Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Westinghouse Process Control, Inc.

Daniel Louis Simon

Daniel Alan Hosko

Timothy R Piper

Matthew Bernard Horne

Robert T Kissell, Sr

Kenneth G Lunz

A modular input/output (I/O) system for field wiring includes a plurality of base units into which electronics modules providing appropriate signal processing are plugged. A backplane in each base unit provides leads between the electronics module and associated terminals to which the field wiring is connected and also hosts a communications bus through which the electronics modules on serially connected base members communicate with a controller. Switching modules plugged into some of the base members selectively switch field signals applied to terminals for an associated electronics module to another electronics module for redundancy, or switch test signals into the associated electronics module in place of the field wiring signals. The test signals are generated by yet another of the electronics modules while still another electronics module generates control signals for the switching modules.

Modular input/output system with redundancy and testing

The bases of modular units of an I/O system are connected serially by two-way electrical and mechanical connectors so that units can be inserted into and removed from lines of units connected to a controller without removal or movement of any other unit. By two-way connector is meant that confronting connectors on adjacent units disengage by movement in the same or opposite direction from that in which they engaged. The electrical connectors distribute a communication bus and power to the modular units. In addition, plug-in electronics modules and personality modules, with the latter providing selective interfaces between the electronics modules and banks of terminals for landing field wiring, have a common locking mechanism for locking both in sockets in the bases. The locking mechanism includes at least one locking assembly having a shaft rotatable from a free end of the electronics module for rotating a paddle into and out of engagement with a catch in the base. Overlapping shoulders prevent removal of the personality module without first unlatching and removing the electronics module.

Modular I/O system with two-way connectors between units and a common

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Glenshaw, PA, United States of America

Daniel Louis Simon