Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
In a seismic induced vibration and/or wind control system for protecting a structure including first sensor means to detect seismic tremor and/or wind induced movement of a building and to produce a first signal responsive to said movement, building movement attenuation means; actuator means to actuate said building movement attenuation means; power means to energize said actuator; second sensor means to detect actuation of said building movement attenuation means and to produce a second signal responsive to said actuation; and computer control means adapted to receive and to process said first and second signals and to produce a third signal to control said actuator means, a safety system to prevent overload and/or malfunction of said vibration and/or wind control system comprising: sensor means to detect the speed of movement of said building induced by seismic tremor and/or wind, and to produce a fourth signal responsive to said movement; a seismic response control load meter adapted to detect the induced load on said actuator responsive to said third signal and to produce a fifth signal responsive to said load; signal processing means adapted to receive said fourth and fifth signals and to determine whether said signals indicate movements of said building and said actuator within a predetermined range of values; and said processing means being further adapted to de-energize said actuator if said movements exceed said predetermined range of values.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
In a seismic induced vibration and/or wind control system for protecting a structure including first sensor means to detect seismic tremor and/or wind induced movement of a building and to produce a first signal responsive to said movement, building movement attenuation means; actuator means to actuate said building movement attenuation means; power means to energize said actuator; second sensor means to detect actuation of said building movement attenuation means and to produce a second signal responsive to said actuation; and computer control means adapted to receive and to process said first and second signals and to produce a third signal to control said actuator means, a safety system to prevent overload and/or malfunction of said vibration and/or wind control system comprising: sensor means to detect the speed of movement of said building induced by seismic tremor and/or wind, and to produce a fourth signal responsive to said movement; a seismic response control load meter adapted to detect the induced load on said actuator responsive to said third signal and to produce a fifth signal responsive to said load; signal processing means adapted to receive said fourth and fifth signals and to determine whether said signals indicate movements of said building and said actuator within a predetermined range of values; and said processing means being further adapted to de-energize said actuator if said movements exceed said predetermined range of values.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
The safety system of claim 1, wherein said signal processing means comprises: multiplier means adapted to receive said fourth and fifth signals and to transmit a resultant sixth signal to integrator means; said integrator means being adapted to integrate said sixth signal and to transmit an integrated seventh signal to comparator means; said comparator means being adapted to evaluate said seventh signal and to transmit an eighth signal to said actuator power means when said seventh signal meets predetermined evaluation criteria; said power means being adapted to be disconnected from said actuator means upon reception of said eighth signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
The safety system of claim 2, including analog recorder means; subtractor means; means to split the said sixth signal between said analog computer means and said subtractor means; said analog recorder means being adapted to transmit ninth output signals to said subtractor means, the frequency of which are a function of the natural period of the building; said subtractor means being adapted to process the said split sixth signal from said multiplier means and said ninth output signals from said analog recorder means and to transmit a resultant tenth signal to said integrator means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
The safety system of claim 2, including digital micro-computer means; subtractor means; means to split the said sixth signal between said digital micro-computer means and said subtractor means; timer means adapted to command ninth output signals from said digital micro-computer means at a predetermined timed sequence, the frequency of said signals being a function of the natural period of the building; said subtractor means being adapted to process the said split sixth signal from said multiplier means and said ninth output signals from said digital micro-computer means and to transmit a resultant tenth signal to said integrator means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The safety system of claim 4, wherein said timer means is adapted to command ninth output signals from said digital computer means at intervals of 1/100 second.