Computer network for real time control with automatic fault identification and by-pass
First Claim
1. A computer system comprising:
- first and second main computers, each computer having a primary data interface and a secondary data interface each interface for sending and receiving system signals including sensor system signals and actuator system signals;
a first data highway for conveying said system signals, connected to said primary data interface of said first main computer and to said secondary data interface of said second main computer;
a second data highway for conveying said system signals, connected to said primary data interface of said second main computer and to said secondary data interface of said first main computer;
first and second satellite computers for relaying said system signals, each connected to said first and second data highways;
first and second I/O racks, each connected to said first and second satellite computers;
a sensor pair for generating said sensor system signals, connected to each of said I/O racks, andan actuator pair, connected respectively to each of said I/O racks and having means for comparing said actuator system signals, for reacting to system signals which are in agreement with each other.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer network for real time control having redundant components for automated fault identification and automated bypass of identified faulty components. The system includes at least two main computers, each coupled to at least two independent parallel data channels. A plurality of satellite computer pairs are connected to these channels, each pair receiving information from a plurality of I/O racks which are connected to redundant sensors for detecting information and to redundant actuators for implementing system control. The main computers are continuously crosslinked and perform evaluation of their respective input and output streams comparing these streams for consistency between the main computers. In the event that an inconsistency is detected in the data streams, the system checks for faulty components to determine the origin of the inconsistency. The system utilizes an evaluation method whereby each main computer independently accesses each of the parallel data channels, satellite computers, I/O racks, sensors and actuators to locate inconsistencies in the data stream. The system then allows for operation with one of the redundant components while the identified defective redundant component is repaired or replaced.
101 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A computer system comprising:
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first and second main computers, each computer having a primary data interface and a secondary data interface each interface for sending and receiving system signals including sensor system signals and actuator system signals; a first data highway for conveying said system signals, connected to said primary data interface of said first main computer and to said secondary data interface of said second main computer; a second data highway for conveying said system signals, connected to said primary data interface of said second main computer and to said secondary data interface of said first main computer; first and second satellite computers for relaying said system signals, each connected to said first and second data highways; first and second I/O racks, each connected to said first and second satellite computers; a sensor pair for generating said sensor system signals, connected to each of said I/O racks, and an actuator pair, connected respectively to each of said I/O racks and having means for comparing said actuator system signals, for reacting to system signals which are in agreement with each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for monitoring and controlling sensors and actuators, comprising the steps of:
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providing first and second main computers; providing a first signal pathway divided into a plurality of first discrete coupling segments for coupling said first main computer with sensors and a first actuator and for coupling said second main computer with said sensors and said first actuator; providing a second signal pathway divided into a plurality of second discrete coupling segments for coupling said first main computer with said sensors and a second actuator and for coupling said second main computer with said sensors and said second actuator, said second signal pathway being redundant and parallel to said first signal pathway and said plurality of second discrete coupling segments corresponding to said plurality of first discrete coupling segments; selectively monitoring and controlling said sensors and said first actuator with said first main computer via said first signal pathway; selectively monitoring and controlling said sensors and said second actuator with said second main computer via said second signal pathway; comparing during said monitoring by said first computer and said monitoring by said second computer system signals at points in said plurality of first discrete coupling segments and points in said plurality of secondary discrete coupling segments corresponding to said plurality of first discrete coupling segments and generating a discrepancy signal whenever said comparing step determines that there is a discrepancy between said system signals. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification