Remote set point control

Claim 2

In a digital communication apparatus employing binary coded logic message signals continuously transmitted over an interconnecting signal line means in selective sequential groups for remotely selecting and operably interconnecting of any selected ones of a plurality of remote control modules each of which includes operating load means to a controller means, at least some of said modules having adjustable set point load means, the improvement in a set point adjustment means for such load means, comprising a transducer set point drive means coupled to set the load means, start switch means connected to activate said transducer drive means, feedback means having an input connected to said transducer drive means to produce a related output corresponding to the load set point, set point input register means having input means for establishing an output signal corresponding to a desired input, logic control means connected to the signal line means for receiving initiating coded messages and operable to activate said switch means and said register means and to set said input register means and including latch means to establish continued operation of the transducer drive means independently of the messages in response to activation by an initiating coded message, comparing means connected to said feedback means and to said register means and operable to deactivate said transducer drive means, and an interrupt signal means connected to the comparing means to transmit a termination message to the controller means.

Claim 3

In the digital communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein said input register means is encoded with a binary logic multiple bit set point number, said transducer means establishing an analog set point signal, said adjustment means including an analog to digital converter means adapted for connection to the transducer means and establishing a corresponding binary logic multiple bit number, said comparing means having a pair of inputs connected one to the input register means and one to the converter means.

Claim 4

In the digital communication apparatus of claim 2 wherein said set point number is a binary-coded-decimal number encoded in accordance with a percentage of range of the set point adjustment.

Claim 5

In the communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein said feedback includes set point feedback register means to establish a binary-coded-decimal number output, said set point input register means includes inputs connected to the loop communication system and set to a selected two-digit binary-coded-decimal number output for 0 to 99 percent of the total set point adjustment span, said comparing means including a binary-coded-decimal digital comparator means having a first input connected to the set point feedback register and a second input connected to the set point input register and establishing at least two distinct output lines including an ''''equal to'''' output line andd difference output line indicating the direction in which the output of the set point feedback register is different than that of the set point input register, and said logic control means connecting said output lines to control said drive means and said interrupt signal means.

Claim 6

In the communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interrupt signal means includes a latch means having a set input connected to the output of the comparing means and an enable-to-set input and having an interrupt signal line, said logic control means including an enable latch means responsive to a message signal and having an enable signal line connected to said enable-to-set input of the interrupt signal means, said interrupt signal line being connected to said enable latch means to clear the enable latch means.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transducer drive means includes a D.C. motor, an isolated D.C. voltage supply for selective connection to said motor, switch means connecting the power supply to the motor, said logic control means including a drive selection means connected to actuate said switch means, said drive selection means having a reset means connected to the comparing means.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said switch means include first contact means connected to short circuit the motor for dynamic braking and second contact means for supplying power to said motor.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transducer drive means and said feedback means include individual activating switch means, a transducer selection means connected to the signal line means and establishing a related output connected to enable the feedback switch means, a logic means connected to said drive switch means and including a first interlocking stop input connected to the comparing means to disable the drive switch means and having a second input connected to the selection means, said switch means for the drive means establishing an electrically isolated power supply to the drive means.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 1 including power monitoring means for monitoring logic and operating voltage supplies and having output means connected to deactivate the latch means and the transducer drive means in response to a power failure.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein a logic supply monitoring means establishes a reset pulse upon return of a failed logic supply and is connected to clear the interrupt signal means, the latch means and the input register means to establish a known operative starting condition upon power reset.

Claim 12

In the digital communication apparatus of claim 1 having a plurality of transducer drive means and related feedback means wherein said controller means generates time-spaced multiple bit message frame to remote stations connected in a serial loop and each remote station including at least one point module, each remote station having a message frame handling means for selective coupling of the signal line means to the modules for communication via the message frames, saId set point module having an address decoder for receipt of a message frame, a command register means connected to the decoder and the signal line means and selectively establishing a write command output, a read command output, a select command output, and an interrupt clear output, and logic circuit means connecting said outputs to sequentially select the transducer drive means for operation and to set the input register means, said message frames including means to inform the controller of said last condition to generate a message frame enabling the write command output and activate the readjustment means to reset the load means, said loop controller responding to receipt of said termination message frame to transmit a clear message frame to activate the interrupt clear output and reset the interrupt signal means.

Claim 13

In the digital communication apparatus of claim 11 wherein the loop controller initiates a readjustment by a first message frame activating said select output to enable one of a plurality of transducer drive means and related feedback means, said first message frame being acknowledged by the point module, said loop controller recognizing said acknowledgement and transmitting a second message frame activating said write command to enable the logic control means and to set the set point input register means.

Claim 14

In the digital communication apparatus of claim 11 wherein said interrupt signal is operable to sequentially receive available message frames and said corresponding point module introducing its address into each said frame and the content of the point select register means and output of the logic control means and the comparing means, said loop controller transmitting said clear message frame and activating the read command to reset said interrupt signal and terminating the filling of available message frames and introducing the output of the feedback means into the corresponding frame, said module acknowledging said interrupt frame for transmission to the controller means.

Claim 15

In a digital communication apparatus employing binary logic multiple bit message frames generated by a central controller and transmitted to a plurality of remote stations each having point modules for controlling a load means and at least some of said modules having a plurality of set point load means, said station having a frame handling and module selection means for directing of message frames to and from the modules in a predetermined pattern via a common bus means, the improvement in a self-contained set point adjustment means selectively actuating a set point load means at each remote station, comprising a decoding address and command register means connected to the bus means for selectively receiving such message frame and including a binary logic processing circuit providing controlling command signals for selection of one of the set point load means, a plurality of analog signal transducer means including one for each load means, an analog-to-digital converter means adapted to receive an analog signal and establish a digital coded binary output signal, a selection register means connected to the bus means and to said command register means and having separate output means related to each transducer means and operable to selectively connect one of the transducer means as the input signal source to the analog-to-digital converter means, a set point input register means having inputs connected to the loop communication system and adapted to be set to a selected digital coded output corresponding to a readout of the converter means, a digital code comparator means having a first input connected to the converter and a second input connected to the set point input register and establishing an ''''equal to'''' output and a ''''directional difference'''' output in accordance with the set point register means output relative to the converter output, an initiate and interrupt request control means including an enable latch means including an input coNnected to the command register means and having an enable output means connected to the selection circuit means to selectively enable the transducer means connected to the converter means, said control means including an interrupt latch means defining an interrupt output means and connected to said enable output means, said interrupt latch means being connected to the ''''equal-to'''' output of the digital comparator means to terminate operation of the analog-to-digital converter means and to disable the transducer drive means to maintain the set point adjustment in accordance with the ''''equal-to'''' set condition, said interrupt output means connected to the common bus and connected to the frame selection means for obtaining and filling an available message frame for informing the loop controller of the adjustment completion by a notification frame, and said interrupt latch means including means connected to said command register means to deactivate the interrupt signal line and to reset the station to standby in response to receipt of an appropriate acknowledgement message frame.

Claim 16

In a digital communication apparatus employing binary logic multiple bit message frames generated by a central controller and transmitted to a plurality of remote stations each having point modules for controlling a load means and at least some of said modules having a plurality of set point load means, said station having a frame handling and module selection means for directing of message frames to and from the modules in a predetermined pattern via a common bus means, the improvement in a self-contained set point adjustment means selectively actuating a set point load means at each remote station, comprising a decoding address and command register means connected to the bus means for selectively receiving such message frame and including a binary logic processing circuit providing controlling command signals for selection of one of the set point load means, a plurality of analog signal transducer means including one for each load means, an analog-to-digital converter means adapted to receive an analog signal and establish a digital coded binary output signal, a selection register means connected to the bus means and to said command register means and having separate output means related to each transducer means and operable to selectively connect one of the transducer means as the input signal source to the analog-to-digital converter means, a set point input register means having inputs connected to the loop communication system and adapted to be set to a selected digital coded output corresponding to a readout of the converter means, a digital code comparator means having a first input connected to the converter and a second input connected to the set point input register and establishing an ''''equal to'''' output and a ''''directional difference'''' output in accordance with the set point register means output relative to the converter output, an initiate and interrupt request control means including an enable latch means including an input coNnected to the command register means and having an enable output means connected to the selection circuit means to selectively enable the transducer means connected to the converter means, said control means including an interrupt latch means defining an interrupt output means and connected to said enable output means, said interrupt latch means being connected to the ''''equal-to'''' output of the digital comparator means to terminate operation of the analog-to-digital converter means and to disable the transducer drive means to maintain the set point adjustment in accordance with the ''''equal-to'''' set condition, said interrupt output means connected to the common bus and connected to the frame selection means for obtaining and filling an available message frame for informing the loop controller of the adjustment completion by a notification frame, and said interrupt latch means including means connected to said command register means to deactivate the interrupt signal line and to reset the station to standby in response to receipt of an appropriate acknowledgement message frame.

Claim 17

In the digital communication apparatus of claim 14 wherein said command register means includes a select output, a write output, a read output and a clear output, said loop controller establishing a message frame including a selection frame containing a selection code and a command code activating the select output to insert the selection into the selection register means and to clear the latch means, a start frame including a new set point code and a write command code activating the output to insert a new set point in the set point register means and to set the enable latch means, setting of the latch means initiating the automatic readjustment of the set point to the new set point and activating the interrupt latch means.

Claim 18

In the digital communication apparatus of claim 14 wherein said notification message frame includes the module address, the setting outputs of the selection register means and the status of the enable latch means and the comparator, and said acknowledgement frames having the set point feedback register output placed therein and setting the analog-to-digital converter to a start position.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the setpoint register means includes a two digit binary-coded-decimal output, the analog to digital converter is a two digit binary-coded-decimal unit of the successive approximation construction having a start input to initiate the operation of the converter and a cycling means to continuously cycle the converter to track the analog input signal, said last named means including a logic means including a first input connected to the command register means and interrupt means to selectively start and terminate the converter.

Claim 20

In the communication apparatus of claim 17 having a digital register connected to the output of the converter and having a clock input wherein said cycling means includes a first and a second pulse unit connected in cascade between a done output and a start input of the converter, said logic means being a gate means connected between the pulse units, said first pulse unit being connected to the output of the converter to generate a recycle signal, and being connected to the clock input of the register to set the register with the last conversion, said gate means having a second input means connected to the output of interrupt latch means to terminate operation of the converter, said interrupt latch means having a clock input for setting of the latch means, a logic gate connected to clock input to the interrupt latch means and having a first input connected to the equal-to output of the comparator means and a second input connected to the output of the first pulse unit of the converter.

Claim 21

In the communication apparatus of claim 18 wherein said first enable latch means includes a write input connected to the command means to set the latch means and a write-or-select input connected to the command means to clear the latch means, said second latch means including a data input connected to the output of first latch means and being responsive to a signal at said clock input, the output of the interrupt latch means being connected to clear the enable latch means.

Claim 22

In the communication apparatus of claim 19 including a voltage monitoring means, a monitoring logic gate means connected to the output of the interrupt means and establishing a reset output to clear the enable latch means and to deactivate the converter and stop the transducer means, said logic gate means having a second input means connected to the voltage monitoring means.

Claim 23

In the communication apparatus of claim 20 wherein said voltage monitoring means includes a logic supply monitor including a timing pulse means to establish an extended reset pulse in response to return of the logic supply to establish the reset output of the monitor gate means, said logic supply monitor being connected to clear the interrupt latch means.

Claim 24

In the communication apparatus of claim 18 wherein each of said transducer means includes a drive means coupled to set the set point and to simultaneously establish a corresponding variable voltage source, an isolated power supply connection means, first relay means connecting said connection means to said drive means, second reversing relay means connected between said connection means and said first relay means, first gate means connected to selectively energize said first relay means and including a first input connected to the selection register means for selectively enabling the relay means, a second gate means connected to said first gate means and having a first input connected to the enable latch means to activate the first gate means and a second input connected to the comparator to disable the first gate means, a third gate means having a first input connected to the enable latch means and a second input connected to the comparator to energize the reversing relay means in response to a selected difference in the inputs to the comparator.

Claim 25

In the communication apparatus of claim 22 including a solid state high input impedance switching means for selectively connecting the voltage source to the comparator, said switching means having inputs connected to the selection means in common with an input to a corresponding first gate means.

Claim 26

In the digital communication apparatus of claim 14 wherein said enable latch means includes a clear input to remove the output, a multiple input logic gate connected to said clear input, a power supply monitor for the point module connected to an input of the gate, logic power supply monitor for the point module connected to an input of the gate and operable in response to a logic power up condition, and said enable latch means including a clock input connected to the command means and activated simultaneously with the selection register means.

Claim 27

In the communication apparatus of claim 14 wherein said transducer means includes a direct current reversible drive means and a voltage source means coupled to the drive means, an isolated direct current power connection means, relay switching means selectively connecting the drive means to the power connection means, and a solid state high impedance electronic switch connecting the voltage source means to the comparator.

Claim 28

In the communication apparatus of claim 25 wherein the drive means is a D.C. motor, said relay means having a normally closed contacts connected directly across said motor to dynamically brake the motor, said source including a feedback potentiometer having a movable tap connected to the converter and coupled to the motor.

Claim 29

In the communication apparatus of claim 25 having a directional relay means connected to control the power connection of the motor, a gate means connected to the difference output means of the comparator and to the enable latch means.

Claim 30

In a digital communication apparatus employing a central controller connected in a serial communiCation loop with a plurality of remote stations, said remote stations including setpoint readjustment means comprising input register means establishing a readout in accordance with a desired setpoint and feedback means establishing a readout in accordance with the setpoint, said readouts being proportional to the percentage of the total setpoint span of the transducer means.

Claim 31

In a digital communication apparatus employing a central controller connected in a serial communiCation loop with a plurality of remote stations, said remote stations including setpoint readjustment means comprising input register means establishing a readout in accordance with a desired setpoint and feedback means establishing a readout in accordance with the setpoint, said readouts being proportional to the percentage of the total setpoint span of the transducer means.

Claim 32

In the digital communication apparatus of claim 28 wherein said input register means and said feedback means are similar eight bit wide readouts establishing two digit binary-coded-decimal logic signals encoded to include 0 to 99 percent of the total adjustment span.

Claim 33

In a digital communication apparatus employing a central controller connected in serial communication loop with a plurality of remote stations, at least one of said remote stations including an automatic setpoint readjustment having an analog-to-digital converter to establish a digital output in accordance with an analog input, digital logic processing means having a plurality of flip-flip units for controlling the converter, a logic power supply for supplying of logic power to remote stations, a voltage monitoring means including a delay means and connected to reset the flip-flop units and to start the converter and thereby actuate the set point adjustment means from a selected operable condition in response to logic supply power on.

Claim 34

In a digital communication apparatus employing a central controller connected in serial communication loop with a plurality of remote stations, at least one of said remote stations including an automatic setpoint readjustment having an analog-to-digital converter to establish a digital output in accordance with an analog input, digital logic processing means having a plurality of flip-flip units for controlling the converter, a logic power supply for supplying of logic power to remote stations, a voltage monitoring means including a delay means and connected to reset the flip-flop units and to start the converter and thereby actuate the set point adjustment means from a selected operable condition in response to logic supply power on.

Claim 35

In a digital communication apparatus employing binary coded logic message signals including multiple bit binary command signals transmitted over an interconnecting signal line means in selective sequential signal groups for remotely selecting and operably interconnecting of any selected ones of a plurality of remote control modules and producing a plurality of functions at a selected module, the improvement in a command register means for establishing such functions, comprising a plurality of latch means for selectively producing different output combinations in accordance with the multiple bit binary command signals, a decoder having a plurality of output lines and connected to said latch means and establishing a plurality of outputs at individual output lines in accordance with the output of the latch means, and means connecting said output lines to control the module functions.

Claim 36

In a digital communication apparatus employing binary coded logic message signals including multiple bit binary command signals transmitted over an interconnecting signal line means in selective sequential signal groups for remotely selecting and operably interconnecting of any selected ones of a plurality of remote control modules and producing a plurality of functions at a selected module, the improvement in a command register means for establishing such functions, comprising a plurality of latch means for selectively producing different output combinations in accordance with the multiple bit binary command signals, a decoder having a plurality of output lines and connected to said latch means and establishing a plurality of outputs at individual output lines in accordance with the output of the latch means, and means connecting said output lines to control the module functions.

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein each of the latch means includes a reset input, and means to simultaneously impress a reset signal on all of said reset inputs to clear the command register.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 31 including a logic means connected to the output of the latch means and to one of the output lines of the decoder to produce a combined function output line.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 31 including a first mutiple input logic gate having a separate input connected to the output of each of the latch means, and a second dual input logic gate having a first input connected to the output of the first logic gate and a second input connected to a selected output line of the decoder.

Claim 40

In the communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein the setpoint remote station includes a plurality of point modules adapted to transmit data to the loop controller including the setpoint readjustment means, means for connection of the register means to the loop for transmission of the output of the register means, and a priority circuit means connected to said loop and to each of said modules, said priority circuit means including logic means connected between said modules to selectively enable the modules to transmit data in accordance with a selected sequence when more than one module has requested a message frame.

Claim 41

In a digital communication apparatus employing binary coded logic message signals including multiple bit binary command signals transmitted over an interconnecting signal loop means in selective sequential signal groups each defining a message frame for remote control of a plurality of load point modules, said modules including means to transmit binary data to fill a message framE, a priority data transmission means including a separate decoding means for each module selectively connecting said modules to transmit data, said priority data transmission means comprising a logic means having a request input for requesting a frame and a request granted output for initiating data transfer from a module, said logic means including logic unit connected to the request input and to other priority decoding means to disable all other modules of a lower priority from transmitting binary data, a second logic unit connected to the first logic unit of other modules to selectively establish a frame request output to the loop, and a resettable latch logic unit responsive to the second logic unit and to a signal received from the loop to establish said request output as a request granted output.

Claim 42

In a digital communication apparatus employing binary coded logic message signals including multiple bit binary command signals transmitted over an interconnecting signal loop means in selective sequential signal groups each defining a message frame for remote control of a plurality of load point modules, said modules including means to transmit binary data to fill a message framE, a priority data transmission means including a separate decoding means for each module selectively connecting said modules to transmit data, said priority data transmission means comprising a logic means having a request input for requesting a frame and a request granted output for initiating data transfer from a module, said logic means including logic unit connected to the request input and to other priority decoding means to disable all other modules of a lower priority from transmitting binary data, a second logic unit connected to the first logic unit of other modules to selectively establish a frame request output to the loop, and a resettable latch logic unit responsive to the second logic unit and to a signal received from the loop to establish said request output as a request granted output.

Claim 43

The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said latch logic unit includes a reset means connected to the loop means for receiving a reset signal means.