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US 10,853,594 B2Granted
Lockout tagout system and method
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJoseph E. Valencia, Charles W. Grab, Jeffrey T. Eker, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A manually operated disconnect maintains a machine/process in a de-energized state. The disconnect employs a sensor that automatically detects, via wireless communication, a lock affixed to the disconnect that locks the disconnect in an open state. Processing circuitry coupled to the sensor determines lockout tagout data, such as identification of a user associated with the lock, a time of application of the lock, and data identifying and/or locating the disconnect or a machine/process to which the disconnect provides power when in a closed state. Memory circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry stores the lockout tagout data, and holds it available for user review, transmission, analysis, reporting, and so forth.
Claims18
A system comprising:
- a manually operated disconnect;
- a plurality of locks, wherein each lock of the plurality of locks is configured to be affixed to the manually operated disconnect simultaneously and maintain the manually operated disconnect in an electrically open state;
- a plurality of electronic tags, wherein each electronic tag of the plurality of electronic tags is separate from a corresponding lock of the plurality of locks and associated with the manually operated disconnect being in the electrically open state, wherein each electronic tag of the plurality of electronic tags is associated with a corresponding user;
- a sensor, separate from the plurality of locks, configured to automatically detect, via wireless communication, the plurality of electronic tags in response to the plurality of electronic tags being placed within range of the sensor;
- processing circuitry coupled to the sensor and configured to determine respective lockout data for each electronic tag of the plurality of electronic tags, wherein the lockout data for each electronic tag of the plurality of electronic tags comprises identification of the corresponding user, a time of application of the corresponding lock to the manually operated disconnect by the corresponding user, data identifying or locating the manually operated disconnect or a machine to which the manually operated disconnect provides power when in an electrically closed state based on the electronic tag, or a combination thereof;
- and
- memory circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry to store the lockout data.
4 more elements
A system comprising:
- a sensor retrofittable onto an in-service manual disconnect and configured to automatically detect, via wireless communication, an electronic lockout tag affixed to the in-service manual disconnect within a range of the sensor, wherein the electronic lockout tag is associated with a lock that locks the in-service manual disconnect in an open state, and wherein the electronic lockout tag is configured to be affixed to the in-service manual disconnect separately from the lock, and wherein the sensor is configured to be affixed to the in-service manual disconnect separately from the lock;
- processing circuitry commutatively coupled to the sensor and configured to determine lockout data based on detection of the electronic lockout tag, wherein the lockout data comprises an identification of a user associated with the electronic lockout tag, a time of application of the lock to the in-service manual disconnect, data identifying or locating the in-service manual disconnect or a machine to which the disconnect provides power when in a closed state, or a combination thereof;
- and
- memory circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry and configured to store the lockout data.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- receiving, via a processor, an indication of a presence of a plurality of electronic lockout tags, wherein the indication is sent from a wireless sensor, wherein each electronic lockout tag of the plurality of electronic lockout tags is associated with a corresponding lock of a plurality of locks affixed to a disconnect, wherein each lock of the plurality of locks is configured to lock the disconnect in an open state, wherein each electronic lockout tag of the plurality of electronic lockout tags is separate from the corresponding lock, and wherein the wireless sensor is separate from the plurality of locks;
- determining, via the processor, based on the indication of the presence of the plurality of electronic lockout tags at the disconnect, lockout data for each electronic lockout tag of the plurality of electronic lockout tags, wherein the lockout data, for each of the plurality of electronic lockout tags, comprises identification of a user associated with a respective electronic lockout tag, a time of application of the corresponding lock to the disconnect, data identifying or locating the disconnect or a machine to which the disconnect provides power when in a closed state, or a combination thereof;
- and
- storing, via the processor, the lockout data.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.