Distributed monitoring and control fluid handling system
First Claim
1. A fluid monitoring and control system comprising a network of a plurality of modular components having different functions and a system-wide distributed memory storing distributed variables, wherein each modular component performs the respective function of said modular component without external guidance and wherein at least one first modular component comprises:
- means for measuring a variable to be controlled;
means for controlling the variable to be controlled; and
means for broadcasting the value of said controlled variable over the network wherein the fluid monitoring and control system uses a broadcast message to inform all said modular components within the system of the current value of a distributed variable, said broadcast message comprising an address for the distributed variable within the system-wide distributed memory and a value for the distributed variable; and
wherein the fluid monitoring and control system uses a set-point request message to request a change in the value of a distributed variable, said set-point request message comprising an address for the distributed variable within the system-wide distributed memory and a value for the distributed variable.
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Abstract
A fluid handling control/monitoring system is divided into a network of modular, intelligent components. These individual components are generally specific to a certain function within the system and contain all the intelligence necessary to perform that function without external guidance. Examples of the different types of components include but are not limited to: human-machine interface (HMI), fluid control, heater control, motor control, field-bus communications and the like. While each type of board is specialized in function, it may control several items of the same nature. For instance, a heater control may be able to control several heaters on one system. Similarly, a fluid board may have the ability to receive input from more than one flow meter and then control fluid flow of more than one point. An example might be a plural component metering and dispensing system where two fluid components have to be combined in a precise mix ratio.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A fluid monitoring and control system comprising a network of a plurality of modular components having different functions and a system-wide distributed memory storing distributed variables, wherein each modular component performs the respective function of said modular component without external guidance and wherein at least one first modular component comprises:
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means for measuring a variable to be controlled; means for controlling the variable to be controlled; and means for broadcasting the value of said controlled variable over the network wherein the fluid monitoring and control system uses a broadcast message to inform all said modular components within the system of the current value of a distributed variable, said broadcast message comprising an address for the distributed variable within the system-wide distributed memory and a value for the distributed variable; and
wherein the fluid monitoring and control system uses a set-point request message to request a change in the value of a distributed variable, said set-point request message comprising an address for the distributed variable within the system-wide distributed memory and a value for the distributed variable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification