Control device including a conductively isolated depluggable controller
OwnerRodger T. Lovrenichinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control device includes an electrically contactless depluggable logic module such as a computer that is used to interface between a power supply and input and output elements to process a system of control signals. There are no electrical connections to the logic module. This eliminates electromagnetic interference and conducted line interference. The power supply is magnetically coupled to the logic module. Information and control signals are optically coupled to the logic module. It is a free standing, environmentally immune unit, electrically isolated from the outside world.
Claims25
A control device, comprising:
- logic means positioned on support means for generating and receiving optic signals according to a logic sequence and containing first magnetic coupling means;
- power supply means for generating electrical power and containing second magnetic coupling means adapted for positioning on said support means adjacent said first magnetic coupling means for forming a magnetic coupling between said logic means and said power supply means to supply power to said logic means;
- first optic coupling means in said logic means for generating and receiving optic logic signals;
- input/output means positioned on said support means and having second optic coupling means for forming an optic coupling with said first optic coupling means to conduct optic input and output signals;
- and
- connecting means on said input/output means for connecting said input/output means to operational elements;
- whereby coupling between said logic means, power supply means and input/output means is devoid of electrical contacts.
A control station which includes station support structure, station logic module means including means for removably mounting said logic module means to said support structure, and means on said support structure and said logic module means for transmitting communication signals on communication lines to and from said logic module means for conducting controlled operations at said station, said means for transmitting communication signals comprising
- first optical coupling means mounted on said support structure and connected to said communication lines, second optical coupling means carried by said logic module means, and means on said support structure and on said logic module means for aligning said first and second optical coupling means when said logic module means is assembled to said support structure such that communicatin signals on said lines are transmitted to said logic module means without direct electrical connection to said logic module means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.