GAS DETECTION SYSTEM PUMP ADAPTER

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The current application is related to PCT Pat. App. Ser. No.

PCT US2013/065301 entitled "Gas Detection System Pump Adapter" filed on

October 16, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. 42992-512F01 WO), and to U.S. Pat. App.

Ser. No. 29/469,993 entitled "Clear Pump Adapter" (Attorney Docket No. 42992- 514F01US), the contents of which are hereby fully incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The apparatus and systems described herein find use in mining and industrial applications. Particularly, the apparatus and systems provide warnings in

situations where contamination of the air in the surrounding environment is a concern.

BACKGROUND

[0003] People who work in confined environments, such as mines and

industrial settings, require a way of knowing when the air around them has been

contaminated. Samples of the surrounding air are taken, and these air samples must be analyzed. Ideally, a system would both sample the air and analyze the samples for

contaminants, then inform the user, such as a mine or factory worker, of any danger.

Furthermore, it would be helpful if such systems could operate with minimal input

from the user and if these systems could be worn and operated in a passive manner.

SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect, a pump adapter includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a cutout in the pump adapter. The top portion can include a gas inlet configured to accept gas from a pump. The bottom portion of the pump adapter can be configured to fit on or around a gas detector. The cutout in the pump adapter can be configured to allow for the outlet of gas from the pump adapter.

[0005] In some implementations, the following features can be combined in any suitable configuration into the pump adapter described above. In some implementations, the top portion of the pump adapter can include one or more interfacing tabs configured to maintain attachment of the pump to the pump adapter. In such implementations, each of the interfacing tabs can extend and terminate at a lug attachment site. The cutout can be located in a center portion of the pump adapter in some implementations. Some implementations of a pump adapter can include a flow splitter or at least two channels configured to split a volume of gas provided by the pump to the pump adapter through the gas inlet into more than one gas flows. In such implementations, the more than one gas flows can lead the volume of gas to contact more than one gas contaminant sensors on the gas detector simultaneously. Further, the volume of gas can exit the pump adapter through the bottom portion of the pump adapter. Some implementations of a pump adapter can include a barrier adjacent to the gas inlet to direct the flow of a volume of gas provided by the pump to the pump adapter so that the volume of gas follows a single path through the pump adapter. One or more obstructing structures to direct the volume of gas to exit the pump adapter through an orifice in the cutout can be present in some such

implementations of a pump adapter. Further, in such implementations, the single path of the volume of gas through the pump adapter can flow over two or more gas contaminant sensors on the gas detector one gas contaminant sensor at a time. The one or more obstructing structures can partially define the single path followed by the volume of gas and protect the volume of gas from dilution or contamination due to gas leaking in from the pump adapter interface with the gas detector. The one or more obstructing structures can include one or more portions of a compliant overmould that is on a surface of a housing that surrounds the gas detector. Alternatively, or additionally, the one or more obstructing structures can include one or more recesses within an inside portion of the pump adapter. In some implementations of a pump adapter, the cutout can be configured to allow an alarm light on the gas detector to be at least partially seen.

[0006] In a related aspect, a system includes a pump and a pump adapter as described above.

[0007] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1A, IB, 1C, and ID show an analysis system with a pump adapter that connects a sampling pump and a gas detection component from various views:

[0009] FIG. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E show the pump adapter from various views:

[0010] FIG. 3 shows a front view of an implementation of a pump adapter;

[0011] FIG. 4 shows an implementation of an analysis system in a holster;

[0012] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of an analysis system that includes an implementation of the pump adapter of FIG. 3; [0013] FIG. 6 shows the analysis system of FIG. 5;

[0014] FIG. 7 A and 7B show a flow pattern of gas through the pump adapter of FIG. 3-FIG.6;

[0015] FIG. 8 shows a second implementation of a pump adapter, in which the pump adapter is clear;

[0016] FIG. 9 shows a second implementation of an analysis system in a holster;

[0017] FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of a second analysis system that includes an implementation of the pump adapter of FIG. 8;

[0018] FIG. 11 shows the second analysis system of FIG. 10; and

[0019] FIG. 12A and 12B show a flow pattern of gas through the pump adapter of FIG. 8-FIG. 11.

[0020] FIG. 12C shows portions of the pump adapter of FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B that form part of the barriers that guide the flow pattern of gas when the pump adapter is fitted over a gas detector component.

[0021] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Disclosed herein is a pump adapter that can be used to connect a pump to a gas detection component to form an analysis system. The pump and gas detection component may not have been designed to be used together in an analysis system, but the pump adapter can allow such pumps and gas detection components to form compact, co-operating analysis systems. The analysis system can be used by workers, for example miners, explorers, and scientists, in confined areas, such as mine shafts, caverns, industrial buildings, and the like. Because the analysis system can be used in dark areas where it may be difficult to see, workers would benefit from visual indicators of an alarm state caused by an undesirable gas surrounding him or her.

[0023] FIG. 1A shows a front view of an implementation of an analysis system 100 with a pump 105 at the top of the figure and a gas detection component 110, that can be substantially slimmer than the pump, towards the bottom of the figure. The pump 105 and gas detection component 110 can be joined by a pump adapter 120. The pump adapter 120 can receive the gas detection component 110, such that the pump adapter 120 fits over, or around, one end of the gas detection component 110. The pump 105, in turn, can fit over the pump adapter 120, such that an input site 150 on the pump adapter 120 receives gas from an outlet of the pump 105.

[0024] FIG. IB and 1C show side views of the implementation of an analysis system as shown in FIG. 1 A. The view in FIG. ID is from the back of the analysis system of FIG. 1 A, with the gas detection component tilted upwards.

Similarly, FIG. 2A-2E show various views of only the pump adapter. Portions of the pump adapter cannot be seen when the analysis system is viewed assembled, including the gas input site 150, as in FIG. 1A-1D, as well as a inlet gas flow recess 279 and outlet gas flow recess 281 as seen in FIG. 2E. The following description includes various types of pump adapters and gas analysis systems that may resemble those shown in FIG. 1 A-2E.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic of an implementation of a pump adapter 120. The pump adapter 120 can have a bottom portion 121; a top portion 122; an alarm signal cutout 125; interfacing tabs 123 A, 123B; and an input site 150. The bottom portion 121 can be an interfacing portion where the pump adapter 120 connects to a gas detection component (110 in FIG. 1 A). The top portion 122 can interface with the pump (105 in FIG. 1A). The interfacing tabs 123 A, 123B can allow for a friction fitting to maintain the pump in place over the pump adapter 120, and each interfacing tab can be connected to the pump adapter at one end and free at the other end. The free end of the interfacing tab can move inwards as needed, such that the interfacing tab has a spring-like quality to help maintain attachment of the pump to the pump adapter. The input site 150 can be where gas from the pump is passed to the pump adapter 120, and eventually to the gas detection component. An alarm light or other signaling means on the gas detection component 110 can be located beneath the alarm signal cutout 125, when the pump adapter 120 is used in an analysis system 100.

[0026] When in use, the analysis system 100 can be contained within a holster 190, as shown in FIG. 4. The holster 190 can cover or surround much of the analysis system 100. A carabineer 195, or clip, can be attached to the holster 190 to facilitate attachment of the analysis system 100 to a worker or other user. The holster 190 can have openings that can be configured to allow portions of the analysis system to be viewed by the user, as well as to allow portions of the analysis system 100 to be open to the atmosphere. The portions of the analysis system 100 that are open to the atmosphere, such that the holster 190 does not cover such portions, can be gas inlets, sound outlets, light outlets, and the like. For example, in FIG. 4, the display 115 of the gas detection component (110 in FIG. 1 A) can be seen through a window or cutout in the holster 190. Also, the alarm signal cutout 125 can be visible even though the analysis system 100 is used in the holster 190.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the analysis system 100 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The pump 105, gas detection component 110, and the pump adapter 120 are shown in their relative positions, with the pump adapter 120 between the pump 105 and gas detection component 110. The top portion of the gas detection component 110 can fit into the pump adapter 120. Gas contaminant sensors 116 and a warning indicators 117 can be located at the top portion of the gas detection component 110. Additional warning indicators 118 can be located on either side of the gas contaminant sensors 116. A sound port 119A can be located on the front of the gas detection component 110, below the gas contaminant sensors 116. The pump adapter 120 can have a notch 119B corresponding to the sound port 119A on the gas detection component 110. A display 115 on the gas detection component 110 can be located on the lower portion of the gas detection component 110. The display 115 can show operational status, including which contaminants are detected and at what levels.

[0028] The analysis system 100 is shown in an assembled configuration in FIG. 6. The pump 105 can include a lower portion that has fitting windows, or cutouts, 124A,124B, as well as a window or cutout that aligns with the alarm signal cutout 125 of the pump adapter 120. When the analysis system is assembled, the fitting windows 124 A, 124B can allow the user to view the pump adapter 120 underneath, particularly the interfacing tabs (123 A and 123B in FIG. 3). The pump adapter 120 can cover the gas contaminant sensorsl l6 and warning indicator 117 of the gas detection component 110, such that the warning indicator 117, alarm signal cutout 125, and the corresponding window on the pump 105 align when the analysis system 100 is in an in- use configuration.

[0029] FIG. 7A and 7B show a flow of gas from the gas inlet 150 over the gas contaminant sensors 116 on the gas detection component 110 and to the atmosphere surrounding the analysis system 100. In FIG. 7 A and 7B, the pump adapter 120 is shown as transparent, and the flow of gas 170 from the pump 105, to the gas inlet 150, and over the gas contaminant sensors 116, is shown by arrows. The gas flow 170 can diverge from the gas inlet 150 into two paths over the gas contaminant sensors 116, such that a volume of gas coming from the pump 105 through the inlet 150 splits and then flows largely in one direction from the top of the gas detection component 110 to the bottom of the pump adapter 120, towards the display 115 of the gas detection component. A flow splitter or multiple channels can be located near the gas inlet 150 to cause the split in the flow of the volume of gas. Additionally, the volume of gas can pass over two or more of the gas contaminant sensors 116 simultaneously and then exit the pump adapter 120 through the bottom 121 of the pump adapter 120.

[0030] Another implementation of a pump adapter 120 is shown in FIG. 8. The pump adapter 120 and analysis system shown in FIG. 8 are similar to that shown in FIG. 1A-1D, in that the pump adapter 120 is clear. The pump adapter 120 can have a top portion 122 that interfaces with the pump. A gas inlet 150; interfacing tabs 123 A, 123B; and lug attachment sites 140 are located at the top portion 120. An alarm signal cutout 125 can be located in the center of the pump adapter shown in FIG. 8. A bottom portion 121 of the pump adapter 120 can fit over, or around, a top portion of the gas detector component 110, and the bottom portion 121 can include clear shoulders 145.

[0031] The clear shoulders 145 of the pump adapter 120 can be seen while the analysis system 100 is in a holster 190, as seen in FIG. 9. When an alarm light activates, the light emitted can be seen by a user, not only through the alarm signal cutout 125, but also through the clear shoulders 145.

[0032] Each lug attachment site 140 can be located at the distal portion of the free end of an interfacing tab 123 A or 123B. The lug attachment site can reinforce the ability of the interfacing tab to help maintain attachment of the pump to the pump adapter. The lug attachment site 140 can be configured to be visible while the pump adapter and pump are connected.

[0033] FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of an analysis system 100 that utilizes the pump adapter 120 of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. The components of the analysis system 100 can be substantially the same: a pump 105, a gas detector component 110, and a pump adapter 120. The pump adapter 120 can be clear in the implementation of the analysis system shown in FIG. 10. The analysis system 100 of FIG. 10 is shown assembled in FIG. 11. The pump 105 is shown fitting over the pump adapter 120. Lug attachment sites 140 on the pump adapter 120 can fit into fitting windows 124 A, 124B. This can provide a more secure interface between the pump 105 and the pump adapter 120. Since the pump adapter 120 shown in FIG. 10 and 11 is clear, when a warning indicator 117, such as an alarm light, activates, light can emanate from the lug attachment sites 140, through the fitting windows 124 A, 124B; through the alarm signal cutout 125; and through clear shoulders 145 on the pump adapter 120. A gas detector component 110 with a display are shown fitting into the pump adapter 120, so that the gas contaminant sensors 116 can be seen through the clear pump adapter 120 while the analysis system is assembled in a use configuration.

[0034] A gas flow path 180 through the pump adapter 120 of FIG. 8 is shown in FIG. 12A and 12B. The gas flow path 180 of a volume of gas can start at the gas inlet 150, be directed by a barrier adjacent to the gas inlet 150 such that it can flow downwards towards the display 115 of the gas detector component 110 without leaving the pump adapter 120, then it can go in a clockwise direction back up the pump adapter 120, and eventually out through an orifice in the alarm signal cutout 125. The flow path 180 can be directed by one or more obstructing structures, such as channel walls, barriers, columns, and the like. The one or more obstructing structures can partially define the flow path 180. This flow path 180 can take each volume of gas over the gas contaminant sensors 116 of the gas detector component 110 in a sequential manner, one at a time, without splitting the volume of gas as it enters the pump adapter 120 through the gas inlet 150. This single flow path can enable the volume of gas to contact each of the gas contaminant sensors 116 while minimizing the possibility of contamination or dilution due to gas leaking in from the bottom 121 of the pump adapter 120, where the pump adapter and gas detector component interface.

[0035] FIG. 12C shows portions of the pump adapter of FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B that can form part of the barriers that guide the flow pattern of gas when the pump adapter is fitted over a gas detector component. The gas detector component and the pump adapter can form barriers that guide gas flow over the gas sensors of the gas detector component. In some implementations, the gas detector component can have a compliant overmold in addition to, or as part of, a housing for the gas detector component. The compliant overmould can be any suitable material, such as a polymer, that will conform to an inside shape of the pump adapter when the gas detector component is fitted with a pump adapter. The overmould can allow for channels or conduits to form through which the gas to be tested can flow without being disturbed by ambient wind. In some implementations, the overmould can be made of a low durometer material, such as a thermo-plastic elastomer.

[0036] In FIG. 12 A, portions of the overmould that can act as barriers to form conduits or channels when the pump adapter is fitted over the gas detector component are shown as 117A and 116A. When the pump adapter is fitted over the gas detector component, the conduits or channels that can be formed by these portions of the overmould 116A, 117A, can be in fluid communication with recesses in the pump adapter, the inlet gas flow recess 279 and outlet gas flow recess 281. When gas is passed from the pump to the pump adapter, the inlet gas flow recess 279 fills with the gas to be tested. As more gas is fed by the pump, the gas begins to flow along the path 180, guided by the portions of the overmould (e.g. 116A and 117A) that contact the inside of the pump adapter, over the sensors on the face of the gas detector component. Once the gas has flowed over all of the sensors on the face of the gas detector component, the gas flows into the outlet gas recess 281, over a portion of the overmould 117 A, into a volume that is under the orifice in the alarm signal cutout 125. The continuous action of the pump during a detection and analysis period causes the gas to flow out through the orifice in the alarm signal cutout 125. Such barriers and gas flow pattern can allow the gas to be tested to interact with the sensors on the gas detector component undisturbed by external factors, such as wind.

[0037] In some implementations, compliant material can be located on the inside of the pump adapter, such that when the pump adapter is fitted over a gas detector component, the compliant material can act as barriers to form conduits or channels to guide the flow of gas over sensors on the face of the gas detector component. In some implementations, the compliant material can be configured on the inside of the pump adapter to be used with two or more types of gas detector components. The compliant material can be resilient, such that it will exert some force to try to maintain a configuration when deformed.

[0038] In some implementations, the pump can be a gas intake pump that can draw in gas from the surround environment directly, for example through a port on the pump. In other implementations, the pump can take in gas through tubing that may or may not pass the sampled gas through one or more filters before reaching the pump. The pump can also be used to move gas from a sample chamber or container, through the pump adapter, to the gas detection component in the analysis system. Gas sampling pumps that can be used with the analysis systems described herein are described in more detail elsewhere.

[0039] The gas detector component can be any suitable gas detector with gas contaminant sensors located in the portion of the detector component that inserts into a pump adapter in an analysis system, as described herein. Gases and conditions that the gas detector component can be configured to detect, and notify a user of, can include: carbon monoxide, sulfur, chlorine, carbon dioxide, levels of nitrogen above 70% by volume, levels oxygen below a predetermined threshold, hydrogen sulfide, radioactive particles, ozone, fine particulates above a certain concentration level (e.g. 1,000 ppm), and the like.

[0040] Alarms that the analysis system can be configured to employ can include visual alarms, audio alarms, and haptic alarms. The gas detector component can utilize lights to indicate an alarm situation, including constant lights, various colors of light that can correspond to different types of alarms, and intermittent lights, such as flashing or strobe lights. Alarm situations can include those that require evacuation of a location due to the detection of undesirable contaminants or the presence of too little oxygen.

[0041] Components of the analysis system described herein can be made of substantially similar materials, or they can be made of different materials. The pump and the pump housing can largely be made from plastic or polymer resin. The pump adapter can be made of any suitable lightweight, sufficiently strong material, including transparent material, such as clear polymer material. The materials of the pump adapter can be at least partially transparent to the light emitted from any alarm lights on the gas detector component. In such implementations, even though various parts of the pump adapter may be of differing thicknesses, light emitted from an alarm light can be seen through the pump adapter, such as through any lug attachment sites, an alarm signal cutout, or clear shoulders. Particularly, the pump adapter, can be fabricated by molding (e.g. injection molding) a clear material that disperses light, such as the light emitted from alarms. In some implementations, this light-dispersing nature can include features attached or adhered to the pump adapter.

[0042] The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0043] Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and sub-combinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flows and steps for use described herein do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Similarly, elements located on the front, back, side, top, or bottom of an embodiment or implementation are to be understood as relatively positioned. Other embodiments can be within the scope of the claims.