Abstract: A power management system and method including a normally-open switch, an on/off circuit, a microprocessor, and at least one sensor to monitor a condition. The on/off circuit includes an on/off control gate-controlled switch device such as a PMOS device for system power, a flip/flop switch to respectively activate and deactivate the on/off control PMOS device, and a transition detection circuit connected to the normally-open switch. A single DC power source establishes a source voltage to power the on/off circuit and the normally-open switch. The transition detection circuit generates an “on” signal when the user initially activates the normally-open switch, and supplies the “on” signal to the flip/flop switch to change it to an “on” state to activate the on/off control PMOS device. While activated, the on/off control PMOS device enables system power from the power source to be provided to at least the sensor and the microprocessor.

Abstract: An apparatus for remote inspection of fire extinguishers at one or a system of fire extinguisher stations includes, e.g., at each fire extinguisher station: a detector for lack of presence of a fire extinguisher in its installed position at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for out-of-range pressure of contents of the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for an obstruction to viewing of or access to the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; and a device for transmission of inspection report information from the fire extinguisher station to a remote central station.

Abstract: Apparatus for remote monitoring of a portable pressurized container, such as the tank of a fire extinguisher, includes a pressure sensor that detects pressure of material contained within a volume defined by the portable container and communications circuitry in communication with the pressure sensor that issues a signal containing information about the pressure detected by the pressure sensor to a remote central station.

Abstract: Emergency equipment stations (e.g., fire extinguisher stations, fire alarm pull stations, defibrillator stations, etc.) distributed throughout a facility monitor one or more internal or external conditions (e.g., ambient air temperature near the station, presence of an obstruction restricting access to the station, etc.) and relay information about the monitored conditions to a central station. The central station transmits information about the monitored conditions to emergency response personnel (e.g., the fire department) in the event of an actual or apparent emergency.

Abstract: Apparatus for remote inspection of fluid containers, e.g., portable tanks or fluid pipelines, includes an electronic circuit in communication between each container (or at various locations along a pipeline) and a remote central station. The electronic circuit is adapted to issue a wireless signal to the remote central station upon detection of predetermined internal conditions, such as an out-of-range pressure condition of fluid contained within the volume of the container, or upon detection of predetermined external conditions, such as the lack of presence of the container in its installed position or the presence of an obstruction to viewing of or access to the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for remote inspection of fire extinguishers at one or a system of fire extinguisher stations includes, e.g., at each fire extinguisher station: a detector for lack of presence of a fire extinguisher in its installed position at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for out-of-range pressure of contents of the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for an obstruction to viewing of or access to the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; and a device for communication of inspection report information by wireless signal between the fire extinguisher station and a remote central station.

Abstract: Apparatus for remote inspection of fluid containers, e.g., portable tanks or fluid pipelines, includes an electronic circuit in communication between each container (or at various locations along a pipeline) and a remote central station. The electronic circuit is adapted to issue a wireless signal to the remote central station upon detection of predetermined internal conditions, such as an out-of-range pressure condition of fluid contained within the volume of the container, or upon detection of predetermined external conditions, such as the lack of presence of the container in its installed position or the presence of an obstruction to viewing of or access to the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for remote inspection of fluid containers, e.g., portable tanks, includes an electronic circuit in communication between each container (or at various locations along a pipeline) and a remote central station. The electronic circuit is adapted to issue a signal to the remote central station that includes information about predetermined internal and/or external conditions such as the level of liquid stored in the tank, a pressure condition of material stored in the tank, a lack of presence of the tank in an installed position, or the presence of an obstruction restricting access to the tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for remote inspection of fluid containers, e.g., portable tanks, includes an electronic circuit in communication between each container (or at various locations along a pipeline) and a remote central station. The electronic circuit is adapted to issue a signal to the remote central station that includes information about predetermined internal and/or external conditions such as the level of liquid stored in the tank, a pressure condition of material stored in the tank, a lack of presence of the tank in an installed position, or the presence of an obstruction restricting access to the tank.

Abstract: A tank liquid level or volume gauge for use with volatile materials, such as propane, stored under pressure as liquid and released as gas, includes a float with a float magnet that couples with a liquid level indicator magnet across a fluid impermeable wall to provide indication of tank liquid level or volume. In another embodiment, when a predetermined tank liquid level or volume is reached during filling, the float actuates an inlet closure valve to increase inlet flow resistance, creating a shutoff signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for remote inspection of fire extinguishers at one or a system of fire extinguisher stations includes, e.g., at each fire extinguisher station: a detector for lack of presence of a fire extinguisher in its installed position at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for out-of-range pressure of contents of the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for an obstruction to viewing of or access to the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; and a device for transmission of inspection report information from the fire extinguisher station to a remote central station.

Abstract: An apparatus for remote inspection of fire extinguishers at one or a system of fire extinguisher stations includes, e.g., at each fire extinguisher station: a detector for lack of presence of a fire extinguisher in its installed position at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for out-of-range pressure of contents of the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for an obstruction to viewing of or access to the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; and a device for transmission of inspection report information from the fire extinguisher station to a remote central station.

Abstract: An apparatus for remote inspection of fire extinguishers at one or a system of fire extinguisher stations includes, e.g., at each fire extinguisher station: a detector for lack of presence of a fire extinguisher in its installed position at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for out-of-range pressure of contents of the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for an obstruction to viewing of or access to the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; and a device for transmission of inspection report information from the fire extinguisher station to a remote central station.

Abstract: A portable fire extinguisher assembly includes a fire extinguisher with a tank containing fire extinguishing material, a valve for metering release of the fire extinguishing material, and a gauge displaying pressure within the tank, and a docking station in communication with the fire extinguisher. An electronic circuit in communication with the fire extinguisher and the docking station issues a signal upon detection of predetermined conditions, including at least one predetermined internal condition and at least one predetermined external condition.

Abstract: A portable fire extinguisher assembly includes a fire extinguisher with a tank containing fire extinguishing material, a valve for metering release of the fire extinguishing material, and a gauge displaying pressure within the tank, and a docking station in communication with the fire extinguisher. An electronic circuit in communication with the fire extinguisher and the docking station issues a signal upon detection of predetermined conditions, including at least one predetermined intenal condition and at least one predetermined external condition. The fire extinguisher electronic circuit includes cooperative male and female electrical/communication connection elements defined by the fire extinguisher and docking station.

Abstract: A portable fire extinguisher assembly includes a fire extinguisher with a tank containing fire extinguishing material, a valve for metering release of the fire extinguishing material, and a gauge displaying pressure within the tank, and a docking station in communication with the fire extinguisher. An electronic circuit in communication with the fire extinguisher and the docking station issues a signal upon detection of predetermined conditions, including at least one predetermined internal condition and at least one predetermined external condition.

Abstract: A portable fire extinguisher assembly includes a fire extinguisher with a tank containing fire extinguishing material, a valve for metering release of the fire extinguishing material, and a gauge displaying pressure within the tank, and a docking station in communication with the fire extinguisher. An electronic circuit in communication with the fire extinguisher and the docking station issues a signal upon detection of predetermined conditions, including at least one predetermined internal condition and at least one predetermined external condition. The fire extinguisher electronic circuit includes cooperative male and female electrical/communication connection elements defined by the fire extinguisher and docking station.

Abstract: In general, the invention features a spring assembly for a gauge with a hollow metal tube that changes in volume in response to differential pressures applied across the walls. The tube has a neck connected to a fitting of the gauge, a body connected at one end to the neck with its other end sealed, and at least a portion of the walls of the body being flattened and cold worked to a reduced thickness to thereby increase their yield point to a spring temper. The body is coiled into a spiral or helix. The coiled tube is heat treated to increase its elasticity. The interior of the neck is in pressure communication with the fitting, and the interior of the body is in pressure communication through its unsealed end with the interior of the neck, whereby a change in the pressure applied to the fitting is communicated along the interior of the body changing the differential pressure across the walls of the body to cause a corresponding change in the volume.

Abstract: A portable fire extinguisher includes a tank defining a volume containing a fire extinguishing material and further defining a tank outlet, and a valve assembly mounted at the tank outlet. The valve assembly includes a valve housing, a valve disposed relative to the tank outlet for metering release of fire extinguishing material from the volume, a valve trigger mounted for movement of the valve between a first position for containing fire extinguishing material within the volume and a second position for metering release of fire extinguishing material, and a gauge disposed in communication with the volume for display of pressure condition of fire extinguishing material within the volume. The portable fire extinguisher further includes an electronic circuit (31,32') mounted thereupon to issue a signal, e.g., an audio or visual signal upon detection of a predetermined condition, e.g.