Multiple sensor heat alarm

• US 7,081,811 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2003
• Issued: 07/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John Johnston, Robert J. Dye, Steven H. Daponte
• Original Assignee: John Johnston, Robert J. Dye, Steven H. Daponte
• Inventors: Johnston, John, Dye, Robert J., DaPonte, Steven H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US10/648,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20050040942A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 340/449, 340/441, 340/455, 340/438, 340/539.11, 340/539.22, 340/539.27, 340/539.3, 340/573.1
• US Class Current: 340/449
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00792 Arrangement of detectors B60H1/00742, B60H1/0075, B60H1/00785 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00978 Control systems or circuits characterised by failure of detection or safety means; Diagnostic methods
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/04 for transporting animals railway wagons adapted for carrying animals B61D3/163

Abstract

A multiple heat sensor alarm system for use in a vehicle to indicate that the interior temperature is above a preset limit has a control head with a microprocessor. Heat sensors or thermometers are placed at different points in the vehicle and connected to the microprocessor. The processor averages all sensor inputs and compares the average to the preset alarm temperature limit. When the limit is exceeded the microprocessor issues an alarm command. The system is connected to the vehicle components and the alarm command operates the horn, lights, windows, doors, or engine. The system may correspond with a portable beeper/pager. The microprocessor has a time delay mode on initial start-up. The system also monitors the battery power of the vehicle and indicates a low power situation.

Claims

1. In a system for signaling a higher than preset interior temperature of a vehicle having a battery including temperature sensors in the vehicle and a control head which activates an alarm when a preset temperature is exceeded, said alarm including activation of one or more of a group of vehicle components consisting of the horn, siren, emergency lights, or headlights, the improvement comprising said control head having a microprocessor connected to said at least two temperature sensors, said temperature sensors widely dispersed in the passenger areas of said vehicle, each of said temperature sensors sending local temperature data to said microprocessor, said microprocessor including algorithms operable to:

compute an average of said temperature data from said at least two temperature sensors, compare said average with said preset temperature and activate said alarm when said average exceeds said preset temperature

continuously monitor the vehicle battery voltage to determine if a negative rate of change in vehicle battery voltage exists and activating said alarm if said rate exceeds a preset limit, and

monitoring each sensor to detect failure in operation, and activating said alarm in the event of sensor failure.

2. In a system of claim 1, the improvement including a visual display connected to said microprocessor, said visual display mounted in said control head and indicating the temperature at each sensor.

3. In a system of claim 1, the improvement including a automatic time delay in said microprocessor, said time delay active on initial start up of said vehicle to delay activating said one of said group of vehicle components for a period of time to allow the temperature in said vehicle to reach said preset temperature.

4. In a system of claim 3, the improvement including a manual time delay in said control head connected to said microprocessor to restart said automatic time delay to provide additional time to allow the temperature in the vehicle to reach said preset temperature.

5. In a system of claim 1, the improvement including an electronic signaling means in said control head to correspond to a portable electronic unit to indicate that said preset temperature has been exceeded.

6. In a system of claim 5, the improvement including a signaling means in said portable electronic unit to signal said control head to interrupt said activation of said one of said group of vehicle components.

7. In a system of claim 5, the improvement including a signaling means in said portable electronic unit to activate one of said group of vehicle components.

8. In a system of claim 1, the improvement including said microprocessor monitoring the operation of the engine of the vehicle, an electronic signaling means in said control head to correspond to a portable electronic unit to indicate that the engine is inoperative.

9. In a system of claim 1, the improvement including said microprocessor monitoring the power status of the battery of the vehicle, an electronic signaling means in said control head to correspond to a portable electronic unit to indicate that said battery power is below a set limit.

10. In a system of claim 1, the improvement including an electronic signaling means in said control head corresponding to a portable electronic device, said device having means to correspond with said control head for activating one of said group of vehicle components.

11. In a system of claim 10, the improvement including a signaling means in said portable electronic unit to signal said control head to interrupt said activation of said one of said group of vehicle components.

12. An alarm system for installation in a passenger compartment of a vehicle to indicate the existence of an unhealthy temperature, said system comprising at least two temperature sensors, said at least two sensors adapted to be placed in the vehicle in a widely dispersed arrangement inside the passenger compartment and a microprocessor connected to said at least two sensors, said microprocessor programmed with a temperature alarm threshold, said microprocessor programmed to compute an average of said temperature data from said at least two temperature sensors, compare said average with said temperature alarm threshold and issue an alarm command adapted to energize vehicle components to emit visual and aural signals when said alarm threshold is exceeded, said microprocessor having a programmed time delay mode, said programmed time delay mode preventing an immediate command upon initial activation of the system when the vehicle temperature exceeds said alarm threshold.

13. An alarm system of claim 12 wherein said time delay mode issues a pre-alarm command after a preset time interval from initial activation, said pre-alarm command indicates temperature remains above said alarm threshold, said pre-alarm command includes an additional time period, at the end of said time delay mode said microprocessor issues an alarm command.

14. An alarm system of claim 12 wherein said time delay mode includes a manual reset, said system having a manual switch connected to said microprocessor, said switch restarting said time delay mode upon activation.

15. An alarm system of claim 12 wherein said microprocessor is programmed to issue an alarm command adapted to energize vehicle components to introduce ambient air when said alarm threshold is exceeded.

16. An alarm system of claim 12 wherein said microprocessor issues said alarm command by electronic signal to a portable device, said portable device indicating an alarm command has been received.

17. An alarm system of claim 16 wherein said portable device corresponds with said microprocessor to activate a vehicle component.

18. An alarm system for installation in a passenger compartment of a vehicle to indicate the existence of an unhealthy temperature, said system comprising at least two temperature sensors, said at least two temperatures sensors adapted to be placed in the vehicle in a widely dispersed arrangement inside the passenger compartment, and a microprocessor, connected to said at least two temperature sensors, said microprocessor programmed to compute an average of said temperature data from said at least two temperature sensors and compare said average with a temperature alarm threshold, said microprocessor programmed to issue an alarm command adapted to energize vehicle components to emit visual and aural signals when said average exceeds said temperature alarm threshold, said microprocessor programmed with a battery sentinel mode, said battery sentinel mode adapted to monitor the vehicle battery voltage over time to determine rate of voltage drop, said mode initiating a sequence when said voltage drop exceeds a preset limit, said microprocessor in said battery sentinel mode issues an alarm command of short duration, said sentinel mode includes a rest period to conserve battery power, said microprocessor in said battery sentinel mode repeats said alarm command of short duration, said battery sentinel mode repeats this sequence until power is restored.

19. An alarm system of claim 18 wherein said microprocessor in said battery sentinel mode issues said alarm command by electronic signal to a portable device, said portable device indicating an alarm command has been received, said battery sentinel mode continuously signals said portable device during said rest period.

20. An alarm system of claim 19 wherein said portable device corresponds with said microprocessor to activate a vehicle component.

21. An alarm system of claim 18, wherein said alarm command further comprises opening the windows of the vehicle.