A flood control device (200) which measures the volume of fluid delivered in a continuous steady flow to a house or building and which shuts off the fluid flow if a preset maximum limit is reached, indicating overly high consumption due to a leak, break or open faucet in the plumbing of the housing of building.

Flood control device

An object of the present invention is to perform a suitable registration of a flow rate of appliances to promote the optimization of a usage time limitation function. In a gas shut-off device according to the invention, a flow rate detection unit measures a flow rate, a flow rate calculation unit calculates values of instant flow rates from a detection value, an average flow rate calculation unit obtains an average flow rate from the obtained instant flow rates, a flow rate change decision unit decides the presence or absence of a change in the flow rate based on the obtained average flow rate, a flow rate storage unit stores a value of the obtained average flow rate, an increase flow rate registration unit registers an amount of the flow rate change at the time of increase change decision by the flow rate change decision unit, a decrease flow rate re-registration unit reduces the registered flow rate near an amount of the flow rate change at the time of decrease change decision by the flow rate change decision unit, and re-registers and replaces it with a value of the average flow rate obtained by the average flow rate calculation unit after the reduction of the registered flow rate, and a shut-off unit shuts off the supply of gas when decided as an abnormality by an abnormality decision unit from the registered flow rate and a decision value.

Gas shut-off device

A microcomputer-based, closed-loop electronic temperature control system and method for an electrically heated cold weather garment having a plurality of independently heated zones. In one preferred embodiment the system comprises a potentiometer for selecting the desired temperature at which a plurality of areas of the garment are to be maintained, a thermistor for determining a reference temperature of the interior areas of the garment, and a plurality of conductive heating wires operable to heat each area of the garment independently. The system further includes a plurality of solid-state semiconductor power devices for controllably allowing current flow through each heating wire and, a plurality of current sensing circuits for sensing the current flow through each heating wire. The microcomputer receives information from the potentiometer, the thermistor and the current sensing circuits, and determines therefrom the level of heating required for each zone. The microcomputer then generates and applies a plurality of pulse width modulated output signals to the solid-state switches to thereby control the amount of heat produced by each heating wire, thus controlling the temperature of each zone.

Electronic control system and method for cold weather garment

An apparatus and method for metering fluid flow is disclosed. A fluid dispensing unit (30) is coupled between a supply pipe (28) and a demand pipe (32), and dispenses fluid received from the supply pipe (28) to the demand pipe (32). The demand pipe (32) is coupled to one or more fluid-expending appliances. The pressure of the fluid in the demand pipe (32) is monitored by a fluid information unit (34). The fluid information unit (34) and fluid dispensing unit (30) cooperate to maintain the fluid flowing through the demand pipe (32) at a substantially constant demand fluid pressure by monitoring fluid flowing through the demand pipe (32) and actively dispensing fluid received from the supply pipe (28) into the demand pipe (32) to maintain the demand fluid pressure at a pre-established demand pressure level. The fluid information unit (34) and fluid dispensing unit (30) also cooperate to meter or measure the volume of fluid dispensed through the fluid dispensing unit (30).

Fluid metering apparatus and method

An electrically heated, cold weather garment. The garment includes a lightweight, stretchable, form-fitting fabric for covering portions of the body of a wearer of the garment; a plurality of flexible, electrical heating wires cover stitched to the fabric by sewing; an electronic controller for controlling current flowing through each of the heating wires in a pulse-width modulated fashion, to thereby independently control the heat generated by each heating wire; a plurality of potentiometers for controlling the level of power supplied to each heating wire; and a master power level potentiometer for controlling the power supplied to each of the heating wires in a uniform and simultaneous fashion. In a first preferred embodiment the controller utilizes a combination of analog and digital-like signals to control in a pulse-width modulated fashion the current flow through the heating elements. In a second preferred embodiment the controller includes a microprocessor which is operable to sense changes in the temperature of the heating wires themselves, and to regulate automatically and independently the power supplied to each of the heating wires.

Electrically heated garment

A flow rate of a gas is measured by a flow rate measurement means, and when the flow rate exceeds a predetermined reference value, occurrence of an abnormal state such as escape of the gas is detected and a shutoff means is automatically closed by control of a micro-­computer, furthermore, "a gas consumption pattern" showing combination of an amount of gas consumption, maximum flow rate and continuous consumption time of a consumer is observed in a predetermined time period, and a reference value of the gas consumption pattern is decided on the basis of the consumption state, moreover, a decision level of abnormal state is varied and set as a new reference values corresponding to the gas consumption pattern.

Gas shutoff apparatus

A safety equipment for a gas burner is disclosed wherein a combustion sensor comprising an oxygen concentration cell having porous electrodes disposed on both sides of a sintered body of ion conductive solid electrolyte, is provided, so that incomplete combustion and extinction of the burner are detected by a change in e.m.f. of the sensor and a change in resistance of the sensor. The detected signal is used to block the feed of fuel to the burner in order to prevent CO gas poisoning and explosion.

Safety equipment for gas burner

PURPOSE: To provide a heat source system, in which a compressor motor is driven at a high speed and at a variable speed, through the control of an inverter that produces a higher frequency than commercial power source, so as to change refrigerating capacity of the compressor to meet with the load, whereby it is enabled to improve efficiency of operation. CONSTITUTION: When operating torque Tc of compressor 3 is almost exceeds, for instance, point K 1 in the attached graph of characteristic curve, rotational speed of motor 4 is lowered by the function of a first torque controlling circuit 39. On the other hand, when compressor 3 is operated under the condition of point K 1 and shaft torque TM of motor 4 takes characteristic curve TM 2 in response to the change of speed instruction signal Vs, operating point of compressor 3 is shifted along the broken line shown in the drawing and compressor 3 is operated at point K 2 on characteristic curve TM 2 for a certain while. Subsequently, operation of compressor 3 is continued at point K 3 on the curve TM 2 , by the function of a second torque controlling circuit 40 and through stabilization of refrigerating cycle. Thus, it is prevented that operating torque becomes excessively large and thus it is enabled to stabilize the operation of compressor system. COPYRIGHT: (C)1979,JPO&Japio

Heat source system

A system comprising a heat generating load, a power control element for controlling power supply to the heat generating load, a temperature detecting circuit for producing an ON signal when the temperature of the load detected by a temperature sensor is lower than a set temperature and an OFF signal when the temperature has reached the set temperature, and a control circuit for feeding on ON or OFF signal to the power control element in response to the signal from the temperature detecting circuit. The control circuit includes a hysteresis control circuit which, once the temperature detecting circuit detects that the temperature has reached the set temperature, permits the power control element to receive OFF signals for a suitable period of time even after the temperature has subsequently lowered to a level at which the signal from the temperature detecting circuit changes to an ON signal. Under the electronic temperature control, the temperature of the article to be heated swings over a predetermined range, giving stimulating and comfortable warmth to the human body.

Temperature control system for electric heating apparatus

A system comprising a heat generating load such as a heater, a power control element for directly or indirectly supplying current to the heat generating load, a temperature detecting circuit for producing an ON signal when the temperature of the heat generating load is lower than a set temperature and an OFF signal when the temperature is higher than the setting, and a control circuit for feeding an ON or OFF signal to the power control element in response to the ON or OFF signal from the temperature detecting circuit. The control circuit includes a failure detecting circuit for logically comparing the signal from the temperature detecting circuit with the terminal voltage across the power control element to produce output when the power control element is in conduction although the signal from the temperature detecting circuit is an OFF signal. Upon the failure of the power control element, for example, due to self-triggering, the failure is detected directly by the failure detecting circuit and, in response to the resulting output therefrom, the power supply to the heat generating load is stopped to assure safety.

Hiroshi Horii

Papers

Gas shutoff apparatus

Safety equipment for gas burner

Heat source system

Temperature control system for electric heating apparatus

Temperature control system for electric heating appliance