Method and apparatus for determining operational condition of pollution monitoring equipment
AssigneeVision Fire & Security Pty Ltd
InventorRon Knox
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for determining an operational condition of a particle detection system including at least one sample inlet for receiving a sample flow from a monitored region. The method includes the step of conducting an upstream measurement of a flow rate through the at least one sample inlet.
Claims26
A method for determining an operational condition of a particle detection system, the particle detection system comprising a plurality of sample inlets for receiving a plurality of sample flows from a monitored region, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a flow sensor and a single extension means;
- conducting an upstream measurement of a flow rate through one sample inlet using the flow sensor and the single extension means such that the measuring is performed at a point at or near ground level that is remote from the sampling inlet;
- and
- determining an operational condition of the particle detection system in accordance with the measured flow rate;
- wherein the step of conducting an upstream measurement is repeated for at least one more of the sample inlets using the flow sensor and the single extension means.
A method of testing the operation of pollution monitoring equipment, the pollution monitoring equipment comprising a particle detection system, the particle detection system comprising a plurality of sample inlets for receiving a plurality of sample flows from a monitored region, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a flow sensor and a single extension means;
- measuring the upstream flow rate through one sampling inlet of the particle detector system using the flow sensor;
- determining an operational condition of the pollution monitoring equipment in accordance with the measured flow rate;
- wherein the step of measuring the upstream flow rate includes using the single extension means such that the measuring is performed at a point at or near ground level that is remote from the sampling inlet;
- and
- wherein the step of measuring the upstream flow rate is repeated for at least one more of the sample inlets using the flow sensor and the single extension means.
A testing apparatus for pollution monitoring equipment of a particle detector system, the apparatus comprising:
- a flow sensor arrangement adapted to form a sealed fluid communication path between a flow sensor and one of a plurality of sampling inlets of the detector system, wherein the flow sensor determines the flow rate through the sampling inlet so as to allow a determination of an operating condition of the pollution monitoring equipment;
- wherein the flow sensor arrangement includes the flow sensor and a single extension means between the flow sensor and the sampling inlet;
- and
- wherein the flow sensor arrangement is adapted to form, in turn, a sealed fluid communication path with respective sampling inlets of the detector system.
A testing apparatus for testing a particle detector system comprising:
- a connector adapted to sealingly engage one of a plurality of sampling inlets of a particle detector system;
- a sensing device for testing flow rate through the sampling inlet of the particle detector system, the sensing device comprising a flow sensor for conducting an upstream measurement of flow through the sampling inlet, wherein the sensing device is operatively connected to a flow data storage;
- a single extension means providing sealed fluid communication between the connector and sensing device such that a flow path is formed between the sensing device and the sampling inlet via the connector;
- wherein the fluidly sealed connector, single extension means, and sensing device are adapted to sealingly engage respective sampling inlets of the particle detector system.
A testing apparatus for testing a particle detector system comprising:
- a connector adapted to sealingly engage one of a plurality of sampling inlets of a particle detector system;
- a sensing device for testing flow rate through the sampling inlet of the particle detector system, the sensing device comprising a flow sensor for conducting an upstream measurement of flow through the sampling inlet, wherein the sensing device is operatively connected to a flow data storage;
- a single extension means providing sealed fluid communication between the connector and sensing device such that a flow path is formed between the sensing device and the sampling inlet via the connector;
- wherein the connecting device is adapted to sealingly engage respective sampling inlets of the particle detector system;
- and wherein the apparatus further comprises an articulated connection intermediate the connector and extension means for providing relative movement between the connector and extension means.
A testing apparatus for testing a particle detector system comprising:
- a connector adapted to sealingly engage one of a plurality of sampling inlets of a particle detector system;
- a sensing device for testing flow rate through the sampling inlet of the particle detector system, the sensing device comprising a flow sensor for conducting an upstream measurement of flow through the sampling inlet, wherein the sensing device is operatively connected to a flow data storage;
- a single extension means providing sealed fluid communication between the connector and sensing device such that a flow path is formed between the sensing device and the sampling inlet via the connector;
- wherein the connecting device is adapted to sealingly engage respective sampling inlets of the particle detector system;
- and wherein the apparatus further comprises an articulated connection intermediate the sensing device and extension means for providing relative movement between the sensing device and extension means.
A method of field testing a particle detector system, the method comprising the steps of:
- connecting a flow sensing apparatus including a single extension means to one of a plurality of sampling inlets of an air sampling system;
- measuring the air flow rate into the sampling inlet;
- comparing the measured air flow with a previously measured air flow at the time of commissioning the detector system;
- determining from the comparative measurements whether a component of the detector system requires maintenance;
- detecting the flow sensing apparatus from the sampling inlet;
- and
- repeating the connecting step with the flow sensing apparatus for at least one or more of the plurality of sampling inlets and subsequently performing the measuring, comparing, and determining steps.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.