Claims:We Claim:
1. A guarding wall (100) for an operating zone of a machine (150), the guarding wall (100) comprising:
a wall member (1) made of a non-conductive material;
a conductive element (2) disposed in the wall member (1), the conductive element (2) is configured to conduct a defined range of power; and
at least one connector (3) extending from either ends of the wall member (1), wherein the at least one connector (3) is configured to detachably connect the conductive element (2) of one guarding wall (100) with an adjacent guarding wall (101).
2. The guarding wall (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one connector (3) is defined with at least one of a male connection portion (4) and a female connecting portion (5) such that, the at least one connector (3) connects the conductive element (2) of one guarding wall (100) with the adjacent guarding wall (101).

3. The guarding wall (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive element (2) is made from a metallic material.

4. The guarding wall (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wall member (1) is made of a fiber reinforced polymer.

5. The guarding wall (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wall member (1) is defined by a frame (6), having a plurality of barriers (7) arranged within the frame (6).

6. The guarding wall (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one connector (3) includes electrical resistance ranging from about 0.5ohms to about 1.2ohms.

7. A system (102) for guarding an operating zone of a machine (150), the system (102) comprising:
a plurality of guarding walls defining a periphery for the operating zone of the machine (150), each of the plurality of guarding walls are detachably connected to an adjacent guarding wall (101), wherein each of the plurality of guarding wall (100) comprising:
a wall member (1) made of a non-conductive material;
a conductive element (2) disposed in the wall member (1), the conductive element (2) is configured to conduct a defined range of power; and
at least one connector (3) extending from either ends of the wall member (1), wherein the at least one connector (3) is configured to detachably connect the conductive element (2) of one guarding wall (100) with an adjacent guarding wall (101); and
a control unit (9), communicatively coupled to the conductive element (2), the control unit (9) is configured to:
receive a feedback signal on interruption of power in the conductive element (2); and
regulate, operation of the machine (150) in the operating zone, based on the feedback signal.

8. The system (102) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the wall member (1) is made of a fiber reinforced polymer.

9. The system (102) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control unit (9) is coupled to a motor (8) of the machine (150) and the control unit (9) is configured to operate the motor (8) to OFF condition, based on the feedback signal.

10. The system (102) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control unit (9) is configured to generate an alert signal based on the feedback signal corresponding to interruption of power in the conductive element (2)

11. The system (102) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the control unit (9) is configured to indicate the alter signal through an indication unit (103).

12. The system (102) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the indication unit (103) is at least one of audio indicator, a visual indicator, and an audio-visual indicator.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure, in general, relates guarding mechanisms. Particularly, but, not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to guarding wall for an operating zone of a machine. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a guarding wall and a system for guarding the operating zone of the machine, such that the system automatically turns the machine to OFF state if there is any interruption in the guarding.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Generally, a plurality of machineries having at least one machine may be openly positioned on an industrial floor and may be configured to perform specific industrial operations. Some of the machineries or machines may be required to be operated for pro-longed manufacturing hours or may be continuously operated to optimize manufacturing-lead-time of such process performed by the machinery or the machine. Also, as the machine or the machinery may be continuously operated, in order to improve production efficiency of the industrial floor or demand-supply requirements, such machine or machinery may be configured to be remotely operated by an operator.

Further, during continuous operation of the machines or machinery, vicinity of the machine or machinery [also commonly referred to as “operating zone of the machine”] may be subjected to exposure for various substances or parameters that may be emitted or ejected from the machine or the machinery. Some of such substances or parameter may be including, but may not be limited to, heat produced during operation, chip trajectory, fall of loose materials from conveyers, corrosive substances, like coolants, lubricants, by-products, and the like. The operator may be required to be precluded from entering the operating zone of the machine, in order to mitigate industrial accidents.

Conventionally, there may be a chance when a person can come in close contact(safe distance) with the moving machinery during machine operation which may lead to serious injury or fatality by entanglement or by getting hit. Also if some authorized person tries to access that particular location without informing others and machine starts all of sudden. In order to avoid such intervention of the operators, the machine or the machinery may be circumferentially surrounded by a metallic guard, about a defined periphery along the operating zone. The metallic guards may be defined with entry and/or exit gateways, that may be accessible by the operator in order to engage the machine or the machinery for service and/or maintenance purpose. However, the operator may still access the entering entry and/or exit gateways for approaching the operating zone of the machine through such metallic guards, even when the machine is operational. One such machinery is a conveyor in the steel industry. Generally, the conveyors in the steel industries are employed between two operating zones, for example, a loading zone and a furnace zone, to convey raw materials including, but not limited to, ore, catalysts, and the like, for production of molten metal. The conveyer is generally operated continuously for supply of raw material without any halt, and hence, such conveyer requires guarding of the same from the surroundings. Conventionally, a chain of guard members is mounted in the periphery of the conveyer, and such guard members were maintained by a maintenance personnel. However, there may be instances where the machine or the conveyer may still be operational even when some of the guarding walls are not in position. Such operation is not desirable in view of the safety constraints.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitation associated with the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a method as disclosed and additional advantages are provided through the method as described in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a guarding wall for an operating zone of a machine is disclosed. The guarding wall includes a wall member, made of a non-conductive material and a conductive element disposed in the wall member. The conductive element is configured to conduct a defined range of power. Further, at least one connector is extended from either ends of the wall member, where the at least one connector is configured to detachably connect the conductive element of one guarding wall with an adjacent guarding wall.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one connector is defined with at least one of a male connection portion and a female connecting portion such that, the at least one connector connects the conductive element of one guarding wall with the adjacent guarding wall.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the conductive element is made from at least one of metallic material, while the wall member is made of a fiber reinforced polymer.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wall member is defined by a frame, having a plurality of barriers arranged within the frame.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one connector includes electrical resistance ranging from about 0.5ohms to about 1.2ohms.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the preset disclosure, a system for guarding an operating zone of a machine is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of guarding walls defining a periphery for the operating zone of the machine. Each of the plurality of guarding walls are detachably connected to an adjacent guarding wall. Further, each guarding wall includes a wall member made of a non-conductive material and a conductive element disposed in the wall member. The conductive element is configured to conduct a defined range of power. Also, at least one connector is extended from either ends of the wall member, where the at least one connector is configured to detachably connect the conductive element of one guarding wall with an adjacent guarding wall. The system further includes a control unit, communicatively coupled to the conductive element. The control unit is configured to receive a feedback signal on interruption of power in the conductive element and regulate operation of the machine in the operating zone, based on the feedback signal.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit is coupled to a motor of the machine and the control unit is configured to operate the motor to OFF condition, based on the feedback signal.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit is configured to generate an alert signal based on the feedback signal corresponding to interruption of power in the conductive element.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit is configured to indicate the alter signal through an indication unit.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the indication unit is at least one of audio indicator, a visual indicator, and an audio-visual indicator.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a guarding wall for an operating zone of a machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic representation of two adjacent guarding walls connected to each other by at least one connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic representation of a system for guarding the operating zone of the machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the description of the disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent methods and systems do not depart from the scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, as to method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system. In other words, one or more components in a system proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other acts or additional acts in the method.

Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a system for guarding an operating zone of a machine. The system includes a plurality of guarding walls defining a periphery for the operating zone of the machine. Each of the plurality of guarding walls are detachably connected to an adjacent guarding wall. Further, each guarding wall includes a wall member made of a non-conductive material and a conductive element disposed in the wall member. The conductive element is configured to conduct a defined range of power. Also, at least one connector is extending from either ends of the wall member, where the at least one connector is configured to detachably connect the conductive element of one guarding wall with an adjacent guarding wall. The system further includes a control unit, communicatively coupled to the conductive element. The control unit is configured to receive a feedback signal on interruption of power in the conductive element and regulate operation of the machine in the operating zone, based on the feedback signal. This way, upon intrusion or intervention of an operator beyond the safe operating zone of the machine may be detected and industrial accidents may be prevented.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of figures of the guarding wall for guarding an operating zone of a machine and a system thereof. However, such exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure, as the guarding wall may be used for various machines including, but not limited to, conveyers, furnaces, chipping machines, drilling machines, and the like. Further, usage of the guarding walls can be extended to other applications including, but not limited to, transformers, generators, and the like, where such need arises. A person skilled in the art can envisage various such embodiments without deviating from scope of the present disclosure.

Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which illustrates a schematic representation of a guarding wall (100) for an operating zone of a machine (150). The guarding wall (100) may be positioned at a predetermined distance from the machine (150) and may be configured to surround the machine (150) or enclose a portion of the machine (150), in order to preclude intervention into the operating zone of the machine (150). The operating zone may be defined as an area surrounding the machine (150) which may be prone to effects of operations being performed by the machine (150). For example, a machine (150) configured to convey material may involve loose packaging. Such loose packaging may be prone to fall-off due to various factors including, but not limited to, gravity, inertia, density of packing material and the like, in the industrial floor whereby, whereby it may effect [or impact] an operator in the vicinity of the machine (150). The guarding wall (100) may be configured to limit access to such operating zones of the machine (150) to the operators specifically when the machine is in operating condition.

Further, the guarding wall (100) may include a wall member (1). The wall member (1) may include a frame (6) and a plurality of barriers (7) arranged within the frame (6), where the frame (6) and the plurality of barriers (7) may be integrally formed or attached to the wall member (1). The frame (6) and the plurality of barriers (7) may be rigid in structure, in order to impart a defined form to the wall member (1). The plurality of barriers (7) may be either integrally formed with the frame (6) or may be externally fixed to the frame (6) by means including, but not limited to, fastening, adhesive bonding, and the like. The plurality of barriers (7) may be encompassed within a boundary defined by the frame (6) and may be positioned within the frame (6) to limit access to the operating zone of the machine (150). In an embodiment, the frame (6) and/or the plurality of barriers (7) may be made from a non-conductive material, that may suitably resist conduction of electricity. The wall member (1) may be made from materials including, but not limited to, polymers. In the illustrative embodiment, the wall member (1) is made from a fiber-reinforced polymer, having high electrical resistivity.

Referring to Figure 1 again, the guarding wall (100) includes a conductive element (2) disposed in the wall member (1). The conductive element (2) may be either discretely positioned about the plurality of barriers (7) of the wall member (1) or may be embedded along at least one barrier of the plurality of barriers (7). The conductive element (2) may be made from materials that may conduct electric current, including, but not limited to, metals, polymers, alloys, fibrous material, graphene, and the like. The conductive material may be configured to conduct a defined range of power [that is, conduction of a defined range of current about a defined voltage] between two ends of the conductive element (2) along the length of the wall member (1), and in-turn about the operating zone of the machine (150). The conductive element (2) may be configured to bridge a closed circuit along the operating zone of the machine (150), in order to assist in determining intrusion or intervention into the operating zone of the machine (150). The intrusion or intervention may occur by electrically breaking conduction of the defined range of power in the conductive element (2) [or operating the conductive element (2) to open circuit].

Further, the conductive element (2) may be coupled to at least one connector (3) at its either ends of the wall member (1) such that, the at least one connector (3) in each end may correspondingly interlock to electrically bridge conduction of the range of power through the conductive element (2). Also, as the at least one connector (3) may be provisioned and may be configured to extend from either ends of the conductive element (2), such connector (3) may be employable to connect the guarding wall (100) with an adjacent guarding wall (101), as best seen in Figure 2. In an embodiment, the at least one connector (3) may be including, but not limited to, a mechanical connector (3), an electro-mechanical connector (3), a magnetic connector (3), a piezo-electronic connector (3), and the like. The at least one connector (3) may be made from a conductive material in order to conduct the defined power being transmitted by the conductive element (2). The connection between the guarding wall (100) with the adjacent guarding wall (101) may be detachable about the at least one connector (3) connecting each wall, whereby allowing a plurality of guarding walls to define the periphery of the machine (150) about the operating zone. Additionally, the at least one connector (3) being detachable from the adjacent guarding wall (101), facilitates the operator to approach and/or intrude the operating zone of the machine (150) for performing various activities including, but not limited to, servicing, maintenance, and the like. In the illustrative embodiment, the at least one connector (3) is defined with at least one of a male connection portion (4) and a female connecting portion (5). The male connection portion (4) of the at least one connector (3) of one guarding wall (100) may be detachably connected with the female connection portion of the at least one connector (3) of the adjacent guarding wall (101). Due to such connection between the connectors of each guarding wall (100), the conductive element (2) of one guarding wall (100) may be connected with that of the adjacent guarding wall (101). This configuration of the at least one connector (3) aids in bridging and maintaining conduction of the defined range of power through the conductive element (2) from the guarding wall (100) to the adjacent guarding wall (101).

Further referring to Figure 2, a control unit (9) may be communicatively coupled to at least one of the conductive element (2) and the at least one connector (3) in the guarding wall (100). The control unit (9) may be configured to receive signals from at least one of the conductive element (2) and the at least one connector (3), when conduction of the defined range of power is interrupted. In the illustrative embodiment, the control unit (9) is communicatively coupled to the conductive element (2), in order to guard and/or detect intrusion into the operating zone of the machine (150), based on conduction of the defined range of power in the conductive element (2). In an embodiment, the conductive element (2) or any sensor [for example, sensors including, but not limited to, current detection sensors, voltage detection sensors, proximity sensors, magnetic-filed detection sensors, and the like] which may be coupled to the conductive element (2), may be configured to generate and transmit a feedback signal to the control unit (9). The feedback signal may be generated when conduction of the defined range of power is electrically broken. The electrical breaking of the defined range of power may be performed by various means including, but not limited to, detaching the at least one connector (3) in the wall member (1) with either the adjacent guarding wall (101) or a power grid, which may be configured to transmit the defined range of power.

In an embodiment, the control unit (9) may be associated with a system (102) for guarding an operating zone of the machine (150). Such system (102) may include a plurality of guarding walls (100)defining a periphery for the operating zone of the machine (150), where each of the plurality of guarding walls may be detachably connected to an adjacent guarding wall (101) by the at least one connector (3), as shown in Figure 3. Additionally, each of the plurality of guarding wall (100) members may be electrically connected by the conductive element (2) along the periphery of the machine (150) and may be configured to generate the feedback signal to the control unit (9). The control unit (9) may be configured to either regulate the operation of the machine (150) in the operating zone or generate an alert signal, or selectively both, based on the feedback signal received from the conductive element (2). The control unit (9) may be configured to regulate operation of the machine (150) directly or indirectly, based on the feedback signal. In the illustrative embodiment, the control unit (9) is coupled to a motor (8) of the machine (150) and the control unit (9) is configured to operate the motor (8) to OFF condition, based on the feedback signal. By operating the motor (8) to OFF condition, the machine (150) with which the motor (8) is associated, may also be operated to OFF condition or may be regulated from producing corresponding parameters. For example, when the motor (8) of the machine (150), such as a conveyer, is operated to OFF condition, transportation of load carried by the machine (150) may be halted. Whereas, for the motor (8) of the machine (150), such as, but not limited to, pump of a lubricant, a coolant, a fuel supply, and the like, then upon operating the motor (8) to OFF condition, supply of such fluids and the like may be regulated. Additionally, prior or after regulating the operation of the motor (8), the control unit (9) may be configured to generate the alert signal, to indicate intrusion or intervention into the operating zone of the machinery. The alert signal generated by the control unit (9) may be transmitted to an indication unit (103), associated with the system (102). The indication unit (103) may be at least one of audio indicator, a visual indicator, and an audio-visual indicator.

In an embodiment, the conductive element (2) may be covered by an insulating material such as, but not limited to, polymers, to avoid and mitigate direct contact with the conductive element (2).

In an embodiment, the at least one connector (3) may be made from a conductive material to transmit the defined range of power with minimal power loss.

In an embodiment, the machine (150) may be installed on an industrial floor or may be set-up on a defined platform which may be part of the industrial floor. The machine (150) may be configured to perform a specific manufacturing operation, or the machine (150) may be a part of a machinery which may be operational on the industrial floor, for performing the manufacturing operation. The manufacturing operation may including, but may not be limited to, material removal operation, conveying operation, material pouring and molding process, forming operations, mixing operations, and the like.

EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system (102) having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system (102) having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral numerals:
Wall member 1
Conductive element 2
Connector 3
Male connection portion 4
Female connecting portion 5
Frame 6
Plurality of barriers 7
Motor 8
Control unit 9
Guarding wall 100
Adjacent guarding wall 101
System 102
Indication unit 103
Machine 150