Method and Arrangement for Stopping Powered Equipment in an Emergency Situation
First Claim
1. A method for stopping one or more pieces of powered equipment, by an individual disposed at a location remote from a traditional control station for an operator of that equipment, the method comprising:
- providing said individual with a portable radio transmitter capable of transmitting a first stop signal at a fixed frequency; and
providing a first receiver and actuator system operably in association with a first piece of said equipment effective to cause an emergency stop of said first piece of equipment upon reception by said receiver of said first stop signal;
providing a second receiver and actuator system operably in association with a second piece of said equipment effective to cause an emergency stop of said second piece of equipment upon reception by said second receiver of said first stop signal; and
said individual actuating said transmitter to transmit said first stop signal upon need for causing an emergency stop.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and arrangement for remotely stopping powered equipment in emergency situations. Embodiments of the invention include wearable radio remote transmitters (400) capable of transmitting a signal (500, 505) to powered equipment in the immediate area. A transmitter (400) desirably is located such that it can be quickly activated by the person wearing the transmitter, and may be equipped with a shock detection device capable of automatically activating the radio transmitter Powered equipment operating in the vicinity of transmitter-equipped personnel are fitted with receivers, electronics, actuator, batteries and/or electrical connections, as needed, to shutdown the equipment upon receiving a radio signal from a transmitter Sometimes receivers and amplifiers are located such that a transmitter'"'"'s signal sent from any location in the area will reach all relevant equipment receivers with sufficient energy to activate the shutdown procedure. A preferred embodiment may include a manually activated transmitter (400) attached to a person'"'"'s clothing and receivers and actuators mounted on all powered equipment within line-of-sight of this person.
12 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method for stopping one or more pieces of powered equipment, by an individual disposed at a location remote from a traditional control station for an operator of that equipment, the method comprising:
-
providing said individual with a portable radio transmitter capable of transmitting a first stop signal at a fixed frequency; and
providing a first receiver and actuator system operably in association with a first piece of said equipment effective to cause an emergency stop of said first piece of equipment upon reception by said receiver of said first stop signal;
providing a second receiver and actuator system operably in association with a second piece of said equipment effective to cause an emergency stop of said second piece of equipment upon reception by said second receiver of said first stop signal; and
said individual actuating said transmitter to transmit said first stop signal upon need for causing an emergency stop. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
3. (canceled)
-
14. In an underground mine having powered equipment adapted for motion under guidance of an operator, and a plurality of individuals disposed in the vicinity of that equipment, the improvement comprising:
-
a plurality of radio signal transmitters, each transmitter being operable to transmit the same emergency stop radio signal at a fixed frequency, and one transmitter being carried by each of said individuals;
a radio signal receiver adapted to receive said emergency stop radio signal broadcast from any one of said transmitters; and
an actuator associated with said receiver and said equipment and operable to effect an emergency stop of said equipment responsive to said emergency stop radio signal. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. In a plurality of pieces of powered equipment, with each piece of such equipment being adapted for motion under guidance of an operator located at an operator position, and with one or more individuals disposed in the vicinity of, but lacking guidance control over, that equipment, the improvement comprising:
-
a first radio signal transmitter carried by one of said one or more individuals, said transmitter being adapted for broadcasting at a fixed emergency stop frequency;
a first radio signal receiver adapted to receive an emergency stop radio signal broadcast from said first transmitter;
a second radio signal receiver adapted to receive said emergency stop radio signal broadcast from said first transmitter; and
an actuator associated with each said first and second receiver and corresponding first and second pieces of said equipment, each said actuator being operable to effect an emergency stop of its associated piece of said equipment responsive to said emergency stop radio signal. - View Dependent Claims (19)
-
Specification