Abstract:
A safety monitoring system for a cylinder for containing compressible fluid. The system comprises a sensor assembly for measuring and/or detecting a cylinder status, and output sensor data which indicates the cylinder status. A processor is configured to receive the sensor data and perform a hazard analysis comprising determining whether the cylinder status satisfies a hazard condition. In response to the determination being positive, an electronic signal is sent to an electronic assembly for use in effecting a hazard response action.
Abstract:
A cylinder valve having a body and a valve member moveable between a closed position, for preventing escape of fluid, and an open position, for allowing escape of fluid. The valve also has an orientation sensor for measuring the orientation of the valve relative to a reference axis. A processor is configured to detect if the valve is orientated at or below a threshold angle based on the orientation, determine whether the valve has been orientated above the threshold angle for a predetermined length of time, and prevent the valve member from moving from the closed position to the open position if the valve axis has not been orientated above the threshold angle for the predetermined length of time.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a shut-off valve, in particular a shut-off valve for use on a cylinder containing pressurised fluid. A shut-off valve (100) for use on a cylinder (102) containing pressurised fluid, the shut-off valve (100) comprising: a valve element movable between an open position and a closed position;a controller (104); and a sensor (106) electronically arranged to provide the authorisation signal to the controller (104) and to sense data for authenticating a user, wherein the controller (104) is arranged to allow the valve element to move from the closed position to the open position only if the authorisation signal indicates that the user is authenticated.
Abstract:
A demountable connecting device (200) for connecting an article to a support member (21), comprises a first hollow coupling member (206) having a configuration for gripping the support member, and at least one pair of opposed surfaces configured to extend beyond the support member, the surfaces having at least one pair of opposed apertures (211). A second complementary coupling member (208) has at least one aperture (219) configured to be aligned with the apertures (211) of the first coupling (member 206). A locking key (230) is configured to engage the apertures (211) of the first coupling member (206) and the second coupling member (208) and hold said members in a locked position. The second coupling member (208) is connectible to or integral with the article.
Abstract:
A sensor module for connection between a fabrication tool and the head of the fabrication tool. It comprises an interface connectable to the fabrication tool, comprising: a power port for receiving power transmitted by the fabrication tool to the head, a gas port for receiving gas delivered by the fabrication tool to the head, and another interface connectable to the head which comprises another power port for delivering power to the head, another gas port for delivering gas, from the first gas port, to the head. The module also has a sensor module comprising a memory, a sensor for measuring power transmitted to the head, another sensor for measuring the gas delivered to the head, means for transmitting information between the sensor module and a remote location, and a processor electronically connected to the memory, transmission means, and sensors.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a valve (300) for attachment to a cylinder (5) for pressurised fluid, such as a gas cylinder. A valve for a cylinder (5), comprises: a primary module (110); and one or more secondary module(s) (120, 125, 130) detachably connected to the primary module (110), the/each secondary module (120, 125, 130) comprising at least one of: a display; a memory; a wireless transmitter; a wireless receiver; a sensor; a processor; a store of charge; an RFID chip; an NFC chip; a flow meter; a flow sensor; a GPS receiver; a phone dock arranged for physical connection with a smart phone; a battery; zigbee; a data cable connection port; a power transfer port; an inductive charging receiver and/or a gas/fluid interface connection, the primary module (110) comprising: a valve body; a port (11) formed in the valve body for attachment to external piping or hosing; a valve inlet (21) formed in the valve body for communicating with the interior of a cylinder (5) when the valve (300) is installed thereon; and a flow path extending from the port (11) to the valve inlet (21).
Abstract:
A method of transmitting data from one or more gas cylinders each having a store of charge. The method comprises identifying a number of gas cylinders and nominating one of them for transmitting the data. Data is transmitted at a first power output to the nominated cylinder from at least one of the other, identified, cylinders. The data is then transmitted from the nominated cylinder at a second power output, the second power output being greater than the first power output.
Abstract:
An electronic display system for a cylinder containing compressible fluid. The display system comprises a cylinder valve which has an information display controller which is configured to receive information describing properties of the valve, the cylinder and/or the compressible fluid. Using this information, an electronic signal is generated for use by a display device to display the status of the valve, cylinder and/or compressible fluid. A local display device receives the electronic signal and displays the status on a display surface. The display surface is provided on the body of the cylinder and/or on the body of a valve guard attached to the cylinder.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a communication system, in particular a system for fluid containing cylinders. A cylinder assembly (1), comprising: at least one sensor (113) for sensing a property of the cylinder assembly (1) or a fluid stored in the cylinder assembly (1) and thereby generating sensor data; first communication means (111) for wirelessly transmitting sensor data; and second communication means (112) for wirelessly transmitting sensor data, wherein the range of the second communication means (112) is greater than the range of the first communication means (111).
Abstract:
A valve apparatus for mixing fluids comprising a plurality of digital valves. Each valve has an actuator for adjusting the pressure and/or rate of flow of fluid from a cylinder storing fluid, a mixer for mixing the flow of fluid from each valve to produce an output flow, a fluid analysis unit arranged to monitor the composition of the output flow, and a controller arranged to provide a target mixture concentration for the output flow. The controller transmits target data to the fluid analysis unit, the fluid analysis unit receives the target data, to determine any error in the monitored composition, and sends a correction signal to one or more of the valves for adjusting the flow. Each of the valves is able to receive a correction signal and to adjust the flow using the actuator.