Equipment Isolation Switch Assembly with Keeper Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current equipment isolation systems face challenges with misapplication of locking devices, leading to potential safety hazards during maintenance, as personnel may incorrectly attach locks to isolation switches, necessitating a solution to minimize or eliminate this risk.
Innovation Solution
An equipment isolation switch assembly with a securing mechanism that ensures correct lockout procedures are followed, using a unique actuating device like a key that can only be removed when the equipment is in a safe state, and integrating a control system to authorize lockout only after a series of permissive steps are completed, preventing incorrect lockout and ensuring energy safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual lockout system with hasp and personal lock is used on the isolation switch, then the equipment can be isolated from energy source, but personnel may misapply the locking device to the wrong part of the isolation switch causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a keeper plate as an intermediary component between the isolation switch and the locking device. The keeper plate is selectively positionable to either expose or cover the aperture for receiving the hasp. This intermediary element ensures that the locking device can only be applied when the keeper plate is in the correct position, thereby preventing misapplication to wrong parts of the isolation switch while maintaining the isolation safety function.
2Productivity
If the aperture for lockout is always accessible on the isolation switch, then lockout can be quickly applied, but the risk of incorrect lock attachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The keeper plate is designed to be selectively positionable between at least two positions: a first position where the aperture is exposed for receiving the hasp, and a second position where the aperture is covered. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt between quick access (when keeper plate is in first position) and safety prevention (when keeper plate is in second position), resolving the contradiction between isolation speed and lockout accuracy.
3Loss of time
If the keeper plate is always in the exposed position for quick lockout, then isolation procedure is fast, but misapplication of locking device cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires the keeper plate to be deliberately positioned in the first position (exposing the aperture) as a preliminary action before the locking device can be applied. This preliminary positioning action ensures that only authorized personnel who intentionally prepare the system can perform lockout, preventing accidental or incorrect lock attachment while maintaining efficiency for authorized operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An equipment isolation switch assembly (200) for use in a remote isolation system (10) for isolating an equipment item (20,21) comprising an equipment isolation switch (400) movable between a first position (NORMAL) in which said equipment item (20,21) is energized by an energy source (30) and a second isolated position (ISOLATE) in which said equipment item (20,21) is isolated from said energy source (30) and an actuating device (500) co-operable with the equipment isolation switch (400) to move it between said first and second positions wherein said isolation switch assembly (200) includes at least one securing means (291,405) for securing said actuating device (500) in co-operation with said equipment isolation switch (400) whenever in operative state.