Remote fire extinguisher station inspection

• US 7,574,911 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2006
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: En-Gauge, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MIJA Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: McSheffrey, John J., McSheffrey, Brendan T.
• Primary Examiner(s): LARKIN, DANIEL SEAN
• Application Number:
  US11/533,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20070028673A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 73/40, 732/90.R, 732/91, 169/23, 169/30, 169/57, 169/60, 169/61, 169/75
• US Class Current: 73/291
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/50 Testing or indicating devices for determining the state of readiness of the equipment
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/084 for small-sized storage vessels, e.g. compressed gas cylinders or bottles, disposable gas vessels, vessels adapted for automotive use
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0109 with exteriorly curved end-piece
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0119 with flat end-piece
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/032 with substantially vertical main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/058 portable (<30 l)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0624 with four or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0111 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0126 One vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0165 with handgrip
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0188 Hanging up devices
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0329 manually actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/052 by stickers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/03 Mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/035 High pressure (>10 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/034 using wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/036 using alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/043 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0478 : Position or presence
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/072 : Action when predefined value is reached
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/015 : Facilitating maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/04 : using an independent energy source, e.g. battery
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0754 : Fire extinguishers
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/62 : using magnetically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 : containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level

Abstract

An apparatus for remote inspection of fire extinguishers at one or a system of fire extinguisher stations includes, e.g., at each fire extinguisher station: a detector for lack of presence of a fire extinguisher in its installed position at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for out-of-range pressure of contents of the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for an obstruction to viewing of or access to the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; and a device for transmission of inspection report information from the fire extinguisher station to a remote central station.

Claims

1. Apparatus for remote inspection of portable tanks, said apparatus comprising:

a portable tank defining a volume;

a gauge being disposed in communication with the volume defined by the portable tank for detection and display of pressure condition of the content contained within the volume defined by the portable tank, wherein said gauge comprises a gauge pointer and a gauge scale, said gauge pointer being moveable relative to said gauge scale for indication of pressure, and said gauge further comprises a magnet mounted to said gauge pointer and at least one sensor responsive to proximity of said magnet as the portable tank approaches an out-of-range pressure condition; and

an electronic circuit disposed in communication with the gauge and adapted to signal to a remote central station upon detection of predetermined conditions comprising at least one predetermined internal condition,

the at least one predetermined internal condition comprising an out-of-range pressure condition of contents contained within the volume of the portable tank, and said apparatus comprising at least one detector for the at least one predetermined internal condition comprising said gauge for detecting the out-of-range pressure condition of content contained within the volume of the portable tank.

2. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 1, wherein the predetermined conditions further comprise at least one predetermined external condition, the at least one predetermined external condition comprising at least lack of presence of a portable tank in its installed position, and presence of an obstruction to viewing of or access to the portable tank.

3. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 2, wherein said electronic circuit comprises at least one detector for the at least one predetermined external condition, said at least one detector for the at least one predetermined external condition being adapted to initiate a signal to the remote central station upon detection of the at least one predetermined external condition.

4. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 3, wherein the at least one predetermined external condition comprises movement of the portable tank relative to its installed position.

5. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 4, wherein the at least one predetermined external condition comprises removal of the portable tank from its installed position.

6. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 3, wherein the at least one predetermined external condition comprises removal of the portable tank from its installed position.

7. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 3, further comprising:

at least one detector for the at least one predetermined external condition comprising an electronic tether engaged and in electronic communication between the remote central station and the portable tank, and movement of the portable tank relative to its installed position dislodges engagement of said tether and severs electronic communication, to initiate a signal to the remote central station indicative of the at least one predetermined external condition comprising lack of presence of the fire extinguisher in its installed position.

8. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 7, wherein the movement of the portable tank relative to its installed position to dislodge engagement of said tether comprises removal of the fire extinguisher from its installed position.

9. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit comprises at least one detector for the at least one predetermined internal condition, said at least one detector for the at least one predetermined internal condition being adapted to initiate a signal to the remote central station upon detection of the at least one predetermined internal condition.

10. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 9, wherein said at least one detector for the at least one predetermined internal condition comprises said gauge for detecting the out-of-range pressure condition of contents contained within the volume of the portable tank.

11. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises at least one Hall Effect sensor.

12. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 11, wherein the out-of-range pressure condition comprises a low-pressure condition, and said at least one detector comprises at least one Hall Effect sensor positioned to detect the low-pressure condition.

13. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 11, wherein said out-of-range pressure condition comprises a low-pressure condition and a high-pressure condition, and said at least one sensor comprises at least one Hall Effect sensor positioned to detect the low-pressure condition and at least one Hall Effect sensor positioned to detect the high-pressure condition.

14. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 11, claim 12, or claim 13, wherein said at least one Hall Effect sensor is mounted generally in a plane of said gauge scale.

15. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 13, wherein said at least one Hall Effect sensor is mounted at a rear surface of said gauge scale.

16. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 1, wherein the predetermined out-of-range pressure condition comprises a low-pressure condition.

17. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 1 or claim 16, wherein said out-of-range pressure condition comprises a high-pressure condition.

18. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit comprises male and female electrical/communication connector elements cooperatively defined between the portable tank and the remote central station.

19. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 18, further comprising a bracket for mounting the portable tank to a support, said bracket adapted to position the portable tank in said installed position for cooperative mating engagement of said male and female electrical/communication connection elements.

20. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit is further adapted to issue a signal to the remote central station and to receive a signal from the remote central station.

21. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit comprises an electronic signal means and said electronic circuit is adapted to issue an electronic signal.

22. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 1, claim 8, or claim 21, wherein said electronic circuit comprises an electronic signal receiver for receiving an electronic signal from the remote central station.

23. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to issue a wireless signal to the remote central station upon detection of one or more predetermined conditions.

24. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit comprises an antenna to issue a wireless signal to the remote central station upon detection of one or more predetermined conditions.

25. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to issue a wireless radio frequency signal to the remote central station upon detection of one or more predetermined conditions.

26. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to issue an audio signal upon detection of one or more predetermined conditions.

27. Apparatus for remote inspection of portable tanks, said apparatus comprising:

a gauge configured to be in communication with a volume defined by a portable tank for detection and display of pressure condition of the content contained within the volume, wherein said gauge comprises a gauge pointer and a gauge scale, said gauge pointer being moveable relative to said gauge scale for indication of pressure, and said gauge further comprises a magnet mounted to said gauge pointer and at least one sensor responsive to proximity of said magnet as the portable tank approaches an out-of-range pressure condition; and

an electronic circuit disposed in communication with the gauge and adapted to signal to a remote central station upon detection of predetermined conditions comprising at least one predetermined internal condition,

the at least one predetermined internal condition comprising an out-of-range pressure condition of contents contained within the volume of the portable tank, and said apparatus comprising at least one detector for the at least one predetermined internal condition comprising said gauge for detecting the out-of-range pressure condition of content contained within the volume of the portable tank.

28. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 27, wherein the predetermined conditions further comprise at least one predetermined external condition, the at least one predetermined external condition comprising at least lack of presence of a portable tank in its installed position, and presence of an obstruction to viewing of or access to the portable tank.

29. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 27, wherein said electronic circuit comprises at least one detector for the at least one predetermined internal condition, said at least one detector for the at least one predetermined internal condition being adapted to initiate a signal to the remote central station upon detection of the at least one predetermined internal condition.

30. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 29, wherein said at least one detector for the at least one predetermined internal condition comprises said gauge for detecting the out-of-range pressure condition of contents contained within the volume of the portable tank.

31. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 27, wherein said at least one sensor comprises at least one Hall Effect sensor.

32. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 27, wherein said electronic circuit is further adapted to issue a signal to the remote central station and to receive a signal from the remote central station.

33. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 27, wherein said electronic circuit comprises an electronic signal means and said electronic circuit is adapted to issue an electronic signal.

34. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 27, wherein said electronic circuit comprises an electronic signal receiver for receiving an electronic signal from the remote central station.

35. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 27, wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to issue a wireless signal to the remote central station upon detection of one or more predetermined conditions.

36. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 27, wherein the electronic circuit comprises an antenna to issue the wireless signal to the remote central station upon detection of one or more predetermined conditions.

37. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 27, wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to issue a wireless radio frequency signal to the remote central station upon detection of one or more predetermined conditions.

38. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 27, wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to issue an audio signal upon detection of one or more predetermined conditions.

39. A system for remote inspection of portable tanks, said system comprising:

a remote central station to receive inspection information; and

a plurality of stations, wherein each station comprises;

a gauge configured to be in communication with a volume defined by a portable tank for detection and display of pressure condition of the content contained within the volume, wherein said gauge comprises a gauge pointer and a gauge scale, said gauge pointer being moveable relative to said gauge scale for indication of pressure, and said gauge further comprises a magnet mounted to said gauge pointer and at least one sensor responsive to proximity of said magnet as the portable tank approaches an out-of-range pressure condition; and

an electronic circuit disposed in communication with the gauge and adapted to signal to a remote central station upon detection of predetermined conditions comprising at least one predetermined internal condition,

the at least one predetermined internal condition comprising an out-of-range pressure condition of contents contained within the volume of the portable tank, and said station comprising at least one detector for the at least one predetermined internal condition comprising said gauge for detecting the out-of-range pressure condition of content contained within the volume of the portable tank.

40. The system for remote inspection of claim 39, wherein the predetermined conditions further comprise at least one predetermined external condition, the at least one predetermined external condition comprising at least lack of presence of a portable tank in its installed position, and presence of an obstruction to viewing of or access to the portable tank.

41. The system for remote inspection of claim 39, wherein said electronic circuit comprises at least one detector for the at least one predetermined internal condition, said at least one detector for the at least one predetermined internal condition being adapted to initiate a signal to the remote central station upon detection of the at least one predetermined internal condition.

42. The system for remote inspection of claim 41, wherein said at least one detector for the at least one predetermined internal condition comprises said gauge for detecting the out-of-range pressure condition of contents contained within the volume of the portable tank.

43. The system for remote inspection of claim 39, wherein said at least one sensor comprises at least one Hall Effect sensor.

44. The system for remote inspection of claim 39, wherein said electronic circuit is further adapted to issue a signal to the remote central station and to receive a signal from the remote central station.

45. The system for remote inspection of claim 39, wherein said electronic circuit comprises an electronic signal means and said electronic circuit is adapted to issue an electronic signal.

46. The system for remote inspection of claim 39, wherein said electronic circuit comprises an electronic signal receiver for receiving an electronic signal from the remote central station.

47. The system for remote inspection of claim 39, wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to issue a wireless signal to the remote central station upon detection of one or more predetermined conditions.

48. The system for remote inspection of claim 39, wherein the electronic circuit comprises an antenna to issue the wireless signal to the remote central station upon detection of one or more predetermined conditions.

49. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 39, wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to issue a wireless radio frequency signal to the remote central station upon detection of one or more predetermined conditions.

50. The apparatus for remote inspection of claim 39, wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to issue an audio signal upon detection of one or more predetermined conditions.

51. The system for remote inspection of claim 39, wherein the portable tank is a fire extinguisher tank.