CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR MACHINES

• US 20130190928A1
• Filed: 01/07/2013
• Published: 07/25/2013
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 9,459,594 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/275
• 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 42 for a machine comprising a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules 38 comprises a controller 40 operable to control operation of the machine 36. Memory 46 stores machine data for use by the controller 40. Communication means 44 are operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller 40 and the memory 46. The memory includes a plurality of memory modules associated with respective machine modules 38. Each of the memory modules 46 is replaceable with the respective associated machine module 38 and independently of other memory modules 46. The communication means 44 is operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller 40 and a replacement memory module 46 associated with a replacement machine module 38.

Claims

1. A control system for a machine comprising a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules, the system comprising:

a controller operable to control operation of the machine;

memory for storing machine data for use by the controller; and

communication means operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and the memory;

wherein the memory includes a plurality of memory modules associated with respective machine modules,

and wherein each of the memory modules is replaceable with the respective associated machine module and independently of other memory modules; and

wherein 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.

2. A system according to claim 1, 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.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the memory module is carried by the respective associated machine module.

4. A system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the memory modules is mounted independently of the respective associated machine module.

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

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to use the memory modules for storage of data specific to the respective associated machine module.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the specific data relates to the identity, type, version, history, calibration, trim and/or deterioration through use of the associated machine module.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the machine is a gas turbine engine.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the control of the machine by the controller is dependant, at least in part, on data retrieved by the controller from one or more memory modules.

10. A machine comprising:

a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules;

a controller operable to control operation of the machine modules;

a plurality of memory modules associated with respective machine modules and replaceable independently of other memory modules when the respective associated machine module is replaced;

and communication means operable to provide for data transfer between the controller and the memory modules of the machine modules currently forming the machine.

11. A control system for a machine comprising a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules, the system comprising:

a controller operable to control operation of the machine;

memory for storing machine data for use by the controller;

communication means operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and the memory;

wherein the controller is replaceable independently of the memory; and

wherein the communication means is operable to provide communication for data transfer between the memory and a replacement controller.