Gas supply pressure alarm device

• US 20060038695A1
• Filed: 08/18/2004
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael S. Isaacs
• Original Assignee: Michael S. Isaacs
• Inventors: Isaacs, Michael S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,256,702 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/688
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/12 Alarms or signals

Abstract

The present invention provides a pressure alarm for use in conjunction with conventional pressure gauge unit systems, as a replacement pressure gauge and alarm, or as a pressure alarm system. The invention provides adaptable alarm feedback signals for an operator, preventing the unexpected loss of pressure when using a gas cylinder, pressure boiler, or other device. The invention provides an alarm that may be a visual, audible, electronic, or mechanical low-pressure alarm and may include a means of ordering replacement supplies or sending a warning message. A system controller and memory module prevents false alarms and eases the burden of the operator while allowing external input and control.

Claims

1. A pressure alarm device, for a pressure gauge having an indicator needle operable about a pivot, said pressure alarm device comprising:

an alarm body;

at least a first means for sensing at least a first desired position of said needle relative to said pivot during a use of said pressure gauge and for creating a corresponding position signal;

said means for sensing and creating operably joined to said alarm body;

means for retaining said alarm body proximate said pressure gauge and for positioning said means for sensing relative to said first desired position;

alarm circuit means for receiving said position signal and for generating at least one alarm signal;

said means for receiving and generating operably joined to said alarm body; and

means for supplying power to said alarm circuit means, whereby during said use when said means for sensing and creating determines said needle is at said at least first desired position and creates said corresponding position signal, said alarm circuit means receives said position signal and generates said at least one alarm signal.

2. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one alarm generating component in said alarm circuit means;

said at least one alarm component generating said at least one alarm signal;

said at least one alarm component being at least one of an audible alarm unit, a visual alarm unit, an wired electronic message alarm unit, a wireless electronic message alarm unit, and a mechanical alarm unit; and

said at least one alarm signal being at least one of an audible signal, a visual signal, an electronic signal, an electronic message signal, and a mechanical signal, whereby said one at least one alarm component is effective to notify a user of said alarm signal.

3. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 2, wherein:

said means for retaining and positioning said alarm body proximate said pressure gauge includes at least one of an elastomeric member system, a cover system, and an adhesive system.

4. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 3, wherein:

said elastomeric member system includes an elongated elastic member;

said elastic member elastically retaining and repositionably holding said alarm body relative to an outer circumference of said pressure gauge;

said elastic member enabling said user to position and retain said alarm body along said outer circumference relative to said first desired position; and

said elastic member urging said alarm body into a stabilizing close contact with said outer circumference during said use, whereby said means for sensing reliably senses said needle relative to said first desired position during said use.

5. A pressure alarm device, according to 4, further comprising:

a pair of support arms extending outward from said alarm body;

said support arms including at least concave contact surfaces; and

said elastic member urging said concave contact surfaces into a mating contact with a selected convex portion of said outer circumference during said use, whereby said support arms align said alarm body with said pressure gauge during said use and guide said alarm body about said outer circumference during a repositioning.

6. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 3, wherein:

said cover system includes at least a cover front and a cover back;

said means for sensing and for creating said position signal in said cover front;

said cover front covering at least a portion of a face of said pressure gauge;

said cover back covering at least a portion of a back of said pressure gauge; and

means for connecting and positioning said cover front relative to said cover back and enabling an alignment of said means for sensing and creating relative to said at least first desired position, whereby said cover system enables ready adaptation of said pressure alarm device to preexisting said pressure gauge.

7. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 6, further comprising:

a sliding snap lock connection in said means for connecting and positioning;

said sliding snap lock connection including a sliding-snap male member and a sliding-snap female member on respective said cover front and said cover back; and

said sliding-snap male member and said sliding-snap female member enabling positive engagement between said cover front and said cover back while permitting rotation of said cover front relative to said pressure gauge, whereby said user may reposition said means for sensing relative to said needle during said use.

8. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 6, wherein:

said pressure alarm device includes said adhesive system fixably joining said alarm body to said pressure gauge after a positioning of said means for sensing relative to said at least first position, whereby said alarm body is reliably and cheaply secured to said alarm body.

9. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 2, further comprising:

a sensor arm member in said alarm body;

said means for sensing in said sensor arm member;

said sensor arm member being extendable from said alarm body along a front face of said pressure gauge; and

said sensor arm member positioning said means for sensing at said first desired position, whereby said sensor arm and said means for sensing do not detrimentally interfere with said users view of said front face and said needle during said use.

10. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 9, wherein:

said sensor arm member includes one of a transparent and a translucent material.

11. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 9, wherein:

said sensor arm rigidly extends from said alarm body along said front face.

12. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 9, further comprising:

a pivot hinge;

said pivot hinge pivotally joining said sensor arm to said alarm body;

said pivot hinge enabling an extension of said sensor arm along said front face of said pressure gauge during said use; and

said pivot hinge enabling a retraction of said sensor arm away from said pressure gauge prior to said use, whereby said user can easily view said pressure gauge during said use and position sensor arm and said means for sensing at said first desired position.

13. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 12, wherein:

said alarm body includes a first indicator mark along a radian extending from said pivot, whereby said first indicator mark enables simple user alignment of said alarm body with a desired position on a pressure scale of said pressure gauge; and

said means for sensing on said sensor arm positioned at a selected offset angle distant from said first indicator mark, whereby when said user aligns said first indicator mark with said desired position on said pressure scale, and pivots said sensor arm to extend along said front face, said sensor means is positioned at said first desired position said selected offset angle.

14. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 2, further comprising:

at least one system controller in said alarm circuit means;

said at least one system controller monitoring said alarm circuit during said use and determining a validity of said position signal based upon a predetermined acceptable position signal profile; and

said system controller actuating said at least one alarm generating component, whereby said system controller prevents false alarm signals and conserves alarm circuit energy.

15. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 14, further comprising:

at least one memory device in said alarm circuit means;

said memory device retaining at least one validity parameter and said predetermined acceptable position signal profile; and

said system controller comparing said position signal to said at least one validity parameter and said predetermined position signal profile during said use, whereby said system controller determines a validity of said position signal relative to both said at least one validity parameter and said acceptable position signal profile.

16. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 2, wherein:

said visual alarm unit is at least one of an LED unit, a LCD unit, and an incandescent unit effective for generating said visual signal;

said LED unit and said incandescent unit generating said visual signal as at least one of a constant and a flashing visual signal;

said LCD unit generating said visual signal is at least one of a message alarm, an instructional alarm, and a warning alarm on an LCD screen; and

said visual signal is at least one of a blinking message alarm on and a constant message alarm displayed said LCD screen.

17. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 2, wherein:

said audible alarm unit is at least one of a speaker unit and a horn unit effective for generating said audible signal;

said speaker unit including means for storing a recorded alarm message and issuing said recorded alarm message as said audible signal; and

said horn unit including means for generating at least a tonal sound as said audible signal.

18. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 2, wherein:

said mechanical alarm unit is at least one of an eccentric vibratory unit and a flag unit effective for generating said mechanical signal;

said eccentric vibratory unit including means for providing vibration to said pressure alarm devise based upon a rotating weight eccentric to a rotational axis and for generating said mechanical signal as a vibration; and

said flag unit including means for providing a visible mechanical flag on said pressure alarm device and for generating said mechanical signal as a motion of said visible mechanical flat.

19. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 2, wherein:

said electronic signal unit is at least one of a wired and a wireless electronic signal unit; and

said electronic signal unit effective for generating an electronic alarm signal and sending said alarm signal to a communications interface during said use, whereby said electronic signal includes information indicating at least one of an alarm condition of said pressure alarm device and an electronic resupply order for said pressure alarm device.

20. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 2, wherein:

said electronic message signal unit is at least one of a wired and a wireless electronic signal unit; and

said electronic message signal unit is effective for generating an electronic message alarm signal to a communications interface during said use, whereby said electronic signal includes information indicating at least one of an alarm condition of said pressure alarm device and an electronic resupply order for said pressure alarm device.

34. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 15, further comprising:

at least means for receiving external electronic control signals in said at least one system controller; and

said electronic control signals allowing an external operator to submit, control instructions to said controller during said use and to store said control instructions in said at least one memory device, whereby said system controller enables an electronic control of said pressure alarm device from a remote communications position.

35. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 34, wherein:

said means for receiving includes means for receiving said control signals via one of a wired and a wireless communication system; and

said communication system including a communication interface with at least one of the world wide web, a cellular signal system, and a cellular paging system.

21. A pressure alarm device, comprising:

a pressure alarm;

a pressure gauge;

said pressure gauge including an indicator needle operable about a pivot relative to a pressure scale upon an introduction of an external gas pressure;

said pressure alarm including at least a first means for sensing at least a first desired position of said needle during a use of said pressure alarm device and for creating a corresponding position signal;

alarm circuit means in said pressure alarm for receiving said position signal and for generating at least a one alarm signal; and

means for supplying power to said alarm circuit means, whereby during said use when said external gas pressure is applied and said means for sensing and creating determines when said needle is at said first desired position and creates said corresponding position signal, said alarm circuit means generates said at least one alarm signal.

22. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 21, further comprising:

at least one alarm generating component in said alarm circuit means;

said at least one alarm component generating said at least one alarm signal;

said at least one alarm component being one of an audible alarm unit, a visual alarm unit, an electronic signal alarm unit, an electronic message alarm unit, and a mechanical alarm unit; and

said at least one alarm signal being at least one of an audible signal, a visual signal, an electronic signal, an electronic message signal, and a mechanical signal.

23. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 22, wherein:

at least one system controller in said alarm circuit means;

said at least one system controller monitoring at least said alarm circuit means during said use and determining at least a validity of said position signal based upon a predetermined acceptable position signal profile; and

said system controller actuating said at least one alarm generating component, whereby said system controller prevents false alarm signals and conserves an alarm circuit energy.

24. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 23, further comprising:

at least one memory device in said alarm circuit means;

said memory device retaining at least one validity parameter and said predetermined acceptable position signal profile; and

said system controller comparing said position signal to said at least one validity parameter and said predetermined position signal profile during said use, whereby said system controller determines a validity of said position signal relative to both said at least one validity parameter and said acceptable position signal profile.

25. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 22, wherein:

said visual alarm unit is at least one of an LED unit, a LCD unit, and an incandescent unit effective for generating said visual signal;

said LED unit and said incandescent unit generating said visual signal as at least one of a constant and a flashing visual signal; and

said LCD unit generating said visual signal as at least one of a constant message alarm on an LCD screen and a blinking message alarm on said LCD screen.

26. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 22, wherein:

said audible alarm unit is at least one of a speaker unit and a horn unit effective for generating said audible signal;

said speaker unit including means for storing a recorded alarm message and issuing said recorded alarm message as said audible signal; and

said horn unit including means for generating a tonal sound as said audible signal.

27. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 22, wherein:

said mechanical alarm unit is at least one of an eccentric vibratory unit and a flag unit effective for generating said mechanical signal;

said eccentric vibratory unit including means for providing vibration to said pressure alarm devise based upon a rotating weight eccentric to a rotational axis and for generating said mechanical signal as a vibration; and

said flag unit including means for providing a visible mechanical flag on said pressure alarm device and for generating said mechanical signal as a motion of said visible mechanical flag.

28. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 22, wherein:

said electronic signal unit is at least one of a wired and a wireless electronic signal unit; and

said electronic signal unit effective for generating an electronic alarm signal and sending said alarm signal to a communications interface during said use, whereby said electronic signal includes information indicating at least one of an alarm condition of said pressure alarm device and an electronic resupply order for said pressure alarm device.

29. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 22, wherein:

said electronic message signal unit is at least one of a wired and a wireless electronic signal unit; and

said electronic message signal unit is effective for generating an electronic message alarm signal to a communications interface during said use, whereby said electronic signal includes information indicating at least one of an alarm condition of said pressure alarm device and an electronic resupply order for said pressure alarm device.

30. A pressure alarm system, adaptable to a pressure supply system, comprising:

a pressure stem;

said pressure stem in a pressure communication with said pressure supply system;

said pressure supply system including at least one gas cylinder;

at least a pressure diaphragm in a pressure communication with said pressure stem;

at least one male pressure release device in an operable pressure communication with said pressure stem, whereby said at least one pressure release device enables filling external items with a pressurized gas released from said gas cylinder during a use;

a pressure alarm device in a pressure communication with said pressure stem, comprising;

at least a first pressure gauge and at least a first pressure alarm;

said pressure gauge having an indicator needle operable about a pivot during said use;

at least a first means for sensing at least a first desired position of said needle during said use and for creating at least a first corresponding position signal;

alarm circuit means for receiving said position signal and for generating at least one alarm signal;

both said means for sensing and creating and said alarm circuit means in said pressure alarm; and

means for supplying power to said alarm circuit means, whereby during said use, when said means for sensing determines said needle is at said at least first desired position, said means for sensing creates said corresponding position signal and said alarm circuit means generates said at least one alarm signal.

31. A method of applying a pressure alarm device to an existing pressure gauge having a pressure indicator needle operable about a pivot, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning said pressure alarm device on said pressure gauge;

adjustably securing said pressure alarm to said pressure gauge;

determining a users desired amount of warning prior to reaching an empty state on said pressure gauge;

aligning means for sensing and creating in said pressure alarm device to sense at least a first desired position of said needle during a use of said gauge and create a corresponding position signal;

said first desired position being said users desired amount of warning prior to reaching said empty state; and

enabling an alarm circuit means in said pressure alarm device to receive said position signal and generate at least one alarm signal.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein said step of adjustably securing includes a step of engaging at least one of an elastomeric member system, a cover system, and an adhesive system as a means for adjustably positioning and securing said pressure alarm to said pressure gauge.

33. A method of replacing an existing pressure gauge with a pressure alarm device, comprising the steps of:

disconnecting said existing pressure gauge from a first pressure engagement;

connecting said pressure alarm device to said first pressure engagement;

said pressure alarm device comprising;

a pressure alarm;

a pressure gauge;

said pressure gauge including an indicator needle operable about a pivot relative to a pressure scale upon an introduction of an external gas pressure;

said pressure alarm including at least a first means for sensing at least a first desired position of said needle during a use of said pressure alarm device and for creating a corresponding position signal;

alarm circuit means in said pressure alarm for receiving said position signal and for generating at least one alarm signal; and

means for supplying power to said alarm circuit means, whereby during said use, when said external gas pressure is applied and said means for sensing and creating determines said needle is at said first desired position and creates said corresponding position signal, said alarm circuit means generates said at least one alarm signal.