US3693163A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer set point station
Assignee: Marathon Oil Co
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Filing: 1970-10-02
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1990-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A device for interfacing a computer with an analog control system to control processes. The controlling computer changes the digital set point values in various control stations by addressing the individual station, zeroing the set point value and inserting the new value.
Inventors
- 👤 Irvin D Johnson
- 👤 Mauro G Togneri
- 👤 Eduard P Kaufmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:28
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B15/00; G05B15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
Apparatus for interfacing a digital computer with a control system comprising in combination, a. a digital computer controlling the system in response to inputs received from various sensors indicative of conditions within various points in the system, said computer having means for outputting a selective digital address signal and associated command signals, b. a multiplicity of control stations, each of said control stations having means for controlling at least one variable of the system in response to one of said command signals indicative of a desired control point value for that variable, c. common cable means for receiving said selected digital address signal and associated command signals outputted by said computer means, said cable means being connected to a plurality of said control stations, d. prewired address means in each of said control stations which is distinct from similar prewired addresses of other of said control stations, d. comparator means in each said control stations for comparing the address outputted by said computer with said prewired address, f. address logic means for permitting said digital command signals to be transmitted from said computer to said memory means, within a particular control station, when, and only when, said command signals are associated with an address signal corresponding to the prewired address of said particular control station, g. zeroing means in each said control station for zeroing said memory means in response to an appropriate zero command signal from said computer, h. memory means in each said control station for storing said desired control point value transmitted from said computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
Apparatus for interfacing a digital computer with a control system comprising in combination, a. a digital computer controlling the system in response to inputs received from various sensors indicative of conditions within various points in the system, said computer having means for outputting a selective digital address signal and associated command signals, b. a multiplicity of control stations, each of said control stations having means for controlling at least one variable of the system in response to one of said command signals indicative of a desired control point value for that variable, c. common cable means for receiving said selected digital address signal and associated command signals outputted by said computer means, said cable means being connected to a plurality of said control stations, d. prewired address means in each of said control stations which is distinct from similar prewired addresses of other of said control stations, d. comparator means in each said control stations for comparing the address outputted by said computer with said prewired address, f. address logic means for permitting said digital command signals to be transmitted from said computer to said memory means, within a particular control station, when, and only when, said command signals are associated with an address signal corresponding to the prewired address of said particular control station, g. zeroing means in each said control station for zeroing said memory means in response to an appropriate zero command signal from said computer, h. memory means in each said control station for storing said desired control point value transmitted from said computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is further provided: i. rate of change limiting means for controlling the transmission of said signal from said memory to said control station so that the control value signal inputted to said control station changes at a rate not in excess of a predetermined maximum rate of change whereby said new digital control value is gradually applied to said system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the rate of change limiting means comprises capacitive means having a preselected time constant corresponding to the desired maximum rate of change.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the signal outputted by said computer is transmitted to said comparator by means of a multi-conductor cable connected to a plurality of said address comparators.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said address signal is binary in character and each binary bit is transmitted through a separate conductor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each binary bit is carried on both a bit conductor and a not-bit conductor and wherein redundancy checking means is provided to check the bit-signal for correspondence with the non-bit signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said multi-conductor cable is looped back upon itself so that two alternate paths are provided for transmitting said computer signal to said control station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control station is a direct digital control station which actuates means for controlling said system variable and whereby the value of said variable is measured by a sensor which transmits said value to the computer and not to any localized control station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control station is an analog control station and wherein the signal reCeived from said memory adjusts a set point on an analog control loop and wherein the value of said system variable is determined by a sensor which transmits said value back to said analog control station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a process for converting output from a digital computer to operate a control system by changing the digital control point value in the memory of a desired control station via a common cable means to which a plurality of said control stations are connected, the improvement comprising: a. transmitting via said common cable an address signal which causes the desired control station to become responsive to a command signal, b. transmitting a command signal to zero the set point value of said desired control station, and c. thereafter transmitting a command signal to insert the new digital control point value into the memory of said desired control station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a process for converting output from a digital computer to operate a control system by changing the digital control point value in the memory of a desired control station via a common cable means to which a plurality of said control stations are connected, the improvement comprising: a. transmitting via said common cable an address signal which causes the desired control station to become responsive to a command signal, b. transmitting a command signal to zero the set point value of said desired control station, and c. thereafter transmitting a command signal to insert the new digital control point value into the memory of said desired control station.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
A process according to claim 10 including the step of said computer transmitting signals from said comparator by transmitting each digit of said signal over a separate conductor of a multi-conductor cable and wherein said signals are transmitted to a plurality of said comparators, each connected to the conductors of said multi-conductor cable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein said address signal is binary in character and each binary bit is carried by a separate conductor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process according to claim 12 wherein each binary bit is carried on both a bit conductor and a not-bit conductor and wherein redundancy checking means is provided to check the bit-signal for correspondence with the non-bit signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
A process according to claim 10 wherein the control station is an analog control station and including the additional step of the signal received from said memory causing adjustment of a set point on an analog control loop, and determining the value of said system variable by a sensor which transmits said value back to said analog control station.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process according to claim 10 including the additional step of said memory continuously transmitting said new digital control values to said control station until said digital control value is zeroed in response to a zero command signal from said computer, said zero command signal being accompanied by or preceded by a proper address signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the transmission of said signal from said memory to said control station is limited by rate of change limiting means so that the digital control value signal inputted to said control station changes at a rate not in excess of a predetermined maximum rate of change whereby said new digital control value is gradually applied to said system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the control station is a direct digital control station and the control station actuates means for controlling said system variable including the additional step of measuring the value of said variable by a sensor which transmits said value to the computer and not to any localized control station.
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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) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |