142results about How to "Fail safe" patented technology

A dual/triple redundant computer system having in one of the preferred embodiments triple redundant I/O modules and dual redundant central processor modules (CPM) that operate in parallel executing the same application program. Each input module includes three input circuits operating in parallel. The first CPM receives input data from first and third input circuits and transmits input data of the first input circuit to the second CPM. The second CPM receives input data from second and third input circuits and transmits input data of the second input circuit to the first CPM. Each CPM then performs a two-out-of-two vote among input data produced by first, second, and third input circuits and utilizes an outvoted data as input to the application program to provide output data by execution of the application program.

Each output module includes three microcontrollers operating in parallel. First and second microcontroller receives output data respectively from first and second CPM, while a third microcontroller receives at the same time output data from both first and second CPM. First microcontroller transmits output data to a first and a second output circuit. Second microcontroller transmits output data to second and third output circuit. The third microcontroller performs a selected logic operation among output data produced by first and second CPM and then transmits a result of this operation to third and first output circuits. Each output circuit generates a logical product of output data received from two associated microcontrollers. Outputs of first, second, and third output circuit are connected to each other for providing a two-out-of-three voting among output data produced by first, second, and third microcontroller, and for allowing the system to generate a system output as a result of a two-out-of-two voting of output data generated by first and second central processor modules.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method for securing data is disclosed. The method includes sensing multi-dimensional motion of a body part of a user to generate a multi-dimensional signal; in response to the multi-dimensional signal and user calibration parameters, generating a neuro-mechanical fingerprint; and encrypting data with an encryption algorithm using the neuro-mechanical fingerprint as a key.

An apparatus and method for allowing an operator of a portable infusion device continue to operate the device after the primary battery source becomes depleted. The invention contemplates providing a secondary, rechargeable battery in addition to the primary battery, to allow the infusion device to operate even in the instance of a sudden drop in primary battery voltage. The apparatus includes a housing accommodating a syringe, where the syringe contains a liquid to be infused. Also included is a motor, a drive system operatively connected to the motor, where the drive system advances a piston of the syringe in order to expel the liquid from a barrel of the syringe. A power source is in electrical contact with and supplies power to the motor. The power source includes a primary battery module, and a rechargeable battery module, wherein the primary battery source supplies power to the rechargeable battery module. The result is a fail-safe system of alerting the user of low or critical battery conditions.

A fail-safe air flap control apparatus for a vehicle includes a coolant temperature sensor, a control unit, an actuator, a movable unit, a flap unit, an elastic member and a solenoid unit. The coolant temperature sensor measures the temperature of a coolant. The control unit compares a value measured by the sensor to a reference value and generates a corresponding control signal. The actuator has a rotator which rotates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction depending on the control signal. The movable unit linearly moves under rotational force of the rotator. The flap unit includes a flap housing having an air flow slot, a flap door mounted to the flap housing to openably close the air flow slot, and a connecting rod connected to the movable unit. The elastic member applies elastic force to the movable unit in a direction in which the flap door opens. The solenoid unit is controlled by the control signal of the control unit so as to either restrain movement of the movable unit and so maintain the flap door in a closed state or to release the movable unit.

A multi-element airfoil system includes an airfoil element having a leading edge region and a skin element coupled to the airfoil element. A slat deployment system is coupled to the slat and the skin element, and is capable of deploying and retracting the slat and the skin element. The skin element substantially fills the lateral gap formed between the slat and the airfoil element when the slat is deployed. The system further includes an uncoupling device and a sensor to remove the skin element from the gap based on a critical angle-of-attack of the airfoil element. The system can alternatively comprise a trailing edge flap, where a skin element substantially fills the lateral gap between the flap and the trailing edge region of the airfoil element. In each case, the skin element fills a gap between the airfoil element and the deployed flap or slat to reduce airframe noise.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method for determining changes in health of a user is disclosed. The method includes sensing multi-dimensional motion of a body part of a user to generate a first multi-dimensional motion signal at a first time and date; in response to the first multi-dimensional motion signal, generating a first neuro-mechanical fingerprint; generating a first health measure in response to the first NFP and user calibration parameters; sensing multi-dimensional motion of the body part of the user to generate another multi-dimensional motion signal at another time and date; in response to the another multi-dimensional motion signal, generating another neuro-mechanical fingerprint; generating another health measure in response to the another NFP and the user calibration parameters; and comparing the first health measure with the another health measure to determine a difference representing the health degradation of the user.

A wireless data connection may be established between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the first vehicle driving ahead of the second vehicle. A forward camera of the second vehicle may obtain image data of a rear portion of the first vehicle and determine an identification number of the first vehicle from the obtained image data. The second vehicle may broadcast a data connection request which indicates at least a part of the determined identification number of the first vehicle.

The invention provides a totally-artificial heart in built-in mode. The totally-artificial heart comprises a fixation unit, an energy control unit, power units, and flow direction control units. The power units are flexible peristaltic pumps driven by alternating voltages. The fixation unit having a rigid structure is used for fixing the energy control unit, all power units, and all flow direction control units. Flow direction control unit doors arranged inside the flow direction control units are used for controlling flowing directions of fluid. The energy control unit outputs alternating voltages with variable frequencies and waveforms to control the power units, thereby meeting various requirements of human bodies. According to the totally-artificial heart in built-in mode, the totally-artificial heart can be used as an auxiliary artificial heart based on simple modification. With the driving thin-film material, the complicated mechanical structure is simplified and the energy consumption of the artificial heart is reduced substantially; the totally-artificial heart can be arranged in a built-in mode, so that the usage and maintenance costs can be lowered. Meanwhile, noises during working of the artificial heart can be reduced substantially, so that the comfort of the artificial heat can be improved. Besides, on the basis of the unique structural design, a certain adjuvant treatment effect for some traditional cardiovascular diseases is realized.

A device for activating an electropneumatic valve of a pressure medium-operated position controller, in which the valve is activated by a manipulated variable. To achieve a blocking fail-safe behavior in case of a failure of a pressure medium, the device includes means for detecting the current position of a booster stage downstream of the valve and assigning the manipulated variable based on the detected position, and means for measuring a first variable to be influenced by the position controller. The device includes an evaluation unit configured to determine an expected directional reaction of the first variable to the assigned manipulated variable, compare the expected reaction with the measured reaction, determine a pressure medium failure as a fault situation if the expected reaction does not coincide with the measured reaction, and assign, as a new manipulated variable for the valve, an emergency signal generating a blocking fail-safe behavior of the valve.

The invention discloses an all-digital silicon controlled rectifier controller chip for three-phase alternating-current voltage regulation and rectification. The chip is an integrated circuit controller special for a silicon controlled rectifier and has the functions of trigger pulse forming and modulation, phase sequence self-adaptation, automatic fault protection, and real-time power grid frequency measurement. A chip circuit is composed of a frequency dividing circuit, a reset circuit, an IIC_SLAVE control circuit and a silicon controlled rectifier trigger circuit, a universal IIC digital interface is adopted, and automatic control of power electronics can be achieved conveniently. A user can configure and control the chip accurately through the universal digital interface of the chip. Due to the fact that digital control can not be easily affected by factors such as environment temperature, supply voltage and time change, system stability, overall reliability, universality and flexibility are improved greatly, and a dedicated chip high in accuracy and controllability is provided for a strong current control system.

An apparatus and method for acquiring an image of a predetermined extract of a moving printed product employs at least one black-and-white camera with a two-dimensional electronic image sensor and one or more illumination devices suitable for pulse-like illumination. The illumination device has multiple light sources forming spectral groups that have different spectral compositions. The light sources are arranged in a pattern such that the light sources of each spectral group completely illuminate the area of observation of the camera. A control device switches the individual spectral groups of light sources on and off sequentially such that the area of observation of the camera is illuminated with a sequence of light pulses of different spectral compositions. During each light pulse, the predetermined extract on a printed product moves into the area of observation of the camera, and an image of extract is captured.

An electrically operated valve actuator effective for shifting a valve (10) between open and closed positions is disclosed, the valve actuator comprising a movable member in the form of a valve stem (21) connected to a valve body (14), the movable member being driven by an electric motor (22) in linear motion between valve closing and valve opening positions, wherein electrical power to the motor is supplied via a current (25) control including a supplied current detection device. The movable member is designed for an idling length of travel (L) in the opening and closing directions during which the valve (10) is either fully open or fully closed, and the movable member is associated with buffer means (30) that during the idling length of travel gradually increases the torque and power required to move the movable member further in the open and closed positions of the valve (10), respectively.

An improved fire protection system that is of fail safe design for kitchen stoves and other applications utilizing gas for generating heat and in which a fire condition such as a skillet of grease becomes ignited. Said system is activated thermally to release a quantity of fire suppressant material onto the top of the stove quenching the fire while simultaneously cutting off the cooking gas. The system utilizes a reservoir containing the fire suppressant under pressure with a hose or pipe connected to one or more thermally activated spray heads. A second hose or pipe is connected to a pneumatically operated gas cut off valve. The activation of the thermally activated spray head or heads exhausts the pneumatic pressure of the reservoir thereby causing the gas cut off valve to close against the cooking gas.

The invention relates to a double-cylinder by-pass type magnetorheological vibration damper. The vibration damper comprises a working cylinder barrel, a liquid storage cylinder barrel, a piston and apiston rod, wherein the piston rod penetrates through a guide ring, and the guide ring is connected with a liquid storage cylinder body together; a magnetorheological effect valve and the whole vibration damper are installed together by the guide ring; a magnetic conductive sleeve connected with the magnetorheological effect valve by a magnetic insulation gasket is sequentially provided with an upper magnetic conductive plate, a magnetic insulation washer, a middle magnetic conductive plate, a magnetic insulation washer and a lower magnetic conductive plate along the inner axial direction; electromagnetic coils are sleeved on the circumferences of the upper magnetic conductive plate, the middle magnetic conductive plate and the lower magnetic conductive plate by magnetic insulation sleeves; the middle parts of the upper magnetic conductive plate and the lower magnetic conductive plate are provided with axial through holes communicated with a liquid discharge hole and a press plate oilduct; and three arc grooves are uniformly distributed at the circumference of the middle magnetic conductive plate. When the piston rod moves, magnetorheological fluid flows among a working cylinder,the magnetorheological effect valve and a liquid storage cylinder. The invention can ensure a larger stroke and be beneficial to dissipating the heat of the electromagnetic coils; and the flow of themagnetorheological fluid in the coils not only can generate large damping force but also ensure portable integration.

The invention belongs to the field of bridge vibration control in civil engineering, and particularly relates to a laminated magneto-rheological high damping elastomer single core support. The supportcomprises an upper steel disc, a lower steel disc, a laminated supporting mechanism and a lead core arranged at the upper steel plate, and an excitation mechanism arranged at the lower steel disc. The laminated supporting mechanism is cylindrical, and a round hole used for the lead core to penetrate is formed in the center of the laminated supporting mechanism. The laminated supporting mechanismis formed alternate vulcanization of the magneto-rheological elastomer and a steel plate. The excitation mechanism comprises an excitation coil, a reeling bracket and an iron core. The excitation coilis wound to the iron core by the reeling bracket. A round hole is formed in the middle of the iron core, and is used for positioning the lead core. The the lead core is fixed to the middle of the laminated supporting mechanism and the iron core, and therefore the positioning accuracy of the whole structure is guaranteed, and firmness of connection is improved. When shearing deformation of the support occurs, shearing deformation of the whole lead core occurs forced by the laminated supporting mechanism and the iron core, and therefore energy dissipation is achieved, and damping and rigidity of the support is improved overall.

A method and system is provided for achieving power shut down or disconnect at individual solar panel level for a DC solar power system. The system provides fail safe power disconnect for emergencies or electrical system maintenance. A high-frequency current source signal is transmitted over DC power lines to each junction box of a photovoltaic panel array. The high frequency signal is transmitted concurrently with the DC power, and is isolated from an inverter by an inductor. A communications receiver circuit controls the PV panel to short circuit the PV panel output terminals and disconnect the PV panel from the output terminals in response to the high-frequency signal.

The invention relates to an actuating device for a motor vehicle, comprising an electromechanical actuator which has a spindle that can be set in a rotary movement by an electric motor, wherein said spindle can be coupled to a release device of a clutch via a motion conversion transmission that converts a rotational movement into a linear movement while transmitting pressure and/or traction to a pressure sleeve. The pressure sleeve thereby acts upon a clutch actuation device by means of a joint unit that secures the pressure sleeve against rotation. The invention also relates to a clutch having such an actuating device.

The invention discloses a cable antitheft monitoring system, which comprises a power supply, a monitoring device, a signal processing device and a feedback warning device, wherein the power supply is respectively connected with the monitoring device, the signal processing device and the feedback warning device, the output end of the monitoring device is conveyed to the input end of the signal processing device, the output end of the signal processing device is connected to the feedback warning device, and the feedback warning device is connected with a processing terminal through a wireless network. The cable antitheft monitoring system realizes the in-site and remote-distance cable antitheft monitoring, the safety factor and the work efficiency are improved, in addition, a camera can also record the real-time condition around the cable, other objects are prevented from being stolen, and the production and living safety of surrounding people is improved. The cable antitheft monitoring system is simple, reliable, economic and applicable, and is worthy of being popularized and used.