Signaling pressure detection assembly

• US 7,450,020 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2005
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: En-Gauge, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MIJA Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: McSheffrey, Brendan T., McSheffrey, John J. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/123,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20050237210A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 340/614, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 169/75, 169/23, 169/57, 169/60, 169/30
• US Class Current: 340/614
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 13/76 Details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/50 Testing or indicating devices for determining the state of readiness of the equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/062 indicating emergency exits

Abstract

Apparatus for remote monitoring of a portable pressurized container, such as the tank of a fire extinguisher, includes a pressure sensor that detects pressure of material contained within a volume defined by the portable container and communications circuitry in communication with the pressure sensor that issues a signal containing information about the pressure detected by the pressure sensor to a remote central station.

Claims

1. Apparatus for remote monitoring of a fire extinguisher, the apparatus comprising:

a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure of fire extinguishing material contained within a volume defined by a fire extinguisher tank;

communications circuitry in communication with the pressure sensor and configured to issue a signal containing information about the pressure detected by the pressure sensor to a remote central station;

a gauge mounted to the fire extinguisher and disposed in communication with the volume for detection and display of a pressure condition of the fire extinguishing material contained within the volume of the fire extinguisher tank;

wherein the gauge comprises;

a gauge scale, and

a gauge pointer moveable relative to said gauge scale for indication of pressure; and

an electrical switch that is tripped when the gauge pointer moves to a predetermined location relative to the gauge scale indicating the pressure condition is at a predetermined pressure reading.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fire extinguisher is a portable fire extinguisher.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the portable fire extinguisher is a hand-held portable fire extinguisher.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communications circuitry is configured to issue a signal upon detection by the pressure sensor of a predetermined pressure condition.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the predetermined pressure condition comprises a predetermined pressure reading.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communications circuitry is configured to periodically issue a signal containing information about the pressure detected by the pressure sensor to the remote central station.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gauge comprises a Bourdon coiled tube gauge.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a docking station.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein docking station is configured to house at least part of the communications circuitry.

10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the portable fire extinguisher is configured to be installed in a predetermined location, the apparatus further comprises:

a second sensor configured to detect removal of the portable fire extinguisher from its predetermined location, and wherein the electronic circuit is further configured to issue a signal to the remote central station upon detection of removal of the portable fire extinguisher from its predetermined location.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second sensor comprises a tether.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an electroluminescent light panel configured to illuminate a portion of the fire extinguisher in a low light condition.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an audio signaling device configured to emit an audible signal upon detection of an out-of-range pressure condition detected by the pressure sensor.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a timer configured to trigger an alert when an inspection is due for the fire extinguisher.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communications circuitry is powered with a battery.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a battery monitor configured to trigger an alert when the battery reaches a predetermined low power level.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a light sensor configured to detect a low light condition.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising circuitry for illuminating at least a part of a fire extinguisher when the light sensor detects a low light condition.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to receive signals from the remote central station.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal issued by the communications circuitry also includes identification information that identifies the fire extinguisher for which the signal was issued.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal comprises a wireless signal.