Electronic safety system for the avoidance of an overspeed condition in the event of a shaft failure

An electronic safety system, for the avoidance of an overspeed condition in the event of a shaft failure by detection of the shaft failure and subsequent interruption of further energy supply to the shaft, comprising:

• at least one measuring light guide, which extends longitudinally along the shaft and which is attached to and co-rotates with the shaft, the at least one measuring light guide having a light inlet side constructed and arranged to receive an input light and a light outlet side constructed and arranged to output the input light;
• a light source positioned to input light into the input side of the measuring light guide;
• an optical sensor positioned to sense the output light from the outlet side of the measuring light guide;
• the at least one measuring light guide attached at both a driven end and a driving end of the shaft in a manner such that a failure of the shaft between the driven end and the driving end ruptures the measuring light guide, thereby cutting light transmission between the light source and the optical sensor through the at least one measuring light guide;
• evaluation electronics for evaluating received light signals at the optical sensor and indicating a shaft failure upon receipt of changed light signals at the optical sensor due to rupture of the at least one measuring light guide;
• and
• control electronics for interrupting an energy supply to a driving side of the shaft when a shaft failure is indicated by the evaluation electronics.