Method and apparatus for controlling a valve during a hazard event

• US 20050103391A1
• Filed: 11/19/2003
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnitracs LLC (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Harvey, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,126,464 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/899
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/227 Methods for tracing the load
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6855 Vehicle

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling a valve during the detection of a hazard event. A hazard event is defined as an event that may endanger the health or safety of people or the environment from contamination of hazardous material carried by a vehicle. The hazard event may be detected from a condition of the vehicle, an input received from a vehicle operator, or a message received from a remote location. After detecting a hazard event, a valve located on the vehicle is controlled to prevent contamination from the hazardous material being transported.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a valve located on a vehicle, comprising:

detecting a hazard event; and

controlling operation of the valve upon detection of the hazard event.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hazard event is detected from a condition of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the hazard event is detected from an input received from a vehicle operator.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the hazard event is detected from a message received from a remote location.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the hazard event is detected when a sensed parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a status message indicative of the hazard event to a remote location.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving a second message in response to the status message, the second message comprising instructions for controlling the valve.

8. Apparatus for controlling a valve located on a vehicle, comprising:

means for detecting a hazard event;

means for operating the valve; and

means for controlling the operating means in response to the hazard event.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for detecting the hazard event comprises means for detecting the hazard event from a condition of the vehicle.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for detecting the hazard event comprises means for detecting the hazard event from an operator input.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for detecting the hazard event comprises means for detecting the hazard event from a message received from a remote location.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for detecting the hazard event comprises means for sensing a parameter onboard the vehicle.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a transceiver for transmitting a status message to a remote location upon detecting the hazard event.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the transceiver is further for receiving a second message in response to sending the status message, the second message comprising instructions for controlling the valve.

15. Apparatus for controlling a valve located on a vehicle, comprising:

a transducer for detecting a parameter onboard the vehicle;

a solenoid for controlling operation of the valve; and

a processor for determining a hazard event from the detected parameter and for sending a signal to the solenoid to control operation of the valve upon detection of the hazard event.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the transducer comprises an operator input device for receiving an operator input, wherein the hazard event is detected from the operator input.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the transducer comprises a vehicle parameter sensor, wherein the hazard event is detected from the vehicle parameter sensor.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the transducer comprises a receiver for receiving a message from a remote location, wherein the hazard event is detected from the message received from the remote location.