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US 10,295,984 B2Granted
Safety-related control device and method for operating a safety-related control device
AssigneeFesto AG & Co.
InventorsJorg Quaas, Udo Walden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A safety-related control device for controlling an actuator with a first processing device that is configured to provide a safety function for the generation and/or processing of a signal for a safety-related control of the actuator, and a second processing device that is configured to provide an operating and/or additional function for the generation, processing, diagnostics, reproduction and/or transmission of further signals associated with the operation of the control device and/or of the actuator, and wherein the second processing device is furthermore configured to provide a test function for monitoring the functionality of the safety function.
Claims11
A safety-related control device for controlling an actuator, the safety-related control device comprising:
- a first microcontroller having a first processing core configured to provide a safety function for generating and/or processing a signal for a safety-related control of the actuator;
- and
- a second microcontroller electrically connected to the first microcontroller and having a second processing core, the second processing core being configured to provide an operating and/or additional function for the generation, processing, diagnostics, reproduction and/or output of further signals associated with the operation of the control device and/or of the actuator, and further being configured to provide a test function for monitoring the functionality of the safety function,
- wherein the safety function is designed to send a test signal to the test function, in order to cause the test function to execute a monitoring operation in relation to the safety function, and
- wherein the second microcontroller has information relating to the times and/or the content of the transmission of the test signal and is designed to adapt the provision of the test function and/or of the operating and/or additional function on the basis of this information.
2 more elements
A method for operating a safety-related control system, the safety-related control system comprising:
- a programmable logic controller;
- a safety-related control device electrically connected to the programmable logic controller and being configured as a control head or a positioner;
- and
- an actuator connected to the safety-related control device, the actuator being configured as a process valve and having a valve member,
- wherein the control device comprises:
- a first microcontroller electrically connected between the programmable logic controller and the actuator, the first microcontroller having a first processing core configured to provide a safety function for generating and/or processing a signal for a safety-related control of the actuator in order to move the valve member in a closed position or an open position, and
- a second microcontroller electrically connected between the programmable logic controller and the actuator, the second microcontroller having a second processing core, the second processing core being configured to provide an operating and/or additional function for the generation, processing, diagnostics, reproduction and/or output of further signals associated with the operation of the control device and/or of the actuator, and being furthermore configured to provide a test function for monitoring the functionality of the safety function, and
- wherein the method comprises:
- providing a safety function for generating and/or processing a signal for a safety-related control of the actuator on the first processing device;
- providing an operating and/or additional function for generating, processing, diagnostics, reproduction and/or transmission of further signals associated with the operation of the control device and/or of the actuator on the second processing device;
- and
- providing a test function for monitoring the functionality of the safety function on the second processing device.
9 more elements
A safety-related control system comprising:
- a programmable logic controller;
- a safety-related control device electrically connected to the programmable logic controller and being configured as a control head or a positioner;
- and
- an actuator connected to the safety-related control device, the actuator being configured as a process valve and having a valve member,
- wherein the control device comprises:
- a first microcontroller electrically connected between the programmable logic controller and the actuator, the first microcontroller having a first processing core configured to provide a safety function for generating and/or processing a signal for a safety-related control of the actuator in order to move the valve member in a closed position or an open position, and
- a second microcontroller electrically connected between the programmable logic controller and the actuator, the second microcontroller having a second processing core, the second processing core being configured to provide an operating and/or additional function for the generation, processing, diagnostics, reproduction and/or output of further signals associated with the operation of the control device and/or of the actuator, and wherein the second processing core is furthermore configured to provide a test function for monitoring the functionality of the safety function.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.