Differential particulate detection system for electronic devices

• US 20040189313A1
• Filed: 03/27/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Shabino, Peter James
• Granted Patent: US 7,049,824 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/464
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/06 providing a thin slice, e.g. microtome
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/22 in the gaseous state specially adapted for biological material G01N33/497; measuring breath flow A61B5/087
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/113 Constructional details

Abstract

A method, apparatus and program product for differential particle detection in electronic devices is provided. A first particulate sensor is positioned in proximity to an air intake of the electronic device. A second particulate sensor is positioned in proximity to the air exhaust of the device. A comparator compares the particulate concentrations detected by the first and second particulate sensors. Differential particle detection between the air intake and air exhaust of an electronic device enables early detection of potential fire conditions existing within the electronic device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for differentially detecting a particulate concentration at an air intake and an air exhaust of an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a first particulate sensor positioned in proximity to the air intake;

a second particulate sensor positioned in proximity to the air exhaust;

a comparator for comparing a first particulate concentration from the first particulate sensor against a second particulate concentration from the second particulate sensor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first particulate sensor and the second particulate sensor are photo optic type particle detectors.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first particulate sensor and the second particulate sensor are ionization type particle detectors.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein if the comparator determines that the difference between the first particulate concentration and the second particulate concentration exceeds a predetermined threshold, an alert signal is raised by the comparator.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the alert signal causes the electronic device to shut down.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the alert signal causes the electronic device to issue a warning to the user of the device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein if the comparator determines that the difference between the first particulate concentration and the second particulate concentration exceeds a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period of time, an alert signal is raised by the comparator.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the alert signal causes the electronic device to shut down.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the alert signal causes the electronic device to issue a warning to the user of the device.

10. A method of detecting a potential fire within an electronic device, the method including the steps of:

detecting a first particulate concentration at a first particulate sensor positioned in proximity to an air intake of the electronic device;

detecting a second particulate concentration at a second particulate sensor positioned in proximity to an air exhaust of the electronic device; and

comparing the first particulate concentration from the first particulate sensor against the second particulate concentration from the second particulate sensor.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further includes the step of:

issuing a warning to a user of the electronic device if the second particulate concentration exceeds the first particulate concentration by a predetermined margin.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further includes the step of:

issuing a warning to a user of the electronic device if the second particulate concentration exceeds the first particulate concentration by a predetermined margin for a predetermined time interval.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further includes the step of:

shutting down the electronic device if the second particulate concentration exceeds the first particulate concentration at a given time by a predetermined margin.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further includes the step of:

shutting down the electronic device if the second particulate concentration exceeds the first particulate concentration by a predetermined margin for a predetermined time interval.

15. A program product, the program product comprising:

signal bearing media; and

a fire detection routine stored on said signal bearing media, said fire detection routine being configured to perform the following steps;

detecting a first particulate concentration at a first particulate sensor positioned in proximity to an air intake of the electronic device;

detecting a second particulate concentration at a second particulate sensor positioned in proximity to an air exhaust of the electronic device; and

comparing a first particulate concentration from the first particulate sensor against a second particulate concentration from the second particulate sensor.

16. The program product of claim 15, wherein the fire detection routine further performs the step of:

issuing a warning to a user of the electronic device if the second particulate concentration exceeds the first particulate concentration at a given time by a predetermined margin.

17. The program product of claim 15, wherein the fire detection routine further performs the step of:

issuing a warning to a user of the electronic device if the second particulate concentration exceeds the first particulate concentration by a predetermined margin for a predetermined time interval.

18. The program product of claim 15, wherein the fire detection routine further performs the step of:

shutting down the electronic device if the second particulate concentration exceeds the first particulate concentration at a given time by a predetermined margin.

19. The program product of claim 15, wherein the fire detection routine further performs the step of:

shutting down the electronic device if the second particulate concentration exceeds the first particulate concentration by a predetermined margin for a predetermined time interval.