Abstract: A safety lock for a closing-off device which can be opened, has an actuating unit with an actuator which is guided in a displaceable manner, and has a locking unit into which the actuator, with the closing-off device closed, can be pushed and can be locked via an electromagnetically actuable, pivotable catch, by way of interengaging engagement surfaces, the actuator has a trigger element and the locking unit has a response element which, with the actuator pushed in, reacts to the trigger element by emitting an electric signal which triggers the locking action, in the case of which the catch can be pivoted about an axis extending parallel to the movement direction of the actuator, and the engagement surfaces of the catch and of the actuator run perpendicularly to the movement direction.

Abstract: A device with a safety circuit with an armature activated by a solenoid activates an electromagnet. The device has a switch connected in series to the solenoid, a device temporarily interrupting application of the voltage, first and second clock generators, first and second resistors, and a current detection switch. DC voltage is applied to the solenoid when the switch is closed. The voltage is interrupted when a predetermined current flowing through the solenoid is detected. The first clock generator actuates the switch during a predetermined first clock cycle. The detection switch detects current flowing through the solenoid. The first resistor, in conjunction with the response threshold of the current detection switch, determines the holding current for the armature. The second resistor generates an attraction current for the armature when activated by the second clock generator in a predetermined second clock cycle partially overlapping the first clock cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to the detection of the position of an object which can be moved along an acoustic-signal conductor of ferromagnetic material, in which an acoustic signal is incoupled in a clocked manner into the acoustic-signal conductor by means of a signal input coupler connected to a signal transmitter, extracted by means of a signal output coupler and the extracted signal is evaluated by an evaluating circuit for generating a signal representative of the instantaneous position of the object, wherein an opposite magnetic field for the magnetic field generated by the acoustic signal is incoupled in each case after the incouplion of the acoustic signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the position of an object moveable along a predetermined travel path. The apparatus includes an acoustic signal waveguide, a signal input coupler, at least one signal output coupler, and means for generating. The acoustic signal waveguide extends along the travel path and having a predetermined, uniform speed of propagation of sound. The signal input coupler is located on the moveable object, to couple a clocked acoustic signal into the acoustic signal waveguide. The at least one signal output coupler is arranged at one end of the acoustic signal waveguide and is connected to an evaluation unit for determining the propagation-time of the sound signal from a position at which it is coupled in to the at least one signal output coupler and for generating a signal representative of the instantaneous position of the moveable object on the travel path.

Abstract: A monitoring device for a protected area of a machinery installation, the area being accessible through at least one access opening which can be closed off by an element, such as a door, shutter, or the like, which is movable between an open position and a closed position. The monitoring device being arranged adjacent to the movable element and comprising a safety switch having a housing, an evaluation device, a movable element positionable between a closed and an open position, a coded release mechanism located on the movable element, and a read head for reading the coded release mechanism when the movable element is in the closed position. The safety switch being further provided with an actuator bearing a release mechanism, and which, in a locking position in the housing, locks the movable element in its closed position. The housing having a receiving space for the actuator such that the release mechanism is located adjacent to the read head when the actuator is in the locking position in the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for detecting the position of an object moveable along a predetermined travel path, comprising: an acoustic signal waveguide extending along the travel path and having a predetermined, uniform speed of propagation of sound; a signal input coupler located on the moveable object, to couple a clocked acoustic signal into the acoustic signal waveguide, at least one signal output coupler being arranged at one end of the acoustic signal waveguide and being connected to an evaluation unit for determining the propagation time of the sound signal from a position at which it is coupled in to the at least one signal output coupler and for generating a signal representative of the instantaneous position of the moveable object on the travel path, wherein the signal input coupler couples in, as acoustic signal, adjacent pulses having a varying time interval.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for detecting the position of an object moveable along a predetermined travel path, comprising: an acoustic signal waveguide extending along the travel path and having a predetermined, uniform speed of propagation of sound; a signal input coupler located on the moveable object, to couple a clocked acoustic signal into the acoustic signal waveguide, signal output couplers at both ends of the acoustic signal waveguide and each being connected to an evaluation unit for determining the propagation-time difference of the sound signal from a position at which it is coupled in to the signal output couplers and for generating a signal representative of the instantaneous position of the moveable object on the travel path, wherein a calibration signal input coupler connected to a calibration acoustic signal generator for a calibration acoustic signal is provided on one of the signal output couplers, the evaluation unit calculating a correction variable for subsequent determinat

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the position of a moveable object along a path such as a rail or a wire. The apparatus includes an acoustic signal conductor, a signal input coupler, and a signal extractor. The acoustic signal conductor extends along the travel path and has a predetermined, uniform speed at which sound is propagated. The signal input coupler is located on the moveable object to couple a clocked acoustic signal into the acoustic signal waveguide. The signal extractor is arranged at one end of the acoustic signal waveguide and is connected to an evaluation unit for determining the propagation-time of the sound signal from a position at which the sound signal is coupled to the signal extractor to accordingly generate a signal representative of the instantaneous position of the moveable object on the travel path. A sensor on the acoustic signal conductor is actuated by being passed over by the moveable object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring means for an area, which can be closed off by at least one door, of a mechanical installation, comprising a safety switch which is adjacent to the respective door and can be actuated by means of an elongate, key-like actuator. It is possible for the actuator to be brought into and out of engagement with the safety switch via two actuating handles which are respectively located on the outside and inside of the door and are coupled to one another by a pin. A control means is coupled to the mechanical installation and to the at least one safety switch for releasing and blocking the at least one safety switch. In this arrangement, the actuator, which can be displaced longitudinally in a guide of a covering by actuation of one of the actuating handles, has a rack section which is in engagement with a toothed-ring segment which is coupled to the pin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a field-bus connecting device having a motherboard which is arranged in an essentially square housing at the base and a plurality of modules which hold at least one connection element by means of a module mounting board, for connection to the motherboard, the housing having at the connection element end a plurality of receptacles for, in each case, one module and each module being detachably coupled to the motherboard by means of a connector arrangement which is plugged on to the motherboard, and the modules each comprise a module board which is connected to the respective module mounting board, is configured to correspond to the at least one connection element and couples the module to the motherboard by means of the connector arrangement, and the receptacles each have a receptacle space, open at the connection element end, for, in each case, one module with base-end openings for the connector arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contactless safety switch for detecting the shut position of a shutting part in relation to a closeable part, with a switch unit, supplied with current by an electrical supply source on one of the parts and with a trip arranged on the other part and comprising a magnet. In this case, the switch unit comprises a transmission circuit with a clock-signal generator and with a transmission coil, a receiver circuit connected to an evaluation unit and having at least one receiver coil and also a Hall sensor responding to the magnet, and the trip comprises a trip coil which is capable, in the shut position, of being excited inductively by the transmission coil and exciting the receiver coil, while, in the shut position, the evaluation unit triggers a clearance path when the Hall sensor is activated via the magnet.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator for a safety switch provided with at least one insertion slot with inclined insertion guides for the actuator, having a holder which can be fastened to a part whose open and closed positions are to be monitored, and which is fitted with the key mounted on it such that the said key can be moved, the key comprising a foot, and the holder being provided with a recess for the key on the side facing the key and with a bearing for the foot, the said bearing extending around the recess and allowing the foot to be displaced and rotated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pushbutton switch having a ring in which a spring-prestressed button is arranged such that it can be pushed in a predetermined actuating displacement. The button has a top side terminating flush with the top edge of the ring, and from at least one side of the ring parallel to the longitudinal axis of an actuating finger, the edge of the ring is reduced continuously in height substantially to the level of the actuating displacement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a three-phase electric motor which has been disconnected from the electrical mains and is running down, one phase of the voltage generated by the motor being checked respectively in each of two channels for zero crossings and, if a zero crossing occurs, a signal being produced which, after DC-decoupling, is used to control the operation of a safety device. The safety devices are mutually interlocked and control signals therefor are produced only when the period between zero-crossings detected in both channels indicates that the motor output shaft has ceased rotation.

Abstract: A safety switch device for monitoring the position of a protective cover, the cover being pivotable about an axis into and out of a closed position. The safety switch device includes a fixed position switch unit which houses at least a first electrical signal generator which will be switched between states in response to movement of the protective cover from the closed position, the signal generator being operated by an actuator which rotates about an axis. The switch device also includes a fastener element which is adjustably mountable to the protective cover and an articulated mechanical coupling which extends between the fastener element and the signal generator actuator, the coupling element being movable in at least two planes.

Abstract: The state of operability of a circuit having at least one group of condition responsive monitoring switches, the switches having first terminals connected to an input signal source and output terminals connected to an evaluation unit, is monitored by periodically interrupting the connection between at least one of the condition responsive switches of each group and the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit compares the change in potential at the output terminal of the one switch, resulting from the interruption, with the potential at the output terminal of another switch.

Abstract: A safety switch, operable by a removable coded actuator, is designed for mounting on a support surface in four different orientations. The switch has a substantially square cross-section and grooves or holes for receiving mounting fasteners extend across each side of the switch housing, the grooves being located in a common plane intermediate the ends of the housing.

Abstract: The operability of a plurality of sensors is monitored by periodically interrogating the sensors individually and evaluating the responses to the interrogation. The sensors are each connected to a two-conductor power supply bus via a signal processor and an interface. The information exchanged via the bus is in the form of binary coded signals generated by clocking the bus voltage.

Abstract: The position of an object which is moved along a prescribed path, for example an elevator cage, is continuously and accurately monitored by coupling an acoustic signal generator carried by the object to an acoustic signal conductor which extends along the path, the acoustic signal conductor being characterized by the velocity of sound propagation therealong being uniform and constant. The position of the object is calculated by processing signals generated by transducers located at the opposite ends of the acoustic signal conductor, the signal processing determining the delay between receipt of a sound signal originating at the object at the opposite ends of the conductor.

Abstract: A key operable electrical safety switch includes a housing and a switch operator that is operated by an actuator. A slot in the housing receives the actuator. A plurality of pin stacks, the stacks having axes that are parallel and perpendicular to the slot, are spring biased to extend into the slot. At least one of the pins engages the actuator to lock it in a fixed position relative to the housing. The actuator is released from the locked position, and displaced a predetermined stroke to actuate the switch operator and thereby change the state of the switch contacts, by a key. The key has a coded pattern of pin receiving holes corresponding to the locking pins to align the pins and release the actuator. The pins are correspondingly codeable.