System and method for identifying unsafe temperature conditions

• US 6,417,774 B1
• Filed: 06/16/2000
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA Safety, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fire-Eye Development, Incorporated
• Inventors: Hibbs, James D., Brodhecker, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/595,321
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 340/586, 340/584, 340/583, 340/589, 340/693.1, 340/693.3, 340/693.4, 340/636, 340/693.5, 340/693.6, 340/632, 128/201.27, 128/202.22, 128/203.17, 128/205.23
• US Class Current: 340/584
• 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 removable safety system operable to be coupled to safety personnel for detecting ambient temperature conditions is provided. The system further includes a control unit operable to be coupled to the safety personnel having electronics operable to communicate signals associated with the ambient air condition. The system further includes a sensor unit operable to be positioned with an ambient environment and coupled to a substantially centered position of a viewmask. The sensor unit includes a temperature sensor having an temperature dependent operating mode communicatively coupled to the control unit and a first indicator and second indicator operable to display an indication representing an ambient air temperature condition.

Claims

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

a control unit stored within a housing, the control unit including electronics operable to communicate a signal associated with an ambient air temperature condition;

a sensor unit communicatively coupled to the control unit, the sensor unit operable to be positioned within an ambient environment at a distance from the control unit;

the sensor unit including a temperature sensor operable to sense an ambient air temperature condition and an indicator operable to provide an indication when the ambient air temperature condition indicates imminent flashover and temperature set points related to personnel safety;

means for removably coupling the sensor unit with an external portion of a self contained breathing apparatus face mask;

means for removably coupling the control unit with a safety personnel'"'"'s safety gear; and

wherein the means for removably coupling the sensor unit with an external portion of a self contained breathing apparatus face mask comprises;

a face mask nut; and

an aperture in the sensor unit cooperating with the face mask nut for removably coupling the sensor unit with the external portion of the self contained breathing apparatus face mask.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor unit further comprises a first indicator, a second indicator and the temperature sensor.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a single screw attachment mechanism providing a portion of the means for removably coupling the sensor unit with the face mask.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor unit further comprising optical transmission channels to allow other safety personnel to view the indicators.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising an idle mode of operation, an active mode of operation and a continuous mode of operation with each mode of operation based on the ambient temperature condition.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising the temperature sensor and the indicator integrated into a single member.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising an optical channel formed in the sensor unit to transmit light.

8. A two unit system for alerting safety personnel of ambient air temperature conditions, comprising:

a control unit stored within a housing, the control unit including electronics operable to communicate a signal associated with an ambient air temperature condition;

a sensor unit communicatively coupled to the control unit, the sensor unit operable to be positioned within an ambient environment at a distance from the control unit;

the sensor unit having a temperature sensor operable to sense an ambient air temperature and an indicator operable to provide a visual indication representing the ambient air temperature condition; and

wherein the control unit is operable to electronically record a history of sensor data regarding ambient air temperature conditions.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the sensor unit and the indicator form an integrated unit operable to be coupled to an external portion of a view mask.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising the control unit operable to continuously monitor the connections to the sensor unit for short-circuit and open-circuit failures.

11. The system of claim 8 further comprising the sensor unit operable to warn safety personnel of short-circuit and open-circuit failures regarding the sensor.

12. The system of claim 8 further comprising the sensor unit operable to provide respective visual indications corresponding with a plurality of different ambient temperature conditions.