Abstract: A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a bimetal member anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. An incoming power wire is connected to the bimetal member near the contact point with the electrical conductor. A heating element, such as a coil, is coupled to the bimetal member, and is controlled by a switch control signal. When the switch control signal is not asserted, the heating element is inactive, and power is delivered through the incoming power wire across the end of the bimetal member to the electrical conductor, from which it can be further distributed to the load. When the switch control signal is asserted, the heating element heats up causing the bimetal to bend until the contact with the electrical conductor is broken. The electrical path from the incoming power wire to the electrical conductor (and hence, to the load) is then broken.

Abstract: A power management system and associated method therefore includes a plurality of local wireless energy control units at remote sites for controlling power delivery to customer loads, and a central station with a wireless transmitter for broadcasting commands to the wireless energy control units. The wireless energy control units each comprise a bank of switches for controlling power delivery to electrical loads at each local site. The controllable switches preferably have a deformable bimetal member controlled by a heated coil for engaging and disengaging electrical contacts. Each wireless energy control unit is capable of being pre-configured so as to specify the order or priority in which electrical loads are disengaged, in response to commands to reduce power consumption received from the central station. The central station may issue power reduction commands according to different priority levels or alert stages.

Abstract: A system for facilitating diagnosis and maintenance of one or more control networks located on a mobile conveyance comprises one or more wireless ground stations configured to communicate over a wireless communication channel with a control network via a wireless interface. A local area computer network receives and responds to messages to or from the control network via the wireless ground stations. The local area computer network comprises one or more user terminals, a server computer, a database comprising diagnostic information relating to said control network, and, optionally, a replacement parts database and/or job auction database. The local area network further includes a wide area network interface, which allow either additional diagnostic information relating to the control network to be retrieved, or parts to be manually or automatically ordered from remote vendor sites.

Abstract: A multi-tier, master-slave control network having multiple buses comprises a master node and a plurality of slave nodes operating over each of the multiple buses. Each master node comprises a downlink transceiver, and each slave node comprises an uplink transceiver. All of the nodes in the control network are connected in a continuous loop configuration with each segment of the loop comprising a cable connector of either a first type (feed thru) or a second type (crossover). Each cable connector comprises a pair of signal wires for each bus. The type of cable connector between any two adjacent nodes in the loop is related according to which of the uplink or downlink transceiver should be connected to which bus.

Abstract: A control network has a bus to which is connected a master node and a plurality of slave nodes in a loop configuration. Each of the master node and slave nodes has a transceiver connected to the bus through a shunt circuit. The shunt circuit comprises a switch (such as a relay) in parallel circuit configuration with an impedance element (such as resistor). The switch is operated under control of the node and under normal conditions remains closed, thereby allowing signals to be carried freely over the bus. When a fault occurs, each of the nodes opens its switch, causing the separate portions of the bus to become isolated. The master node then instructs each slave node, starting with the closest slave node, to close its switch. When a slave node fails to respond, the fault location has been detected. The master node repeats the process for the opposite direction of the loop. Operation then continues, with the slave node nearest the fault remaining isolated.

Abstract: A multi-tier, master-slave control network has at least three data buses. A first-tier master node and a plurality of first-tier slave nodes are connected to a main data bus. One or more first-tier slave nodes are connected to secondary data buses. The secondary data buses are connected to second-tier slave nodes, and the first-tier slave node connected to the secondary data bus acts as a master node with respect to the secondary data bus. One or more second-tier slave nodes may be connected to tertiary data buses to provide another layer of control nesting. The tertiary data buses are connected to third-tier slave nodes, and the second-tier slave node connected to the tertiary data bus acts as a master node with respect to the tertiary data bus.

Abstract: A multi-tier, master-slave control network having redundant backup for a master node in which the slave nodes are provided with means for detecting a failure of the master node and for taking over for the master node in such circumstances. The master node and slave nodes are connected to a common bus. Each of the slave nodes has an uplink transceiver and a downlink transceiver, with the downlink transceiver ordinarily isolated by switches from the common bus. Each of the slave nodes has a timer programmed with a separate failure mode detection time period. When a slave mode fails to receive control messages from the master node for a period exceeding its programmed failure mode detection time period, the slave node takes over for the master node. Because each slave node has a separate failure mode detection time period, a priority is established in which the slave nodes will take over for the master node, and redundant master backup control is provided.

Abstract: A multi-tier, master-slave control network having multiple buses comprises a master node and a plurality of slave nodes operating over each of the multiple buses. Each master node comprises a downlink transceiver, and each slave node comprises an uplink transceiver. All of the nodes in the control network are connected in a continuous loop configuration with each segment of the loop comprising a cable connector of either a first type (feed thru) or a second type (crossover). Each cable connector comprises a pair of signal wires for each bus. The type of cable connector between any two adjacent nodes in the loop is related according to which of the uplink or downlink transceiver should be connected to which bus.