each of the separate output means in the case of failure of any one transmission means, thereby to provide a redundant control, the improvement comprising a plurality of signal transmission means, at least one more in number than the plurality of signals to be transmitted, each transmission means being continuously coupled to transmit at least one signal from at least one input means to a corresponding output means, at least one of said signal transmission means transmitting only a combination of said identifiable signals and being continuously coupled to the input means and output means for each of the identifiable signals forming the combination, said signal transmission means each including means to maintain the relationship of the signals each of the separate output means to which that transmission means is continuously coupled at a desired relationship to the signal at the respective separate input means continuously coupled to the same transmission means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a redundant control system for maintaining separate usable signals at a plurality of signal output means, including separate signal input means for each of a plurality of separate signals, first and second signal transmission means to transmit said signals to respective separate output means for each of said separate signals, there being at least one more transmission means than signals, the respective separate input means for each of said signals being continuously coupled to the respective output means through at least one first and one second signal transmission means, each of said signal transmission means being continuously coupled to the input means of more than one separate signal and being continuously coupled to the output means for the same signals, each of said signal transmission means including means to normally maintain a desired relationship between the separate signals at each output means to which that transmission means is continuously coupled and each corresponding input means to which the same transmission means is continuously coupled, to thereby automatically provide a continued separate signal at each output means in case of failure of one of the signal transmission means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a redundant control system for maintaining separate usable signals at a plurality of signal output means, including separate signal input means for each of a plurality of separate signals, first and second signal transmission means to transmit said signals to respective separate output means for each of said separate signals, there being at least one more transmission means than signals, the respective separate input means for each of said signals being continuously coupled to the respective output means through at least one first and one second signal transmission means, each of said signal transmission means being continuously coupled to the input means of more than one separate signal and being continuously coupled to the output means for the same signals, each of said signal transmission means including means to normally maintain a desired relationship between the separate signals at each output means to which that transmission means is continuously coupled and each corresponding input means to which the same transmission means is continuously coupled, to thereby automatically provide a continued separate signal at each output means in case of failure of one of the signal transmission means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
57 words
The control system of claim 18 wherein there are two signals and two first signal transmission means comprising first rods transmitting mechanical signals, and said second transmission means comprises a rod coupled to both of the first rods to transmit an average of the mechanical signals transmitted by said first rods from first to second ends thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |