1. A method for checking a magnetically bistable solenoid valve having two defined ends of movement and a valve piston moved in dependence on valve activation to open and close the valve, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a magnetically bistable solenoid valve including at least a first coil and a second coil and at least one magnetized component;
inducing an induction voltage in one of the first coil or the second coil of the valve upon a movement of the valve piston through a magnetic field produced by the magnetized component while the other one of the first coil and the second coil is energized;
acquiring a reference point representing a point in time at which the energization of said other one of the first coil and the second coil starts;
while said other one of the first coil and the second coil is energized during the current activation cycle, determining a point in time at which a particular characteristic pattern occurs in the induction voltage induced in said one of the first coil and the second coil by movement of the valve piston in the valve towards a one of the two defined ends of movement proximal to the energized said other one of the first coil and the second coil, the point representing an end of a movement process of the valve piston in the valve;
determining a current response time as a function of the point and the reference point;
determining at least one error condition as a function of the current response time; and
identifying an error, when the at least one error condition is satisfied.
2. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises satisfying the at least one error condition if the current response time is greater than a predetermined first threshold value.
3. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises:
determining a current sliding mean value in dependence on the current response time and a predetermined number of activation cycles before a respective response time; and
satisfying the at least one error condition if a sum of a difference between the current response time and the current sliding mean value or a sliding mean value determined for a previous activation cycle is greater than a predetermined second threshold value.
4. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises:
determining a current sliding mean value in dependence on the current response time and a predetermined number of activation cycles before a respective response time;
storing the current sliding mean value;
determining a variable as a function of the current sliding mean value and at least one already previously stored sliding mean value, the variable being representative of a current rate of change of the current sliding mean value; and
satisfying the at least one error condition if the variable is greater than a predetermined third threshold value.
5. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises identifying the error only in each instance, when the at least one error condition is satisfied within a predetermined maximum error interval for at least one predetermined error number.
6. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises performing the method when predetermined operating conditions of the valve prevail.
7. The method according to claim 4, which further comprises correcting the current response time or the current sliding mean value in dependence on currently prevailing operating conditions of the valve.
8. A method for checking a magnetically bistable solenoid valve having two defined ends of movement, and a valve piston moved in dependence on valve activation to open and close the valve, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a magnetically bistable solenoid valve including at least a first coil and a second coil and at least one magnetized component;
energizing the first coil to move the valve piston through a magnetic field produced by the magnetized component towards the energized first coil, thus inducing an induction voltage in the second coil;
acquiring a reference point indicating a point in time at which the energization of the first coil started;
while the first coil is energized, determining a point in time at which a particular characteristic pattern occurs in the induction voltage induced in the second coil by movement of the valve piston through the magnetic field towards the energized first coil, the point representing an end of a movement process of the valve piston in the valve;
determining a current response time as a function of the time between the point and the reference point; and
determining at least one error condition as a function of the current response time.
9. The method according to claim 8, which further comprises satisfying the at least one error condition if the current response time is greater than a predetermined first threshold value.
10. The method according to claim 8, which further comprises:
determining a current sliding mean value in dependence on the current response time and a predetermined number of activation cycles before a respective response time; and
satisfying the at least one error condition if a sum of a difference between the current response time and the current sliding mean value or a sliding mean value determined for a previous activation cycle is greater than a predetermined second threshold value.
11. The method according to claim 8, which further comprises:
determining a current sliding mean value in dependence on the current response time and a predetermined number of activation cycles before a respective response time;
storing the current sliding mean value;
determining a variable as a function of the current sliding mean value and at least one already previously stored sliding mean value, the variable being representative of a current rate of change of the current sliding mean value; and
satisfying the at least one error condition if the variable is greater than a predetermined third threshold value.
12. The method according to claim 8, which further comprises identifying the error only in each instance, when the at least one error condition is satisfied within a predetermined maximum error interval for at least one predetermined error number.
13. The method according to claim 8, which further comprises performing the method when predetermined operating conditions of the valve prevail.
