Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-27
2001-06-26
Trieu, Van T. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S689000, C212S280000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252513
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to alarm systems and, more particularly, to a collision avoidance alarm for a telescoping mast.
Telescoping masts of the type including a plurality of extensible, interconnected sections operated by pneumatic, hydraulic, or mechanical power are well known to those skilled in the art. For example, such telescoping masts are used extensively in the broadcast industry to elevate antennas for remote transmission of audio and video signals. Such a telescoping mast is also utilized on utility repair trucks having elongated boom including a so called “cherry picker” that is used by public and private utility maintenance crews to reach elevated power, cable, and telephone transmission lines. Similarly, the present Pole Alarm system is also suitable for use on ladder trucks, cranes, hoists, and other related equipment.
Remote broadcast antennas mounted on telescoping masts or poles must often be rapidly deployed under severe weather conditions as might be encountered by a television or radio news crew while reporting on a natural disaster. Similarly, utility crews must elevate maintenance workers to reach and repair damage to power and telephone lines often during inclement weather and at night.
Although few problems are encountered while raising such a mast in open areas having good visibility, the maintenance workers' life and equipment is subject to an extreme risk when overhead electrical transmission lines and/or physical obstructions are encountered particularly at night or during other poor visibility conditions. In a number of instances contact with electrical wires and collisions with overhead obstructions have resulted in the injury or death of personnel and extensive damage to equipment.
Thus, there is a need for an alarm device to warn the operator of such a telescoping mast or boom type device of an impending collision with overhead power lines or other potentially dangerous obstruction before actual contact occurs. Such a warning would significantly reduce personal injuries to the operator and damage to the equipment caused by a collision.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
After much study of the above described problems, the present invention has been developed to provide a Pole Alarm System which will alert the operator of a boom truck or other telescoping mast apparatus of impending contact with an overhead power line or other potentially dangerous overhead structure before actual contact occurs.
The present Pole Alarm System includes a housing which is mounted on the uppermost portion of the-mast or boom to be monitored including as least two separate sensing devices capable of detecting an electrical field generated by an overhead power transmission line and of detecting physical obstructions within a specified proximity of the housing using an ultrasound transducer.
The alarm housing also includes a light source or so-called Lookup Light which illuminates the area of intended movement of the mast to enhance the operator's ability to safely control the equipment to which the alarm housing is attached.
In addition, the present alarm system includes a plurality of tilt sensors which monitor the orientation of the mast relative to a desired level condition which will prevent mast extension if it is tilted or leaning.
Upon detection of an overhead power line or physical obstruction, the Pole Alarm System provides both audible and control feedback to a control module within the vehicle to alert the operator of impending contact and to quickly stop the movement of the mast or boom.
The range of detection provided by the present alarm system is designed such that the audible alarm activates in sufficient time to permit the operator to manually halt the movement of the mast or boom and to provide a control signal to the mast's electrical controller to automatically stop movement into the hazardous zone.
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Pole Alarm System for use on a telescoping mast apparatus such as a utility boom truck that will warn the operator of impending contact with an overhead power line or other physical obstruction.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a Pole Alarm System having at least two separate sensor devices capable of detecting the presence of an electrical field and/or capable of detecting physical obstructions by the use of ultrasound or other technologies.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a Pole Alarm System including a light source to illuminate the area of intended movement of the mast to enhance the operator's ability to safely control the equipment.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a Pole Alarm System including tilt sensors capable of detecting the orientation of the mast relative to a level condition to ensure proper operation of the device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a Pole Alarm System capable of providing both audible and control feedback to alert the operator of impending contact and to automatically stop movement of the mast into a hazardous zone.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention.
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patent: 5481248 (1996-01-01), Kruh
patent: 5907111 (1999-05-01), Josten et al.
patent: 6104305 (2000-08-01), Beckmann
patent: 6133841 (2000-10-01), Beckmann
The Will-Burt Company
Trieu Van T.
Vickers Daniels & Young
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