Patent ID: 8285402
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
1. A control device comprising: an input section configured to receive input signals from a controlled process; a controller connected communicatively coupled to the input section and configured to receive the input signal and in response generate a control signal using the input signals; an input output termination device coupled to the input section and the controller, the input output termination device having a safety device, the safety device comprising: at least one safety logic block; a terminal block having at least two communication paths; a safety output section communicatively coupled to the at least one safety logic block, the safety output section configured to transmit a safety output signal to the controlled process; and a control output section communicatively coupled to the controller, the control output section configured to transmit control signals from the controller to the controlled process; wherein the input signal from the controller process is bifurcated in the terminal block to a first path signal and a second path signal; wherein the at least one safety logic block receives the first path signal and in response generates a safety output signal, and wherein the second path signal is received by the controller in parallel with the first path signal, the second path signal bypassing the safety device; wherein the at least one safety logic block is configured to transmit a safety output signal to the controlled process independent of the control signals that are transmitted from the controller to the controlled processes; wherein the at least one safety logic block comprises precompiled safety certifiable logic; and wherein the at least one safety logic block comprises a plurality of safety logic blocks, wherein an output of a first of the plurality of safety logic blocks is coupled to an input of a second of the plurality of safety logic blocks.