Architecture using integrated backup control and protection hardware
First Claim
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1. An electronic control configuration, comprising:
- at least one primary microprocessor operable to control a device using a first shaft and a first effector; and
at least one secondary microprocessor operable to control the device using a second shaft and a second effector, the at least one secondary microprocessor assuming protection control of the device responsive to a first type of failure by transmitting a protection control signal to the first effector, the at least one secondary microprocessor assuming backup control of the device responsive to a second type of failure by transmitting a backup control signal to the second effector, wherein the backup control functionality of the at least one secondary microprocessor can be selectively disabled.
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Abstract
An electronic control configuration includes at least one secondary microprocessor operable to control a device. The at least one secondary microprocessor assumes protection control of the device responsive to a first type of failure by transmitting a protection control signal to a first effector. The at least one secondary microprocessor assumes backup control of the device responsive to a second type of failure by transmitting a backup control signal to a second effector. The backup control functionality of the at least one secondary microprocessor can be selectively disabled.
31 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic control configuration, comprising:
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at least one primary microprocessor operable to control a device using a first shaft and a first effector; and at least one secondary microprocessor operable to control the device using a second shaft and a second effector, the at least one secondary microprocessor assuming protection control of the device responsive to a first type of failure by transmitting a protection control signal to the first effector, the at least one secondary microprocessor assuming backup control of the device responsive to a second type of failure by transmitting a backup control signal to the second effector, wherein the backup control functionality of the at least one secondary microprocessor can be selectively disabled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11)
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9. An electronic control configuration, comprising:
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at least one secondary microprocessor operable to control a device, the at least one secondary microprocessor assuming protection control of the device responsive to a first type of failure by transmitting a protection control signal to a first effector, the at least one secondary microprocessor assuming backup control of the device responsive to a second type of failure by transmitting a backup control signal to a second effector, wherein a backup control functionality of the at least one secondary microprocessor can be selectively disabled; wherein the first type of failure is a failure in which at least one primary control microprocessor is able to control the device but requires assistance from the at least one secondary microprocessor to avoid damaging the device, and wherein the second type of failure is a failure in which the at least one primary control microprocessor is unable to control the device and relinquishes control of the device to either another primary control microprocessor or the at least one secondary microprocessor; and wherein the at least one secondary microprocessor controls the device along a first shaft using the first effector, wherein the at least one primary control microprocessor controls the device along a second shaft using the second effector, wherein each of the first effector and the second effector include at least one of a stepper motor, a torque motor and a dual-coil solenoid. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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12. An electronic control configuration, comprising:
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a first primary control operable to control a device using a first shaft and a first effector to control the device; a first secondary control operable to assume protection control of the device if the first primary control experiences a first type of failure; a second primary control operable to control the device using a second shaft and a second effector in response to the first primary control experiencing a second type of failure; and a second secondary control operable to assume protection control of the device if the second primary control experiences the first type of failure, at least one of the secondary controls being operable to assume backup control of the device if both the first and second primary controls experience the second type of failure. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of electronically controlling a device, comprising:
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controlling a device using a first primary control microprocessor, a first shaft, and a first effector; assuming protection control of the device using a first secondary microprocessor, the first shaft, and the first effector in response to the first primary control microprocessor experiencing a first type of failure; controlling the device using a second primary control microprocessor, a second shaft, and a second effector in response to the first primary control microprocessor experiencing a second type of failure; assuming protection control of the device using a second secondary microprocessor, the second shaft, and the second effector in response to the second primary control microprocessor experiencing the first type of failure; and assuming backup control of the device using one of the first secondary microprocessor and the second secondary microprocessor in response to the first primary control microprocessor and the second primary control microprocessor experiencing the second type of failure. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification