US 2004/0103527 A1 · Pallet pressure monitor

Abstract

A pallet pressure monitor (10) broadly comprises a pressure detector (14) to sense hydraulic pressure within a hydraulic system (16) of a pallet (22), a pallet transmitter (18) to monitor the detector (14), and a receiver unit (20) to receive a status signal from the pallet transmitter (18) indicative of the detector's status. The detector (14) preferably comprises an adjustable pressure switch. The pallet transmitter (18) preferably receives power through a wireless connection to the receiver unit (20). The receiver unit (20) preferably receives the status signal from the pallet transmitter (18) over the wireless connection and actuates a relay output (30) according to the status signal. The relay output (30) is preferably electrically connected to a warning unit (32), or other signaling device, that warns an operator when the pressure in the hydraulic system (16) is below a set-point.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A machine operable to process a workpiece, the machine comprising:

a pallet operable to support the workpiece;
a plurality of clamps operable to secure the workpiece to the pallet;
a hydraulic system operable to actuate the clamps;
a pressure detector in fluid communication with the hydraulic system and operable to electrically respond to pressure within the hydraulic system;
a pallet transmitter mounted to the pallet, electrically coupled with the detector, and operable to indicate the detector's status;
and
a receiver unit mounted at a separation distance from the pallet transmitter and operable to discern the detector's status over a wireless connection to the pallet transmitter.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pallet pressure monitor

Life of this patent

Pallet pressure monitor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20