Apparatus and methods for allocating and indicating engine control authority
US11255287B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2015 |
| Grant date | Feb 22, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/188
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A control apparatus includes a first controller configured to generate control signals for controlling an engine or other machine, a second controller configured to generate the control signals for controlling the machine, a transfer circuit, and an arbiter circuit. The transfer circuit is coupled between the machine and the controllers, and is configured to switch from a first state, where the transfer circuit passes the control signals from the first controller to the machine, to a second state, where the transfer circuit passes the control signals from the second controller to the machine, responsive to receiving a first failure signal from the first controller. The arbiter circuit includes three (or more) arbiters, and is configured to control the transfer circuit from the first state to the second state responsive to any two of the three arbiters generating second signals indicative of failure of the first controller.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.