Redundant control systems and methods

• US 7,680,034 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2006
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology Limited (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Cunningham, John N., King, Dennis Brian, Shepard, Mark E., Boettner, Fred Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung; Min
• Application Number:
  US11/592,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20080125886A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 370/216, 370/217, 370/220, 370/225, 370/228, 714/1, 714/10, 714/11, 714/12, 714/13
• US Class Current: 370/228
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 9/03 with multiple-channel loop, i.e. redundant control systems

Abstract

A redundant control system for controlling an electromechanical system is provided. The control system includes a first processor, a second processor, an input-output node, a first communication channel, a second communication channel, and a signal selector. The first and second processors have a control algorithm and state variables resident thereon. The first and second processors each generate an output signal based on the control algorithm, the state variables, and an input signal from the electromechanical system. The first communication channel communicates the input signal and the output signal between the first processor and the input-output node, while the second communication channel communicates the input signal and the output signal between the second processor and the input-output node. The signal selector communicates either the output signal from the first processor or the output signal from the second processor to the electromechanical system.

Claims

1. A redundant control system for controlling an electromechanical system, comprising:

a first processor having a control algorithm and state variables resident thereon, said first processor generating an output signal based on said control algorithm, said state variables, and an input signal from the electromechanical system;

a second processor having said control algorithm and said state variables resident thereon, said second processor generating said output signal based on said control algorithm, said state variables, and said input signal;

a communication node;

a first communication channel communicating said input signal and said output signal between said first processor and said communication node;

a second communication channel communicating said input signal and said output signal between said second processor and said communication node; and

a signal selector communicating either said output signal from said first processor or said second processor to the electromechanical system, wherein said signal selector randomly selects between said output signal from said first processor and said output signal from said second processor.

2. The redundant control system as in claim 1, further comprising a synchronization signal for synchronizing said state variables between said first and second processors.

3. The redundant control system as in claim 2, wherein said synchronization signal is sent by said first processor to said second processor.

4. The redundant control system as in claim 2, wherein said synchronization signal is sent at a predetermined periodic rate.

5. The redundant control system as in claim 1, wherein said communication node comprises a terminal board in electrical communication with the electromechanical system.

6. The redundant control system as in claim 1, further comprising a third processor having said control algorithm and said state variables resident thereon and a third communication channel.

7. The redundant control system as in claim 1, wherein said first and second communication channels are on a common network.

8. The redundant control system as in claim 1, wherein said first and second communication channels are separate networks.

9. The redundant control system as in claim 1, wherein said communication node comprises an input-only portion and an output-only portion, said input-only portion and said output-only portion each being in electrical communication with the electromechanical system and said signal selector.

10. The redundant control system as in claim 1, wherein said communication node comprises an input-output node.

11. The redundant control system as in claim 10, wherein said signal selector is resident on said input-output node.

12. A redundant control system for controlling an electromechanical system, comprising:

a first processor having a control algorithm and state variables resident thereon, said first processor generating an output signal based on said control algorithm, said state variables, and an input signal from the electromechanical system;

a second processor having said control algorithm and said state variables resident thereon, said second processor generating said output signal based on said control algorithm, said state variables, and said input signal;

a communication node;

a first communication channel communicating said input signal and said output signal between said first processor and said communication node;

a second communication channel communicating said input signal and said output signal between said second processor and said communication node; and

a signal selector communicating either said output signal from said first processor or said second processor to the electromechanical system, wherein said signal selector selects between said output signal from said first processor and said output signal from said second processor on a continuous first in basis.

13. The redundant control system as in claim 12, further comprising a synchronization signal for synchronizing said state variables between said first and second processors.

14. The redundant control system as in claim 13, wherein said synchronization signal is sent at a predetermined periodic rate.

15. The redundant control system as in claim 12, wherein said communication node comprises a terminal board in electrical communication with the electromechanical system.

16. A redundant control system for controlling an electromechanical system, comprising:

a first processor having a control algorithm and state variables resident thereon, said first processor generating an output signal based on said control algorithm, said state variables, and an input signal from the electromechanical system;

a second processor having said control algorithm and said state variables resident thereon, said second processor generating said output signal based on said control algorithm, said state variables, and said input signal;

a communication node;

a first communication channel communicating said input signal and said output signal between said first processor and said communication node;

a second communication channel communicating said input signal and said output signal between said second processor and said communication node; and

a signal selector communicating either said output signal from said first processor or said second processor to the electromechanical system, wherein said signal selector selects between said output signal from said first processor and said output signal from said second processor on an initial first in basis.

17. The redundant control system as in claim 16, further comprising a synchronization signal for synchronizing said state variables between said first and second processors.

18. The redundant control system as in claim 17, wherein said synchronization signal is sent at a predetermined periodic rate.

19. The redundant control system as in claim 16, wherein said communication node comprises a terminal board in electrical communication with the electromechanical system.