公开(公告)号：US20220137255A1

公开(公告)日：2022-05-05

申请号：US17452723

申请日：2021-10-28

Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.

Inventor： David S. Anderson ,  Jeff Bromen ,  Ashley Wise

IPC: G01V8/12 ,  G08C23/04

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to pairing a receiver with an emitter based on a presence of an amplitude of a spectral profile at at least one predetermined frequency. In an illustrative example, a receiver may receive, from the emitter, an emitted optical signal modulated by the at least one predetermined frequency. A receiver may, for example, generate a digital signal corresponding to the optical signal received. A controller may, for example, generate the spectral profile from the digital signal. The controller may, for example, apply a predetermined threshold to the spectral profile. The controller may, for example, generate an output signal based on the presence of the amplitude of the spectral profile above the first predetermined threshold at the at least one predetermined frequency. Various embodiments may advantageously discriminate a corresponding emitter to establish an optical source-to-detector-link, for example, in the presence of other emitters and/or optically noisy environments.

公开(公告)号：US11222524B2

公开(公告)日：2022-01-11

申请号：US16436663

申请日：2019-06-10

Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.

Inventor： Tom McMonagle

IPC: G08C17/02 ,  G08C23/04 ,  F16P3/00

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to dual safety touch button systems for generating machine operation commands, according to predetermined safety guidelines, from status information received via an intercommunications link (ICL) operably connecting the dual safety touch buttons (STBs). In an illustrative example, each of a pair of STBs includes a processor configured to receive, via an intercommunications link port, status information from the other STB. In response to the received information and predetermined safety guidelines, the STBs may generate machine operation commands that operate a pair of relay switches. In some embodiments, each STB may be activated within a substantially simultaneous period (e.g., less than 0.5 seconds) to actuate corresponding relay switches for operating a potentially dangerous machine.

公开(公告)号：US11099295B2

公开(公告)日：2021-08-24

申请号：US16354900

申请日：2019-03-15

Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.

Inventor： Eric K. Lindmark ,  Dennis R. Luer

IPC: G01V8/14

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system having a transmitter and a receiver, and at least one aperture module configured to modify a nominal field of view (FOV) of the transmitter and/or receiver, such that an overlap between the transmitter and receiver FOVs is controlled. In an illustrative example, the aperture module may be a plate having respective receiver and transmitter apertures. The transmitter and/or receiver apertures may be aligned or slightly offset from respective transmitter and receiver optical axes. The transmitter and/or receiver apertures may have a specific size/shape/position that produces a custom predetermined FOV overlap. At least one registration/alignment pin may extend through the aperture plate, a baffle, and a lens module to control orientation. The photoelectric sensor system may advantageously (1) be more resistant to the “white card effect,” (2) increase maximum sensor range, and (3) control the shape/size/overlap of the FOVs.

公开(公告)号：US20210063539A1

公开(公告)日：2021-03-04

申请号：US16556721

申请日：2019-08-30

Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.

Inventor： Timothy S. Gardner ,  Ilija Milosevic ,  Darin Dewayne Wampler ,  Jeremy Eickhoff

IPC: G01S7/481 ,  G01S17/48 ,  G01J1/02 ,  G02B7/02 ,  G01J1/04

Abstract: A sensor device has a metal sensor housing with a housing base coupled to a frame base of a metal optical frame. A device mounting plate is orthogonal to the frame base. A securing device secures an optical communication device to the device mounting plate. A barrel mounting channel has first and second sidewalls, each extending obliquely to the frame base and defining a linear translation pathway along the frame base for a metal lens barrel. A fastener secures the metal lens barrel to the first and second sidewalls. A glass lens is in contact with three protrusions extending outward from an inner annular surface of the lens barrel. The optical communication device is configured to be in optical communication with the lens and is secured in a particular position in a translation plane mutually defined by the device mounting plate and the optical communication device.

公开(公告)号：US10783758B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-22

申请号：US16447332

申请日：2019-06-20

Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.

Inventor： Robert T. Fayfield

IPC: G08B5/36 ,  G08B21/18

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a tower light assembly having an output indicator responsive to an onboard sensor in accordance with a predetermined environmental parameter threshold. In an illustrative example, an augmented sensing tower light assembly (ASTLA) may include a light tower assembly having a controller configured to receive status data from monitored equipment. The controller may further receive environmental data from the onboard sensor. In response to the received status data and the received environmental data, the controller may actuate the output indicator in accordance with one or more predetermined criteria. Advantageously, the ASTLA may provide supplemental low-cost sensing capability.

公开(公告)号：US20180284321A1

公开(公告)日：2018-10-04

申请号：US15472068

申请日：2017-03-28

Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.

Inventor： Eric Lindmark ,  Paul D. Bratton ,  Dennis John Smith ,  Neal A. Schumacher

IPC: G01V8/22

CPC classification number: G01V8/22

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system with a primary photo-detector to receive an on-axis return reflected by a retro-reflective target, and a monitor photo-detector to detect off-axis light indicative of a diffuse reflective object blocking the optical path between an emitter and the retro-reflective target. In an illustrative example, the optical path may include a coaxial transceiver module that includes a beam splitter mirror to redirect the optical path. In some embodiments, a bifurcated lens may provide, for example, a lateral offset of the emitter axis through one lens, and the return axis through an adjacent parallel lens. The second photo-detector may provide, for example, an array of one or more detection surfaces to detect off-axis light associated with a diffuse reflective object, such as a white card, for example.

公开(公告)号：US09761113B1

公开(公告)日：2017-09-12

申请号：US15215332

申请日：2016-07-20

Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.

Inventor： Matthew Gelineau ,  Curtis Rosenow

IPC: G08B21/22 ,  G08B21/18 ,  G01V8/22

CPC classification number: G08B21/22 ,  F16P3/144 ,  G01V8/22 ,  G08B21/182

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a light curtain protection system having a passive optical module arranged to receive, from an active optical module, a light signal such that a reflector reflects, through a polarization control module, the light signal to be received by a receiver in the active optical module. In an illustrative example, the polarization control module includes a half-wave plate aligned with the reflector to impart a first predetermined polarization to the reflected light signal such that the reflected light signal corresponds to a second predetermined polarization when received by the receiver. The polarization control module includes optical elements, such as, for example, a linear polarizer, to receive the reflected light such that the optical elements polarizes the received reflected light signal to correspond to a predetermined polarization. In some examples, the light curtain protection system may advantageously require operating power only for the active optical module.

公开(公告)号：US20160148509A1

公开(公告)日：2016-05-26

申请号：US15013869

申请日：2016-02-02

Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.

Inventor： Robert T. Fayfield ,  Roman York Marjamaa

IPC: G08G1/14 ,  G06F1/32

CPC classification number: G08G1/142 ,  G06F1/3206 ,  G08G1/146

Abstract: Indicator light devices are useful in many applications for indicating properties of physical spaces respectively associated therewith and in physical proximity thereto. The indicator light devices are network-enabled and self-powered, and capable of participating in coordinated power-managed operation to provide a sufficient service life and lower installation and replacement costs. The indicator light devices may be used with or without associated sensors. The various embodiments described herein use various power management techniques singly or in combination to greatly increase the service life of self-power indicator light devices without diminishing their effectiveness in the application. These techniques include operating only the indicator light devices associated with the physical spaces having properties of interest, operating the indicator light devices with synchronized flashing, operating the indicator light devices in accordance with the detection of specific conditions, relevant time operation, in-vicinity activation, and ambient light responsiveness.

Abstract translation: 指示灯装置在许多应用中可用于指示分别与其相关联的物理空间的物理空间以及物理空间的物理空间。 指示灯设备是网络启用和自供电的，能够参与协调的电力管理操作，以提供足够的使用寿命并降低安装和更换成本。 指示灯设备可以与或不与相关联的传感器一起使用。 本文描述的各种实施例单独地或组合地使用各种功率管理技术来大大增加自身指示灯设备的使用寿命，而不会降低其在应用中的有效性。 这些技术包括仅操作与具有感兴趣性质的物理空间相关联的指示灯装置，以同步闪烁操作指示灯装置，根据特定条件的检测，相关时间操作，附近激活来操作指示灯装置 ，以及环境光响应性。

公开(公告)号：US12287256B2

公开(公告)日：2025-04-29

申请号：US18146315

申请日：2022-12-23

Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.

Inventor： Robert T. Fayfield ,  Ryan Kornetzke

IPC: G01M13/045 ,  G01H1/00 ,  G05B23/02

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a vibrational sensing system (VSS) including an accelerometer and a data processor, which determines an “operational state” of a mechanical drive unit, the processor further employing the “operational state” to gate learning of long-term vibrational data to exclude collection of non-operational data, the long-term data collected to calculate alarm thresholds. For example, vibrations from a target motor are sensed by a coupled accelerometer. Vibrational data from the accelerometer is fed into a data processor which determines the operational state of the motor. The operational state (e.g., on/off indication) may gate data collection such that data is only acquired during on-time, which may advantageously create accurate baselines from which alarm thresholds may be generated, and nuisance alarms may be avoided.

公开(公告)号：US12242012B2

公开(公告)日：2025-03-04

申请号：US17812925

申请日：2022-07-15

Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.

Inventor： Matthew Michael Gelineau ,  John Klesk

IPC: G01V13/00 ,  F16P3/14 ,  G01V8/20 ,  G08B21/18

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an alignment system including an alignment source module (ASM) and an alignment indicator module (AIM) configured to be releasably coupled to a first unit and a second unit, respectively, of a pair of optoelectronic arrays. In an illustrative example, the ASM may be oriented, when coupled, to emit an optical beam in substantial alignment with a first optical axis of the first unit. The AIM may, for example, be configured, when coupled, to provide a visible indication when the optical beam is within a predetermined near-alignment orientation range relative to a second optical axis of the second unit. Each of the AIM and the ASM may, for example, be configured to axially couple along respective longitudinal axes of the first unit and the second. Various embodiments may advantageously facilitate manipulation of the pair of optoelectronic arrays into near alignment with each other.