US3789231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vapor detector safety system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-20
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1993-02-20
Abstract
Abstract A combustible vapor detector system providing both a proportional visual reading and a simultaneous switching function in a common instrument includes a meter relay and a vapor sensor remotely located in a compartment likely to have an accumulation of combustible vapors which operably coupled to the meter relay to control its reading at an operator''s console and a plurality of switching sectors associated with the meter relay arranged to sequentially operate several independent circuits within selected meter ranges so a ''''safe'''' or ''''caution'''' condition will be indicated with auxilliary elements, such as lights or audible elements, apart from the meter readings, and a ''''danger'''' condition will trigger a disabling circuit to stop or prevent the start-up of any machinery located in the compartment containing the sensor. The switching sectors may also be employed to operate a blower to purger the compartment of any accumulation of combustible vapors and the ''''danger'''' condition can also be employed to shut off all electrically controlled machinery located in the compartment having the vapor sensor or elsewhere.
Inventors
- 👤 A Hayden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:35
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63J; B63J2/00; B63J2/02; B63J2/06; F; F02; F02N; F02N15/00; F02N15/10; F02P; F02P11/00; F02P11/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A vapor detector control system comprising: a source of electrical power; a meter relay having at least three sequential independent switching ranges and a visual reading in all of said ranges, said meter relay operably coupled to said source; a first circuit having a first indicating means coupled to a first switching range of said meter relay and being operably connected to said source by said meter relay when said visual reading is in its first switching range; a second circuit having second indicating means coupled to a second switching range of said meter relay and being operably connected to said source when said visual reading is in its second switching range; a third circuit having a disabling means to render machinery in a monitored compartment inoperable coupled to a third switching range of said meter relay when said visual reading is in its third switching range; and a vapor sensor electrically coupled to said meter relay and located in said monitored compartment where explosive organic fumes are likely to accumulate, said sensor operable to control said visual reading together with the respective said indicating means and disabling means in direct relationship to the concentration of said fumes whereby auxiliary warnings are provided when said meter reading is in said first and second switching ranges and said disabling means renders the machinery in said monitored compartment inoperable when said meter reading is in the said third switching range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A vapor detector control system comprising: a source of electrical power; a meter relay having at least three sequential independent switching ranges and a visual reading in all of said ranges, said meter relay operably coupled to said source; a first circuit having a first indicating means coupled to a first switching range of said meter relay and being operably connected to said source by said meter relay when said visual reading is in its first switching range; a second circuit having second indicating means coupled to a second switching range of said meter relay and being operably connected to said source when said visual reading is in its second switching range; a third circuit having a disabling means to render machinery in a monitored compartment inoperable coupled to a third switching range of said meter relay when said visual reading is in its third switching range; and a vapor sensor electrically coupled to said meter relay and located in said monitored compartment where explosive organic fumes are likely to accumulate, said sensor operable to control said visual reading together with the respective said indicating means and disabling means in direct relationship to the concentration of said fumes whereby auxiliary warnings are provided when said meter reading is in said first and second switching ranges and said disabling means renders the machinery in said monitored compartment inoperable when said meter reading is in the said third switching range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vapor detector system defined in claim 1 wherein the first indicating means is an electrical lamp and the second indicating means is an audible alarm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The vapor detector system defined in claim 1 wherein the second circuit includes a blower means connected to the monitored compartment and operable to purge said monitored compartment of accumulated fumes when the meter of the meter relay reading is in its second switching range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vapor detector system defined in claim 1 wherein a multi-position switch is coupled between the source and the meter relay whereby the vapor detector system can be operated independently and in combination with other electrical circuits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vapor detector system defined in claim 1 wherein the disabling means is a normally closed circuit breaker which opens its contacts when activated by said power source through the meter relay.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2049987A
Cited
US3489912A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |