Patent ID: 6965840
Filing Date: 2005-11-15
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
1. A dual sensor process temperature switch having a one-out-of-two voting architecture, said switch comprising: a first temperature sensor for sensing a first process temperature in a fluid transport system, and for outputting a first analog sensor signal to each of a sensor input comparator and a first A/D converter; a second temperature sensor for sensing a second process temperature in a fluid transport system, and for outputting a second analog sensor signal to each of a sensor input comparator and a second A/D converter; a sensor input comparator for receiving said first analog sensor signal from said first temperature sensor, and for receiving said second analog sensor signal from said second temperature sensor; a first A/D converter for receiving said first analog sensor signal from said first temperature sensor, and for converting said first analog sensor signal into a corresponding first digital sensor signal and then sending said first digital sensor signal to a first data processor; a second A/D converter for receiving said second analog sensor signal from said second temperature sensor, and for converting said second analog sensor signal into a corresponding second digital sensor signal and then sending said second digital sensor signal to a second data processor; a first data processor for receiving said first digital sensor signal, and for generating a first logical output signal based on a predetermined set point and then sending said first logical output signal to an integrated diagnostics unit; a second data processor for receiving said second digital sensor signal, and for generating a second logical output signal based on a predetermined set point and then sending said second logical output signal to an integrated diagnostics unit; an integrated diagnostics unit for receiving said first logical output signal from said first data processor and said second logical output signal from said second data processor, and for communicating with a master diagnostics switch to generate a switch control signal responsive to said first logical output signal and said second logical output signal; a master diagnostics switch for communicating with said integrated diagnostics unit to generate a switch control signal responsive to said first logical output signal and said second logical output signal, and for outputting said switch control signal to a plurality of servant diagnostics switches; a plurality of servant diagnostics switches responsive to a switch control signal received from said master diagnostics switch.