Patent Description:
The applicant's co-pending and granted patents in the field of eddy current related devices include <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>. <CIT> in particular, describes a method of achieving a latch operation between elements the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. While the devices described in <CIT> may be useful, other methods of controlling relative movement and/or braking may also be achieved or at least provide the public with a choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus should become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

<CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> all disclose lifelines or fall arrest devices, in which a spool rotates relative to an external member. Pawl(s) on the spool couple with latches on the external member, when the pawls are thrown outwards of the spool by centrifugal force, above a predetermined speed.

Described herein is a system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using the system that govern a dynamic response between members causing a halt in relative motion between the members. Magnetic interactions, eddy current drag forces and centrifugal and/or inertial forces may provide various mechanisms of governing movement.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) according to claim <NUM>.

Preferred/optional features are set out in dependent claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, according to claim <NUM>, of use said Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL).

The system, method of use and SRL device described offer the advantage of providing alternative ways of achieving movement control or at least provide the public with a choice.

Further aspects of the system, method of use and SRL device will become apparent from the following description that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> refer to embodiments forming part of the claimed invention.

<FIG> and <FIG> refer to embodiments not forming part of the claimed invention.

As noted above, described herein is a system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using the system that govern a dynamic response between members causing a halt in relative motion between the members. Magnetic interactions, eddy current drag forces and centrifugal and/or inertial forces may provide various mechanisms of governing movement.

For the purposes of this specification, the term 'about' or 'approximately' and grammatical variations thereof mean a quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>% to a reference quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length.

The term 'substantially' or grammatical variations thereof refers to at least about <NUM>%, for example <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>%.

The term 'comprise' and grammatical variations thereof shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements.

The term 'jerk' or grammatical variations thereof refers to a change in acceleration, typically a rapid and sudden change in acceleration compared to normal operating parameters.

In a first aspect, there is provided a system with at least two members in a kinematic relationship, the system comprising a means of coupling a first member to at least one further member and in doing so causing synchronised relative motion between the members, wherein coupling occurs in response to a prescribed system dynamic response, the dynamic response selected from at least one of:.

The inventors have in effect produced a system relating to coupling members together based on the system dynamic response. The aim is to bring the members into synchronised motion under predetermined conditions.

Coupling between the members may be achieved:.

Coupling may occur passively and once coupled the members may be remain coupled or may be releasably coupled. Coupling may instead be achieved via an active means.

The synchronised motion may be a zero absolute velocity or halting effect. This effect for example may be useful where all motion needs to stop, for example in a fall safety apparatus.

Coupling may also be based on, or at least influenced by, eddy current induced drag. This is not essential in the inventors experience but may be useful to further tune the dynamic response characteristics.

According to the invention, coupling between the members can be achieved via mechanical coupling between at least one pawl linked to the first member, the pawl having an oscillatory movement action, and at least one latch member on, or being, the at least one further member, coupling occurring at a speed threshold according to the prescribed system dynamic response, wherein a bias relationship exists between the pawl and the latch member, the bias being achieved through use of at least one magnet arranged for attraction, repulsion, or alternating attraction and repulsion, of the pawl.

At least one magnetic element may be located on both the pawl and first member and when rotation of the pawl and first member occurs, a varying bias results and hence oscillatory pawl movement occurs. The pawl may be axially mounted on the first member and the pawl centre of gravity may be off set from the pawl axis of rotation thereby further influencing the oscillation effect.

As may be appreciated, the degree of oscillation of the pawl may be varied depending for example on the relative rates of motion of the first member and pawl (or first member and at least one further member.

The pawl dynamic response may be further tuned by varying the inertia of the pawl. As noted above, the centre of mass of the pawl may be off set from the pawl axis of rotation assuming the pawl is connected in this manner to the first member. A part or parts of the pawl may be weighted so as to tune the inertia of the pawl to movement thereby tuning the dynamic response of the system.

Coupling may be avoided by having the pawl skip over the latch member - that is the pawl may not be sufficiently deployed to interfere with the latch member. Skipping over may continue until the inertial effects of the pawl are overcome and the pawl deploys sufficiently far to couple with the latch member.

The degree of bias noted above causing oscillation may be configured to provide the desired dynamic response behaviour of the pawl.

The at least one further member may be configured with either or both of inertial characteristics and/or retarding drag due to motion such that it is subject to a slowed motion with respect to the first member when a motive force is applied on the system.

Movement of the at least one further member may cause coupling with a latch member on or about the first member, coupling at least one anchor on the at least one further member to the latch member.

As may be appreciated, coupling of the further member to the latch member also results in coupling indirectly between the first and further member.

In a further specific embodiment, coupling may rely on magnetic forces between the members wherein the magnetic forces between the members are configured to achieve an attraction force between the members, the attraction force being sufficient to slow and halt relative motion between the members resulting in synchronised relative motion according to the prescribed system dynamic response.

