System and method for identifying unsafe temperature conditions

• US 6,700,497 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2002
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• 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:
  US10/147,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20020135488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 340/583, 340/584, 340/586, 340/589, 340/693.1, 340/693.3, 340/693.4, 340/693.5, 340/693.6, 340/632, 340/635, 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 for alerting safety personnel of unsafe air temperature conditions. The system includes a temperature sensor exposed to the ambient environment, a temperature indicator disposed in a field of view of safety gear such as a face mask, and a control unit. The temperature indicator and the control unit may be disposed in a protected location, such as within the face mask. The control unit may produce warnings based on detected temperatures and exposure time thresholds. Detected temperatures may also be recorded, along with positioning information, such as GPS data, to facilitate mapping of temperature gradients. At startup, the system may automatically execute a battery check and produce a warning if insufficient charge remains to provide a predetermined operating time. Various embodiments may use an arm to keep the temperature indicator within the field of view or a single screw attachment to a face piece.

Claims

1. A temperature warning system, for use with safety apparel including a face mask, wherein the face mask provides a field of view and partitions an interior space from an ambient environment, the temperature warning system comprising:

a temperature sensor exposed to the ambient environment;

a temperature indicator disposed within the field of view; and

a control unit in communication with the temperature indicator and the temperature sensor; and

a single screw attachment mechanism that removably couples the temperature indicator with the face mask and fixes the temperature indicator within a substantially central portion of the field of view, wherein the control unit causes the temperature indicator to provide visual signals indicative of temperatures detected by the temperature sensor.

2. The temperature warning system of claim 1, wherein:

the temperature indicator couples to the control unit; and

the single screw attachment removably couples the control unit to the face mask within the interior space of the face mask.

3. The temperature warning system of claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a microprocessor that causes the temperature indicator to provide different visual signals in response to detected ambient temperatures exceeding different threshold temperatures.