Arc flash head protective gear and method for operating thereof

Abstract

An arc flash protective headgear includes a transparent protective screen that is connected to an immobile frame part acting as supporting structure. A protective function for a foldable visor is ensured under all conditions, including in particular in the event of a power failure. The movable visor can be locked with respect to the immobile head protection part in at least one position by an electrically actuatable locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is automatically locked using a sensor and electronics module, the energy supply of which is provided by an energy store or energy generator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An arc flash protective headgear, comprising:
 an immobile head protection part ( 9 );   a movable visor ( 8 ) fastened in the immobile head protection part ( 9 );   a monitoring module with a position sensor ( 2 ) for monitoring a visor position;   a further monitoring module with a head presence sensor ( 6 ) and an indicator for monitoring whether the arc flash protective headgear is being worn;   an electrically actuatable locking mechanism ( 3 ) for locking the movable visor ( 8 ) with respect to the immobile head protection part ( 9 ) in at least one position,   a sensor and electronics module ( 1 ) for automatically actuating the electrically actuatable locking mechanism ( 3 ); and   an energy supply ( 4 ) being an energy store or an energy generator for supplying the sensor and electronics module ( 1 ).   
     
     
         2 . The arc flash protective headgear according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the sensor and electronics module ( 1 ) includes two separate modules that are integrated into the arc flash protective headgear.   
     
     
         3 . The arc flash protective headgear according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the sensor and electronics module ( 1 ) is integrated into a shared housing in the arc flash protective headgear.   
     
     
         4 . The arc flash protective headgear according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the two separate modules include an electronics module, and   wherein the electronics module is integrated into other parts of a protective equipment, outside of the arc flash protective headgear.   
     
     
         5 . The arc flash protective headgear according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein automatic locking and unlocking is effected by the electrically actuatable locking mechanism ( 3 ) with an electric motor, a linear motor, a magnetic switch/solenoid, a pneumatic system, or a hydraulic system.   
     
     
         6 . The arc flash protective headgear according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the head presence sensor ( 6 ) for ascertaining whether the arc flash protective headgear is being worn is a temperature sensor, a radar sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a presence sensor, a gas detection sensor, a distance measuring sensor, a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, a camera system with image recognition, or a combination of two or more thereof.   
     
     
         7 . The arc flash protective headgear according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the energy supply ( 4 ) comprises replaceable batteries, rechargeable accumulators, capacitors, or solar cells.   
     
     
         8 . A method for operating an arc flash protective headgear, comprising:
 providing the arc flash protective headgear with
 an immobile head protection part ( 9 ), 
 a movable visor ( 8 ) fastened in the immobile head protection part ( 9 ), 
 a monitoring module with a position sensor ( 2 ) for monitoring a visor position, 
 a further monitoring module with a head presence sensor ( 6 ) and an indicator for monitoring whether the arc flash protective headgear is being worn, 
 an electrically actuatable locking mechanism ( 3 ) for locking the movable visor ( 8 ) with respect to the immobile head protection part ( 9 ) in at least one position, 
 a sensor and electronics module ( 1 ) for automatically actuating the electrically actuatable locking mechanism ( 3 ), and 
 an energy supply ( 4 ) being an energy store or an energy generator for supplying the sensor and electronics module ( 1 ); 
   automatically locking, controlled by the sensor and electronics module ( 1 ), the movable visor ( 8 ) with respect to the immobile head protection part ( 9 ) by the electrically actuatable locking mechanism ( 3 ) if the head presence sensor ( 8 ) indicates by way of a signal that the arc flash protective headgear is not being worn and/or before the energy supply ( 4 ) reaches a low or critical state of charge;   unlocking, or enabling unlocking, the movable visor ( 8 ) after a user activates or switches on the sensor and electronics module ( 1 ); and   informing the user by the electronics module via actuatable signal outputs ( 5 ) that the movable visor ( 8 ) is open.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising
 determining and evaluating a state of charge of the energy supply ( 4 ) via characteristic parameters of the energy store or energy generator selected from the group consisting of a battery voltage, an internal resistance, a discharge current, and pressure sensors.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the actuatable signal outputs ( 5 ) are a visual signal, an audible signal, a vibrotactile signal, or a structure-borne sound.