Integrated firefighter safety monitoring and alarm system
AssigneeNorth-South Corporation
InventorsL. Herbert Stumberg, James A. Fulton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system which allows the firefighter to monitor a variety of safety related parameters during firefighting activities through audible and/or visual means. The system of the present invention monitors the pressure in the firefighter's breathing system and also monitors ambient temperature and motion of the firefighter. An audible alarm is activated to indicate a potential emergency situation relating to low remaining air time, impending thermal breakthrough or lack of motion of the firefighter.
Claims16
A method of providing electrical power to a microprocessor within a monitoring and alarm system used with self contained breathing apparatus, the method comprising
- coupling a pressure transducer to the breathing apparatus and the microprocessor;
- supplying a continuous portion of electrical power to the microprocessor to monitor a signal indicative of transduced breathing apparatus pressure;
- and
- allowing an activating portion of electrical power to flow to the microprocessor for monitoring at least one signal in addition to said pressure signal when transduced breathing apparatus pressure exceeds a predetermined value.
An electrical power supply for a microprocessor in a monitoring and alarm system used with self contained breathing apparatus, the power supply comprising:
- a microprocessor adapted to monitor a plurality of signals;
- a pressure transducer coupled to the breathing apparatus and said microprocessor, said pressure transducer comprising an analog-to-digital converter and producing a digital pressure signal indicative of breathing apparatus pressure;
- a battery supplying continuous electrical power to said microprocessor for monitoring said digital pressure signal;
- and
- a switch allowing electrical power to flow to said microprocessor at a transduced pressure above a predetermined value for monitoring at least one additional signal.
A method of conserving electrical power in a monitoring and alarm system used with self contained breathing apparatus, the method comprising:
- providing for unswitched delivery of a continuous portion of electrical power to the monitoring and alarm system;
- providing for switched delivery of an activating portion of electrical power to the monitoring and alarm system;
- monitoring pressure in the breathing apparatus using said continuous portion of electrical power;
- and
- switching on said activating portion of electrical power to monitor at least one additional parameter associated with use of the breathing apparatus when pressure in the breathing apparatus exceeds a predetermined value.
A method of conserving electrical power in a monitoring and alarm system used with self contained breathing apparatus, the method comprising:
- providing for unswitched delivery of a continuous portion of electrical power to the monitoring and alarm system;
- providing for switched delivery of an activating portion of electrical power to the monitoring and alarm system;
- intermittently monitoring pressure in the breathing apparatus using said continuous portion of electrical power;
- and
- switching on said activating portion of electrical power to monitor at least one additional parameter associated with use of the breathing apparatus when pressure in the breathing apparatus exceeds a predetermined value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.