US 9,822,927 B2Granted

Mechanized area controller

AssigneeFrederick Energy Products, LLC

InventorLarry D. Frederick

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Abstract

Mechanized area controller systems and methods for coordinating the movement of workers and vehicles to improve safety are disclosed. Some embodiments of the methods include generating a magnetic field defining a first zone and detecting a response signal from a first device. Other method embodiments also include detecting a response signal from a second device and generating a danger signal when the first and second devices are both within the first zone. Some system embodiments include a magnetic field generator for defining a first zone and a first device configured to detect the first zone magnetic field and generate a first device response signal. Other system embodiments also include a second device configured to detect the first zone magnetic field and generate a second device response signal and a first controller configured to generate a danger signal when the first and second devices are both within the first zone.

Claims40

Dependent claims

A method of proximity detection, the method comprising:

generating a first zone magnetic field with a first magnetic field generator defining a first zone, wherein the first zone defines a controlled area, the boundaries of the controlled area being at an equal threshold strength of the first zone magnetic field;
generating with the first magnetic field generator, a pattern of magnetic field pulses;
determining, with a first magnetic field detector worn on a worker, if a strength of the pattern of magnetic field pulses, generated with the first magnetic field generator, is equal to or above the threshold strength at the first magnetic field detector;
generating a worker response signal from the first magnetic field detector if the strength of the pattern of magnetic field pulses generated with the first magnetic field generator is equal to or above the threshold strength at the first magnetic field detector;
determining, with a second magnetic field detector affixed to a vehicle, if a strength of the pattern of magnetic field pulses, generated with the first magnetic field generator, is equal to or above the threshold strength, at the second magnetic field detector, the vehicle including a second magnetic field generator for generating a second magnetic field defining a vehicle danger zone and the first magnetic field detector is configured to generate a worker alarm if within the vehicle danger zone of the second magnetic field;
generating a vehicle response signal from the second magnetic field detector if the strength of the pattern of magnetic field pulses generated with the first magnetic field generator is equal to or above the threshold strength at the second magnetic field detector;
generating a worker-in-zone area-wide alarm throughout the controlled area when the worker response signal is received and no vehicle response signal is received;
generating a vehicle-in-zone area-wide alarm throughout the controlled area when the vehicle response signal is received and no worker response signal is received;
and
at least one of either (a) causing at least one of the first and/or second magnetic field detectors to silence, (b) preventing the activation of the worker alarm and/or a vehicle alarm at the first and/or second magnetic field detectors, and/or (c) decreasing a size of the vehicle danger zone of the second magnetic field generator.

7 more elements

A traffic control system, the system comprising:

a first magnetic field generator for generating a first zone magnetic field defining a first zone, wherein the first zone defines a controlled area, the boundaries of the controlled area being at an equal threshold strength of the first zone magnetic field and the first magnetic field generator is adapted to generate a pattern of magnetic field pulses;
a first magnetic field detector adapted to be worn on a worker and configured to determine if a strength of the pattern of magnetic field pulses, generated with the first magnetic field generator, is equal to or above the threshold strength at the first magnetic field detector and to generate a worker response signal if the strength of the pattern of magnetic field pulses generated with the first magnetic field generator;
a second magnetic field detector affixed to a vehicle and configured to detect if a strength of the pattern of magnetic field pulses, generated with the first magnetic field generator, is equal to or above the threshold strength, at the second magnetic field detector and to generate a vehicle response signal if the strength of the pattern of magnetic field pulses generated with the first magnetic field generator is equal to or above the threshold strength at the second magnetic field detector;
a second magnetic field generator affixed to the vehicle and configured to generate a second magnetic field defining a vehicle danger zone, wherein the first magnetic field detector is configured to generate a worker alarm if within the vehicle danger zone of the second magnetic field;
and,
a first controller configured to generate a worker-in-zone area-wide alarm throughout the controlled area when the worker response signal is received and no vehicle response signal is received, to generate a vehicle-in-zone area-wide alarm throughout the controlled area when the vehicle response signal is received and no worker response signal is received, and at least one of either (a) to cause at least one of the first and/or second magnetic field detectors to silence, (b) to prevent the activation of the worker alarm and/or a vehicle alarm at the first and/or second magnetic field detectors, and/or (c) to decrease a size of the vehicle danger zone of the second magnetic field generator.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/151,056Filed 9 Jan 2014 · us provisional application
Priority: 9 Jan 2013
Published: US 2014/0191869 A110 Jul 2014
Granted: 21 Nov 2017
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

F16P 3/145
The means being photocells or other devices sensitive without mechanical contact: using magnetic technology
H03K 17/9502
Using a magnetic detector: measures for increasing reliability
H03K 17/9522
Using inductive coils: with a galvanically isolated probe
F16P
Safety devices in general