US 6,640,163 B1Granted

Operating system for a programmable controller of a hydraulic system

AssigneeHUSCO International, Inc.

InventorsJoseph L. Pfaff, Robert J. Willard

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Abstract

A programmable controller, for operating a machine such as one having a hydraulic system, includes a memory that stores a plurality of software function routines. A memory contains a first data file with address pointers to the function routines where the address pointers are listed in the order that the function routines may be executed. A second data file has a separate record associated with each of the address pointers and each record identifies the data variables required by the corresponding function routine. A third data file contains information about each of the variables. A code sequencer accesses the first data file and directs execution of the function routine in the order designated by the pointers. As each function routine executes, the respective record in the second data file is used to access the required variable information.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A programmable controller for operating a machine and comprising:

input/output circuitry which interface to devices of the machine;
a processor for executing function routines and connected to the input/output circuitry;
a memory connected to the processor and storing:
(a) a plurality of function routines which process data to control operation of the machine,
(b) a first data file storing data for a plurality of variables,
(c) a data file structure storing a plurality of function routine designations each identifying one of the plurality of function routines, wherein each function routine designation specifies one or more subsequent function routines and conditions under which each subsequent function routine is to be executed, and the data file structure also storing identification of variables which are required by execution of the function routine denoted by each function routine designation;
and
a code sequencer which accesses the data file structure and in response directs execution of the function routines by the processor;
wherein as a given function routine is being executed by the processor, the identification of variables for the given function routine is employed by the processor to access variables in the first data file.

6 more elements

A method for operating a programmable controller which controls a machine, said method comprising:

storing a plurality of function routines for processing data to control operation of the machine;
storing a first data file containing data for a plurality of variables;
storing a second data file containing a plurality of function routine designations each identifying one of the plurality of function routines wherein each function routine designation specifies one or more subsequent function routines and conditions under which each subsequent function routine is to be executed;
storing a third data file containing a plurality of records each being associated with one of the function routine designations and identifying those of the plurality of variables which are required during execution of the function routine identified by that one function routine designation;
executing at least some of the plurality of function routines in a sequence specified by the plurality of function routine designations;
and
upon a given function routine executing, utilizing a record in the third data file to access variables in the first data file to obtain data required by the given function routine.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/260,893Filed 30 Sep 2002
Granted: 28 Oct 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G05B 19/05
Program control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers: programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating…
G05B 2219/1106
Plc I-O input output: pneumatic, hydraulic output module connected to plc module
Y02P 90/02
Enabling technologies with a potential contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation: total factory control, e.g. smart factories,…
G05B
Control or regulating systems in general