IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0104570
(2002-03-22)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Pattee, Jack
- Champagne, Sheila F.
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
6 인용 특허 :
12 |
초록
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A programmable limit switch includes output channels for receiving position data, each position value of the position data representing an incremental advance of a workpiece through a production field, and for producing actuation signals. The channels are connectable to respective output devices res
A programmable limit switch includes output channels for receiving position data, each position value of the position data representing an incremental advance of a workpiece through a production field, and for producing actuation signals. The channels are connectable to respective output devices responsive to the respective actuation signals and located in the field. Each output channel has an output controller, which is individually programmable to change the state of respective actuation signals in response to reaching selected position values. Preferably, the PLS includes input connectors coupled to a respective channel and connectable to respective input devices located within the production field. Each channel operates its own inputs and outputs according to a variety of programmed functions depending upon system conditions seen by the output controller.
대표청구항
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1. A programmable limit switch for establishing a timing of events in a workpiece treatment process carried out as a workpiece traverses through a production field, comprising:a plurality of output channels for receiving position data, each position value of the position data representing an advance
1. A programmable limit switch for establishing a timing of events in a workpiece treatment process carried out as a workpiece traverses through a production field, comprising:a plurality of output channels for receiving position data, each position value of the position data representing an advance of the workpiece through the production field, and for producing device actuation signals, each of the plurality of output channels connectable to an output device responsive to the respective device actuation signals and located in the production field; and an output controller in each of the plurality of output channels, each output controller individually programmable to change a state of the respective device actuation signals; and wherein at least one output controller is individually programmable to change a state of the respective device actuation signals in response to reaching selected position values. 2. The programmable limit switch according to claim 1, further comprising:a main programmable controller operable to execute an operating program including a plurality of functions, the operating program programming each of the output controllers. 3. The programmable limit switch according to claim 2, further comprising:means for entering data into the plurality of functions of the operating program. 4. The programmable limit switch according to claim 1, further comprising:an alphanumeric display for displaying data associated each of a plurality of functions of the operating program; and means for scrolling the display through each of the plurality of functions. 5. The programmable limit switch according to claim 4 wherein the scrolling means is one of a scroll knob and at least one switch.6. The programmable limit switch according to claim 4 wherein the data includes settings and the scrolling means is operable for scrolling the display through selectable changes to the settings.7. The programmable limit switch according to claim 6, further comprising:at least one button operable to enter changes to the settings. 8. The programmable limit switch according to claim 1 wherein each output controller is programmable for receiving the position data and producing output signals in accordance with an operating program and wherein each of the plurality of output channels further comprises:a relay for receiving the output signals and producing device actuation signals; and an output connector connectable to the respective output device and receiving the device actuation signals from the relay. 9. The programmable limit switch according to claim 8 wherein the output controller of each of the plurality of output channels is a microcontroller.10. The programmable limit switch according to claim 1, further comprising:a connector connectable to means for producing position inputs; and means for transmitting the position inputs as position data to the plurality of output channels. 11. The programmable limit switch according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the output controllers is programmable to change a state of a respective device actuation signal at an ON setpoint associated with a first position value and to change a state of the respective device actuation signal again at an OFF setpoint associated with a second position value, the ON and OFF setpoints defining a respective setpoint pair.12. The programmable limit switch according to claim 11 wherein the at least one of the output controllers is programmable to add a first offset to the respective ON setpoint based upon a comparison of a base speed to an actual speed of travel determined from a sample number of position values and to add a second offset to the respective OFF setpoint based upon the comparison.13. The programmable limit switch according to claim 12 the at least one of the output controllers is programmable to de-energize the respective device actuation signal when the actual speed of travel drops below a predetermined speed.14. The programmable limit switch according to claim 1, further comprising:a housing; and wherein the plurality of output channels are mounted on at least one circuit board within the housing. 15. The programmable limit switch according to claim 14, further comprising:a main programmable controller operable to execute an operating program and mounted within the housing; and a connector connectable to means for entering data into the operating program. 16. The programmable limit switch according to claim 15 wherein the means for entering data into the operating program is external to the housing.17. The programmable limit switch according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of output channels are mounted on two or more expansion circuit boards, each expansion circuit board having an expansion in port and an expansion out port through which the two or more expansion circuit boards are serially connected.18. The programmable limit switch according to claim 17, wherein the two or more expansion circuit boards are each enclosed within a separate housing, and further comprising:a main programmable controller operable to execute an operating program and mounted within a first one of the housings. 19. The programmable limit switch according to claim 18 wherein the first one of the housings further includes:a connector connectable to means for producing position inputs; and means for transmitting the position inputs as position data to the plurality of output channels. 20. The programmable limit switch according to claim 18, further comprising:an alphanumeric display for displaying data associated each of a plurality of functions of the operating program, the display viewable through the first one of the housings; means for scrolling through and for changing the data on the alphanumeric display, the scrolling means mounted on the first one of the housings; and at least one button operable to enter the changed data and mounted on the first one of the housings. 21. The programmable limit switch according to claim 17 wherein the two or more expansion circuit boards are each enclosed within a separate housing and further comprising:a plurality of input connectors for receiving device input signals and connectable to respective input devices located within the production field, each input connector coupled to a respective output channel and mounted on the respective housing. 22. The programmable limit switch according to claim 1, further comprising:a plurality of input connectors for receiving device input signals and connectable to respective input devices located within the production field, each input connector coupled to a respective output channel. 23. The programmable limit switch according to claim 22 wherein at least one of the output controllers is programmable to change a state of a respective device actuation signal at an ON setpoint associated with a first position value and to change a state of the respective device actuation signal again at an OFF setpoint associated with a second position value, the ON and OFF setpoints defining a respective setpoint pair.24. The programmable limit switch according to claim 23 wherein the at least one of the output controllers is programmable to ignore the setpoint pair unless a signal state of at least one of the respective plurality of input connectors changes in a period prior to the ON setpoint.25. The programmable limit switch according to claim 23 wherein the at least one of the output controllers is programmable to change the state of the device actuation signal at the respective ON setpoint and to change the state of the device actuation signal again prior to the respective OFF setpoint if a signal state of a respective input connector changes between the ON setpoint and the OFF setpoint.26. The programmable limit switch according to claim 22 wherein at least one of the output controllers is programmable with a first dwell point and a second dwell point, the first and second dwell points defining a dwell window, and the at least one of the output controllers is programmable to indicate a fault when a signal state of a respective input connector one of does and does not change within the dwell window.27. The programmable limit switch according to claim 22 wherein at least one of the output controllers is programmable with a first dwell point and a second dwell point, the first and second dwell points defining a dwell window, and the at least one of the output controllers is programmable to indicate a fault when a signal state of a respective input connector changes after the first dwell point and changes state a second time prior to the second dwell point.28. The programmable limit switch according to claim 22, further comprising:a connector connectable to means for producing position inputs; means for transmitting the position inputs as the position data to the plurality of output channels; and wherein at least one of the output controllers includes a counter and the at least one of the output controllers is programmable to reset the counter to a preset position value from which to start counting position values when a signal state of a respective input connector changes to a first state. 29. The programmable limit switch according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the output controllers is programmable to change a state of a respective device actuation signal in response to a first position and to change the state again after a predetermined period of time.30. The programmable limit switch according to claim 1 wherein the state of the respective device actuation signals comprises one of an enabling state and a disabling state.31. The programmable limit switch according to claim 1 wherein each output controller simultaneously receives the position data.32. The programmable limit switch according to claim 1, further comprising:a main programmable controller operable to execute an operating program; wherein each output controller communicates status information only to the main programmable controller. 33. The programmable limit switch according to claim 32 wherein each output controller receives the position data simultaneous with receipt by the main programmable controller of the position data.34. A programmable limit switch for establishing a timing of events in a workpiece treatment process carried out as a workpiece traverses through a production field, comprising:a plurality of output channels for receiving position data, each position value of the position data representing an advance of the workpiece through the production field, and for producing device actuation signals, each of the plurality of output channels connectable to an output device responsive to the respective device actuation signals and located in the production field; an output controller in each of the plurality of output channels, each output controller individually programmable to change a state of the respective device actuation signals; and wherein at least one output controller is individually programmable to change a state of the respective device actuation signals in response to reaching selected position values; and a brake input operably connectable to a brake; and wherein one of the output controllers is programmable to start a counter when the brake input de-energizes and stop the counter when the output channel does not receive a change in position value. 35. A programmable limit switch for establishing a timing of events in a workpiece treatment process carried out as a workpiece traverses through a production field, comprising:a plurality of output channels for receiving position data, each position value of the position data representing an advance of the workpiece through the production field, and for producing device actuation signals, each of the plurality of output channels connectable to an output device responsive to the respective device actuation signals and located in the production field; and an output controller in each of the plurality of output channels, each output controller individually programmable to change a state of the respective device actuation signals; and wherein at least one output controller is individually programmable to change a state of the respective device actuation signals in response to reaching selected position values; and wherein one of the output controllers is programmable to change a state of a respective device actuation signal when a first sample of position data indicates a predetermined speed of travel through the production field and to change a state again if a second sample of position data indicates a speed of travel slower than the predetermined speed of travel.
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