Modular gas monitoring system

• US 10,324,073 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2016
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industrial Scientific Corporation (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Industrial Scientific Corporation (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: Belski, Timothy J., Brenstuhl, Rodney David, Futrell, Joshua Allen, Hughes, Charles Dennis, Mikulin, Thomas Michael, Suwalski, Henry J., Timco, Daniel James
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, Stephen M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Reddington, Patricia D
• Application Number:
  US14/996,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20160209386A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,250 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0063 using a threshold to release an alarm or displaying means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0073 Control unit therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19684 Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/12 responsive to undesired emission of substances, e.g. pollution alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces

Abstract

Monitoring systems and apparatuses and methods for using same are generally described. A gas monitoring system may include a base component and a module component. The module may be configured to be operably coupled to the base component through corresponding interface connectors. The system may be monitor for gases and generate alarms relating thereto, when the module is connected to the base. The base and/or module may have limited or no functionality when disconnected from the module and/or base. The module may include components that typically have an increased potential for upgrades, replacement, maintenance, or other modifications. The base may include components that typically have a lower rate of being upgraded, replaced, or requiring maintenance. In this manner, high maintenance components may be arranged in a module that has a smaller and more portable form factor as compared to the base and the system overall.

Claims

1. A monitoring system comprising:

a module having a mobile form factor, the module comprising;

a memory configured to store a firmware application and data,

a processor operably coupled to the memory and configured to execute firmware to control the monitoring system, and

at least one sensor;

a base comprising at least one power source and at least one base interface; and

at least one module interface arranged within the module and configured to interface with the at least one base interface, thereby operably coupling the module to the base, wherein the module is configured to receive power from the base and to control the base responsive to being connected to the base, and wherein the monitoring system is operable to monitor data measured via the at least one sensor and provide monitoring and alarm functions when the module is operably coupled to the base, wherein neither the base nor the module is capable of operating independently to provide monitoring and alarm functions when disconnected from one another.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the module is replaceable separately from the base.

3. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a gas sensor, a radiation sensor, a weather sensor, an ambient environment sensor, a sound pressure wave sensor, or a motion sensor.

4. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the module further comprises a wireless communication transceiver.

5. The monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the wireless communication transceiver is configured to allow communications between the module and other modules external to the monitoring system.

6. The monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the module is configured to transmit and receive at least one of alert messages or status messages from other modules external to the monitoring system via the wireless communication transceiver.

7. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring system is a gas monitoring system and is configured to operate in at least one of a diffusion mode or an aspirated mode depending on a type of the module coupled to the base.

8. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the module is configured to interface with at least one maintenance device when disconnected from the base, the at least one maintenance device comprising at least one of a docking station or a data transfer device.

9. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a gas sensor, and wherein the monitoring system is a gas monitoring system and is operable to monitor gas measured via the gas sensor responsive to the module being operably coupled to the base.

10. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the module is configured to interface with at least one of a bump device or a calibration device.

11. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to perform display functions and alarm functions when disconnected from the module.

12. A method of monitoring gas using a gas monitoring apparatus, the method comprising:

detecting at least one concentration of at least one gas using the gas monitoring apparatus, the gas monitoring apparatus comprising;

a module having a mobile form factor, the module comprising;

a memory configured to store a firmware application and data,

a processor operably coupled to the memory and configured to execute firmware to control the gas monitoring apparatus, and

at least one gas sensor,

a base comprising at least one power source and at least one base interface,

at least one module interface arranged within the base and configured to interface with the at least one base interface, thereby operably coupling the module to the base, wherein the module is configured to receive power from the base and to control the base responsive to being connected to the base, wherein the gas monitoring apparatus is operable to monitor data measured via the at least one gas sensor and provide gas detection and alarm functions when the module is operable coupled to the base, and wherein neither the base nor the module is capable of operating independently to provide gas detection and alarm functions when disconnected from one another; and

generating at least one alarm configured to alert a user to a hazardous condition based on the at least one concentration of the at least one gas only if the module is connected to the base.

13. The method of claim 12, the module is replaceable separately from the base.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting and receiving at least one of an alert message or a status message from at least one second module external to the gas monitoring apparatus via a wireless communication transceiver arranged within the module of the gas monitoring apparatus.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the gas monitoring apparatus is configured to operate in at least one of a diffusion mode or an aspirated mode depending on a type of the module coupled to the base.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising powering the module by connecting the module to the base.