Reel monitor devices and methods of using the same

• Main Authors: Petersen, Mark W, Witz, Brian S, McGirr, Jr., John J, Gilmet, Lance G, Gary, James M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.06.2002

The present invention relates to devices and methods for monitoring a rotatable reel for the winding and unwinding of elongated material, for example, a cable, and more particularly, to a device and method for monitoring an area adjacent to the reel. The present invention includes systems and methods for monitoring the spooling area of a rotatable reel for winding or unwinding an elongated material, for example, a cable. The monitoring system has a detector for sensing the presence and position of a cable surface or object or operator positioned between the detector and the reel. The detector can control rotation of the reel directly, or send a position signal to a computer where the position signal indicates the detected presence and/or position. The computer can have a memory and/or a processor for respectively storing and analyzing the position signal. The computer is operative to compare the position signal to previously received position signals to determine a condition, for example, the amount of cable on the reel, the presence of any object, and/or the existence of a safety-threatening condition. The computer can generate an output signal for use in, for example, controlling the reel speed and/or torque, or the application of brakes.