Personal protective system tool communication adapter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9956118-B2
Application number	US-201515502071-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 11, 2015
Priority date	Sep 15, 2014
Publication date	May 1, 2018
Grant date	May 1, 2018

Abstract

A tool communication adapter system is provided. One exemplary system described herein includes a tool communication adapter having an adapter body including first and second mechanical attachment ends, a first electrical connector proximate the first mechanical attachment end and a second electrical connector proximate the second mechanical attachment end, a first supply channel having an opening extending through the body between the first and second mechanical attachment ends, and including a first supply channel connector at the first attachment end and a second supply channel connector at the second mechanical attachment end, and a control unit in communication with the first and second electrical connectors. The control unit is configured to provide a filter command signal to a protective filter in response to a signal received at the first electrical connector. An exemplary tool communication adapter thus allows communication between a tool and personal protective equipment.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tool communication adapter, comprising:
an adapter body having first and second mechanical attachment ends;
a first electrical connector proximate the first mechanical attachment end and a second electrical connector proximate the second mechanical attachment end;
a wire channel extending through the body between the first and second mechanical attachment ends and comprising a first wire channel connector at the first attachment end and a second wire channel connector at the second mechanical attachment end;
a first supply channel comprising an opening extending through the body between the first and second mechanical attachment ends, and comprising a first supply channel connector at the first attachment end and a second supply channel connector at the second mechanical attachment end, wherein the first supply channel comprises a gas supply channel;
a control unit in communication with the first and second electrical connectors;
wherein the control unit is configured to provide a filter command signal to a protective filter in response to a signal received at the first electrical connector; and
the control unit is positioned in the tool communication adapter body.

2. The tool communication adapter system of claim 1 , further comprising a second supply channel.

3. The tool communication adapter system of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to selectively electrically connect the first and second electrical connectors.

4. The tool communication adapter system of claim 1 , further comprising a protective filter moveable movable between a closed position and an open position in response to the filter command signal.

5. The tool communication adapter system of claim 4 , wherein the protective filter generates a closed return signal when moved to the closed position.

6. The tool communication adapter system of claim 5 , wherein the first and second electrical connectors are electrically connected after the control unit receives the closed return signal.

7. The tool communication adapter system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second mechanical attachment ends comprise threads.

8. The tool communication adapter system of claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises a microcontroller configured to detect a tool activation signal.

9. The tool communication adapter system of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical conductor extending between the first and second mechanical attachment ends.

10. The tool communication adapter system of claim 9 , wherein the body forms the electrical conductor.

11. A system, comprising:
a tool comprising a user input configured to generate a tool activation signal;
a tool power controller configured to provide power to the tool in response to the user input;
a tool communication adapter attachable between the tool and the tool power controller and comprising:
an adapter body having first and second mechanical attachment ends and first and second electrical connectors proximate the first and second mechanical attachment ends;
a wire channel extending through the body between the first and second mechanical attachment ends and comprising a first wire channel connector at the first attachment end and a second wire channel connector at the second mechanical attachment end;
a gas supply tube extending through the body between the first and second mechanical attachment ends and comprising a first gas supply tube connector at the first attachment end and a second gas supply tube connector at the second mechanical attachment end; and
a control unit in communication with the first and second electrical connectors; and
a protective filter movable between a closed position and an open position in response to a filter command signal;
wherein the control unit is configured to provide a closed filter command signal to the protective filter in response to the tool activation signal; and
wherein the control unit is positioned in the tool communication adapter body.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the protective filter generates a closed return signal when moved to the closed position.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the tool power controller is configured to supply power to the tool when the protective filter generates a closed signal.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the protective filter generates an open return signal when moved to the open position.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the user input further comprises a tool deactivation signal, and the control unit provides an open command signal to the protective filter in response to the tool deactivation signal.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the control unit is electrically coupled to the communication adapter body.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the control unit comprises a microcontroller configured to detect a tool activation signal.

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Co

Inventors

• Sernfalt Mats U

Classifications

• F16P3/00

  Safety devices acting in conjunction with the control or operation of a machine; Control arrangements requiring the simultaneous use of two or more parts of the body (F16P5/00 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61F9/064 Primary

  with two windows, one for viewing and one for use during the welding process · CPC title

• A61F9/061

  with movable shutters, e.g. filter discs; Actuating means therefor · CPC title

• A61F9/06 Primary

  Masks, shields or hoods for welders · CPC title

• G08C17/02

  using a radio link · CPC title