Patent ID: 8653979

Claim:
A gas flow warning alarm device comprising: a flow sensing and error signal generator including: a gas flow sensor for sensing a gas flow rate and an error signal generating subassembly operatively connected to said gas flow sensor, said gas flow sensor configured to actuate said error signal generator upon detecting a gas flow rate violating said at least one predetermined gas flow rate limit, said error signal generating subassembly generating an error signal in response to actuation by said gas flow sensor; said gas flow sensor including a gas flow inlet to direct a column of pressurized gas from an upstream path into said gas flow sensor; said upstream path being constantly open to a main valve of a pressurized gas reservoir; said gas flow sensor including a gas flow outlet to direct said column of pressurized gas out of said gas flow sensor to a downstream path; said downstream path being constantly open to an end use appliance; an indicator subassembly including at least one indicator mechanism operatively connected to said error signal generating subassembly, said at least one indicator mechanism being activatable by said error signal to produce a perceptible alarm indication; at least one power subassembly including at least one power source operatively connected to a master power switch for powering said flow sensor, said error signal generating subassembly and said indicator subassembly, and activating and deactivating said gas flow warning alarm device; at least one housing to contain at least said gas flow sensor and said at least one power subassembly; and connection means for operatively interconnecting said gas flow sensor and error signaling subassembly, said indicator subassembly, and said power subassembly; said gas flow warning alarm device further including a reservoir pressure sensing and pressure error signal generating subassembly to produce an alarm indication when the gas pressure in a pressurized gas reservoir violates said at least one predetermined limit including said reservoir pressure sensor to sense the gas pressure of a pressurized gas reservoir, and a pressure error signal generator operatively connected to said reservoir pressure sensor, said reservoir pressure sensor being configured to actuate said pressure error signal generator upon detecting a reservoir gas pressure outside of the predetermined limit, said pressure error signal generator being configured to generate an error signal in response to actuation by said reservoir pressure sensor; wherein said pressure error signal generator is operatively connected to said indicator subassembly; and wherein said pressure error signal generator activates said at least one indicator mechanism to produce at least one alarm indication that is distinguishable from said alarm indication produced by an alarm mechanism activated by said gas flow error signal generator.