Magnetically controlled gas detectors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9557306-B2
Application number	US-201314135800-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 20, 2013
Priority date	Dec 20, 2013
Publication date	Jan 31, 2017
Grant date	Jan 31, 2017

Abstract

Non-contact magnetic, optical or RF control elements can be used to control various operational aspects, or parameters of a gas detector. The detector can be placed in a low current, or sleep, mode wherein the operational life-time is not reduced by the duration of the sleep mode. Instructions can be coupled to the detector magnetically, optically, or via RF to alter set points or other operating parameters. Information as to bump tests can also be coupled to the detector.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a passive magnetic array; and
a gas detector, wherein the gas detector comprises a gas sensor, and a magnetic sensor, wherein the magnetic sensor is configured to alter at least one configuration of the gas detector in response to detecting a control data transmission provided by the passive magnetic array;
wherein the passive magnetic array comprises a magnet arranged at an angle with resect to the gas detector, and wherein the magnetic sensor is configured to detect an angular position of a magnetic field of the magnet, and wherein the angle of the magnetic field corresponds to the control data transmission.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the configuration corresponds to at least one of an active/inactive state, a bump test indicator, or an operational parameter.

3. The apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein the gas detector comprises circuitry to retain a remaining operational life time indicator, and wherein the remaining life time indicator is not altered when the detector is inactive.

4. The apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein the configuration corresponds to a bump test indicator, and wherein in response to receiving the bump test indicator, the detector automatically stores bump test information.

5. The apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein the configuration corresponds to a set point indicator, and wherein in response to the received set point indicator, a detector alarm set point is altered.

6. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the gas detector comprises circuitry to retain a remaining operation life time indicator, and wherein when the gas detector and the passive magnetic array are adjacent to one another, the gas detector becomes inactive with a fixed, remaining lifetime.

7. The apparatus as in claim 6 , wherein the gas detector comprises a manual button to indicate that the gas detector is to become inoperable.

8. The apparatus as in claim 7 , wherein the passive magnetic array is contained within a detector receiving enclosure, which receives the gas detector, at least in part.

9. The apparatus as in claim 8 , wherein the manual button is carried on the gas detector, and wherein the gas detector is partly covered when the gas detector is in the detector receiving enclosure.

10. The apparatus as in claim 6 , wherein the gas detector comprises circuitry that provides an indicator of remaining gas detector lifetime.

11. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the control data transmission comprises a bump test indicator, and, responsive thereto, the gas detector stores a record of the test.

12. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the control data transmission comprises an indicator of the type of gas used to perform the test.

13. An apparatus comprising:
a passive magnetic array; and
a gas detector, wherein the gas detector comprises a gas sensor, and a magnetic sensor, wherein the magnetic sensor is configured to alter at least one configuration of the gas detector in response to detecting a control data transmission provided by the passive magnetic array;
wherein the passive magnetic array comprises a series of magnets oriented in a North or South arrangement, wherein the magnetic sensor is configured to read magnetic orientations when the gas sensor is passed over the passive magnetic array, and wherein the magnetic orientations correspond to the control data transmission.

14. The apparatus as in claim 13 , wherein the gas detector comprises circuitry to retain a remaining operational life time indicator, and wherein the remaining life time indicator is not altered when the detector is inactive.

15. The apparatus as in claim 13 , wherein the gas detector comprises circuitry to retain a remaining operation life time indicator, and wherein when the gas detector and the passive magnetic array are adjacent to one another, the gas detector becomes inactive with a fixed, remaining lifetime.

16. The apparatus as in claim 15 , wherein the gas detector comprises circuitry that provides an indicator of remaining gas detector lifetime.

17. An apparatus comprising:
a passive magnetic array; and
a gas detector, wherein the gas detector comprises a gas sensor, and a magnetic sensor, wherein the magnetic sensor is configured to alter at least one configuration of the gas detector in response to detecting a control data transmission provided by the passive magnetic array;
wherein the passive magnetic array comprises a linear array of magnets, wherein each magnet within the linear array of magnets comprises an angular orientation with respect to the gas sensor, wherein the magnetic sensor is configured to detect an angular position of each magnet within the linear array of magnets, and wherein the angular position of each magnet within the linear array of magnets corresponds to the control data transmission.

18. The apparatus as in claim 17 , wherein the gas detector comprises circuitry to retain a remaining operational life time indicator, and wherein the remaining life time indicator is not altered when the detector is inactive.

19. The apparatus as in claim 17 , wherein the gas detector comprises circuitry to retain a remaining operation life time indicator, and wherein when the gas detector and the passive magnetic array are adjacent to one another, the gas detector becomes inactive with a fixed, remaining lifetime.

20. The apparatus as in claim 19 , wherein the gas detector comprises circuitry that provides an indicator of remaining gas detector lifetime.

Assignees

• Honeywell Int Inc

Inventors

• Kennard Clive Warden
• Worthington Stephen D
• Eble Brandon
• Saruwatari Tak G
• Stinson Sean E

Classifications

• G01N33/0063

  using a threshold to release an alarm or displaying means · CPC title

• G01N33/007

  Arrangements to check the analyser (calibrating gas analysers G01N33/0006) · CPC title

• G01N33/0027 Primary

  concerning the detector · CPC title