초록 ▼

A latching interface is provided between a machine and a monitoring or control system for the machine to latch the machine in a mode that is safe for the machine and for operating personnel upon power loss. The interface includes one or more latching relay switches, connected into one or more input

A latching interface is provided between a machine and a monitoring or control system for the machine to latch the machine in a mode that is safe for the machine and for operating personnel upon power loss. The interface includes one or more latching relay switches, connected into one or more input signal circuits, that may be selectively set and reset by an interface microprocessor to actuate or deactuate the machine from performing certain functions. The interface microprocessor is programmable to set or reset the latching relay switches in response to a signal from a power loss sensor indicating that power to a monitor/controller device, that monitors and controls the functions of the machine, has been interrupted. The interface system further includes a power feed circuit to provide a back-up power supply to power the interface microprocessor during setting and resetting of the latching relay switches to the safe mode upon loss of normal power. Alternately, a solid state switch in series with an additional latching relay switch is connected into the input signal circuit in parallel with one or more of the latching relay switches. During normal operations, the interface microprocessor may operate these solid state switches in response to signals from the monitor/controller to control normal operating modes or functions of the machine. Upon power loss, the interface microprocessor opens the latching relay switch in series with each solid state switch and operates the parallel latching relay switch to place and keep the machine in a safe operating mode.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] For a machine that is powered by a primary power source and that requires repetitious input signals from a monitor/controller system that is also powered by the primary power source via a primary power circuit to continue performing functions for which the machine is designed, and i

[ I claim:] [1.] For a machine that is powered by a primary power source and that requires repetitious input signals from a monitor/controller system that is also powered by the primary power source via a primary power circuit to continue performing functions for which the machine is designed, and in which the machine has an input signal circuit that requires on and off switching of electricity in the input signal circuit to actuate the machine to perform certain functions or to deactuate the machine from performing said functions, an interface system comprising:a latching relay switch positioned in said input signal circuit, which latching relay switch has the capability to close the input signal circuit of the machine in response to a close signal and the capability to open the input signal circuit of the machine in response to an open signal;an interface microprocessor that is programmed to generate whichever close signal or open signal that is required to set the latching relay switch in a state that, in response to a power-fail signal, deactuates and prevents the machine from performing said functions regardless of whether the machine is or is not powered by said primary power source;a power-fail detector connected to the primary power circuit, which power-fail detector has a capability to detect when electric power from the primary power source is interrupted or fails and in response to generate the power-fail signal;an isolated power supply connected to the interface microprocessor, but not to the machine, said isolated power supply having sufficient back-up electric power to enable the interface microprocessor, in response to said power-fail signal, to generate the close signal or the open signal that sets or resets the latching relay switch in a state that deactuates and prevents the machine from performing said functions.