14. The method according to claim 11, which further comprises correcting the current response time or the current sliding mean value in dependence on currently prevailing operating conditions of the valve.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A room partitioning system for a firefighter training building comprising:
a first track, wherein the first track includes a first bottom wall having first and second opposing outer edges, and a first sidewall extending upward and having top and bottom ends, wherein the bottom end is attached to the first bottom wall;
a second track configured for slidable engagement with the first track, wherein the second track includes a second bottom wall, second and third sidewalls extending upward from the second bottom wall, and a flange member attached to the second sidewall and extending inward above the second bottom wall from the second sidewall toward the third sidewall, wherein during slidable engagement of the second track with the first track, the second sidewall is disposed adjacent to, and extends upward above, the first outer edge of the first bottom wall, the third sidewall is disposed adjacent to, and extends upward above, the second outer edge of the first bottom wall, and the flange member is disposed over the top of the first sidewall.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first sidewall is attached to the first bottom wall at the first outer edge of the first bottom wall.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flange member is angled downward from horizontal.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the third sidewall is shorter than the second sidewall.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first sidewall is disposed between the second sidewall and the flange member during slidable engagement of the second track with the first track.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a movable wall attached to the second track.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the first track is configured to be attached to a structure disposed above the movable wall.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a locking device, wherein activation of the locking device forces the second bottom wall of the second track upward toward the first bottom wall of the first track.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the locking device is a pressure device.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a locking device, wherein deactivation of the locking device allows the movable wall to slide along the first track and activation of the locking device prohibits the movable wall from sliding along the first track.
11. A room partitioning system for a firefighter training building comprising:
a first track having a bottom wall and a first upwardly directed sidewall;
a movable wall; and
a second track attached to the movable wall and configured for slidable engagement with the first track, wherein the second track includes a second upwardly directed sidewall and a third upwardly directed sidewall shorter than the second upwardly directed sidewall, wherein the bottom wall is disposed between the second and third upwardly directed sidewalls during slidable engagement of the second track with the first track such that the second track can be disengaged from the first track only when the second track is tilted at an angle relative to the first track.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first upwardly directed sidewall includes a top end and the second track includes a flange member attached to the second sidewall, wherein during slidable engagement of the second track with the first track, the flange member is disposed over the top end of the first upwardly directed sidewall.
13. A room partitioning system for a firefighter training building comprising:
a first track having a first upwardly directed channel;
a second track configured for slidable engagement with the first track wherein the second track includes a second upwardly directed channel, wherein during slidable engagement of the second track with the first track, the first channel is disposed in the second channel; and
a movable wall attached to the second track.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the second track further includes an inwardly directed flange member disposed such that during slidable engagement of the second track with the first track, the flange member extends from the second channel over the first channel.
15. A firefighter training apparatus comprising:
a training building, wherein the training building is specially designed for the purpose of training firefighters;
a movable wall disposed inside of the training building wherein the wall can be moved to change the floor plan of the training building;
a first track mounted in the training building, wherein the first track includes a first bottom wall having first and second opposing outer edges, and a first sidewall extending upward and having top and bottom ends, wherein the bottom end is attached to the first bottom wall; and
a second track attached to the movable wall and configured for slidable engagement with the first track, wherein the second track includes a second bottom wall, second and third sidewalls extending upward from the second bottom wall, and
a flange member attached to the second sidewall and extending inward above the second bottom wall from the second sidewall toward the third sidewall, wherein during slidable engagement of the second track with the first track, the second sidewall is disposed adjacent to, and extends upward above, the first outer edge of the first bottom wall, the third sidewall is disposed adjacent to, and extends upward above, the second outer edge of the first bottom wall, and the flange member is disposed over the top of the first sidewall.
16. A firefighter training apparatus comprising:
a training building including a floor and a ceiling, wherein the training building is specially designed for the purpose of training firefighters;
a movable wall including a locking device and disposed inside of the training building, wherein the wall can be moved to change the floor plan of the training building, and further wherein activation of the locking device locks the movable wall between the floor and the ceiling;
a first track mounted in the training building, wherein the first track includes a first bottom wall having first and second opposing outer edges, and a first sidewall extending upward and having top and bottom ends, wherein the bottom end is attached to the first bottom wall; and
a second track attached to the movable wall and configured for slidable engagement with the first track, wherein the second track includes a second bottom wall, second and third sidewalls extending upward from the second bottom wall, and
a flange member attached to the second sidewall and extending inward above the second bottom wall from the second sidewall toward the third sidewall, wherein during slidable engagement of the second track with the first track, the second sidewall is disposed adjacent to, and extends upward above, the first outer edge of the first bottom wall, the third sidewall is disposed adjacent to, and extends upward above, the second outer edge of the first bottom wall, and the flange member is disposed over the top of the first sidewall.
