Characterizable distribution means in a supervisory and control system

• US 4,332,013 A
• Filed: 05/12/1980
• Issued: 05/25/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mcc Powers
• Original Assignee: Mcc Powers
• Inventors: Belau, Kenneth P., Old, Robert L. Jr., Chelcun, Darrell N., Dougherty, Roderick J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wise, Edward J.
• Application Number:
  US06/149,292
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 364/418, 364/505, 364/557, 364/900, 165/11 R
• US Class Current: 700/278
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means

Abstract

An improved distribution system for use in supervising and controlling temperature and other environmental conditioning equipment of a building or the like is disclosed. The distribution system is used in conjunction with a host or central computer. The distribution system includes one or more distribution panels which communicate with the host computer as well as with various control point apparatus that gather temperature, humidity, and other types of values, or gather status information regarding electrical switch states and the like. Other types of control point apparatus control electric motor starters, motors, or other control equipment for controlling environmental conditions or general energy use. The distribution panels have various function means therein which are capable of receiving digital input signals, providing digital output signals to control point apparatus, receiving frequency analog input signals, pneumatic analog input and output signals, and the like. The function means have the capability of being uniquely characterized with respect to the type of operation that is to be performed and certain function means can also be characterized to selectively provide change of value reporting to the central computer as well as significant change of value reporting. Moreover other function means can be characterized to provide output signal levesl or output pulses depending upon the characterization and such characterization is accomplished by an operator at the central or host computer with no switching or other manipulation being required at the distribution panel.

Claims

1. In a system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of control point apparatus which sense environmental, temperature and other parameters and which control equipment which affects the same, the system being of the type which has at least one central control computer means and a pluraity of said control point apparatus, a distribution means for receiving and transmitting data signals from and to said central control computer means and from and to said control point apparatus, said distribution means comprising:

means for interfacing at least one function means, each of which interacts with at least one of said control point apparatus operatively associated therewith, said interfacing means processing data signals to and from said function means and processing data signals to and from said central control computer means;

said function means including at least one means for receiving digital input signals from at least one of said control point apparatus, said digital input receiving means having processing means which receives characterizing signals originating from said central control computer means for characterizing the same to operate in one of first and second modes with respect to each associated control point apparatus, said first mode causing the same to receive signal pulses and retain an accumulated total of said pulses, said processing means also being adapted while in said first mode to receive characterizing commands for defining a predetermined accumulated total for each control point apparatus which represents a significant change of value from said control point apparatus, said processing means also being adapted while in said first mode to receive command signals from said central control computer means to characterize the same to provide an output signal for transmission to said central control computer means when said predetermined total is reached, said second mode causing said processing means to receive signal pulses which are indicative of the change of state of an electrical switch contact associated with said associated control point apparatus and provide an output signal for transmission to said central control computer means indicating a change in the state of said switch contact.

2. A distribution means as defined in claim 1 wherein said function means further includes means for transmitting digital output signals to said control point apparatus, said digital output transmitting means having processing means which receives characterizing and command signals originating from said central control computer means, said characterizing signals characterizing the same to operate in one of first and second modes with respect to each associated control point apparatus, each of said modes causing the same to receive command signals for transmission to said associated control point apparatus, said command signals being in the form of signal pulses when said pulsing means is operating in said first mode with respect to an associated control point apparatus, and said command signals being in the form of steady state signal levels when said pulsing means is characterized to operate in said second mode with respect to an associated control point apparatus.

3. A distribution means as defined in claim 1 wherein said function means further includes means for selectively transmitting and receiving pneumatic pressure levels to and from a pneumatically controlled control point apparatus, said pneumatic transmitting and receiving means having processing means which receive characterizing signals originating from said central control computer means for characterizing the same with respect to each associated pneumatically controlled control point apparatus in one of first and second modes, said first mode causing the same to receive a pneumatic pressure level from an associated pneumatically controlled control point apparatus and to transmit a digital electrical signal corresponding thereto to said central control computer means when the said level changes by a predetermined amount when said processing means is enabled with respect to said control point apparatus, said processing means being adapted while in said first mode to receive from said central control computer means characterizing commands for each associated control point apparatus for selectively enabling and disabling the same to transmit a digital electrical signal indicative of said changed level when enabled and to receive and store a digital electrical signal corresponding to said changed level when disabled, said processing means transmitting said digital electrical signal when requested when said processing means for said control point apparatus is disabled, said second mode causing the same to receive command signals originating from said central control computer means for controlling the pressure level in a pneumatic control line to the associated pneumatic controlled control point apparatus.

