AU2017100435A4 - A remote isolation system - Google Patents

Abstract

A remote isolation system (10) for a plant comprising equipment (20) energisable by an energy source (30), a control system (50,260) enabling automated isolation of said equipment (20) from said energy source (30) to an 5 isolated state when authorised by the control system (50,260), wherein said control system (50,260) enables automated isolation through a wireless communications network being a network using an open communications protocol enabling refining by flexible system updating by plant personnel. A remote isolation station (12,14) may be included within the remote isolation 10 system (10) to enable isolation requests to be made of the control system (50,260). Such a remote isolation station (12,14) may be powered independently of the equipment, preferably by an alternative energy source such as solar energy. C'%14 -- --- - - -- - -- --0- - C,)N Cl) 0 of 02 ----- ---- ----- ----

Description

1

A REMOTE ISOLATION SYSTEM

This invention relates to a remote isolation system for isolating equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to an equipment isolation system where isolations are facilitated by a cable-less communications link.

Various types of equipment must be isolated from a range of energy sources including electrical energy (the most common) and mechanical energy including pressure and potential energy to enable safe maintenance and other work to be carried out. Conveyor belt systems used in the mining industry for transporting iron ore or other bulk materials which can span significant distances are one such example of equipment which may require to be isolated from time to time.

The distances such conveyor belt systems can span can be in the range of many kilometres. Such conveyors are typically powered by electric drive motors: three phase electrical power is supplied wherein the voltage may range from low voltage ranges (from below 600V to 1000V AC), to medium and high voltage ranges (in the multiple kV range and extending to above 10kV AC and even 33kV AC). Such conveyors typically include corresponding brake systems which are also electrically operated.

Although different mine procedures and relevant safety standards may apply, a typical pre-requisite before permitting mechanical maintenance or other activity involving access to the conveyor belt system involves the electrical isolation of the conveyor belt system. This isolation ensures that the energy source powering the conveyor belts and associated equipment, i.e. electrical power, is removed from systems or components that - if energised - could cause a safety hazard. It will however be understood that equipment items other than conveyor systems and other mining industry equipment also require isolation for maintenance and other purposes.

The isolation process is invariably safety critical and has, in the past, been time consuming, as described for example in the introduction to the Applicant’s granted Australian Patent No. 2010310881 and International Publication No. WO2012/142674, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by way of reference. 2

The remote isolation system described in Australian Patent No. 2010310881, for example, enables equipment isolation to be requested at a remote isolation station associated with the equipment and subsequently approved through a plant control system, without mandatory visitation to the equipment by authorised isolation personnel. This remote isolation system significantly reduces the time required to achieve safe isolation, and more specifically the production downtime that would normally be involved with such an isolation which can be very costly.

Plants involving such remote isolation systems, and other remote isolation systems, may extend over large areas. Accordingly, the costs associated with connecting components of the remote isolation system to each other and the control system (including the master controller(s)) by dedicated cable connections may become significant. For example, the installation of fibre optic cable for a material handling plant in the field (which may be subject to extreme environmental conditions) is typically costly - and potentially hazardous - due to the requirement of needing to use elevated work platforms and scaffolding (to reach higher elevations in conveyor belt system(s) for example). Such difficulties are further compounded by the long and arduous task of removing cable ladder covers and then replacing them after the cable has been installed. Other tasks with similar difficulty, hazard or inconvenience include installing cables where cable drums need to be placed into position with a crane, and where road closures and traffic management and other ancillary tasks are also involved in the cable installation process.

In addition, the remote isolation system components typically require electricity to operate. In various arrangements, the costs of installing power lines and cables to connect the components to the plant power network may also become significant. Such challenges may be particularly acute where equipment to be isolated is located in a changing terrain or landscape, such change occurring - for example - due to mining or construction activity. Seasonal changes, such as through flooding in wet seasons, may also cause landscape changes. Installation costs for adapting the power network to the changing terrain or landscape over time may adversely affect project economics and a solution to this problem is required. 3

It is an object of the present invention to further develop a remote isolation system to provide economic solutions to the communications and power supply requirements of a remote isolation system, whereby such isolation systems are not limited to those systems developed by the Applicant.

