Electrohydraulic distributed control system with identical master and slave controllers

• US 5,249,140 A
• Filed: 05/07/1991
• Issued: 09/28/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vickers Incorporated (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Vickers Incorporated (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Kessler, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, Jack B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUROKER, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US07/696,612
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 364/551.01, 364/131, 364/132, 371/9.1
• US Class Current: 700/3
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0421 Multiprocessor system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/46 hydraulic

Abstract

A control module adapted for use as either a master controller or device controller in a distributed electrohydraulic system includes a microprocessor-based control circuit with digital memory having stored therein a plurality of programs for controlling operation of the controller in a variety of applications. A plurality of analog inputs provide a mechanism for connecting sensor signals or the like to input ports of the control microprocessor. A plurality of electrohydraulic valve driver circuits have inputs for receiving valve control signals from the control microprocessor, and outputs for selective connection to electrohydraulic valves coupled to the devices to be controlled. Serial communication circuitry is coupled to the control microprocessor and adapted for connection to a high-speed electrohydraulic bus. A plurality of control routines are prestored in a memory library, as is an executive routine that is employed for operating the microprocessor whether the controller is configured as a master or a device controller. To configure a controller for operation as a master controller or device controller, and to configure the controller for operation in association with a specific type of electrohydraulic device or devices, a selectively programmable and reprogrammable subroutine list coordinates the executive routine with the various control subroutines in the control library for interrelating the analog input signals, the serial communication signals and/or the valve control output signals so as to dedicate operation of the controller as a master controller or as a device controller for a specific type of electrohydraulic device.

Claims

1. An electrohydraulic system with distributed control that includes a plurality of electrohydraulic devices responsive to electronic control signals for performing hydraulic operations and control means for providing said control signals, said control means including at least one individual device control means associated with and dedicated directly to controlling at least one associated electrohydraulic device, master control means for generating device command signals and means coupling said master control means to all of said device control means for coordinating operation of said electrohydraulic devices, characterized in that said master control means and said at least one device control means each comprise:

a microprocessor-based controller including digital memory having prestored therein a plurality of programs for controlling operation of said controller and the associated said control means,

a plurality of analog input means and means for connecting said analog input means to said controller for feeding analog input signals thereto,

a plurality of electrohydraulic valve driver circuits having inputs for receiving valve control signals from said controller and output means for connection to electrohydraulic control valves coupled to said devices, and

serial communication means coupled to said controller,

said means coupling said master and device control means comprising a serial communication bus interconnecting said serial communication means of all of said control means,

said master control means and said at least one device control means being physically identical and differing from each other in control programming stored in said controller memory for selecting among said plurality of programs.

2. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said control programming stored in said memory includes an executive control routine identical in all of said master and device control means, a library of control routines identical in all of said master and device control means, and means unique to each said device control means foe executing at least some of said control routines responsive to operation of said executive routine in each said control means for dedicating each said control means to an associated control function.

3. For use in an electrohydraulic system with distributed control that includes a plurality of electrohydraulic devices responsive to electronic control signals for performing hydraulic operations, at least one device control means associated with and directly controlling operation of at least one said electrohydraulic device, master control means for generating device command signals, and a bidirectional serial bus coupling said master control means to said device control means for serial intercommunication to coordinate operation among said electrohydraulic devices, a control module for use as said master control means or any one of said at least one device control means comprising:

a microprocessor-based controller including digital memory means having prestored therein a library of programs for controlling operation of said controller,

a plurality of analog input means and means for connecting said analog input means to said controller for feeding analog input signals thereto,

a plurality of electrohydraulic valve driver circuits having inputs for receiving valve control signals from said controller and output means for connection to electrohydraulic valves coupled to said devices, and

serial communication means coupled to said controller for connection to said bus,

said memory means including at least a first portion for storing a fixed executive routine, a second portion for storing said library of control routines that interrelate said analog input signals, said serial communication and said valve control signals, and a third portion of selectively and reprogrammably storing a routine for coordinating said executive routine with said library control routines so as to dedicate operation of said controller to one of said control means.