Lockout for hydrogen sulfide monitoring system
First Claim
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1. An H2S system for protecting a worker at a worksite by responding to an H2S alarm event at the worksite, the H2S alarm event being a concentration of H2S gas exceeding a predetermined safe limit, the H2S system comprising:
- a holder;
a local monitor responsive to the H2S alarm event, the local monitor having selectively an on state and a lockout state, the local monitor being automatically switched from the on state to the lockout state in response to being connected to the holder, the on state and the lockout state are as follows;
in the on state, the local monitor sounds a local audible alarm in response to the H2S alarm event;
in the on state, the local monitor emits an alarm signal over a local wireless communication link in response to the H2S alarm event;
in the lockout state, the local monitor sounds the local audible alarm in response to the H2S alarm event; and
in the lockout state, the local monitor is inhibited from emitting the alarm signal over the local wireless communication link in response to the H2S alarm event.
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Abstract
An H2S (hydrogen sulfide) system includes a lockout configuration that temporarily disables wireless communication while leaving one or more H2S sensors and audible alarms still functioning in case an H2S hazardous event occurs during the lockout period. Example H2S systems and methods include various means for initiating or ensuring the lockout configuration is in effect.
28 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An H2S system for protecting a worker at a worksite by responding to an H2S alarm event at the worksite, the H2S alarm event being a concentration of H2S gas exceeding a predetermined safe limit, the H2S system comprising:
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a holder; a local monitor responsive to the H2S alarm event, the local monitor having selectively an on state and a lockout state, the local monitor being automatically switched from the on state to the lockout state in response to being connected to the holder, the on state and the lockout state are as follows; in the on state, the local monitor sounds a local audible alarm in response to the H2S alarm event; in the on state, the local monitor emits an alarm signal over a local wireless communication link in response to the H2S alarm event; in the lockout state, the local monitor sounds the local audible alarm in response to the H2S alarm event; and in the lockout state, the local monitor is inhibited from emitting the alarm signal over the local wireless communication link in response to the H2S alarm event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An H2S system for protecting a worker at a worksite by responding to an H2S alarm event at the worksite, the H2S alarm event being a concentration of H2S gas exceeding a predetermined safe limit, the H2S system comprising:
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a host computer being remote relative to the worksite; a head unit including a distant emitter being at the worksite, the head unit having an on mode, an off mode, and a lockout mode, the distant emitter being selectively enabled and disabled; a local monitor at the worksite, the local monitor comprising an H2S sensor, a local emitter, and a local audible alarm, the local monitor having an on state, an off state, and a lockout state, the local emitter being selectively enabled and disabled, the local monitor being spaced apart from the head unit a first distance, the host computer being spaced apart from the head unit a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance; a local wireless communication link between the local monitor and the head unit; an alarm signal conveyed at times from the local emitter to the head unit via the local wireless communication link, the alarm signal being indicative of the H2S alarm event; a distant wireless communication link between the head unit and the host computer; and an information signal conveyed at times from the distant emitter of the head unit to the host computer via the distant wireless communication link, the information signal being indicative of the H2S alarm event, the H2S system being selectively configured as follows; a) in the on state and in the lockout state, the local audible alarm sounds in response to the H2S sensor sensing the concentration of H2S gas has exceeded the predetermined safe limit; b) in the lockout state, the local emitter is disabled, yet the local audible alarm remains enabled for sounding off in response to the concentration of H2S gas exceeding the predetermined safe limit; c) in the off state, the local audible alarm and the local emitter are disabled; d) in the lockout mode, the distant emitter of the head unit is disabled; e) in the on mode, the distant emitter of the head unit is enabled for wireless transmission; and f) in the off mode, the distant emitter of the head unit is disabled. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An H2S method for protecting a worker at a worksite by responding to an H2S alarm event at the worksite, the H2S alarm event being a concentration of H2S gas exceeding a predetermined safe limit, the H2S method involving the use of at least one of a head unit at the worksite, a local monitor at the worksite and a host computer beyond the worksite, the H2S method being usable selectively in an on configuration and a lockout configuration, the H2S method comprising:
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in the on configuration, enabling the local monitor to sound a local audible alarm in response to the H2S alarm event; in the on configuration, enabling the local monitor to transmit an alarm signal over a local wireless communication link to the head unit; in the lockout configuration, enabling the local monitor to sound the local audible alarm in response to the H2S alarm event; and in the lockout configuration, preventing the local monitor from transmitting over the local wireless communication link to the head unit even during the H2S alarm event. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification