Locked shut down with remote monitoring of large equipment

• US 6,297,735 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2000
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jerry Abel
• Original Assignee: Jerry Abel
• Inventors: Abel, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US09/552,732
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 340/542, 340/572.8, 340/573.4, 340/539, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 340/542
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/005 Chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/06 Electric alarm locks E05B45/005 takes precedence

Abstract

A lock for locking valve and electrical switch handles in the “off” position, which lock incorporates a radio transmitter for reporting status of the lock to a remote monitor. The lock has a cable which encircles the handle. The distal end of the cable is connected to the lock and is locked in place. A conductor of an alarm subcircuit passes through the cable, thereby detecting whether the cable has been cut. The monitor includes a radio receiver and a display for displaying status of the monitored lock. The invention optionally utilizes plural locks and plural monitors.

Claims

1. A reusable apparatus for disabling an actuator of an industrial control, comprising:

a) an elongated shackling member adapted for interaction with an actuator of an industrial control to prevent operative movement of said actuator;

b) a housing for fixedly retaining the distal end of said elongated shackling member and selectively, lockably retaining and releasing the proximal end thereof in said housing;

c) circuit means for detecting when said proximal end of said elongated shackling member is lockably retained in said housing and when said proximal end of said elongated shackling member is released therefrom;

d) tamper detection means, operatively connected to said circuit means, for indicating when said shackling member has been cut or stretched beyond a predetermined limit; and

e) signal generation means disposed within said housing and operatively connected to said circuit means and said tamper detection means and adapted for generating an inaudible, invisible signal responsive to a predetermined state of said circuit means and said tamper detection means.

2. The reusable apparatus for disabling an actuator of an industrial control as recited in claim 1, wherein said industrial control comprises at least one from the group:

valve, circuit breaker, cut-out switch.

3. The reusable apparatus for disabling an actuator of an industrial control as recited in claim 1, wherein said shackling means comprises a flexible cable.

4. The reusable apparatus for disabling an actuator of an industrial control as recited in claim 1, wherein said signal generation means comprises a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, and where said invisible signal comprises an RF signal.

5. The reusable apparatus for disabling an actuator of an industrial control as recited in claim 4, wherein said RF signal comprises an intermittent RF signal transmitted at a predetermined periodicity.

6. A method for disabling an actuator of an industrial control and remotely monitoring said actuator to determine that said actuator remains in a disabled state, the steps comprising:

a) providing an apparatus having an elongated shackle adapted for interaction with an actuator of an industrial control so as to prevent movement of said actuator, a housing for fixedly retaining a distal end of said shackle and releasably locking a proximal end thereof, said apparatus being adapted to provide a signal indicating when said proximal end of said shackle is locked within said housing;

b) placing said actuator in a predetermined position;

c) restraining the actuator in said predetermined position with said shackle;

d) locking said distal end of said shackle in said housing;

e) activating said apparatus whereby a predetermined signal is emitted by said apparatus as long as said shackle secures said actuator in said predetermined position; and

f) remotely monitoring said predetermined signal at a remote monitoring site;

whereby a person at said remote monitoring site may determine that said proximal end of said shackle remains locked in said housing.

7. The method for disabling an actuator of an industrial control and remotely monitoring said actuator to determine said actuator remains in a disabled state as recited in claim 6, wherein said industrial control comprises at least one from the group:

valve, circuit breaker, cut-out switch.

8. The method for disabling an actuator of an industrial control and remotely monitoring said actuator to determine said actuator remains in a disabled state as recited in claim 6, wherein said shackling means comprises a flexible cable.

9. The method for disabling an actuator of an industrial control and remotely monitoring said actuator to determine said actuator remains in a disabled state as recited in claim 6, wherein said predetermined signal comprises a radio frequency (RF) signal.

10. The method for disabling an actuator of an industrial control and remotely monitoring said actuator to determine said actuator remains in a disabled state as recited in claim 9, wherein said RF signal comprises an intermittent RF signal transmitted at a predetermined periodicity.