ZA201102654B - Testing system and method dealing with devices associated with proper functioning of equipment - Google Patents

Description

Co . 18 2 (1) TITLE OF THE INVENTION

TESTING SYSTEM AND METHOD DEALING WITH DEVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE

PROPER FUNCTIONING OF EQUIPMENT

(2) BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The installation of devices to alarm or to stop or discontinue the energy source, driving force or power supply to equipment such as machinery in the event of an unsafe or unwanted occurrence is well known. The devices are commonly known as protection, control, safety and warning or alarming devices. The devices usually include some kind of detection, activation or alarm mechanism. The detection or activation by these devices could include, but not limited to motion, or lack of motion, the presence of objects or bodies, position, temperature, flow, vibration, pressure, speed, build-up, etc. The devices can also be manually or remotely activated by persons or other control mechanisms. Very often these devices function on the basis that a contact inside the device changes state, either from normally closed to open or from normally open to close. These detection and activation devices that serve as warning, protection and control devices are very often hard wired into the electrical supply or control of processes that it belongs to or that need to be controlled or protected. When such protection devices detect certain pre-set conditions or are manually or remotely activated, they activate or de-activate the contro! system to activate some kind of alarm or to interrupt the energy source or power supply to the process or part thereof to stop it from working. Some of these devices could be used to give some kind of alarm, visible and/or audible, to warn persons about machinery that are about to start up or about some kind of activity that is about to start. These devices normally need to be tested from time to time to confirm their functionality. A problem experienced under conventional testing techniques is that the operation of the equipment that is associated with such devices is interrupted. This can result in significant production losses and even equipment damage. It is, amongst others, an object of this invention to address this problem. (3) FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a testing system and method of testing the proper operation of one or more response-generating devices that is associated with the effective functioning of device-involved equipment. While not whatsoever so limited the invention finds useful application in the testing of response-generating devices that is involved in the proper operation of belt conveyors. (4) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of equipment non- interruptively testing the proper operation of one or more response-generating devices that is associated with the effective functioning of device-involved equipment to the effect of triggering an equipment operation affecting response on the arising of an equipment- involving problem-creating or control situation that activates the response-generating device, at least comprising sending a manipulating wireless signal from a location that is in suitably close proximity of the response-generating device to enable its activation, to a location of equipment-involving response-activated effect that results in appropriately manipulating the intended action of the response-generating device in relation to the equipment to facilitate non-interruptive testing by way of appropriate manipulation circuitry, activating the intended action of the response-generating device once an appropriate manipulation action has been put in place, verifying the functionality of the response-generating device by means of appropriately configured detection and verifying circuitry that interacts with the manipulation circuitry, and cancelling the manipulation on the intended action of the response-generating device having the effect of returning the response-generating device and its intended action to its operative state.

The method may include sending a return signal that advises that the appropriate 5s manipulation action has been put in place prior to activating the intended action of the response-generating device.

The method may also comprise manipulating the intended action of the response-generating device by activating appropriate manipulation circuitry that manipulates the instruction from the response-generating device that would otherwise have affected the functioning of the device-involved equipment. the method may include storing the information from the detection and verifying circuitry in an information-retrievable storage facility.

The method may further include sending a return signal to confirm manipulation circuitry cancellation once the manipulation action on the intended action of the response-generating device has been cancelled.

The method may comprise receiving the signal to manipulate and instructing the manipulating action of the manipulation circuitry by way of an equipment-involving response- activated effect signal manipulating facility (the equipment side signal manipulating facility) that is consequently situated at the location of equipment-involving response-activated effect : with the facility in the relevant case also at least one of signalling that the manipulating action on the intended action of the response-generating device has been put in place and that the manipulating action on the intended action of the response-generating device has been cancelled.

The method mat further include also at least one of verifying the functionality of the response-generating device and in the appropriate case storing the information from the verifying and detection circuitry by way of the equipment side signal manipulating facility that consequently includes the verifying and detection circuitry and in the appropriate case the storage facility.

