Patent EP0371470A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5832049A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric circuit for selectively processing electrical signals
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co LLC
•
Filing: 1995-03-22
•
Granted: 1998-11-03
•
Expires: 2015-03-22
Abstract
Abstract An electrical circuit backfits into different instrumentation and control (I&C) system hardware configurations as a replacement or upgrade. The circuit has a multiple signal path processing circuit including a multi-functional ASIC. A fixedly configured, multiple signal path connector such as a hardwired multi-pin package removably connected with a pin socket in the processing circuit connects the ASIC with the I&C system for coupling inputs to and outputs from the ASIC and for connecting operative signal paths of the ASIC.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard J. Metro
- 👤 Carl A. Vitalbo
- 👤 Richard B. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R29/00; G; G21; G21C; G21C7/00; G21C7/36; G21D; G21D3/00; G21D3/04; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of upgrading an instrumentation and control system of a nuclear power plant, said instrumentation and control system having a plurality of analog circuits which perform a plurality of functions embodied on a plurality of replaced cards, the method comprising the steps of: providing a replacement card comprising; input and output connectors, an ASIC chip capable of performing a plurality of digital functions, analog to digital circuitry connected between said input connector and the input of said ASIC chip and operable to receive an analog input signal and convert it to a digital signal for processing by said ASIC chip, digital to analog circuitry connected between the output of said ASIC chip and said output connector and operable to convert a digital output from said ASIC chip to an analog output signal, and a removable function selector connected between at least one of said input and output connectors and said ASIC chip, said function selector operable to enable said replacement card to perform a selected function which corresponds to a function performed by one of said replaced cards; and replacing the said one of said replaced cards with said replacement card.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of upgrading an instrumentation and control system of a nuclear power plant, said instrumentation and control system having a plurality of analog circuits which perform a plurality of functions embodied on a plurality of replaced cards, the method comprising the steps of: providing a replacement card comprising; input and output connectors, an ASIC chip capable of performing a plurality of digital functions, analog to digital circuitry connected between said input connector and the input of said ASIC chip and operable to receive an analog input signal and convert it to a digital signal for processing by said ASIC chip, digital to analog circuitry connected between the output of said ASIC chip and said output connector and operable to convert a digital output from said ASIC chip to an analog output signal, and a removable function selector connected between at least one of said input and output connectors and said ASIC chip, said function selector operable to enable said replacement card to perform a selected function which corresponds to a function performed by one of said replaced cards; and replacing the said one of said replaced cards with said replacement card.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said function selector is operable to enable said ASIC chip to perform a plurality of functions which correspond to the functions performed by a plurality of said replaced cards, and further comprising the step of replacing a plurality of said replaced cards with said replacement card.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said plurality of said functions comprises one of the overtemperature delta temperature and overpower delta temperature functions of said nuclear power plant.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of upgrading an analog instrumentation system of a nuclear power plant having a plurality of analog circuits on a plurality of analog cards, the method comprising the steps of: providing a replacement card comprising an input and an output connector, an ASIC chip capable of performing a plurality of digital functions , analog to digital circuitry connected between said input connector and the input of said ASIC chip, digital to analog circuitry connected between the output of said ASIC chip and said output connector, and adapter means for interconnecting said input and output connectors with said ASIC chip; connecting an interface selector with said adapter means, thereby adapting said replacement card to perform the function of at least one of said analog cards; and replacing at least one of said analog cards with said replacement card.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of upgrading an analog instrumentation system of a nuclear power plant having a plurality of analog circuits on a plurality of analog cards, the method comprising the steps of: providing a replacement card comprising an input and an output connector, an ASIC chip capable of performing a plurality of digital functions , analog to digital circuitry connected between said input connector and the input of said ASIC chip, digital to analog circuitry connected between the output of said ASIC chip and said output connector, and adapter means for interconnecting said input and output connectors with said ASIC chip; connecting an interface selector with said adapter means, thereby adapting said replacement card to perform the function of at least one of said analog cards; and replacing at least one of said analog cards with said replacement card.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said replacement card comprises a first replacement card and said interface selector comprises a first interface selector, and further comprising the steps of: providing a second replacement card identical to said first replacement card; connecting a second interface selector with said adapter means of said second replacement card, thereby adapting said second replacement card to perform the function of a second of said analog cards; and replacing a second of said analog cards with said second replacement card.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said interface selector is operable to adapt said replacement card to perform the functions of a plurality of said analog cards; and replacing a plurality of said analog cards with said replacement card.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
164 words
