Joseph Gray

US Patent:

57400296, Apr 14, 1998

Filed:

Feb 21, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/604656

Inventors:

Vincent Ferri - Pittsburgh PA
Robert D. Dimsa - Elizabeth PA
Joseph C. Gray - Turtle Creek PA
Michael E. Romansky - North Huntingdon PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Air Brake Company - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

G05B 1500
B60T 1300
B61C 1712

US Classification:

364132

Abstract:

The invention provides a real time process control system for control of machinery. The system has a master control module and a slave control module which receives control signals from the master control module. Both control modules send control signals to a control effector and cause changes in at least one effect causing quality of the control effector. The slave control module establishes a target value for the effect causing quality of the control effector based on the signal it receives from the master microprocessor. A sensor connected to the control effector and to the slave control module provides signals in the slave control module which indicate an actual value for the effect causing quality of the control effector. A feedback loop controls the control signal from the slave microprocessor to the control effector to adjust the value of its effect causing quality in accordance with the target value. In the event that the signal from the master control module to the slave control module is interrupted a discrepancy between actual and target values of the effect causing quality indicates interruption of the signal.