Control system and method

Claim 2

In a digital process controller having feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said process and reference signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween, controlling circuit means including multiplier means and having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, the improvement comprising: a console fixed circuit parameter multiple-bit erasable storage means at the console for storing controlling circuit parameters including a proportional gain signal to establish the amount by which said error signal is multiplied by said multiplier means, a keyboard with key members actuatable by an operator, multiple-bit temporary storage means at the console responsive to actuation of key members for temporarily storing signals for establishing the fixed circuit parameters including the proportional gain signal, means under control of said keyboard for transferring information which includes said proportional gain signal from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, visual display means at the console for viewing by the operator, means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means the identity and measure of signals stored in said temporary storage means, including said proportional gain signal, for checking by the operator prior to transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means.

Claim 3

In a process controller as defined in claim 1 wherein said fixed parameter storage means includes: means for storing said reference signal transferred thereto under control of said keyboard from said temporary storage means.

Claim 4

In a process controller as defined in claim 1 including: means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means both the identity and measure of keyboard selected controller fixed and variable circuit parameters.

Claim 5

In a process controller as defined in claim 1 in which the controller output signal for control of the process variable is proportional to the time integral of the error signal, and the rate of change of the error signal, means under control of said keyboard for also displaying at said visual display means integral and derivative constants of said controlling circuit means.

Claim 6

In a process controller as defined in claim 3 wherein said error signal comprises a variable circuit parameter which is displayable at said visual display means.

Claim 7

In a process controller as defined in claim 3 wherein said output signal from said controlling circuit means comprises a variable circuit parameter which is displayable at said visual display means.

Claim 8

In a process controller as defined in claim 3 wherein said process signal from said feedback means comprises a variable circuit parameter which is displayable at said visual display means.

Claim 9

In a digital process controller having feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said process and reference signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, the improvement comprising: a console fixed circuit parameter multiple-bit erasable storage means at the console for storing controlling circuit parameters, a keyboard with key members actuatable by an operator, multiple-bit temporary storage means at the console responsive to actuation of key members for temporarily storing signals for establishing the fixed circuit parameters, means under control of said keyboard for transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, visual display means at the console for viewing by the operator, means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means the identity and measure of signals stored in said temporary storage means for checking by the operator prior to transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, a differentiating circuit responsive to said process signal and having an output which is added to said process signal, said differentiating circuit including means for storing in said fixed parameter storage means a signal representative of the derivative rate time of the differentiating circuit, said derivative rate time signal being entered into said fixed parameter storage means through transfer from said temporary storage means under control of said keyboard.

Claim 10

In a digital process controller having feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said process and reference signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, the improvement comprising: a console fixed circuit parameter multiple-bit erasable storage means at the console for storing controlling circuit parameters, a keyboard with key members actuatable by an operator, multiple-bit temporary storage means at the console responsive to actuation of key members for temporarily storing signals for establishing the fixed circuit parameters, means under control of said keyboard for transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, visual display means at the console for viewing by the operator, means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means the identity and measure of signals stored in said temporary storage means for checking by the operator prior to transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, a differentiating circuit responsive to said process signal and having an output which is added to said process signal, said differentiating circuit including means for storing in said fixed parameter storage means a signal representative of the derivative rate time of the differentiating circuit, said derivative rate time signal being entered into said fixed parameter storage means through transfer from said temporary storage means under control of said keyboard.

Claim 11

In a digital process controller having feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said process and reference signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, the improvement comprising: a console fixed circuit parameter multiple-bit erasable storage means at the console for storing controlling circuit parameters, a keyboard with key members actuatable by an operator, multiple-bit temporary storage means at the console responsive to actuation of key members for temporarily storing signals for establishing the fixed circuit parameters, means under control of said keyboard for transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, visual display means at the console for viewing by the operator, means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means the identity and measure of signals stored in said temporary storage means for checking by the operator prior to transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, said controlling circuit means including dead band comparator means having as an input the error signal, said fixed circuit parameter storage means being associated with said dead band comparator for storing a signal establishing the band of error signals over which no change is produced in the output from said dead band comparator.

Claim 12

In a digital process controller having feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said process and reference signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, the improvement comprising: a console fixed circuit parameter multiple-bit erasable storage means at the console for storing controlling circuit parameters, a keyboard with key members actuatable by an operator, multiple-bit temporary storage means at the console responsive to actuation of key members for temporarily storing signals for establishing the fixed circuit parameters, means under control of said keyboard for transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, visual display means at the console for viewing by the operator, means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means the identity and measure of signals stored in said temporary storage means for checking by the operator prior to transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, said controlling circuit means including dead band comparator means having as an input the error signal, said fixed circuit parameter storage means being associated with said dead band comparator for storing a signal establishing the band of error signals over which no change is produced in the output from said dead band comparator.

