Modular Electrical Bus System
AssigneeNumatics, Incorporated
InventorsEnrico De Carolis, John F. Eskew, Adam Gibson, Michael W. Hundt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular electrical bus system for a valve manifold has a main communication module with a plurality of modular I/O units each having a plurality of I/O fittings being both electrically and mechanically connectable together via a bridge member connecting adjacent units and the main communication module. At least one of the modular I/O units is also mechanically separable from and maintains communication connection to the main communication module. One or both of the modular IO units and main communication module may have an alpha-numeric display.
Claims28
An electrical bus communication assembly comprising:
- a main communication module;
- a main bank of modular I/O units mounted to a first side of the main communication module and adjacent each other;
- each modular I/O unit having an electrical fitting in proximity to each side thereof and being connected to a respective complementary electrical fitting of one of an adjacent I/O unit and main communication module;
- each modular I/O unit being removable from and installable to said bank of modular I/O units without removing any other modular I/O unit and main communication module;
- each modular I/O unit enclosing electronic boards therein and being distributable to a remote location from said main communication module and said main bank and remaining electrically connectable to the main bank and main communication module from said remote location via a cable or wireless communication medium;
- and
- said main communication module constructed to automatically address each modular I/O unit with a sub-network address on either the main bank or on the remote location.
An electrical bus communication system comprising:
- a main communication module constructed to be physically connected to an I/O unit;
- at least one I/O unit constructed to be physically connected to said main communication module along a main bank that includes said main communication module;
- said at least one I/O unit constructed to be distributable to a remote location from said main bank and remaining electrically connectable to said main communication module from said remote location via a cable or wireless communication medium;
- and
- said main communication module constructed to automatically address said at least one I/O unit with a sub-network address on either the main bank or on a remote location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.