Configurable multiple channel discrete output module

• US 20040078627A1
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Weddle, Alan, Mowry, Stephen Weeks Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,325,162 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/4
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/054 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/1196 Intelligent, smart I-O can function independently, monitoring limit values
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/14036 Detection of fault in processor

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a control system device, comprising a multiple channel discrete output module, said module storing a plurality of fail-state parameters, each fail-state parameter from the plurality of fail-state parameters corresponding to one channel of the multiple channels. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method for controlling the operation of each of a plurality of channels coupled to a discrete output module upon failure or shutdown of a control system coupled to the discrete output module, comprising, for each of the plurality of channels, storing a predetermined value for a fail-state parameter in a multi-channel discrete output module adapted to control the channel; and upon detecting a control system failure or shutdown, causing the channel to operate in a mode corresponding to the stored value for the channel'"'"'s fail-state parameter. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Claims

1. A control system device, comprising a multiple channel discrete output module, said module storing a plurality of fail-state parameters, each fail-state parameter from the plurality of fail-state parameters corresponding to one channel of the multiple channels.

2. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a memory containing said plurality of fail-state parameters.

3. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of indicators, each indicator corresponding to a single channel, each indicator adapted to indicate a status of its corresponding channel.

4. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of indicators, each indicator corresponding to a single channel, each indicator adapted to visually indicate a status of its corresponding channel.

5. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of indicators, each indicator corresponding to a single channel, each indicator adapted to audibly indicate a status of its corresponding channel.

6. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of indicators, each indicator corresponding to a single channel, each indicator adapted to communicate a status of its corresponding channel to a control system coupled to said control system device.

7. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of indicators, each indicator corresponding to a single channel, each indicator adapted to communicate an open-circuit status of its corresponding channel to a control system coupled to said control system device.

8. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of indicators, each indicator corresponding to a single channel, each indicator adapted to communicate a short-circuit status of its corresponding channel to a control system coupled to said control system device.

9. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a detector adapted to detect a shutdown of a control system coupled to said control system device and to direct each channel to enter its programmed fail-state.

10. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a detector adapted to detect a shutdown of a control system coupled to said control system device.

11. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a detector adapted to detect a failure of a control system coupled to said control system device.

12. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a detector adapted to detect a failure of a signal from a control system coupled to said control system device.

13. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a detector adapted to detect an error in a signal from a control system coupled to said control system device.

14. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a detector adapted to correct an error in a signal from a control system coupled to said control system device.

15. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a detector adapted to acknowledge a signal from a control system coupled to said control system device.

16. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a detector adapted to acknowledge a signal from a control system coupled via the Internet to said control system device.

17. The control system device of claim 1, further comprising a detector adapted to process a signal from a control system optically coupled to said control system device.

18. The control system device of claim 1, wherein said control system device comprises a relay.

19. The control system device of claim 1, wherein said control system device comprises an SCR.

20. The control system device of claim 1, wherein said control system device comprises an FET.

21. The control system device of claim 1, wherein said control system device controls a supply of alternating current to a circuit.

22. The control system device of claim 1, wherein said control system device controls a supply of direct current to a circuit.

23. The control system device of claim 1, wherein said control system device controls an upper AC supply voltage of about 20 volts to about 240 volts.

24. The control system device of claim 1, wherein said control system device controls an upper DC supply voltage of about 20 volts to about 240 volts.

25. A control system device, comprising a multi-channel discrete output module, wherein a fail-state of each channel is independently configurable within said module.

26. The control system device of claim 25, wherein said multi-channel discrete output module is adapted to be controlled by a programmable logic controller.

27. The control system device of claim 25, wherein said multi-channel discrete output module is adapted to be coupled to a programmable logic controller.

28. The control system device of claim 25, wherein said multi-channel discrete output module is adapted to control outputs of a programmable logic control system.

29. A programmable fail-state multi-channel discrete output module for a control system, comprising a memory containing a plurality of single-channel-dedicated fail-state parameter values.