# US 9,038,515 B2 · Logic control for fast-acting safety system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,515 B2 - Document ID: US9038515B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/013,618 - Filed: 2013-08-29 - Published: 2014-06-19 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2000-08-14 - Assignees: Sd3, LLC - Applicants: Sd3, LLC - Inventors: Stephen F. Gass - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038515B2 ## CPC - B26D 7/24: arranged to disable the operating means for the cutting member - B23D 59/001: {Measuring or control devices, e.g. for automatic control of work feed pressure on band saw blade (measuring in general G01; controlling in general G05)} - B27G 19/008: {with sensing of human contact or proximity with the blade} - F16P 3/12: 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 of the machine (F16P3/08 takes precedence) - F16P 3/14: the means being photocells or other devices sensitive without mechanical contact - F16P 3/148: {using capacitive technology} - Y10T 83/04: Processes - Y10T 83/089: Responsive to tool characteristic - Y10T 83/148: Including means to correct the sensed operation - Y10T 83/707: By endless band or chain knife - Y10T 83/7726: By movement of the tool - Y10T 83/773: Work-support includes passageway for tool [e.g., slotted table] - Y10T 83/7788: Tool carrier oscillated or rotated - B26D: CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING (for growing crops or plants A01D, A01G; for fodder or straw A01F; for bulk butter A01J; for dough A21C; slaughtering A22B; for tobacco, cigars or cigarettes A24; marking-out, perforating or making buttonholes A41H25/00; manufacturing footwear A43D; brushmaking A46D; surgery A61B; disintegrating, mincing or shredding in general B02C; cutting wire, making pins or nails B21F, B21G; of the kind used formetal B23; cutting by abrasive fluid jets B24C5/02; hand-held cutting tools B26B; perforating, cutting-out, stamping-out or punching, or severing by means other than cutting B26F; for wood B27; for stone B28D; working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29; making boxes, cartons, envelopes or bags, of paper or similarly worked materials, e.g. metal foil, B31B; article or web delivery apparatus incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices B65H35/00; for leather or upholstery B68, C14B; for glass C03B; making matches C06F; for peat C10F; for sugar C13B45/00; for textile materials D06H; civil engineering, building, mining, see Section E; for light guides G02B6/25; cutting processed photographic material G03D15/04) - B23D: PLANING; SLOTTING; SHEARING; BROACHING; SAWING; FILING; SCRAPING; LIKE OPERATIONS FOR WORKING METAL BY REMOVING MATERIAL, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (making toothed gears or the like B23F; cutting metal by applying heat locally B23K; arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - B27G: ACCESSORY MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR WORKING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS; TOOLS FOR WORKING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS (tools for grinding B24D; sawing tools B27B33/00; tools for slotting or mortising machines B27F5/02; tools for the manufacture of wood shavings, chips, powder or the like B27L11/00); SAFETY DEVICES FOR WOOD WORKING MACHINES OR TOOLS - F16P: SAFETY DEVICES IN GENERAL; {SAFETY DEVICES FOR PRESSES} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Woodworking machines with cutting tools and motors to drive the cutting tools are disclosed. The machines may be equipped with a detection system that detects a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, and with a reaction system that performs a specified action upon detection of the dangerous condition. The machines also may be equipped with a control system that tests the operability of at least a portion of the detection system and/or the reaction system. The control system may disable the motor if the tested portion is inoperable. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A woodworking machine comprising: a cutting tool for cutting workpieces; at least one motor configured to drive the cutting tool; a detection system configured to detect a dangerous condition associated with the cutting tool; a brake mechanism having at least one replaceable single-use component, and controllable to stop the cutting tool if the dangerous condition is detected; and a control system configured to detect whether the single-use component has been used, and to disable the at least one motor until the single-use component has been replaced. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, where the at least one replaceable single-use component includes a fusible member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The machine of claim 2, where the control system is configured to detect whether the fusible member has been melted. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The machine of claim 2, where the control system is configured to test the electrical continuity of the fusible member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The machine of claim 2, where the brake mechanism includes a capacitor adapted to store electrical charge, and where the control system is configured to determine the capacitance of the capacitor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The machine of claim 2, where the brake mechanism includes a capacitor adapted to store electrical charge, and where the control system is configured to determine the electrical charge stored on the capacitor. ### Claim 7 A woodworking machine comprising: a cutting tool for cutting workpieces; at least one motor configured to drive the cutting tool; a detection system configured to detect a dangerous condition associated with the cutting tool; a reaction mechanism having a replaceable single-use component, and controllable to disable the cutting tool if the dangerous condition is detected; and a control system configured to detect whether the single-use component has been used, and if so, to disable the at least one motor until the single-use component has been replaced. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The machine of claim 7, where the replaceable single-use component includes a fusible member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The machine of claim 8, where the control system is configured to detect whether the fusible member has been melted. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The machine of claim 8, where the control system is configured to test the electrical continuity of the fusible member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The machine of claim 8, where the reaction mechanism includes a capacitor adapted to store electrical charge, and where the control system is configured to determine the capacitance of the capacitor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The machine of claim 8, where the reaction mechanism includes a capacitor adapted to store electrical charge, and where the control system is configured to determine the electrical charge stored on the capacitor.