Monitor system and method for detecting sequential events in a cyclical process

A monitoring system for monitoring the occurrence of a plurality of events in a cyclical process, comprising:

• event transducer means for detecting the occurrence of such events in such process, progress transducer means for detecting the progress of such process, control means for starting and stopping such process, and computer means for sensing whether respective events occur at expected positions in the progress of such process, said computer means being coupled to said control means to operate the same to stop such process when a prescribed number of events has been missed.

The system of claim 66, said event transducer means comprising transmitter means for producing an electric signal, receiver means for responding to such electric signal when received thereby, and coupling means for coupling said electric signal from said transducer means to said receiver means as an indication of the occurrence of such event, and said means for sensing a fault comprising test means for testing said receiver means by coupling a test signal from said transmitter means to said receiver means and means for coupling said computer means to said test means to control such delivery of such test signal.

A method for automatically monitoring the occurrence of a plurality of events in a cyclical process, comprising:

• storing information concerning the expected position of each event in such process, detecting the occurrence of such events in such process, simultaneously detecting the progress of such process, and sensing whether respective events occur at expected positions in the progress of such process.

A method for monitoring a cyclical process by checking the occurrence of a plurality of selected events at expected positions thereof in the course of such process, comprising:

• obtaining information concerning the relative positions of such events, monitoring such process to observe whether each event occurs at its expected position, and, as each event is detected, updating its relative position information.