System and method for mobile radiography deployment
Inventors
Spaeth, Michael R. • DiRisio, Anthony • O'Dea, Dennis J. • ALEXANDRE, Jean K.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11944475-B2
Publication Date
2024-04-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A mobile radiography system includes sensors to detect a tilt angle and or pitch angle of the system to prevent deployment of the extendable boom and/or column and/or prevent activation of a motor drive if the tilt angle or pitch angle exceeds a pre-set boundary.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a mobile radiography system that includes a wheeled base with wheels and a transport drive system, with a movable support arm and an x-ray assembly attached to the base for selective operation. The system uses an inclination detector to sense one or both of a tilt angle and a pitch angle of the mobile radiography system, and an electronic control system receives operator input to selectively operate the transport drive system.
A stored control program executable by the electronic control system receives the sensed tilt angle or pitch angle. When the received angle exceeds a pre-set threshold, the stored control program automatically performs safety actions, including automatically locking the wheels to prevent further movement and, in some implementations, disabling mobility and deployment components.
The safety responses include actions such as wheel locking and braking, powering down the transport drive system, and disabling or locking deployment components such as a telescoping boom and column/support-arm lock. The system is described for both undocked and docked configurations, with corresponding control logic for incline detection and corresponding safety actions.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims. Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on electronically sensing tilt and/or pitch angles, comparing them to a pre-set threshold, and automatically applying wheel and/or movement prevention actions based on the sensed condition.
Tilt and pitch sensing for mobile radiography safety locking
A mobile radiography system with a detector to sense either one or both of a tilt angle and a pitch angle; and a stored control program configured to automatically lock the wheels if the received tilt angle or pitch angle exceeds a pre-set threshold.
Wheel locking using sensed tilt/pitch in a steered mobile radiography system
A mobile radiography system on wheels including a base having a handle to steer the mobile radiography system to an intended imaging location; a detector to sense either one or both of a tilt angle and a pitch angle; and a stored control program configured to automatically lock at least one of the wheels to prevent further movement if the received tilt angle or pitch angle exceeds a pre-set threshold.
Electronically sensing pitch/tilt and preventing wheel turning
A method of operating a mobile radiography system including electronically sensing a pitch or a tilt angle of the wheeled base; and preventing the wheels of the base from turning in response to determining that the sensed pitch or tilt angle exceeds a pre-set threshold.
Collectively, the independent claims require sensing tilt and/or pitch angles of a wheeled mobile radiography system, comparing the sensed angle(s) to a pre-set threshold, and automatically preventing movement by locking wheels or preventing wheel turning to address unsafe incline conditions.
Stated Advantages
Automatically locks the wheels to prevent further movement when the tilt angle or pitch angle exceeds a pre-set threshold.
Prevents wheel turning in response to determining that the sensed pitch or tilt angle exceeds a pre-set threshold.
Automatically performs safety actions to prevent unsafe operation when the sensed tilt/pitch condition is exceeded, including actions affecting mobility and deployment components.
Documented Applications
Use in undocked versus docked configurations, with incline status control logic for corresponding safety actions based on sensed tilt/pitch.
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