Portable fluid level alarm system

• US 9,177,461 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenneth Shea Middleton
• Original Assignee: Kenneth Shea Middleton
• Inventors: Middleton, Kenneth Shea
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US14/216,328
• Publication Number:
  US 20140266745A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 340/618, 340/623, 340/624, 340/625, 340/612
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/00 Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/0015 with a whistle or other sonorous signal
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/30 by floats
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/70 for sensing changes in level only at discrete points
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold

Abstract

A portable solar-powered fluid level alarm system which uses a fluid level sensor electrically connected to electronic controls in a control box. The control box is mounted on an elongated member extending from a base which holds the system upright. The electronic controls within the control box operate up to four different alarms, including an audio alarm, a visual alarm, a remote notification signal via a global positioning system (“GPS”), and a remote notification signal via Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The alarm system is also a keyed system so that once an alarm sounds only authorized personnel may deactivate it.

Claims

1. A method for remote notification of a portable fluid level alarm system, the method comprising the steps of:

determining the level of a fluid in a fluid container;

activating a fluid level sensor when said fluid reaches a predetermined critical level in said fluid container;

generating a signal corresponding to said predetermined critical level;

transmitting said signal from said fluid level sensor to electronic controls housed in a control box;

converting said signal into an audible alarm;

dialing an Internet Protocol address to a predetermined location preprogrammed to receive a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) signal;

transmitting said VoIP signal to a first wireless bridge;

transmitting said VoIP signal from a first wireless bridge to a second wireless bridge, said second wireless bridge located at a remote location from said first wireless bridge;

transmitting said VoIP signal from said second wireless bridge to a telecommunications device;

converting said VoIP signal into an audible alarm;

receiving said VoIP signal; and

hearing said audible alarm transmitted via said VoIP signal.