Portable monitoring unit

Abstract

A portable monitoring unit for personnel working in hazardous environments, including a coupling to which an auxiliary unit can be structurally coupled; a motion sensor; an alert generator which is configured to generate an alert when motion is not detected for a period of time; and a power interface arranged to receive power for the portable monitoring unit from a power interface of the auxiliary unit when the auxiliary unit is structurally coupled to the portable monitoring unit.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a portable monitoring unit for personnel working in hazardous environments; and a plurality of different auxiliary units which may be coupled to the portable monitoring unit, the portable monitoring unit comprising: a coupling to which a plurality of different auxiliary units may be individually structurally coupled and decoupled; a motion sensor for detecting motion of personnel, and activating a pre-alert mode if motion is not detected for a first period of time; an alert generator which is configured to generate an alert when motion is not detected for a period of time; and a power interface arranged to receive power for the portable monitoring unit from a corresponding power interface of one of the plurality of different electric auxiliary units, when said one of the plurality of different electric auxiliary units is individually structurally coupled to the portable monitoring unit, wherein the plurality of different electric auxiliary units comprise at least a first battery pack and a first docking unit for a self-contained breathing apparatus.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling is a mechanical coupling.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said one electric auxiliary unit can be detachably coupled to the coupling.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable monitoring unit comprises a first housing and wherein the said one electric auxiliary unit comprises a second housing, wherein outer profiles of the first and second housings substantially conform.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power interface of the portable monitoring unit comprises terminals or a wireless power receiver.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a temporary power supply for powering the portable monitoring unit when an electric auxiliary unit is not coupled to the portable monitoring unit.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying data.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a data interface for receiving data from a data interface of the auxiliary unit.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the received data comprises pressure data indicative of a fill level of a vessel of breathable gas.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric auxiliary unit is a battery pack.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric auxiliary unit is a docking unit which is connected to a breathing apparatus, optionally wherein the docking unit is connected to a power supply.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the docking unit is connected to a further electric auxiliary unit, optionally wherein the further electric auxiliary unit is a battery pack.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the docking unit is connected to a pressure transducer.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motion sensor activates a full alert mode if motion of personnel is not detected for a second period of time which is longer than the first period of time set for activating the pre-alert mode.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the alert generator includes at least one selected from the group consisting of: a sound generator and a light generator.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the alert generator provides an alert indicating pre-alert mode has been entered.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the alert generator provides an alert indicating full alert mode has been entered.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is selected from the group consisting of: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and an inertia sensor.

19. An apparatus comprising: a portable monitoring unit; and a plurality of different electric auxiliary units, wherein each electric auxiliary unit can be individually structurally coupled to the portable monitoring unit, wherein at least two of the plurality of different electric auxiliary units comprise a battery pack and a docking unit for a self-contained breathing apparatus.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a self-contained breathing apparatus coupled to the docking unit.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein another of the plurality of different electric auxiliary units comprises a light-weight breathing apparatus.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the plurality of different electric auxiliary units are suitable for a plurality of different personnel activities, wherein such different personnel activities comprise one selected from the group of: hazardous investigations and non-hazardous investigations.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a portable monitoring unit and a battery pack; and

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows a portable monitoring unit and a breathing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) FIG. 1 shows a portable monitoring unit 10 and an auxiliary unit 12. In this example, the auxiliary unit 12 is a battery pack 12. The portable monitoring unit 10 may be referred to as a PASS (Personal Alert Safety System) or ADSU (Automatic Distress Signal Unit).

(5) A primary function of the portable monitoring unit 10 is to provide an alert when it is to provide an alert or alarm when motion is not detected for a pre-determined period of time. The unit 10 is typically connected to an emergency worker, either by a clip, not shown, or by being attached to a breathing apparatus worn by the worker. Accordingly, as the worker moves, the unit 10 also moves and this motion is detected. If motion is not detected by the unit 10 for a pre-determined period of time, then this may be indicative that the worker is incapacitated or otherwise injured, so the unit 10 is operable to generate an alert to indicate that the worker may need to be rescued.

(6) To this end, the portable monitoring unit 10 comprises a motion sensor 16 and an alert generator 18. In normal operation, the motion sensor 16 is capable of detecting motion of the portable monitoring unit 10. When motion is detected by the motion sensor 16, a signal indicative that motion is occurring is sent to the alert generator 18. In other examples, no signal may be sent by the motion sensor 16 when it senses that motion is occurring or has recently occurred within a pre-determined period of time. However, when the motion sensor 16 does not detect motion for the pre-determined period of time, then a signal indicative that no motion has been detected during a pre-determined period is sent by the motion sensor 16 to the alert generator 18.

