Control system and network architecture for fluidic control systems
First Claim
1. A control system network architecture for a fluidic control system, said control system network architecture comprising:
- a plurality of nodes adapted to control fluid flow to a plurality of controlled endpoint devices, wherein each node of said plurality of nodes is configurable to independently control fluid flow to multiple single-acting controlled endpoint devices or to a double-acting controlled endpoint device;
a first group of nodes of the plurality of nodes clustered together and communicatively interconnected in a first control block, the first control block including a communication module for communicating data messages;
a second group of nodes of the plurality of nodes clustered together and communicatively interconnected in a second control block; and
a controller communicatively connected to at least the first control block;
wherein the communication module of the first control block communicates the data messages with the controller and operates as a communication gateway between the controller and the second control block.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure describes a control system network architecture for a fluidic control system such as a hydraulic or pneumatic control system. The architecture includes a plurality of clustered control-component nodes with each node being alternatively configurable to independently control the operation of multiple single-acting controlled endpoint devices or a double-acting controlled endpoint device. Each node includes control-components including a solenoid, one or more valve spools independently controllable by the solenoid, and a low-level controller operable to control the solenoid. The solenoid, valve spools, and low-level controller are clustered together and physically co-located as a unit. The nodes are arranged in a control block with each node being uniquely identifiable for data communication via a data communication network. The data communication network may include a Controller Area Network (CAN). Multiple control blocks may be equipped with communication modules and linked for data communication between the control blocks.
22 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A control system network architecture for a fluidic control system, said control system network architecture comprising:
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a plurality of nodes adapted to control fluid flow to a plurality of controlled endpoint devices, wherein each node of said plurality of nodes is configurable to independently control fluid flow to multiple single-acting controlled endpoint devices or to a double-acting controlled endpoint device; a first group of nodes of the plurality of nodes clustered together and communicatively interconnected in a first control block, the first control block including a communication module for communicating data messages; a second group of nodes of the plurality of nodes clustered together and communicatively interconnected in a second control block; and a controller communicatively connected to at least the first control block; wherein the communication module of the first control block communicates the data messages with the controller and operates as a communication gateway between the controller and the second control block. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A control system network architecture for a fluidic control system, said control system network architecture comprising:
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a plurality of nodes adapted to control fluid flow to a plurality of controlled endpoint devices, wherein each node of said plurality of nodes comprises a plurality of spool valves configurable individually to control fluid flow to single-acting controlled endpoint devices or to control fluid flow to a double-acting controlled endpoint device; a first group of nodes of the plurality of nodes clustered together and communicatively interconnected in a first control block, the first control block including a communication module for communicating data messages; a second group of nodes of the plurality of nodes clustered together and communicatively interconnected in a second control block; and a controller communicatively connected to at least the first control block; wherein the communication module of the first control block communicates the data messages with the controller and operates as a communication gateway between the controller and the second control block. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A control system network architecture for a fluidic control system, said control system network architecture comprising:
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a high-level controller; a node adapted for receiving data messages from the high-level controller and controlling fluid flow to at least one controlled endpoint device, the node being clustered together with a plurality of nodes in a control block, wherein said node comprises; a plurality of valve spools, each valve spool fluidically connectable to a single-acting, controlled endpoint device for supplying fluid to the single-acting, controlled endpoint device; a solenoid operable to control the positions of said plurality of valve spools; and a local controller adapted to control the operation of said solenoid; wherein said plurality of valve spools, said solenoid, and said local controller are clustered control-components co-located together; and a data communication network configured to communicate data messages to said node; wherein the control block operates as a communication gateway between the high-level controller and a second control block. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification