Alarm Monitoring Device

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an alarm monitoring system and more particularly relates to an engine system for monitoring a variety of conditions and alerting the operator to an abnormal condition of any or all of them.

2. General Background

In the present state of the art, alarm monitoring systems used to monitor the conditions of various engine systems and other general systems such as on ships, trains, and deisel trucks suffer from a variety of drawbacks.

A large marjority of systems presently in use are provided with a flashing light to indicate an abnormal condition of a particular system or function being monitored and may be used in conjunction with or without an audible alarm. Upon acknowledgement of the alarm condition by the operator, the system circuitry will cause the light to stop flashing and transfer to a constant bright glowing condition with any audible alarm being deactivated. This presents a particular problem during night time operations as it is well known that any bright lights will have a detrimental effect on night vision. This can prove to be hazardous to the operators of such vehicles as ships, trains or trucks.

Problems encountered with solid state circuitry using printed circuit boards include the following: it often does not stand up well to vibrations encountered in the above operating conditions; it is difficult to trouble shoot for those inexperienced in electronics; and the necessary equipment for trouble shooting is often not present. Normally, each circuit must be tested individually and in sequence. Sequencing may be disturbed if the system is shut down and then re-activated and a separate mode must often be switched to for testing purposes.

Alarm or monitoring systems of which applicant is aware include the following:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,292,568 entitled "Protective Circuit For Boats" teaches an electrical protective system which forms a part of the starting circuit for an internal combustion engine and a monitoring circuit for a boar that has a plurality of alarms for various functions. The circuitry includes a detector for sensing dangerous concentrations of fuel vapor and a time delay relay for delaying the operation of the engine for a predetermined time after the ignition switch is closed. A blower, which operates during the time delay period and is automatically controlled, operates at all times when fuel vapors are sensed and is included in the circuitry to remove fuel vapor from the boats bilge compartments so that the hazard of fire and/or explosion is minimized when starting the engine. A pair of relay switches are placed in series with the engine starter switch with the relays being closed to complete the circuit to the starter only when fuel vapor is not being sensed and after the time delay period is lapsed. The device further provides buzzers and a series of lights to give both an audible and visual indication of the conditions of the engine being monitored. While this patent teaches circuitry which monitors various fuctions of a boat engine and a buzzer and a series of lights to give both audible and visual indication of the conditions monitored, it does not include the testing and acknowledging circuitry of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,037,578, entitled "Ignition Safety Control System" discloses a digital solid state safety control system which is operatively connected to control the energization of the ignition coil and starter motor of one or more internal combustion engines and the energization of one or more exhaust blowers in ventilating communciation with the engine compartment. A central unit houses the control circuits of the system and is adapted to be connected to safety and warning indicator lights on the control panel.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,591, entitled "Safety Lockout Ignition System" discloses an ignition system for power boats for preventing explosions in the engine compartment thereof. The device has time delay relays in series which are connected to a latching relay between the battery and the engine and between the start terminal of the ignition switch and the starter to prevent the engine from being started until blowers have operated for a pre-selected time duration to clear the engine compartment of dangerous fumes. The control latching relay energized by the starter energizes the shut-off time-delay relay after a second predetermined time duration from starting to open the normally closed contacts of a shut-off latching relay halting the operation of the blowers after they have cleared the engine compartment of any fumes which may have accumulated during the starting of the engine.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,227, entitled "Instrument Panel Assembly" discloses an instrument panel assembly having a plurality of indicating elements to indicate the condition of several engine systems being monitored and a test switch for concurrently indicating the operability of the individual indicating elements. The indicating elements are indicating lamps which alert the operator to an abnormal condition. This invention is aimed at providing the operator with a means of checking the operability of the indicator lamps to prevent damage to the equipment due to a burned out lamp or a loose connection from preventing the operator of receiving notice of an abnormal engine condition and is aimed at the commercial automobile field.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,073, entitled "Automatic Improved Engine Control System Containing Both Solid State Circuits And Relays" discloses solid state circuitry which includes a cranking module for activating and deactivating the cranking of the engine, an overcrank module having time delay circuitry which detects when an overcrank has occurred, reset circuitry which resets the cranking and overcrank module after the engine is started, time delay circuitry which delays fault condition engine shutdown where low oil pressure is indicated and start up circuitry which prevent a false alarm condition at the initiation of the system. This invention utilizes complex solid state circuitry having transistors and digital logic circuitry which is aimed at a different purpose than that of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,451, entitled "Circuit For Monitoring The Operativeness Of Current Consuming Electrical Devices" discloses a monitoring circuit adapted for use in automotive vehicles especially for monitoring the operation of an electrical device, with an inert-gas read switch used to monitor current flow through electrical devices and provide an indication thereof. An example of electrical devices monitored in an automobile includes tail lights.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,679,641, entitled "Pneumatically Actuated Anti-Overflow Alarm And Safety Device For Tankers" discloses a means for avoiding overflow of the individual tanks of oil tanker vessels during the loading operation. Increased air pressure flowing from a bell causes a bellows to trip an alarm thus warning of a possible overflow condition in one of the tanks in the ship. The system utilizes a simple alarm trip system and provides no indication of which tank is approaching an overflow condition.

The present invention solves the above problems in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is an alarm monitoring system which provides a dim alarm light after the alarm condition is acknowledged, is rugged and withstands vibration, is easy to troubleshoot and test without special sequencing or switching into a test mode and utilizes electronic parts readily available at many electronic stores.

The basic system is comprised of preferably eight alarm circuits connected in parallel which are connected to an audible alarm. A power supply is connected through an "on/off" switch to a "test" switch, "acknowledge" switch and the alarm circuitry. Each alarm circuit is generally comprised of an electromechanical relay having two normally closed contacts and one normally open contact connected between a lamp and a diode which prevents any electrical feedback through the system to other alarm circuits from the relay. A second diode is connected in each alarm circuit to prevent input from the monitored function from causing a false alarm in a different alarm circuit of the system. Each alarm circuit is connected to the audible alarm through a third diode which prevents input from one alarm circuit to the audible alarm from activating other alarm circuits.

The "test" and "acknowledge" switches allow testing of the system while the monitored functions are in operation or shutdown and also allows trouble shooting of the resistors, diodes, lamps and rlays in the system. The system may be shut off and when turned on again will still indicate the same alarm conditions which existed prior to being shut-off as long as the abnormal functions have not been corrected.

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the indicator panel of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of optional remote "test," "acknowledge" and alarm circuitry of the system of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, it can be seen that the apparatus is generally referred to by the numeral 10.

Apparatus 10 is generally comprised of power source 12, on/off switch 14, alarm circuit 16a-h, audible alarm 18, test switch 20 and acknowledge switch 22.

As apparatus 10 is designed to operate on 12-volt direct current, power source 12 is comprised of a 12-volt D.C. battery in the preferred embodiment but may also be a A.C. power source which is rectified and converted to 12 volts D.C. Power source 12 is connected to on/off switch 14 and the remaining circuitry through electrical lines 24 and 26.

On/off switch 14 is a single pole, single throw (SPST) switch which completes the circuit between lines 24, 26 through resistor 28 and power on indicator lamp 30 when in its closed position. When switch 14 is in the closed position, lamp 30 is illuminated to indicate that power is being delivered to the system and alarm circuits 16a-h and audible alarm 18 are enabled for indicating actual alarm conditions or being tested by use of "test" switch 20 and "acknowledge" switch 22. Lamp 30 is comprised of a bulb or lamp commonly used in applications of this type. Resistor 28 is preferably a 100 ohm resistor which is used to limit the current to lamp 30 so that lamp 30 does not glow at full brightness when illuminated. This provides sufficient current to lamp 30 to indicate a power-on condition while minimizing any detrimental effect on the night vision of the operator of apparatus 10.

As alarm circuits 16a-h are all identical alarm circuits connected in parallel for monitoring a variety of functions, A-H (i.e., water level A, water temperature B, oil pressure C, gear oil pressure D, generator oil pressure E, generator water pressure F, air pressure G, generator fuel tank H), they will first be generally described with only one circuit then being described in detail. Alarm circuits 16a-h are generally comprised of pairs of electro-mechanical relays 32a-h, diodes 34a-h, lamps 36a-h, resistors 38a-h, normally open contacts 40a-h, pairs of normally closed contacts 42a-h, diodes 44a-h and diodes 46a-h.

Alarm circuit 16a has electro-mechanical relay 32a connected to power source 12 via electrical line 48a which is in direct series connection with electrical line 24 and electrical line 26 through "acknowledge" switch 22. It can be seen in FIG. 1 that a circuit to relay 32a is completed, thus activating relay 32a, by the closing of "acknowledge" switch 22. Diode 34a is interposed in line 48a between acknowledge switch 22 and relay 32a. Diode 34a is positioned so that it allows flow of electricity to relay 32a from line 26 but prevents flow of electricity in the reverse direction from relay 32a through diode 34a. The purpose of this will be explained at a later point.

Relay 32a is a conventional electro-mechanical relay which is provided with two normally closed contacts 42a and one normally opened contact 40a. Normally closed contacts 42a have one contact which connects line 50a to line 52a and also completes the connection through the lower section of line 50a through the second of normally closed contacts 42a to lamp 36a. This provides a first means for illuminating lamp 36a when test switch 20 is closed or an electrical signal from the function being monitored is received through line 54 to indicate an abnormal condition. Line 42a is conected through diode 46a to audible alarm 18 for activating alarm 18. Line 50a is provided with an upper section which provides a second means for completing the circuit through lamp 36a to cause illumination thereof. This upper section is connected from lamp 36a to line 48a between diode 34a and relay 32a and has provided therebetween resistor 38a and normally open contact 40i a which also is connected to test switch 20 and the monitored function through line 50a. It can be seen that when contacts 40a, 42a are in their respective normally open and closed positions, that completion of the circuit to power source 12 through line 50a, either by closing of test switch 20 or closing of the switch monitoring the function on line 54, will cause electrical flow through normally closed contacts 42a and lamp 36a. Lamp 36a will then glow at full brightness as resistor 38a is by-passed. Also, electricity will be conducted along line 52a through diodes 46a, activating audible alarm 18. Momentary closing of acknowledge switch 22 completes the circuit to relay 32a thus activating relay 32a and causing contacts 40a, 42a to respectively move to closed and opened positions. As contacts 42a are now open, electricity flows through now closed contact 40a to lamp 36a through resistor 38a. Lamp 36a will now remain illuminated but in a dimmed state due to the effect of resistor 38a. Resistor 38a is comprised of a 180 ohm resistor in the preferred embodiment. Electricity also flows through relay 32a retaining relay 32a in its energized state and thus contact 40a in a closed position and contacts 42a in an opened position. It can be seen that this will also result in deactivation of audible alarm 18 due to the opening of contacts 42a and breaking of the circuit to alarm 18. This provides two levels of illumination of lamp 36a. The first or bright level is used in normal operation to indicate the occurrence of an abnormal condition in a function being monitored. The second or dim level is used to indicate that the abnormal condition is still present but has been acknowledged by the operator of apparatus 10. The second or dim level serves to minimize or prevent any detrimental effect on the night vision of the operator while still indicating the presence of an abnormal condition. It should be noted that when circuit 50a is completed through normally closed contacts 42a that resistor 38a prevents a sufficient amount of electrical flow into line 48a from causing energizing of relay 32a and thus movement of contacts of 40a, 42a.

Having described alarm circuit 16a, it can be seen that remaining alarm circuits 16b-16h are identical to alarm circuit 16a and are connected in parallel by electrical lines 24, 48 and 50. The parallel circuitry eliminates problems normally encountered when series connected circuit are used.

Diodes 34a-h, 44a-h and 46a-h are preferably minature diodes and serve a special purpose in the multiple alarm circuit of apparatus 10. Diodes 34a-h prevent any backflow of electricity from the acknowledging portion of one alarm circuit into the acknowledging portion of the remaining circuits and indicating an acknowledged alarm condition where one does not exist. Diodes 44a-h and 46a-h both prevent an unacknowledged alarm condition in one alarm circuit from causing the remaining circuits to indicate the presence of an unacknowledge condition where one does not exist.

FIG. 2 illustates a view of indicator panel 56 at it would appear with apparatus 10 installed and ready for use. Indicator lamps 36a-h are illustrated positioned in two rows and labeled with examples of a variety of functions which may be monitored by apparatus 10. On/off switch 14, power indicator lamp 30, audible alarm 18, test switch 20 and acknowledge switch 22 are all positioned on indicator panel 56 for easy access thereto.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an optional test switch 20a, acknowledge switch 22a and audible alarm 58 which may be positioned at a location remote from apparatus 10. Lines 16, 48 and 50 are extended to connected with remote test switch 20a and remote acknowledge switch 22a. Electrical line 60, which is an extension of line 52, and an extension of line 24 are connected to relay 62. Upon activation of audible alarm 18, relay 62 is energized, activating remote alarm 58. Remote alarm 58 will also be deactivated simultaneously with alarm 18 during normal operation of apparatus 10. Alarm 58 is illustrated as being powered by 120 volts A.C. but may be powered by any conventional power source.

