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Process control network with redundant field devices and buses

  • US 6,047,222 A
  • Filed: 12/30/1997
  • Issued: 04/04/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A process control system that performs process control functions within a process in a distributed manner including:

  • a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process;

    a plurality of devices communicatively linked over the communication bus, wherein each of the devices performs a different process function within the process;

    a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element that are adapted to perform the same process function within the process; and

    a controller communicatively coupled to the pair of redundant elements via the communication bus to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements using the communication bus and to operationally connect the other of the redundant elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant elements.

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