Modular process platform
OwnerVictor D. Trotter, Jeffery J. Zimmerer +3inventors
InventorsVictor D. Trotter, Jeffery J. Zimmerer, Donald W. Murray, Michael C. Story, Chris P. Accardo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular process platform system comprises a frame, a machine base mounted to the frame and an input/output panel mounted to the frame. The input/output panel has a plurality of mappable input/output connectors configured for receiving mating connectors from a machine capable of being mounted to the machine base and from a controller for controlling operation of the machine. The system is configurable for accommodating any of a plurality of different machines having different input/output configurations, without requiring input/output wiring customized to a particular input/output configuration.
Claims41
A modular process platform system comprising:
- a frame;
- a machine base mounted to said frame;
- an input/output panel mounted to said frame, said input/output panel having a plurality of connectors configured for receiving mating connectors from a machine capable of being mounted to said machine base and from a controller for controlling operation of said machine;
- and
- means for mapping said connectors to any of a plurality of different input/output configurations;
- whereby said system is configurable for accommodating any of a plurality of different machines having different input/output configurations, without requiring wiring customized to a particular input/output configuration.
4 The system of claim 1 and further including a system controller located remotely from said frame.
A method of carrying out an industrial process comprising:
- installing tooling for carrying out said industrial process in a modular platform;
- providing said modular platform with a configurable input/output panel having a plurality of connectors configured for receiving mating connectors from said tooling and mappable to a controller located in said modular platform or remotely from said modular platform;
- and
- mapping said input/output configuration to accommodate said tooling mounted to said platform without requiring wiring customized to a particular input/output configuration.
A modular process system for carrying out an industrial process, comprising:
- means for mounting tooling for carrying out said industrial process in a modular platform;
- means for receiving, at a configurable input/output panel having a plurality of connectors, mating connectors from said tooling and maping said connectors to a controller located in said modular platform or remotely from said modular platform;
- and
- means for mapping said input/output configuration to accommodate said tooling mounted to said platform without requiring wiring customized to a particular input/output configuration
28 The system of claim 26 and further including system controller means mounted to said modular platform.
35 The system of claim 27 wherein said switching means include switching means for mapping two or more power supply voltages to said input/output configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.