Method and apparatus for detection, transmission and processing of safety-related signals

A method for detection, transmission and processing of safety-related signals using at least one detection unit, a transmission path and a signal processor, comprising:

• detecting safety-relevant signals on at least two physical channels at a transmitter end, the safety-relevant signals including signal data;
• transmitting the detected signal data by radio on at least two logical channels to a receiver end using a safety technique;
• processing and monitoring the received signal data on at least two physical channels at the receiver end;
• and
• in each of the at least two physical channels at the transmitter, monitoring serviceability of emergency-off or stop-input units and associated operation of the detection units by a positive dynamic activation arrangement.

A method for detection, transmission and processing of safety-related signals using at least one detection unit, a transmission path and a signal processor, comprising:

• detecting safety-relevant signals on at least two physical channels at a transmitter end, the safety-relevant signals including signal data;
• transmitting the detected signal data by radio on at least two logical channels to a receiver end using a safety technique;
• and
• processing and monitoring the received signal data on at least two physical channels at the receiver end
• wherein the safety-relevant signals include at least one of:
• i) emergency-off signals, ii) emergency-stop signals, iii) signals which initiate movement, and iv) confirmation signals, the safety relevant signals being provided for control purposes in industrial automation.

An apparatus for detection, transmission and processing of safety-related signals, comprising:

• at least one detection arrangement with at least two physical channels, the at least one detection arrangement being disposed at a transmitter end;
• a radio transmission path having at least two logical channels, the radio path using a safe technology, the radio transmission path including a radio module at the transmitter end and a radio module at a receiver end;
• a signal processor arrangement disposed at the receiver end, the signal processor arrangement having at least two physical channels;
• and
• duplicated electromechanical, electrical or electronic input element for producing redundant signals;
• wherein the detection arrangement produces additional protection data from the redundant signals for monitoring purposes, the additional protection data allowing monitoring for at least one of:
• i) incorrect transmitters or incorrect receivers, ii) adulteration of the safety-relevant data in the safety-related signals, iii) loss of data, and iv) repetition of data.

An apparatus for detection, transmission and processing of safety-related signals, comprising:

• at least one detection arrangement with at least two physical channels, the at least one detection arrangement being disposed at a transmitter end;
• a radio transmission path having at least two logical channels, the radio path using a safe technology, the radio transmission path including a radio module at the transmitter end and a radio module at a receiver end;
• a signal processor arrangement disposed at the receiver end, the signal processor arrangement having at least two physical channels;
• and
• a positive dynamic activation arrangement monitoring, in each of the at least two channels in the transmitter end, a serviceability of emergency-off or stop-input units and an associated operation of the detection units.

An industrial processing system, comprising:

• an arrangement for detection, transmission and Processing of safety-related signals, the arrangement comprising:
• at least one detection arrangement with at least two physical channels, the at least one detection, arrangement being disposed at a transmitter end,
• a radio transmission path having at least two logical channels, the radio path using a safe technology, the radio transmission path including a radio module at the transmitter end and a radio module at a receiver end, and
• a signal processor arrangement disposed at the receiver end, the signal processor arrangement having at least two physical channels;
• and
• a numerically controlled machine tool controlled as a function of the safety-related signals.

An industrial processing system, comprising:

• an arrangement for detection, transmission and processing of safety-related signals, the arrangement comprising:
• at least one detection arrangement with at least two physical channels, the at least one detection, arrangement being disposed at a transmitter end,
• a radio transmission path having at least two logical channels, the radio path using a safe technology, the radio transmission path including a radio module at the transmitter end and a radio module at a receiver end, and
• a signal processor arrangement disposed at the receiver end, the signal processor arrangement having at least two physical channels;
• and
• a robot controlled as a function of the safety-related signals.