U.S. patent application number 14/997035 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-12 for mechanism for remotely controlling equipment.
This patent application is currently assigned to Terydon, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is TERYDON, INC.. Invention is credited to Terry D. Gromes, JR., Terry D. Gromes, SR., William C. Jackson, Jon M. Shockey, JR..
Application Number | 20160129552 14/997035 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51864411 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160129552 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gromes, SR.; Terry D. ; et
al. |
May 12, 2016 |
MECHANISM FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING EQUIPMENT
Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method for
wirelessly controlling a water jet machine by way of a wireless
connection between the water jet machine and a computing device.
The computing device provides an interface for controlling the
operating device either directly to the water jet machine or via a
control unit which is removably connected to the water jet machine.
The water jet machine or control unit communicates wirelessly with
the computing device, allowing a user to move about freely while
still controlling the water jet machine. The control unit may
include at least one valve for use in controlling the operating
device.
Inventors: |
Gromes, SR.; Terry D.;
(Navarre, OH) ; Gromes, JR.; Terry D.; (Navarre,
OH) ; Shockey, JR.; Jon M.; (Canton, OH) ;
Jackson; William C.; (Canton, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TERYDON, INC. |
Navarre |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Terydon, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
51864411 |
Appl. No.: |
14/997035 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14204451 |
Mar 11, 2014 |
|
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14997035 |
|
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61821433 |
May 9, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/283 ;
700/275; 700/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04886 20130101;
G05B 2219/45036 20130101; G05D 7/0617 20130101; G05B 9/02 20130101;
B26F 3/004 20130101; G05B 2219/39447 20130101; G05D 7/0676
20130101; B24C 7/0015 20130101; G05B 19/406 20130101; B26D 7/22
20130101; B26D 5/00 20130101; G06F 3/01 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B24C 7/00 20060101
B24C007/00; G05B 19/406 20060101 G05B019/406 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a computing device, wherein the computing
device includes a first wireless module; a machine that is
pneumatically or hydraulically operable; a second wireless module,
wherein the second wireless module is connected to the machine; a
wireless communications link between the computing device and the
machine, wherein the wireless communication link is formed by the
first wireless module and the second wireless module; a signal,
wherein the signal is generated by the computing device and
communicated to the machine by way of the wireless communications
link; and wherein the machine is actuated the signal is
received.
2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the machine includes a
pump and the pump is actuated when the machine receives the
signal.
3. The system as defined in claim 2, wherein the machine is a fluid
jet machine and the pump is operatively engaged with a nozzle; and
wherein actuation of the pump causes fluid to flow under pressure
from the nozzle.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a control unit,
wherein the second wireless module is disposed in the control unit;
and a connector, wherein the control unit is connected to the
machine by the connector.
5. The system of claim 2, further comprising: a control unit,
wherein the second wireless module is disposed in the control unit;
a connector, wherein the control unit is connected to the machine
by the connector; a valve disposed in the control unit and operable
in an open position and a closed position; wherein the control unit
is in communication with the machine when the valve is in the open
position; and wherein the pump is actuated when the control unit is
in communication with the machine.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the signal is communicated to the
control unit by way of the wireless communication link, and wherein
the valve moves to the open position when the control unit receives
the signal.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications link
is formed using Bluetooth wireless communications protocol.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a touchscreen
interface on the computing device.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a display on the
computing device; a set of system metrics, wherein the set of
system metrics is communicated from the machine to the computing
device by way of the wireless communications link; and an output
presented on the display, wherein the output graphically represents
the set of system metrics.
10. A method comprising the steps of: forming a wireless
communication link between a portable computing device and a
machine that is hydraulically or pneumatically operable; sending a
first signal from the computing device to the machine via the
wireless communication link; and actuating the machine upon
receiving the first signal.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:
connecting a first wireless module to a second wireless module to
form the wireless communication link therebetween, wherein the
first wireless module is disposed in the computing device, and
wherein the second wireless module is connected to the machine.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: forming the
wireless communication link with a Bluetooth communication
protocol.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:
sending a second signal from the machine to the computing device
via the wireless communications link; and updating a display on the
computing device upon receiving the second signal.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:
actuating an element on the computing device prior to the step of
sending the first signal; sending a termination signal from the
computing device to the machine when the element is no longer
actuated; and halting operation of the machine when the machine
receives the termination signal.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the machine is a fluid jet
machine and includes a pump and nozzle; and wherein the step of
actuating the machine includes actuating the pump and causing a
pressurized jet of fluid to flow from the nozzle.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the machine includes wheels and
the step of actuating the machine includes actuating the wheels and
physically moving the machine over a surface.
17. A method comprising the steps of: forming a wireless
communication link between a portable computing device and a
control unit; forming a wired communication link between the
control unit and a machine; sending a first signal from the
computing device to the control unit via the wireless communication
link; translating the first signal into a second signal; sending
the second signal from the control unit to the machine via the
wired communications link; and actuating an operation of the
machine upon receiving the second signal.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of actuating an
operation of the machine includes actuating a hydraulic system or a
pneumatic system of the machine.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:
connecting a first wireless module to a second wireless module to
form the wireless communication link therebetween, wherein the
first wireless module is disposed in the computing device, and
wherein the second wireless module is disposed in the control
unit.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:
sending a third signal from the machine to the control unit via the
wired communications link; translating the third signal to a fourth
signal; sending the fourth signal from the control unit to the
computing device via the wireless communications link; and updating
a display on the computing device upon receiving the fourth signal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/204,451, filed Mar. 11, 2014, which claims
priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/821,433,
filed May 9, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to control of devices. More
particularly, the present invention relates to providing wireless
control capabilities to an operating device. Specifically, the
present invention relates to providing wireless control of a
machine through a computing device connected wirelessly to the
machine.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Often operating devices commonly used in industry are both
manually controlled by a user as well as dangerous to the user. A
water jet cutting machine is an example of such an operating
device. Water jet cutting is an extremely dangerous activity, as
the pressurized stream of water can cut through materials as hard
as metal. It follows that any part of a human would easily be cut
by this stream of water. Therefore, a user must always keep proper
control of the cutting machine and ensure that the user's
extremities are out of harm's way. However, water jet cutting
machines are controlled via hydraulic or pneumatic tubes running
from a control station which the user actuates to control the water
jet cutting machine. This control station is typically a desk-like
structure with four extending legs and is generally not practically
movable. Therefore, the user is in a fixed position which may force
the user to take unnecessary risks to remain in the fixed position
while the water jet cutting machine passes close thereby. Further,
the immovable nature of the control station may severely limit the
user's ability to view the actual operations of the cutting
machine. Still further, current water jet cutting machines do not
account for whether the user is actually in control of the machine.
The machine simply keeps cutting and performing its operations
whether or not the user is positioned at the controls.
[0006] Thus, there is a tremendous need in the art to provide a
mechanism for the user or controller of an operating device such as
a water jet cutting machine to remain in control of the machine
while still remaining mobile and not fixed to a particular
position. Further, there is an additional tremendous need in the
art to provide a system or method for ensuring the user is in
control of the operating device, and has not become incapacitated,
disabled, or simply left the machine's controls. There is a need in
the art for an easy to assemble solution, possibly by way of a
downloadable application installed on a computing device and
connected logically to portions of the computing device's
hardware.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one aspect, the invention may provide a system
comprising: a computing device, wherein the computing device
includes a first wireless module; a fluid jet machine, wherein the
fluid jet machine includes a pump unit, a nozzle, and an operation;
a second wireless module, wherein the second wireless module is
connected to the fluid jet machine; a wireless communications link
between the computing device and the fluid jet machine, wherein the
wireless communication link is formed by the first wireless module
and the second wireless module; a signal, wherein the signal is
generated by the computing device and communicated to the fluid jet
machine by way of the wireless communications link; and wherein the
operation is actuated when the fluid jet machine receives the
signal.
[0008] In another aspect, the invention may provide a method
comprising the steps of: forming a wireless communication link
between a portable computing device and a fluid jet machine;
sending a first signal from the computing device to the fluid jet
machine via the wireless communication link; and actuating an
operation of the fluid jet machine upon receiving the first
signal.
[0009] In another aspect, the invention may provide a method
comprising the steps of: forming a wireless communication link
between a portable computing device and a control unit; forming a
wired communication link between the control unit and a fluid jet
machine; sending a first signal from the computing device to the
control unit via the wireless communication link; translating the
first signal into a second signal; sending the second signal from
the control unit to the fluid jet machine via the wired
communications link; and actuating an operation of the fluid jet
machine upon receiving the second signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A sample embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the
best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles,
is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings
and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the
appended claims.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a view of a first embodiment of the present
invention, including an operating device in the form of a water jet
cutting machine and a computing device in the form of a remote
control;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of the remote
control of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a view of a prior art water jet cutting system
juxtaposed with a portion of a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a view of a portion of the second embodiment of
the present invention, including a computing device and a control
unit;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a prior art control station
next to an operating device in the form of a water jet cutting
machine; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the
present invention next to an operating device in the form of a
water jet cutting machine.
[0017] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention pertains to a
system and method for wireless control, a first embodiment thereof
hereinafter referred to as system 1. System 1 is adapted to provide
control of an operating device having at least one operation, which
may be embodied in a device such as a water jet cutting machine,
hereinafter referred to as water jet cutting machine 2. System 1
provides control by way of a computing device, hereinafter referred
to as a remote control 4.
[0019] Water jet cutting machine 2 may be of any type of water jet
device. For the present example, water jet cutting machine 2 is
generally divided into a working unit 3 and a pump unit 5
interconnected by various components necessary and commonly used in
the field of water jet technology, for example, a line for high
pressure water, electrical power, and related mechanical elements
and circuitry. Water jet cutting machine 2 further includes a
control system or control unit 7 for controlling all of the various
features of water jet cutting machine 2, including movement of
water jet cutting machine 2 itself as well as control of the
internal mechanisms relating to the stream of high pressure water.
Control unit 7 may be integrated with water jet cutting machine 2
or may be separately connected thereto by way of connectors, as
discussed in greater detail below.
[0020] Pump unit 5 includes all of the various features and
mechanisms for moving water jet cutting machine 2 within the
desired environment, including movement such as forward, reverse,
left, right, stop, jog, etc. Pump unit 5 further includes all of
the various features and mechanisms for pumping high pressure water
from a water reservoir (not shown) or hose (not shown) to working
unit 3 for use thereby. Pump unit 5 may further include a plurality
of wheels 9 for use in moving water jet cutting machine 2 within
the desired environment. It will be readily understood that pump
unit 5 includes the various mechanical and electrical components
necessary for moving water jet cutting machine 2 and supplying
pumped high pressure water from pump unit 5 to working unit 3.
[0021] Working unit 3 includes various components necessary for
applying a high pressure stream of water to the desired
environment. As such, working unit 3 may include a nozzle holder 11
connected to a nozzle 13 for use in expelling a pressurized stream
of water 14. Nozzle holder 11 and nozzle 13 are necessarily
interconnected to the high pressure pumped water received from pump
unit 5 as well as various motors or hydraulic mechanisms for moving
nozzle 13 in the desired direction to expel high pressure stream of
water 14 at a proper angle and flow rate in the desired
environment.
[0022] Control unit 7 is interconnected with a wireless module 15.
This connection may be done by a user manually coupling wireless
module 15 to control unit 7 in an aftermarket hardware upgrade, or
wireless module 15 may be integrated with control unit 7 by the
manufacturer. Wireless module 15 includes all of the various
circuitry and components necessary for transmitting and receiving
electromagnetic radiation, particularly electromagnetic radiation
in the radio frequency spectrum, namely 3 kHz to 300 GHz.
Henceforth, this electromagnetic radiation will be referred to as
"signals". Wireless signals received by wireless module 15 are used
by control unit 7 to actuate the various components of water jet
cutting machine 2. As such, wireless signals may actuate any of the
various features or operations included in working unit 3 or pump
unit 5. These features or operations include moving water jet
cutting machine 2 in any direction or starting and stopping
movement. The signals may also actuate any of the features or
operations associated with nozzle 13 such as starting or stopping
the flow of water, narrowing or widening the flow of water, or
raising or lowering nozzle 13. The signals may also initiate an
emergency stop procedure wherein all of the components of water jet
cutting machine 2 immediately stop or shut down, including ceasing
pressurized stream of water 14. This emergency stop may dump or
cease pressure at working unit 3 or pump unit 5, or may dump or
cease pressure at both working unit 3 and pump unit 5 to ensure
safety and an immediate halt to the dangerous activity.
[0023] Control unit 7 may provide feedback relating to water jet
cutting machine 2 to remote control 4 by way of wireless module 15.
Control unit 7 may gather and update internal metrics and system
information and provide this information to remote control 4 by way
of wireless signals transmitted by wireless module 15. Wireless
module 15 may transmit information such as current pounds per
square inch ("PSI") of pressurized stream of water 14, gallons per
minute ("GPM") of pressurized stream of water 14, orifice size of
nozzle 13, current battery charge of an onboard battery system (not
shown), or any other metrics or information available in water jet
cutting machine 2. Control unit 7 may also include a memory (not
shown) which stores or logs information relating to the operation
of water jet cutting machine 2 for later transmission to remote
control 4 or for later retrieval via an electronic wired connection
directly to control unit 7 or for sending via email or any other
data retrieval means.
[0024] Remote control 4 includes a housing 19 formed and sized to
be portable and easily carried by an individual user. Remote
control 4 further includes an interface 21 and wireless module 23
connected therebetween by circuitry and supported by a processor
and all of the various electronic and mechanical devices necessary
to support a portable computing device. Interface 21 is preferably
embodied in a touchscreen interface. However, interface 21 may be
any style of input/output system which may receive and provide
graphical or tactile or any other informational responses via an
engagement with the user. Wireless module 23 is similar to wireless
module 15 in that wireless module 23 receives and transmits signals
by way of electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency
spectrum. Wireless module 23 receives input from either the user
via interface 21 or from wireless module 15 via signals. In the
event that wireless module 23 receives input from the user via
interface 21, wireless module 23 translates this input into signals
readable by wireless module 15 and transmits these signals
wirelessly thereto. Alternatively, in the event that wireless
module 23 receives input from wireless module 15 via wireless
signals, wireless module 23 translates this input into graphical or
tactile representations and provides this input to the user via
interface 21. Thus, it is a primary feature of the present
invention to couple wireless module 23 with wireless module 15 to
enable a user to hold remote control 4 and wirelessly actuate the
various components and systems of water jet cutting machine 2,
including any actuating any operations of machine 2.
[0025] Remote control 4 may be embodied by a common off-the-shelf
component such as a tablet, phone, or any other common mobile
computing device available to a common consumer. This mobile
computing device receives a bundle of software or application which
provides interface 21 to the user via the interface of the
computing device. As such, the user or business may already own a
device which can provide the hardware required for remote control 4
for water jet system 1. This represents and enormous cost savings
to the user as a critical underlying piece of hardware for
implementing system 1 may already be owned by the user.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, interface 21 includes at least two zones
for use in controlling and actuating the operations of water jet
cutting machine 2. A control zone 25 is defined by interface 21 and
used to display and input information relating to the control of
water jet cutting machine 2. Control zone 25 may display the
gathered metrics, feedback, or other information captured by
control unit 7 and transmitted to remote control 4 by wireless
module 15. Control zone 25 may also display a graphical user
interface for controlling the movement of water jet cutting machine
2, the water pressure, nozzle 13 orifice size, or any other feature
or operation the user may wish to control.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, a safety zone 27 is also defined by
interface 21 and preferably located proximate control zone 25.
Safety zone 27 is preferably touch sensitive and is connected via
the circuitry and system logic of interface 21 to control unit 7 by
way of wireless module 23 and wireless module 15. Safety zone 27
provides an elongated area along the side of interface 21 for
receiving a finger of the user to ensure the user is in control of
remote control 4 and manually holding remote control 4 by at least
one hand. As such, safety zone 27 acts as a "dead man's switch" and
is wired into the circuitry of interface 21 to immediately and
automatically stop dangerous operations of water jet cutting
machine 2 in the event the user holding remote control 4 manually
releases a finger from safety zone 27.
[0028] Safety zone 27 and the ability to shut down system 1 in the
event the user is no longer in control represents a critical safety
feature of the present invention in that any time a user releases
the touch connection between the user and safety zone 27, the
dangerous operation of water jet cutting machine 2 ceases. A user
may release remote control 4 due to incapacitation, disability,
simple neglect, or even due to recklessness. In the preferred
embodiment of the invention, all operations of water jet cutting
machine 2 immediately stop when interface 21 senses a release of a
finger from safety zone 27. However, inasmuch as the most critical
and dangerous component of water jet cutting machine 2 is
pressurized stream of water 14, at the minimum, water jet system 1
preferably ceases the operation of expelling pressured stream of
water 14 when safety zone 27 is released by the user.
[0029] The present invention may include the feature that the
emergency "STOP" instruction generated by the release of the user's
finger from safety zone 27 is given top software level and machine
level priority in water jet system 1. In the underlying machine
language, various interrupts and message priorities may be given to
the instruction which informs control unit 7 to cease operations of
water jet cutting machine 2. This provides almost instantaneous and
real-time control of water jet cutting machine 2 and ensures that
the overall deactivation of water jet 2 is given top priority at
the software and machine level.
[0030] In as much as the user must be pressing at least one finger
against safety zone 27, interface 21 continuously polls safety zone
27 for a touch input. When interface 21 receives an affirmative
response that the user is touching safety zone 27, interface 21
continues normal operations and receives/transmits signals via
wireless module 23 and interface 21 as needed. Control zone 25
receives input from the user and operates water jet cutting machine
2 as discussed above. However, the wireless nature of remote
control 4 allows the user to adjust his physical whereabouts to
best view and operate water jet cutting machine 2 as long as safety
zone 27 is receiving a touch from the user. As such, water jet
system 1 provides additional safety benefits in that a user is not
"tied" to water jet cutting machine 2 by hoses or wires. The user
may move and adjust physical position accordingly to remain safe
and to more clearly observe the operations.
[0031] While the dead man's switch feature may be implemented by
way of safety zone 27 on touchscreen interface 21, the present
invention may encompass any way of providing a similar safety
feature for stopping an operation when system 1 senses the user is
no longer in control. For example, a button (not shown) may be
provided which requires the user to push in or hold down the button
to indicate the user is in control of system 1. Alternatively, a
still camera or video camera (not shown) may be provided to acquire
images of the user or holder of a portion of system 1 to indicate
the user is in control of system 1. The camera may acquire an image
and then determine if the image contains the user or is devoid of
the user to determine if the user is in control of system 1. A
light sensor may be provided whereby the user must keep a thumb or
finger over the light sensor to indicate the user is in control of
system 1. A gyroscopic sensor may be provided which senses movement
in any of the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis and uses this movement
information to determine whether the user is in control of system
1. Thus, the concept of sensing whether a user is in control and
thereafter enabling or disabling an operation is a feature of the
present invention. This may be implemented with an element adapted
to be actuated by a user, wherein the actuation enables the
operation and the absence of actuation disables the operation. This
may also be implemented with a switch variable in an application
installed on remote control 4 and logically connected to an
element, which determines which state the variable is set to. The
switch variable may be set to a first state or a second state,
whereby the first state indicates the application of remote control
4 should enable the operation, and whereby the second state
indicates the operation should be disabled. The element logically
connected to the variable may be one of the aforementioned graphics
on a touchscreen, button, camera, light sensor, or gyroscopic
sensor, which sets the switch variable based on whether the user is
physically interacting with system 1 to indicate the user is in
control of system 1.
