Gas Cylinder Control System with Automated Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas cylinder systems face challenges in tracking and managing cylinder locations, gas supply levels, and monitoring expiration dates, requiring human intervention for data interpretation and often relying on medical staff for alarm evaluation.
Innovation Solution
A comprehensive monitoring system that includes electronic monitoring of cylinder-specific and patient-specific data, environmental data, and GPS location, with automatic valve control and communication between devices to manage gas supply, prevent misuse, and ensure safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If manual monitoring of cylinder gas levels and locations is used, then device complexity is reduced, but information accuracy and management efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinder system performs self-monitoring of gas levels, temperature, and location through integrated sensors and transmitters. The system automatically tracks its own status without requiring external manual intervention, eliminating information loss while avoiding complex external monitoring infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system serves multiple functions simultaneously: tracking cylinder location via GPS, monitoring gas levels through pressure sensors, detecting temperature, and communicating status through transmitters. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated solution
2Reliability
If electronic monitoring systems with automatic control are implemented, then safety and information accuracy improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors gas levels, temperature, and location, then automatically adjusts the outlet valve based on this feedback. When gas levels drop below thresholds or abnormal conditions are detected, the system self-regulates to maintain safety without requiring complex external control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The cylinder system autonomously monitors its own operational parameters and self-regulates gas delivery through automatic valve control. This self-service capability ensures safety while minimizing the need for complex external monitoring and control infrastructure
3Productivity
If real-time monitoring of multiple parameters is implemented, then management efficiency improves, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple monitoring functions (gas level, temperature, location, pressure) into a single integrated monitoring platform. By merging these parameters into one cohesive system rather than separate monitoring streams, the patent reduces information processing burden while maintaining comprehensive real-time management capability
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a control system (10) for managing the supply of bottled gas to users (12), the system comprising: a gas cylinder system (14) having a gas cylinder (15) for receiving and distributing gas contained therein; a first electronic monitoring system (16) associated with said gas cylinder system (14) and operable to monitor parameters associated with said cylinder system (14); a second monitoring system (18) associated with one or more locations (A-F) in which said cylinder may reside and being operable to monitor the presence or absence of said cylinder within said one or more locations (A-F); and a computer system (20) in communication with each of said second monitors (18) for receiving information therefrom relating to the presence or absence of said cylinder system (14) in said one or more locations (A-F).