Solar powered annunciator

• US 5,563,456 A
• Filed: 09/24/1993
• Issued: 10/08/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Murphy Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Murphy Management, Inc.
• Inventors: Berger, Walter R.
• Primary Examiner(s): FLEMING, FRITZ M
• Application Number:
  US08/127,203
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 307/64-66, 307/72, 307/75, 307/76, 307/80, 307/81, 307/85, 307/86, 307/87, 307/23, 323/906, 136/293, 320/48, 320/56, 340/517, 340/521, 340/802
• US Class Current: 307/66
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 11/06 Indicating unsafe conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells

Abstract

A combination shut-down trigger and annunciator may be advantageously powered by a photoelectric power supply. The shut down trigger and annunciator can include a fault detection unit responsive to a plurality of fault condition sensor inputs. A fault condition identification storage element is connected to the fault detection unit and a display is connected to the fault condition identification storage element. The photoelectric power supply is then connected to the fault condition identification storage element. The photoelectric power supply may be provided with a battery backup system for use when there is insufficient light incident on a photo cell to power system. The battery backup may be a rechargeable battery in the power supply can include a battery charger. The configuration of the power supply, including the photocell battery charger and backup battery allows the system to operate without drawing power from an engine CD ignition power supply.

Claims

1. An actuator and annunciator comprising:

a microprocessor-based fault detection unit responsive to a plurality of fault condition sensor inputs;

a fault condition identification storage element connected to said fault detection unit;

a display connected to said fault condition identification storage element;

a photoelectric power supply connected to said fault condition identification storage element;

a backup power supply source connected to said photoelectric power supply wherein said backup power supply includes a battery and a battery charger connected to said battery and to said photoelectric power supply;

a voltage sensor connected to said backup power supply source;

an auxiliary power supply connected to said fault condition identification storage element;

a switch, controlled by said voltage sensor, connected between said auxiliary power supply and said fault condition identification storage element, wherein said switch and said voltage sensor are configured to disconnect said auxiliary power supply from said fault condition identification storage element when a voltage of said backup power supply exceeds a predetermined level and to connect said auxiliary power supply when said voltage falls below said pre-determined level; and

means for isolating said auxiliary power supply from said photoelectric power supply and said backup power supply to allow the photoelectric power supply to charge the battery and preventing the auxiliary power supply from charging the battery.

2. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 1, further comprising:

an activator responsive to said fault detection unit.

3. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 2, wherein said photoelectric power supply comprises:

a photoelectric generator; and

wherein said backup power supply source is connected to said photoelectric generator.

4. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 2, wherein said activator comprises a fuel supply cut-off activator.

5. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 4, wherein said activator further comprises an activation delay device and an engine ignition shut-off switch connected to said delay device.

6. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 2, wherein said activator is connected to a remote communication channel.

7. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 6, wherein said remote communication channel is connected to said fault condition identification storage element.

8. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 1, further comprising a housing and wherein said photoelectric generator and said activator are located in said housing.

9. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 1, further comprising a remote power supply connected to said photoelectric power supply.

10. An Actuator and annunciator according to claim 7, wherein said remote power supply is a second photoelectric generator.

11. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 1, further comprising a remote power supply connected to said photoelectric power supply wherein said remote power supply is a magnetic pickup power supply.

12. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 1, further comprising a remote power supply connected to said photoelectric power supply wherein said remote power supply is a thermocouple.

13. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 1, further comprising a remote power supply connected to said photoelectric power supply wherein said remote power supply is a thermopile.

14. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary power supply comprises an internal combustion engine ignition power supply.

15. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 1, wherein said photoelectric power supply further comprises a voltage regulator.

16. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 1, wherein said fault detection unit comprises:

a microprocessor;

a multiple channel multiplexer connected to said plurality of fault condition sensor inputs and having channel selection inputs connected to said microprocessor;

a first latch connected to an input of said microprocessor and triggered by a signal obtained from said multiplexer.

17. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 16, further comprising:

a plurality of digitally controlled analog switches connected to said sensor inputs of said multiplexer; and

a disable signal generator connected to control inputs of said analog switches.

18. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 17, wherein said disable signal generator is a start/run timer.

19. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 17, wherein said disable signal generator further comprises an annunciator test circuit.

20. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 16, wherein said latch comprises a NAND Flip-Flop unit.

21. An actuator and annunciator according to claim 1, further comprising:

an intrinsically safe barrier connected between said photoelectric power supply and said fault condition identification storage element.