Method and apparatus for control of hydraulic systems

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling hydraulic systems. The control apparatus (module) accepts a variety of input forms, and the output is user-configurable to control both sides of an attached coil. The master module is programmable via a graphical user interface defining states and conditions triggering transitions between states. The master module may be combined with slave modules on a connection bus to control many subsystems. Reprogramming of the master module may occur in the field by use of flash memory, and input/output characteristics may be adjusted during operation of the system, allowing adjustment of systems exhibiting nonlinear response characteristics.

1 . A system for control of and bidirectional communication between a central controller and a plurality of subsystems operatively dispersed on said system, comprising, in combination: 
 each said subsystem linked to said controller, either directly or using communication bus means, and a work-performing device, having hydraulic fluid controlling operation of said device,    said controller including means to modify operating criteria on said subsystem,    said hydraulic fluid integrated in said system and distributed to each said subsystem in accordance with said criteria as modified by said controller to effect change to said hydraulic fluid controlled device.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said central controller alters hydraulic fluid flow at each device via means for setting limits on each said subsystem to control fluid demand.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said controller includes means to modify valve throughput at each said device.  
   
   
       4 . A method for programming logic sequences, the steps including: 
 orienting a plurality of reference points in a graphical user interface, said graphical user interface shown on a display;    specifying a state for each of said plurality of reference points;    designating one of said plurality of reference points as a starting point; and    identifying conditions under which transition between reference points occurs, wherein said plurality of reference points and said conditions form a logic sequence depicted in said graphical user interface.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  further including the steps of 
 saving said logic sequence; and    transferring said logic sequence to a controller, wherein said controller operates a work-performing device according to said logic sequence.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4  further including the steps of 
 saving said logic sequence; and    transferring said logic sequence to a fluidic circuit which operatively conditions a system formed from plural elements each influenced by said circuit.    
   
   
       7 . A system for creating a universal microprocessor-based control system for hydraulics, comprising, in combination: 
 a master module having a plurality of inputs and outputs;    a plurality of slave modules, wherein each slave module has a plurality of inputs and outputs;    a connection bus interposed between said master module and said plurality of slave modules, said connection bus transmitting information therebetween;    a work-performing device connected to at least one of said outputs on said master module or said slave module, either directly or using communication bus means, wherein said work-performing device has hydraulic fluid controlling operation of said device.    
   
   
       8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . A control apparatus for hydraulic valve systems, comprising, in combination: 
 analog input means;    non-analog input means; and    output means responsive to input received by said analog input means and said non-analog input means, wherein said analog input means and said non-analog input means hare are received by a single common portal.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said input recognized by said non-analog input means comprises pulse inputs.  
   
   
       11 . A control apparatus for hydraulic valve systems, comprising, in combination: 
 input means having a single portal, wherein said input means are responsive to inputs comprising analog input and non-analog input; and    output means responsive to said inputs received by said input means, whereby said single portal receives either analog input or non-analog input.    
   
   
       12 . A control apparatus for control of hydraulic valves, comprising, in combination: 
 input means, said input means programmable by a user; and    output means responsive to said input means, wherein said output means includes a coil having a high side and a low side and means for controlling both said sides, said means for controlling both said sides including parameters for said high side and said low side, said parameters entered by a user.    
   
   
       13 . The control apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said output means produces either an output having a constant supply source voltage or a PWM output that sinks current to ground at a pulse-width-modulated frequency.  
   
   
       14 . The control apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said PWM output may be configured to a particular current range.  
   
   
       15 . The control apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said frequency is between 19 kHz and 20 kHz.  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A module for linking a control system having a network which alters hydraulic means, comprising, in combination: 
 network connection means, said network connection means receiving programming from an external source having an output, said programming allowing selection of data types to be collected;    nonvolatile memory means communicating through said network communication means to store a plurality of data streams sent through the network connected through said network connection means, said data streams corresponding to said selection of data types and stored according to said programming; and    output means to export stored data from said nonvolatile memory means.    
   
   
       18 . The module of  claim 17  further comprising clock means, said clock means supplementing said plurality of data streams with a time stamp.  
   
   
       19 . The module of  claim 18  wherein said nonvolatile memory means is divided into partitions to store said plurality of data streams simultaneously, each said data stream sequestered in a separate partition.  
   
   
       20 . The module of  claim 19  wherein any of said plurality of data streams comprises trend data, event data, fault data, or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       21 . The module of  claim 20  wherein any of said plurality of data streams comprises raw data.  
   
