Electronic digital process controller having simulated analog control functions
US4064394A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 28, 1975 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 28, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B19/0426
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electronic process controller comprises a digital computer programmed to digitally simulate the functions of each of a plurality of conventional analog and discrete control blocks and a process operator's panel for selecting and arranging these simulated blocks into a simulated control circuit configuration. The operator's panel provides means for direct operator selection of: (1) the input signal to be processed by the computer; (2) the arrangement of simulated blocks for processing the input signal in order to derive an output process control signal; and (3) the output control device to which the output signal is directed. This controller permits assembly and modification of simulated analog process control configurations in a manner analogous to the assembly of conventional hard wire control circuits without the expense of wiring, breaking, and rewiring of hard wire interconnections. At the same time, it permits the operator to use a computer for providing analog control functions without knowledge of a specialized programming language.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.