Isolating system that couples fieldbus data to a network
First Claim
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1. A system for coupling data received in fieldbus format from a fieldbus interface to a network connection, comprising:
- a data format converter coupled between the fieldbus interface and a bridge USB interface, the converter convening the data to USB-formatted data;
a coupler coupled in cascade with the converter, and including a first insulating barrier;
a host that receives the USB-formatted data, and that includes a data server interface presenting the data to the network connection; and
a regulator coupling the power to the fieldbus interface to thereby power the fieldbus interface, the regulator including a DC-to-DC converter having a second insulating barrier such that data and power are isolatingly coupled between the fieldbus interface and the bridge USB interface;
the regulator including a power limiter circuit that;
detects whether fieldbus power is valid, and turns off the DC-to-DC converter if the fieldbus power is detected to be valid, and turns on the DC-to-DC converter if the fieldbus power is detected to be not valid; and
detects whether there is current flow and turns off the fieldbus power if there is no current flow, and turns off the DC-to-DC converter and turns on the fieldbus power on if there is current flow.
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Abstract
A system couples fieldbus data from a fieldbus line to a network line. The system includes a data format converter that converts the data to USB data. A coupler that includes a first insulating barrier is coupled in cascade with the converter. A host receives the USB data. The host has a data server interface and a network connection. The data server interface presents the data to the network line. A regulator couples power between the host and the fieldbus line with the regulator including a second insulating barrier. Data and power are isolatingly coupled between the fieldbus line and the network line.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A system for coupling data received in fieldbus format from a fieldbus interface to a network connection, comprising:
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a data format converter coupled between the fieldbus interface and a bridge USB interface, the converter convening the data to USB-formatted data; a coupler coupled in cascade with the converter, and including a first insulating barrier; a host that receives the USB-formatted data, and that includes a data server interface presenting the data to the network connection; and a regulator coupling the power to the fieldbus interface to thereby power the fieldbus interface, the regulator including a DC-to-DC converter having a second insulating barrier such that data and power are isolatingly coupled between the fieldbus interface and the bridge USB interface; the regulator including a power limiter circuit that; detects whether fieldbus power is valid, and turns off the DC-to-DC converter if the fieldbus power is detected to be valid, and turns on the DC-to-DC converter if the fieldbus power is detected to be not valid; and detects whether there is current flow and turns off the fieldbus power if there is no current flow, and turns off the DC-to-DC converter and turns on the fieldbus power on if there is current flow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 32)
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16. A method for coupling fieldbus data from a fieldbus line to a network line, comprising:
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converting the fieldbus data to USB data; coupling a first insulating barrier in cascade with the converting; receiving the USB data at a host, providing the host with a data server interface and a network connection, the data server interface presenting the USB data to the network connection; configuring a regulator to receive power from either a USB interface or an external power source, and coupling the power received from the USB interface to the fieldbus line through a DC-to-DC converter having a second insulating barrier to thereby power the fieldbus line such that data and power are isolatingly coupled between the fieldbus interface and the network connection; and limiting power by; detecting whether fieldbus power is valid, and turning off the DC-to-DC converter if the field bus power is detected to be valid; and
turning off the DC-to-DC converter if the fieldbus power is detected to be not valid; anddetecting whether there is current flow and turning off the fieldbus power if there is no current flow, and turning off the DC-to-DC converter and turning on the fieldbus power if there is no current flow. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 33)
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31. A system for coupling data received in fieldbus format from a fieldbus interface to a host, comprising:
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a data format converter coupled between the fieldbus interface and a bridge USB interface, the converter converting the data to USB-formatted data that is couplable to the host; a coupler coupled in cascade with the converter, and including a first insulating barrier; and a regulator configured to receiving power from either the bridge USB interface or an external power source, the regulator coupling power to the fieldbus interface, the regulator including a DC-to-DC converter having a second insulating barrier such that data and power are isolatingly coupled between the fieldbus interface and the bridge USB interface;
the regulator including a power limiter circuit that;detects whether fieldbus power is valid, and turns off the DC-to-DC converter if the fieldbus power is detected to be valid, and turns on the DC-to-DC converter if the fieldbus power is detected to be not valid; and detects whether there is current flow and turns off the fieldbus power if there is no current flow, and turns off the DC-to-DC converter and turns on the fieldbus power on if there is current flow. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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Specification