Patent Application
20200139166
Annual fire related deaths total around 2,500 nationwide. Smoke inhalation is the primary cause of death for victims in fires.
An air filtration system that recirculates and purifies air in an enclosed space that is easily accessible to an individual in the event of an emergency will reduce the amount of deaths related to fires each year. The system provides additional breathable air for a limited period of time in the event of a residential fire where a person is unable to escape the building and is, e.g., awaiting assistance from emergency rescue personnel.
In some embodiments, the invention is a fire safety device comprising: an air recirculation and purification system; an air flow tunnel; a carbon scrubber; a door sweep; a sensor unit; and a power source. In some aspects, the fire safety device has a power source that is selected from the group consisting of: a 12-volt battery, a lithium battery, a AAA battery, a AA battery, a C battery, a D battery, a car battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, a lithium ion battery, a small sealed lead acid battery. In some aspects, the fire safety device has a power source that is rechargeable. In some aspects, at least about 80% of carbon products are removed from the air by the fire safety device. In some aspects, at least about 80% of airborne contaminants are removed from the air by the fire safety device. In some aspects, the fire safety device has a sensor unit that senses smoke. In some aspects, the fire safety device has a sensor unit that senses heat. In some aspects, the fire safety device has a sensor that senses air borne contaminants. In some aspects, the fire safety device has a sensor unit that automatically initiates the system. In some aspects, the fire safety device has a sensor unit that alerts others using a strobe light. In some aspects of the fire safety device, the air recirculates within the unit. In some aspects of the fire safety device, the air is recirculated at least 1 time per minute. In some aspects, the fire safety device has a door sweep that prevents smoke from entering the unit. In some aspects, the fire safety device has a carbon scrubber comprising a filter. In some aspects, the filter is comprised of a hopcalite catalyst and coconut shell activated charcoal.
In some embodiments, the invention is a fire safety device comprising: an air recirculation and purification system wherein breathable air can be circulated for at least 10 minutes during an active fire and wherein said fire safety device is installed in an enclosed space is sized such that it will accommodate at least 1 human being during a fire; and an alarm to notify emergency personnel. In some aspects, during an active fire, smoke contaminants in an enclosed space are reduced to a level that can allow a human to breath at a level to maintain life for 30 minutes. In some aspects, the air is substantially recirculated in the fire safety device. In some aspects of the fire safety device, the enclosed space is sized to accommodate at least 2 human beings.
All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:
In some embodiments, the device can transform enclosed spaces, e.g. closets, into a temporary emergency space. In some embodiments, the device can transform the enclosed space for a limited time. In some embodiments, the device can increase breathable air. In some embodiments, the device can decrease carbon. In some embodiments, the device can increase oxygen.
In some embodiments, the device can comprise an integrated circuit. In some embodiments, the device comprises an external battery status panel. In some embodiments the device comprises a battery compartment located behind the removeable front panel. In some embodiments, the device can be powered by a 12-volt battery. In some embodiments, the device can be powered by one or more batteries selected from the group consisting of: AA battery, AAA battery, C battery, D battery, 9 Volt battery, lithium battery (e.g. lithium ion battery), a car battery, a rechargeable battery, a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, a sealed lead acid battery, a valve-regulated lead acid battery, Absorbed glass mat (i.e. AGM) battery, gel battery (i.e. gel cell), and any combination thereof. Once skilled in the art will recognize that the battery can be selected from: any household battery, industrial or vehicle battery, so long as it is able to sufficiently power the device for a period of time.
In some embodiments, the battery can be easily removed. In some embodiments, the battery can be rechargeable. In some embodiments, the device can comprise a low voltage alarm that can indicate that the unit needs to be recharged.
In some embodiments, the device can include a sensor unit in an adjacent space that can sense various aspects of the environment. In some embodiments, a sensor can sense smoke, heat, CO, CO2, Carbon-based air contaminants, smoke particles, particulates, air borne microbes, cyanide, gases, and any combination thereof. One skilled in the art will recognize sensors can detect many air components that may be useful for use in a fire emergency. Once the sensor unit senses smoke, heat, CO, etc., the sensor unit can automatically initiate the system.
In some embodiments, the device can include a manual activation switch to start the system. In some embodiments, the device can include a manual deactivation switch to stop the system. In some embodiments, the device can also include a manual test function to test the system. In some embodiments, the manual activation switch, the manual deactivation switch, and the manual test switch can be a push button.
In some embodiments, the device can emit a light when in commission to illuminate the enclosed space. In some embodiments, the device can emit light-emitting diode (LED) light, fluorescent light, incandescent light, halogen light, and any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the device can alert emergency personnel and others that people are in the device. In some embodiments, the device can include a strobe light that can alert emergency personnel and others. In some embodiments, the device can include light vibration to alert others. In some embodiments, the device can include sound to alert others. In some embodiments, the device can include Bluetooth to alert others. In some embodiments, the device can include a digital notification to alert others. In some embodiments, the device can have wi-fi connection to alert others. In some embodiments, the device can have emergency cellular capabilities to alert others. In some embodiments, individuals can communicate using the emergency cellular capabilities using the speaker. In some embodiments, individuals can communicate using the emergency cellular capabilities using the microphone.
In some embodiments, the device can purify air. In some embodiments, the device can comprise an air filter. In some embodiments, the device can comprise a carbon scrubber. In some embodiments, the device can comprise a carbon byproduct scrubbing system designed for expired CO2 from hyperventilation, CO, cyanide, other particulates produced by fires, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the device can initiate intake and exhaust fans with an in-line carbon filter. In some embodiments, the device can remove at least about: 80%, 82%, 84%, 86%, 88%, 90%, 92%, 94%, 96%, 98%, 99%, or more of carbon products and airborne contaminants.
In some embodiments, the device can purify air. In some embodiments, the device can comprise an air filter. In some embodiments, the filter can be designed to oxidize the carbon monoxide and capture the carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, the filter medium can consist of a mixture of a hopcalite oxidation catalyst and a charcoal. In some embodiments, the hopcalite catalyst can be doped with tin. In some embodiments, the charcoal can be activated charcoal, e.g., coconut shell activated charcoal.
In some embodiments, the hopcalite catalyst can convert carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide can be absorbed by the charcoal. In some embodiments, the device can initiate intake and exhaust fans with the carbon filter. In some embodiments, the device can remove at least about: 80%, 82%, 84%, 86%, 88%, 90%, 92%, 94%, 96%, 98%, 99%, or more of carbon products and airborne contaminants.
In some embodiments, the device can recirculate air in the unit. In some embodiments, the device can include an air flow tunnel. In some embodiments, the device can comprise of fans. In some embodiments, the device can draw from air that is already contained in the unit to recirculate the air. In some embodiments, the device can recirculate air at least: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 times per minute or more.
In some embodiments, the device can provide a person with at least 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours of life-sustaining, breathable air. In some embodiments, the device can prevent smoke from entering the unit. In some embodiments, the device can include a door sweep to prevent smoke from entering into the unit.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/756,632, filed Nov. 7, 2018, which application is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62756632 | Nov 2018 | US |
