Remote monitoring module
Aspect and embodiments of the present invention relate to a remote monitoring module for monitoring of parameters of vehicles, plant and other facilities. An aspect of the invention provides control circuitry configured to activate one or more safety protocols, an activation button that is wirelessly connected to the control circuitry, wherein actuation of the activation button causes: i) transmission of an activation signal from the activation button to the control circuitry, and ii) the control circuitry to activate at least one of the one or more safety protocols upon receiving the activation signal. Another aspect of the invention provides junction box for a fire suppression system, the junction box comprising an enclosure having at least an input port for a fire detection system, an input for receiving a request to activate a fire suppression system and an exhaust, wherein an inert gas is delivered to the junction box via the input port for the fire detection system and a flow path between the input port for the fire detection system and the exhaust is provided, wherein the flow path is interrupted by a valve that is normally closed, and wherein upon receipt of a request to activate the fire suppression system, the valve is opened to permit the inert gas to pass through the valve and exit the enclosure by way of the exhaust.
1 . A remote monitoring module comprising:
an enclosure for housing control circuitry configured to activate one or more safety protocols at a location;
a communications module that is connected to the control circuitry, and configured to enable wireless communication between the remote monitoring module and an external device that is removable from the location,
wherein the external device comprises an activation button, wherein the activation button is physically attachable and detachable from the enclosure, the enclosure defining a first attachment part, and the activation button defining a second attachment part configured to cooperate with the first attachment part, together the first attachment part and second attachment part cooperate to enable selective attachment of the activation button to the enclosure; and
wherein actuation of the activation button when the external device is not at the location causes: a transmission of a wireless activation signal that the control circuitry executes to activate at least one of the one or more safety protocols at the location.
2 . The remote monitoring module according to claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises a backbox for housing the control circuitry and a fascia that mounts a display screen.
3 . The remote monitoring module according to claim 2 further comprising at least one input connection and at least one output connection.
4 . The remote monitoring module according to claim 2 , wherein the display screen is configured to display an image of a vehicle or structure within which the remote monitoring module is mounted.
5 . The remote monitoring module according to claim 2 , wherein the display screen is a touch screen.
6 . The remote monitoring module according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry further comprises a first wireless connection with the activation button and a second wireless connection with a remote device.
7 . The remote monitoring module according to claim 1 , wherein the first attachment part comprises a first electrical connector and the second attachment part comprises a second electrical connector, the first and second electrical connectors cooperating to provide power from the control circuitry to the activation button when the activation button is attached to the enclosure.
8 . The remote monitoring module according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one input connection comprises one or more of the inputs: fire sensor, service sensor, pressure sensor, smoke detector, temperature sensor, engine monitor sensors or battery sensors.
9 . The remote monitoring module according to claim 8 , wherein the screen is configured to display a graphic or indicator corresponding to each of the at least one input connection.
10 . The remote monitoring module according to claim 6 , wherein the control circuitry comprises a RF antenna and the activation button comprises a RF receiver.
11 . The remote monitoring module according to claim 6 , wherein the activation button further comprises vibration means operable in response to receiving a signal via the first wireless connection indicative of a sensor input exceeding a predetermined threshold.
12 . The remote monitoring module according to claim 11 , further comprising at least one of a visual warning indicator or a speaker.
13 . The remote monitoring module according to claim 12 , wherein the vibration means, the visual warning indicator, and the speaker is operable to deliver a different characteristic of warning indication depending on the at least one of: (i) a type of sensor that is determined to have exceeded the predetermined threshold, or (ii) an amount by which the pre-determined threshold of the sensor input has been exceeded.
14 . The remote monitoring module according to claim 9 , wherein the graphic or indicator corresponding to each of the one or more inputs, is selectable by a user to generate for display a menu representative of the one or more inputs associated with the graphic or indicator.
15 . A system for monitoring for occurrence of an emergency event, the system comprising:
a remote monitoring module according to claim 1 ;
at least one of a fire sensor, service sensor, pressure sensor, smoke detector, temperature sensor, engine monitor sensor or battery sensor operably connected to respective input connections of the remote monitoring module; and
fire suppression apparatus that is operable by way of one or more of the fire sensor, service sensor, pressure sensor, smoke detector, temperature sensor, engine monitor sensor or battery sensor outputting a value that is determined by the control circuitry to be representative of a value that exceeds a predetermined threshold, or by way of actuation of the activation button.
16 . The system according to claim 15 further comprising a junction box, the junction box comprising an enclosure having at least one input port for a fire detection system, an input for receiving a request to activate a fire suppression system and an exhaust,
wherein an inert gas is delivered to the junction box via the input port for the fire detection system and a flow path between the input port for the fire detection system and the exhaust is provided, wherein the flow path is interrupted by a valve that is normally closed, and
wherein upon receipt of a request to activate the fire suppression system, the valve is opened to permit the inert gas to pass through the valve and exit the enclosure by way of the exhaust.