Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Donald J Jones

Warren A Edblad

Carl J Staab

Kirk D Houser

Donald A Poepsel

Robert T Ihrman

Francesco Lardi

David M Oravetz

Guy E Davis

Gary W Berkebile

Robert W Boehmer

Judith S Pringle

Joann R Patelunas

A data communications arrangement for a distributed processor control system having a number of stations which can send and receive control data, includes a communications processor at each station effective for controlling the flow of control data over a serial communications bus. The communications processor is coupled to a dual ported memory device along with a functional processor which is effective for carrying out the actual operations of the process. The communications control processor is further effective for assembling frames of control data according to a predetermined arrangement which gives a timing preference to a first category of data over a second category of data. The assembled frame of control data will then include all of the first category of data and, with time remaining from a timing goal, will include a portion of the second category of data.

High performance memory imaging network for a real time process control

A communications arrangement for a distributed process control system operable to control an industrial process where different types of data must be communicated between a number of control drops or stations in varying timing priorities includes a first communication channel on which at least two of the control drops are connected. A second communication channel, independent of the first communication channel, accommodates the communication of a type of data that is not as critical in terms of timing as that which is communicated over the first communication channel. All of the control drops are connected to the second communication channel. A control processor, located at each of the control drops, determines the distribution of the types of data between the two communication channels according to a predetermined timing priority.

Real time process control using multiple communication networks

A steam generator in an electric power generating system is controlled by controlling turbine steam flow with control signals generated by a programmed digital computer system during startup, synchronization and load operation. The digital computer control signals are generated as a function of monitored turbine system conditions and parameters, the digital computer having means for interrupting the normal computing of the control signals when predetermined operating conditions are monitored. Turbine system parameter signals are periodically scanned and operated on so as to condition them for use in generating the control signals.

System and method for operating a steam turbine with digital computer

A distributed processing unit (DPU) or drop which performs process control and data acquisition functions in a distributed processing control system having a data highway linking a plurality of such units. A DPU functional processor accesses the local process I/O interface thereby continually receiving plant information for storage in digital form and subsequent use in the functional processor or for transmission along the data highway. DPU control programs use process values in a transparent fashion, that is without regard to whether these values were obtained through local process I/O interface or via the data highway. The DPU software structure is made up of execution software and support software. The execution software is a collection of data acquisition and process control programs which are developed at an engineer's console drop using a DPU programming language which operates in text and CRT graphic display modes, the latter programming modes allowing system documentation via hard copy graphic display printout. These programs are initiated, performed consecutively, and repeated at specified intervals. The support software initiates process loop execution. Control programs which have been presented to the DPU as representations of ladder diagrams for sequential control or process flow diagrams for continuous process control are executed in the DPU functional processor to achieve the required process control operation.

Universal process control device and method for developing a process

An electric power plant including a steam generator and a steam turbine is operated by a control system including two redundant digital computers. Switching circuitry is provided for coupling one of the computers through interface equipment to the steam generator and the turbine and a generator according to programmed computer control. A data link is established between the computers to transfer manual/automatic status and other needed data from the control computer to the standby computer. A system is provided for detecting when certain hardware and software malfunctions have occurred and for responsively transferring control to the standby computer. The standby computer is tracked to the control computer so that control computer transfer can be made reliably without disturbing the electric power generation process. The turbine control includes a speed control loop which is implemented with computer operations. Startup control is also implemented in startup control loops for the steam generator by means of computer operations. Computer transfers are executed smoothly in the startup control mode at substantially any stage of the startup process.

Wide range system for transferring steam generator and turbine operation

Unnecessary fast valving action for load loss protection in a steam turbine generator system induced by partial transducer failure is minimized by the disclosedmethods and apparatus. Upon the occurrence of a mismatch between reheat pressure and electrical output, the interceptor valve is closed momentarily to interrupt the flow of steam to the low-pressure turbine and prevent overspeed. The valve cannot be closed again for a predetermined interval. If the mismatch is not corrected by the one fast valving action, a transducer has failed and further closing of the interceptor valve, except for a full load loss, is precluded until corrective action is taken. The faulty transducer is singled-out by comparing one of the transducer signals with the impulse pressure which is also an indication of the actual operating level of the turbine.

Transducer out of range protection for a steam turbine generator system

A protection system is provided for a turbine plant to avoid double shock or similar rotor blade operation. A digital computer controller detects excessive blade loading conditions on the basis of governor valve positions and effects bumpless mode transfer from sequential valve operation to single valve operation to avoid excessive blade loading.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Donald J Jones