In an embodiment the method may involve using an appropriately set up and programmed equipment side controller as representing at least part of the equipment side signal manipulating facility.

oe Co = 2011702654

The method may preferably comprise sending the signal to manipulate and having the manipulation action cancelled by way of a signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility that is in suitably close proximity of the response generating device. 5s The method may include also receiving and displaying an alarm that the manipulation action on the intended action of the response-generating device has not been deactivated by way of the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility.

In an embodiment the method may involve using an appropriately set up and programmed operator involved controller as interfaced by operator controllable communicating and reporting means representing at least part of the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility.

In the case of the operator controllable communicating and reporting means being in the form of a human machine interface, the procedure of the method may at least include the physical entering of an identifier that has the effect of identifying and selecting the relevant device under test that is thus communicated to the operator involved controller.

The method may preferably include the displaying of at least one of the activation of the manipulation action and the displaying of the tests results by the human machine interface.

The method may thus comprise cancelling the manipulation action on the intended action of the response-generating device by way of a signal from the location that is in suitably close proximity of the response-generating device thus in the appropriate case from the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility having the effect of taking all positive steps in controlling the test from a location in suitably close proximity of the i response generating device.

In a preferred embodiment the method may comprise sending relevant instruction, control and information signals in wireless mode.

In a specific embodiment method may comprises equipment non-interruptively testing the operation of a number of response-generating devices each not necessarily testing the same aspect of effective functioning of the device involved equipment, successive signals to manipulate consequently being sent each as associated with its appropriate response- generating device, that at least result in the activation of the associated manipulating circuitry followed by the activation of the intended action of the response generating device under testing and the subsequent verification of its functionality with the finalization of the testing procedure in each case involving the cancellation of the manipulation action having the effect of returning the response generating device under testing to its operative state, in the case of receiving the signal to manipulate and instructing the manipulating action of the manipulation circuitry by way of the equipment side signal manipulating facility including the equipment side controller, the procedure at least including the receipt of a relevant identifier that has the effect of identifying and selecting the associated device- and manipulating circuitry from the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility via the equipment side controller that selects the device- and manipulation circuitry under test while, when the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility includes the operator involved controller as interfaced by operator controllable communicating and reporting means, the procedure at least including the sending of the identifier that has the effect of identifying and selecting the associated device- and manipulation circuitry as involved in the test and as received from the operator controllable communicating and reporting means as well as the request for manipulation to manipulate and subsequently the removal of manipulation of the intended action of response-generating device, each as read from its appropriate input, by way of the operator involved controller.

The method may involve wirelessly manipulating the intended action of a relevant response- generating device by way of the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility from suitably close proximity of the response-generating device.

Further accrding to the invention there is provided a testing system for equipment non- interruptively testing the proper operation of one or more response generating devices that is associated with the effective functioning of device-involved equipment to the effect of triggering an equipment operation affecting response on the arising of an equipment- involving, problem-creating or control situation that activates the response generating device that comprises manipulation circuitry for appropriately manipulating the intended action of such response generating device in relation to such equipment, to facilitate non-interruptive testing, an equipment side signal manipulating facility that is at least positionable if not installable at a location of equipment-involving response-activated effect and that is arranged to at least receive a signal to manipulate via a signal-transmitting medium and to instruct an appropriate manipulation action with the manipulation circuitry once such system is so in use

= 2011702654 and to receive a signal to deactivate the manipulating action and to instruct the deactivation of the manipulation action of the intended action of a response-generating device, a signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility that is in suitably close proximity of a location of such response-generating device once the system is so in use and that is arranged to enable a system user to send a signal to manipulate and a signal to deactivate the manipulation of the intended action of response generating device via such signal transmitting medium to the equipment side signal manipulating facility, and detection and verifying circuitry that interacts with the manipulation circuitry for detecting and verifying the functionality of the response-generating device.

The manipulation circuitry may be in the form of circuitry for manipulating an instruction from a response-generating device that would otherwise have affected the functioning of such device-involved equipment once the system is in use.

The manipulation circuitry may be arranged to wirelessly manipulate the intended action of a relevant response-generating device by way of the signalling and operator controllable - — communicating and reporting facility from suitably close proximity of the response-generating device.

The testing system may also include an information retrievable storage facility for retrievably storing information received from the detection and verifying circuitry.

The detection and verifying circuitry and the information retrievable storage facility may preferably form part of the equipment side signal manipulating facility.

The signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility may be arranged to also receive and display an alarm that the manipulation action on the intended action of the response-generating device has not been deactivated.

At least part of the equipment side signal manipulating facility may preferably be in the form of an equipment side controller and of the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility in the form of an operator involved controller both instances as appropriately set up and programmed for use of the system while the operator involved controller is interfaced by operator-controllable communicating and reporting means as configured to display at least one of activation of the manipulation action results and of the tests results.

In an embodiment the operator-controllable communicating and reporting means may be in the form of a human machine interface.

The signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility may be arranged to also cancel a manipulating action on the intended action of a response- generating device consequently having the effect of taking all positive steps in running a test by way of the system from a location in suitably close proximity of a response-generating device.

The testing system may be arranged to send signals in wireless mode by way of a wireless connection with the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility and the equipment side signal manipulating facility both incorporating appropriate serial to telecom units via which wireless signals are convertible to hardwired signals and vice versa.

In a preferred embodiment the equipment side signal manipulating facility may be in the form of an installable unit and the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility is in the form of a portable unit.

The testing system may be arranged to test the operation of a number of response generating devices each not necessarily testing the same aspect of effective functioning of the device-involved equipment by way of sending successive signals to manipulate each as associated with its appropriate response generating device, that at least result in the activation of the associated manipulation circuitry followed by the activation of the intended action of the response generating device under testing and the subsequent verification of its functionality with the finalization of the testing procedure in each case involving the cancellation of the manipulating action having the effect of returning the response generating device under testing to its operative state, in the case of receiving the signal to manipulate and instructing the manipulating action of the manipulation circuitry by way of the signal receiving, transmitting and processing facility including the signal receiving and processing controller, the procedure at least including the receipt of relevant identifier that has the effect of identifying and selecting the associated device- and manipulation circuitry from the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility via the signal receiving and processing controller that identify and select the device- and manipulation circuitry under test while, when the signalling and operator controllable communicating and : reporting facility includes the operator involved controller as interfaced by operator controllable communicating and reporting means, the procedure at least including the sending of the identifier that has the effect of selecting the associated device- and manipulation circuitry as involved in the test and as received from the operator controllable communicating and reporting means, as well as the request to manipulate and subsequently the removal of manipulation, each as read from its appropriate input, by way of the operator involved controller. (5) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing that diagrammatically shows a testing system, according to the invention, for testing the proper operation of one or more response generating devices, such as, for example, a device that triggers a response once a belt conveyor, as representing an example of device- involved equipment, becomes unsafe as a result of , for example, belt slip on a belt drive pulley without interrupting the normal operation of the belt conveyor. (6) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings a testing system, according to the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The system 10 comprises an equipment side signal manipulating facility in the form of an installable unit 12 that is installable at a location of equipment-involving response-activated effect such as the switchboard or electrical control room of a belt conveyor, often forming part of an extensive conveying system, and a signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility in the form of a portable unit 14 that is taken to a location of suitably close proximity of a response-generating device such as an electrical trigger that causes the stoppage of a belt conveyor in the case of, for example, becoming unsafe from belt slip on the drive pulley of which trigger the functionality is intended to be tested by the system 10. The system 10 is in fact arranged to test a plurality of response- generating devices in succession such as the trigger as mentioned, a measuring device for assessing the proper centralised running of a belt, pull wire safety devices and numerous other devices that are associated with the proper operation of relevant equipment while in the process of testing not interrupting the normal operation of the relevant equipment.

The unit 12 is constituted from manipulation circuitry 16 in the form of circuitry that appropriately manipulates the intended action of the response-generating device in relation to the equipment to facilitate non-interruptive testing, detection and verifying circuitry 18 in the form of a detection and verifying device housing detection and verifying circuitry and an

- equipment side controller in the form of an equipment side programmable logic controller (PLC) 20 that is appropriately set up and programmed once the system 10 is ready for use to perform the functions as discussed below. The unit 12 also includes a wireless connection 22 such as a serial to telecom unit including a RS232 to GPRS unit for converting wireless signals to hardwired signals and vice versa and an information retrievable storage facility in the form of a data-logging unit such as a personal computer 24 via which test results are retrievably stored.

The unit 14 is constituted from an operator involved controller in the form of an operator involved programmable logic controller (PLC) 26 that is appropriately set up and programmed once the system 10 is ready for use to perform the functions as discussed below, and that is interfaced by operator-controllable communicating and reporting means in the form of a human machine interface (HMI) 28 by means of which remote inputs are entered and outputs are displayed. The unit 14 aiso includes a manipulation input 32. The unit 14 naturally also includes a wireless connection 30 such as a serial to telecom unit including a RS232 to GPRS unit for converting wireless signals to hardwired signals and vice versa.

The essential functions of unit 12 are to: *receive a relevant identifier from the unit 14 through the wireless connection that has the effect of identifying and selecting the relevant device under test for appropriate manipulation with manipulation circuitry 16 of the intended action of the response-generating device in relation to the equipment to facilitate non-interruptive testing and detection circuitry 18. [it is essential to identify the correct circuit to manipulate for the device under test, which can be done by only identifying a device identifier or it can be done in combination of a process- and device identifier] ‘*receive a request to activate the relevant manipulation circuitry 16 and detection circuitry 18 from the unit 14 through the wireless connection that selectively causes manipulation of the intended action of the response-generating device on the equipment to allow non- interruptive activation and verification of functionality of the response-generating device. *monitor the output from the detection and verifying circuitry 18 to assess the performance of the response-generating device *receive a request to de-activate the relevant manipulation circuitry 16 and detection circuitry 18 from the unit 14 through the wireless connection

The PLC 20 is set up and programmed to perform the following essential functions once the system is in use: *receive a relevant identifier from the PLC 26 through the wireless connection that has the effect of identifying and selecting the relevant device under test and related manipulation circuitry (such as the relevant device manipulation and detection circuit for belt slip on the drive pulley, as an example) *receive a request to activate the relevant manipulation circuitry 16 and detection circuitry 18 from the PLC 26 through the wireless connection that selectively causes appropriate manipulation of the intended action of the response-generating device on the equipment to allow non-interruptive activation and verification of functionality of the response-generating device *monitor the output from the detection and verifying circuitry 18 to assess the performance of the response-generating device *receive a request to de-activate the relevant manipulation circuitry 16 and detection circuitry 18 from the PLC 26 through the wireless connection

While the PLC 20 is set up and programmed to perform the above functions as essential to perform a test it can also be set up and programmed to optionally also perform the following functions: *send a signal to the PLC 26 through the wireless connection that the test can be proceeded with *detect whether the manipulation circuitry was in fact deactivated and report to the PLC 26 through the wireless connection to enable the operator to take steps in the case of any alarm condition *report the status of the functioning of the response-generating device to the PLC 26 through the wireless connection *trigger the data logging unit 24 to result in a proper logging of the event for subsequent retrieval.

The essential functions of unit 14 are to: *send a relevant identifier to the unit 12 through the wireless connection that has the effect of identifying and selecting the relevant device under test for appropriate manipulation with

. - : . . manipulation circuitry 16 of the intended action of the response-generating device in relation to the equipment to facilitate non-interruptive testing and detection circuitry 18. (It is essential to identify the correct circuit to manipulate for the device under test, which can be done by only identifying a device identifier or it can be done in combination of a process- and device identifier.) *send a request to activate the relevant manipulation circuitry 16 and detection circuitry 18 to the unit 12 through the wireless connection that selectively causes manipulation of the intended action of the response-generating device on the equipment to activate and verify functionality of the response-generating device *send a request to de-activate the relevant manipulation circuitry 16 and detection circuitry 18 to the unit 12 through the wireless connection

The PLC 26 is set up and programmed to perform the following essential functions once the system is in use: *read a relevant identifier from the HMI 28 for identifying and selecting the relevant device under test and related manipulation circuitry and send it to the PLC 20 through the wireless connection (such as the relevant device override and detection circuit for belt slip on the drive pulley, as an example) *read a request to activate the relevant manipulation circuitry 16 and detection circuitry 18 from its inputs and send it to the PLC 20 through the wireless connection for selectively manipulating the intended action of the response-generating device on the equipment to allow non-interruptive activation and verification of functionality of the response-generating device *read a request to de-activate the relevant manipulation circuitry 16 and detection circuitry 18 from its inputs and send it to the PLC 26 through the wireless connection

While the PLC 26 is set up and programmed to perform the above functions as essential to perform a test it can also be set up and programmed to optionally also perform the following functions: *receive a message from PLC 20 through the wireless connection that the manipulation circuitry was activated that the test can be proceeded with and send it to the HMI 28 for display to the test operator or use some of the PLC 26 outputs for displaying to such operator

“receive a test result message from PLC 20 through the wireless connection and send it to the HMI 28 for display to the test operator or use some of the PLC 26 outputs for displaying to such operator *receive an alarm of manipulation circuitry non-release from PLC 20 through the wireless connection and display such to the operator *read a request to cancel an alarm from one of its inputs while also cancelling the alarm output.

While the PLC 26 is interfaced by the HMI 28 as used in this example the latter's essential functions are the following: *enter a relevant identifier to the PLC 26 that has the effect of identifying and selecting the relevant device under test for manipulation with manipulation circuitry 16 to appropriately manipulate the intended action of the response-generating device in relation to the equipment to facilitate non-interruptive testing and detection circuitry 18. (It is essential to identify the correct circuit to manipulate for the device under test, which can be done by only identifying a device identifier or it can be done in combination of a process- and device identifier.)

The HMI can also perform the following optional functions: *display information that the manipulation circuitry 16 and detection circuitry 18 has been activated and that the system 10 is ready to commence with the test *once a response-generating device was activated and reset the HMI 28 can be used to display the test results after the PLC 26 has received feedback from the PLC 20.

From the above system description it is clear that it can be used under numerous situations of response-generating device testing. While a specific testing routine is described below as an example it will be appreciated that its application is not in any way so limited.

Inthe case of a belt conveyor as device-involved equipment the functionality of response- generating devices in the form of pull wire safety devices that are used for emergency belt stopping can be assessed by way of the equipment of the invention in using the routine described below. Numbers are used as process and device identifiers having the effect of selecting the relevant identifiers by way of the entering of appropriate numbers on the HMI

Co ) s- 2011702654

As the processes of successive pull wire safety device tests of the example are the same the process identifier selected for each successive test will be the same, but different device identifiers must be selected for each test as the pull wire safety devices naturally differ from one another.

Testing of the first pull wire safety device commences by an operator selecting the relevant process and device identifiers say number one for the process and also number one for the device and entering it to the HMI 28. Signals associated with the selected identifiers are thus transferred to the PLC 26 and then transferred to the unit 12 by way of the wireless connections 22 and 30. The PLC 20 of the unit 12 then selects the relevant manipulation circuitry 16 and detection circuitry 18 for overriding the effect of the pull wire safety device and detecting the functioning of it when tested. The appropriate memory space for the retrievable storage of the test results by the data logging unit 24 is also selected. Such test results include the time and date of the test.

Once the relevant manipulation circuitry that is connected to the device circuitry is so selected the operator requests the activation of this manipulation circuitry 16 by way of the manipulation input 32. The operator is informed of the proper activation of this manipulation circuitry to facilitate no interruption to the operation of the belt conveyor when proceeding with the activation of the pull wire safety device.

At this stage all the equipment is at the ready stage for performance of the test. Selection of the manipulation circuitry 16 is done by way of a suggested spring loaded button 32 of which release automatically to cancel the selection. This serves a safety function in case of requiring rapid termination of the test.

The operator then proceeds to activate the first pull wire safety device while maintaining the selected manipulation circuitry 16 activated by keeping the manipulation button 32 depressed.

Once the test is done the pull wire safety device under test is reset and the manipulation button 32 released. This will have the effect of releasing the selection of the relevant manipulation circuitry 16 at unit 12 via a wireless signal sent from the unit 14 to the unit 12.

The unit 12 at the same time assesses the test for failure or success and cause the results to be stored in the data logging unit 24 while also sending it to the portable unit 14 where it is displayed by the HMI 28 for the benefit of the operator.

is

Testing of a subsequent pull wire safety device will proceed in exactly the same way as just described except that a different device identifier will at the outset be selected.

If the test involves a variety of device-involved equipment such as different belt conveyors, pull wire safety devices, start-up warning alarms and centralised running of belt conveyors, 5s different process and device identifiers will naturally be involved as different manipulation circuitry will have to be selected for appropriate manipulation and detection.

It must be appreciated that the equipment will be custom made for its field of application as the manipulation circuitry involved will have to fit the equipment under test.

Claims (1)

1. ] cL (7) CLAIMS . (1) A method of equipment non-interruptively testing the proper operation of one or more response-generating devices that is associated with the effective functioning of device- involved equipment to the effect of triggering an equipment operation affecting response on the arising of an equipment-involving problem-creating or control situation that activates the response-generating device, at least comprising sending a manipulating wireless signal from a location that is in suitably close proximity of the response-generating device to enable its activation, to a location of equipment-involving response-activated effect that results in appropriately manipulating the intended action of the response-generating device in relation to the equipment to facilitate non-interruptive testing by way of appropriate manipulation circuitry, activating the intended action of the response-generating device once an appropriate manipulation action has been put in place, verifying the functionality of the response-generating device by means of appropriately configured detection and verifying circuitry that interacts with the manipulation circuitry, and cancelling the manipulation on the intended action of the response-generating device having the effect of returning the response-generating device and its intended action to its operative state. (2) A method as claimed in claim 1 that includes sending a return signal that advises that the appropriate manipulation action has been put in place prior to activating the intended action of the response-generating device. (3) A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 that comprises manipulating the intended action of the response-generating device by activating appropriate manipulation circuitry that manipulates the instruction from the response-generating device that would otherwise have affected the functioning of the device-involved equipment. (4) A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims that includes storing the information from the detection and verifying circuitry in an information-retrievable storage facility. (5) A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims that includes sending a return signal to confirm manipulation circuitry cancellation once the manipulation action on the intended action of the response-generating device has been cancelled.

   (6) A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims that comprises receiving the signal to manipulate and instructing the manipulating action of the manipulation circuitry by way of an equipment-involving response-activated effect signal manipulating facility (the equipment side signal manipulating facility) that is consequently situated at the location of equipment-involving response-activated effect with the facility in the relevant case also at least one of signalling that the manipulating action on the intended action of the response- generating device has been put in place and that the manipulating action on the intended action of the response-generating device has been cancelled.

   (7) A method as claimed in claim 6 that includes also at least one of verifying the functionality of the response-generating device and in the appropriate case storing the information from the verifying and detection circuitry by way of the equipment side signal manipulating facility that consequently includes the verifying and detection circuitry and in the appropriate case the storage facility.

   (8) A method as claimed in claim 6 and claim 7 that involves using an appropriately set up and programmed equipment side controller as representing at least part of the equipment side signal manipulating facility.

   (9) A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 that comprises sending the signal to manipulate and having the manipulation action cancelled by way of a signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility that is in suitably close proximity of the response generating device.

   (10) A method as claimed in claim 9 that includes also receiving and displaying an alarm that the manipulation action on the intended action of the response-generating device has not been deactivated by way of the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility.

   (11) A method as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 that involves using an appropriately set up and programmed operator involved controller as interfaced by operator controllable communicating and reporting means representing at least part of the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility. (12) A method as claimed in claim 11 that, in the case of the operator controllable communicating and reporting means being in the form of a human machine interface, the procedure at least includes the physical entering of an identifier that has the effect of identifying and selecting the relevant device under test that is thus communicated to the operator involved controller. (13) A method as claimed in claim 12 that includes the displaying of at least one of the activation of the manipulation action and the displaying of the tests results by the human machine interface. (14) A method as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13 that comprises cancelling the manipulation action on the intended action of the response-generating device by way of a signal from the location that is in suitably close proximity of the response-generating device thus in the appropriate case from the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility having the effect of taking all positive steps in controlling the test from a location in suitably close proximity of the response generating device. (15) A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims that comprises sending relevant instruction, control and information signals in wireless mode. (16) A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims that comprises equipment non-

   interruptively testing the operation of a number of response-generating devices each not necessarily testing the same aspect of effective functioning of the device involved equipment, successive signals to manipulate consequently being sent each as associated with its appropriate response-generating device, that at least result in the activation of the associated manipulating circuitry followed by the activation of the intended action of the response generating device under testing and the subsequent verification of its functionality with the finalization of the testing procedure in each case involving the cancellation of the manipulation action having the effect of returning the response generating device under testing to its operative state, in the case of receiving the signal to manipulate and instructing the manipulating action of the manipulation circuitry by way of the equipment side signal manipulating facility including the equipment side controller, the procedure at least including the receipt of a relevant identifier that has the effect of identifying and selecting the associated device- and manipulating circuitry from the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility via the equipment side controller that selects the device- and manipulation circuitry under test while, when the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility includes the operator involved controller as interfaced by operator controllable communicating and reporting means, the procedure at least including the sending of the identifier that has the effect of identifying and selecting the associated device- and manipulation circuitry as involved in the test and as received from the operator controllable communicating and reporting means as well as the request for manipulation to manipulate and subsequently the removal of manipulation of the intended action of response-generating device, each as read from its appropriate input, by way of the s operator involved controller. (17) A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 of which manipulation circuitry can be applied to wirelessly manipulate the intended action of a relevant response-generating device by way of the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility from suitably close proximity of the response-generating device.

   (18) A testing system for equipment non-interruptively testing the proper operation of one or more response generating devices that is associated with the effective functioning of device- involved equipment to the effect of triggering an equipment operation affecting response on the arising of an equipment-invalving, problem-creating or control situation that activates the response generating device that comprises manipulation circuitry for appropriately manipulating the intended action of such response generating device in relation to such equipment, to facilitate non-interruptive testing, an equipment side signal manipulating facility that is at least positionable if not installable at a location of equipment-involving response-activated effect and that is arranged to at least receive a signal to manipulate via a signal-transmitting medium and to instruct an appropriate manipulation action with the manipulation circuitry once such system is so in use and to receive a signal to deactivate the manipulating action and to instruct the deactivation of the manipulation action of the intended action of a response-generating device,

   a signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility that is in suitably close proximity of a location of such response-generating device once the system is so in

   2s use and that is arranged to enable a system user to send a signal to manipulate and a signal to deactivate the manipulation of the intended action of response generating device via such signal transmitting medium to the equipment side signal manipulating facility, and detection and verifying circuitry that interacts with the manipulation circuitry for detecting and verifying the functionality of the response-generating device.

   (19) A testing system as claimed in claim 18 in which the manipulation circuitry is in the form of circuitry for manipulating an instruction from a response-generating device that would otherwise have affected the functioning of such device-involved equipment once the system is in use. (20) A testing system as claimed in any one of claims 18 and 19 in which the manipulation circuitry is adapted to be be applied to wirelessly manipulate the intended action of a relevant response-generating device by way of the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility from in suitable close proximity of the response- generating device. (21) A testing system as claimed in claims 18 to 20 that also includes an information retrievable storage facility for retrievably storing information received from the detection and verifying circuitry. (22) A testing system as claimed in claim 21 in which the detection and verifying circuitry and the information retrievable storage facility form part of the equipment side signal manipulating facility. (23) A testing system as claimed in claims 18 to 22 in which the signalling and operator

   1s controllable communicating and reporting facility is arranged to also receive and display an alarm that the manipulation action on the intended action of the response-generating device has not been deactivated. (24) A testing system as claimed in claims 18 to 23 in which at least part of the equipment side signal manipulating facility is in the form of an equipment side controller and of the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility in the form of an operator involved controller both instances as appropriately set up and programmed for use of the system while the operator involved controller is interfaced by operator-controliable communicating and reporting means as configured to display at least one of activation of the manipulation action results and of the tests results.

   (25) A testing system as claimed in claim 24 in which the operator-controllable communicating and reporting means is in the form of a human machine interface. (26) A testing system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 25 in which the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility is arranged to also cancel a manipulating action on the intended action of a response-generating device consequently having the effect of taking all positive steps in running a test by way of the system from a location in suitably close proximity of a response-generating device.

   . } i

   (27) A testing system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 26 that is arranged to send signals in wireless mode by way of a wireless connection with the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility and the equipment side signal manipulating facility both incorporating appropriate serial to telecom units via which wireless signals are

   5s convertible to hardwired signals and vice versa. (28) A testing system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 27 in which the equipment side signal manipulating facility is in the form of an installable unit and the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility is in the form of a portable unit. (29) A testing system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 28 that is arranged to test the operation of a number of response generating devices each not necessarily testing the same aspect of effective functioning of the device-involved equipment by way of sending successive signals to manipulate each as associated with its appropriate response generating device, that at least result in the activation of the associated manipulation circuitry followed by the activation of the intended action of the response generating device under testing and the subsequent verification of its functionality with the finalization of the testing procedure in each case involving the cancellation of the manipulating action having the effect of returning the response generating device under testing to its operative state, in the case of receiving the signal to manipulate and instructing the manipulating action of the manipulation circuitry by way of the signal receiving, transmitting and processing facility including the signal receiving and processing controller, the procedure at least including the receipt of relevant identifier that has the effect of identifying and selecting the associated device- and manipulation circuitry from the signalling and operator controliable communicating and reporting facility via the signal receiving and processing controller that identify and select the device- and manipulation circuitry under test while, when the signalling and operator controllable communicating and reporting facility includes the operator involved controller as interfaced by operator controllable communicating and reporting means, the procedure at least including the sending of the identifier that has the effect of selecting the associated device- and manipulation circuitry as involved in the test and as received from the operator controllable communicating and reporting means, as well as the request to manipulate and subsequently the removal of manipulation, each as read from its appropriate input, by way of the operator involved controller.

   (30) A method of equipment non-interruptively testing the proper operation of one or more response-generating devices substantially as described with reference to t eh accompanying drawing. (31) A testing system for equipment non-interruptively testing the proper operation of one or more response generating devices substantially as described with reference to t eh accompanying drawing. (32) A method of equipment non-interruptively testing the proper operation of one or more response-generating devices whenevwer using the system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 29 or claim 31.

   APS van der Merwe Patent Agent for Applicant

   } } . }