Component interface module

US6842669B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Westinghouse Electric Company LLC · US

Inventors

• Fred H. Bednar · Pittsburgh, US
• Bruce M. Cook · Pittsburgh, US
• Louis W. Gaussa, Jr. · Manor, US
• Glenn E. Lang · Butler, US
• William Schaefer · Pittsburgh, US
• Stephen Slinski · McKeesport, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 15, 2002
• Grant date: Jan 11, 2005
• Expiry date: Apr 16, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E30/30
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A component interface module (CIM) arbitrates through priority logic component command signals from redundant systems and integrates the selected priority command signal with component feedback signals in component logic to generate a control signal for a component in a complex plant. The non-software based CIM is programmable for use with a variety of plant components. The component logic includes blocking logic that prevents or terminates generation of the control signal such as when component activation has been completed. Diagnostics incorporated into the CIM include: an input port interface test, a pulse test that continuously checks for proper propagation of test pulses through the priority and component logic, and a test of the functioning of the CIM output device such as a relay.