Interlock system
First Claim
1. An interlock system for establishing a different set of operating parameters for each of a number of different operations of an apparatus, each of said operations requiring the interconnection of different pieces of equipment selected from first and second pluralities of said equipment pieces, each of said parameter sets being designated by a different multi-digit binary code;
- said interlock system comprising;
a movable information carrier assigned to each of said first, plurality of equipment pieces, each of said carriers containing information representative of a different one of said codes;
a control unit assigned to each of said second plurality of equipment pieces;
each of said control units including signal circuit means and further including signal probe means responsive to the information on said carriers for connecting or disconnecting said signal circuit means;
means for positioning the assigned carrier and control unit of each pair of equipment pieces, selected for interconnection pursuant to a chosen operation so that the information on said assigned carrier is placed proximate the probe means of said assigned control unit clear of any intervening structure; and
means for deriving a binary output signal from said signal circuit means representative of the code on said assigned carrier, said output signal being effective to establish a set of operating parameters applicable to said chosen operation.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interlock system acts in conjunction with an arrangement in which selected ones of first and second pluralities of equipment for conveying chemicals are interconnected in accordance with a chosen operation of a process or apparatus. A separate information carrier corresponds to each piece of equipment of the first plurality and a control unit corresponds to each piece of the second plurality. The interlock system establishes an appropriate set of operating parameters for the chosen operation when the information carrier which corresponds to the interconnected first piece of equipment engages the control unit corresponding to the interconnected second piece of equipment.
17 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An interlock system for establishing a different set of operating parameters for each of a number of different operations of an apparatus, each of said operations requiring the interconnection of different pieces of equipment selected from first and second pluralities of said equipment pieces, each of said parameter sets being designated by a different multi-digit binary code;
- said interlock system comprising;
a movable information carrier assigned to each of said first, plurality of equipment pieces, each of said carriers containing information representative of a different one of said codes; a control unit assigned to each of said second plurality of equipment pieces; each of said control units including signal circuit means and further including signal probe means responsive to the information on said carriers for connecting or disconnecting said signal circuit means; means for positioning the assigned carrier and control unit of each pair of equipment pieces, selected for interconnection pursuant to a chosen operation so that the information on said assigned carrier is placed proximate the probe means of said assigned control unit clear of any intervening structure; and means for deriving a binary output signal from said signal circuit means representative of the code on said assigned carrier, said output signal being effective to establish a set of operating parameters applicable to said chosen operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- said interlock system comprising;
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13. An interlock system for establishing a different set of operating parameters for each of a number of different operations of an apparatus, each parameter set being designated by a unique multi-digit binary code, each of said operations requiring the interconnection of at least one fixed interconnection station selected from a first plurality of said stations disposed in a transfer area with at least one flexible chemical transport hose selected from a second plurality of said hoses present in said transfer area, each of said fixed stations being permanently coupled to a separate point for delivery of said chemicals out of said transfer area, each of said hoses being permanently coupled at one end thereof to a separate point for receiving said chemicals into said transfer area and being selectively connectable at its other end to one of said fixed stations;
- said interlock system comprising;
a plurality of keys each tethered to one of said flexible hoses, each of said keys including a read portion comprising an elongate metal plate having uniform width and thickness, said key further including a gripping portion of a width greater than the width of said read portion; each of said read portions bearing the digits of one of said codes and a check digit, said digits being successively spaced along the long dimension of said read portion, each of said digits taking the form of a hole in said metal plate or the absence of a hole representative of binary ZERO or ONE respectively; a control box positioned proximate each of said fixed stations, each of said control boxes being sealed to keep out said chemicals; a keyway externally mounted on one wall of each control box and including a path entry and a path termination, said keyway being configured to permit key insertion through said path entry up to said key gripping portion, said path termination being constructed to bar key insertion but permitting the expulsion of accumulated dirt by a key inserted through said path entry; a group of signal circuits in said control box connected in parallel with each other, each of said signal circuits corresponding to a different digit of said multi-digit code; a signal probe connected in series in each of said signal circuits; said control box further containing a power circuit connected in series with said group of parallel-connected signal circuits for energizing said signal circuits; a check probe connected in series in said power circuit; each of said probes extending through a wall of said control box into said external keyway so as to be in proximity but out of contact with an inserted key, said probes being successively spaced along said keyway for inductive linkage by each probe with the proximate digit of an inserted key, each of said probes being responsive to connect or disconnect its associated circuit in accordance with said inductively linked digit; and means for deriving a multi-digit output signal in parallel from said group of signal circuits representative of the code on said inserted key; whereby, for each interconnection of a selected hose with a selected fixed station, the applicable set of parameters for the chosen operation is established upon insertion of the key tethered to said selected hose into the keyway of the control box positioned proximate said selected fixed station. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
- said interlock system comprising;
Specification