| 摘要 |
The present invention 10 discloses a system for detecting and removing hydrocarbons from a vessel bilge area or the like comprised of one or more vaporous hydrocarbon sensor(s) 16 and one or more liquid submersible hydrocarbon sensor(s) 18. Each of the sensors has electrical connection to other members within the system for initiating a predetermined response to the presence of hydrocarbons 50. In the application of the system 10 within a vessel 12 bilge area 22, the vaporous hydrocarbon sensor(s) 16 would be located in an elevated portion of the bilge area having electrical connection to a forced air exhaust member 20 and audible and/or visual alarm members 26. The audible and/or visual alarm members 26 may incorporate existing lighting and audible elements within the vessel, such as, vessel running lights 40, 42 and horn 28. Further, the vaporous hydrocarbon sensor(s) 16 can be an integral part of the vessel ignition system. Incorporating vaporous hydrocarbon sensor(s) 16 and powered ventilation system within the ignition system 20 forms a failsafe system whereby, should an operator engage the ignition system while volatile vapors are present, the vaporous hydrocarbon sensor(s) 16 will engage the powered ventilation system 20 for a predetermined time period before energizing the engine 38. Further, the vaporous hydrocarbon sensor 16 would engage audio and/or visual warning members 26 should the sensor detect volatile vapors exceeding sensor parameters while the engine is running. In addition to the vaporous hydrocarbon sensor(s) 16, a liquid submersible hydrocarbon sensor 18 would be located in the bilge area 22 having electrical connection to the bilge pump 14 and audible and/or visual alarm members 26 for the purpose of automatically shutting down the bilge pump should the sensor detect emulsified hydrocarbons within the bilge water. Furthermore, the bilge pump shutdown alarms can be distinctly different from the vaporous hydrocarbon sensor alarms. An alternate embodiment is disclosed in which the present invention 10 is applied to a pipe 72 containing hydrocarbons.
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