IE20070384U1 - A gas detector - Google Patents
A gas detectorInfo
- Publication number
- IE20070384U1 IE20070384U1 IE2007/0384A IE20070384A IE20070384U1 IE 20070384 U1 IE20070384 U1 IE 20070384U1 IE 2007/0384 A IE2007/0384 A IE 2007/0384A IE 20070384 A IE20070384 A IE 20070384A IE 20070384 U1 IE20070384 U1 IE 20070384U1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- gas
- operable
- sensor
- output signal
- gas detector
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000001419 dependent Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 68
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000269400 Sirenidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000003197 catalytic Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001702 transmitter Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Abstract
ABSTRACT A gas detector is disclosed, the gas detector having means for sensing the level of gas present in the surrounding air. The gas detector can communicate this information to a central control computer for further analysis. The gas detector also has a diagnostic module, that can monitor the status of the sensor means. The diagnostic module is also capable of communicating the status information to the central control computer, for the scheduling of appropriate maintenance operations.
Description
Gas detectors are well-known devices uSedmtomiden£ifi¥»Eh&m%WWWW%
presence of various gaseous compounds in the air. They are
regularly employed in industrial environments, where a
variety of harmful gases can be used as components of the
manufacturing processes. Any leaks of such gases need to be
identified rapidly, with appropriate alarm procedures
resulting from a positive detection of the gases in question.
It is known to provide a gas detector apparatus as part of a
centralised building monitoring and alarm system, for example
Building Management System (BMS), or large-scale distributed
measurement and control systems, for example the Supervisory
Control And Data Acquisition system (SCADA). Such systems
allow for the monitoring of for example heating, ventilation,
cooling, security, and lighting systems within a building, or
the status of various pieces of equipment located about the
premises. A gas detector that interfaces with such a system
provides an operator at a central monitoring station with an
indication as to whether harmful gases are detected or not at
the location of the sensor.
However, in known prior art systems, the gas detector is
operable to send a signal to the central station only when a
harmful gas is detected. If no signal is received, it is
generally a sign that the air is clear of harmful gases.
However, it may also be an indication that the sensor
component of the gas detector is faulty, and unable to
monitor for the presence of harmful gases. In such a case,
each individual gas detector must be checked at regular
intervals to ensure proper operation.
It is an object of the invention to provide a gas detector
that overcomes the above problem.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, there is provided a device for detecting a level
of gas, the device comprising:
a sensor module operable to detect a level of gas;
a communications module in communication with the sensor
module and operable to produce a first output signal, the
first output signal dependent on the level of gas detected by
the sensor module; and
a diagnostic module operable to monitor the operational
status of the sensor module, wherein the communications
module is further operable to produce a second output signal
to the diagnostic module, the second output signal being
dependent on the current operational status of the sensor
module.
The use of this device as a gas detector allows for constant
monitoring of a gas level, as well as ensuring that the gas
sensor used is fully operational, and not faulty.
Preferably, the communications module is operable to produce
an analogue output signal and a digital output signal.
Preferably, the analogue output signal can be varied between
0 volts and lfiéyolts, and between 4 milliamps and 20
milliamps.
It will be understood that the analogue output signal can be
provided for a number of different output voltages, e.g. 0
volts to 5 volts, or 2 volts to 10 volts.
Preferably, the device further comprises audio—visual
indicators, wherein the audio—visua1 indicators are operable
to display an indication of the current level of gas detected
by the sensor module.
Preferably, the communications module further comprises a
voltage specificer input, wherein the output voltage of the
first and second output signals is varied dependent on the
input received at the voltage specifier input.
Detailed Description of the Invention
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way
of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
Fig. 1 is an overview diagram of the apparatus of the
present invention; and
Fig. 2 is an overview of a centralised control system
utilising the apparatus of Fig. 1.
with reference to Fig. 1, a gas detector is indicated
generally at 10. The gas detector 10 comprises a generally
rectangular outer casing 11. The casing 11 provides
protection for the contained components. The gas detector 10
further comprises a gas sensor 16 mounted within the casing
of the detector lot
It will be understood that the gas sensor 16 can be chosen
from the group comprising a semiconductor—based gas sensor,
an electrochemical gas sensor, a catalytic gas sensor, an
infrared gas sensor, or any other known gas sensor
technology.
A plurality of apertures 13 are formed on the casing 11, to
allow the gases present in the surrounding air access to the
contained gas sensor 16.
The gas detector 10 further comprises a sensor monitoring
component 18. The sensor monitoring component 18 is mounted
within the casing 11, adjacent the gas sensor 16. The sensor
monitoring component 18 is coupled to the gas sensor 16 via
communication bus 20. The sensor monitoring component 18 is
operable to constantly monitor the status of the gas sensor
16. The sensor monitoring component 18 is operable to record
if the gas sensor 16 is fully powered. The sensor monitoring
component 18 is also operable to perform basic diagnostic
operations on the gas sensor 16 at regular intervals, and
also to check for the presence of the sensor 16, or even the
presence of a dead sensor.
The gas detector 10 further comprises an interface component
22. The interface component 22 allows for the gas detector 10
to communicate with any known controllers, or with standard
monitoring and control systems, e.g. BMS, SCADA.
The gas sensor 16 is coupled with the interface component 22.
The values of the current gas levels detected by the gas
sensor 16 are converted by the interface component 22 into a
standard output format for reading by a suitable computer or
control panel system. .vi
The sensor monitoring component 18 is also coupled with the
interface component 22, The sensor monitoring component 18 is
~ 070334
operable to provide an indication that the gas sensor 16 in
the gas detector 10 is faulty, and requires replacing. The
interface component 22 is operable to convert the indication
that the gas sensor 16 is faulty into a suitable analogue or
digital signal for communicating via a standard
communications bus.
Referring to Fig. 2, a standard control system utilising the
gas detector of the present invention is indicated generally
at 12. The system comprises a central control computer 14
coupled with a plurality of gas detectors 10 (it will be
understood that the central computer 14 may be implemented as
a control panel suitable for access). The gas detectors 10
can be located at various different locations within a
building where it is desired to monitor the presence of
harmful gases.
The gas detectors 10 are in communication with the central
control computer 14 via communications bus 24. The gas
detectors 10 are operable to indicate to the central control
computer 14 the level of gases present in the vicinity of the
detector 10, as measured by the contained gas sensor 16. The
gas detectors 10 are also operable to indicate to the central
control computer 14 the current status of the gas sensor 16
itself.
If a harmful level of gas is detected by the gas sensor 16,
the gas detector 10 is capable of prompting an alarm to be
indicated at the central control computer 14, from where the
operator can take the necessary actions to ensure the safety
of other workers.
If the gas sensor 16 is determined to be faulty or in need of
replacing by the sensor monitoring component 18, the gas
detector 10 is capable to prompt a warning to be indicated at
the central control computer 14, allowing the operator to
arrange the necessary maintenance procedures.
Preferably, the interface component 22 is operable to provide
analogue output signals in the ranges between 0-10 volts and
4-20 milliamps, and digital output signals of up to 1 amp at
24 volts DC, for reading by the appropriate communications
bus.
It will also be understood that the interface component 22
may comprise a wireless radio-based communications module,
which can communicate with a wireless station situated local
to the central control computer 14. The wireless radio—based
communications module may be chosen from one of an RF
transceiver, a BlueTooth module, a GSM transmitter, or any
known wireless communications module. Use of a wireless
communications module eliminates the need for providing
suitable communications bus wiring networks to accommodate
the gas detector 10.
The gas detector 10 further comprises visual and audio alarm
means located on the device itself. These may comprise
various coloured LEDs configured to display the current
status of the device, alarm buzzers, or relays that are
operable to activate remote sirens, beacons, or devices to
relay messages to designated operators regarding the
hazardous level of gas.
The gas detector 10 further comprises a voltage specifier
input (not shown). A user of the detector 10 can specify the
output voltage of the output signals produced by the gas
detector 10. This may be implemented as a user-operated relay
or jumper system within the gas detector 10, that allows a
0334
user of the system to vary the output voltage ranges. It may
also be implemented using potentiometers, or a combination of
potentiometers and relays.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment described
herein but can be amended or modified without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
Claims (5)
1. A device for detecting a level of gas, the device comprising: a sensor module operable to detect a level of gas; a communications module operable to produce a first Output signal, the first output signal dependent on the level of gas detected by the sensor module; and a diagnostic module operable to monitor the operational status of the sensor module, wherein the communications module is further operable to produce a second output signal, the second output signal dependent on the current operational status of the sensor module.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the communications module is operable to produce an analogue output signal and a digital output signal.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the analogue output signal can be varied between 0 volts and 10 volts, and between 4 milliamps and 20 milliamps.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises audio-visual indicators, wherein the audio-visual indicators are operable to display an indication of the current level of gas detected by the sensor module.
5. A device for detecting a level of gas substantially as described herein, with reference to
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
IES84887Y1 IES84887Y1 (en) | 2008-05-28 |
IE20070384U1 true IE20070384U1 (en) | 2008-05-28 |
Family
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