Wireless Latching Unit for Remote Safety Station Reset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing process control systems require multiple devices to monitor and control safety stations, necessitating physical resets and manual interventions, which can be inefficient and time-consuming, especially in emergency situations.

Innovation Solution

A wireless latching unit that detects activation of safety station parts, latches a switch to an active state, and continues transmitting signals to a base station even after deactivation, until a termination signal is received, eliminating the need for physical resets and enabling continuous monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two devices are used to monitor and control safety stations, then the safety monitoring function is achieved, but the system complexity increases and manual physical reset is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety monitoring functionVSAvoidnumber of devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of detection and latching into a single wireless latching unit. This single device integrates the sensor that detects safety station activation and the latching mechanism that maintains the alarm state, eliminating the need for separate detection and latching devices while achieving the same safety monitoring reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless latching unit automatically latches upon detecting safety station activation and continues transmitting alarm signals without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by maintaining the alarm state until proper reset procedures are followed, eliminating the need for manual physical reset operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a mechanical latch is used to detect safety station activation, then the activation detection is reliable, but manual physical reset is required which is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation detectionVSAvoidreset time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical latch system with an electronic latching mechanism within the wireless latching unit. This electronic system detects activation through sensor signals and maintains the alarm state through electronic latching, allowing for remote reset via wireless communication rather than requiring physical travel to the safety station for manual reset

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless latching unit acts as an intermediary between the safety station and the monitoring system. It receives detection signals from the safety station, processes them through its latching logic, and transmits alarm information wirelessly to the monitoring system, eliminating the need for direct mechanical connection and manual reset operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the monitoring system stops transmission after safety station reset, then the system returns to normal state, but continuous monitoring capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem state managementVSAvoidcontinuous monitoring capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless latching unit maintains continuous alarm signal transmission even after the safety station is reset. The latching mechanism ensures that once activation is detected, the alarm state is maintained and continuously communicated to the monitoring system until a proper reset command is received, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring and alerting capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances the efficiency of monitoring and controlling safety stations by reducing the need for manual interventions and ensuring continuous notification of events, even after the safety station is reset, thereby improving response times and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

sensing magnetic pull between the magnet and a Hall effect sensor of the wireless latching unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9013265B2System and method for monitoring and controlling a target operating device of a process control system

Publication Date: 2015.04.21 FISHER CONTROLS INT LLC

AI summary

A method of monitoring and controlling a target operating device of a process control system. The method comprises: detecting activation of one or more parts of the target operating device with a sensor of a wireless latching unit; latching a switch of the wireless latching unit from an active state to an inactive state upon detecting the activation of the one or more parts; transmitting one or more active signals from the wireless latching unit to abuse station upon latching the switch to the active state; detecting deactivation of the one or more parts of the target operating device with the sensor of the wireless latching unit; ignoring the detected deactivation at the wireless latching unit; and continuing to transmit the one or more active signals from the wireless latching unit to the base station. A wireless monitoring and control system is also disclosed.