US4052601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control systems for machines and plants generally, particularly described for applications on machine tools
Assignee: Comau Industriale SpA
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Filing: 1975-03-11
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Granted: 1977-10-04
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Expires: 1995-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A control system for machinery and plants generally, particularly for the applications to machine tools or welding machines for large mass production comprising a centralized unit pre-disposed for the general control of a unit of mechanical groups or machining stations; the connections between said central unit and the single mechanic groups or machining stations being embodied through local control units comprising control units for power services and a personalized logic standard unit with a programming device pre-disposed for a pre-selected sequence of stages on said single mechanical group or machining station; said logic unit comprising a step-by-step programmer operatively associated with said single machine or machining station in order to embody a sequence of operations as prefixed by means of said programming device.
Inventors
- 👤 Vittorio Corni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:39
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/07; G05B19/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A control system for a plurality of machine work stations of the type where each machine station performs one or more operations on a workpiece comprising a central unit for controlling the plurality of machine work stations, a plurality of local control units coupled to and actuated by said central unit, each of said local control units controlling one or more machine work stations, each of said local control units comprising a step-by-step programmer operatively associated with one or more machine work stations and generating a sequential series of control signals, each of said local control units further including a hard-wired logic unit tailored to a particular one or more machine work stations to produce step-by-step a pre-selected sequence of machine signals in response to said sequential series of control signals, and interface means coupling said machine signals to the one or more machine work stations with which said particular step-by-step programmer is operatively associated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A control system for a plurality of machine work stations of the type where each machine station performs one or more operations on a workpiece comprising a central unit for controlling the plurality of machine work stations, a plurality of local control units coupled to and actuated by said central unit, each of said local control units controlling one or more machine work stations, each of said local control units comprising a step-by-step programmer operatively associated with one or more machine work stations and generating a sequential series of control signals, each of said local control units further including a hard-wired logic unit tailored to a particular one or more machine work stations to produce step-by-step a pre-selected sequence of machine signals in response to said sequential series of control signals, and interface means coupling said machine signals to the one or more machine work stations with which said particular step-by-step programmer is operatively associated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A control system as in claim 1 wherein said hard-wired logic units are each a replaceable unit separately configured to produce a particular sequence of machine signals for a particular machine work station in response to said sequential series of control signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step-by-step programmer comprises a plurality of bistable memory elements which are sequentially controlled by feedback signals from the machine work station they control, so that each succeeding control signal in said sequential series is generated only upon receipt of a feedback signal from the machine work station indicating completion of the machine operation responsive to the previous control signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
A control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hard-wired logic units tailored to a particular one or more machine work stations comprises a group of diodes interconnected in a known way to translate said control signals to machine signals and to translate machine feedback signals from the machine work station to control signals, all in accordance with a sequence predetermined by the type of machine work station which is controlled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step-by-step programmer includes means for discriminating an automatic operation from a manual control operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said step-by-step programmer includes memory means associated with said means for discriminating manual control operation, said memory means impeding sequential generation of the next in the series of control signals without the positive intervention of an operator since generation of the last in the series of control signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-03 | 1981-04-04 | 1981-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-03 | 1985-04-04 | 1985-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-03 | 1989-04-04 | 1989-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |