CONDITION MONITORING APPARATUS

• US 3,671,760 A
• Filed: 04/26/1971
• Issued: 06/20/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 90720,, Oliver W. Holmes, 3321 Rowena Drive
• Original Assignee: 90720,, Oliver W. Holmes, 3321 Rowena Drive
• Inventors: Oliver W. Holmes, 3321 Rowena Drive, 90720,
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert K. Schaefer
• Assistant Examiner(s): William J. Smith
• Application Number:
  US05/137,204
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 307/116,141,141.4,113 340/213,420 317/137,141
• US Class Current: 307/116
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/00 Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow

Abstract

A condition monitoring apparatus for use by homeowners, small business operators and the like to provide a warning of unauthorized entry, fire, flooding, or other condition change. A variety of detection, sensor, and monitoring devices can be attached to the apparatus as inputs, including both parallel and series connected switches and independent monitoring systems. Certain of the input circuits incorporate a time delay device to delay response to the apparatus to an input condition change. On actuation of the apparatus, a latching relay provides power to a pair of control relays. One control relay remains energized until the latching relay is reset, while the other control relay becomes de-energized after a predetermined time interval. Energization of the control relays is adapted to apply power to various lighting, alarm and indicator devices attached to the apparatus as outputs. The apparatus permits selection of any of a variety of input and output devices to suit the apparatus to the needs of a particular user, with optional on-off control of certain input and output circuits.

Claims

1. Condition monitoring apparatus for actuating monitoring devices responsive to condition change sensors, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of input terminals for attachment of condition change sensors in an open circuit state, said sensors assuming a closed circuit state in response to a predetermined condition change;

a latching relay including a latching coil and latching switch means in an open circuit state;

power supply means;

a first latching coil circuit including said power supply means, said latching coil, and said input terminals connected in series whereby assumption of said closed circuit state by said sensors energizes said latching coil to place said latching switch means in a closed circuit state;

a first control relay including a first control coil and first control switch means in an open circuit state;

a second control relay including a second control coil and second control switch means in an open circuit state;

time delay switch means in A closed circuit state and operative a predetermined time interval subsequent energization to assume an open circuit state;

a first control relay circuit including said power supply means, said latching switch means, said time delay switch means, and said first control coil connected in series whereby assumption of said closed circuit state by said latching switch means energizes said first control coil to place said first control switch means in a closed circuit state for said predetermined time interval;

a second control relay circuit including said power supply means, said latching switch means, and said second control coil connected in series whereby assumption of said closed circuit state by said latching switch means energizes said second control coil to place said second control switch means in a closed circuit state;

a plurality of output terminals for attachment of said monitoring devices;

a first control switch circuit including said power supply means, said first control switch means, and certain of said output terminals connected in series whereby assumption of said closed circuit state by said first control switch means actuates certain of said monitoring devices; and

a second control switch circuit including said power supply means, said second control switch means, and certain others of said output terminals connected in series whereby assumption of said closed circuit state by said second control switch means actuates certain others of said monitoring devices.

2. Condition monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 and including a second plurality of input terminals for attachment of second condition change sensors in a closed circuit state, said sensors assuming an open circuit state in response to a predetermined condition change;

an auxiliary relay having an auxiliary coil and auxiliary switching means in an open circuit state;

an auxiliary coil circuit including said auxiliary coil, said power supply means and said second plurality of input terminals connected in series to energize said auxiliary coil whereby assumption of said open circuit state by said second condition change sensors de-energizes said auxiliary coil to place said auxiliary switching means in a closed circuit state; and

an auxiliary switch circuit including said auxiliary switch means and connected in parallel with said first latching coil circuit whereby said latching coil is energized upon assumption of said closed circuit state by said auxiliary switching means.

3. Condition monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said latching coil circuit includes reset means connected in series with said latching coil and operative in a reset state to reverse the direction of current flow through said latching coil to place said latching switch means in an open circuit state.

4. Condition monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 and including a third plurality of input terminals for attachment of third condition change sensor means in a closed circuit state, said third sensor means assuming an open circuit state in response to a predetermined condition change;

a time delay relay including delay heating means and heat responsive delay switch means in an open circuit state;

a delay heating means circuit including said delay heating means, said power supply means and said third plurality of input terminals connected in series to energize said heating means and thereby maintain said delay switch means in said open circuit state whereby assumption of said open circuit state by said third condition change sensor means de-energizes said delay heating means and allows said delay switch means to assume a closed circuit state; and

a delay switch circuit including said delay switch means and connected in parallel with said first latching coil circuit whereby said latching coil is energized upon assumption of said closed circuit state by said delay switch means.

5. Condition monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 and includiNg a fourth plurality of input terminals for attachment of fourth condition change sensor means adapted to provide a current pulse in response to a predetermined condition change;

and a fourth circuit in series with said fourth plurality of input terminals and connected in parallel with said first latching coil circuit whereby said latching coil is energizable by said current pulse independently of said power supply means.

6. Condition monitoring apparatus for actuating monitoring devices responsive to condition change sensors, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of input terminals for attachment of condition change sensors for operation in response to a predetermined condition change;

latching relay means including a latching coil and latching switch means operative in response to operation of said latching coil;

power supply means;

a first latching coil circuit including a series connection of said power supply means, said latching coil, and said input terminals whereby said latching coil is operative in response to operation of said sensors;

first control relay means including a first control coil and first control switch means operative in response to operation of said first control coil;

second control relay means including a second control coil and second control switch means operative in response to operation of said second control coil;

time delay switch means;

a first control relay circuit including a series connection of said power supply means, said latching switch means, said time delay switch means, and said first control coil whereby operation of said latching switch means operates said first control coil to operate said first control switch means, the duration of said operation of said first control switch means being under the control of said time delay switch means;

a second control relay circuit including a series connection of said power supply means, said latching switch means, and said second control coil whereby operation of said latching switch means operates said second control coil to operate said second control switch means;

a plurality of output terminals for attachment of said monitoring devices;

a first control switch circuit including a series connection of said power supply means, said first control switch means, and certain of said output terminals whereby operation of said first control switch means is adapted to actuate certain of said monitoring devices; and

a second control switch circuit including a series connection of said power supply means, said second control switch means, and certain others of said output terminals whereby operation of said second control switch means is adapted to actuate certain others of said monitoring devices.