4. A distribution means as defined in claim 3 wherein said predetermined value is approximately zero.

5. A distribution means as defined in claim 3 wherein said predetermined value is plus or minus approximately 2 to approximately 8 percent of the total range of said pneumatic pressure.

6. A distribution means as defined in claim 1 further including means for receiving analog input signals from at least one of said control point apparatus, said analog input receiving means having processing means which receives characterizing signals with respect to each associated control point apparatus, said characterizing signals originating from said central control computer means for characterizing the same in one of first and second modes, said first mode causing the same to receive an analog input signal from an associated control point apparatus and store a digital signal that is equivalent to said analog input signal and, when said processing means is enabled with respect to an associated control point apparatus, to transmit said digital electrical signal to said central control computer means when the value of said analog input signal has changed relative to a prior analog input signal, said processing means being adapted while in said first mode to receive from said central control computer means characterizing commands for each associated control point apparatus for selectively enabling and disabling the same to transmit said changed value when enabled and to receive and store said value when disabled, said processing means transmitting the digital equivalent of said changed value when requested when said processing means is characterized for said associated control point apparatus as disabled in said first mode, said second mode causing the same to receive an analog input signal from an associated control point apparatus and to store a digital signal that is equivalent to said analog signal and to effect a resulting transmission of a digital signal that is the equivalent of the analog input signal to said central control computer means when the value of said analog input signal has changed beyond a predetermined incremental amount, said processing means being adapted while in said second mode to receive characterizing commands for each associated control point apparatus from said central control computer means for defining said predetermined amount of change for which said transmission is effected.

7. A distribution means as defined in claim 6 wherein said analog input signal is a variable frequency signal.

8. A distribution means as defined in claim 6 wherein said analog input signal is a variable current signal.

9. A distribution means as defined in claim 6 wherein said analog input signal is a variable pneumatic pressure.

10. A distribution means as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said function means has means defining a unique address signal therefor, said interfacing means including processing means which receives address and command data signals from said central control computer means and transmits the same to the particular function means for which the address data signals identifies, said interfacing means having means for defining a unique address signal therefor, and being adapted to receive address and command data signals for commanding the same to interrogate each of said function means to obtain any change of values and change of state from said function means with respect to associated control point apparatus.

11. A distribution means as defined in claim 1 further including an enclosure means and a main printed circuit board having connecting means attached thereto for receiving other printed circuit boards, each of said function means comprising electrical components that are mounted to a printed circuit board that is releasibly connected to said connecting means of said main printed circuit board.

12. A distribution means as defined in claim 11 wherein said interfacing means comprises electrical components that are mounted to a single printed circuit board that is releasibly connected to said connecting means of said main printed circuit board.

13. In a system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of control point apparatus which sense environmental, temperature and other parameters and which control equipment which affects the same, the system being of the type which has at least one central control computer means and a plurality of said control point apparatus, a distribution means for receiving and transmitting data signals from and to said central control computer means and from and to said control point apparatus, said distribution means comprising:

means for interfacing at least one function means, each of which interacts with at least one of said control point apparatus operatively associated therewith, said interfacing means processing data signals to and from said function means and processing data signals to and from said central control computer means;

said function means including at least one means for transmitting digital output signals to said control point apparatus, said digital output transmitting means having processing means which receives characterizing and command signals originating from said central control computer means, said characterizing signals characterizing the same to operate in one of first and second modes with respect to each associated control point apparatus, each of said modes causing the same to receive command signals for transmission to said associated control point apparatus, said command signals being in the form of signal pulses when said pulsing means is operating in said first mode with respect to an associated control point apparatus, and said command signals being in the form of steady state signal levels when said pulsing means is characterized to operate in said second mode with respect to an associated control point apparatus.

14. A distribution means as defined in claim 13 wherein said function means further includes means for receiving digital input signals from at least one of said control point apparatus, said digital input receiving means having processing means which receives characterizing signals originating from said central control computer means for characterizing the same to operate in one of first and second modes with respect to each associated control point apparatus, said first mode causing the same to receive signal pulses and retain an accumulated total of said pulses, said processing means also being adapted while in said first mode to receive characterizing commands for defining a predetermined accumulated total for each control point apparatus which represents a significant change of value from said control point apparatus, said processing means also being adapted while in said first mode to receive command signals from said central control computer means to characterize the same to provide an output signal for transmission to said central control computer means when said predetermined total is reached, said second mode causing said processing means to receive signal pulses which are indicative of the change of state of an electrical switch contact associated with said associated control point apparatus and provide an output signal for transmission to said central control computer means indicating a change in the state of said switch contact.

15. A distribution means as defined in claim 13 wherein said function means further includes means for selectively transmitting and receiving pneumatic pressure levels to and from a pneumatically controlled control point apparatus, said pneumatic transmitting and receiving means having processing means which receive characterizing signals originating from said central control computer means for characterizing the same with respect to each associated pneumatically controlled control point apparatus in one of first and second modes, said first mode causing the same to receive a pneumatic pressure level from an associated pneumatically controlled control point apparatus and to transmit a digital electrical signal corresponding thereto to said central control computer means when the said level changes by a predetermined amount when said processing means is enabled with respect to said control point apparatus, said processing means being adapted while in said first mode to receive from said central control computer means characterizing commands for each associated control point apparatus for selectively enabling and disabling the same to transmit a digital electrical signal indicative of said changed level when enabled and to receive and store a digital electrical signal corresponding to said changed level when disabled, said processing means transmitting said digital electrical signal when requested when said processing means for said control point apparatus is disabled, said second mode causing the same to receive command signals originating from said central control computer means for controlling the pressure level in a pneumatic control line to the associated pneumatic controlled control point apparatus.

16. A distribution means as defined in claim 15 wherein said predetermined value is approximately zero.

17. A distribution means as defined in claim 15 wherein said predetermined value is plus or minus approximately 2 to approximately 8 percent of the total range of said pneumatic pressure.

18. A distribution means as defined in claim 13 further including means for receiving analog input signals from at least one of said control point apparatus, said analog input receiving means having processing means which receives characterizing signals with respect to each associated control point apparatus, said characterizing signals originating from said central control computer means for characterizing the same in one of first and second modes, said first mode causing the same to receive an analog input signal from an associated control point apparatus and store a digital signal that is equivalent to said analog input signal and, when said processing means is enabled with respect to an associated control point apparatus, to transmit said digital electrical signal to said central control computer means when the value of said analog input signal has changed relative to a prior analog input signal, said processing means being adapted while in said first mode to receive from said central control computer means characterizing commands for each associated control point apparatus for selectively enabling and disabling the same to transmit said changed value when enabled and to receive and store said value when disabled, said processing means transmitting the digital equivalent of said changed value when requested when said processing means is characterized for said associated control point apparatus as disabled in said first mode, said second mode causing the same to receive an analog input signal from an associated control point apparatus and to store a digital signal that is equivalent to said analog signal and to effect a resulting transmission of a digtal signal that is the equivalent of the analog input signal to said central control computer means when the value of said analog input signal has changed beyond a predetermined incremental amount, said processing means being adapted while in said second mode to receive characterizing commands for each associated control point apparatus from said central control computer means for defining said predetermined amount of change for which said transmission is effected.

19. A distribution means as defined in claim 18 wherein said analog input signal is a variable frequency signal.

20. A distribution means as defined in claim 18 wherein said analog input signal is a variable current signal.

21. A distribution means as defined in claim 18 wherein said analog input signal is a variable pneumatic pressure.

22. A distribution means as defined in claim 13 wherein each of said function means has means defining a unique address signal therefor, said interfacing means including processing means which receives address and command data signals from said central control computer means and transmits the same to the particular function means for which the address data signals identifies, said interfacing means having means for defining a unique address signal therefor, and being adapted to receive address and command data signals for commanding the same to interrogate each of said function means to obtain any change of values and change of state from said function means with respect to associated control point apparatus.

23. A distribution means as defined in claim 13 further including an enclosure means and a main printed circuit board having connecting means attached thereto for receiving other printed circuit boards, each of said function means comprising electrical components that are mounted to a printed circuit board that is releasibly connected to said connecting means of said main printed circuit board.

24. In a system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of control point apparatus which sense environmental, temperature and other parameters and which control equipment which affects the same, the system being of the type which has at least one central control computer means and a plurality of said control point apparatus, a distribution means for receiving and transmitting data signals from and to said central control computer means and from and to said control point apparatus, said distribution means comprising:

means for interfacing at least one function means, each of which interacts with at least one of said control point apparatus operatively associated therewith, said interfacing means processing data signals to and from said function means and processing data signals to and from said central control computer means;

said function means including at least one means for receiving analog input signals from at least one of said control point apparatus, said analog input receiving means having processing means which receives characterizing signals with respect to each associated control point apparatus, said characterizing signals originating from said central control computer means for characterizing the same in one of first and second modes, said first mode causing the same to receive an analog input signal from an associated control point apparatus and store a digital signal that is equivalent to said analog input signal and, when said processing means is enabled with respect to an associated control point apparatus, to transmit said digital electrical signal to said central control computer means when the value of said analog input signal has changed relative to a prior analog input signal, said processing means being adapted while in said first mode to receive from said central control computer means characterizing commands for each associated control point apparatus for selectively enabling and disabling the same to transmit said changed value when enabled and to receive and store said value when disabled, said processing means transmitting the digital equivalent of said changed value when requested when said processing means is characterized for said associated control point apparatus as disabled in said first mode, said second mode causing the same to receive an analog input signal from an associated control point apparatus and to store a digital signal that is equivalent to said analog signal and to effect a resulting transmission of a digital signal that is the equivalent of the analog input signal to said central control computer means when the value of said analog input signal has changed beyond a predetermined incremental amount, said processing means being adapted while in said second mode to receive characterizing commands for each associated control point apparatus from said central control computer means for defining said predetermined amount of change for which said transmission is effected.

25. A distribution means as defined in claim 24 wherein said analog input signal is a variable frequency signal.

26. A distribution means as defined in claim 24 wherein said analog input signal is a variable current signal.

27. A distribution means as defined in claim 24 wherein said analog input signal is a variable pneumatic pressure.

28. A distribution means as defined in claim 24 wherein said function means further includes means for transmitting digital output signals to said control point apparatus, said digital output transmitting means having processing means which receives characterizing and command signals originating from said central control computer means, said characterizing signals characterizing the same to operate in one of first and second modes with respect to each associated control point apparatus, each of said modes causing the same to receive command signals for transmission to said associated control point apparatus, said command signals being in the form of signal pulses when said pulsing means is operating in said first mode with respect to an associated control point apparatus, and said command signals being in the form of steady state signal levels when said pulsing means is characterized to operate in said second mode with respect to an associated control point apparatus.

29. A distribution means as defined in claim 24 wherein said function means further includes means for receiving digital input signals from at least one of said control point apparatus, said digital input receiving means having processing means which receives characterizing signals originating from said central control computer means for characterizing the same to operate in one of first and second modes with respect to each associated control point apparatus, said first mode causing the same to receive signal pulses and retain an accumulated total of said pulses, said processing means also being adapted while in said first mode to receive characterizing commands for defining a predetermined accumulated total for each control point apparatus which represents a significant change of value from said control point apparatus, said processing means also being adapted while in said first mode to receive command signals from said central control computer means to characterize the same to provide an output signal for transmission to said central control computer means when said predetermined total is reached, said second mode causing said processing means to receive signal pulses which are indicative of the change of state of an electrical switch contact associated with said associated control point apparatus and provide an output signal for transmission of said central control computer means indicating a change in the state of said switch contact.

30. A distribution means as defined in claim 24 wherein said function means further includes means for selectively transmitting and receiving pneumatic pressure levels to and from a pneumatically controlled control point apparatus, said pneumatic transmitting and receiving means having processing means which receive characterizing signals originating from said central control computer means for characterizing the same with respect to each associated pneumatically controlled control point apparatus in one of first and second modes, said first mode causing the same to receive a pneumatic pressure level from an associated pneumatically controlled control point apparatus and to transmit a digital electrical signal corresponding thereto to said central control computer means when the said level changes by a predetermined amount when said processing means is enabled with respect to said control point apparatus, said processing means being adapted while in said first mode to receive from said central control computer means characterizing commands for each associated control point apparatus for selectively enabling and disabling the same to transmit a digital electrical signal indicative of said changed level when enabled and to receive and store a digital electrical signal corresponding to said changed level when disabled, said processing means transmitting said digital electrical signal when requested when said processing means for said control point apparatus is disabled, said second mode causing the same to receive command signals originating from said central control computer means for controlling the pressure level in a pneumatic control line to the associated pneumatic controlled control point apparatus.

31. A distribution means as defined in claim 30 wherein said predetermined value is approximately zero.

32. A distribution means as defined in claim 30 wherein said predetermined value is plus or minus approximately 2 to approximately 8 percent of the total range of said pneumatic pressure.

33. A distribution means as defined in claim 24 wherein each of said function means has means defining a unique address signal therefor, said interfacing means including processing means which receives address and command data signals from said central control computer means and transmits the same to the particular function means for which the address data signals identifies, said interfacing means having means for defining a unique address signal therefor, and being adapted to receive address and command data signals for commanding the same to interrogate each of said function means to obtain any change of values and change of state from said function means with respect to associated control point apparatus.

34. A distribution means as defined in claim 24 further including an enclosure means and a main printed circuit board having connecting means attached thereto for receiving other printed circuit boards, each of said function means comprising electrical components that are mounted to a printed circuit board that is releasibly connected to said connecting means of said main printed circuit board.

35. In a system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of control point apparatus which sense environmental, temperature and other parameters and which control equipment which affects the same, the system being of the type which has at least one central control computer means and a plurality of said control point apparatus, a distribution means for receiving and transmitting data signals from and to said central control computer means and from and to said control point apparatus, said distribution means comprising:

means for interfacing at least one function means, each of which interacts with at least one of said control point apparatus operatively associated therewith, said interfacing means processing data signals to and from said function means and processing data signals to and from said central control computer means;

said function means including at least one means for selectively transmitting and receiving pneumatic pressure levels to and from a pneumatically controlled control point apparatus, said pneumatic transmitting and receiving means having processing means which receive characterizing signals originating from said central control computer means for characterizing the same with respect to each associated pneumatically controlled control point apparatus in one of first and second modes, said first mode causing the same to receive a pneumatic pressure level from an associated pneumatically controlled control point apparatus and to transmit a digital electrical signal corresponding thereto to said central control computer means when the said level changes by a predetermined amount when said processing means is enabled with respect to said control point apparatus, said processing means being adapted while in said first mode to receive from said central control computer means characterizing commands for each associated control point apparatus for selectively enabling and disabling the same to transmit a digital electrical signal indicative of said changed level when enabled and to receive and store a digital electrical signal corresponding to said changed level when disabled, said processing means transmitting said digital electrical signal when requested when said processing means for said control point apparatus is disabled, said second mode causing the same to receive command signals originating from said central control computer means for controlling the pressure level in a pneumatic control line to the associated pneumatic controlled control point apparatus.

36. A distribution means as defined in claim 35 wherein said predetermined value is approximately zero.

37. A distribution means as defined in claim 35 wherein said predetermined value is plus or minus approximately 2 to approximately 8 percent of the total range of said pneumatic pressure.

38. A distribution means as defined in claim 35 wherein said function means further includes means for transmitting digital output signals to said control point apparatus, said digital output transmitting means having processing means which receives characterizing and command signals originating from said central control computer means, said characterizing signals characterizing the same to operate in one of first and second modes with respect to each associated control point apparatus, each of said modes causing the same to receive command signals for transmission to said associated control point apparatus, said command signals being in the form of signal pulses when said pulsing means is operating in said first mode with respect to an associated control point apparatus, and said command signals being in the form of steady state signal levels when said pulsing means is characterized to operate in said second mode with respect to an associated control point apparatus.

39. A distribution means as defined in claim 35 wherein said function means further includes means for receiving digital input signals from at least one of said control point apparatus, said digital input receiving means having processing means which receives characterizing signals originating from said central control computer means for characterizing the same to operate in one of first and second modes with respect to each associated control point apparatus, said first mode causing the same to receive signal pulses and retain an accumulated total of said pulses, said processing means also being adapted while in said first mode to receive characterizing commands for defining a predetermined accumulated total for each control point apparatus which represents a significant change of value from said control point apparatus, said processing means also being adapted while in said first mode to receive command signals from said central control computer means to characterize the same to provide an output signal for transmission to said central control computer means when said predetermined total is reached, said second mode causing said processing means to receive signal pulses which are indicative of the change of state of an electrical switch contact associated with said associated control point apparatus and provide an output signal for transmission to said central control computer means indicating a change in the state of said switch contact.

40. A distribution means as defined in claim 35 further including means for receiving analog input signals from at least one of said control point apparatus, said analog input receiving means having processing means which receives characterizing signals with respect to each associated control point apparatus, said characterizing signals originating from said central control computer means for characterizing the same in one of first and second modes, said first mode causing the same to receive an analog input signal from an associated control point apparatus and store a digital signal that is equivalent to said analog input signal and, when said processing means is enabled with respect to an associated control point apparatus, to transmit said digital electrical signal to said central control computer means when the value of said analog input signal has changed relative to a prior analog input signal, said processing means being adapted while in said first mode to receive from said central control computer means characterizing commands for each associated control point apparatus for selectively enabling and disabling the same to transmit said changed value when enabled and to receive and store said value when disabled, said processing means transmitting the digital equivalent of said changed value when requested when said processing means is characterized for said associated control point apparatus as disabled in said first mode, said second mode causing the same to receive an analog input signal from an associated control point apparatus and to store a digital signal that is equivalent to said analog signal and to effect a resulting transmission of a digital signal that is the equivalent of the analog input signal to said central control computer means when the value of said analog input signal has changed beyond a predetermined incremental amount, said processing means being adapted while in said second mode to receive characterizing commands for each associated control point apparatus from said central control computer means for defining said predetermined amount of change for which said transmission is effected.

41. A distribution means as defined in claim 40 wherein said analog input signal is a variable frequency signal.

42. A distribution means as defined in claim 40 wherein said analog input signal is a variable current signal.

43. A distribution means as defined in claim 40 wherein said analog input signal is a variable pneumatic pressure.

44. A distribution means as defined in claim 35 wherein each of said function means has means defining a unique address signal therefor, said interfacing means including processing means which receives address and command data signals from said central control computer means and transmits the same to the particular function means for which the address data signals identifies, said interfacing means having means for defining a unique address signal therefor, and being adapted to receive address and command data signals for commanding the same to interrogate each of said function means to obtain any change of values and change of state from said function means with respect to associated control point apparatus.

45. A distribution means as defined in claim 35 further including an enclosure means and a main printed circuit board having connecting means attached thereto for receiving other printed circuit boards, each of said function means comprising electrical components that are mounted to a printed circuit board that is releasibly connected to said connecting means of said main printed circuit board.