Method and apparatus for safety protocol verification, control and management
US8630758B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61L25/021
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus and a method for a safety verification system, or a safety verification management system. At railroads or construction sites, equipment, such as a piece of heavy machinery, or a locomotive engine, must be subjected to a safety protocol before authorized personnel are allowed to approach the equipment. It is essential to have independent, automatic confirmation that the safety protocol has been successfully completed. In railroad systems, a Three Step Protection Mode is often used to place a locomotive engine in safe mode. One embodiment of the present invention provides an independent, automatic verification that this safety protocol has been successfully completed and sends an audible, visual, audiovisual, or vibratory signal to remote personnel. Another embodiment tracks the relative positions of personnel and locomotives, and generates a warning when personnel are proximate to an equipment that is not in safe mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.