A SAFE SHUTDOWN DEVICE AND A METHOD OF CONTROLLABLY SHUTTING DOWN A SYSTEM

摘要

There is described a safe shutdown device and method, for example, for use with a vibration test system for testing automotive or aeronautical equipment by subjecting the equipment to shock and/or vibration testing. As the system and equipment are expensive it is important they are not damaged during testing. In the event of a fault occurring uncontrolled energy dissipation can give rise to excessive forces being generated that exceed the specification of the equipment under test or the vibration test system itself. The invention achieves a safe shutdown of the test system by switching energy in a controlled manner and rate to an energy sink, thereby bringing about a rapid and safe arrest of the vibrating system and any associated dynamic parts. This is achieved by sensing a non-standard state in the system and controllably switching and diverting energy to a variable load so as to eliminate the risk of damaging the system or test equipment.