US4143616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process machinery control system and individual safety control systems therefor or the like
Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
•
Filing: 1978-02-24
•
Granted: 1979-03-13
•
Expires: 1998-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A selectively changeable pneumatic control system for monitoring the start-up and running of process machinery, the system having a pneumatically operated indicator, a pneumatically operated arrangement for operating the indicator and a selector for setting the pneumatically operated arrangement to any one of a first, second, third, fourth or fifth monitoring condition thereof which monitors a respective variable of the process machinery and will operate the indicator to indicate an unsafe condition thereof, the first condition being adapted to monitor a variable of the process machinery that is normally safe when the process machinery is not running, the second condition being adapted to monitor a variable of the process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery is not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and must become safe within a predetermined time period after initial start-up, the third condition being adapted to monitor a variable of the process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery is not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and remain locked out an indefinite time period after start-up until it becomes safe, the fourth condition being adapted to monitor an alarm variable of the process machinery that requires immediate attention upon becoming unsafe, the fifth condition being adapted to monitor a position of a variable of the process machinery.
Inventors
- 👤 Harley V. Bible
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:05
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B19/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8175; Y10T137/8326
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A selectively changeable pneumatic control safety system for monitoring the start-up and running of process machinery, said system having a pneumatically operated indicator, pneumatically operated means for operating said indicator, and selector means for setting said pneumatically operated means to any one of a plurality of different monitoring conditions thereof which monitors a respective variable of said process machinery and will operate said indicator to indicate an unsafe condition thereof, said selector means comprising selector plate means having port means therein and manually adjustable fluid switching means carried by said plate means for selectively interconnecting various port means thereof together to provide a selected monitoring condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A selectively changeable pneumatic control safety system for monitoring the start-up and running of process machinery, said system having a pneumatically operated indicator, pneumatically operated means for operating said indicator, and selector means for setting said pneumatically operated means to any one of a plurality of different monitoring conditions thereof which monitors a respective variable of said process machinery and will operate said indicator to indicate an unsafe condition thereof, said selector means comprising selector plate means having port means therein and manually adjustable fluid switching means carried by said plate means for selectively interconnecting various port means thereof together to provide a selected monitoring condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 where said pneumatically operated indicator comprises a visual indicator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pneumatically operated visual indicator comprises a movable flag.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pneumatically operated means comprises pneumatically operated valve means adapted to operatively interconnect one of a pressure source and a vent to said pneumatically operated indicator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
A system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pneumatically operated indicator includes a housing means having a chamber therein divided into two compartments by a flexible diaphragm, said diaphragm carrying an actuator to move therewith, said valve means including a first pneumatically operated valve arrangement for operatively interconnecting one of a pressure source and a vent to one of said compartments, said valve means including a second pneumatically operated valve arrangement for operatively interconnecting one of a pressure source and a vent to the other of said chambers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second valve arrangement includes two pneumatically operated valve units, one of said valve units being adapted to interconnect said source to said other chamber, the other of said valve units being adapted to interconnect said vent to said other chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said valve units are respectively adapted to be responsive to pressure from a sensor that is adapted to sense a variable of said process machinery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
205 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said selector means is adapted to set said pneumatically operated means to any one of a first, second, third, fourth or fifth monitoring condition thereof which monitors a respective variable of said process machinery and will operate said indicator to indicate an unsafe condition thereof said first condition being adapted to monitor a variable of said process machinery that is normally safe when said process machinery is not running, said second condition being adapted to monitor a variable of said process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery is not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and must become safe within a predetermined time period after initial start-up, said third condition being adapted to monitor a variable of said process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery is not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and remain locked out an indefinite time period after start-up until it becomes safe, said fourth condition being adapted to monitor an alarm variable of said process machinery that requires immediate attention upon becoming unsafe, said fifth condition being adapted to monitor a position of a variable of said process machinery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said pneumatically operated means has means adapted for initiating shutdown of said process machinery when an unsafe condition is sensed by said pneumatically operated means and said selector means has set the same to its said first, second or third monitoring condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means of said pneumatically operated means is also adapted to initiate an alarm when an unsafe condition is sensed by said pneumatically operated means and said selector means has set the same to its said fourth condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means of said pneumatically operated means comprises a pneumatically operated valve means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said valve means is adapted to block a passage from vent to prevent shutdown.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said valve means comprises a housing means having a valve seat adapted to interconnect said passage to said vent when said valve seat is open, said means further comprising a diaphragm operated valve member for opening and closing said valve seat.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said diaphragm operated valve member has two different and separate diaphragms for respectively moving said valve member to close said valve seat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said housing has another valve seat spaced from the first mentioned valve seat and in said passage to open and close said passage, and another diaphragm operated valve member for opening and closing said other valve seat.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said pneumatically operated means includes a pneumatically operated valve arrangement for by-passing said passage around said second valve seat.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adjustable fluid switching means is rotatable on said plate means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said plate means comprise a plurality of plates each having said adjustable fluid switching means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as set forth in claim 18 wherein each plate has a plurality of adjustable fluid switching means thereon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as set forth in claim 19 wherein each adjustable fluid switching means as always interconnected to one port of its respective plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a pneumatically operated control system for process machinery and having a plurality of separate safety systems for monitoring the start-up and running of said process machinery, the improvement wherein each separate safety system comprises a pneumatically operated indicator, pneumatically operated means for operating said indicator, and selector means for setting said pneumatically operated means to any one of a plurality of monitoring conditions thereof which monitors a respective variable of said process machinery and will operate said indicator to indicate an unsafe condition thereof, said selector means comprising selector plate means having port means therein and manually adjustable fluid switching means carried by said plate means for selectively interconnecting various port means thereof together to provide a selected monitoring condition.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a pneumatically operated control system for process machinery and having a plurality of separate safety systems for monitoring the start-up and running of said process machinery, the improvement wherein each separate safety system comprises a pneumatically operated indicator, pneumatically operated means for operating said indicator, and selector means for setting said pneumatically operated means to any one of a plurality of monitoring conditions thereof which monitors a respective variable of said process machinery and will operate said indicator to indicate an unsafe condition thereof, said selector means comprising selector plate means having port means therein and manually adjustable fluid switching means carried by said plate means for selectively interconnecting various port means thereof together to provide a selected monitoring condition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said pneumatically operated indicator comprises a visual indicator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as set forth in claim 22 wherein said pneumatically operated visual indicator comprises a movable flag.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as set forth in claim 23 wherein said pneumatically operated means comprises pneumatically operated valve means adapted to operatively interconnect one of a pressure source and a vent to said pneumatically operated indicator.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
90 words
A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein said pneumatically operated indicator includes a housing means having a chamber therein divided into two compartments by a flexible diaphragm, said diaphragm carrying an actuator to move therewith, said valve means including a first pneumatically operated valve arrangement for operatively interconnecting one of a pressure source and a vent to one of said compartments, said valve means including a second pneumatically operated valve arrangement for operatively interconnecting one of a pressure source and a vent to the other of said chambers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said second valve arrangement includes two pneumatically operated valve units, one of said valve units being adapted to interconnect said source to said other chamber, the other of said valve units being adapted to interconnect said vent to said other chamber.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said valve units are respectively adapted to be responsive to pressure from a sensor that is adapted to sense a variable of said process machinery.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
205 words
A system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said selector means is adapted to set said pneumatically operated means to any one of a first, second, third, fourth or fifth monitoring condition thereof which monitors a respective variable of said process machinery and will operate said indicator to indicate an unsafe condition thereof, said first condition being adapted to monitor a variable of said process machinery that is normally safe when said process machinery is not running, said second condition being adapted to monitor a variable of said process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery is not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and must become safe within a predetermined time period after initial start-up, said third condition being adapted to monitor a variable of said process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery is not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and remain locked out an indefinite time period after start-up until it becomes safe, said fourth condition being adapted to monitor an alarm variable of said process machinery that requires immediate attention upon becoming unsafe, said fifth condition being adapted to monitor a position of a variable of said process machinery.