APPARATUS, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING FIRE EXTINGUISHER OPERATIONAL READINESS

• US 20170209725A1
• Filed: 01/23/2017
• Published: 07/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Laboratories America Inc (NEC Corporation)
• Inventors: WANG, Ting, HU, Junqiang
• Granted Patent: US 10,010,732 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 13/76 Details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/50 Testing or indicating devices for determining the state of readiness of the equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/82 where the sensing device takes the initiative of sending data
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure describe apparatus, methods and systems for monitoring the operational status of fire extinguishers through the utilization of optically sensed, color profile determinations of a pressure gauge positioned on the fire extinguisher as well as the utilization of vibrational, and location sensing devices. Advantageously, monitoring apparatus according to the present disclosure are networkable, and a number of their operational characteristics may be configured via the network and associated servers. Furthermore, monitoring apparatus according to the present disclosure may employ vibrational, acceleration, GPS, RFID, and ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, location, and obstructions. In sharp contrast to the prior art, apparatus, methods and systems according to the present disclosure operate with existing fire extinguishers and provide a convenient, cost effective, and highly functional upgrade path for deployed fire extinguishers.

Claims

1. Apparatus for monitoring operational readiness of a fire extinguisher comprising:

a sensor attachable to a pressure gauge of the fire extinguisher, said sensor configured to sense a color profile of the pressure gauge and report when the sensed profile changes by a pre-determined amount.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an adjustable window configurable to alter an area of the pressure gauge sensed.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a power source.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a processor configured to process data sensed by the sensor.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a light source to illuminate the pressure gauge.

6. The apparatus according claim 2 wherein the sensor is configured to sense when an indicator of the pressure gauge enters or exits the sensed window.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the processor is configured to periodically activate sensor activity and then enter a low power mode subsequently.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reporting is initiated according to the following relationship:

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the threshold value is>

0.05% as compared to a ratio of color profiles at an earlier point in time.

10. A method of retrofitting a fire extinguisher to determine operational readiness comprising:

attaching a monitoring apparatus to a pressure gauge of the fire extinguisher, said apparatus including a sensor configured to sense a color profile of the pressure gauge and report when the sensed profile changes by a pre-determined amount.

11. The method according to claim 10 further comprising:

adjusting an adjustable window of the apparatus such that it is configured to set an area of the pressure gauge sensed by the sensor.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein said monitoring apparatus comprises a power source.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said monitoring apparatus further comprises a processor configured to process data sensed by the sensor.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein said monitoring apparatus further comprises a light source configurable to illuminate the pressure gauge.

15. The method according to claim 13 wherein said monitoring apparatus is configured to sense when an indicator of the pressure gauge enters or exits the sensed window area.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein said monitoring apparatus is configured to periodically activate sensor activity and then enter a low power mode subsequently.

17. A method for monitoring the operational readiness of a fire extinguisher comprising:

by a computer controlled monitoring apparatus;

determining an initial color profile of a pressure gauge of the fire extinguisher,

periodically determining at a later time an additional color profile of the pressure gauge,

reporting operational readiness of the fire extinguisher when the additional color profile is different from the initial color profile by a threshold amount.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the monitoring apparatus includes an adjustable window configurable to alter an area of the pressure gauge sensed and the color profiles are determined for that window area.

19. The method according to claim 17 further comprising energizing a light source to illuminate the pressure gauge.

20. The method according to claim 19 wherein the threshold amount is 0.05%.