System and method for monitoring a pressurized system

• US 7,051,570 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2004
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems LLC (International Systems & Controls Corp.)
• Original Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems LLC (International Systems & Controls Corp.)
• Inventors: Brazier, Geof, Smallwood, John E., Clark, John P. III
• Primary Examiner(s): GARBER, CHARLES D
• Application Number:
  US10/962,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20050160786A1
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 73/17.1, 137/557, 137/551, 137/552, 340/611, 340/614, 340/626, 340/635, 340/653, 340/603, 340/605, 702/138
• US Class Current: 73/1.71
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/16 with fracturing diaphragm ; Rupture discs
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/005 for measuring fluid parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring a pressure relief device are provided. The system includes a release sensor that provides an indication when the pressure relief device activates. A wireless transmitter is connected to the release sensor and sends a wireless transmission having an activation signal when the indication is provided by the release sensor. A receiver receives the wireless transmission from the transmitter and generates a warning when the activation signal is identified.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for a pressure relief device, comprising:

a release sensor configured to provide an indication when the pressure relief device activates;

a first communication device connected to the release sensor and configured to send a wireless transmission having an activation signal when the indication is provided by the release sensor and configured to send a wireless transmission having a status signal when a first predetermined period of time elapses without the release sensor providing the indication, each wireless transmission including an identifier indicating that the wireless transmission is sent by the first communication device;

a second communication device configured to receive the wireless transmissions from the first communication device and configured to verify each wireless transmission received; and

wherein a warning signal is generated when the first predetermined period of time elapses without the second communication device receiving the wireless transmission having the status signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second communication device is configured to send an interrogation signal to the first communication device when the first predetermined period of time elapses without receiving the wireless transmission having the status signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a warning signal is generated when the activation signal is identified.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the first communication device is configured to generate a wireless transmission having a responsive signal in response to the interrogation signal from the second communication device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second communication device generates a warning signal when a second predetermined period of time elapses from the sending of the interrogation signal without receiving the wireless transmission having the responsive signal.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an annunciator in communication with the second communication device and configured to provide an alert when the warning signal is generated.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the annunciator includes one of a display monitor, a pager, and a light emitting diode.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the release sensor includes a wire configured to be broken when the pressure relief device activates.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first communication device includes a battery and the status signal includes a representation of the battery voltage.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the release sensor includes a battery and the status signal includes a representation of the battery voltage.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the status signal includes information regarding the status of the pressure relief device.

12. A monitoring system for a pressurized system, comprising:

a pressure relief device;

a release sensor configured to provide an indication when the pressure relief device activates;

a first communication device connected to the release sensor and configured to send a wireless transmission having an activation signal, on a repeated basis, when the indication is provided by the release sensor and configured to send a wireless transmission having a status signal when a first predetermined period of time elapses without the release sensor providing the indication; and

a second communication device configured to receive the wireless transmissions from the first communication device and to send an interrogation signal to the first communication device when the first predetermined period of time elapses without receiving the wireless transmission having the status signal.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second communication device generates a warning signal when the activation signal is identified.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the first communication device is configured to generate a wireless transmission having a responsive signal in response to the interrogation signal from the second communication device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the second communication device generates a warning signal when a second predetermined period of time elapses from the sending of the interrogation signal without receiving the wireless transmission having the responsive signal.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprising an annunciator in communication with the second communication device and configured to provide an alert when the second communication device generates the warning signal.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the annunciator includes one of a display monitor, a pager, and a light emitting diode.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the release sensor includes a wire configured to be broken when the pressure relief device activates.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the first communication device includes a battery and the status signal includes a representation of the battery voltage.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the release sensor includes a battery and the status signal includes a representation of the battery voltage.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the activation signal includes information regarding one or both of the identity and location of the activated pressure relief device.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein the second communication device is configured to verify each wireless transmission received.

23. A method of monitoring a pressure relief device, comprising the steps of:

providing an indication when a pressure relief device activates;

sending a wireless transmission, on a repeated basis, with a first communication device when the indication is provided, the wireless transmission including an activation signal;

sending a wireless transmission having a status signal when a first predetermined period of time elapses without receiving the indication;

receiving the wireless transmission with a second communication device; and

verifying each wireless transmission received at the second communication device from the first communication device.

24. The method of claim 23, further including sending an interrogation signal to the first communication device when the first predetermined period of time elapses without receiving a wireless transmission having the status signal.

25. The method of claim 23, further including generating a warning signal when the activation signal is identified.

26. The method of claim 23, further including returning a wireless transmission having a responsive signal from the first communication device in response to the interrogation signal.

27. The method of claim 26, further including generating a warning signal when a second predetermined period of time elapses from the sending of the interrogation signal without receiving the wireless transmission having the responsive signal.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of generating a warning signal when the first predetermined amount of time passes without receiving the wireless transmission having the status signal.