US 2011/0298579 A1 · DYNAMICALLY ADAPTABLE SAFETY ZONES

Dynamically adaptable safety zones

AssigneesCedes Safety & Automation AG, Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.

InventorsMartin Hardegger, Reto Berner, Richard Galera, Suresh Nair, Wei Jie Chen, Carl Meinherz, Craig Martin Brockman, Elik I. Fooks, Manfred Stein, Robert M. Black, Roger Merz, Steven A. Eisenbrown

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for defining a safety zone in an industrial automation environment. The method includes monitoring an object that approaches an operating zone where equipment is controlled within the operating zone. This includes determining the speed or direction that the object approaches the operating zone. The method includes dynamically adjusting a safety region in view of the determined speed or direction of the object and enabling or disabling the equipment within the operating zone based in part on the object entering the safety region.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method for defining a safety zone in an industrial automation environment, comprising:

monitoring an object and operating zone where equipment is controlled within the operating zone;
determining a speed between the object and the equipment;
determining a direction that the object approaches the operating zone;
determining a speed or direction that a moving part associated with the equipment approaches the object;
dynamically adjusting a safety region in view of the determined speed or direction of the object;
and
enabling or disabling the equipment within the operating zone based in part on the object entering the safety region.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

12/795,878Filed 8 Jun 2010

Published

8 Dec 2011

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

F16P 3/14
With means, e.g. feelers, which in case of the presence of a body part of a person in or near the danger zone influence the control or operation…:…
G01S 17/10
For measuring distance only: using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves
G01S 17/58
Systems of measurement based on relative movement of target: velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems
G01S 17/89
Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications: for mapping or imaging