US 5,740,029 AGranted

Software algorithm providing dynamic configuration of dead band control criteria within a micro based real time process control environment

AssigneeWestinghouse Air Brake Company

InventorsVincent Ferri, Robert D. Dimsa, Joseph C. Gray, Michael E. Romansky

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Abstract

The invention provides a real time process control system for control of machinery. The system has a master control module and a slave control module which receives control signals from the master control module. Both control modules send control signals to a control effector and cause changes in at least one effect causing quality of the control effector. The slave control module establishes a target value for the effect causing quality of the control effector based on the signal it receives from the master microprocessor. A sensor connected to the control effector and to the slave control module provides signals in the slave control module which indicate an actual value for the effect causing quality of the control effector. A feedback loop controls the control signal from the slave microprocessor to the control effector to adjust the value of its effect causing quality in accordance with the target value. In the event that the signal from the master control module to the slave control module is interrupted a discrepancy between actual and target values of the effect causing quality indicates interruption of the signal. The invention provides an increased deadband for the feedback loop to permit a discrepancy large enough to be detectable and useable as an indication of interruption of the signal from the master control module to the slave control module.

A real time process control system for control of preselected machinery, said real time process control system comprising:

(a) a master control module disposed within a lead locomotive of a train consist;
(b) a slave control module disposed within a remote locomotive of such train consist;
(c) a control effector, having at least one effect causing quality, connected to receive a first control signal from said master control module, said first control signal causing changes in said effect causing quality of said control effector, said control effector connected to receive a second control signal from said slave control module, said second control signal causing changes in said effect causing quality of said control effector;
(d) means connected to said master control module and said slave control module for sending a third control signal from said master control module to said slave control module, and for sending a signal indicative of an operating mode of such train;
(e) means disposed in said slave control module for using said third control signal to determine a target value for said effect causing quality of said control effector, and for generating a deadband signal based on said signal indicative of an operating mode of such train;
(f) sensing means connected to said control effector and to said slave control module for determining an actual value of said effect causing quality and for generating signals in said slave control module indicative of said actual value of said effect causing quality;
(g) a feedback loop having at least a portion thereof disposed within said slave control module for adjusting said actual value of said effect causing quality in accordance with said target value of said effect causing quality and said deadband signal, said deadband being at least sufficient to permit said actual value of said effect causing quality to have a difference from said target value during an event in which said third control signal is interrupted, said difference exceeding a predetermined level;
and
(h) means responsive to said difference exceeding said predetermined level to generate a fourth control signal to cause a change in said effect causing quality of said control effector, said change being appropriate to said event in which said third control signal is interrupted.

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Abstract

Claims12