A replacement card for an analog instrumentation and control system of a nuclear power plant having a plurality of cards containing analog circuitry for performing a plurality of functions, said replacement card comprising: input connector operable to receive an analog input signal into said replacement card; analog to digital converter connected to said input connector and operable to convert said analog input signal to a digital input signal; digital circuitry connected to said analog to digital converter and operable to process said digital input signal and to generate a digital output signal; digital to analog converter connected to said digital circuitry and operable to convert said digital output signal to an analog output signal; output connector connected to said digital to analog converter and operable to output said analog output signal from said replacement card; and removable adapter means for selectively interconnecting said digital circuitry and said input and output connectors, thereby adapting said replacement card to perform at least one of said functions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
164 words
A replacement card for an analog instrumentation and control system of a nuclear power plant having a plurality of cards containing analog circuitry for performing a plurality of functions, said replacement card comprising: input connector operable to receive an analog input signal into said replacement card; analog to digital converter connected to said input connector and operable to convert said analog input signal to a digital input signal; digital circuitry connected to said analog to digital converter and operable to process said digital input signal and to generate a digital output signal; digital to analog converter connected to said digital circuitry and operable to convert said digital output signal to an analog output signal; output connector connected to said digital to analog converter and operable to output said analog output signal from said replacement card; and removable adapter means for selectively interconnecting said digital circuitry and said input and output connectors, thereby adapting said replacement card to perform at least one of said functions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The replacement card of claim 7, wherein said adapter means is operable to enable said replacement card to perform a plurality of said functions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The replacement card of claim 7, wherein said adapter means further comprises a switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The replacement card of claim 7, wherein said adapter means further comprises a means for providing optional capabilities.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The replacement card of claim 10, wherein said means for providing optional capabilities further comprises a switch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The replacement card of claim 7, wherein said adapter means further comprises a means for switching the capabilities of said replacement card.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The replacement card of claim 7, wherein said adapter means further comprises a manual electrical component.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
89 words
A nuclear power plant comprising: an I&C system; and an electrical circuit connected with said I%C system, said circuit comprising; a multiple signal path processing circuit for processing a plurality of electrical signals; and an adapter removeably connected with said multiple signal path processing circuit, said adapter operable to connect a first portion of said multiple signal path processing circuit with said I&C system; said adapter further comprising a means for switching operable to connect a second portion of said multiple signal path processing circuit with said I&C system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
89 words
A nuclear power plant comprising: an I&C system; and an electrical circuit connected with said I%C system, said circuit comprising; a multiple signal path processing circuit for processing a plurality of electrical signals; and an adapter removeably connected with said multiple signal path processing circuit, said adapter operable to connect a first portion of said multiple signal path processing circuit with said I&C system; said adapter further comprising a means for switching operable to connect a second portion of said multiple signal path processing circuit with said I&C system.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of upgrading an instrumentation and control system of a nuclear power plant, said instrumentation and control system having a plurality of analog circuits which perform a plurality of functions embodied on a plurality of replaced cards, the method comprising the steps of: providing a replacement card which comprises: an input means for receiving an analog input signal and converting it to a digital input signal; a multiple signal path digital processing circuit connected to said input means; an output means connected to said processing circuit and operable to convert a digital output signal from said processing circuit to an analog output signal; and function selector means connected between said processing circuit and one of said input and output means and operable to enable said replacement card to perform one of said functions; and replacing one of said replaced cards with said replacement card.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of upgrading an instrumentation and control system of a nuclear power plant, said instrumentation and control system having a plurality of analog circuits which perform a plurality of functions embodied on a plurality of replaced cards, the method comprising the steps of: providing a replacement card which comprises: an input means for receiving an analog input signal and converting it to a digital input signal; a multiple signal path digital processing circuit connected to said input means; an output means connected to said processing circuit and operable to convert a digital output signal from said processing circuit to an analog output signal; and function selector means connected between said processing circuit and one of said input and output means and operable to enable said replacement card to perform one of said functions; and replacing one of said replaced cards with said replacement card.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: selecting said function selector means to enable said replacement card to perform a plurality of said functions; and replacing a plurality of said replaced cards with said replacement card.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said function selector means further comprises a means for switching the capabilities of said replacement card.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR2511198A1
Cited
US4401353A
Cited
US4574068A
Cited
EP0310965A2
Cited
EP0489163A1
Cited
WO1993007659A1
Cited
US5361198A
Cited
US5311070A
Cited
US5347559A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-05-04 | 2002-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | 2006-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-05-04 | 2010-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |