Remote control of a hydrogen sulfide gas alarm system

• US 20060082462A1
• Filed: 10/12/2004
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shepherd Safety Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Gary W. Crook
• Inventors: Crook, Gary W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,463,160 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/632
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0075 for multiple spatially distributed sensors, e.g. for environmental monitoring transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence

Abstract

A method allows an H2S alarm system installed at a remote wellsite to be monitored and configured from a distant location. Alert-signals from the alarm system to the distant location and configuration settings from the distant location to the alarm system can be transmitted using the text-messaging feature of a conventional cell phone. The cell phone, for example, can send the H2S alarm system a text message that sets the H2S concentration threshold at which the alarm system triggers an alert. When the H2S concentration reaches the threshold or a fault occurs with the alarm system, the system can send the cell phone a text message that describes the problem, identifies the location of the wellsite, and lists the names and telephone numbers of those that should be notified.

Claims

1. A method of configuring an H2S alarm system for a worksite, comprising:

installing the H2S alarm system at the worksite; and

transmitting a setting-signal via a wireless communication link from a communication unit to the H2S alarm system, wherein the setting-signal provides a contact-related information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact-related information identifies a service company that possesses a machine that is disposed at the worksite.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact-related information identifies a machine disposed at the worksite.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a machine possessed by a service company is disposed at the worksite, and the contact-related information identifies a person representing the service company.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a machine possessed by a service company is disposed at the worksite, and the contact-related information identifies a telephone number of a person representing the service company.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact-related information identifies a production company that possesses the worksite.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact-related information identifies a person representing a production company that possesses the worksite.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a production company possesses the worksite, and the contact-related information identifies a telephone number of a person representing the production company.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact-related information includes a plurality of telephone numbers and an order of sequence for calling the plurality of telephone numbers.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication unit is a portable phone.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the portable phone is a cell phone.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the portable phone is a satellite phone.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication unit is a computer with a modem.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a confirmation-signal from the H2S alarm system to the communication unit, wherein the confirmation-signal indicates that the alarm system has received the setting-signal.

15. A method of configuring an H2S alarm system for a worksite, comprising:

transmitting a setting-signal via a wireless communication link from a communication unit to the H2S alarm system, wherein the setting-signal helps determine a setting of the H2S alarm system, and

transmitting a confirmation-signal via the wireless communication link from the H2S alarm system to the communication unit, wherein the confirmation-signal indicates that the setting-signal has been received by the H2S alarm system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the setting includes a contact-related information.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the contact-related information identifies a name of a company.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the contact-related information identifies a name of a person.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the contact-related information identifies a telephone number.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the setting includes a function-related information.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the function-related information pertains to a GPS unit that is associated with the H2S alarm system.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the function-related information pertains to an H2S sensor that is associated with the H2S alarm system.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the function-related information pertains to a power supply that powers at least part of the H2S alarm system.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the function-related information pertains to an H2S concentration threshold.

25. A method of operating an H2S alarm system for monitoring a concentration of an H2S gas at a worksite, the method comprising:

sensing the concentration of the H2S gas, wherein the concentration may vary;

providing a first alarm signal in response to the concentration reaching a first threshold; and

providing a second alarm signal in response to the concentration reaching a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is higher than the first threshold, and the second alarm signal warns that the H2S alarm system intends to make a call to summon help from a location that is remote relative to the worksite.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising providing a third alarm signal to indicate the H2S alarm system is making the call to summon help.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising making a plurality of calls to summon help from a plurality of locations that are remote relative to the worksite.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising providing a fourth alarm signal that indicates that the call to summon help has been received and acknowledged.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein at least one of the first alarm signal, the second alarm signal, and the third alarm signal is audible;

and at least one of the first alarm signal, the second alarm signal, and the third alarm signal is visible.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the second alarm signal and the third alarm signal are audible and are distinguishable by a sound characteristic.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the sound characteristic is a pattern of sound.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the sound characteristic is pitch.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the sound characteristic is volume.

34. The method of claim 25, wherein the second alarm signal occurs during a period in which the H2S alarm system can be manually reset to terminate the second alarm signal and prevent the call to summon help.