Emergency Shutdown Ring Line for Satellite Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current emergency shutdown systems in distributed systems, such as satellite technology, face challenges with high interference sensitivity and difficulty in integrity testing, particularly in complex systems where rapid and reliable shutdowns are critical to prevent damage and malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves connecting emergency shutdown components in series via a ring line for continuous coded signal transmission, using a comma-free or prefix code, which allows for low-latency signal forwarding and multiplex transmission for integrity checking and diagnostic purposes, reducing interference sensitivity through fiber optic or electrical conductors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current loops (e.g., 20mA current loops) are used for emergency shutdown signaling, then the system can achieve a standardized interface for shutdown communication, but the system becomes highly sensitive to capacitive and inductive interference, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical current loop system with an optical communication system using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodetectors. This substitution eliminates the electrical interference problems inherent in current loops while maintaining standardized communication capabilities through optical signaling protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical components (LEDs and photodetectors) as intermediary elements to transmit emergency shutdown signals. These intermediaries convert electrical signals to optical signals and back, providing galvanic isolation and immunity to electrical interference while preserving signal integrity.
2Reliability
If current loops are used for emergency shutdown, then communication between systems is established, but integrity tests can only be carried out with difficulty during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The optical emergency shutdown system performs self-diagnosis by continuously monitoring the integrity of optical components and signal paths. The system can detect faults in LEDs, photodetectors, and transmission paths during normal operation, automatically reporting issues without requiring external testing equipment or system shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the receiving end sends acknowledgment signals back to the transmitting end, allowing continuous verification of signal path integrity. This feedback loop enables real-time detection of component failures or signal degradation, facilitating easy integrity testing during operation.
3Reliability
If a ring line with coded signal transmission is used, then interference sensitivity is reduced and reliability improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs multi-functional optical components that serve multiple purposes: LEDs function as both signal transmitters and fault indicators, photodetectors serve as both receivers and diagnostic elements, and the ring line topology provides both signal transmission and integrity monitoring capabilities, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the emergency shutdown signal transmission function with the integrity monitoring function into a single integrated system. The same optical path and components used for shutdown signaling are also used for continuous health monitoring, eliminating the need for separate testing infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the rapid emergency shutdown of a distributed system consisting of at least two systems (UMB, BLS, SAS) and an associated device for carrying out the method – particularly in the field of satellite technology. Each system (UMB, BLS, SAS) of the system has at least one emergency shutdown component (N1, ... N4) which is configured to generate and modify coded signals (NS), to evaluate received coded signals (NS), and to forward generated or received coded signals (NS). The emergency shutdown components (N1, ... N4) of the systems (UMB, BLS, SAS) are serially connected to each other via a ring line (R), in particular a fiber optic ring line (R), and a coded signal (NS) is continuously transmitted from one emergency shutdown component (N1, ... N4) of one system (UMB, BLS, SAS) to the next emergency shutdown component (N1, ...N4) of a subsequent system (UMB, BLS, SAS) is routed to the ring line (R) (2). In the event of an emergency shutdown in one of the systems (UMB, BLS, SAS) of the distributed system, the coded signal (NS) is then modified by the respective emergency shutdown component (N1, ... N4) (1) and transmitted serially from this triggering emergency shutdown component (N1) via the ring line (R) to the other systems (UMB, BLS, SAS) of the distributed system (2, 3, 4, 5). The method according to the invention and the device for its implementation have the advantage that an emergency shutdown can be carried out with the shortest possible time delay, thus preventing damage to the systems (UMB, BLS, SAS) of the system. In addition, the device exhibits high insensitivity to electromagnetic interference.