General Electric Company
Distributed Control Modules with Built-In Tests and Control-Preserving Fault Responses

Abstract:

A distributed control system may include a main processing unit, a distributed control module, and a controllable component. The distributed control module may be configured to determine a fault state associated with a control loop using a built-in test module. The built-in test module may be incorporated into the distributed control module. The fault state may include no faults, a communication fault, a sensor operation fault, or a controllable component fault. The distributed control module may be configured to transmit a closed-loop control command from the distributed control module to a controllable component when the fault state comprises no faults, or transmit an augmented control command from the distributed control module to the controllable component when the fault state comprises a communication fault or a sensor operation fault, or transmit a disconnect control command from the distributed control module to the controllable component when the fault state comprises a controllable component fault.