With this object in view, the present invention provides a remote isolation system for a plant comprising: equipment energisable by an energy source; a control system enabling automated isolation of the equipment from said energy source to an isolated state when authorised by the control system, wherein said control system enables automated isolation through a wireless communications network being a network using an open communications protocol enabling refining by flexible system updating by plant personnel.

The control system advantageously also uses the wireless communications network for plant control purposes other than isolation. The wireless communications network advantageously uses an open communication protocol rather than a proprietary system developed by unrelated third parties to the plant operator/owner. Use of an open communication protocol allows greater interoperability between the remote isolation system and plant control system. Plant personnel may also troubleshoot communication issues and manage the wireless communications network more easily. An Ethernet or other robust and accepted industry protocol may conveniently be used. In certain circumstances this would be difficult, if possible, with a closed third party communication protocol which plant personnel are not trained to use and to which access may well be forbidden. In addition, such third party communications networks tend to have stability issues avoided by using a communications protocol, such as the Ethernet protocol, established for industrial use.

Where wireless technology is used, the same safety protocol is used over this medium, as it would be for a physical connection. Thus the same safety related standards regarding protection from communication errors, such as repetition, loss, incorrect sequence, delay and corruption are maintained. In addition to this, industry standard wireless encryption protocols are used, typically WPA2-PSK. 4

The remote isolation system advantageously includes one or a plurality of remote isolation stations desirably proximate to selected equipment to be isolated. Such remote isolation stations communicate with the control system to enable isolation on permissible request from an operator. Such remote isolation stations are provided with control panels having input means, such as a human machine interface, to enable the operator to request isolation. The isolation request and other communications between the control panel and the control system, and more particularly, a master controller, are directed through the wireless communications network. Remote isolation stations may be fixed or mobile isolation stations or a combination of the two types. Mobile isolation stations and their use in remote isolation systems are described in the Applicant’s Provisional Patent Application No. 2015902562, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by way of reference.

Such remote isolation stations also require a power source, typically a low voltage power source and so not a base load power network. Costs associated with connecting fixed remote isolation stations to the power network through power lines and cables can be avoided through providing an independent power source to facilitate such connection. For example, each remote isolation station could be provided with its own generator though this would be costly and inefficient. More advantageously, each remote isolation station would be powered using off-network power (including non-fossil fuel based power), such as solar power or other renewable energy sources for example.

In the case of moving equipment, it may be possible to secure power from an alternator mounted on an equipment drive shaft or from a dynamo linked with a conveyor belt idler. These represent some of the most effective alternative power sources (which could be used in combination if desired, though wind generation and other power sources could, possibly, be used.

Furthermore, not all remote isolation stations need to be independently powered. In many situations such a need will simply come down to a question of economics. Where the costs of connection to a power network exceed the costs of providing an alternative power source, then the alternative power source can be used to independently power a remote isolation station. 5

Such a remote isolation station forms a further aspect of the present invention in which a remote isolation station for a remote equipment isolation system comprises: a control panel having input means, such as a human machine interface, to enable the operator to request a control system to isolate equipment through a wireless communications network being a network using an open communications protocol enabling refining by flexible system updating by plant personnel; and an isolation switch for isolating said equipment when authorised by the control system, wherein said remote isolation station further comprises an independent off network power source, other than that used for powering said equipment, to provide power for operating the control panel and wireless communications.

One embodiment of an isolation switch suitable for use with the remote isolation station is described in the Applicant’s Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015902554 filed on 30 June 2015, and where such an isolation switch is used, the power source also provides power for said isolation switch. A preferred power source for the remote isolation station may be a solar generator. The power source may further include a battery for storing power obtained from solar generation or other forms of power generation.

