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WO2019175537A1 - Manomètre - Google Patents

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Publication number
WO2019175537A1
WO2019175537A1 PCT/GB2019/050550 GB2019050550W WO2019175537A1 WO 2019175537 A1 WO2019175537 A1 WO 2019175537A1 GB 2019050550 W GB2019050550 W GB 2019050550W WO 2019175537 A1 WO2019175537 A1 WO 2019175537A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pressure
cylinder
microprocessor
gauge
data
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2019/050550
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mark Freeman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
VirtualclinicDirect Ltd
Original Assignee
VirtualclinicDirect Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB1804065.9A external-priority patent/GB201804065D0/en
Priority claimed from GBGB1811511.3A external-priority patent/GB201811511D0/en
Application filed by VirtualclinicDirect Ltd filed Critical VirtualclinicDirect Ltd
Publication of WO2019175537A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019175537A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/02—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment
    • F17C13/025—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment having the pressure as the parameter
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L19/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluent medium insofar as such details or accessories are not special to particular types of pressure gauges
    • G01L19/08—Means for indicating or recording, e.g. for remote indication
    • G01L19/086—Means for indicating or recording, e.g. for remote indication for remote indication
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/04—Arrangement or mounting of valves
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L19/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluent medium insofar as such details or accessories are not special to particular types of pressure gauges
    • G01L19/14—Housings
    • G01L19/142—Multiple part housings
    • G01L19/143—Two part housings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/03—Orientation
    • F17C2201/032—Orientation with substantially vertical main axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/058—Size portable (<30 l)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0153—Details of mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0157—Details of mounting arrangements for transport
    • F17C2205/0165—Details of mounting arrangements for transport with handgrip
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0308—Protective caps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/03—Control means
    • F17C2250/032—Control means using computers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/03—Control means
    • F17C2250/034—Control means using wireless transmissions
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/0426—Volume
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/043—Pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/0473—Time or time periods
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0486—Indicating or measuring characterised by the location
    • F17C2250/0491—Parameters measured at or inside the vessel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0486—Indicating or measuring characterised by the location
    • F17C2250/0495—Indicating or measuring characterised by the location the indicated parameter is a converted measured parameter
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/04—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling using an independent energy source, e.g. battery
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/02—Applications for medical applications

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a pressure gauge and particularly to a gauge for a pressurised container such as a gas cylinder.
  • a gas cylinder or tank is a pressure vessel used to store gases at above atmospheric pressure.
  • High-pressure gas cylinders are also called bottles, but a bottled gas may instead be in a liquid or dissolved state in the cylinder.
  • Figure I shows an analogue gauge fitted to a regulator.
  • a regulator also known as a pressure regulator or dial flow regulator
  • a gas regulator is a kind of valve designed to regulate and stabilise system pressure downstream of its placement. Gas cylinder content is consumed stepwise during the operation and thus the pressure upstream of the regulator varies from full cylinder pressure to values close to zero. The task of the pressure regulator is to cope with such variation and maintain outlet parameters as stable as possible.
  • An aspect of the present invention provides a cylinder data unit, the unit comprising a body, the body housing a microprocessor arranged to generate data relating to a cylinder and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to broadcast the data.
  • An aspect of the present invention provides a pressure vessel data unit, the unit comprising a body, the body housing a microprocessor arranged to generate data relating to a cylinder and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to broadcast the data.
  • An aspect of the present invention provides a medical gas cylinder data unit, the unit comprising a body, the body housing a microprocessor arranged to generate data relating to a cylinder and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to broadcast the data.
  • the unit may further comprise a display, such as a screen.
  • the unit may comprise a pressure sensor/gauge.
  • the unit may be fitted/ retrofitted and/or form part of a cylinder, cylinder head/valve or the like.
  • An aspect of the present invention provides a retrofittable gas cylinder data unit, the unit comprising a body, the body housing a microprocessor arranged to generate data relating to a cylinder and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to broadcast the data, the body being retrofittable into a pre-existing cylinder head.
  • gas cylinder may include pressure vessels, tanks, cylinders, dewars and the like for storing/transporting/dispensing fluids, including gasses and liquids.
  • the unit can be fitted to a cylinder at the point of manufacture, or to an existing cylinder, for example as part of a standard maintenance schedule.
  • the present invention is applicable to“integral” regulators and in other embodiments the present invention is applicable to“movable” regulators.
  • Some embodiments, for example relate to (sometimes lightweight) ready-to-use cylinders having a built-in pressure regulator.
  • the present invention provides an instrumented digital pressure gauge.
  • a gauge that collects and/or transmits data.
  • Data could, for example, be stored locally and/or transmitted (for example using a wired and/or wireless communications technology or protocol).
  • an instrumented digital pressure gauge for a medical gas cylinder is provided.
  • the gauge could be used in conjunction with any form of gas cylinder whether it was intended for medical use or otherwise, although it remains primarily aimed towards medical usage
  • the present invention also provides for the retrofitting of existing“dumb” analogue and digital gauges used in medical regulators with 'SMART' digital gauges.
  • an instrumented digital pressure gauge is intended as a‘drop in’ retrofit for existing analogue and digital gauges and can be packaged in an enclosure of approximately the same dimensions as an analogue or digital gauge.
  • new gas cylinders could be manufactured with pressure gauges formed in accordance with the present invention.
  • the gauge may be communications enabled. This would enable information about the cylinder to be communicated and monitored remotely.
  • a microprocessor may be communicatively coupled or couplable to an existing or new pressure sensor, arranged to generate pressure data representative of internal cylinder pressure and/or other cylinder data.
  • the present invention also provides a retrofittable gas cylinder smart pressure gauge, comprising: a microprocessor, communicatively coupled or couplable to a pressure sensor, arranged to generate pressure data representative of internal cylinder pressure; and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to broadcast the pressure data from the smart pressure gauge.
  • the gauge may further comprise a pressure sensor, arranged, for example, to convert an internal pressure within the gas cylinder into an electrical voltage or determine an electrical voltage from an analogue pressure sensor.
  • Gauges/units formed in accordance with the present invention may further comprise an accelerometer and/or inclinometer and/or a means for determining shock loading.
  • the gauge may comprise means for generating an alert/alarm under certain circumstances, such a if the level of remaining gas reaches a predetermined threshold, or if a shock load is detected, or if the inclination is outside predetermined threshold values.
  • the alarm/alert could be local and/or remote.
  • Some embodiments take power from existing power sources on a cylinder and/or existing gauge (where an existing gauge is modified); others have onboard power such as a battery.
  • Gauges/units formed in accordance with the present invention may further comprise further comprising a battery.
  • the communications module may operate using short-wave wireless communication. Data may be transmitted continuously. Alternatively or additionally, data may be transmitted periodically.
  • the transmission of data may be automatic or controlled/triggered by user input.
  • data can be transmitted from the unit/device/gauge using a short-range wireless communications protocol such as: ANT, ANT+, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Cellular, IEEE 802. 15.4, IEEE 802.22, ISA 100a, Infrared, ISM Band, Near-Field Communications, RFID, 6L0WPAN, Ultra-Wideband, Wi-Fi, Wireless HART, WirelessHD, WirelessUSB, ZigBee, Z- Wave.
  • a short-range wireless communications protocol such as: ANT, ANT+, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Cellular, IEEE 802. 15.4, IEEE 802.22, ISA 100a, Infrared, ISM Band, Near-Field Communications, RFID, 6L0WPAN, Ultra-Wideband, Wi-Fi, Wireless HART, WirelessHD, WirelessUSB, ZigBee, Z- Wave.
  • Bluetooth mesh networking may be used in some aspects and embodiments - a protocol based upon Bluetooth Low Energy that allows for many-to-many communication over Bluetooth radio.