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system as set forth in claim 28 wherein said pneumatically operated means has means adapted for initiating shutdown of said process machinery when an unsafe condition is sensed by said pneumatically operated means and said selector means has set the same to its said first, second or third monitoring condition.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as set forth in claim 29 wherein said means of said pneumatically operated means is also adapted to initiate an alarm when an unsafe condition is sensed by said pneumatically operated means and said selector means has set the same to its said fourth condition.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as set forth in claim 29 wherein said means of said pneumatically operated means comprises a pneumatically operated valve means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as set forth in claim 30 wherein said valve means is adapted to block a passage from vent to prevent shutdown.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as set forth in claim 32 wherein said valve means comprises a housing means having a valve seat adapted to interconnect said passage to said vent when said valve seat is open, said means further comprising a diaphragm operated valve member for opening and closing said valve seat.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as set forth in claim 33 wherein said diaphragm operated valve member has two different and separate diaphragms for respectively moving said valve member to close said valve seat.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as set forth in claim 34 wherein said housing has another valve seat spaced from the first mentioned valve seat and in said passage to open and close said passage, and another diaphragm operated valve member for opening and closing said other valve seat.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as set forth in claim 35 wherein said pneumatically operated means includes a pneumatically operated valve arrangement for by-passing said passage around said second valve seat.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said adjustable fluid switching means is rotatable on said plate means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as set forth in claim 37 wherein said plate means comprise a plurality of plates each having said adjustable fluid switching means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as set forth in claim 38 wherein each plate has a plurality of adjustable fluid switching means thereon.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as set forth in claim 39 wherein each adjustable fluid switching means as always interconnected to one port of its respective plate.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
89 words
A selectively changeable pneumatic control safety system for monitoring the start-up and running of process machinery, said system having a pneumatically operated indicator, pneumatically operated means for operating said indicator and having a certain physical arrangement of internal parts thereof, and selector means for setting said pneumatically operated means without changing said physical arrangement of internal parts thereof to any one of a plurality of different monitoring conditions thereof which monitors a respective variable of said process machinery and will operate said indicator to indicate an unsafe condition thereof.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
89 words
A selectively changeable pneumatic control safety system for monitoring the start-up and running of process machinery, said system having a pneumatically operated indicator, pneumatically operated means for operating said indicator and having a certain physical arrangement of internal parts thereof, and selector means for setting said pneumatically operated means without changing said physical arrangement of internal parts thereof to any one of a plurality of different monitoring conditions thereof which monitors a respective variable of said process machinery and will operate said indicator to indicate an unsafe condition thereof.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as set forth in claim 41 wherein the variables of said process machinery that can be selected by said selector means comprise class A variables, class B variables and class C variables.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as set forth in claim 41 wherein the variables of said process machinery that can be selected by said selector means comprise class A variables, class B variables, class C variables and alarm variables.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as set forth in claim 41 wherein the variables of said process machinery that can be selected by said selector means comprises class A variables, class B variables, class C variables, alarm variables and position variables.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as set forth in claim 41 wherein one of the variables of said process machinery said selector means is adapted to said set pneumatically operated means to monitor is a variable of said process machinery that is normally safe when said process machinery is not running.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system as set forth in claim 41 wherein one of said variables of said process machinery said selector means is adapted to set said pneumatically operated means to monitor is a variable of said process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery is not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and must become safe within a predetermined time period after initial start-up.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system as set forth in claim 41 wherein one of the variables of said process machinery said selector means is adapted to set pneumatically operated means to monitor is a variable of said process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery is not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and remain locked out an indefinite time period after start-up until it becomes safe.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as set forth in claim 41 wherein one of the variables of said process machinery said selector means is adapted to set said pneumatically operated means to monitor is an alarm variable of said process machinery that requires immediate attention upon becoming unsafe.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as set forth in claim 41 wherein one of the variables of said process machinery said selector means is adapted to set said pneumatically operated means to monitor is a position variable of a part of said process machinery.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
205 words
