GB2579174A

GB2579174A - Gas cylinder monitoring

Info

Publication number: GB2579174A
Application number: GB1817690.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Jackson Christopher
Original assignee: Linde GmbH
Current assignee: Linde GmbH
Priority date: 2018-10-30
Filing date: 2018-10-30
Publication date: 2020-06-17
Also published as: GB201817690D0

Abstract

A pressurized gas cylinder monitoring system comprising a gas cylinder 2, a valve body 4 having an outlet 6, and a monitoring system comprising a power source (26, figure 3), a signaling device (28, figure 3) such as a wireless device, a removable cover 12, such as a tamper-evident cap, and a signal activation mechanism 14. Whilst the cap is in place over the outlet, the signal activation mechanism prevents power transmission from the power source to the signaling device. When the cap is removed, the signal activation mechanism moves to a second position to allow power to flow to the signal device. The signal may be transmitted via a cellular repeater

Description

GAS CYLINDER MONITORING

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a gas cylinder monitoring system and a methods of monitoring gas cylinder usage. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to gas cylinder monitoring system for cylinders which are used to supply clinical gasses to patients, and for supplying industrial gases where it is desirable to know if use of the cylinder has commenced or not.

Background of Invention

Although reference is made to a "cylinder", it will be understood that the invention is applicable broadly to all portable pressurised gas containers including gases stored under pressure as liquids whether they are strictly in the form of a cylinder or not Such cylinders are typically used to supply gas for a range of applications including, but not limited to: medical/clinical applications, welding and cutting hoses and torches, gas packaging machines and laboratory equipment. It is known to supply gas cylinders into a process including filling, transporting, storing and using before having the cylinders returned to the supplier for refilling and then re-circulation within the process. Cylinders are often placed in storage for long periods of time or deployed from storage but remain unused and effective inventory management is sometimes difficult to achieve without significant and expensive manual checking of stock and the use status of that stock.

It is also known to supply cylinder systems with gauges displaying the pressure of gas remaining, but human intervention is normally required to retrieve the information and some users may find it difficult to interpret the information supplied and may make incorrect determinations of important data such as the total time of gas supply remaining. Still further, it is often very difficult to locate cylinder systems which may be past their use-by date or which may be obsolete or inappropriate for a location. Some cylinders may remain in storage or deployed but unused for prolonged periods of time and may pass their use by date before their contents have been accessed or completely used.

After cylinders have been filled with compressed gas and checked, it is known to provide the cylinders with removable covers extending over one or more external component, such as the valve outlet, the flow control valve and external sensor(s). For some applications, a tamper proof removable cover (also referred to as a tamper evident removeable cover) is applied over the external component. In particular, for healthcare applications, a tamper evident cover is placed over the cylinder valve outlet in accordance with regulation to maintain safety standards. A known type of tamper-proof removeable cover is a shrink-wrapped cover, which involves applying the wrap over the exterior component, and heating to mould the wrap around the component. The shrink-wrapped cover has to be forcibly removed by the operator/user prior to use. Any unauthorized interference with the cylinder will be evident and the operator/user can reject the cylinder as unsuitable for use.

It will be appreciated that returning unused or partially used cylinders to the supplier is wasteful of time and gas and creates an administrative and technical burden on the staff and equipment at the storage or user locations.

Embodiments of the invention seek to provide improved tanks which may overcome some or all of these problems.

It is a specific object of the present invention to reduce and possibly eliminate the above-mentioned problems by providing a system which is able to determine if and when a cylinder has been placed into potential use such as to allow staff to more easily manage inventory and gas usage.

Summary of Invention

According to the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a pressurized gas cylinder monitoring system comprising a pressurized gas cylinder for receiving and distributing gas contained therein; a valve body mounted on the gas cylinder, having a valve outlet; a monitoring device comprising a power source; a signaling device a removeable cover configured to be mounted on the valve outlet; and a signal activation mechanism moveable between a first position in which it prevents power transmission from the power source to the signaling device, and a second position in which power is transmitted from the power source to the signaling device, thereby activating the signaling device wherein the signal activation mechanism is coupled to the removable cover such that removal of the cover from the valve outlet causes the signal activation mechanism to move from the first position to the second position.

The signaling device may comprise one or more of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) an Audio Transmitter; a Wireless Transmitter (WT); or a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device.

The signaling device may be a Bluetooth low energy device. The Bluetooth low energy (LE) device may be configured to broadcast an identifier signal. The Bluetooth low energy (LE) device may be configured to broadcast an identifier signal to nearby a portable electronic device(s). The Bluetooth low energy (LE) device may be configured to broadcast an identifier signal to a remote electronic device, via a cellular repeater or a network connection. The Bluetooth low energy (LE) device may be configured to broadcast an identifier signal to a cloud-based system, via a cellular repeater.

The Bluetooth low energy (BLE) device may be configured to broadcast via a cellular repeater.

The signal activation mechanism may be an elongate strip, wherein in the first position a first end of the elongate strip acts a physical barrier to power transmission from the power source to the signaling device, and when the cap is removed from the valve outlet, the first end of the strip is moved to a second position in which it no longer acts physical barrier to power transmission.

A second end of the elongate strip may be fixed to the removable cap.

The signal activation mechanism may be a switch, connected between the power supply and the signaling device; wherein in the first position the switch is open and in the second position the switch is closed.

The removable cover may comprise a tamper evident cover. It will be understood that a tamper-evident cover includes a device or is itself designed to reveal if the cover has been interfered with. The tamper evident cover may comprise a breakable seal. The tamper evident cover may comprise a seal which must be destroyed into der to remove the cap. The tamper evident cover may comprise a visual and/or audible indicator.

The removable cover may comprise a shrink-wrapped cover. The shrink-wrapped cover may comprise perforations or nicks to facilitate removal.

The removable cover may comprise a substantially rigid cap.

The power source may be provided in a housing. The signaling device may be provided in a housing. The housing may be removably mounted on an external surface of the gas cylinder.

The removable cover (cap) may house the signaling device and/or the signal activation mechanism.

The removable cap may include a first (proximal) end which is configured to be removably mounted on the valve outlet. The removable cap may include a second (distal end) which is configured to house the signaling device and/or the signal activation mechanism. The first end may comprise a shrink-wrapped section, which is formed around the valve outlet.

The system may further comprise a receiver provided remotely from the cylinder, for receiving the signal from the signaling device.

The gas cylinder monitoring device may also include a receiver for receiving a signal transmitted from said transmitter. Such a receiver may be placed at a storage location or a use location.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for monitoring pressurized gas cylinder usage comprising - filling a gas cylinder with a pressurized gas; - fitting a monitoring device, as defined above, to the gas cylinder; - mounting the removable cover to a valve outlet of the pressurized gas cylinder; - removing the removable cover to commence use of the cylinder, whereby removal of the cover moves the signal activation mechanism its second position, and thereby connects the power source to the signaling device; - sending a signal indicating that the cylinder is in use.

The method may further comprise transmitting the signal via a cellular repeater.

The signal may be transmitted via a cellular repeater to a cloud-based system. The signal may be transmitted via a network system. The signal may be transmitted to a remote monitoring device. The remote monitoring device may use the signal to evaluate the expected (estimated) replacement time and/or date of the cylinder. The remote monitoring device may use the signal to evaluate the estimated date for replacement.

The method may further comprise using the signal and the known cylinder characteristics to evaluate an expected replacement date for the gas cylinder. Using data relating to the commencement of cylinder use, it is possible to make a relatively accurate assumption (based on analysis of historical usage data) as to when the cylinder will run out. assumption (based on historical usage data) as to when the cylinder will run out and need replacing. When a cylinder valve cap is removed, it can be assumed that the cylinder is about to be connected to a manifold/ pipework etc. and used. Proving information relating to the cap removal and commencement of gas usage, will improve the resilience of the supply chain as you will be able to more accurate control of cylinder stocks.

The tracking mechanism of the invention is advantageous in that due to it may be fitted to any shape or configuration of pressurized gas cylinder.

The tracking mechanism is independent of critical cylinder components, such as the outlet valve and flow controller, and therefore it does not interfere with cylinder operation A further advantage of the tracking mechanism of the invention is that it may be fitted on and used with current cylinder designs. Further, after use, the mechanism can be reactivated for subsequent use on the same cylinder or can be removed and mounted on a different cylinder.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of features set out above or in the following description or drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic of a first embodiment of the invention in a sealed (non-use) configuration; Figure 2 is a schematic the first embodiment of the invention in a second (in use) configuration; Figure 3 is a schematic of a close-up view of section of figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic of a close-up view of section of figure 2; Figure 5 is a schematic of a second embodiment of the invention in a sealed (non-use) configuration; and Figure 6 is a schematic the second embodiment of the invention in a second (in use) configuration.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Detailed description

Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the invention comprising a pressurized gas cylinder 2. The gas cylinder is provided with valve 4 having a valve outlet 6. It will be appreciated that a typical gas cylinder includes other standard features, which are not described here.

A monitoring device (indicated within the hashed lined area) includes a removable cap (sometimes referred to as a cover) 12, and an activation mechanism which will be described in more detail below. A housing 20 is mounted on an external surface of the cylinder 2. An elongate strip 14 is fixed at a first end 15 to the removable cap 12. A second end 16 of the strip 14 is removably fixed inside the housing 20. The strip 14 is made of a non-electrically conductive material. An example of a suitable material is LDPE (Low Density PolyEthylene Figure 1 shows a non-use configuration in which the cap 12 is provided on the valve outlet 6 and the second end 16 of the strip 14 is located within the housing 20.

The cap 12 is schematically represented in the figures as a component which substantially covers the valve outlet. However, it will be appreciated that the cap may be provided in various configurations. The cap may be a shrink-wrapped film. Alternatively, the cap may be a substantially rigid cover. The cap may be provided with tamper evident features.

When the user (or operator) wants to use the gas cylinder 2, the cap 12 is removed from the valve outlet 6, as shown in Figure 2. This is the "in-use" configuration. As the cap 12 is pulled off the valve outlet 6, the second end 16 of the strip 14 which is attached to the cap 12, is pulled out of the housing 20 (explained in more detail below).

Figures 3 and 4 show a dose-up, cross-sectional view of the housing 20. Within the housing 20 are provided first and second contact strips 22 and 24. A power source 26 is electrically coupled to one strip 22. A signaling device 28 is electrically coupled to the second strip 24. In the nonuse configuration, the second end of the strip 14 is inserted between the two contact strips. Since the strip 14 is made from a non-conductive material, no electrical power can be transmitted to the signaling device 28. It will be appreciated that the second end 16 of the strip 14 and the two contact strips 22, 24 form a signal activation mechanism. In a first position (Figure 3), the signal activation mechanism prevents power transmission from the power source 26 to the signaling device 28.

In a preferred embodiment, the signaling device is a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) device that broadcasts an identifier.

When the cap 12 is pulled away from the valve outlet 6, the second end 16 of the strip 14 is pulled out from between the two contact strips 22, 24. As the strips 22, 24 come into contact, the power source 26 connects to the BLE device 28 and it begins to broadcast. The commencement of the BLE signal can be taken to indicate that the gas cylinder is in use.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 5 and 6. Similar components are given the same reference signs as above.

As above a valve 104 is provided on a gas cylinder (not shown). The valve 104 includes a valve outlet 106 on which in a non-use configuration (Figure 5) a removable cap 112 is mounted. A distal end of the cap 112 (remote from the valve outlet 106) houses a power source 126 and a signaling device 128.

In this embodiment, the distal end of the cap 112 is a substantially rigid housing. The proximal end of the cap 112, which attaches to the valve outlet 106, may also have a rigid or semi rigid construction. Tamper evident features may be provided. Alternatively, the cap 112 may comprise a rigid distal end and a proximal end which is shrink-wrapped over the outlet 106.

In this second embodiment, the signal activation mechanism is provided in the form of a mechanical trigger 114 provided in the cap 112. The trigger pin is schematically shown in Figures 5 and 6. The trigger pin114 is biased by a biasing force into a second position. When the cap 112 is placed on to the valve outlet 106 (Figure 5), the trigger pin 114 is pushed against the biasing force into a first position. When the trigger pin 114 is in this first position, there is no electrical connection between the power source 126 and the signaling device 128.

When the cap 112 is pulled away from the valve outlet 106, the trigger pin114 moves under the biasing force to the second position. The trigger pin114 may be electrically connected to a switch (not shown) provided between the power source 126 and the signaling device 128. In this arrangement, movement of the trigger pin to the second position closes the switch.

Alternatively, the trigger pin 114 itself may act as the switch, in that when the trigger pin114 is in the second position, it provides an electrical connection.

As the switch closes, the power source 126 connects to the BLE device 128 and it begins to broadcast. The commencement of the BLE signal can be taken to indicate that the gas cylinder in use.

It will be appreciated that the trigger functioning in this way can also form part of a tamper function of the cap. If the trigger pin is displaced from the first position, this shows evidence of tampering.

In an alternative arrangement, the signal activation mechanism indicated by 114 (figures 5 and 6) is a pin index valve. Movement of the pin index valve from a first to a second position activates the signaling device in a similar way.

In a further embodiment (not shown), a removable cap similar to that shown in Figures 5 and 6 comprises an accelerometer which acts as a signal activation device. When the cap is removed from the valve outlet, the accelerometer detects the predetermined movement and sends a digital signal which closes a switch to transmit power to the signaling device (such as a BLE).

The invention may be used with gas cylinders containing pressurized gases such as, for example, oxygen, argon, nitrous oxide, xenon, nitric oxide, helium and 5 mixtures thereof to patients, and for supplying industrial gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and argon and mixtures All of the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments. It will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

For example, whilst the embodiments above have been described with BLE devices, it will he appreciated that other small scale signaling devices may be used. Other suitable devices could be a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID); an Audio Transmitter; or a Wireless Transmitter (WT).

Claims

Claims 1. A pressurized gas cylinder monitoring system comprising a pressurized gas cylinder for receiving and distributing gas contained therein; a valve body mounted on the gas cylinder, having a valve outlet; a monitoring device comprising a power source; a signaling device a removeable cover configured to be mounted on the valve outlet; and a signal activation mechanism moveable between a first position in which it prevents power transmission from the power source to the signaling device, and a second position in which power s transmitted from the power source to the signaling device, thereby activating the signaling device wherein the signal activation mechanism is coupled to the removable cover such that removal of the cover from the valve outlet causes the signal activation mechanism to move from the first position to the second position.
System according to claim 1, wherein the signal activation device is a Bluetooth low energy device.
3 System according to claim 2, wherein the Bluetooth low energy (LE) device is configured to broadcast via a cellular repeater.
4. System according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the signal activation mechanism is an elongate strip, wherein in the first position a first end of the elongate strip acts a physical barrier to power transmission from the power source to the signaling device, and when the cap is removed from the valve outlet, the first end of the strip is moved to a second position in which it no longer acts physical barrier to power transmission.
System according to claim 4, wherein in a second end of the elongate strip is fixed to the removable cap.
6. System according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the signal activation mechanism is a switch, connected between the power supply and the signaling device; wherein in the first position the switch is open and in the second position the switch is closed.
System according to any of the previous claims, wherein the removable cover s a tamper evident cover.
8 System according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the removable cover comprises a shrink-wrapped cover.
System according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the removable cover comprises a substantially rigid cap.
10. System according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the power source; and the signaling device are provided in a housing, the housing being removably mounted on an external surface of the gas cylinder
I I. System according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the removable cap houses the signaling device and/or the signal activation mechanism.
12. System according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising a receiver provided remotely from the cylinder, for receiving the signal from the signaling device.
13. Method for monitoring pressurized gas cylinder usage comprising -filling a gas cylinder with a pressurized gas; -fitting a monitoring device according to any of claims I to 12 to the gas cylinder; -mounting the removable cover to a valve outlet of the pressurized gas cylinder; -removing the removable cover to commence use of the cylinder, whereby removal of the cover moves the signal activation mechanism its second position, and thereby connects the power source to the signaling device; -sending a signal indicating that the cylinder is in use.
14. Method according to claim 13, further comprising -transmitting the signal via a cellular repeater.
15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising -using the signal and the known cylinder characteristics to evaluate an expected replacement date for the gas cylinder.