  • Data may be transmittable to a proxy for onward transmission.
  • the data may be transmitted to an item of equipment such as a mobile phone, laptop computer or tablet, watch or any wearable device. From there, some or all of the data may be available and may be onwardly transmitted to, for example, a web server.
  • Data may be storable locally on the device. This could be useful, for example, if data transfer is temporarily not possible.
  • the present invention also provides a retrofittable smart pressure gauge for use with a gas cylinder, comprising: a digital pressure sensor, arranged to convert an internal pressure within the gas cylinder into an electrical voltage or determine an electrical voltage from an analogue pressure sensor; a microprocessor, communicatively coupled to the digital pressure sensor, arranged to generate pressure data representative of the internal pressure on the basis of the electrical voltage; and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to communicate the pressure data from the smart pressure gauge.
  • the present invention also provides a smart pressure gauge for use with a gas cylinder, comprising: a digital pressure sensor, arranged to convert an internal pressure within the gas cylinder into an electrical voltage or determine an electrical voltage from an analogue pressure sensor; a microprocessor, communicatively coupled to the digital pressure sensor, arranged to generate pressure data representative of the internal pressure on the basis of the electrical voltage; and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to communicate the pressure data from the smart pressure gauge.
  • the gauge/unit may derive one or more of: the remaining volume; shock loading; inclination/orientation; location (for example through triangulation, trilateration, GPS or the like).
  • the present invention also provides a gas cylinder fitted with a gauge or unit as described herein.
  • the present invention also provides a monitoring system for gas cylinders, comprising a plurality of receivers for receiving data relating to one or more cylinders and processing means for interpreting the data.
  • the present invention also provides a hospital medical gas supply monitoring system.
  • the gauge could be formed as an integral part of the cylinder or formed separately thereof and connectable thereto.
  • the present invention provides a retrofittable display/communications unit and/or gauge.
  • the existing pressure sensor could be used and the analogue gauge is replaced by a digital gauge with a processor/communications module.
  • the existing pressure sensor and display may be retained and a communications module may be added.
  • some aspects and embodiments provide a retrofitting solution for existing analogue/digital cylinder gauges, by replacing components to“comms-enable” the gauge; this may be a complete or partial replacement of existing components.
  • Other embodiments provide a complete replacement unit.
  • Other embodiments provide a completely new unit.
  • Other embodiments provide the components required for a partial/complete replacement of a unit and/or provision of a new unit.
  • Other embodiments provide the components for a purpose-built unit forming part of a valve, or forming an integral part of a cylinder.
  • the present invention also provides a pressurised container fitted with a gauge as described herein.
  • Medical oxygen cylinders may be used in both the hospital and homecare environment.
  • the present invention may involve placement of the hardware within a valve regulator at the point of manufacture.
  • the present invention may be applicable to many different types of cylinders.
  • the technology allows for different types of cylinder to be monitored.
  • UK cylinders types may, for example, include: AZ; EA; ZA; AB; C; AD; ED; CD; DD; ZD; D; E; AF; DF; F; LF; VF; AV; EX; HX; ZX; G; AK; J; L; HL.
  • UK cylinder types may, for example, include: Oxygen; Nitrous Oxide; Entonox; Helium; Heliox2 l ; Carbon Dioxide; Oxygen/Carbon Dioxide Mixture.
  • Standard or integral valves may be present.
  • US medical gas cylinders may, for example, include: Medical Air, U.S.P. Grade; Carbon Dioxide (C02) U.S.P. Grade; Helium (He), U.S.P. Grade; Nitrogen (N2), NF Grade; Nitrous Oxide (N20), U.S.P. Grade; Oxygen (02), U.S.P. Grade; Specialty Gas Mixtures.
  • US medical gas cylinders may, for example, include: High Pressure Cylinders - sizes T, K, S, M, DEY, O, R, G FE, ME, MEXRS, D, MD, MDXRS; Cryogenic Containers; and dewars.
  • the cylinder may contain, for example, gas, pressurised gas, liquid, cryogenic liquid, refrigerated liquid.
  • Valve types may include: pin-index side spindle valve; integral valve; handwheel valve; bullnose valve; handwheel side outlet.
  • Cylinder types may include: gas cylinders; dewars; cryogenic containers; high pressure cylinders.
  • the present invention may also involve the addition of telemetry to homecare cylinders, concentrators and liquid nitrogen tanks.
  • Tanks that contain liquid nitrogen must be stored and transported upright and the technology will, for example, allow this to be monitored at all times.
  • the telemetry may be placed on the outside of the tank ensuring that at all times it is being stored and used correctly by way of a gyroscope and accelerometer.
  • the present invention also provides a digital gas cylinder meter, the meter comprising a pressure sensor and an accelerometer, and a microprocessor arranged to generate data relating to a cylinder, and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor and arranged to broadcast data.
  • the meter may comprise, for example, means for measuring angle/inclination of a cylinder, and/or shock loading or other means is assessing the integrity or other criteria relating to the cylinder and/or its contents.
  • the present invention may relate to medical gas cylinders.
  • the present invention may relate to medical gas regulators, demand valves or medical gas flow meters. Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.
  • Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a gas cylinder fitted with a pin index regulator having an analogue pressure gauge.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an instrumented digital pressure gauge formed in accordance with the present invention.
  • the instrumented digital pressure gauge contains the following components: • Pressure sensor. This can be either a digital MEMS type device or possibly a modified analogue sensor with its mechanism re-tasked to drive the arm of a potentiometer and give a voltage output proportional to pressure in the cylinder.
  • the accelerometer will record the orientation of the gauge and hence the cylinder.
  • any shock loading to the cylinder such as the cylinder toppling over or being impacted by some other object that could potentially compromise the cylinder will be recorded.
  • the microprocessor reads the outputs from the sensors and converts them into their appropriate units (voltage to pressure from the pressure sensor, g loadings from the accelerometer can be used to calculate angle of orientation and also to detect shock loading.
  • the communications module will communicate data accumulated by the microprocessor to gateway devices strategically placed around the hospital, for example in the cloud, so that the cylinder can be remotely monitored (location, level etc.).
  • Display screen uses an LCD to display information about the cylinder. This replaces the simple, single function analogue display of the analogue gauge. Information shown on this screen will primarily consist of pressure of the cylinder, time remaining before you need to refill the cylinder, and the battery life remaining.
  • Battery The whole device is powered by battery, which is a non-rechargeable cell that will power the device for a minimum of five years.
  • Receiver These receive the signals broadcasted by the communications module. It then relays this information onwards to a device monitoring the entire system, allowing medical personnel to check the status of any cylinder anywhere in the hospital. They are placed in fixed locations around the hospital.
  • the LCD By making the LCD a touch screen a simple menu system can be implemented to afford factory or even on-site configuration of the gauge possible.
  • selection of the cylinder type the gauge the gauge is installed on and/or the type of gas contained within of the cylinder. This should allow the gauge to be able to infer quantity of gas remaining from the pressure reading and also possible predict when the cylinder will become empty.
  • a low powered radio technology such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as the communications medium means that it will not be possible for the instrumented gauge to directly communicate with the cloud. Instead, the gauge will need to connect to cloud via some form of gateway or proxy device.
  • the proxy will receive messages from one or more instrumented gauges over BLE and forward them on over TCP/IP to their destination in the cloud, this will occur once every thirty seconds. Additionally, the device will not generate an alert when it has been misplaced or is otherwise lost, nor will it function when it is beyond the range of its proxy.
  • BLE is a short-range protocol and proxy devices will need to be located in reasonably close proximity
  • the advantage of this architecture is that the approximate location of the gauge and therefore the cylinder can be derived. If a mesh of proxy devices are deployed then a form of triangulation can be used to further improve the accuracy of location.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show a different type of (integral) regulator fitted to a gas cylinder and provided with an analogue pressure gauge.
  • Figure 7 shows the regulator retrofitted with a pressure gauge formed according to the present invention.
  • the invention is not intended as a replacement to the current digital pressure sensors, but as a retrofit to the existing sensor allowing it to connect to the Cloud as described above while retaining all of its former function. Additionally, the original digital display can be used in most cases.
  • FIGS 8 to 10 illustrate an example of a gas supply monitoring system formed in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 8 shows a medical installation, such as a hospital 10.
  • the hospital has several gas cylinder store rooms 1 5a, 1 5b, 1 5c which service a plurality of medical rooms (such as wards and operating theatres).
  • a plurality of receivers 20 are placed around the hospital, including in or in the vicinity of the store rooms.
  • Cylinders 25 arrive at the hospital and are routinely placed in a store room. In some embodiments the cylinders carry oxygen.
  • the local receiver When the cylinders pass into the store room the local receiver receives a signal from the cylinders smart unit.
  • the associated unit/device/gauge When the cylinder is placed in a storeroom, the associated unit/device/gauge is‘dormant’ and periodically sends out a signal once every, for example, two minutes; this allows hospital staff to easily and efficiently confirm the location and status of the cylinder whilst conserving power.
  • the receivers act as a proxy for the information broadcast from the cylinders. This data can then, for example, be forwarded to a host in the Cloud for processing, interpretation, storage and onward communication.
  • Figure 9 shows one of the gas cylinders 25 moved into a ward 30.
  • the receivers will receive signals indicative of the movement and the new position.
  • the cylinder is now “active” will send out information once every, for example, 30 seconds giving details such as the internal pressure of the cylinder, flow rate (if in use) and the time left before it is predicted to run out of gas, as well as the other aforementioned features. Data is therefore offloaded from the cylinder units (for example using Bluetooth RTM) to the receivers.
  • Figure 10 shows what a system may look like with various cylinders placed around a hospital.
  • Figures I I and 12 illustrate a digital gas cylinder meter formed in accordance with the present invention.
  • the meter 50 includes: a pressure sensor 55; a communications module 60; a CPU 65; an accelerometer 70; and a display 75.
  • the meter comprises a rear section 80 that comprises a pressure transducer housing 87 and a regulator connection 89, and an enclosure 90 that houses a battery 92, a printed circuit board 94, and an LCD display 96.
  • Figure 12b is an exploded view of the meter.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention porte sur une unité de données de bouteille de gaz, l'unité comprenant un corps, le corps logeant un microprocesseur conçu pour générer des données relatives à une bouteille et un module de communication couplé en communication au microprocesseur, agencé pour diffuser les données.
PCT/GB2019/050550 2018-03-14 2019-02-27 Manomètre Ceased WO2019175537A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1804065.9A GB201804065D0 (en) 2018-03-14 2018-03-14 Pressure Gauge
GB1804065.9 2018-03-14
GB1811511.3 2018-07-13
GBGB1811511.3A GB201811511D0 (en) 2018-07-13 2018-07-13 Pressure gauge

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019175537A1 true WO2019175537A1 (fr) 2019-09-19

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GB (1) GB2572855A (fr)
WO (1) WO2019175537A1 (fr)

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US20210131899A1 (en) * 2019-10-30 2021-05-06 Measurement Specialties (China ) Ltd. Digital pressure sensor
FR3126537A1 (fr) * 2021-09-02 2023-03-03 L'air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L’Étude Et L'exploitation Des Procédés Georges Claude Installation de gestion de bouteilles de gaz dans un établissement hospitalier

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3113106B1 (fr) * 2020-07-31 2022-08-19 Lair Liquide Sa Pour L’Etude Et Lexploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Récipient de fluide sous pression avec dispositif électronique à système d'endormissement et de réveil des moyens de communication avec l’extérieur

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US6326896B1 (en) * 1999-05-24 2001-12-04 Mcdermott Francis Fritz Gauge mounted pressure monitor and alarm for compression mounting with compressed gas storage tank

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US20080150739A1 (en) * 2006-12-26 2008-06-26 Gamard Stephan C F Medical gas cylinder alarm and monitoring system and method
GB2486018B (en) * 2010-12-02 2015-07-15 Bedford Hospital Nhs Trust Measurement and reporting apparatus
EP2753862A2 (fr) * 2011-09-09 2014-07-16 Draeger Medical Systems, Inc. Indicateur de position de vanne électronique
FR3016680B1 (fr) * 2014-01-22 2016-01-22 Air Liquide Robinet pour bouteille de fluide sous pression et bouteille correspondante
GB201504445D0 (en) * 2015-03-17 2015-04-29 Linde Ag An electronic system for a cylinder to provide status information
CN206221975U (zh) * 2016-11-23 2017-06-06 华东理工大学 一种高压天然气长管拖车用组合爆破片安全装置

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US6326896B1 (en) * 1999-05-24 2001-12-04 Mcdermott Francis Fritz Gauge mounted pressure monitor and alarm for compression mounting with compressed gas storage tank

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20210131899A1 (en) * 2019-10-30 2021-05-06 Measurement Specialties (China ) Ltd. Digital pressure sensor
US11536623B2 (en) * 2019-10-30 2022-12-27 Measurement Specialties (China) Ltd. Digital pressure sensor with rubber cover
FR3126537A1 (fr) * 2021-09-02 2023-03-03 L'air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L’Étude Et L'exploitation Des Procédés Georges Claude Installation de gestion de bouteilles de gaz dans un établissement hospitalier

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GB2572855A (en) 2019-10-16
GB201902663D0 (en) 2019-04-10

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