   
       22 . The module of  claim 21  wherein any of said plurality of data streams comprises data that has been manipulated or supplemented.  
   
   
       23 . The module of  claim 22  wherein said output means interface with an external data manipulation and/or viewing means.  
   
   
       24 . A network bridge module for a hydraulic equipment control system which spans between first and second networks respectively having first and second protocols, comprising, in combination: 
 a first network connection means;    a second network connection means; and    relay means, wherein said relay means allow communication between said first connection means connected to the first network and said second connection means connected to the second network, and wherein control messages sent over the first network to a device on the second network through said relay means effect control of the device on the second network, wherein said first and second protocols differ from one another.    
   
   
       25 . The network bridge module of  claim 24  wherein information from the device on the second network is collected by a device on the first network for use by the hydraulic equipment control system.  
   
   
       26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . The control apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said input means includes means having a single portal, wherein said input means are responsive to inputs comprising analog input and non-analog input.  
   
   
       28 . The control apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said output means produces either an output having a constant supply source voltage or a PWM output that sinks current to ground at a pulse-width-modulated frequency.  
   
   
       29 . The control apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said PWM output may be configured to a particular current range.  
   
   
       30 . The control apparatus of  claim 29  wherein said frequency is between 19 kHz and 20 kHz.  
   
   
       31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . A system for control of hydraulic devices, comprising in combination: 
 a master module having inputs and outputs, said master module programmable by a user; and    a plurality of slave modules, said plurality of slave modules chosen from the group consisting of:    modules providing additional inputs;    modules providing additional outputs;    modules providing a user-interface into said system;    modules providing nonvolatile memory storage;    modules providing a network bridge between said system and a network utilizing a different protocol than said system;    modules providing a display of system status; and    modules providing a combination of additional inputs and additional outputs,    whereby the hydraulic devices are controlled by said master module in combination with said plurality of slave modules.    
   
   
       33 . A control apparatus for control of hydraulic valves, comprising, in combination: 
 input means, said input means programmable by a user; and    output means responsive to said input means, wherein said output means includes a coil having a high side and a low side and means for controlling both said sides, and wherein said output means produces either an output having a constant supply source voltage or a PWM output that sinks current to ground at a pulse-width-modulated frequency, and wherein a dither frequency is superimposed on said frequency.    
   
   
       34 . A control apparatus for control of hydraulic valves, comprising, in combination: 
 input means, said input means programmable by a user, and said input means includes means having a single portal, wherein said input means are responsive to inputs comprising analog input and non-analog input; and    output means responsive to said input means, wherein said output means includes a coil having a high side and a low side and means for controlling both said sides, and wherein said output means produces either an output having a constant supply source voltage or a PWM output that sinks current to ground at a pulse-width-modulated frequency, and wherein a dither frequency is superimposed on said frequency.    
   
   
       35 . A system for controlling a plurality of hydraulic devices, comprising, in combination: 
 a plurality of hydraulic devices; and    a master controller connected to each said hydraulic device, either directly or using communication bus means, wherein said master controller is programmed to control aspects of each said hydraulic device and wherein said master controller includes means to re-program said master controller with respect to any of said plurality of hydraulic devices during use.    
   
   
       36 . A control apparatus for control of hydraulic valves, comprising, in combination: 
 input means; and    output means responsive to said input means, said output means comprising output groups, said output groups having means for specifically controlling parameters about output from said output means.    
   
   
       37 . The control apparatus of  claim 36  further comprising means for controlling parameters about input received through said input means.  
   
   
       38 . A method of programming logic sequences in a graphical user interface shown on a display, the steps including: 
 defining at least two states, each said state represented by a graphical element; and    specifying at least one transition between pairs of said at least two states, said transition represented as a connection between said states,    whereby the graphically represented logic sequence forms a picture of a program to be executed.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38  further including the steps of: 
 identifying transition conditions associated with each said transition; and    labeling each said transition with an associated said transition condition.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39  further including the step of: 
 labeling each said state with a caption.    
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40  further including the step of: 
 indicating a starting point for the logic sequence in a graphical manner, said starting point represented in said caption.    
   
   
       42 . A graphically formed logic programming sequence, comprising, in combination: 
 at least two states, each said state represented by a singular element;    a plurality of transitions, each said transition graphically connecting a pair of said states; and    a plurality of transition conditions, each said transition associated with at least one said transition condition, each said transition condition adjacent to said associated transition.