US 4,064,395 A · Machine control system employing a programmable machine function controller

Abstract

A machine control system including a programmable machine function controller comprised of a logic processor and a data processor. The logic processor is responsive to first devices on a machine, e.g. limit switches and push buttons, for controlling second devices on the machine, e.g. motor starters and solenoids, in accordance with a program representing a desired machine operation. The data processor operates asynchronously with the logic processor but responds thereto for selecting programs of arithmetic instructions relating to the machine operation. The system includes a panel of push buttons, lights and read-outs located remotely from the controller. Signals are transmitted between the controller and the panel using asynchronously operating receiver/transmitters which multiplex and transfer the signals on a serial basis. The machine includes at least one movable member in mechanical communication with a driving mechanism. The controller employs circuits which are responsive to the data processor and logic processor for producing signals to the driving mechanism to control the motion of the movable element.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus for controlling a machine having first output devices responsive to output state signals for commanding machine operations and first input devices for producing input state signals in response to the machine operations, said machine including second I/O devices responsive to output data signals and producing input data signals, and said machine further having a movable element in mechanical communication with a driving mechanism, the apparatus comprising:

a. a programmable machine function controller means including
1. a contact bus for transferring the input and output state signals,
2. a data bus for transferring the input and output data signals,
3. logic processor means connected to the contact bus and responsive to the input state signals for executing stored sets of logic instructions to generate the output state signals, and
4. data processor means connected between the contact bus and the data bus for generating the output data signals and a further input state signal by executing asynchronously with the logic processor means stored sets of arithmetic instructions in response to the input data signals and one of the output state signals;
b. an interface means connected to the controller means for controlling the transfer of the input and output state signals between the first input and output devices and the contact bus;
and
c. means responsive to the controller means and connected to the driving mechanism for controlling the operation of the driving mechanism thereby controlling the operation of the movable element.

5 more elements

An apparatus for controlling a machine having first output devices responsive to output state signals for commanding the machine operations and first input devices for producing input state signals in response to the machine operations, said machine including second I/O devices responsive to output data signals and producing input data signals, and said machine further having a movable element in mechanical communication with a driving mechanism, the apparatus comprising:

a. a programmable machine function controller means including
1. a contact bus for conducting the input and output state signals to and from the controller means;
2. a logic processor means connected to the contact bus and responsive to the input state signals for generating the output state signals in accordance with a stored set of logic instructions;
3. a data bus for carrying the input and output data signals;
and
4. a data processor means connected between the contact and data buses for producing the output data signals and a further input state signal by asynchronously executing with the logic processor means sets of arithmetic instructions in response to one of the output state signals and the input data signals;
b. an interface means connected between the first input and output devices and the contact bus for controlling the transfer of the input and output state signals between the first input and output devices and the logic processor means;
c. means connected between the second I/O devices and the data bus for serially transferring the input and output data signals between the second I/O devices and the data processor means;
and
d. means connected between the controller means and the driving mechanism for controlling the operation of the driving mechanism thereby controlling the operation of the movable element.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Machine control system employing a programmable machine function controller

Life of this patent

Machine control system employing a programmable machine function controller

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17