Remote isolation stations may each be configured as wireless hubs around which there is a communications hotspot allowing wireless communications between mobile devices (such as, but not limited to, smart phones, tablets and laptop computers) and the control system. Remote isolation stations may also be networked together to form a wireless network mesh.

Such communications, for example through WiFi or Bluetooth® communications (encrypted and/or subject to other security to prevent interference with the remote isolation system), may enable particular tasks within the remote isolation system (RIS) including isolation requests and isolation lock outs, dependent on RIS component configuration. Such communications could also facilitate a certain degree of plant status interrogation, such as for example the monitoring of idler performance and/or noise within a conveyor belt system. 6

However, it should be appreciated that the RIS described hereinbefore is not solely limited for use in conveyor belt systems or material handling plants.

Remote isolation stations with wireless communications may themselves be transportable (by a suitable transport mechanism) or made portable (by an operator), typically with a battery power supply, as described in the Applicant’s Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015902562 filed on 30 June 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by way of reference. Such a portable option may further reduce the capital and operating costs associated with the remote isolation system. When transported to a new location, remote isolation stations with wireless communications may be re-configured to the equipment they are intended to isolate.

In addition, transportable or portable remote isolation stations can be moved to cover multiple isolation configurations (such as in rail yards) and/or as the terrain around them changes, for example due to mining activity, construction activity and/or seasonal changes (for example flooding rains) changing a landscape, for example in a mine pit, or as equipment with which they are associated is readily moved to a new location to avoid signal obstruction. Installation costs and time are therefore reduced over prior systems.

The remote isolation system may be used at ‘greenfield’ sites or retro-fitted to existing equipment and plant in a range of industries, for example the materials handling and mining industries. The remote isolation system may also advantageously be used for isolating rail system components in railway infrastructure as described in the Applicant’s Provisional Patent Application No. 2015902560, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by way of reference.

The term “isolation” as used in this specification is to be understood in its maintenance engineering and legal sense as not simply turning off a supply of energy to equipment, whatever the nature of that energy, but removing and/or dissipating energy to provide a safe work environment as required by applicable occupational health and safety regulations. In the case of electricity, as just one example, isolation is not achieved simply by turning off a power supply to the equipment. In such cases, the equipment could accidentally re-start or be restarted and cause injury to personnel, or worse. Isolation instead prevents 7 such accidental re-starting and typically will also involve processes to dissipate any hazardous stored energy, in whatever form that energy may take (e.g. potential energy), from the equipment. For example, such an additional energy dissipation step could be effected in respect of a conveyor belt system by way of the braking cycle procedure described in the Applicant’s Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015902565, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by way of reference.

The remote isolation system and remote isolation station of the present invention may be more fully understood from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG 1 shows a schematic layout of a remote isolation system as applied to a conveyor belt system and configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG 2 shows a schematic of a control panel for use in the remote isolation systems schematised in FIG 1. FIG 3 shows a first front perspective view of a remote isolation station used in the remote isolation system schematised in FIG 1 together with its independent solar power source. FIG 4 shows a second front perspective view of the remote isolation station of FIG 3. FIG 5 shows a front view of the remote isolation station of FIGS 3 and 4. FIG 6 shows a side view of the remote isolation station of FIGS 3 to 5. FIG 7 shows a first rear perspective view of the remote isolation station of FIGS 3 to 6. FIG 8 shows a second rear perspective view of the remote isolation station of FIGS 3 to 7.

Referring to FIG 1, there is shown a schematic layout of a remote equipment isolation system 10, as retrofitted on to an existing conveyor belt system 20, for example a long range conveyor system for conveying iron ore from a mine site to a port for shipment. The conveyor belt system 20 comprises a troughed conveyor belt 21 having a head pulley motor 22 driven by an electrical 8 supply emanating from electrical contacts 31, whether provided as contactors or circuit breakers. The head pulley motor 22 is powered through a variable speed drive (VSD) which is electrically powered from a three phase AC power supply line 23 providing voltages of less than 1000V AC. Electrical power for conveyor belt system 20 is supplied from a sub-station 30. The sub-station 30 houses the contacts 31. Activation of the contacts 31 (i.e. placing them in the “off” or “break” state), de-energises all three phases of the electrical supply to the conveyor head pulley drive motor 22. Such de-energisation is continuously monitored by a voltage monitor relay (not shown) located downstream of contacts 31, i.e. on the conveyor belt system 20 side of the contacts 31.

The conveyor belt system 20 and sub-station 30 are under the control and supervision of a plant control system 260 having a central control room (CCR) 40, via a DCS (Distributed Control System), PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System) as are commonly used and would be well understood by the skilled person. Item 41 in Figure 1 is representative of a communication and control network between the CCR 40 and various other plant systems and components. A Control Room Operator (CRO) 42 is located within the CCR 40 and has various input/output (I/O) devices and displays available (not shown) for the proper supervision and control of the conveyor belt system 20. Except for the remote isolation system 10, the above description represents what may be considered a conventional system as would be known within the materials handling and mining industries.

The remote isolation system 10 comprises fixed remote isolation stations 12 and 14 which are located proximate to the conveyor belt system 20. It will be understood however that remote isolation stations 12 and 14 could be replaced or supplemented by one or more mobile isolation stations, for example in the form of portable computer devices (in certain applications these potentially being provided as smartphones) or communication devices using wireless communications as described in the Applicant’s Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015902562, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The remote isolation stations 12 and 14 may be powered from the plant network, other power networks or - more desirably - independently through 9 alternative power sources, conveniently such as via solar power as described below.

The remote isolation system 10 also includes a master controller 50 incorporating a human/machine interface (HMI) in the form of a touch sensitive screen 51 which displays human interpretable information. The master controller 50 is also located within the sub-station 30.

Remote isolation stations 12 and 14 are in communication with master controller 50 and each other via communication channels 11 and 13. The communication channels 11 and 13 form part of a wireless communications network for controlling the conveyor belt system 20 and so help save costs and reduce difficulty involved with installing fibre optic or other cable to remote isolation stations 12 and 14 as described hereinbefore. In addition, the isolation system 10 with wireless communications is not limited by faults in permanently installed or hard wired communication channels as used in prior systems because these are not necessary. Rather, redundant communications and multiple self-healing communication paths are facilitated. Cost in addressing communication difficulties in permanently fixed communication channels is therefore avoided, at least to a very appreciable extent.

In certain applications, remote isolation system 10 could also include other remote isolation stations which are fixed in position or mobile, for example as described in the Applicant's Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015902562, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. A combination of the two types of remote isolation station may also be used.

The wireless communications network used to facilitate the control of the conveyor belt system 20 requires a communication protocol to work effectively. This communication protocol is selected for ready interoperability with other plant components making maintenance and troubleshooting requirements easier. That is, the communication protocol is open, not closed. Plant personnel are not precluded from refining the communication protocol or left susceptible to system failures that only a third party to the plant operator/owner can address.

In this case, the communication protocol involves an industrial Ethernet communication protocol. This is particularly preferred to enable flexible system updating. Ethernet software is widely accepted and established for use in 10 industrial plants and so further detailed description of such software is unnecessary here.

Communications relating to remote isolation must be via safety rated communications protocol software, noting that these may be varied depending on the PLC platform used. For example, the Interbus Safety, Ethernet/IP or PROFIsafe software solutions provide an indication of existing systems which are well known within the mining and materials handling industries. This will ensure that the communication channels are monitored and diagnostic tools are available for fault control and rectification when required, hence maintaining the required safety integrity level (SIL) of the plant. Where wireless technology is used, the same safety protocol is used over this medium, as it would be for a physical connection. Thus the same safety related standards regarding protection from communication errors, such as repetition, loss, incorrect sequence, delay and corruption are maintained. In addition to this, industry standard wireless encryption protocols are used, typically WPA2-PSK.

Further description of the electrical layout and operation of the remote isolation system 10 is provided in Australian Patent No. 2010310881, the contents of which have been incorporated by reference. FIG 2 shows a schematic of a control panel 700 arranged as part of each of remote isolation stations 12 and 14 for implementing the Applicant’s remote isolation system. Panel 700 has a human machine interface (HMI) 710 with a touch screen 1265 (though less fragile buttons, switches and other input devices may be used in alternative arrangements) for entering commands, including issuing isolation requests to the plant control system) and other commands. Information can also be presented on screen 1265 in respect of any such isolation requests including isolation status and plant data. Control panel 700 also includes: • Indicator light 720 showing whether or not the remote isolation station (RIS) 12 or 14 is available for isolation; • Indicator light block 725 showing whether or not exclusive or maintenance mode for the remote isolation system is active as described in Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015902557 (with the remote isolation station 12 exclusively controlling operation of the conveyor belt system 20), 11 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference; and respective “select” and “cancel” buttons for initiating or terminating the maintenance mode; • Indicator light 730 to provide zero energy confirmation when sensors, such as at least the load voltage monitor relay described above for contacts 31 and preferably conveyor belt 21 movement sensors as well, indicate zero hazardous energy in the conveyor belt system 20 (i.e. a zero energy indication is achieved when the culmination of all energy sources being monitored confirms that there is no stored or latent energy (whether potential, or electrical etc) remaining in the system desired to be isolated); • Request to isolate button 740 which is activated by an operator (and which illuminates when pressed) to request isolation and “request approved” indicator light 750 which illuminates to provide status information to said operator; • Indicator light block 760 for indicating that control system checking is taking place subsequent to an isolation request being instigated; and • Indicator light block 770 for showing whether or not the isolation process is complete following control system checking.

Control panel 700 also includes an equipment isolation switch assembly 765, as described in more detail in the Applicant’s Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015902554 filed 30 June 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by way of reference. Isolation switch assembly 765 prevents completion of the isolation process by manual lockout until the correct remote isolation procedure, for example as described in Australian Patent No. 2010310881, has been completed. In particular, a correct remote isolation procedure requires a try start step to be completed by an operator by activation of a try step button 780 before any manual lock out is possible. The equipment isolation switch assembly 765 is designed to prevent any such manual lock out before the correct isolation procedure has been completed.

In summary, the conveyor belt system 20 is isolated by a procedure involving: • An operator request using screen 1265 of HMI 710 of remote isolation station 12, 14 for the control system 260 to approve isolation of all or part 12 of the conveyor belt system 20 including conveyor 21 and drive motor 22 in accordance with a preferred mode of isolation developed by the Applicant and described in Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015902558 filed 30 June 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference; • Isolation being approved if the operator request meets permissives for isolation, for example as described in Australian Patent No. 2010310881; • Isolation being automatically implemented by the control system 260; • A try step process being invoked by pressing try step request button 780 to check that the isolation is effective which involves checking that electrical contacts for the conveyor belt system 20 are in an isolated position with no voltage on the load side of the electrical contacts (as continuously monitored by a voltage monitor relay and no voltage being indicated by illumination of the zero energy confirmation indicator light 730); an attempt to re-start the conveyor belt system 20 using a manual switch or automated process; • Checking that there is no re-energisation of the conveyor belt system 20 (for example as continuously monitored by a conveyor belt 21 speed monitor and/or a conveyor belt 21 standstill monitor both prior to and during isolation); and • Manual lockout at control panel 700 of remote isolation station 12 and/or 14 if the try start process is unsuccessful (as required).

Isolation switch assembly 765 includes an isolation lockout switch 400 operable by turning a first dedicated key 500 between a first “NORMAL” position in which the drive motor 22 for the conveyor 21 is electrically energised (i.e. not isolated) and a second “ISOLATE” position in which the drive motor 22 is electrically isolated and thus without power thereby facilitating any maintenance works which may be required. Key 500 is shown in the NORMAL position in isolation lockout switch 400 in FIG 2. It will be understood that switching from NORMAL to ISOLATE positions requires operation of first key 500 when the above described equipment isolation system is used. Manual lockout is then required using a personal lock, which may be affixed to a hasp attached to the lockout point, or through use of operator identification means, such as in a smart card access 13 system which could be integrated into the isolation system. Suitable operator identification systems are described in the Applicant’s Australian Provisional Patent Application Nos. 2015902559 and 2015902564 filed 30 June 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by way of reference.

Equipment isolation switch 400 must co-operate with a switch actuating device here in the form of key 500 whenever remote isolation system 10 is operative, i.e. available to achieve remote isolation. Isolation switch 400 and key 500 have no duplicate but form a replaceable module (with different lock arrangement) in the event of loss of key 500.

The equipment isolation switch 400 is only operable when the key 500 is engaged with it with securing means in the form of keeper plate 405 secured in place by padlock 407. Equally, the key 500 must be removed from the isolation switch 400 when deactivation of the remote isolation station 12 is required. Control system or authorised personnel approval would be required prior to any such removal which, even then, is only permitted when the isolation switch 400 is in the NORMAL condition. Importantly, key removal is not permitted without additional validation steps if the key switch 400 is in the ISOLATE condition. Deactivation would typically require other tasks to be completed before a remote isolation system is safely and completely removed from service and the equipment item in question can be re-energised for normal operation. Completion of such tasks may involve the use of other keys, preferably retained using the key exchange unit described in the Applicant’s Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015902557, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

It will be understood that communications between remote isolation station 12 and plant control system 260 are sent through the wireless communications network via suitable transmitter and receiver antennae including antenna 74 of remote isolation station 12 as shown in FIGS 3 to 8. Accordingly, the operator request is sent wirelessly, as is the control system approval. Such communications may be supported by repeater stations that can be mounted on available structures or provided with their own re-locatable mounting means (such as mounting poles and brackets). This feature is particularly useful where, due to 14 mining and/or construction activity, for example in mine pits, the landscape may be subject to change which may result in signal obstruction. A standard isolation mode has been described above. It will however be understood that the control system may provide for selection of one of a plurality of available isolation modes as described in the Applicant’s Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015902558, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such isolation modes may conveniently be enabled through the wireless communications network as well.

Referring now to FIGS 3 to 8, remote isolation station 12 is provided with an independent power source to avoid the expense and difficulty of connecting it to the power network supplying power to the conveyor belt system 20. The selected alternative source of power as shown in this embodiment is solar power rather than the fossil fuel based power supply used to drive the conveyor belt system 20.

To that end, remote isolation station 12 is connected with a solar power generation system 70 of conventional design. Sunlight striking the photovoltaic cells of solar panel 72 mounted on mast 73 is converted into electrical current, providing a DC low voltage supply to power the electrical components located within the enclosure 121 of remote isolation station 12 including the control panel 700, its HMI 710 and screen 1265 and isolation lock out switch 765 amongst other components which are accessed through lockable door 123 and which can be inspected through window 123A. Electricity can also be stored in battery 75 for use during times when solar power is unavailable, such as at night.

Enclosure 121 is mounted on support members 122 and its electronic components, as described above, are electrically connected to mast 73 which includes an antenna 74 for transmission of wireless communications between remote isolation station 12 and control system 260 as described above. The mast 73 and antenna 74 also enable the remote isolation station 12 to function as a repeater.

Anti-vandal protection 76 and a lightning rod 78 is provided for the mast 73 and solar panel 72. Power surges from lightning strikes are directed to earth 79 from lightning rod 78. A sunshield 126 is provided at the rear of enclosure 121 to effectively absorb heat and help keep the enclosure 121 at a lower temperature to 15 avoid interference with electronic components and isolation switch 400. More specifically, the sunshield 126 is configured to be spaced from the rear of enclosure 121 so as to facilitate lower temperatures at the immediate rear of enclosure 121.

Remote isolation station 12 also includes warning light beacons 125 and siren 124 to alert operators to system and plant faults and other hazards including weather warnings like cyclone and storm warnings.

Remote isolation station 12 also acts as a wireless hub enabling personnel to communicate with the control system 260, other plant equipment and each other through wireless communications. Personnel may use mobile devices, such as smart phones, tablets or laptop computers to make such communications as a WiFi or Bluetooth® hotspot extends for about 100 metres radius around antenna 74. Of particular value is the convenient facility for personnel to implement isolation tasks and interrogate plant status, for example to assess conveyor idler performance in the field. Communications are encrypted to prevent interference with plant and remote isolation system operations. Encryption modes are understood in the communications art and further description is therefore unnecessary here.

Use of a wireless communications provides a number of benefits including very economical installation of field hardware for the isolation system and efficient communications between field hardware and control systems through multiple potential channels, especially multiple self-healing communication channels. In addition, cable-less installation is safer and less time consuming and more cost effective than hardwired options. Isolation tasks can be performed more efficiently and rapidly, hence minimising lost production time.

Modifications and variations to the remote isolation system described in this specification may be apparent to the skilled reader of this disclosure. Such modifications and variations are deemed within the scope of the present invention.

For example, while the main embodiment of the invention with reference to FIGS 3 to 8 has been discussed in relation to a solar panel to provide power generation for the RIS, it should be appreciated that other power generation sources may be possible for different applications of the RIS and indeed the 2017100435 20 Apr 2017 16 remote isolation system. Solar hybrid arrangements could for example be applied in certain circumstances where wind turbines or energy derived from roller motion is used to charge batteries which then supplement the energy provided by the solar panel(s). 5 Furthermore, while the control panel 700 has primarily been described as including a human machine interface (HMI) 710 with a touch screen 1265 and a series of buttons and lights (e.g. 740, 750, 760, 770, 780 etc) to enable an operator to request an isolation event, it should be noted that the control panel 700, and specifically the touch screen 1265, may be configured to provide greater 10 control and more information about isolation system steps to an operator (or indeed full control and all information to do with the isolation system). That is, a more ‘digitally’ based input means (or indeed a totally digital system) may be arranged for operation instead of an analogue or part analogue system as described herein to enable control of the equipment isolation system according to 15 the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A remote isolation system for a plant comprising: equipment energisable by an energy source; a control system enabling automated isolation of said equipment from said energy source to an isolated state when authorised by the control system, wherein said control system enables automated isolation through a wireless communications network being a network using an open communications protocol enabling refining by flexible system updating by plant personnel.
2. 2. A remote isolation station for a remote equipment isolation system comprising: a control panel having input means, such as a human machine interface, to enable the operator to request a control system to automatically isolate equipment through a wireless communications network being a network using an open communications protocol enabling refining by flexible system updating by plant personnel; and an isolation switch for isolating said equipment when authorised by the control system, wherein said remote isolation station further comprises an independent off network power source, other than that used for powering said equipment, to provide power for operating the control panel and wireless communications.
3. 3. A remote isolation system as claimed in claim 1 or a remote isolation station as claimed in claim 2 wherein said open communications protocol is an industry accepted protocol such as the Ethernet protocol, and wireless communications are preferably encrypted by an industry standard wireless encryption protocol.
4. 4. A remote isolation system as claimed in claim 1 or 3 or a remote isolation station as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein said equipment is located in a terrain or landscape subject to change such as through mining or construction activity.
5. 5. A remote isolation station as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein said independent off network power source is an alternative power source, such as solar energy.