Claim 13

In a digital process controller having feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said process and reference signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, the improvement comprising: a console fixed circuit parameter multiple-bit erasable storage means at the console for storing controlling circuit parameters, a keyboard with key members actuatable by an operator, multiple-bit temporary storage means at the console responsive to actuation of key members for temporarily storing signals for establishing the fixed circuit parameters, means under control of said keyboard for transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, visual display means at the console for viewing by the operator, means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means the identity and measure of signals stored in said temporary storage means for checking by the operator prior to transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, said controlling circuit means including a multiplier to which said error signal is supplied, said fixed circuit parameter storage means being asociated with said multiplier for storing a signal establishing the amount by which said error signal is multiplied by said multiplier.

Claim 14

In a digital process controller having feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said process and reference signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, the improvement comprising: a console fixed circuit parameter multiple-bit erasable storage means at the console for storing controlling circuit parameters, a keyboard with key members actuatable by an operator, multiple-bit temporary storage means at the console responsive to actuation of key members for temporarily storing signals for establishing the fixed circuit parameters, means under control of said keyboard for transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, visual display means at the console for viewing by the operator, means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means the identity and measure of signals stored in said temporary storage means for checking by the operator prior to transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, said controlling circuit means including a multiplier to which said error signal is supplied, said fixed circuit parameter storage means being asociated with said multiplier for storing a signal establishing the amount by which said error signal is multiplied by said multiplier.

Claim 15

In a digital process controller as defined in claim 10 wherein said controlling circuit means includes an integrating circuit responsive to the error signal, said fixed circuit parameter storage means being associated with said integrating circuit for storing a signal which establishes the integral rate constant of the integrating circuit.

Claim 16

In a digital process controller as defined in claim 11 including a differentiating circuit responsive to said process signal and having an output which is added to said process signal, said differentiating circuit including means for storing in said fixed parameter storage means a signal representative of the derivative rate time of the differentiating circuit, said derivative rate time signal being entered into said fixed parameter storage means through transfer from said temporary storage means under control of said keyboard.

Claim 17

In a digital process controller as defined in claim 11 wherein said controlling circuit means includes dead band comparator means having as an input the error signal, said fixed circuit parameter storage means being associated with said dead band comparator for storing a signal establishing the band of error signals over which no change is produced in the output from said dead band comparator.

Claim 18

In a digital process controller having feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said process and reference signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, the improvement comprising: a console fixed circuit parameter multiple-bit erasable storage means at the console for storing controlling circuit parameters, a keyboard with key members actuatable by an operator, multiple-bit temporary storage means at the console responsive to actuation of key members for temporarily storing signals for establishing the fixed circuit parameters, means under control of said keyboard for transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, visual display means at the console for viewing by the operator, means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means the identity and measure of signals stored in said temporary storage means for checking by the operator prior to transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, said controlling circuit means including an integrating circuit responsive to the error signal, said fixed circuit parameter storage means being associated with said integrating circuit for storing a signal which establishes the integral rate constant of the integrating circuit.

Claim 19

In a digital process controller having feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said process and reference signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, the improvement comprising: a console fixed circuit parameter multiple-bit erasable storage means at the console for storing controlling circuit parameters, a keyboard with key members actuatable by an operator, multiple-bit temporary storage means at the console responsive to actuation of key members for temporarily storing signals for establishing the fixed circuit parameters, means under control of said keyboard for transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, visual display means at the console for viewing by the operator, means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means the identity and measure of signals stored in said temporary storage means for checking by the operator prior to transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, said controlling circuit means including an integrating circuit responsive to the error signal, said fixed circuit parameter storage means being associated with said integrating circuit for storing a signal which establishes the integral rate constant of the integrating circuit.

Claim 20

In a digital process controller having feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said process and reference signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, the improvement comprising: a console fixed circuit parameter multiple-bit erasable storage means at the console for storing controlling circuit parameters, a keyboard with key members actuatable by an operator, multiple-bit temporary storage means at the console responsive to actuation of key members for temporarily storing signals for establishing the fixed circuit parameters, means under control of said keyboard for transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, visual display means at the console for viewing by the operator, means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means the identity and measure of signals stored in said temporary storage means for checking by the operator prior to transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, a ± jog generator, means under control of said keyboard for disconnecting the output signal from the controlling circuit means from the controlled process variable and for connecting the output from the ± jog generator to said controlled process variable for control thereof by the generator output, and means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means the output from said ± jog generator and identity thereof during control of the process variable by said ± jog generator output.

Claim 21

In a digital process controller having feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said process and reference signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, the improvement comprising: a console fixed circuit parameter multiple-bit erasable storage means at the console for storing controlling circuit parameters, a keyboard with key members actuatable by an operator, multiple-bit temporary storage means at the console responsive to actuation of key members for temporarily storing signals for establishing the fixed circuit parameters, means under control of said keyboard for transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, visual display means at the console for viewing by the operator, means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means the identity and measure of signals stored in said temporary storage means for checking by the operator prior to transferring information from said temporary storage means to said fixed circuit parameter storage means, a ± jog generator, means under control of said keyboard for disconnecting the output signal from the controlling circuit means from the controlled process variable and for connecting the output from the ± jog generator to said controlled process variable for control thereof by the generator output, and means for simultaneously displaying at said visual display means the output from said ± jog generator and identity thereof during control of the process variable by said ± jog generator output.

Claim 22

In the process controller as defined in claim 15 including: means under control of said keyboard for control of the direction and rate of change of the process variable by said ± jog generator.

Claim 25

A three-mode process controller comprising: feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal source, means responsive to said process aand reference signals for providing an error signal in response to differences therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, said controlling circuit including a plurality of storage means for storing different fixed controlling circuit parameters, including gain, integral and derivative time constant signals, a manually operated keyboard, means under control of said keyboard for selecting a storage means to which information may be transferred, temporary storage under control of said keyboard for temporarily storing signals including gain, integral and derivative time constant signals for subsequent transfer to one of said storage means, first visual display means connected to said temporary storage for display of the contents thereof, second visual display means under control of said keyboard for identifying a keyboard selected storage means, means under control of said keyboard for transferring information from said temporary storage to the keyboard selected storage means.

Claim 26

A three-mode process controller comprising: feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal source, means responsive to said process aand reference signals for providing an error signal in response to differences therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, said controlling circuit including a plurality of storage means for storing different fixed controlling circuit parameters, including gain, integral and derivative time constant signals, a manually operated keyboard, means under control of said keyboard for selecting a storage means to which information may be transferred, temporary storage under control of said keyboard for temporarily storing signals including gain, integral and derivative time constant signals for subsequent transfer to one of said storage means, first visual display means connected to said temporary storage for display of the contents thereof, second visual display means under control of said keyboard for identifying a keyboard selected storage means, means under control of said keyboard for transferring information from said temporary storage to the keyboard selected storage means.

Claim 27

The process controller as defined in claim 18 including: means under control of said keyboard for displaying the contents of a keyboard selected storage means at said first visual display means.

Claim 28

In a process controller having feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said reference and process signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, the improvement comprising: a console, operator actuatable switching means, signal energized visual alphabetical and numerical display means at the console for the simultaneous display of the identity and measure of process controller signals, and means under control of said switching means for changing the source of signals supplied to said visual display means for the display of any one of a plurality of process controller parameters, said operator actuatable switching means including at least one key of an operator controlled keyboard by means of which inputs to the visual display means are cycled upon repeated actuation thereof for operator selection of the parameters to be displayed.

Claim 29

In a process controller having feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said reference and process signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween, controlling circuit means having an output signal responsive to said error signal for control of the process variable, the improvement comprising: a console, operator actuatable switching means, signal energized visual alphabetical and numerical display means at the console for the simultaneous display of the identity and measure of process controller signals, and means under control of said switching means for changing the source of signals supplied to said visual display means for the display of any one of a plurality of process controller parameters, said operator actuatable switching means including at least one key of an operator controlled keyboard by means of which inputs to the visual display means are cycled upon repeated actuation thereof for operator selection of the parameters to be displayed.

Claim 30

In a process controller as defined in claim 20 wherein said controller is of the digital type having digital type fixed circuit parameter storage means for storing controller circuit parameters, said operator actuatable switching means comprising a keyboard at the console having a plurality of key members for generating digital signals, and means under control of said key members for changing controlling circuit parameters.

Claim 31

In a process controller as defined in claim 20 wherein said plurality of displayable process controller signals include process, set point, deviation and output signals.

Claim 32

In a process controller as defined in claim 20 wherein said plurality of displayable process controller signals include signals indicative of the controller circuit parameters of proportional gain, integral rate and derivative time constant.

Claim 33

In a process controller as defined in claim 20 wherein said process controller signals displayable at said visual display means include said process, error and output signals.

Claim 34

In a process controller as defined in claim 20 wherein said process controller includes proportional, integral and derivative controller circuit means for proportional, integral and derivative controller circuit actions, digital storage means for storing process control parameters including gain, integral and derivative time constant signals for controlling gain, time integral and time derivative for the controller circuit actions, said process controller signals displayable at said visual display means including said gain, integral and derivative time constant signals.

Claim 35

In a process controller having proportional controller circuit means for at least proportional controller circuit action, digital storage means for storing process control parameters including a gain control signal for controlling the gain for the proportional controller circuit action, an operator actuable keyboard having a plurality of alphabetic and numeric keys for entering process control parameters, including a gain control signal, into said digital storage means, signal energized alphabetic and numeric visual display means, means under control of said keyboard for selective display at said visual display means of the identity and value of keyboard selected process control parameters including said gain control signal entered into said digital storage means.

Claim 36

In a process controller having proportional controller circuit means for at least proportional controller circuit action, digital storage means for storing process control parameters including a gain control signal for controlling the gain for the proportional controller circuit action, an operator actuable keyboard having a plurality of alphabetic and numeric keys for entering process control parameters, including a gain control signal, into said digital storage means, signal energized alphabetic and numeric visual display means, means under control of said keyboard for selective display at said visual display means of the identity and value of keyboard selected process control parameters including said gain control signal entered into said digital storage means.

Claim 37

In a process controller as defined in claim 26 in which the controller circuit means includes means for integral controller action, means including said digital storage means for storing an integral time constant signal for controlling the time integral for the integral controller action, means including said keyboard for entering a selected integral time constant signal into said digital storage means, and wherein said means under control of said keyboard for selective display at said visual display means of the identity and value of keyboard selected process control parameters includes means for display of the identity and value of said integral time constant signal entered into said digital storage means.

Claim 38

In a process controller as defined in claim 26 including controller circuit means for derivative controller action, means including said digital storage means for storing a derivative time constant signal for controlling the time derivative for the derivative controller action, means including said keyboard for entering a selected derivative time constant signal into said digital storage means, and wherein said means under control of said keyboard for selective display at said visual display means of the identity and value of keyboard selected process control parameters includes means for display of the identity and value of said derivative time constant signal entered into said digital storage means.

Claim 39

In a process controller as defined in claim 28 including controller circuit means for integral controller action, means including said digital storage means for storing an integral time constant signal for controlling the time integral for the integral controller action, means including said keyboard for entering a selected integral time constant signal into said digital storage means, and wherein said means under control of said keyboard for selective display at said visual display means of the identity and value of keyboard selected process control parameters includes means for display of the identity anf value of said integral time constant signal entered into said digital storage means.

Claim 40

In a three-mode process controller having proportional, integral, and derivative controller circuit means for proportional, integral and derivative controller circuit actions, digital storage means for storing process control parameters including gain, integral and derivative time constant signals for controlling the gain, time integral and time derivative for the controller circuit actions, an operator actuable keyboard having a plurality of alphabetic and numeric keys for entering selected gain, integral and derivative time constant signals into said digital storage means, signal energized alphabetical and numerical visual display means under control of said keyboard for selective display of the identity and value respectively of keyboard selected process control parameters including said gain, integral and derivative time constant signals entered into said digital storage means.

Claim 41

In a three-mode process controller having proportional, integral, and derivative controller circuit means for proportional, integral and derivative controller circuit actions, digital storage means for storing process control parameters including gain, integral and derivative time constant signals for controlling the gain, time integral and time derivative for the controller circuit actions, an operator actuable keyboard having a plurality of alphabetic and numeric keys for entering selected gain, integral and derivative time constant signals into said digital storage means, signal energized alphabetical and numerical visual display means under control of said keyboard for selective display of the identity and value respectively of keyboard selected process control parameters including said gain, integral and derivative time constant signals entered into said digital storage means.

Claim 42

In a three-mode process controller as defined in claim 30 wherein said controller includes feedback means for producing a process signal representative of a process variable to be controlled, a reference signal, means responsive to said reference and process signals for deriving an error signal in response to the difference therebetween and means responsive to said error signal for providing a controller output signal for control of the process variable, said alphabetical and numerical display means including means under control of said keyboard for selective display of the identity and value of process variables including said process, reference, error and controller output signals.