Measuring and testing – Gas analysis
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-20
2001-02-06
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Gas analysis
C073S04050R, C340S632000, C340S605000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182497
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to gas detection systems. The invention has particular application to systems having multiple gas sensors for detecting hazardous gases at various locations within a facility.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many situations in which hazardous gases may accumulate in dangerous concentrations. In such cases health and safety regulations and prudence both require a system capable of detecting accumulations of hazardous gases before a hazardous situation exists. For example, many industrial processes use highly flammable or poisonous gases. An industrial plant which uses such processes typically requires a gas detection system having gas sensors distributed throughout the plant and a central station which receives signals from the gas sensors. If one of the gas sensors detects an excessive amount of a hazardous gas then an alarm condition is triggered at the central station.
Such industrial gas detection systems are typically very expensive. The central stations typically include proprietary hardware which has limited upgradability.
Self-contained gas detection systems are also available. A self-contained gas detection system comprises a gas sensor, a battery a simple control circuit and an audible and/or visible alarm contained in a small housing. An example of such self-contained gas detectors are the carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors which are widely marketed for use in households and small businesses.
Industrial plants must typically have both built-in gas detection systems and portable self contained gas detectors. If the built-in system detects a troubling amount of a hazardous gas in the vicinity of a particular gas sensor then personnel may be dispatched to the area of the gas sensor in question with portable gas sensors. The portable gas sensors may be used to confirm the amount of hazardous gas detected and to locate the source of the hazardous gas. The management of such industrial plants typically have rigid policies in place which require measurements made by plant personnel to be carefully documented.
Gas sensors are available for detecting a wide range of hazardous gases. Sensors are available for detecting flammable gases, asphyxiating gases of various kinds, radioactive gases, gases containing certain toxins, and so on.
There is a need for a gas detection system which is less expensive to supply and configure than are typical built-in gas detection systems which are now available. There is also a need for gas detection systems which assist in the documentation of gas levels measured with portable gas detectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides gas detection systems for detecting hazardous gases. The systems use universal serial buses to interconnect gas detectors to a monitoring station.
One aspect of this invention provides a gas detection system for detecting hazardous gases within a facility by way of a number of gas detectors situated at various locations in the facility. The system comprises a monitoring station comprising a programmed computer. The programmed computer comprises a universal serial bus port and a universal serial bus port or hub to which universal serial bus devices can be connected. One or more remote gas detectors are electronically communicating with the monitoring station on a data connection. The data connection has a length exceeding five meters and comprises a universal serial bus and a universal serial bus device. The universal serial bus comprises a universal serial bus cable connected to the universal serial bus port or hub of the computer.
Another aspect of the invention provides a gas detection system comprising: a monitoring station comprising a programmed computer and one or more remote gas detectors electronically communicating with the monitoring station on a data connection. The data connection comprises: a universal serial bus connected to the computer; a protocol converter connected to the universal serial bus; and an electrical cable connecting the protocol converter to the gas detector. Systems according to this aspect of the invention comprise a step-up switching power supply having an input connected to receive electrical power from the universal serial bus and an output connected to provide electrical power to the gas detector by way of electrical conductors in the cable.
A further aspect of the invention provides a gas detection system comprising: a monitoring station comprising a programmed computer, and one or more remote gas detectors electronically communicating with the monitoring station on a data connection, the data connection comprising a universal serial bus connected to the computer. Each of the gas detectors comprises: a portable sensing head and a base. The portable sensing head comprises a hot wire type gas sensor, a gas sensor power supply, a data output, a processor and an audible alarm connected to the processor. The processor is configured to sound the audible alarm when a gas sensor output signal exceeds a threshold value. The base is adapted to detachably hold the portable sensing head and is electronically connected to the monitoring station. The base provides a data connection between the data output and the monitoring station.
A still further aspect of the invention provides a gas detection system for detecting hazardous gases within a facility by way of a number of gas detectors situated at various locations in the facility. The system comprises: a monitoring station comprising a universal serial bus interface, a microcontroller, mini-computer or microprocessor and a universal serial bus port or hub. One or more remote gas detectors electronically communicate with the monitoring station by way of a universal serial bus capable of operating on either a synchronous or asynchronous polling basis. The universal serial bus comprises a universal serial bus cable connected to the universal serial bus port or hub. Each of the remote gas detectors comprises: a portable sensing head comprising a gas sensor, a power supply and a data output; and a base adapted to detachably hold the portable sensing head, the base electronically connected to the monitoring station and providing a data connection between tle data output and the monitoring station.
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Neodym Systems Inc
Oyen Wiggs Green & Mutala
Wiggins J. David
Williams Hezron
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