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Method and electrical circuit for the reliable detection of process states within freely couplable units

  • US 4,897,640 A
  • Filed: 05/02/1988
  • Issued: 01/30/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An arrangement for monitoring states of a process within freely couplable units, comprising:

  • a plurality of internal signal current loops, at least a corresponding one of which is internal to each of the units, each loop including a controllable current source and at least associated current detectors and series connected switches actuated by the process;

    means for opening said internal signal current loops when the units are coupled together, and forming a closed common signal current loop passing through all of the coupled units, said common loop having the series connected switches and current sources therein and having the current detectors therein, so as to be actuated by the process;

    a plurality of subloops, each subloop corresponding to one of said controllable current sources and bridging the current source and associated current detectors, each subloop having switch means for actuating the subloop so that the subloop current in the subloop is defined by the respective current source; and

    means for monitoring said switch means, said monitoring means including means, having additional, position specific current loops, for monitoring said switch means by predetermined tests employing said additional, position specific current loops.

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