In operation, apparatus 10 is used to indicate to the operator an abnormal condition of the functions being monitored and may also be tested through the use of test switch 20 and acknowledge switch 22 to indicate the operability of the various components of apparatus 10.

In testing apparatus 10, on/off switch 14 is moved to the "on" position completing the circuit between power source 12 and indicator lamp 30, thus causing indicator lamp 30 to be illuminated and indicate that apparatus 10 is receiving power. Pushing and holding test switch 20 in the closed position completes the circuit through diodes 44a-h and normally closed contacts 42a to complete the circuits to indicator lamps 36a-h and audible alarm 18. Indicator lamps 36a-h all will glow at full brightness if all system components are in proper working order and audible working alarm 18 will be activated. Acknowledge switch 22 is then closed momentarily while test switch 20 is maintained in its closed position. This completes the circuit through diodes 34a-h causing relays 32a-h to close or be energized thus causing normally open contacts 40a-h to close and normally closed contacts 42a-h to open. This causes rerouting of the electrical circuit through the upper portion of lines 50a-h to pass through resistors 38a-h and cause indicator lamps 36a-h to glow at a reduced factor and indicate an acknowledged alarm condition. Audible alarm 18 is also deactivated due to the opening of the circuit by opening of the normally closed contacts 42a-h. Any resistors 38a-h which are operating at reduced efficiency will be indicated in the corresponding alarm circuit by an indicator lamp which glows in its dimmed state due to sufficient electricity flowing through the resistor to cause energization of its corresponding relay. This indication will occur upon closing of test switch 20 before acknowledge switch 22 is moved into its closed position and provides a means of trouble shooting resistors 38a-h.

Closing acknowledge switch 22 without previous closing of test switch 20 provides a means of testing relays 32a-h and resistors 38a-h. During normal functioning of these components, all indicator lamps 36a-h should glow in their dim state without audible alarm 18 being sounded. An indication of a faulty relay or resistor would be provided by any of indicator lamps 36a failing to be illuminated or being illuminated at its full brightness level. The relays may be visually checked by opening apparatus 10 at indicator panel 56 and visually checking the movement of relays 32a-h as acknowledge switch 22 is closed and opened. If all the relays are functioning properly, then this provides an indication that the corresponding resistor is faulty.

During normal operation of apparatus 10, on/off switch 14 is moved to its closed position and power on indicator lamp 30 will be illuminated to indicate that apparatus 10 is receiving power from power source 12. A malfunction or abnormal condition which causes closing of a switch (not shown) such as in alarm circuit 16a will provide electrical signals through line 54a into line 50a through contacts 42a and illuminating of indicator lamp 36a. Audible alarm 18 will also be activated. The illumination of indicator lamp 36a and activation of audible alarm 18 indicates to the operator of apparatus 10 that the function being monitored by alarm circuit 16a is in an abnormal condition. The operator may acknowledge the alarm condition by momentarily closing of acknowledge switch 22. This causes relay 32a to be energized with movement of contacts 40a, 42a as described earlier, thus causing deactivation of audible alarm 18 and indicator lamp 36a to glow and end a dim state. The dimmed illumination of indictor lamp 36a indicates that the abnormal condition is still in existence and has not been corrected. The remaining circuits will operate in a manner similar to that of as described should an abnormal condition occur in the function being monitored by each respective alarm circuit. It can be seen that failure of diodes 34a-h or 44a-h upon activation of one of the alarm circuits will cause the remaining alarm circuits to be activated and indicate a false alarm condition. This also provides a means of trouble shooting apparatus 10 during normal operation by checking each function being monitored.

The alarm indication will not be lost by apparatus 10 as long as the abnormal condition remains in existence. Apparatus 10 may be turned "off" and then turned "on" again at on/off switch 14 and the abnormal condition will re-alert the operator to its existence by again activating the indicator lamp at full brightness and sounding audible alarm 18.

Apparatus 10 is illustrated in its schematic view in FIG. 1 without providing specific negative or positive sides to the circuitry of apparatus 10 as it is designed to be operable on a positive or negative ground so that it is adaptable to a variety of systems and functions to be monitored.

Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.