Patent US5859884A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5859884A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electric circuit for selectively processing electrical signals
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co LLC
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Filing: 1997-11-11
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Granted: 1999-01-12
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Expires: 2017-11-11
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 selecting 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 21:36
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: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of upgrading an electrical signal processing system of a nuclear power plant, said 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, a multiple function digital processing circuit capable of performing a plurality of digital functions determined by the physical arrangement of a plurality of connections to the digital processor's circuit, analog to digital circuitry connected between said input connector and an input of said digital processing circuit and operable to receive an analog input signal and convert it to a digital signal for processing by said digital processing circuit, said digital processing circuit in communication with said output connector, and a removable hardwired function selector connected among at least two of the plurality of connections to the digital processing circuit, 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 card; and replacing the said one of said replaced cards with said replacement cards.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of upgrading an electrical signal processing system of a nuclear power plant, said 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, a multiple function digital processing circuit capable of performing a plurality of digital functions determined by the physical arrangement of a plurality of connections to the digital processor's circuit, analog to digital circuitry connected between said input connector and an input of said digital processing circuit and operable to receive an analog input signal and convert it to a digital signal for processing by said digital processing circuit, said digital processing circuit in communication with said output connector, and a removable hardwired function selector connected among at least two of the plurality of connections to the digital processing circuit, 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 card; and replacing the said one of said replaced cards with said replacement cards.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said function selector is operable to enable said digital processing circuit 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
155 words
A method of upgrading an analog electrical processing system of a nuclear power plant having a plurality of analog circuits on a plurality of analog cards that interconnect with an electrical interface on the processing system, 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, said ASIC chip communicating with said output connector, and hardwired adapter means for interconnecting said input and output connectors with said ASIC chip in a manner that replicates the function of at least one of said analog cards; connecting an interface selector with said adapter means, thereby adapting said replacement card to be compatible with the electrical interface on the processing system; and replacing at least one of said analog cards with said replacement card.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of upgrading an analog electrical processing system of a nuclear power plant having a plurality of analog circuits on a plurality of analog cards that interconnect with an electrical interface on the processing system, 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, said ASIC chip communicating with said output connector, and hardwired adapter means for interconnecting said input and output connectors with said ASIC chip in a manner that replicates the function of at least one of said analog cards; connecting an interface selector with said adapter means, thereby adapting said replacement card to be compatible with the electrical interface on the processing system; 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
43 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said interface selector and said adapter means are 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
128 words
A replacement card for an analog electrical signal processing 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; output connector connected to said digital circuitry; 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
128 words
A replacement card for an analog electrical signal processing 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; output connector connected to said digital circuitry; 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
99 words
A nuclear power plant comprising: an electrical signal system; and an electrical circuit connected with said electrical signal processing system, said circuit comprising: a multiple signal path processing circuit for processing a plurality of electrical signals; and a hardwired function selector 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 electrical signal processing system; said function selector further comprising a means for switching operable to connect a second portion of said multiple signal path processing circuit with said electrical signal processing system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
99 words
A nuclear power plant comprising: an electrical signal system; and an electrical circuit connected with said electrical signal processing system, said circuit comprising: a multiple signal path processing circuit for processing a plurality of electrical signals; and a hardwired function selector 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 electrical signal processing system; said function selector further comprising a means for switching operable to connect a second portion of said multiple signal path processing circuit with said electrical signal processing system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method claim 1 wherein said function selector means further comprises a means for switching the capabilities of said replacement card.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said adapter means includes an input selector and function selector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4574068A
Cited
US5059382A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-11 | 2002-07-13 | 2003-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-11 | 2006-07-13 | 2007-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-11 | 2010-07-13 | 2011-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |