Electronic Gauge

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic gauge (I) for use with a compressed gas cylinder (2). The electronic gauge (I) comprises a display interface (4), a pressure sensor (5) having a pressure sensing element (6) and an amplification circuit (7) for amplifying a signal from the pressure sensing element (6), a temperature sensor (8), and a control electronics board (I 0) connected to the display interface (4), the pressure sensing element (6) and the temperature sensor (8). The invention also relates to a method of calculating time remaining until substantially all gas in a compressed gas cylinder (2) has been depleted, and a method of monitoring that a residual pressure valve of a gas cylinder (2) is operational.

Claims

1. An electronic gauge for use with a compressed gas cylinder, comprising: a display interface, a pressure sensor having a pressure sensing element and an amplification circuit for amplifying a signal from the pressure sensing element, a temperature sensor, and a control electronics board connected to the display interface, the pressure sensing element, and the temperature sensor, wherein the amplification circuit is integrally formed with the control electronics board.

2. The electronic gauge according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensing element of the pressure sensor and a temperature sensing element of the temperature sensor are adjacently arranged so as to measure pressure and temperature at the same location.

3. The electronic gauge according to claim 1, further comprising a memory connected to the control electronics board.

4. The electronic gauge according to claim 1, further comprising a casing which houses all components of the electronic gauge.

5. The electronic gauge according to claim 4, wherein the casing further houses a battery providing power to the components of the electronic gauge.

6. A method of calculating time remaining until substantially all gas in a compressed gas cylinder has been depleted, the method comprises: detecting an open flowrate position of the gas cylinder, detecting at least one pressure value in the gas cylinder, detecting at least one temperature value in the gas cylinder, and calculating a time remaining until substantially all gas in a compressed gas cylinder has been depleted based on the at least one pressure value, the at least one temperature value, and a volume of the gas cylinder, wherein the at least one pressure value and the at least one temperature value are detected at the same location.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising displaying the time remaining until substantially all gas in the gas cylinder has been depleted on a display interface.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising storing the detected values which in connection with a learning algorithm is used to enhance the accuracy in calculating the time remaining until substantially all gas in a compressed gas cylinder has been depleted.

9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising triggering an alarm if the calculated time remaining until substantially all gas in a compressed gas cylinder has been depleted is below a predetermined time value.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising wirelessly sending a signal to a further unit upon triggering of the alarm.

11. A method of monitoring that a residual pressure valve of a gas cylinder is operational, comprising: detecting at least one pressure value in the gas cylinder, detecting at least one temperature value in the gas cylinder, detecting an open flowrate position of the residual pressure valve, calculating an activation pressure of the residual pressure valve based on the at least one temperature value, comparing the at least one pressure value in the gas cylinder with the calculated activation pressure of the residual pressure valve, and indicating to a user that the residual pressure valve is operational if the detected at least one pressure value is above the calculated activation pressure for a specific time period, and/or indicating to the user that the residual pressure valve is not operational if the detected at least one pressure value is below the calculated activation pressure for a specific time period.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one pressure value and the at least one temperature value are detected at the same location.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the steps of the method are repeated continuously such that a constant indication of the status of the residual pressure valve can be provided.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising storing any information relating to the residual pressure valve on a memory.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising presenting the indication of the status of the residual pressure valve on a display interface and/or wirelessly transmitting the indication of the status of the residual pressure valve to a further unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals may be used for similar elements, and wherein:

[0033] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of an electronic gauge according to first aspect of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 2A to 2B are perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a gas cylinder equipped with the electronic gauge in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a system including the electronic gauge in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0036] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an electronic gauge 1 for use with a compressed gas cylinder 2. The electronic gauge 1 comprises a display interface 4, a pressure sensor 5 which divided into a pressure sensing element 6 and an amplification circuit 7 for amplifying a signal from the pressure sensing element 6, and a temperature sensor 8. The pressure sensing element 6 of the pressure sensor 7 and a temperature sensing element 9 of the temperature sensor 8 are adjacently arranged so as to be able to measure pressure and temperature at the same location in the gas cylinder 2.

[0037] The electronic gauge 1 further comprises a control electronics board 10 which is connected to the display interface 4, the pressure sensing element 6 and the temperature sensor 8. The amplification circuit 7 is integrally formed with the control electronics board 10 in order to be able to make a more compact overall electronic gauge 1. In this specific embodiment, the electronic gauge 1 is further equipped with a memory 11 which also is connected to the control electronics board 10.

[0038] Here, an outer casing 12 is provided which houses all components of the electronic gauge 1. The outer casing 12 comprises a battery 13 which provides power to the components of the electronic gauge 1.

[0039] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the gas cylinder 2 equipped with the electronic gauge 1 of the present invention.

[0040] The new and inventive electronic gauge 1 is useful in a number of different ways, both for a user of the gas cylinder 2 as well as for a patient caretaker.

[0041] According to one exemplary method, the electronic gauge 1 is used to calculate the time remaining until substantially all gas in the gas cylinder 2 has been depleted.

[0042] The method comprises detecting an open flowrate position of the gas cylinder 2, detecting at least one pressure value in the gas cylinder 2, detecting at least one temperature value in the gas cylinder 2, and calculating a time remaining until substantially all gas in a compressed gas cylinder 2 has been depleted based on the at least one pressure value, the at least one temperature value, and a volume of the gas cylinder. The at least one pressure value and the at least one temperature value are detected at the same location in the gas cylinder 2.

[0043] In one preferred embodiment, the method further comprises storing the detected values which in connection with a learning algorithm is used to enhance the accuracy in calculating the time remaining until substantially all gas in a compressed gas cylinder 2 has been depleted.

[0044] The method could also include displaying the time remaining until substantially all gas in the gas cylinder 2 has been depleted on a display interface, and triggering an alarm if the calculated time remaining until substantially all gas in a compressed gas cylinder 2 has been depleted is below a predetermined time value. Preferably, a signal to a display unit 14 is sent wirelessly upon triggering of the alarm.

[0045] According to another exemplary method, the electronic gauge 1 is used to monitor that a residual pressure valve (not shown) of the gas cylinder 2 is operational.

[0046] The method comprises detecting at least one pressure value in the gas cylinder 2, detecting at least one temperature value in the gas cylinder 2, detecting an open flowrate position of the residual pressure valve, calculating an activation pressure of the residual pressure valve based on the at least one temperature value, comparing the at least one pressure value in the gas cylinder 2 with the calculated activation pressure of the residual pressure valve, and indicating to a user that the residual pressure valve is operational if the detected at least one pressure value is above the calculated activation pressure for a specific time period, and/or indicating to the user that the residual pressure valve is not operational if the detected at least one pressure value is below the calculated activation pressure for a specific time period.

[0047] Preferably, the at least one pressure value and the at least one temperature value are detected at the same location.

[0048] Further, in order to be able to provide a continuous monitoring of the status of the residual pressure valve, the steps of the method are repeated continuously such that a constant indication of the status of the residual pressure valve can be provided.

[0049] The method could also comprise storing any information relating to the residual pressure valve on the memory 11, and comprising presenting the indication of the status of the residual pressure valve on a display interface and/or wirelessly transmitting the indication of the status of the residual pressure valve to a further unit 14.

[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates a system in which the gas cylinder 2 equipped with the electronic gauge 1 is wirelessly connected to the display unit 14 via a cloud. The signal from the electronic gauge 1 goes through a hub using Bluetooth which in turn transmits the data. An oxygen concentrator may be used as the hub, or it be constituted by a stand-alone hub in order to thereafter link to the cloud or any other data transmission.

[0051] It is understood that other variations in the present invention are contemplated and in some instances, some features of the invention can be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

[0052] Naturally, the number, size and shape of the components of the electronic gauge 1 may be variated in any suitable way without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0053] The control electronics board 10 may be programmed to initiate different types of alarms in order to make the gas cylinder 2 more user-friendly and to enhance safety related to the use of the same. The control electronics board 10 may for example be programmed to initiate an alarm if the pressure sensor 5 or the temperature sensor 8 detect values outside of a predetermined range. Another example could be an alarm for no flow, i.e. if the flow knob is set to give a flow but the shutoff valve is off, an alarm should be initiated after about 30 seconds once the electronic gauge 1 has established that there is no pressure drop.