Richard L Stoolmaker

US Patent:

6381503, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Jan 12, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/228613

Inventors:

Kenneth J. Dollhopf - Livonia MI
Richard L. Stoolmaker - Linden MI

Assignee:

Belanger, Inc.

International Classification:

G05B 1101

US Classification:

700 22, 700 27, 700293, 702 58, 340644

Abstract:

A smart module circuit board carries a programmable microprocessor and a plurality of relay type interface circuits for use in organizing relatively high voltage input devices and output devices into a complex system wherein a programmed combination of input device signals determines when and if to energize one or more output devices in the system. The interface circuit comprises input and output stages which operate on logic level voltages and which are decoupled by opto-couplers from a relatively high voltage energization circuit which passes through a relatively high voltage electrical device. The energization circuit comprises a triac which is operated by the output stage in response to outputs from the microprocessor, a manual switch connected in parallel with the triac so that a given electrical load device can be manually activated and a multi-colored LED for indicating the conditions of the input and output circuits individually and in combination. The smart modules are utilized in a vehicle laundry having a master computer for overall control of multiple smart modules, the microprocessor of each smart module being independently operable to control at least a portion of the laundry system in the event of a failure of the master computer.

US Patent:

58838163, Mar 16, 1999

Filed:

Oct 13, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/543051

Inventors:

Kenneth J. Dollhopf - Livonia MI
Richard L. Stoolmaker - Linden MI

Assignee:

Belanger, Inc. - Northville MI

International Classification:

H02H 106

US Classification:

36452828

Abstract:

A smart module circuit board carries a programmable microprocessor and a plurality of relay type interface circuits for use in organizing relatively high voltage input devices and output devices into a complex system wherein a programmed combination of input device signals determines when and if to energize one or more output devices in the system. The interface circuit comprises input and output stages which operate on logic level voltages and which are decoupled by opto-couplers from a relatively high voltage energization circuit which passes through a relatively high voltage electrical device. The energization circuit comprises a triac which is operated by the output stage in response to outputs from the microprocessor, a manual switch connected in parallel with the triac so that a given electrical load device can be manually activated and a multi-colored LED for indicating the conditions of the input and output circuits individually and in combination. The smart modules are utilized in a vehicle laundry having a master computer for overall control of multiple smart modules, the microprocessor of each smart module being independently operable to control at least a portion of the laundry system in the event of a failure of the master computer.