17. A firefighter training apparatus comprising:
a training building, wherein the training building is specially designed for the purpose of training firefighters;
a movable wall disposed inside of the training building, wherein the movable wall includes a top and a bottom and further includes a locking device, wherein the wall can be moved to change the floor plan of the training building, and further wherein activation of the locking device secures the wall both at the top and at the bottom;
a first track mounted in the training building, wherein the first track includes a first bottom wall having first and second opposing outer edges, and a first sidewall extending upward and having top and bottom ends, wherein the bottom end is attached to the first bottom wall;
a second track attached to the movable wall and configured for slidable engagement with the first track, wherein the second track includes a second bottom wall, second and third sidewalls extending upward from the second bottom wall, and
a flange member attached to the second sidewall and extending inward above the second bottom wall from the second sidewall toward the third sidewall, wherein during slidable engagement of the second track with the first track, the second sidewall is disposed adjacent to, and extends upward above, the first outer edge of the first bottom wall, the third sidewall is disposed adjacent to, and extends upward above, the second outer edge of the first bottom wall, and the flange member is disposed over the top of the first sidewall.
18. A room partitioning system for a firefighter training building comprising:
a first track having a first channel;
a second track configured for slidable engagement with the first track, wherein the second track includes a second channel, wherein during slidable engagement of the second track with the first track, the first channel is disposed in the second channel, and further wherein the second channel is defined by a bottom wall, a first sidewall and a second sidewall, wherein the second sidewall is shorter than the first sidewall; and
a movable wall attached to the second track.
19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first sidewall is attached to the first bottom wall at the first outer edge of the first bottom wall.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the flange member is directed downward.
21. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the third sidewall is shorter than the second sidewall.
22. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first sidewall is disposed adjacent to the second sidewall and underneath the flange member during slidable engagement of the second track with the first track.
23. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the training building is non-movable.
24. An apparatus comprising:
a building;
a movable wall disposed inside of the building wherein the movable wall can be moved to change the floor plan of the building;
a first track mounted in the building, wherein the first track includes a first upwardly directed channel; and
a second track attached to the movable wall and configured for engagement with the first track, wherein the second track includes a second upwardly directed channel, wherein during engagement of the second track with the first track, the first channel is disposed in the second channel.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the second track further includes an inwardly directed flange member disposed such that during engagement of the second track with the first track, the flange member extends from the second channel over the first channel.
26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the inwardly directed flange member is angled downward.
27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the second track is configured for removal from the first track without the use of tools.
28. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the movable wall is comprised of a plurality of individual movable wall panels.
29. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the wall is movable to a first position defining a first floor plan, and further wherein the movable wall is configured to be locked in the first position.
30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the apparatus further includes a locking device, wherein activation of the locking device locks the movable wall in the first position.
31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the locking device is a pressure device.
32. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the locking device is disposed near the bottom of the movable wall.
33. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the building includes a floor and a ceiling and the movable wall is configured to be secured between the floor and the ceiling.
34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the apparatus includes a locking device, wherein activation of the locking device secures the movable wall between the floor and the ceiling.
35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the locking device is a compression device.
36. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein after activation, the locking device is disposed between the movable wall and the floor.
37. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the building is a training building specially designed for the purpose of training firefighters.
38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the building further includes a live fire burn room.
39. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the second track is configured for slidable engagement with the first track.
40. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the second track is configured for hanging engagement with the first track.
41. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the building is non-movable.
42. An apparatus comprising:
a building;
a movable wall disposed inside of the building wherein the movable wall can be moved to. change the floor plan of the building;
a first track mounted in the building and having a first channel;
a second track attached to the movable wall and configured for engagement with the first track, wherein the second track includes a second channel, wherein during engagement of the second track with the first track, the first channel is disposed in the second channel, and further wherein the second channel is defined by a bottom wall, a first sidewall and a second sidewall, wherein the second sidewall is shorter than the first sidewall.
43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the second track further includes an inwardly directed flange member disposed such that during engagement of the second track with the first track, the flange member extends from the second channel over the first channel.
44. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the first track includes a third upwardly directed sidewall having a top end and the second track includes a flange member attached to the first sidewall, wherein the flange member is disposed such that during engagement of the second track with the first track, the flange member is disposed over the top end of the third upwardly directed sidewall.
45. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the second track is configured for removal from the first track without the use of tools.
46. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the building is a training building specially designed for the purpose of training firefighters.
47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the building further includes a live fire burn room.
48. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the second track is configured for slidable engagement with the first track.
49. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the second track is configured for hanging engagement with the first track.
50. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the building is non-movable.