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US 7,065,152 B2Granted
Controller area network using transformers
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsPaul Gottshall, Mike Armstrong
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A controller area network (CAN) data link is provided including a first node, a second node, and a transformer circuit connected between the first and second nodes to provide electrical isolation. The transformer circuit provides the requisite electrical isolation and is reliable under high temperatures.
Claims16
A controller area network (CAN) data link, comprising:
- means for sending and receiving CAN messages;
- controller means for controlling CAN messages;
- and
- a circuit comprising:
- a transformer for providing electrical isolation;
- a first transistor coupled to a first R-C circuit and a second R-C circuit and coupled between the transformer and the controller means;
- and
- a second transistor coupled between the transformer and the sending and receiving means.
5 more elements
A controller area network (CAN) data link, comprising:
- means for sending and receiving CAN messages;
- controller means for controlling CAN messages;
- and
- a circuit comprising:
- transformer means for providing electrical isolation;
- a first transistor coupled to a first R-C circuit and a second R-C circuit and coupled between the transformer means and the controller means, wherein the first R-C circuit is coupled between the first transistor and the controller means and the second R-C circuit is coupled between the first transistor and the transformer means;
- a second transistor coupled between the transformer means and the sending and receiving means;
- and
- a diode coupled to the second R-C circuit and a voltage supply.
6 more elements
A controller area network (CAN) data link, comprising:
- means for sending and receiving CAN messages;
- controller means for controlling CAN messages;
- and
- a circuit comprising:
- transformer means for providing electrical isolation;
- a first transistor coupled to a first R-C circuit and a second R-C circuit and coupled between the transformer means and the controller means, wherein the first R-C circuit is coupled between the first transistor and the controller means and the second R-C circuit is coupled between the first transistor and the transformer means;
- and
- a second transistor coupled between the transformer means and the sending and receiving means,
- wherein an emitter of the first transistor is coupled with a ground, an emitter of the second transistor is coupled with a ground, and a side of the transformer means is coupled with a ground.
6 more elements
A controller area network (CAN) data link, comprising:
- a first node;
- a second node;
- and
- a transformer circuit coupled between the first and second nodes to provide electrical isolation, wherein the transformer circuit includes:
- a first R-C circuit having a first and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled with the first node;
- a first transistor, wherein the second end of the first R-C circuit is coupled with a first node of the first transistor and a second node of the first transistor is coupled with ground;
- a second R-C circuit having a first and a second end, wherein the first end of the second R-C circuit is coupled with a third node of the first transistor;
- a diode having a first and a second end, wherein the first end of the diode is coupled with the first end of the second R-C circuit and the second end of the diode is coupled with a voltage supply;
- a transformer having a first side and a second side, wherein a first end of the first side is coupled with the second end of the diode, a second end of the first side is coupled with the second end of the second R-C circuit, and a first end of the second side is coupled with ground;
- and
- a second transistor, wherein a first node of the second transistor is coupled with a second end of the second side of the transformer, a second node of the second transistor is coupled with ground, and a third node of the second transistor is coupled with the second node.
8 more elements
A controller area network (CAN) data link, comprising:
- a first node;
- a second node;
- and
- a transformer circuit coupled between the first and second nodes to provide electrical isolation, wherein the transformer circuit includes:
- a first R-C circuit having a first and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled with the first node;
- a first transistor, wherein the second end of the first R-C circuit is coupled with a base of the first transistor and an emitter of the first transistor is coupled with ground;
- a second R-C circuit having a first and a second end, wherein the first end of the second R-C circuit is coupled with a collector of the first transistor;
- a diode having a first and a second end, wherein the first end of the diode is coupled with the first end of the second R-C circuit and the second end of the diode is coupled with a voltage supply;
- a transformer having a first side and a second side, wherein a first end of the first side is coupled with the second end of the diode, a second end of the first side is coupled with the second end of the second R-C circuit, and a first end of the second side is coupled with ground;
- and
- a second transistor, wherein a base of the second transistor is coupled with a second end of the second side of the transformer, an emitter of the second transistor is coupled with ground, and a collector of the second transistor is coupled with the second node.
8 more elements
A method for providing electrical isolation in a controller area network, the method comprising:
- providing a first and a second node;
- providing a transformer circuit;
- connecting a first end of the transformer circuit to the first node;
- and
- connecting a second end of the transformer circuit to the second node,
- wherein the step of providing a transformer circuit includes:
- providing a first R-C circuit having a first and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled with the first node;
- providing a first transistor, wherein the second end of the first R-C circuit is coupled with a base of the first transistor and an emitter of the first transistor is coupled with ground;
- providing a second R-C circuit having a first and a second end, wherein the first end of the second R-C circuit is coupled with a collector of the first transistor;
- providing a diode having a first and a second end, wherein the first end of the diode is coupled with the first end of the second R-C circuit and the second end of the diode is coupled with a voltage supply;
- providing a transformer having a first side and a second side, wherein a first end of the first side is coupled with the second end of the diode, a second end of the first side is coupled with the second end of the second R-C circuit, and a first end of the second side is coupled with ground;
- and
- providing a second transistor, wherein a base of the second transistor is coupled with a second end of the second side of the transformer, a emitter of the second transistor is coupled with ground, and a collector of the second transistor is coupled with the second node.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.