(7) In order to prevent false alarms of worker incapacitation, when the alert generator 18 receives a signal from the motion sensor 16 that no motion has occurred for the pre-determined period, then the unit 10 enters a ‘pre-alert’ mode. In this pre-alert mode, the unit 10 provides a local alert to the worker that it will shortly enter a ‘full alert’ mode if no motion is detected within a further pre-determined period of time. Thus, if the worker is not incapacitated and has merely remained still for another reason, then they can move the unit 10 during pre-alert mode (for example by shaking it) to cancel the alert and prevent the unit from entering full alert mode.

(8) In order to provide the local pre-alert warning to the worker, the unit 10 comprises a speaker 30 and a light 32. In pre-alert, the speaker 30 and light 32 may generate sound and light to indicate to the worker that pre-alert mode has been entered due to no motion being detected. Accordingly, the worker can then take preventative action to avoid a full alert occurring.

(9) During pre-alert mode, if the motion sensor 16 does not detect motion for a further pre-determined period, then the motion sensor 16 sends a signal to the alert generator 18 and the alert generator 18 puts the unit 10 into full alert mode. In full alert mode, the alert generator may change or increase the intensity of the alerts generated by the speaker 30 and light 32 to provide an indication of the location of the worker wearing the unit 10. The alert generator 18 may comprise a transmitter 34 for transmitting an alert signal to a remote device, such as a control board, to indicate that full alert mode has been entered for the unit 10 and to provide the location of the unit 10. Accordingly, other workers may be able to locate and rescue the worker wearing the unit 10.

(10) In some examples, the transmitter 34 may also transmit an indication to a remote device when the unit enters pre-alert mode.

(11) In the example of FIG. 1, the portable monitoring unit is coupled to a battery pack 12, which provides power for the operation of the portable monitoring unit 10. Therefore, the unit 10 can be used as a standalone device which may be worn by an emergency worker, for example with a clip provided on the unit 10 (not shown).

(12) In order to couple the portable monitoring unit 10 to the battery pack 12, the unit 10 comprises a coupling 14 to which battery pack 12 is structurally coupled. As shown in FIG. 1, the coupling 14 of the portable monitoring unit 10 is a protruding element. The battery pack 12 comprises its own coupling 24 in the form of a cavity 24 having a shape corresponding to that of the coupling 14 of the portable monitoring unit 10.

(13) Accordingly, when the coupling 14 is received into the cavity 24, the portable monitoring unit 10 is structurally coupled to the battery pack 12. The coupling comprises a retaining element 26 which engages with a complimentary feature of the battery pack 12 to retain the coupling in the cavity 24. The retaining element 26 is biased into and extended position, but is retracted during the insertion process. Once the coupling 14 is fully inserted into the cavity 24, the retaining element 26 is biased back into the extended position to retain the coupling 14 in the cavity 24.

(14) When it is desired to de-couple the portable monitoring unit 10 from the battery pack 12, the retaining element 26 can be retracted back into the retracted position by depressing a button 28 of the portable monitoring unit 10. When the button 28 is depressed, the retaining element 26 no longer engages with the battery pack 12, and the coupling 14 can be removed from the cavity 24 to decouple the unit 10 and the battery pack 12.

(15) In other examples, the retaining element 26 may be replaced or supplemented by another form of retaining feature. For example, a removable screw or bolt provided on either the portable monitoring unit 10 or the auxiliary unit 12 may removable secure the units 10 and 12 together. A clip mechanism, such as an over-centre clip may also releasably connect the units 10 and 12.

(16) In other examples, other couplings may be provided to couple the portable monitoring unit 10 and the battery pack 12. It should be understood that many other types of coupling may be suitable to structurally couple the portable monitoring unit 10 to an auxiliary unit. For example, the coupling 14 of the portable monitoring unit may comprise a cavity or slot into which a part of the auxiliary unit may be retainably received. Structural coupling may require that the portable monitoring unit 10 and the auxiliary unit are coupled together in such a way that the coupling resists or prevents separation of the two units when coupled.

(17) The portable monitoring unit 10 also comprises a power interface 20 in the form of terminals 20. When the portable monitoring unit 10 is structurally coupled to the auxiliary unit 12, the power interface 20 of the portable monitoring unit 10 receives power for the unit 10 from a power interface 22 of the auxiliary unit 12. In this example, the power interface 20 is located on the coupling 14, but in other examples, the power interface 20 may be located elsewhere on the portable monitoring unit. In some examples, the power interface of the portable monitoring unit 10 may be a wireless power receiver and the power interface of the auxiliary unit 12 may be a wireless power receiver. In this example, a temporary power supply 36 is provided as part of the portable monitoring unit 10 for powering the portable monitoring unit 10 when it is not coupled to an auxiliary unit. The temporary power supply 36 may have a power capacity significantly smaller than that of the battery pack 12.

(18) The portable monitoring unit 10 further comprises a display 38. The display 38 can display data relating to the current mode of the portable monitoring unit 10, such as normal, pre-alert, or full alert. The display 38 may display a power level of the battery pack 12, or a remaining operating time based upon a remaining power level of the battery pack 12. The display 38 may also display data relating to a fill level of a vessel of breathable gas (not shown) which may be transmitted to the unit 10 by either wired or wireless means.

(19) The display 38 may also display data relating to other portable monitoring units which are in the vicinity of the portable monitoring unit 10. For example, if a nearby worker is also wearing a portable monitoring unit 10 which enters pre-alert or full alert, then a signal may be received by other portable monitoring units 10 nearby to indicate to other workers that one of their colleagues may be in danger.

(20) It should be understood that the display 38 is suitable for displaying many types of data which may be required by an emergency worker.

(21) The portable monitoring unit 10 comprises a housing 40 and the battery pack 12 comprises a housing 42. When the portable monitoring unit 10 and the battery pack 12 are coupled, the outer profiles of the housings 40, 42 substantially conform. Therefore, when the battery pack 12 is coupled to the unit 10, they have the appearance of a contiguous device. Accordingly, an interface or gap between the unit 10 and the battery pack 12 may be minimised or sealed to prevent the ingress of particles or liquids, such as those which may affect the operation of the coupling 14 or the power interfaces 20, 22. A sealing element may be provided on either or both of the units 10.

(22) FIG. 2 shows the portable monitoring unit 10 as described and illustrated in FIG. 1 coupled to an auxiliary unit 112 in the form of a docking unit 112. For ease of understanding, some features of the portable monitoring unit 10 have been omitted from FIG. 2. Nevertheless, it should be understood that portable monitoring unit 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2 may have some or all of the features described in relation to FIG. 1 above.

(23) The docking unit 112 forms part of a breathing apparatus 144. The breathing apparatus comprises a vessel 146 containing a breathable gas supported on a harness 148 comprising shoulder straps. The breathing apparatus further comprises a valve apparatus 150 for controlling release of breathable gas from the vessel 146 to a worker's face mask (not shown). It should be understood that many types of breathing apparatus are available and other examples of breathing apparatuses may be compatible with the portable monitoring unit 10.

(24) The breathing apparatus 144 further comprises an elongate flexible appendage in the form of a gauge hose or gauge cable 152. The gauge hose 152 may be secured to the harness 148 such that it conforms to one of the shoulder straps to hang over the shoulder of the user, or it may be left to hang freely. The docking unit 112 is provided at a free end of the gauge hose 152. The docking unit comprises a coupling 124 of a similar type to the coupling 24 of the battery pack 12 of FIG. 1. Accordingly, the portable monitoring unit 10 can be structurally coupled to the docking unit 112 such that the portable monitoring unit is supported on the breathing apparatus 144 by the gauge hose 152. In other examples, the docking unit 112 may be provided on the harness 148 of the breathing apparatus 144, such as on a shoulder strap or a waist belt.

(25) The breathing apparatus 144 further comprises a power supply 154. The power supply 154 may be a battery pack or a connection to a mains power supply. The power supply 154 provides power to the portable monitoring unit 10 via the docking unit 112. In this example, the gauge hose 152 comprises power transmission cables for providing power to the docking unit 112.

(26) The breathing apparatus 144 also comprises a pressure transducer 156 for measuring a pressure of the vessel 146 of breathable gas. The pressure transducer 156 may provide pressure data indicative of a fill level of the vessel, which may also be indicative of a remaining time of breathable gas supply for a worker. Data from the pressure transducer 156 may be transmitted to the portable monitoring unit 10 via the docking unit 112 and may be displayed on the display of the portable monitoring unit 10. In some cases, the power interfaces 20, 22 may also be data interfaces for providing data to the portable monitoring unit 10 to be shown on the display 38.

(27) Although it has been described that the harness is for self-contained breathing apparatus, in other embodiments it could be a harness for other types of breathing apparatus.

(28) It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.