Patent · US Expired

Redundant automation controller permitting replacement of components during operation

US5966304A · kind A · utility

76Cited by
6References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 29, 1997
Grant dateOct 12, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 29, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG05B9/03
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

On-line upgrading of a primary industrial controller is provided through the use of a secondary industrial controller that may assume control of the process controlled by the primary industrial controller. A switch-over of control is orchestrated by a system back-up module that may detect removal of the functional components of the primary industrial controller to initiate the switch-over. Determination of removal of functional modules may be provided by a periodic polling of the functional components on the interconnecting communication link. The system back-up module designates one of the functional modules to poll the system back-up module so that complete coverage of removable components may be had.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.