[0001] Invention applies to cargo sealing and can be used for locking and sealing of the
doors, containers, hatches of the tanks, handwheels of the hopper cars etc.
[0002] An electronic sealing devices is known which comprises casing, non-detachable cord,
irreversible fixing device located in the casing socket and interacting with the cord,
casing socket hosted cord sensor which records cord movements and interconnected electronic
microchip with data transmission element with special profiled washer which rotations
initiates cord movement signal (
RU, C1, Nº 2347053, 2009). The disadvantage of this device is its non-reusable nature.
[0003] The closiest to the claimed invention is electronic sealing module with a socket
for non-reusable seal with flexible enveloping element in form of cord where module
casing also hosts electronic unit with electronic components which provide control
functions, closing control, identification of location and movement parameters, information
receipt, processing, storage and transmission while electronic unit generates electromagnetic
pulse to be recorded by an external receiver (
RU, U1, Nº 125237,2013).
[0004] Disadvantage of this known method is low sealing security.
[0005] The purpose of the claimed invention is to improve the sealing security by using
online transmission of seal opening information.
[0006] These technical results are achieved in the first option by using an electronic seal
module comprising a socket for non-reusable seal with flexible enveloping element
in form of cord, with cut-through channels in the module casing for passing the seal
cord in its head and tail ends, with electronic unit and components which provide
control functions, track cord closing and opening, identify the module location and
movement parameters, receive, process, store and transfer information capable of optional
generation of electromagnetic signal to be recorded by an external receiver, in the
electronic unit with components which implement control functions, track seal closing,
identify the location and movement parameters, receive, process, store and transfer
information; the device that monitors cord closing and opening comprises a pulse generator
and a detector, a threshold device (analog-to-digital converter), an actuator and
a microprocessor connected in series; where the pulse generator and detector are coupled
with interconnected induction coils having ferrite toroids installed in the cut-through
channels in the head and tail of the casing.
[0007] Technical results under the second option are achieved by using an electronic seal
module comprising a socket for non-reusable seal with flexible enveloping element
in form of cord, with cut-through channels in the module casing for running the seal
cord in the head and tail part of the casing, with electronic unit and components
which provide control functions, track cord closing and opening, identify the module
location and movement parameters, receive, process, store and transfer information
capable of optional generation of electromagnetic signal to be recorded by an external
receiver, in the electronic unit with components which implement control functions,
track seal closing, identify the location and movement parameters, receive, process,
store and transfer information; the device that monitors cord closing and opening
comprises a pulse generator and a detector, a threshold device (analog-to-digital
converter), an actuator and a microprocessor connected in series; where the pulse
generator and detector are coupled with interconnected induction coils having ferrite
toroids installed in the cut-through channels.
[0008] Fig. 1 shows electronic module with mechanical seal hosted in the casing socket;
Fig. 2 shows electrical functional diagram of the cord status control of the seal
(closed / opened).
[0009] In the casing 1 of electronic sealing module there is socket 2 for installation of
commercial seal 3, as well as cut-through channels 4, 5 in the head part of the casing
1 intended for passage of flexible cord 6 of seal 3 and for forming its locking loop
in course of sealing process, and channel 7 in its tail end for passage of passive
end of cord 6.
[0010] Casing of electronic module assembly comprises casing 1 with cover 8 of the power
supply section and cover 9 of the module. Cover 8 of the power supply section is installed
on casing 1 with gasket sealing (not shown). Mechanical fixture elements for cover
8 on casing 1 are hosed inside casing 1.
[0011] Module cover 9 is installed on casing 1 with sealing gasket (not shown) and mechanically
fixed on the casing 1 with screws (not shown), screw heads are on the inner surface
of socket 2 beneath the casing of mechanical seal device 3.
[0012] Inside electronic module casing 1, there is an electronic unit with components which
ensure following functions: identification of module location coordinates, receipt,
processing, storage and transfer of information about movements of electronic module
with built-in mechanical seal device 3 and about current status of cord 6 of seal
3 (closed/open).
[0013] Electronic module generates signal to be recorded by an external receiver followed
by information transmission to a control and monitoring center (situation center)
and to cargo forwarding and delivery points.
[0014] Monitoring the status of the cord 6 of seal 3 during sealed cargo transportation
is performed by cord 6 monitoring unit, which comprises a generator of signal pulses
with exponential front and back edges and with series arrangement of detector 10,
threshold device 11 made in form of analog-to-digital converter, actuator 12 and microprocessor
13.
[0015] Cut-through channels of casing 1 of electronic module host induction coils 14 and
15 wound around ferrite toroid and installed coaxially to channels 4, 5. Coils 14,
15 can be placed in each of channels 14 and 15 or in any of them.
[0016] Scheme showing installation of seal 3 in the socket of casing 1 as well as arrangement
of mechanical fixture of covers 8 and 9 on the cover 1 of electronic module allows
preventing any unauthorized opening of cover without opening (breaking) of the loop
of cord 6 of seal 3. Concurrently this inhibits (prevents) maleficent access to the
seal mechanism of seal 3 through design gaps between cord 6 and casing of seal as
well as to the place of cord bedding point on the casing of seal 3.
[0017] Following command of microprocessor (controller) 12 pulse signal generator 16 sends
signal to the induction coil 15 which via electromagnetic induction triggers secondary
signal on the induction coil 14, parameters of secondary signal will depend upon closed
or open loop of the current-conducting cord 6 of the seal 3 inside the cores of inductively-coupled
coils 14 and 15 (shortened turn), as well as upon dimensions and form of the closed
loop.
[0018] Further this signal will be transformed (rectified) by detector 10 and passed through
threshold device 11 in form of analog-to-digital converter comes to actuator 12 which
analyzes signal parameters in accordance with various criteria program. Results of
signal characteristics analysis make basis for making decision about current status
of cord 6 of the seal 3 ("open / closed / external tampering") in accordance with
program of microprocessor 13 and followed by data transfer to electronic module and
further to transmitter.
1. Electronic seal module with socket (2) for non-reusable seal (3) with flexible enveloping
element in form of a cord (6), with cut-through channels (4, 5 and 7) in the module
casing (1) for passing the seal cord (6) in its head and tail ends, with electronic
unit and components which provide control functions, track cord closing and opening,
identify the module location and movement parameters, receive, process, store and
transfer information, and capable of optional generation of electromagnetic signal
to be recorded by an external receiver characterized in that in the electronic unit with components which enable control functions, track seal
closing, identify the location and movement parameters, receiving, processing, storage
and transmission information, a device for monitoring cord closing and opening comprises
a pulse generator (16) and a detector (10), a threshold device (11), i.e. an analog-to-digital
converter, an actuator (12) and a microprocessor (13) connected in series; where pulse
generator (16) and detector (10) are coupled with interconnected induction coils (14
and 15) wound on ferrite core rings installed in the cut-through channels (4 or 5,
and 7) of the head and tail ends of the casing (1).
2. Electronic seal module with socket (2) for non-reusable seal (3) with flexible enveloping
element in form of cord (6), with cut-through channels (4, 5 and 7) in the module
casing for passing the seal cord in its head and tail ends, with electronic unit and
components which provide control functions, track cord closing and opening, identify
the module location and movement parameters, receive, process, store and transfer
information, and capable of optional generation of electromagnetic signal to be recorded
by an external receiver characterized in that in the electronic unit with components which enable control functions, closing control,
identification of location and movement parameters, receiving, processing, storage
and transmission infonnation, a device for monitoring cord closing and opening comprises
a pulse generator (16) and a detector (10), a threshold device (11), i.e. analog-to-digital
converter, an actuator (12) and a microprocessor (13) connected in series, where pulse
generator (16) and detector (10) are coupled with interconnected induction coils (14
and 15) wound on ferrite core rings installed with a clearance between them in one
of the cut-through channels (4, 5 or 7).