Alarm module

• US 5,786,774 A
• Filed: 06/09/1997
• Issued: 07/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph M. Sabol
• Original Assignee: Joseph M. Sabol
• Inventors: Sabol, Joseph M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/871,258
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 340/984, 340/525, 340/461, 340/462, 340/439, 340/441, 340/449, 340/459, 340/438, 701/30, 701/29, 701/35, 440/2, 440/38, 441/36
• US Class Current: 340/984
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2201/26 signalling anomalies, e.g. rupture of connection
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

An alarm module system including at least one electronic display module situated on a boat with a display for indicating the status of the vital functions of the engine of the boat. The electronic display is adapted to produce an activation signal upon detection of an anomaly within the engine. Further included is a direct current battery supply for supplying power and an alarm horn for generating an audible alarm upon the receipt of power. Also provided is an interconnection network including power means having at least one voltage regulator connected to the battery supply for providing a lesser voltage an output thereof. The voltage regulator has a pair of capacitors of unequal capacitance connected in parallel between the output of the associated voltage regulator and a ground. The interconnection network further includes switch means having an input terminal connected to the electronic display module for receiving the activation signal therefrom. A first relay coil is connected to the input terminal with an associated first normally open relay contact connected to the output of the at least one voltage regulator of the power means for closing upon the receipt of the activation signal by the first relay coil. Associated therewith is a second relay coil connected between the first relay contact and ground. Lastly, a second normally open relay contact is connected between the battery supply and the alarm horn for supplying power to the horn upon the closing of the first relay contact.

Claims

1. An alarm module comprising:

at least one electronic display module situated on a boat with a display for indicating the status of the vital functions of the engine of the boat, the at least one electronic display adapted to produce an activation signal upon detection of an anomaly within the engine;

a direct current battery supply for supplying power;

an alarm horn for generating an audible alarm upon the receipt of power;

an interconnection network including power means having at least one voltage regulator connected to the battery supply for providing a lesser voltage an output thereof, each voltage regulator having a pair of capacitors of unequal capacitance connected in parallel between the output of the associated voltage regulator and a ground, the interconnection network further including switch means having at least one input terminal connected to the at least one electronic display module for receiving the activation signal therefrom, a first relay coil connected to the at least one input terminal, a first normally open relay contact connected to the output of the at least one voltage regulator of the power means for closing upon the receipt of the activation signal by the first relay coil, a second relay coil connected between the first relay contact and ground, and a second normally open relay contact connected between the battery supply and the alarm horn for supplying power to the horn upon the closing of the first relay contact.

2. An alarm module as set forth in claim 1 wherein the power means of the interconnection network further includes a light emitting diode connected to the output of a first one of the voltage regulators for indicating the presence of a voltage thereat.

3. An alarm module as set forth in claim 1 wherein the interconnection network further includes a pair of power terminals connected to the output of the at least one voltage regulator for being connected to the at least one electronic display module for supplying power thereto.

4. An alarm module as set forth in claim 1 wherein there are two electronic display modules and further included is a first and second diode each having an anode connected to an associated electronic display module via an associated input terminal, each diode further having a cathode interconnected to the first relay coil.

5. An alarm module as set forth in claim 1 wherein each relay has a diode connected in parallel therewith.

6. An new and improved alarm module comprising, in combination:

a first electronic display module situated on a starboard side of a boat with a display for indicating the status of vital functions of an engine of the boat, the first electronic display adapted to produce an activation signal upon detection of an anomaly within the engine;

a second electronic display module situated on a port side of a boat with a display for indicating the status of the vital functions of the engine of the boat, the second electronic display adapted to produce an activation signal upon detection of an anomaly within the engine;

a 12 Volt direct current battery supply for supplying power;

an alarm horn for generating an audible alarm upon the receipt of power;

an interconnection network including power means having a pair of voltage regulators each with an input connected to the battery supply for providing a voltage of 5 Volts at an output thereof, each voltage regulator having a pair of capacitors of unequal capacitance connected in parallel between the output of the associated voltage regulator and a ground, the power means of the interconnection network further including a light emitting diode connected to the output of a first one of the voltage regulators for indicating the presence of a voltage thereat and a pair of power terminals both connected to the output of the first voltage regulator for being connected to the first and second electronic display modules for supplying power thereto, the interconnection network further including switch means having a pair of input terminals connected to the electronic display modules for receiving the activation signal therefrom, a first and second diode each having an anode connected to an associated input terminal and cathodes which are interconnected, a first relay coil connected to cathodes of the first and second diodes and ground with a third diode connected in parallel therewith, a first normally open relay contact connected to the output of a second one of the voltage regulators of the power means for closing upon the receipt of the activation signal by the first relay coil, a second relay coil connected between the first relay contact and ground with a fourth diode connected in parallel therewith, a second normally open relay contact connected between the battery supply and the alarm horn for supplying power to the horn upon the closing of the first relay contact.