On-board measurement system
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for logging parameters to which a movable unit in a process environment is subjected, said apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of separable modules including at least one measurement module provided with sensor means for measuring an environmental parameter, and at least one control module for operating said measurement module;
said control module including microprocessor means for programming a measurement sequence, detachable interface means for connection to an external command center, and memory means for storing instructions and measured data;
attachment means for removably attaching said measurement and control modules physically to said unit for movement with said unit;
first linking means positioned in communicating relation between said measurement and control modules when said modules are physically attached to said unit for transmitting instructions from said control module to said measurement module in order to direct measurement of said parameters and for returning data from said measurement module to said control module for storage in said memory means; and
said measurement module including second linking means adaptable for communication between said measurement module and another measurement module for transmitting instructions from said control module to said other measurement module, and said first and second linking means being operable separately from said detachable interface means so as to facilitate simultaneous data transmittal by said measurement module and connection of said control module to an external command center.
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Abstract
An on-board measurement system includes a plurality of measurement modules each provided with internal or external transducers and a control module for conducting desired testing procedures. The modular logging apparatus is removably secured to a product undergoing a manufacturing process or the like whereby numerous or substantially continuous measurements can be made of environmental factors affecting a product. The control module also receives and stores measured data for later retrieval.
14 Citations
33 Claims
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1. Apparatus for logging parameters to which a movable unit in a process environment is subjected, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of separable modules including at least one measurement module provided with sensor means for measuring an environmental parameter, and at least one control module for operating said measurement module; said control module including microprocessor means for programming a measurement sequence, detachable interface means for connection to an external command center, and memory means for storing instructions and measured data; attachment means for removably attaching said measurement and control modules physically to said unit for movement with said unit; first linking means positioned in communicating relation between said measurement and control modules when said modules are physically attached to said unit for transmitting instructions from said control module to said measurement module in order to direct measurement of said parameters and for returning data from said measurement module to said control module for storage in said memory means; and said measurement module including second linking means adaptable for communication between said measurement module and another measurement module for transmitting instructions from said control module to said other measurement module, and said first and second linking means being operable separately from said detachable interface means so as to facilitate simultaneous data transmittal by said measurement module and connection of said control module to an external command center. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 31, 32, 33)
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17. A method of logging parameters to which a movable unit is subjected in a process environment, said method comprising:
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attaching at least two measurement modules and at least one control module to said unit for moving through said process with said unit, said modules connected to each other in a series arrangement, taking measurements with said at least two measurement modules under the direction of the said at least one control module, returning measurement data as taken by said at least two measurement modules for storage in said at least one control module, and transmitting measurement data from said control module to an external command module without disrupting the step of taking measurements by said at least two measurement modules. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. Apparatus for logging parameters to which a unit is subjected in a process environment, said apparatus comprising:
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at least one measurement module removably attached to said unit, a control module including linking means, the control module being removably attached to said unit and adapted for directing operation of said measurement module and for receiving measurement data from said measurement module through said linking means, said control module having memory means for storing said measurement data received from said measurement module and having external communication means separate from said linking means, and external command computer means including means detachably connectable to said external communication means of said control module for operating said control module and receiving measurement data from said memory means while said control module is attached to said unit, said separate external communication means and linking means facilitating simultaneous data measurement by the measurement module and receipt of measurement data by said external command computer. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. Apparatus for logging environmental parameters to which a unit may be exposed, said apparatus comprising:
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measurement and control means connected by linking means and being removably attachable to said unit so as to be adapted for movement with said unit, said control means including storage means for storing measurements taken by said measurement means under control of said control means and including external communication means, and external readout means separate from said unit and from said measurement and control means and operatively connectable to said external communication means for receiving data as stored in said storage means without disrupting connection by said linking means of the measurement and control means. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification