Actuator control device and method

摘要

A device for controlling an actuator includes an input interface that receives a plurality of input signals including a setpoint command signal and a feedback signal. An output interface provides a drive signal to the actuator. First, second, and third redundant loop controllers processes the setpoint command signal and the feedback signal to generate respective actuator control signals. A primary controller compares the actuator control signals to determine whether at least two are substantially similar. The device outputs the drive signal to the actuator according to an actuator control signals that has been determined by the primary controller to be substantially similar to another. Any one of the redundant loop controllers is hot swappable with a replacement loop controller such that loop controller redundancy is operatively maintained by the device in controlling the actuator while one of the redundant loop controllers is hot swapped.

主权项

1. A device for controlling an actuator, comprising:
an input interface for receiving a plurality of input signals, the input signals including a setpoint command signal and a feedback signal; an output interface for providing a drive signal to the actuator; a primary controller; a first redundant loop controller that processes the setpoint command signal and the feedback signal to generate a first actuator control signal; a second redundant loop controller that processes the setpoint command signal and the feedback signal to generate a second actuator control signal; and a third redundant loop controller that processes the setpoint command signal and the feedback signal to generate a third actuator control signal, wherein the primary controller compares the first actuator control signal, the second actuator control signal, and the third actuator control signal to determine whether at least one of the actuator control signals is substantially similar to another of the actuator control signals, wherein the device outputs the drive signal to the actuator according to the at least one of the actuator control signals that has been determined by the primary controller to be substantially similar to another of the actuator control signals, and wherein any one of the first redundant loop controller, the second redundant loop controller, and the third redundant loop controller is hot swappable with a replacement loop controller such that loop controller redundancy is operatively maintained by the device in controlling the actuator while one of the redundant loop controllers is hot swapped.