US6552916B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical interference protection arrangement for embedded control computers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-05-10
•
Granted: 2003-04-22
•
Expires: 2019-05-10
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an arrangement and methods for protection against electrical interference in a control computer ( 1 ) adapted to control at least one external unit ( 2 ). The invention in characterized in that the control computer ( 1 ) comprises hardware modules ( 4 ) designed to personal computer standards. In addition at least one of the modules ( 4 ) is operatively connected to means ( 8 ) adapted to prevent at least the interference which is harmful to the modules from reaching the latter and vice-versa. The interference-preventing means ( 8 ) are further operatively connected to the external unit ( 2 ). The arrangement comprises means adapted to shield the modules and the connection between the modules and the interference-preventing means in order to prevent capacitive/inductive transmission of the interference. The means of shielding comprise an outer casing ( 5 ), essentially enclosing at least the modules and the connection between the modules and the interference-preventing means and shielding them against electromagnetic radiation, together with an inner casing ( 9 ) essentially enclosing at least one of the modules and shielding it against electromagnetic radiation.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan-Erik Stromberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:41
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K9/00; H05K9/0066; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/181; G06F1/182; G06F1/183; H05K9/0007; H05K9/0047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
Arrangement for protection against electrical interference in a control computer controlling at least one external unit, wherein the control computer comprises hardware modules designed to personal computer standards, and at least one of the modules is connected by at least one first lead to at least one means for preventing at least line-conducted interference which is harmful to the modules from reaching the modules, wherein the means for preventing at least line-conducted interference includes a signal adjusting circuit; at least one second lead connecting the means for preventing to the external unit; and the arrangement further comprises means for shielding the modules and the first lead in order to prevent capacitive/inductive transmission of interference, said means for shielding comprising an outer casing enclosing at least the modules and the first lead for shielding the modules and the first lead against electromagnetic radiation, and an inner casing enclosing at least one of the modules and shielding the module against electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
Arrangement for protection against electrical interference in a control computer controlling at least one external unit, wherein the control computer comprises hardware modules designed to personal computer standards, and at least one of the modules is connected by at least one first lead to at least one means for preventing at least line-conducted interference which is harmful to the modules from reaching the modules, wherein the means for preventing at least line-conducted interference includes a signal adjusting circuit; at least one second lead connecting the means for preventing to the external unit; and the arrangement further comprises means for shielding the modules and the first lead in order to prevent capacitive/inductive transmission of interference, said means for shielding comprising an outer casing enclosing at least the modules and the first lead for shielding the modules and the first lead against electromagnetic radiation, and an inner casing enclosing at least one of the modules and shielding the module against electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
Arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the means for preventing is adapted to prevent the transmission of line-conducted interference in excess of a predetermined energy level by way of the second lead between the means for preventing and the external unit in the direction of the external unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the means for preventing is arranged adjacent to the outer casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Arrangement according to claim 2 , wherein the means for preventing is of modular construction and has means to facilitate fault localization.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
Arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein parts of the control computer that are located inside the inner casing are designed in accordance with the personal computer standard, and parts of the control computer that are located outside the inner casing are designed to comply with a standard for use in an industrial environment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the means for preventing comprises amplitude and frequency-limiting circuits.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
162 words
Method of protecting hardware modules forming part of a control computer against electrical interference, the method comprising: operatively connecting at least one of the modules to an external unit so that electrical signals can be transmitted between each module and the external unit; passing the signals from the external unit to each module through interference-preventing means which prevent signal interference that is harmful to the modules from reaching the modules, the interference preventing means including a signal adjusting circuit; enclosing the control computer in an outer casing to shield the control computer against interference in the form of electromagnetic radiation; enclosing the hardware modules in an inner casing to shield the modules from electromagnetic interference; designing the parts of the control computer that are located inside the inner casing in accordance with a personal computer standard and designing the parts of the control computer that are located outside the inner casing in accordance with a standard for use in an industrial environment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
162 words
Method of protecting hardware modules forming part of a control computer against electrical interference, the method comprising: operatively connecting at least one of the modules to an external unit so that electrical signals can be transmitted between each module and the external unit; passing the signals from the external unit to each module through interference-preventing means which prevent signal interference that is harmful to the modules from reaching the modules, the interference preventing means including a signal adjusting circuit; enclosing the control computer in an outer casing to shield the control computer against interference in the form of electromagnetic radiation; enclosing the hardware modules in an inner casing to shield the modules from electromagnetic interference; designing the parts of the control computer that are located inside the inner casing in accordance with a personal computer standard and designing the parts of the control computer that are located outside the inner casing in accordance with a standard for use in an industrial environment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method according to claim 7 , wherein the interference-preventing means prevent interference by limiting the signal amplitudes and/or the frequency interval of the signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
166 words
Method of protecting against electrical interference emitted from a control computer that includes hardware modules, the method comprising: operatively connecting at least one of the modules to an external unit so that electrical signals can be transmitted between each module and the external unit; passing the signals from each module to the external unit through interference-preventing means which prevent signal interference in excess of a predetermined energy level from passing, the interference preventing means including a signal adjusting circuit; enclosing the control computer in an outer casing to shield the control computer against interference in the form of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the modulus; enclosing the hardware modules in an inner casing to shield the modules from electromagnetic interference: designing the parts of the control computer that are located inside the inner casing in accordance with a personal computer standard and designing the parts of the control computer that are located outside the inner casing in accordance with a standard for use in an industrial environment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
166 words
Method of protecting against electrical interference emitted from a control computer that includes hardware modules, the method comprising: operatively connecting at least one of the modules to an external unit so that electrical signals can be transmitted between each module and the external unit; passing the signals from each module to the external unit through interference-preventing means which prevent signal interference in excess of a predetermined energy level from passing, the interference preventing means including a signal adjusting circuit; enclosing the control computer in an outer casing to shield the control computer against interference in the form of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the modulus; enclosing the hardware modules in an inner casing to shield the modules from electromagnetic interference: designing the parts of the control computer that are located inside the inner casing in accordance with a personal computer standard and designing the parts of the control computer that are located outside the inner casing in accordance with a standard for use in an industrial environment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method according to claim 9 , wherein the interference-preventing means prevent interference by limiting the signal amplitudes and/or the frequency interval of the signals.
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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) | 2006-04-21 | 2006-10-21 | 2007-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-21 | 2010-10-21 | 2011-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-21 | 2014-10-21 | 2015-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |