NZ602301A

NZ602301A - Automated control system for a fume cupboard

Info

Publication number: NZ602301A
Application number: NZ60230112A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Max Arbrew
Original assignee: Lab Systems Group Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-09-06
Filing date: 2012-09-06
Publication date: 2014-06-27
Also published as: AU2012238191A1; AU2012238191B2

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of controlling a sash of a fume cupboard. The sash is arranged for motorised movement between a stand-by position and an open position that enables an operator access to a compartment of the fume cupboard. A sensor array (270, 273, 290) is triggered upon detection of the presence of an obstacle and a detection signal is transferred from the array (270, 273, 290) to signal control means (310) when the sash moves from the open position. The control means (310) then instructs a sash drive means (260) controlling the sash to reverse the direction of the sash or stop movement of the sash.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A method of controlling a sash of a fume cupboard, the sash being arranged for motorised movement between a stand-by position and an open position that enables an operator access to a compartment of the fume cupboard the method including: ring a sensor array upon detection of the presence of an obstacle; transmitting a signal upon triggering the sensor array from the sensor array to a control means when the sash moves from the open position; and whereupon the control means instructs a sash drive means controlling the sash to IO reverse the ion of the sash or stop movement of the sash.

2. A method according to claim 1 n the movement of the sash is stopped and/or reversed by the operator obstructing one or more paths of the sensor array to trigger the sensor array to send said signal to said control means.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein upon ion by said sensor when the sash moves array of the presence of an article obstructing the path of the sash from the open position, said signal is sent to said control means upon the sash being sensed within a ermined distance of the article.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sensor array extends across a sash opening of the fume cupboard.

5. A method according to any one of the ing claims including enabling 25 detecting the presence of a part of the operator by the sensor array.

6. A method according to claim 5 such that where the presence of a part ofthe operator inside the fume cupboard is not detected by the sensor array, the operator is able to trigger the sensor array to stop or reverse the direction of the sash when the sash 30 moves to within a ermined distance of the operator.

7. A method ing to any one of the preceding claims further including enabling the setting of least one working height of the sash.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sensor array includes a series of substantially parallel optical beams generated by a plurality of light ng devices and received by a corresponding plurality of light ing devices.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the height of the sash is automatically adjusted to a height above the operator’s ﬁeld of movement, said ﬁeld of movement being monitored prior to the adjustment of the sash height by said sensor array.

10. A system for controlling a sash of a fume cupboard, the system including: the sash is arranged for sed nt between a stand-by on and an open position that enables an operator access to a compartment of the fume cupboard; 15 a sensor array for detecting the presence of an obstacle; and a control means linked to the sensor array and for receiving a signal from the sensor array, said signal indicating detection of the obstacle in the path of the sash when the sash moves from the open position, and a sash drive means that enables the sash to reverse direction or stop on instruction from the control means after the control means 20 receives said signal from said sensor means.

11. A system ing to claim 10 wherein the movement of the sash is stopped and/or reversed by the operator obstructing one or more paths of the sensor array to trigger the sensor array to send said signal to said control means.

12. A system according to claim 10 or claim 11 whereupon detection by said sensor sash moves array of the presence of an article obstructing the path of the sash when the from the open position, said signal is sent to said control means upon the sash being sensed within a predetermined distance of the article.

13. A system according to any one of the ing claims 10 to 12 wherein the sensor array extends across a sash g of the fume cupboard.

14. A system according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the sensor array detects the presence of a part of the operator.

15. A system according to claim 14 such that where the presence of a part of the operator inside the fume cupboard is not detected by the sensor array, the operator is able to trigger the sensor array to stop or reverse the direction of the sash when the sash moves to within a predetermined distance of the operator.

16. A system according to any one of claims 10 to 15 further including enabling the 10 setting of least one g height of the sash.

17. A system according to any one of claims 10 to 16 wherein the sensor array includes a series of ntially parallel optical beams generated by a plurality of light ng devices and received by a corresponding plurality of light receiving s.

18. A system according to any one of claims 10 to 17 wherein the height of the sash is automatically adjusted to a height above the operator’s field of movement, said ﬁeld of movement being red prior to the adjustment of the sash height by said sensor array.

19. A computer program for controlling a sash of a fume cupboard, the sash being arranged for motorised movement n a stand-by position and an open position that enables an operator access to a compartment of the fume cupboard such that upon movement of the sash from the open position and triggering of a sensor array by the 25 presence of an obstacle in the path of the moving sash a signal is sent from the sensor array to a control means having a processor and memory means g the program whereupon the processor, under the control of the program, instructs a sash drive means that controls the sash to stop or reverse the direction of the sash to prevent the sash from making t with the obstacle.