Configurable parent-child switch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11210920-B2
Application number	US-202016748416-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 21, 2020
Priority date	Jan 21, 2020
Publication date	Dec 28, 2021
Grant date	Dec 28, 2021

Abstract

A system including at least a first node or subnet device configured to be commanded by a controller, a first controller configured to control operation of the first node and interface with a host outside of the system, and a second controller identical to the first controller configured to be a child to the first controller during normal operation and be a parent to a second node or subnet device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
at least a first node or subnet device configured to be commanded by a controller;
a first controller configured to control operation of the first node and interface with a host outside of the system; and
a second controller identical to the first controller configured to be a child to the first controller during normal operation and be a parent to a second node or subnet device, wherein the first controller and the second controller each include two switches configured toggle each controller from a parent role and a child role, wherein a first switch of the two switches is configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first switch in the first position enables the first controller to be parent to the second controller and a third controller, the second switch being in-line with the first switch, wherein the first controller and the second controller each include:
a first transceiver connected to a serial communication line configured to communicate with an external host, a second transceiver in line with the second switch.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising multiple nodes.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the nodes is configured to be a piezoelectric ultra-sonic wave generator and detector.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the nodes is configured to be a fiber optic based sensor.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the nodes, the first controller, and the second controller are connected by shielded, field terminable, and integral wire lead harnesses.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system includes integral power conditioning.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first controller and the first node are shut down during a first controller failure, and the second controller becomes a parent to subsequent non-failed controllers.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first switch in a first position connects the external host to a first terminating resistor.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first switch in the first position is disconnected from the second switch.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the switches are configured to toggle each of controller from a parent role and a child role.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second switch in a first position is connected to the second transceiver.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the transceivers are connected to a parent bus functionality controller.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first switch in the second position enables the third controller to be a child to the second controller.

Assignees

• Simmonds Precision Products

Inventors

• Gang Travis
• Dement Travis
• Dickie David F

Classifications

• G05B23/0205 Primary

  by means of a monitoring system capable of detecting and responding to faults · CPC title

• G05B23/0286

  Modifications to the monitored process, e.g. stopping operation or adapting control · CPC title

• G08B21/0241 Primary

  Data exchange details, e.g. data protocol · CPC title

• G08B21/0227

  System arrangements with a plurality of child units · CPC title