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US3901273A
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Fluid control system with on-line diagnosis means isolating malfunctions
Assignee: Leesona Corp
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Filing: 1973-04-09
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1993-04-09
Abstract
Abstract An on-line diagnostic system is provided working conjointly with but not interfering with the operation of a logically controlled industrial control system. Thus binary digital words are displayed at a centralized location for comparison with a scroll chart to indicate irregularities of operations by listing invalid words and to pinpoint correctional techniques with a predetermined servicing recommendation for invalid word combinations. In a preferred embodiment the system is a fluid controlled binary operated cyclic control system provided with logic elements interconnected for automatically progressing through a cyclic operation mode controlling flow paths for working fluid under pressure in a desired sequence to thereby perform a work function. The preferred fluid logic elements comprise a compartment separated into two chambers by a flexible diaphragm which is flexed by pressure differentials to block or open fluid flow paths through the respective chambers. Binary indications as to status of these flow paths are provided as pressure readings at a plurality of key flow path positions thereby producing the binary word information specifying the nature of malfunctions.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles William Brouwer
- 👤 Larry Clyde Cowan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:04
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8175; Y10T137/8326; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87169; Y10T137/87193; Y10T137/87201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
Diagnostic apparatus for indicating the nature of malfunctions in a complex system comprising in combination, an industrial control system having a plurality of fluid control elements connectEd to switch in response to fluid presented thereto at two different fluid pressure levels, said system providing a sequence of operational steps to produce a cyclic mode, a plurality of key control positions in said system each having a fluid signal line presenting said two different pressure levels, said plurality of positions providing together a combination of operational pressures signifying the on-line operation status of said system, detection means coupled to each said signal line for thereat following the individual status of said two operational pressure conditions during operation of the system in on-line operation of said system to thereby provide said combination of pressure conditions, and visual display means permanently carrying at least two invalid combinations of said operational pressure conditions at said key control positions forming sets of operational conditions not normally encountered in said cyclic mode and further carrying means identifying a specific predetermined malfunction in said system designated by each said invalid combination of detected on-line operational pressure conditions at said key control positions, wherein the same said fluid signal lines respond to different invalid conditions identifying different system malfunctions identified by said display means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
Diagnostic apparatus for indicating the nature of malfunctions in a complex system comprising in combination, an industrial control system having a plurality of fluid control elements connectEd to switch in response to fluid presented thereto at two different fluid pressure levels, said system providing a sequence of operational steps to produce a cyclic mode, a plurality of key control positions in said system each having a fluid signal line presenting said two different pressure levels, said plurality of positions providing together a combination of operational pressures signifying the on-line operation status of said system, detection means coupled to each said signal line for thereat following the individual status of said two operational pressure conditions during operation of the system in on-line operation of said system to thereby provide said combination of pressure conditions, and visual display means permanently carrying at least two invalid combinations of said operational pressure conditions at said key control positions forming sets of operational conditions not normally encountered in said cyclic mode and further carrying means identifying a specific predetermined malfunction in said system designated by each said invalid combination of detected on-line operational pressure conditions at said key control positions, wherein the same said fluid signal lines respond to different invalid conditions identifying different system malfunctions identified by said display means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Diagnostic apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the means detecting said two operational conditions comprise detectors displaying a binary indicia representative of the operational condition with said detectors of a type providing substantially no loading to the system nor interference with the operating conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
Diagnostic apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said system is controlled by a logic control system wherein said control elements comprise binary operable logic elements attaining two different states and connected together to automatically sequence through a control cycle, and said means detecting the condition at control points comprise means indicating the state of at least one of said logic elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said logic elements comprise fluid control means operable to control a fluid path in response to the logic state of the element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
Diagnostic apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the means detecting said two operational conditions comprise detectors visually displaying a binary indicia at a consolidated display panel in the form of a binary code word.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said means responsive to an invalid combination of operational conditions comprise a document having thereon a preselected set of invalid binary words for comparison with the word presented at said display panel in operation of said system and including thereon a corresponding identification of the probable nature of a specific malfunction in said system resulting from the system in the condition producing the specified invalid binary words.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means detecting the status of the two operational conditions comprise a slave unit following on-line the operational sequence steps of said industrial control system to produce a consolidated visual display of said key control point operational conditions for each step in the sequence.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said system control elements comprise a diversity of logic elements cooperating together in a control pattern to condition a fluid responsive load device and wherein said means responsive to at least one of said invalid combination of operational conditions specifies the concurrent improper status of at least two system logic elements during at least one operational step of said cyclic mode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means responsive to at least one said invalid combination of operational conditions specifies the concurrent improper status of at least two system elements during at least one operational step of said cyclic mode.
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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) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |