Reel monitor devices and methods of using the same
US6247664A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 19, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16P3/148
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention includes systems and methods for monitoring the spooling area of a rotatable reel for winding or unwinding an elongated material, for example, a cable. The monitoring system has a detector for sensing the presence and position of a cable surface or object or operator positioned between the detector and the reel. The detector can control rotation of the reel directly, or send a position signal to a computer where the position signal indicates the detected presence and/or position. The computer can have a memory and/or a processor for respectively storing and analyzing the position signal. The computer is operative to compare the position signal to previously received position signals to determine a condition, for example, the amount of cable on the reel, the presence of any object, and/or the existence of a safety-threatening condition. The computer can generate an output signal for use in, for example, controlling the reel speed and/or torque, or the application of brakes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.