Universal controller for integration of cryogenic equipment, requiring different control mechanisms, onto a single operating platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogenic systems lack a common platform to operate and communicate between cryopumps and cryogas compressors from different manufacturers, due to proprietary control systems and communication protocols, limiting interchangeability and hindering the use of advanced technology and improved performance from other manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A universal controller comprising a Power Supply Element (PSE) and a Protocol Translator Element (PTE) that provides a single-phase and frequency input voltage to drive cryogenic devices with different power supply requirements and translates communication protocols, enabling interoperability between cryopumps and cryogas compressors from various manufacturers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proprietary control systems and communication protocols are used by each manufacturer, then each manufacturer can optimize their cryopump and cryogas compressor performance, but interchangeability between different manufacturers' equipment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a universal controller as an intermediary device that sits between the process tool controller and multiple cryopump/cryogas compressor systems from different manufacturers. This universal controller translates between various proprietary communication protocols and a standardized interface, enabling equipment interchangeability while preserving each manufacturer's optimized control systems. The universal controller acts as a protocol translator that maintains the benefits of proprietary designs while achieving interoperability.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple communication protocols simultaneously. It can interface with different manufacturers' cryopumps and cryogas compressors using their respective proprietary protocols while presenting a unified standardized interface to the process tool controller. This universal approach allows a single controller to manage diverse equipment without requiring changes to the manufacturers' optimized systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple proprietary communication protocols are supported, then equipment from different manufacturers can be integrated, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal controller segments the complexity by separating the protocol translation functionality into distinct modules or layers. Each communication protocol is handled by a dedicated translation module that converts proprietary protocols to a standardized internal format. This segmentation isolates complexity within manageable units while maintaining a simple standardized interface to the process tool controller, making the system easier to maintain and extend.
Data Source
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AI summary
A universal controller for integration of cryogenic equipment, requiring different control mechanisms, onto a single operating platform. The universal controller may include a power supply element that is configured to simultaneously drive a plurality of cryogenic devices that have different power supply requirements and a protocol translator element that is configured to enable communication between a plurality' of cryogenic devices that use different, incompatible communication protocols, wherein the protocol translator element translates communications sent by a first type of cryogenic device from a first cryogenic device communication protocol into a second cryogenic device communication protocol and translates communications sent by a second type of cryogenic device from a second cryogenic device communication protocol into the first cryogenic device communication protocol, enabling the first type of cryogenic device and the second type of cryogenic device to communicate with each other.