Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-02
2001-03-06
Hofsass, Jeffery A. (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C073S023200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06198400
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to portable gas detection and/or monitoring apparatus. The invention has been developed primarily for use with data logging capability for logging data relating to the presence or concentration of a gas or gases, and reference is made herein to such application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this field of use and may be used in general gas detection and/or monitoring applications.
Although gas detectors and monitors have been used for many years, they have often been restricted to non-hostile or non-corrosive environments due to the effect of corrosive gases on electrical and/or electronic components. Sealed units have been provided, but have been difficult and costly to service and maintain, particularly in relation to preventing ingress of gas into the apparatus.
The present invention is aimed at providing portable gas detection and/or monitoring apparatus which alleviates one or more of the abovementioned problems, although other aims and advantages may hereinafter become apparent from the following description.
With the foregoing in view this invention in one aspect resides broadly in portable gas detection and/or monitoring apparatus including:
a case having a substantially cylindrical wall and two opposite end caps sealably connected to said cylindrical wall, at least one of said end caps being removable from said cylindrical wall, and at least a portion of cylindrical wall being transparent;
a gas detection and/or monitoring unit mounted in said case, said gas detection and/or monitoring unit including
gas sensing means in sealed fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere outside said case,
data processing means operatively connected to said gas sensing means,
data storage means and information display means operatively connected to said data processing means,
calibrating means operatively connected to said data processing means for calibrating said data processing means to a predetermined gas concentration measured by said gas sensing means, said calibrating means including externally operable switching means for selectively connecting said data processing means to said data storage means to allow transfer of data from said data storage means to said data processing means, and
communication means operatively connected to said data processing means or said data storage means for communicating data to said data processing means or said data storage means to an external destination and/or vice versa; and
a power supply mounted in said case and operatively connected to said gas detection and/or monitoring unit and/or said gas sensing means.
Preferably, said gas sensing means is mounted to an end cap and is in sealed fluid communication via a passage provided in said end cap.
Preferably, said communication means is wireless and in a preferred form uses electro-magnetic radiation, preferably in the infra-red band, thus allowing a communication link to be established without forming an opening in said case.
Preferably, the length and diameter of the cylindrical wall approximates that of well known Coca-Cola cans and thus is easy to handle by persons used to handling Coca-Cola or other beverages in similar sized cans. Thus, it will be appreciated that the length and diameter of the cylindrical wall is selected to be easy to handle by an adult human hand.
It is also preferred that at least one of the end caps include support means whereby the apparatus may be supported in a hostile environment. In a preferred form, the support means is in the form of an inverted U-shaped bolt or handle fixed to one end cap (the “upper” end cap) with the open ends of the “U” being closed by their attachment to the end cap. The size of the U-shaped handle is selected to permit the apparatus to be suspended from a hook, shackle, eyebolt, chain or the like.
Preferably, the information display means is spaced from said end walls and said cylindrical wall thus being protected to a large extent from physical damage.
Preferably, the apparatus also includes an audible alarm which is operatively connected to said data processor and set to sound in response to the concentration of gas being measured reaching a predetermined level. In a preferred form the audible alarm is mounted in one end cap opening on one side to a passage through the end cap and encased on all other sides in a resin with a cable or other suitable electrical conduit extending from the resin for connection to said data processor. Advantageously, this arrangement prevents the ingress of moisture or gases into the case via the audible alarm.
It is also preferred that the calibration means includes remotely operable electrical contact means operable to close one or more electrical connections remotely, such as by magnetism. Preferably, there are separate electrical contacts for setting a null and a span whereby the gas sensing means may be calibrated to a zero or null value and a span without opening the case by closing the respective electrical contacts in a predetermined sequence.
The apparatus preferably includes an internal power supply, such as an electrical cell or battery. In a preferred embodiment, the power supply is induction chargeable to avoid the requirement for opening the case for replacement and/or recharging of the cells or batteries.
Preferably, the externally operable switching means includes a momentary contact switch, and the data processing means is programmed to selectively connect the data processing means to the data storage means upon operating the switch to close according to a predetermined sequence and/or timing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3786675 (1974-01-01), Delatorre et al.
patent: 5214412 (1993-05-01), Gaviak et al.
patent: 5305231 (1994-04-01), Coppler et al.
Church Ross Trevor
Worth Brian
Abelman ,Frayne & Schwab
APP-TEK PTY Ltd.
Hofsass Jeffery A.
Tang Son
LandOfFree
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