Mobile machine hazardous working zone warning system

• US 5,939,986 A
• Filed: 10/18/1996
• Issued: 08/17/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Government Of The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Health And Human Services, Center For Disease Control And Prevention
• Original Assignee: United States Department of Energy (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Schiffbauer, William H., Ganoe, Carl W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/733,846
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539-541, 340/571, 340/573.1, 340/551-554, 340/679, 340/680, 340/944, 455/41, 455/517
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 15/045 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 17/00 Safety devices, e.g. for limiting or indicating lifting force
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0213 System disabling if a separation threshold is exceeded disabling electrical appliances in case of unplugging G08B13/1409

Abstract

A warning system is provided for a mobile working machine to alert an individual of a potentially dangerous condition in the event the individual strays into a hazardous working zone of the machine. The warning system includes a transmitter mounted on the machine and operable to generate a uniform magnetic field projecting beyond an outer periphery of the machine in defining a hazardous working zone around the machine during operation thereof. A receiver, carried by the individual and activated by the magnetic field, provides an alarm signal to alert the individual when he enters the hazardous working zone of the machine.

Claims

1. A warning system for a mobile working machine to alert an individual who strays into a hazardous working zone of the machine, said warning system comprising:

(a) transmitter means mounted on said machine and operable to generate a magnetic field projecting beyond an outer periphery of said machine in defining a hazardous working zone enveloping said machine upon operation thereof, and

(b) receiver means responsive to the magnetic field generated by said transmitter, said receiver means carried by an individual to provide an alarm signal to alert the individual upon entering said hazardous working zone of said machine.

2. The warning system as recited in claim 1, wherein said transmitter means includes:

a transmitter tuneable to a selected frequency and operable to generate a current signal; and

a transmitter antenna connected to said transmitter and operable upon receipt of said current signal to generate said magnetic field.

3. The warning system as recited in claim 2, wherein said transmitter antenna includes at least one wire loop positioned adjacent an outer periphery of said machine and operable to generate said magnetic field projecting beyond said outer periphery in defining said hazardous working zone.

4. The warning system as recited in claim 2, wherein said transmitter antenna includes a plurality of wire loops with each wire loop being connected to said transmitter and positioned at a selected location on said machine identified as a potentially dangerous area, said plurality of wire loops providing a uniform magnetic field upon operation of said transmitter in defining said hazardous working zone having an outer shape that envelopes said machine.

5. The warning system as recited in claim 4, wherein the current signal provided to each of said wire loops is adjustable so as to adjust the outer envelope shape of said hazardous working zone.

6. The warning system as recited in claim 2, wherein said transmitter includes:

a tuneable oscillator for generating an output signal of selected frequency;

loop driver means for amplifying said output signal generated by said oscillator to form said current signal provided to said transmitter antenna; and

a buffer amplifier electrically disposed between said oscillator and said loop driver means for providing isolation between said oscillator and said loop driver means.

7. The warning system as recited in claim 6, wherein said transmitter antenna includes a plurality of individual wire loops and said loop driver means includes a corresponding number of individual loop drivers with each loop driver being connected to a corresponding wire loop.

8. The warning system as recited in claim 6, wherein said oscillator operates at a selected frequency adjustable between 500 Hz and 100 KHz.

9. The warning system as recited in claim 2, wherein said receiver means includes:

a receiver antenna in the form of a ferrite loop operable to detect said magnetic field generated by said transmitter means and to generate a receiver signal in response thereto;

a bandpass filter connected to said ferrite loop for receiving said receiver signal and tuned to said selected frequency of said transmitter means so that all frequencies of said receiver signal other than the frequency corresponding to said selected frequency are stripped from said receiver signal in thereby leaving only said alarm signal;

an amplifier connected to said bandpass filter for receiving said alarm signal and increasing the amplitude of said alarm signal to a usable amplitude; and

a signal detector for receiving said alarm signal from said amplifier and converting said alarm signal to a DC voltage proportional in magnitude to the strength of said alarm signal.

10. The warning system as recited in claim 9, wherein said DC voltage generated by said signal detector drives a first light emitting diode device to visually caution an individual of his position relative to said hazardous working zone of said machine in the event the magnitude of said DC voltage has a magnitude below a selected magnitude level.

11. The warning system as recited in claim 10, wherein said first light emitting diode device provides a yellow visual warning light.

12. The warning system as recited in claim 9, wherein said DC voltage generated by said signal detector drives a second light emitting diode device and an alarm driver which excites a peizo alarm to visually and audibly warn an individual of his position relative to said hazardous working zone of said machine in the event the magnitude of said DC voltage has a magnitude above a selected magnitude level.

13. The warning system as recited in claim 12, wherein said second light emitting diode device provides a red visual warning light.

14. The warning system as recited in claim 12, wherein said alarm driver is capable of generating a shutdown signal operable to stop all movement of said working machine in the event the magnitude of said DC voltage has a magnitude above said selected magnitude level.