Fluid control system

Abstract

A modular fluid control system, comprising: a control module for receiving parallel electronic control signals as a plurality of data streams, the control module including a control unit configured to convert the data streams of the parallel electronic control signals to serial electronic control signals, each including a plurality of data pulses as control instruction signals, and an electrical connector; a plurality of valve modules, each valve module including at least one valve operable to control the flow of pressurized fluid; and a plurality of manifold modules connectable in series to the control module and connected to respective ones of the valve modules, each manifold module including a fluid supply conduit to provide a common manifold for receiving pressurized fluid, first and second electrical connectors for connection with ones of the connectors of adjacent manifold modules and the connector of the control module to provide an electrical bus for transmission of the serial control signals and power supply, and a control unit configured to decode one or more of the first-received data pulses of the serial control signals, control the respective valve module accordingly, and pass any remaining data pulses as a modified serial control signal from which the decoded data pulses have been one of removed or blocked to the control unit of any downstream manifold module.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.