[0032] Wireless module 15 and wireless module 23 are preferably
wirelessly coupled via Bluetooth technology. The Bluetooth protocol
includes a number of features which are advantageous to the present
invention over alternative wireless communication systems. For
example, Bluetooth requires very little power per transmission
signal, typically in the 1 milliwatt range, so water jet cutting
machine 2 and/or control unit 7 may incorporate a battery to
provide overall power to water jet cutting machine 2. This greatly
improves mobility of water jet cutting machine 2. This further
increases safety, as an elongated hydraulic hose, pneumatic hose,
or power line and the corresponding risk of accidental cutting of
said hose or power line may be eliminated from water jet cutting
machine 2. Bluetooth further provides an inherent security feature
in that the low power of the signals limits the distance between
water jet cutting machine 2 and remote control 4 to about ten
meters. This limited range forces a user to actively remain in
proximity to water jet cutting machine 2 while in use. One of the
features of the present invention relates to the constant pinging
back and forth between wireless module 15 and wireless module 23 to
ensure the modules are in proximity. When a ping is unreturned,
system 1 actuates a subroutine to shut down water jet cutting
machine 2 to ensure safety. Further, Bluetooth technology does not
require a line of sight between water jet cutting machine 2 and
remote control 4 which is typically required in other wireless
technologies such as infrared wireless communication. This allows a
user to control water jet cutting machine 2 from a vehicle or
behind a partition or safety shield. Finally, Bluetooth technology
uses spread-spectrum frequency hopping to ensure that no other
devices are transmitting on the same frequency at the same time.
This provides a critical safety feature to ensure that no other
devices can take control of or affect water jet cutting machine 2
and/or control unit 7.
[0033] The wireless control of water jet cutting machine 2 by way
of remote control 4 may be provided by way of a modularized system
which is connectable to other operating devices such as water jet
equipment and systems, as represented by a generic water jet
equipment 29 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Generic equipment 29 is
representative of any water jet device which may be movable along a
track, movable without a track, a stationary device, any other
style of operating device commonly found in any field. As shown in
FIG. 3, one familiar with the water jet field will recognize that
control unit 7 discussed above with respect to water jet cutting
machine 2 improves elements commonly embodied in the prior art as
an on board hardwired control system 30 and a control station 31.
Onboard hardwired control system 30 is commonly connected via a
group of hydraulic, pneumatic, and/or electric hoses/wires 33
(henceforth known as "lines 33") to a set of sockets or connectors
32 of control station 31. Control station 31 is actuated by a user
35 to send controlling pressure or electric signals via lines 33 to
onboard control system 30, which in turn actuates equipment 29.
User 35 manually manipulates a series of mechanical controls 37 to
actuate equipment 29. As discussed above, this requires user 35 to
stand in a fixed position to operate equipment 29. Further, control
systems implementing control station 31 such as those shown in
FIGS. 3 and 5 do not incorporate any mechanism to sense whether
user 35 has become incapacitated or moved away from control station
31.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 3-6, a second embodiment of the present
invention is shown as system 101, which includes a portable control
unit 131 in communication with remote control 4. Portable control
unit 131 includes a wireless module 115, similar to the previously
discussed wireless module 15 of water jet system 1. Portable
control unit 131 further includes a set of connectors 132, similar
to connectors 32 of control station 31. In system 101, control unit
131 is connected to equipment 29 in place of control station 31. An
operator or user such as user 35 operating system 101 manually
locates control unit 131 in close proximity to equipment 29. User
35 then manually disconnects lines 33 from connectors 32 of control
station 31 and reconnects those lines 33 to the appropriate
connectors 132 of control unit 131. User 35 then initiates a
Bluetooth pairing of control unit 131 with remote control 4 via
wireless module 115 of control unit 131 and wireless module 23 of
remote control 4. Once control unit 131 is paired and coupled with
remote control 4, user 35 simply manipulates interface 21 while
holding a finger on safety zone 27 to operate equipment 29. User 35
is free to move about to more easily see the operation of equipment
29 or to move to safer areas as equipment 29 performs its
operations.
[0035] In as much as the water jet industry enjoys a generally
standardized set of connectors for actuating various equipment or
machines, control unit 131 can be connected to a number of
different pieces of equipment to provide wireless control and a
dead man's switch to any user of that equipment. Further, adapters
may be provided to interconnect any necessary items or elements and
to allow control unit 131 to connect with various equipment and
operating devices. Further, control unit 131 is entirely portable
and able to be easily transported between jobsites by a single
individual with no specialized equipment. This represents an
advantage over the prior art which provided large bulky control
units such as those indicated as control station 31 in FIGS. 3 and
5. As shown in FIG. 3, one will readily note the size and weight
differences between control station 31 and control unit 131. The
small size and portability of control unit 131 allows a user to
transport wireless control system 101 between physical locations.
Further, efficiencies are realized by using one control unit 131 in
place of several control stations 31. As shown in FIG. 4, control
unit 131 may be provided with a handle 175 extending from a housing
176 used to encapsulate the internal mechanisms of control unit
131. Control unit 131 is further provided with an electrical input
such as a power receiving prong or set of prongs (not shown) for
receiving a power cord from an electrical source. Further, control
unit 131 may be provided with a battery backup system (not shown)
for providing batter power to control unit 131 in the event of a
power outage or simply to provide better portability to control
unit 131.
[0036] Control unit 131 is provided with various mechanical
components for actuating the various connectors 132 as instructed
by the holder of remote control 4. A set of solenoids (not shown)
may be used to turn a particular connector on or off. The set of
solenoids may be electronically actuated, hydraulically actuated,
or pneumatically actuated. Further, it has been discovered that the
bleed off pilot pressure from a particular electronically actuated
solenoid may be connected with a manual hydraulic or manual
pneumatic actuation control to allow a user to manually actuate the
electronic solenoid in the event of a power failure. This manual
actuation may then be actuated by a user to stop a process when the
electric power to the solenoid is not operating and provides a
critical safety mechanism for control unit 131. While solenoids may
be used for on/off control of connectors 132, a similar set of
servomotors (not shown) may be used in conjunction with the set of
solenoids to control the rate of flow through the connectors.
[0037] Control unit 131 may include one or more sensors for
ensuring overall safety in system 1. Control unit 131 may include a
gyroscopic sensor (not shown) which actuates system 1 to initiate a
subroutine to shut down equipment 29 when it senses any kind of
quick movement of control unit 131. The movement may be caused by
an accident on the job site, an earthquake, an explosion, a vehicle
bumping or disrupting control unit 131 or any other reason for
unintentionally imparting quick movement to control unit 131. This
safety feature allows for an automatic deadman switch type of shut
down of equipment 29. Other sensors may also be employed for
similar safety and automatic shutdown of equipment 29. For example,
a pressure sensor may be employed for use in shutting down
equipment 29 in the event of a drop or rise in pressure beyond a
predetermined threshold. Likewise, a gas sensor for detecting
flammable gases may be employed in a similar manner. Further, a
battery sensor or subroutine may be employed to track the battery
life of remote control 4 and to ensure equipment 29 is
automatically shutdown before remote control 4 loses power.
[0038] While equipment in the field all includes a generally
standardized set of connectors, the actual pressures, voltages,
hydraulics, etc. used to interact with the equipment needs tailored
or customized for each model of equipment, each equipment family,
or each operating device. This is addressed by offering plugins,
software updates, or even entirely different encapsulated
applications for each model of equipment or equipment family which
a user may desire to control. As such, interface 21 may be offered
in whole or in part as a physical bundle of software, a software
download from the Internet, or as a precompiled application
downloadable through an application store such as iTunes.RTM. or
Google Apps Marketplace.RTM., or downloadable through the Internet
in general. One will readily understand that this software may be
offered for each desired underlying operating system or hardware
architecture to allow a user to use an off-the-shelf tablet or
mobile device as remote control 4.
[0039] For example, if a user purchases or rents a particular piece
of equipment 29A and desires to utilize system 101 with equipment
29A, the user downloads and installs software which is tailored to
provide an interface 21A on the user's mobile device. This enables
that device to become remote control 4 and control equipment 29A.
If the user has an iPad.RTM., the software download will be
compiled and customized to run on an iPad.RTM.. If that user wishes
to use a new piece of equipment 29B, system 101 may include the
feature that the user may update the software to provide an
interface 29B to control equipment 29B. System 101 may
alternatively include the feature that the user may download a new
piece of software which is tailored to provide interface 29B on the
user's mobile device. Or the software may be configured such that a
user must purchase a new activation code to use interface 21 with a
new piece of equipment.
[0040] Similar to updating or changing the underlying software, the
hardware may be updated or changed as well in system 101. If the
user acquires a Kindle Fire.RTM. and wishes to now control
equipment 29B on the Kindle Fire.RTM. the software to provide
interface 29B may be downloaded and installed on the Kindle
Fire.RTM.. As such, any method for providing to the user a way to
incorporate an off-the-shelf mobile device with interface 21 is
contemplated by the present invention. The underlying software to
provide interface 21 may be a single download, a plugin to
previously installed software, or any other method common in the
art for providing and updating software.
[0041] The application used with remote control 4 to control the
operating device may be configured or programmed to utilize one or
more particular hardware features of the computing device, such as
a touchscreen, button, camera, light sensor, or gyroscopic sensor.
These pieces of computing hardware may be logically connected to
internal variables residing in the application and may be
configured to control the enabling and disabling of an operation on
the operating device.
[0042] Interface 21 and the software involved with providing
interface 21 may keep a detailed record of events and status
information produced while interface 21 is used. Further, system
101 may provide a data collection subroutine running in the
background to export all data or any relevant data to a file or
database for later analytics or review. System 101 may even store
commonly used routines or manipulations of interface 21 for
repeatability of common operations. Costing and timing information
may be obtained and stored by the software. Interface 21 may be
integrated with accounting or purchasing software, or automatically
update a database such as an enterprise level inventory database,
etc. Usage and depreciation of particular system components such as
a blade or a nozzle may be automatically calculated and linked with
a purchasing system. All of these features are contemplated and
within the scope of system 101.
[0043] While the above system 101 is discussed with respect to the
water jet cutting field, it will be readily apparent that control
unit 131 may be reconfigured and customized to apply to any field
of commercial or industrial activities. It follows that interface
21 may also be customized to apply to the alternative field of
commercial or industrial activities. Thus, it is within the scope
of the present invention that a wireless control system similar to
those discussed above may be connected or coupled to any device
where the user is required to be tethered to or in a fixed position
for operating the device or where a deadman switch would be
beneficial.
[0044] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0045] Moreover, the description and illustration of the preferred
embodiment of the invention are an example and the invention is not
limited to the exact details shown or described.
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