System and method for alerting safety personnel of unsafe air temperature conditions

• US 6,118,382 A
• Filed: 10/29/1998
• Issued: 09/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Co LLC (MSA Safety, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fire-Eye Development, Incorporated
• Inventors: Hibbs, James D., Brodhecker, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/182,823
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 340/586, 340/573.1, 340/584, 340/626, 340/632, 340/691.1, 128/205.23, 128/200.24, 128/204.26, 128/205.22, 128/205.25, 128/201.24, 128/201.15, 128/202.24, 128/202.27, 2/428, 2/435, 2/436, 2/5
• US Class Current: 340/586
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/00 Component parts for respiratory or breathing apparatus A62B19/00, A62B21/00, A62B23/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/06 Electric actuation of the alarm, e.g. using a thermally-operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/02 Alarm responsive to formation or anticipated formation of ice
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for alerting safety personnel of unsafe air temperature conditions. The system includes a temperature sensor formed to be exposed to an ambient environment and operable to provide a signal representing a measured ambient temperature. The system also includes electronics formed to be attached within protection provided by safety equipment. The electronics are coupled to receive the signal from the temperature sensor. The electronics are then operable to process the signal, to detect an unsafe temperature condition and to provide an indicator signal responsive to the unsafe temperature condition. The system further includes an indicator coupled to receive the indicator signal from the electronics. The indicator then responds to the indicator signal by providing a visible indication of the unsafe temperature condition. In certain implementations, the unsafe temperature condition can comprise the measured ambient temperature being above a temperature set point or being above a specified temperature for a specified period of time. Further, the temperature sensor can be coupled to the electronics by a through-screw sensor assembly.

Claims

1. A system for alerting safety personnel of unsafe air temperature conditions, comprising:

a housing operable to be coupled to safety equipment associated with a view piece;

a temperature sensor formed to be exposed to an ambient environment, the temperature sensor operable to provide a signal representing a measured ambient temperature;

electronics operable to receive the signal from the temperature sensor, the electronics operable;

to process the signal from the temperature sensor;

to detect an unsafe temperature condition if the measured ambient temperature of air remains above a temperature set point for a specified period of time; and

to provide an indicator signal responsive to the unsafe temperature condition;

an indicator coupled to receive the indicator signal from the electronics, the indicator responding to the indicator signal by providing a visible indication of the unsafe temperature condition; and

an arm having first end coupled to the housing and a second end operable to be positioned within the ambient, the second end operable to be positioned at a distance away from the view piece at a viewable location associated with the view piece; and

wherein the second end comprises the temperature sensor and the indicator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature set point is adjustable.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the electronics comprises:

a comparator circuit receiving the signal from the temperature sensor and comparing the signal with the temperature set point, the comparator circuit providing an output signal responsive to the comparison; and

a microprocessor receiving the output signal of the comparator circuit and providing the indicator signal to the indicator.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a second indicator coupled to the microprocessor;

the comparator circuit further comparing the signal from the temperature sensor to a second temperature set point and providing a second output signal responsive to the result; and

the microprocessor receiving the second output signal of the comparator circuit and providing a second indicator signal to the second indicator.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the temperature set point is 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second temperature set point is 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronics are further operable to calculate a time averaged temperature.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is coupled to the electronics by a through-screw sensor assembly.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronics are further operable to record a temperature history.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an audible alarm coupled to the electronics, the electronics operable to activate the audible alarm responsive to the unsafe temperature condition.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vibration alarm coupled to the electronics, the electronics operable to activate the vibration alarm responsive to the unsafe temperature condition.

12. A system for alerting safety personnel of unsafe air temperature conditions, comprising:

a housing formed to be attached to safety equipment associated with a view piece;

a microprocessor located in the housing;

a temperature sensor coupled to the housing and providing a signal representing a measured ambient temperature;

a comparator coupled to receive the signal from the temperature sensor, the comparator comparing the signal from the temperature sensor to a temperature set point, detecting an unsafe temperature condition if the measured ambient temperature remains above a temperature set point for a specified period of time, and providing a signal to the microprocessor based upon the unsafe temperature condition;

an arm having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end operable to be positioned within the ambient, the second end operable to be positioned at a distance away from the view piece at a viewable location associated with the view piece; and

an indicator coupled to the second end of the arm, the indicator also coupled to receive a signal from the microprocessor representing the result of the comparison;

such that the indicator provides a visible indication of the unsafe temperature condition;

wherein the second end comprises the temperature sensor and the indicator.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a second indicator coupled to the second end of the arm;

the comparator further comparing the signal from the temperature sensor to a second temperature set point and providing a signal to the microprocessor based upon a result of the comparison; and

the indicator coupled to receive a signal from the microprocessor representing the result of the comparison;

such that the second indicator provides a visible indication within the peripheral vision of the safety personnel when the measured ambient temperature is greater than the second temperature set point.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the temperature set point is 300 degrees Fahrenheit and the second temperature set point is 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the temperature set point is 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

16. A method for alerting safety personnel of unsafe air temperature conditions, comprising:

measuring ambient temperature using a temperature sensor;

detecting an unsafe temperature condition when the measured ambient temperature exceeds a temperature set point for a specified period of time;

providing a visible indication of the unsafe temperature condition using an indicator; and

wherein the indicator and temperature sensor are coupled to an arm, the arm operable to be positioned at a distance away from a view piece at a viewable location associated with the view piece.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the temperature set point is adjustable.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising calculating a time averaged temperature from the measured ambient temperature.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising recording a temperature history based upon the measured ambient temperature.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising activating an audible alarm responsive to the unsafe temperature condition.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising activating a vibration alarm responsive to the unsafe temperature condition.