A system as set forth in claim 41 wherein said selector means is adapted to set said pneumatically operated means to any one of a first, second, third, fourth or fifth monitoring condition thereof which monitors a respective variable of said process machinery and will operate said indicator to indicate an unsafe condition thereof, said first condition being adapted to monitor a variable of said process machinery that is normally safe when said process machinery is not running, said second condition being adapted to monitor a variable of said process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery is not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and must become safe within a predetermined time period after initial start-up, said third condition being adapted to monitor a variable of said process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery is not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and remain locked out an indefinite time period after start-up until it becomes safe, said fourth condition being adapted to monitor an alarm variable of said process machinery that requires immediate attention upon becoming unsafe, said fifth condition being adapted to monitor a position of a variable of said process machinery.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a pneumatically operated control system for process machinery and having a plurality of separate safety systems for monitoring the start-up and running of said process machinery, the improvement wherein each separate safety system comprises a pneumatically operated indicator, pneumatically operated means for operating said indicator and having a certain physical arrangement of internal parts thereof, and selector means for setting said pneumatically operated means without changing said physical arrangement of internal parts thereof to any one of a plurality of monitoring conditions thereof which monitors a respective variable of said process machinery and will operate said indicator to indicate an unsafe condition thereof.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a pneumatically operated control system for process machinery and having a plurality of separate safety systems for monitoring the start-up and running of said process machinery, the improvement wherein each separate safety system comprises a pneumatically operated indicator, pneumatically operated means for operating said indicator and having a certain physical arrangement of internal parts thereof, and selector means for setting said pneumatically operated means without changing said physical arrangement of internal parts thereof to any one of a plurality of monitoring conditions thereof which monitors a respective variable of said process machinery and will operate said indicator to indicate an unsafe condition thereof.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as set forth in claim 51 wherein the variables of said process machinery that can be selected by said selector means comprise class A variables, class B variables and class C variables.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as set forth in claim 51 wherein the variables of said process machinery that can be selected by said selector means comprise class A variables, class B variables, class C variables and alarm variables.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as set forth in claim 51 wherein the variables of said process machinery that can be selected by said selector means comprises class A variables, class B variables, class C variables, alarm variables and position variables.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as set forth in claim 51 wherein one of the variables of said process machinery said selector means is adapted to set said pneumatically operated means to monitor is a variable of said process machinery that is normally safe when said process machinery is not running.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system as set forth in claim 51 wherein one of the variables of said process machinery said selector means is adapted to set said pneumatically operated means to monitor is a variable of said process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery is not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and must become safe within a predetermined time period after initial start-up.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system as set forth in claim 51 wherein one of the variables of said process machinery said selector means is adapted to set said pneumatically operated means to monitor is a variable of said process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery is not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and remain locked out an indefinite time period after start-up until it becomes safe.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as set forth in claim 51 wherein one of the variables of said process machinery said selector means is adapted to set said pneumatically operated means to monitor is an alarm variable of said process machinery that requires immediate attention upon becoming unsafe.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as set forth in claim 51 wherein one of the variables of said process machinery said selector means is adapted to set said pneumatically operated means to monitor is a position variable of a part of said process machinery.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
205 words
A system as set forth in claim 51 wherein said selector means is adapted to set said pneumatically operated means to any one of a first, second, third, fourth or fifth monitoring condition thereof which monitors a respective variable of said process machinery and will operate said indicator to indicate an unsafe condition thereof, said first condition being adapted to monitor a variable of said process machinery that is normally safe when said process machinery is not running, said second condition being adapted to monitor a variable of said process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery it not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and must become safe within a predetermined time period after initial start-up, said third condition being adapted to monitor a variable of said process machinery that is normally unsafe when the process machinery is not running but must be locked out to allow start-up and remain locked out an indefinite time period after start-up until it becomes safe, said fourth condition being adapted to monitor an alarm variable of said process machinery that requires immediate attention upon becoming unsafe, said fifth condition being adapted to monitor a position of a variable of said process machinery.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-03-12 | 1982-09-11 | 1983-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-03-12 | 1986-09-11 | 1987-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-03-12 | 1990-09-11 | 1991-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |