Gas detector and method for monitoring gas in a confined space

• US 9,612,195 B1
• Filed: 01/29/2016
• Issued: 04/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bert Friedman
• Original Assignee: Bert Friedman
• Inventors: Friedman, Bert
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Kiho
• Application Number:
  US15/010,948
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3504 for analysing gases, e.g. multi-gas analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/004 for CO, CO2
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0075 for multiple spatially distributed sensors, e.g. for environmental monitoring transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/16 Combustible gas alarms

Abstract

A gas detector for use in a confined space is described. The gas detector includes a plurality of gas sensors, a location module, at least one geometry sensor, a communication module, and a processing unit. The processing unit receives gas data from the plurality of gas sensors, location data from the location module, and geometry data from the at least one geometry sensor. The processing unit further calculates space data based on at least one of the gas data and the geometry data. The communication module transmits a signal based on at least two selected from the group consisting of the gas data, the location data, the geometry data, and the space data.

Claims

1. A gas detector for use in a confined space, the gas detector comprising:

a plurality of gas sensors operable to measure one or more hazardous materials;

a location module;

at least one geometry sensor;

a communication module; and

a processor configured to

receive gas data from the plurality of gas sensors,

receive location data from the location module,

receive geometry data from the at least one geometry sensor,

calculate space data based on at least one of the gas data and the geometry data, wherein the space data is a characteristic of the confined space, and

transmit a signal based on at least two selected from the group consisting of the gas data, the location data, and the space data using the communication module.

2. The gas detector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of gas sensors consists of a lower explosive limit (“

LEL”

) sensor, an oxygen sensor, a first toxic sensor, and a second toxic sensor.

3. The gas detector of claim 2, wherein the LEL sensor is an infrared sensor and the oxygen sensor is a lead-free sensor.

4. The gas detector of claim 1, wherein the at least one geometry sensor is selected from the group consisting of a laser and a level.

5. The gas detector of claim 4, wherein the geometry data consists of a distance.

6. The gas detector of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to store at least one of the gas data, the location data, geometry data, and the space data in a memory module.

7. The gas detector of claim 1, further comprising a graphical user interface and an audible speaker.

8. The gas detector of claim 7, wherein the processor compares the gas data to a threshold and, when the gas data is above the threshold, performs an operation selected from the group consisting of displaying a warning message on the graphical user interface and sounding a warning sound through the audible speaker.

9. The gas detector of claim 1, wherein the signal transmitted to at least one of an external device and a remote server using communication module.

10. The gas detector of claim 1, further comprising an enclosure composed of a first type of rubber and a second type of rubber, wherein the enclosure further consists of a clamp mechanism and a honeycomb design.

11. The gas detector of claim 1, wherein the space data consists of at least one of a volume of the confined space and a distance to an exit of the confined space.

12. The gas detector of claim 1, wherein the space data is calculated based on both of the gas data and the geometry data.

13. The gas detector of claim 12, wherein the space data consists of at least one of a volume of the gas and an estimated time for the hazardous gas to disperse from the confined space.

14. A method for monitoring gas in a confined space, the method comprising:

detecting, using a plurality of gas sensors, gas data based on one or more hazardous materials in a confined space;

receiving, using a location module, location data;

detecting, using at least one geometry sensor, geometry data of the confined space;

calculating, using a processor, space data based on the gas data and the geometry data, wherein the space data is a characteristic of the confined space; and

transmitting, using a communication module, a signal based on at least two selected from the group consisting of the gas data, the location data, the geometry data, and the space data.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the geometry data consists of a distance.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the space data consists of at least one of a volume of the confined space and a distance to an exit of the confined space.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the space data is calculated based on both of the gas data and the geometry data.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the space data consists of at least one of a volume of the gas and an estimated time for the hazardous gas to disperse from the confined space.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising comparing, at the processor, the gas data to a threshold,

displaying, on a graphical user interface, a warning message on the graphical user interface when the gas data is above the threshold, and

sounding, through an audible speaker, a warning sound when the gas data is above the threshold.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising storing, in a memory module, the gas data, the location data, the geometry data, and the space data.