Machine parts protecting system

A machine parts protecting system for protecting those parts of a machine that may be in close proximity to high temperature flames, said machine used for processing workpieces and comprising a plurality of workpiece holding members each mounted in spaced relationship from one another, a plurality of operating stations positioned proximate said workpiece holding members and operable to perform work on said workpieces, means for moving said workpiece holding members in a stop-and-go fashion so that each of said workpiece holding members is sequentially indexed from operating station to operating station, said machine operable to receive individual ones of said workpieces at one of said operating stations and to retain said received workpieces in said workpiece holding members for sequential indexing through succeeding operating stations, said machine parts protecting system comprising:

• (a) a photo-detection and signaling means for detecting at a predetermined one of said operating stations that the workpiece holding member at said predetermined operation station is not retaining one of said workpieces and sending a first signal indicative of the lack of presence of one of said workpieces in said detected one workpiece holding member;
• (b) memory means in electrical circuit with said photo-detecting and signaling means for receiving said first signal and sending a second signal upon said detected workpiece holding member being indexed a predetermined number of times to a predetermined other of said operating stations at which high temperature flames are used for processing said workpieces;
• (c) solenoid valve means in electrical circuit with said memory means for receiving said second signal, said solenoid valve means in gaseous relationship with an air jet means positioned at said predetermined other operating station, said air jet means positioned at said predetermined other operating station, said air jet means operable to direct said high temperature flames away from said detected workpiece holding member, and upon said solenoid valve means receiving said second signal, said solenoid valve means is opened to permit said air jet means to blow said high temperature flames away from said detected workpiece holding member.