The magnetic forces may be imposed by magnetic pole elements acting between the members. For the purposes of this specification, magnetic pole action is termed 'cogging'. The cogging system may be designed in consideration of the dynamic behaviour of the connected system and any peripheral energy absorbing means such that the system achieves a stop and hold action under the intended conditions. The magnetic pole elements may be configured to be ineffective or inactive under predetermined conditions. Variation in magnetic pole action may for example be achieved by varying the separation distance between members or parts thereof containing the magnet or magnets thereby reducing the magnetic interaction forces.

The system above may be a continuously coupled system where an externally applied motive force results in initial movement of the members, but a slow and halt action takes effect immediately between the members provided the motive force is sufficient to induce the prescribed system dynamic response.

In a yet further specific embodiment, the members may be in a substantially rotational kinematic relationship and coupling between the members may be achieved via a centrifugal based system designed so that, on application of a motive force of a predetermined magnitude, the members couple together according to the prescribed system dynamic response.

The centrifugal forces acting on the members may be influenced by use of at least one weight or weighted element or part thereof.

The first and at least one further member may be aligned together and the centrifugal feature or features may be located between the first and at least one further member.

Velocity of the members may urge a displacement of the centrifugal feature or features which in turn urges the members to separate due to the centrifugal force imposed on the at least one further member.

Movement of the at least one further member may cause coupling with a latch member on or about the first member, coupling at least one anchor of the at least one further member to the latch member. As may be appreciated, coupling of the further member to the latch member also results in coupling indirectly between the first and further member.

As noted above, the dynamic response may be in one of three ways. In more detail, specific examples of how the three actions might take place may be as follows:.

As should be appreciated, the configuration may be varied and the above options should be seen as non-limiting examples only.

In a second aspect, there is provided a method of governing relative movement between members by the steps of:.

In a third aspect, there is provided a Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) incorporating the system substantially as described herein.

As noted above, the devices described is used in SRL devices. The ability to detect and activate a braking element is important for SRL apparatus.

Detection of a fall event is commonly triggered by a mechanism that responds to a change in state of the line. Mechanisms can potentially be triggered by the displacement, velocity, acceleration or jerk (rate of change of acceleration) of the line, or by a combination of these signals.

Existing SRLs commonly make use of velocity or acceleration mechanisms, typically using a ratchet and pawl arrangement to couple the spool to a brake. Either the ratchet plate or the pawl set can be attached to the rotating spool.

A linear configuration may comprise a means of sensing a change in acceleration (jerk) of a carrier (moving element). The carrier may be attached to a rider (braking element) of known mass with a given inertia. When a contact force is applied to the carrier the rider and carrier remain coupled and aligned. A change in the applied force to the carrier (jerk) causes the rider to slip relative to the carrier due to the inertial effects. The inertial effects may then be tracked through displacement between the rider and carrier. When the carrier acceleration changes, the relative displacement between the rider and carrier also changes.

The same principle may be used in a rotational sense. The rider may be free to rotate with the carrier. A change in angular acceleration applied to the carrier may be resolved as a relative angular displacement between the carrier and rider.

The system, method of use and SRL device described above offer the advantage of providing alternative ways of achieving movement control beyond for example reliance on centrifugal and/or eddy current forces alone. In addition, the relationship between the parts and the rate at which movement control occurs may also be influenced using the embodiments described herein.

The present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Alterations and/or modifications of the described embodiments are contemplated as being alternative forms of the invention as far as they do not depart from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The above described system, method of use and examples of Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using the devices are now described by reference to specific examples.

Working examples <NUM> and <NUM> refer to embodiments forming part of the claimed invention.

Working examples <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM> refer to embodiments not forming part of the claimed invention.

General examples are provided below of magnetic latching caused by movement of a braking element.

<FIG> illustrates an example of magnetic latching caused by movement of a pawl. Direct attractive forces exerted by permanent magnets <NUM> may be used to either augment or replace eddy current drag forces (if eddy current forces are used) as a means of activating a pawl <NUM> between the spool <NUM> (the first member) and a concentric external element <NUM> (the further member). When the pawl <NUM> is latched with the concentric external element <NUM>, movement between the spool <NUM> and concentric external element <NUM> is synchronised.

A bi-stable arrangement can be used in conjunction with a tube and cylinder (plunger) approach described in the applicants co-pending application <CIT>. In this example, as illustrated in <FIG>, a plunger <NUM> eddy current brake configuration is shown as a means of delaying the initial relative motion between the active brake element/plunger <NUM> and the lead screw <NUM> and/or to latch and lock the brake <NUM> at the end of the plunger axial travel stroke <NUM>, <NUM>. The output in terms of force/movement interaction is graphed in <FIG> showing how the force at either end of the plunger stroke <NUM>, <NUM> is high and subsequently drops through the travel phase of the plunger stroke <NUM>, <NUM> noting that the term force refers to the force required to translate the plunger sideways and movement is the lateral movement of the plunger.

In a further embodiment, a cogging example is illustrated in <FIG>. A cogging torque results from magnetic poles rotating with respect to each other generally indicated by arrow <NUM>. This results in a speed-dependent torque relationship best seen in the graphs shown in <FIG> where F refers to the force/degree of oscillation and o refers to the movement path that can enable low-speed lock-off of a brake that relies on eddy current braking (the highest latching force occurs at low speed).

<FIG> shows how the magnets <NUM> align at low speed thereby halting further movement. This embodiment allows a complete halt in relative movement between the parts but without part interference or friction - that is braking is frictionless.

<FIG> also illustrates a centrifugal embodiment. One of the members includes weighted balls that move along a defined path. At maximum rotation force, the balls move to alter the centre of gravity thereby changing the dynamic response of the system.

Magnetic latching of a braking element can also be configured about a rotational degree of freedom normal to the primary drive axis, in this example being the rotation axis <NUM> of the braking element <NUM> relative to the moving element <NUM> (a rotor). <FIG> illustrates three embodiments of this type of system. Also shown in the <FIG> embodiments is the use of a bias (magnets and/or springs) that further tune the dynamic response of the system.

Relative rotation between the moving and braking elements may also be further influenced by use of inertial or centrifugal forces resulting in differential velocity between the elements. In one embodiment, a differential velocity may be used to drive an axial displacement via a cam path <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Different profiles can be used to control ball movement and thus alter the centrifugal force acting on the parts and their movement characteristics.

The axial load required to maintain contact between the two halves in the embodiments shown in <FIG> may be generated by a spring force, a magnetic repulsive force or as a result of eddy current drag torque acting through the cam <NUM> angle. Additional detail on this force generation is shown in <FIG>.

Another arrangement that exploits the combination of cam geometry, inertial response and the eddy current drag force-speed relationship is shown in <FIG>.

As noted above, the ability to detect and activate a braking element is important for SRL apparatus.

An art velocity sensitive device can be configured using pawls (braking elements) <NUM> that are activated by centripetal forces acting against the constraint of a biasing element (spring) <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

An art acceleration sensitive device can make use of the inertial behaviour of the pawl <NUM> causing rotation of the pawl <NUM> about its pivot <NUM> in response to acceleration of the pawl <NUM> mounting plate. This approach is illustrated in <FIG>.

A jerk sensitive device can be configured by making use of the non-linear shear force capacity that exists between a pair of magnetic poles.

A linear configuration is illustrated in <FIG>. The configuration shows a means of sensing the change in acceleration (jerk) of a carrier. The carrier <NUM> is attached to a rider <NUM> of known mass with a given inertia. When a contact force is applied to the carrier <NUM> the rider <NUM> and carrier <NUM> remain coupled and aligned. A change in the applied force to the carrier <NUM> (jerk) causes the rider <NUM> to slip relative to the carrier <NUM> due to the inertial effects. The inertial effects may then be tracked through displacement 'd'. When the carrier <NUM> acceleration changes, the relative displacement between the rider <NUM> and carrier <NUM> changes.

Claim 1:
A Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) incorporating a system with a spool (<NUM>) and external member (<NUM>) in a rotational kinematic relationship, the system comprising a means of coupling (<NUM>) the spool (<NUM>) and external member (<NUM>) or at least one latch member on the external member (<NUM>) and, in doing so, causing synchronised relative motion between the spool (<NUM>) and external member (<NUM>), wherein coupling occurs in response to a prescribed system dynamic response, the dynamic response selected from at least one of:
(a) a particular velocity action of the spool (<NUM>) or external member (<NUM>);
(b) a particular acceleration action of the spool (<NUM>) or external member (<NUM>);
(c) a particular jerk action of the spool (<NUM>) or external member (<NUM>); and
wherein coupling between the spool (<NUM>) and external member (<NUM>) is achieved via mechanical and/or magnetic coupling between at least one pawl (<NUM>) linked to the spool (<NUM>), and the external member (<NUM>) or at least one latch member on the external member (<NUM>) , coupling occurring at a speed threshold according to the prescribed system dynamic response; characterised in that
at a predetermined speed, coupling occurs when the pawl (<NUM>) moves to a deployed position for a sufficient time period such that it couples with the external member (<NUM>) or at least one latch member on the external member (<NUM>);
and at speeds below the predetermined speed, a bias relationship between the pawl (<NUM>) and the external member (<NUM>), being achieved through use of at least one magnet (<NUM>) arranged for attraction, repulsion, or alternating attraction and repulsion, of the pawl (<NUM>), causes the pawl (<NUM>) to have an oscillatory movement action relative to the spool (<NUM>) and the pawl (<NUM>) does not couple.