Lucas Industries Limited

James Tipton

Stanley G Glaze

Robert G Burrage

Peter Douglas Smout

John Richard Simmons

A multi-lane controller providing redundancy comprises two lanes. Each lane comprises an input/output interface, a data flow controller and a control data processor. Each data flow controller receives input data from and supplies output data to both input/output interfaces. The information exchange between each lane does not rely on the proper operation of either the control data processor or data flow controller of any of the lanes.

Multi-lane controller

A system controlled by digital computers includes first and second dissimilar digital computers which are distinctly programmed to generate respective nominally identical control signals alternately. The computer alternately generates limiting values for the control signals, each limiting value being generated in a different computer from that in which the control signal was generated. An unacceptable difference between the control signals and their limiting values causes control of the system to be switched to a third computer, which may be an analog computer. The comparisons are also made between the control signals themselves and between the limiting values themselves, and unacceptable differences may cause control to revert to the third computer or alternatively to be transfered to an arrangement generally similar to that set forth above.

Growing community of inventors

Solihull, United Kingdom

James Tipton