Apparatus and method for automatically detecting and alerting of gas-out conditions for a gas appliance during operation
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting gas-out conditions of a gas-operated appliance during operation, comprising:
- (a) a piston carried within a piston cylinder and movable in response to the flow of gas through said piston cylinder between a first position and a second position, said first position and said second position being spaced from one another and defining an intermediate zone therebetween where said piston substantially restricts the flow of gas through said piston cylinder;
(b) a first sensor operatively disposed for activation upon movement of said piston to said first position and deactivation upon movement of said piston away from said first position;
(c) a second sensor operatively disposed for activation upon movement of said piston to said second position and deactivation upon movement of said piston away from said second position;
(d) a gas flow analyzer operatively connected to said first sensor and said second sensor, said gas flow analyzer being configured to detect the difference between the gas-operated appliance running out of gas during operation and the gas to the gas-operated appliance being intentionally turned off by monitoring the time from deactivation of said first sensor to activation of said second sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gas appliance monitoring apparatus for automatically detecting and alerting to a “gas-out” condition of a gas appliance during operation, and/or for alerting to the presence of prolonged “gas-on” conditions of an appliance. The apparatus utilizes a highly sensitive low loss and low flow gas flow indicator with multiple flow sensors to monitor the gas flow characteristics of the appliance during use. A gas flow analyzer and alarm timing mechanism analyzes the gas flow characteristics and sounds an alarm at the appliance or wirelessly at a remote location upon detection of either of the above conditions. A biasing attraction magnet is incorporated in the fluid flow indicator to offset either the force of gravity or a return spring in low flow/low pressure applications. The piston is sealed for use in high pressure/low flow applications, and provided with a vent hole for residual gas bleed-off upon a stoppage of gas flow.
60 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting gas-out conditions of a gas-operated appliance during operation, comprising:
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(a) a piston carried within a piston cylinder and movable in response to the flow of gas through said piston cylinder between a first position and a second position, said first position and said second position being spaced from one another and defining an intermediate zone therebetween where said piston substantially restricts the flow of gas through said piston cylinder; (b) a first sensor operatively disposed for activation upon movement of said piston to said first position and deactivation upon movement of said piston away from said first position; (c) a second sensor operatively disposed for activation upon movement of said piston to said second position and deactivation upon movement of said piston away from said second position; (d) a gas flow analyzer operatively connected to said first sensor and said second sensor, said gas flow analyzer being configured to detect the difference between the gas-operated appliance running out of gas during operation and the gas to the gas-operated appliance being intentionally turned off by monitoring the time from deactivation of said first sensor to activation of said second sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for detecting gas-out conditions of a gas-operated appliance during operation, comprising:
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(a) a piston carried within a piston cylinder and movable in response to the flow of gas through said piston cylinder between a first position where gas flow through said piston cylinder is substantially unrestricted and a second position where no sustained gas flow through said piston cylinder is present; (b) a first sensor operatively disposed adjacent said first position within said piston cylinder for activation upon movement of said piston to said first position and deactivation upon movement of said piston away from said first position; (c) a second sensor operatively disposed adjacent said second position within said piston cylinder for activation upon movement of said piston to said second position and deactivation upon movement of said piston away from said second position; (d) a gas flow analyzer operatively connected to said first sensor and said second sensor for detecting the difference between the gas-operated appliance running out of gas during operation and the gas to the gas-operated appliance being intentionally turned off based on the timing for said piston to move from said first position to said second position within said piston cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for detecting gas-out conditions of a gas-operated appliance during operation, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a piston carried within a piston cylinder which is movable in response to the flow of gas through said piston cylinder between a first position where the flow of gas is substantially unrestricted and a second position where no sustained gas flow through said piston cylinder is present; (b) determining the time it takes for said piston to travel from said first position within said piston cylinder to said second position within said piston cylinder as the rate of gas flow through said piston cylinder diminishes; (c) comparing the time it takes for said piston to travel from said first position within said piston cylinder to said second position with a predetermined timing threshold value; (d) providing an alarm that the gas-operated appliance has run out of gas as opposed to being intentionally turned off if the travel time of said piston from said first position to said second position within said piston cylinder exceeds said predetermined timing threshold. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification