Patent Application
20080048853
While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
Embodiments of the invention reduce the dangers of unexpected backdrafts by detecting conditions favorable to such an event. Those conditions can then be reported to a local fire alarm or monitoring system.
In one aspect of the invention, a set of sensors could be monitored locally at a backdraft condition detector. Where the sensed conditions support the possibility of a backdraft developing in the presence of additional oxygen, the respective detector could signal the local alarm system. Additionally, both visual and audible alarms can be provided locally to alert first responders to the presence of the potential backdraft.
Wireless signals, such as RF, could also be emitted which could be detected by an appropriate receiver. For example, first responders could be equipped with RF receivers which respond to the backdraft indicating signals from the respective detectors. The fire alarm control panel could also incorporate an appropriate wireless detector.
A detector which embodies the invention can incorporate an oxygen sensor, for example, which can be coupled to control circuitry. That sensor responds to a depleted level of oxygen in a region or room being monitored. The detector could also include a temperature sensor as a secondary source of data on room conditions. A backdraft indicating communication pathway could be provided to a local alarm system, either wirelessly or via cables. The detector can also indicate audibly and visibly in an area local thereto that a condition potentially supporting backdraft has been sensed.
A detector in accordance with the invention could incorporate a sensor block having an air inlet and an air outlet, or return for the air, in the region which is being monitored. A circulator, for example a fan, can be incorporated to suck or draw the air to be sensed through the inflow port. The inflowing air can be filtered to minimize particulate interference with the sensors.
The filtered inflowing air can be circulated past one or more oxygen level sensors as well as past a flow meter or sensor. The oxygen sensors can be used to evaluate the level of oxygen in a closed room or region from which the samples being evaluated have been extracted. The flow sensor confirms that inflowing air is circulating past the oxygen sensor or sensors.
In another aspect of the invention, the detector body itself could be displaced from the inflow/outflow ports and the room or region being monitored so as to protect the device from fire or backdraft conditions which may develop in that room or region. A local control element could incorporate a programmed processor and associated executable instructions to evaluate signals or inputs from the oxygen and flow sensor or sensors.
A thermal sensor can be incorporated in the detector. Processing can be carried out relative to both a high temperature indication and a low oxygen level to establish a possible backdraft condition.
The control element can be coupled to a signaling interface which would, via a wired or wireless medium, communicate with the local alarm system. Alternately, the backdraft detector can incorporate local visible and audible output devices, and associated driving circuitry, which can be driven to provide a visual or an audible indication of a sensed backdraft condition. An RF interface and associated antenna could be provided to transmit RF warning signals to the fire alarm control unit, or alternately, to RF receivers worn by first responders to provide them with an additional warning as to the presence of a potential backdraft condition.
In a method in accordance with the invention, air samples can be extracted from a room being monitored for backdraft conditions. Airflow can also be measured in order to verify that a valid sample is being tested. The oxygen sensors could measure oxygen content in the air. Indicators of the oxygen content can be forwarded to a local control element. The local control element can provide an alarm indication to a local alarm monitoring system indicating that a backdraft condition has been detected. Additionally, wireless alarm signals could be emitted to provide additional information to first responders.
In another aspect of the invention, the detector could carry out self-tests on a periodic and ongoing basis to determine that it is functioning properly. Error indicators can be forwarded to the local alarm system indicating that the detector may need maintenance or service.
Those of skill will understand that a plurality of backdraft condition detectors, substantially identical to the detector 12, can be scattered about in a region being monitored. All such detectors could in turn communicate with the control element of a local fire alarm monitoring system, such as system 16, as illustrated in
The system 10 can also include a plurality of ambient condition detectors 18. Members of the plurality 18 can include smoke detectors, fire detectors, gas detectors, all without limitation. System 10 can also include one or more backdraft detectors, such as detector 12 coupled to medium 14.
Backdraft monitor, or detector, 12 can incorporate a housing 20, an inflow 22a for air from an enclosed room or sub-region R1 of region R being monitored, and an outflow 22b. It will be understood that the actual air inlet 24a and air return 24b could be located in a room being monitored. In this instance the detector 12 could be displaced from the air inlet and air return outlet 24a, b by pipes or hoses.
The detector 12 can incorporate a filter/circulation unit 26 which can draw air being monitored in via air inlet 24a to the detector 12. Conduits such as the conduit 28 can be incorporated into the housing 12 to provide an airflow pathway.
Detector 12 can incorporate one or more oxygen sensors indicated generally at 30. The sensors 30 are operatively exposed to inflowing air in the conduit 28. Sensors 30 output electrical signals indicative of sensed oxygen levels of the inflowing air via line 32. Such signals can in turn be coupled to a programmed processor 36a.
Control software or executable instructions 36b stored in read-only memory or electrically erasable read-only memory in combination with the processor 36a can process the output signals from the sensors 30 and thermal sensor 38. Processing could include comparing one or more oxygen levels and temperatures to respective threshold(s). Alternately, profile evaluation or pattern recognition-type processing could also be used taking into account both oxygen level and temperature.
A flow sensor or flow meter 40 can be coupled to the conduit 28 for confirmation that inflowing air continues to circulate from the air inlet 24a via conduit 28 to the air return outlet 24b. Output signals from the flow meter 40 can be coupled via conductor 42 to the processor 36a to establish that air being sampled is in fact flowing from the room being monitored and then returning thereto.
Processor 36a can be coupled via an interface 44 and the medium 14 to the respective alarm system 16. Local visible indicators 46a and audible indicators 46b can be coupled to processor 36a to provide local feedback to first responders in the vicinity of detector 12 as to a sensed backdraft condition.
An RF interface 50 can be coupled to processor 36a to provide wireless backdraft indicating signals via an antenna 50a to either the alarm system 16 or to a RF receiver 52 of a type which could be worn or carried by first responders in the vicinity of the room being monitored.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
