System and method for implementing safety instrumented systems in a fieldbus architecture

• US 20060025872A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FieldComm Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: David A. Glanzer, John Carl Gabler, Joseph D. Duffy, L. Jonas F. Berge, Ram Ramachandran, Stephen B. Mitschke
• Inventors: Ramachandran, Ram, Gabler, John Carl, Duffy, Joseph D., Glanzer, David A., Mitschke, Stephen B., Berge, L. Jonas F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,167,762 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/21
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13127 Hybrid sfc for description of sequence, ladder diagram for conditions, interlock
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/15068 SBC single board computer, UCM universal control module
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23256 Hybrid programming, part sequence, part continuous
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25085 Several function expansion units for master, main unit, universal system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31118 Universal interface between asi and fieldbus, for any fielddevice
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 9/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion

Abstract

An apparatus, system and process is provided for communicating safety-related data, over an open system, from a sender to a receiver. Safety-related components, including function blocks, flexible function blocks, resource blocks and transducer blocks, as well as, safety-related objects are provided. Also, an extended safety-related protocol provides for authenticating communications between safety-related components over an existing black channel, such as one using a fieldbus Architecture.

Claims

1. An apparatus for operating in a block-oriented safety related open control system comprising:

a memory, which includes at least one safety related component;

a processor, operably connected to the memory, wherein the processor executes the safety related component based on a system schedule; and

a medium attachment unit, which translates input messages and output messages between the processor and a transmission medium using an extended safety-related protocol.