Portable Fluid Level Alarm System

• US 20140266745A1
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenneth Shea Middleton
• Original Assignee: Kenneth Shea Middleton
• Inventors: Middleton, Kenneth Shea
• Granted Patent: US 9,177,461 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/618
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/00 Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/0015 with a whistle or other sonorous signal
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/30 by floats
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/70 for sensing changes in level only at discrete points
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold

Abstract

A portable solar-powered fluid level alarm system which uses a fluid level sensor electrically connected to electronic controls in a control box. The control box is mounted on an elongated member extending from a base which holds the system upright. The electronic controls within the control box operate up to four different alarms, including an audio alarm, a visual alarm, a remote notification signal via a global positioning system (“GPS”), and a remote notification signal via Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The alarm system is also a keyed system so that once an alarm sounds only authorized personnel may deactivate it.

Claims

1. A portable fluid level alarm system comprising:

a base;

a first elongated member having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said base;

a second elongated member having a first end and a second end, said first end of said second elongated member detachably connected to said second end of said first elongated member;

a control box attached to said second elongated member;

electronic controls having a GPS module and at least partially located within said control box;

a plurality of alarms mounted on said second end of said second elongated member and electronically connected to said electronic controls;

a battery electronically connected to said electronic controls;

at least one solar panel removeably connected to said base, said solar panel electronically connected to said battery and said electronic controls;

a fluid level sensor in electronic communication with said electronic controls; and

a keyed deactivation switch mounted to said control box and electronically connected to said electronic controls.

2. The alarm system as recited in claim 1 wherein said fluid level sensor is a float sensor.

3. The alarm system as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of alarms comprises an audio alarm.

4. The alarm system as recited in claim 3 wherein said plurality of alarms further comprises a visual alarm.

5. The alarm system as recited in claim 4 wherein said plurality of alarms further comprises a remote notification signal.

6. The alarm system as recited in claim 5 wherein said remote notification signal is via GPS.

7. The alarm system as recited in claim 6 wherein said remote notification signal is in a form of a text, email or other written electronic format.

8. The alarm system as recited in claim 5 wherein said remote notification signal is via VoIP.

9. The alarm system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second elongated members have a square profile, wherein the area of said square profile of said first elongated member is larger than the area of said square profile of said second elongated member.

10. The alarm system as recited in claim 1 wherein said base has a rectangular configuration.

11. The alarm system as recited in claim 1 wherein said base has a tripod configuration.

12. The alarm system as recited in claim 1 wherein the front cover on said control box is fastened to said control box using tamper-resistant screws.

13. A method of notification of alarm of a portable fluid level alarm system, the method comprising the steps of:

determining the level of a fluid in a fluid container;

activating a fluid level sensor when said fluid reached a predetermined critical level in said fluid container;

generating a signal corresponding to said predetermined critical level;

transmitting said signal from said fluid level sensor to a GPS module; and

sending said signal via satellite to a predetermined authorized user to be notified of an alarm condition.

14. A method for remote notification of a portable fluid level alarm system, the method comprising the steps of:

determining the level of a fluid in a fluid container;

activating a fluid level sensor when said fluid reaches a predetermined critical level in said fluid container;

generating a signal corresponding to said predetermined critical level;

transmitting said signal from said fluid level sensor to electronic controls housed in a control box;

converting said signal into an audible alarm;

dialing an Internet Protocol address to a predetermined location preprogrammed to receive a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) signal;

transmitting said VoIP signal to a first wireless bridge;

transmitting said VoIP signal from a first wireless bridge to a second wireless bridge, said second wireless bridge located at a remote location from said first wireless bridge;

transmitting said VoIP signal from said second wireless bridge to a telecommunications device;

converting said VoIP signal into an audible alarm;

receiving said VoIP signal; and

hearing said audible alarm transmitted via said VoIP signal.

15. A portable fluid alarm system comprising:

a base with a first elongated member extending upwardly from said base, said first elongated member terminating at an upward end with an open cavity,

a second elongated member removeably mounted to said first elongated member;

said second elongated member having a control box, an audio alarm, and a visual alarm mounted thereto, said audible alarm and said visual alarm being in communication with electronic controls at least partially located within said control box;

a GPS module mounted to said control box, said GPS module being part of said electronic controls;

a solar panel extending between said base and said first elongated member, said solar panel being configured to provide power to a battery which is electrically connected said electronic controls;

a fluid level sensor in communication with said electronic controls, said float sensor being configured to activate said GPS module phone connection module, said audio alarm, and said visual alarm; and

,

a keyed deactivation switch mounted to said control box, said keyed deactivation switch being configured to deactivate current flow to at least a portion of the electronic controls.