Control systems for machines

• US 10,520,911 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2016
• Issued: 12/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC (Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc)
• Original Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC (Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: Beecroft, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Perez-Velez, Rocio Del Mar
• Assistant Examiner(s): McMenemy, Brian T
• Application Number:
  US15/243,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20160357170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 9/00 Controlling gas-turbine plants; Controlling fuel supply in air- breathing jet-propulsion plants controlling air intakes F02C7/057; controlling turbines F01D; controlling compressors F04D27/00; controlling in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2240/40 Use of a multiplicity of similar components
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/128 the workpiece itself serves as a record carrier, e.g. by its form, by marks or codes on it
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23344 Changeable memory, program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25294 Part, workpiece, code, tool identification

Abstract

A control system for a machine comprising a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules comprises a controller operable to control operation of the machine. Memory stores machine data for use by the controller. Communication means are operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and the memory. The memory includes a plurality of memory modules associated with respective machine modules. Each of the memory modules is replaceable with the respective associated machine module and independently of other memory modules. The communication means is operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and a replacement memory module associated with a replacement machine module.

Claims

1. A control system for a machine comprising:

a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules, each machine module comprising hardware for performing an operation of the machine;

a controller configured to directly control an operation of the machine modules; and

a non-transitory computer readable memory configured to store machine data for use by the controller and configured to receive data from the controller, the memory including a plurality of memory modules, wherein each of the memory modules;

(1) comprises a memory circuit for storing data;

(2) is associated with a respective machine module;

(3) is in direct two-way communication with the controller;

(4) is removed and replaced when the respective associated machine module is removed and replaced; and

(5) is removed and replaced independently of other memory modules of the plurality of memory modules,

wherein;

the controller receives operational history data of an operational history of each machine module directly from the respective machine modules associated with the respective associated memory modules and then transfers the operational history data to the respective memory modules,

the controller is replaceable independently of the memory modules by another controller configured to receive data from the memory; and

data stored in the memory is updated by the controller to reflect an operational history of the machine,

wherein at least one of the memory modules is mounted with the respective associated machine module to cause the memory module to be removed and replaced when the respective associated machine module is removed and replaced, and

wherein at least one of the memory modules is mounted independently of the respective associated machine module.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein each machine module comprises a fan, a fan casing, a fuel pump, a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, or a fuel metering/monitoring/delivering system.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is an electronic engine controller (EEC) and the replacement controller is an EEC.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the memory module is carried by the respective associated machine module.

5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is replaceable independently of the memory modules or machine modules, and wherein communication means are operable to provide communication for data transfer between the memory modules and a replacement controller.

6. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to use the memory modules for storage of data specific to the respective associated machine module and the specific data relates to the identity, type, version, history, calibration, trim, and/or deterioration through use of the associated machine module.

7. The control system of claim 1, wherein the machine comprises a gas turbine engine.

8. The control system of claim 1, wherein the control of the operation of the machine by the controller is dependent, at least in part, on data retrieved by the controller from one or more memory modules.

9. A method of storing data relating to a machine which comprises a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules, each machine module comprising hardware for performing an operation of the machine, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of memory modules, each comprising a memory circuit for storing data, each associated with a respective machine module, wherein at least one of the memory modules is mounted with the respective associated machine module to cause the memory module to be removed and replaced when the respective associated machine module is removed and replaced, and wherein at least one of the memory modules is mounted independently of the respective associated machine module;

using the memory modules for storage of data specific to the operational history of the respective associated memory modules; and

maintaining the data specific to the operational history of the respective associated memory modules within the memory modules to enable a first controller of a first machine in which respective machine modules are placed to operate the respective machine modules based on the operational history of the respective machine modules and, when the respective machine module are removed from the first machine, to enable a second controller of a second machine in which the respective machine modules are placed to operate the respective machine modules based on the operational history of the respective machine modules.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the specific data comprises operational performance data.

11. A control system for a machine comprising:

a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules, each machine module comprising hardware for performing an operation of the machine;

a controller configured to control an operation of the machine;

a non-transitory computer readable memory configured to store machine data for use by the controller, the machine data related to the plurality of machine modules, the memory including a plurality of memory modules, each memory module comprising a memory circuit for storing data; and

a communication means for communicating;

(i) a data transfer between the controller and the memory, and (ii) a data transfer between the memory and a second controller, wherein;

the controller is replaceable independently of the memory;

the controller is configured to;

maintain the machine data within respective memory modules to enable the controller to operate the respective machine modules based on the machine data, wherein, when the respective machine modules are removed from the machine and placed in a second machine, a second controller of the second machine is configured to operate the respective machine modules based on the machine data of the respective machine modules;

receive operational history data of an operational history of each machine module directly from the respective machine modules associated with the respective associated memory modules and then transfers the operational history data to the respective memory modules; and

data stored in the memory is updated by the controller to reflect an operational history of the machine.