Apparatus and method for detecting dangerous conditions in power equipment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A band saw comprising:
- a motor;
at least two spaced-apart wheels, where at least one wheel is driven by the motor;
a band blade extending around the wheels, where the band blade is electrically isolated;
signal generation circuitry adapted to generate an electrical signal;
a capacitive coupling adapted to capacitively couple the signal generation circuitry to the band blade to transfer at least a portion of the electrical signal to the band blade; and
detection circuitry configured to monitor the electrical signal on the band blade for changes indicative of a dangerous condition between a person and the band blade and to trigger some action to mitigate the dangerous condition when the changes indicative of the dangerous condition are detected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Woodworking machines are disclosed having electrically conductive cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a contact detection system capacitively coupled to the cutting tool, and adapted to detect contact between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a reaction system configured to cause one or more predetermined actions to take place upon detection of contact between a person and the cutting tool by the contact detection system.
2 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A band saw comprising:
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a motor; at least two spaced-apart wheels, where at least one wheel is driven by the motor; a band blade extending around the wheels, where the band blade is electrically isolated; signal generation circuitry adapted to generate an electrical signal; a capacitive coupling adapted to capacitively couple the signal generation circuitry to the band blade to transfer at least a portion of the electrical signal to the band blade; and detection circuitry configured to monitor the electrical signal on the band blade for changes indicative of a dangerous condition between a person and the band blade and to trigger some action to mitigate the dangerous condition when the changes indicative of the dangerous condition are detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A woodworking machine comprising:
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a motor; a cutting tool driven by the motor, where the cutting tool is electrically isolated; an excitation system adapted to generate an electrical signal; a capacitive coupling adapted to capacitively couple the excitation system to the cutting tool to transfer at least a portion of the electrical signal, to the cutting tool, where the capacitive coupling includes a conductive plate adjacent the cutting tool; and an insulating spacer intermediate the cutting tool and conductive plate. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A woodworking machine comprising:
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a motor; a cutting tool driven by the motor, where the cutting tool is electrically isolated; an excitation system adapted to generate an electrical signal; means for capacitively coupling the excitation system to the cutting tool to transfer at least a portion of the electrical signal to the cutting tool; and means for positioning the capacitive coupling means in an operable configuration in the woodworking machine. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification