Hydrogen sulfide alarm methods

• US 9,019,117 B1
• Filed: 09/29/2012
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shepherd Safety Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Gary W. Crook
• Inventors: Crook, Gary W.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US13/631,960
• Time in Patent Office: 941 Days
• Field of Search: 340/853.1, 340/853.2
• US Class Current: 340/853.2
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0021 Safety devices, e.g. for preventing small objects from falling into the borehole
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

H2S (hydrogen sulfide) alarm methods include automated systems for creating reports, initiating different safety drills and/or recording certain calibration and bump tests. The methods being automated reduces the chance of human error and falsified records. The H2S alarm methods are particularly useful for ensuring the safety of workers at remote worksites.

Claims

1. An H2S alarm method involving a group of workers, a coordinator and a control system, wherein the control system is connected in communication with an annunciator, the H2S alarm method comprising:

the coordinator using the control system for selecting one of three safety drills comprising a shut-in drill, a man-down drill and an evacuation drill;

transmitting a chosen drill signal from the control system to the annunciator, wherein the chosen drill signal identifies which of the three safety drills the coordinator selected;

in response to the chosen drill signal, the annunciator emitting a first audible alarm if the coordinator selected the shut-in drill;

in response to the chosen drill signal, the annunciator emitting a second audible alarm if the coordinator selected the man-down drill;

in response to the chosen drill signal, the annunciator emitting a third audible alarm if the coordinator selected the evacuation drill, the first audible alarm, the second audible alarm and the third audible alarm being distinguishable from each other;

in response to the annunciator emitting at least one of the first audible alarm, the second audible alarm and the third audible alarm, the group of workers performing and completing a chosen drill associated with the chosen drill signal;

assigning a drill initiation timestamp to the chosen drill;

assigning a drill completion timestamp to the chosen drill; and

the control system generating a report documenting the chosen drill and further documenting at least one of the drill initiation timestamp and the drill completion timestamp.

2. The H2S alarm method of claim 1, wherein the group of workers includes the coordinator.

3. The H2S alarm method of claim 1, wherein the control system is connected in wireless communication with the annunciator.

4. The H2S alarm method of claim 1, wherein the control system documents the drill completion timestamp.

5. The H2S alarm method of claim 1, wherein the control system documents the drill initiation timestamp.

6. The H2S alarm method of claim 1, wherein the control system documents both the drill initiation timestamp and the drill completion timestamp.

7. The H2S alarm method of claim 1, wherein the chosen drill is associated with the man-down drill, and the man-down drill involves a designated person lying down, wherein the group of workers includes the designated person.

8. The H2S alarm method of claim 1, wherein the chosen drill is associated with the shut-in drill, and the shut-in drill involves.

9. The H2S alarm method of claim 1, wherein the chosen drill is associated with the evacuation drill, and the evacuation drill involves.