Dangerous condition warning device incorporating a replaceable sensor and apparatus to prevent the sensor from being improperly installed
US5896091A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08B17/113
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A dangerous condition warning device for issuing an alarm when a dangerous condition is sensed incorporates a circuit including a replaceable dangerous condition sensor, a processor coupled to the sensor for periodically determining the ambient concentration of a potentially dangerous substance (e.g., CO) and a horn to issue alarm signals if indicated, the processor also periodically checking the integrity of the sensor, and the device incorporates sensor placement apparatus for facilitating removing and correctly replacing a sensor of suspect integrity. The sensor has an outer periphery and a reduced dimension portion employed as first and second electrodes. The sensor placement apparatus includes a sensor receptacle; a first contact member positioned to contact the reduced dimension portion of the sensor when the sensor is correctly emplaced and to electrically connect to the outer periphery of the sensor when the sensor is incorrectly emplaced. A second contact member is positioned to contact the outer periphery of the sensor when the sensor is both correctly and incorrectly emplaced. Thus, when the sensor is incorrectly installed, an electrical short results to which the proces…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.