US4327437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Reconfiguring redundancy management
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1980-07-30
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Granted: 1982-04-27
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Expires: 2000-07-30
Abstract
Abstract Input signals from sensor (S) in a redundancy management system are provided redundantly in parallel so that a primary control signal may be selected. Median value signals for groups of three sensors are detected in median value selectors (30, 32, 34, 36, 40) of selection filters (F). The detected median value signals are then also compared in a subtractor/comparator (38) to determine whether any of them exceed the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor. If so, the exceeding detected medium value signal is sent to a control computer (10) as the primary control signal. If not, the lowest level detected medium value signal is sent as the primary control signal.
Inventors
- 👤 with respect to an invention of Frosch Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- 👤 Hendrik J. C. Gelderloos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/18; G06F11/187; G06F11/188; G11; G11B; G11B3/00; G11B3/02; G11B3/08; G11B3/085; G11B3/08503; G11B3/08506; G11B3/08516
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for selecting a primary control signal for redundancy management in a system having a plurality of sensors providing input signals in parallel to a control computer to provide the computer with a primary control signal representing an output from a properly operating sensor, comprising: (a) selector means for receiving and comparing input signals in groups of three from the sensors and detecting the median value signal of the three input signals; (b) comparator means for comparing the detected median value signals to detemine if any one of the detected median value signals exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor; (c) said comparator means further including means for transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal a detector median value signal which exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor and means for transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal the least of the detected median value signals when no detected median value so exceeds the others.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for selecting a primary control signal for redundancy management in a system having a plurality of sensors providing input signals in parallel to a control computer to provide the computer with a primary control signal representing an output from a properly operating sensor, comprising: (a) selector means for receiving and comparing input signals in groups of three from the sensors and detecting the median value signal of the three input signals; (b) comparator means for comparing the detected median value signals to detemine if any one of the detected median value signals exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor; (c) said comparator means further including means for transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal a detector median value signal which exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor and means for transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal the least of the detected median value signals when no detected median value so exceeds the others.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said comparator means comprises: comparator means for comparing the detected median value signals to determine if any one of the detected median value signals exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a null failed sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said comparator means comprises: (a) means for forming a difference signal representing the difference between absolute values of the detected median value signals; and (b) means for comparing the difference signal with the signal level for a failed sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensors are sensors in an avionic system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sensors include accelerometers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sensors include gyroscopes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said selector means comprises: (a) a first selector section for receiving three input signals for detecting the median value signal of such input signals; (b) a second selection section having: (1) an initial selector stage having at least three selectors, each for detecting the median value signal of such input signals furnished thereto; and (2) a further selector stage having as inputs the median value signals from said initial selector stage for detecting the median value signal of such input signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said comparator means comprises: means for comparing the detected median value signals from said first selection section and said second selection section to determine if any one of the detected median value signals exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus for selecting a primary control signal for redundancy management in a system having a plurality of groups of sensors, each sensor group providing input signals in parallel to a plurality of control computer to provide the computers with primary control signals representing outputs from properly operating sensors, comprising: (a) selector means for receiving and comparing input signals in groups of three from the sensors and detecting the median value signal of the three input signals; (b) comparator means for comparing the detected median value signals to detemine if any one of the detected median value signals exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor; (c) said comparator means further including means for transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal a detected median value signal which exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor and means for transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal the least of the detected median value signals when no detected median value so exceeds the others.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus for selecting a primary control signal for redundancy management in a system having a plurality of groups of sensors, each sensor group providing input signals in parallel to a plurality of control computer to provide the computers with primary control signals representing outputs from properly operating sensors, comprising: (a) selector means for receiving and comparing input signals in groups of three from the sensors and detecting the median value signal of the three input signals; (b) comparator means for comparing the detected median value signals to detemine if any one of the detected median value signals exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor; (c) said comparator means further including means for transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal a detected median value signal which exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor and means for transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal the least of the detected median value signals when no detected median value so exceeds the others.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of selecting a primary control signal for redundancy management in a system having a plurality of sensors providing input signals in parallel to a control computer to provide the computer with a primary control signal representing an output from a properly operating sensor, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving and comparing input signals in groups of three from the sensors and detecting the median value signal of the three input signals; (b) comparing the detected median value signals to determine if any one of the detected median value signals exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor; (c) transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal as a detector median value signal which exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor; and (d) transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal the least of the detected median value signals when no detected median value so exceeds the others.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of selecting a primary control signal for redundancy management in a system having a plurality of sensors providing input signals in parallel to a control computer to provide the computer with a primary control signal representing an output from a properly operating sensor, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving and comparing input signals in groups of three from the sensors and detecting the median value signal of the three input signals; (b) comparing the detected median value signals to determine if any one of the detected median value signals exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor; (c) transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal as a detector median value signal which exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor; and (d) transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal the least of the detected median value signals when no detected median value so exceeds the others.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said step of comparing comprises: comparing the detected median value signals to determine if any one of the detected median value signals exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a null failed sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said step of comparing comprises: (a) forming a difference signal representing the difference between absolute values of the detected median value signals; and (b) comparing the difference signal with the signal level for a failed sensor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the sensors are sensors in an avionic system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the sensors include accelerometers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the sensors include gyroscopes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said step of receiving and comparing input signals comprises: (a) dividing the received signals into two groups; and (b) comparing the input signals of the two groups to determine a detected median value signal in each of the two groups.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said step of comparing the detected median value signals comprises: comparing the detected median value signals from the first group and the second group to determine if any one of the detected median value signals exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of selecting a primary control signal for redundancy management in a system having a plurality of groups of sensors, each sensor group providing input signals in parallel to a plurality of control computers to provide the computers with primary control signals representing outputs from properly operating sensors, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving and comparing input signals in groups of three from the sensors and detecting the median value signal of the three input signals; (b) comparing the detected median value signals to determine if any one of the detected median value signals exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor; (c) transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal a detector median value signal which exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor; and (d) transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal the least of the detected median value signals when no detected median value so exceeds the others.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of selecting a primary control signal for redundancy management in a system having a plurality of groups of sensors, each sensor group providing input signals in parallel to a plurality of control computers to provide the computers with primary control signals representing outputs from properly operating sensors, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving and comparing input signals in groups of three from the sensors and detecting the median value signal of the three input signals; (b) comparing the detected median value signals to determine if any one of the detected median value signals exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor; (c) transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal a detector median value signal which exceeds the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor; and (d) transmitting to the control computer as the primary control signal the least of the detected median value signals when no detected median value so exceeds the others.
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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) | 1985-04-26 | 1985-10-26 | 1986-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-04-26 | 1989-10-26 | 1990-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-04-26 | 1993-10-26 | 1994-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |