Modular electrical fieldbus system with stacked interconnected functional components
AssigneeAsco, L.P.
InventorsEnrico De Carolis, Scott Heriot, Mitch Frazier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular electrical bus system for a valve manifold has a communication module, a valve driver module, and a plurality of I/O modules each having a plurality of I/O fittings being both electrically and mechanically connectable together via a bridge member connecting adjacent modules. The bridge member has a housing with an interior for housing electronic components for memory storage or Wi-fi reception and transmission that is operably connected to a complementary electrical fitting constructed to be connected to an electrical fitting of a module of said electrical fieldbus system without adding extra length to said bank of modules of said electrical fieldbus system.
Claims19
A modular electrical fieldbus assembly comprising:
- a bank of modules mounted adjacent each other, said modules each having an electrical fitting in proximity to each side thereof for electrically connecting two adjacent modules together;
- a bridge member spanning and electrically and mechanically connecting two adjacent modules together;
- and
- a functional module spanning and electrically and mechanically connecting two adjacent modules together;
- wherein said functional module comprises at least one non-volatile memory or wi-fi transmitting and receiving device;
- and
- wherein said functional module has a width that is less than or equal to a width of said bridge member.
A modular electrical fieldbus assembly comprising:
- a first module and a second module juxtaposed against each other and having opposing sides with complementary shaped sections to interlock together along a plane;
- a functional modular member mountable on said first and second modules directly in front of said complementary shaped sections to fasten and connect said modules together in a direction perpendicular to said plane;
- said modules and said functional modular member having complementary electrical fittings to electrically connect modules together through said functional modular member;
- and
- said functional modular member including at least one non-volatile memory or wireless gateway operably connected to said complementary electrical fittings.
A method of reconfiguring a modular electrical fieldbus assembly having a bank of modules mounted adjacent each other, and a bridge member spanning and electrically and mechanically connecting at least two adjacent modules together, the two adjacent modules including an I/O module, the method comprising:
- removing the bridge member from said two adjacent modules;
- and
- installing a functional module in place of the removed bridge member, the functional module spanning and electrically and mechanically connecting said two adjacent modules together, the functional module including at least one non-volatile memory or wi-fi transmitting and receiving device.
A method of reconfiguring a modular electrical fieldbus assembly having a bank of modules mounted adjacent each other, and a bridge member spanning and electrically and mechanically connecting at least two adjacent modules together, the method comprising:
- removing the bridge member from said two adjacent modules;
- and
- installing a functional module in place of the removed bridge member, the functional module spanning and electrically and mechanically connecting said two adjacent modules together, the functional module including at least one wi-fi transmitting and receiving device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.