Wireless communication for fume hood

• US 20040209564A1
• Filed: 05/04/2004
• Published: 10/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phoenix Controls Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Phoenix Controls Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Desai, Mehul
• Granted Patent: US 6,935,943 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 454/56
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 1/50 for storing hazardous materials in the laboratory, e.g. cupboards, waste containers sample containers B01L3/50
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/145 Detecting door closure
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 15/023 Fume cabinets or cupboards, e.g. for laboratories

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling a fume hood. A containment condition, i.e., a condition that may affect containment of potentially harmful substances in the hood, may be detected, and information regarding the detected condition sent by wireless signal. A fume hood controller may control at least airflow in the hood based on the information contained in the wireless signal.

Claims

1. A fume hood apparatus comprising:

at least one sensor that detects a containment condition related to containment of substances in a fume hood housing having a hood opening;

at least one transmitter that transmits a wireless signal including information representing the containment condition detected by the at least one sensor; and

a fume hood controller that receives the wireless signal and controls at least airflow through the hood opening based on the information representing the detected containment condition, wherein the fume hood controller is adapted to initiate an action to maintain containment in the fume hood when a wireless signal is not properly received from the at least one transmitter and wherein the wireless signal includes information identifying a source of the signal.

2. The fume hood apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action to maintain containment in the fume hood includes requesting retransmission of the wireless signal from the at least one transmitter.

3. The fume hood apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action to maintain containment in the fume hood includes sounding an alarm.

4. The fume hood apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action to maintain containment in the fume hood includes reducing the size of the hood opening.

5. The fume hood apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action to maintain containment in the fume hood includes increasing airflow through the hood opening.

6. The fume hood apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fume hood controller is adapted to initiate an action to maintain containment in the fume hood when no wireless signal is received from the at least one transmitter for a period of time.

7. The fume hood apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fume hood controller is adapted to initiate an action to maintain containment in the fume hood when the wireless signal is received, but unintelligible.

8. The fume hood apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source of the signal includes the at least one transmitter or the at least one sensor.

9. A method for controlling a fume hood apparatus, comprising:

providing a fume hood housing having a hood opening;

detecting a containment condition related to containment of potentially harmful substances in the hood;

transmitting a wireless signal including information representing the detected containment condition;

controlling at least airflow through the hood opening based on the wireless signal when the wireless signal is properly received; and

maintaining containment when the wireless signal is not properly received.

10. The method for controlling a fume hood apparatus of claim 9, wherein the step of maintaining containment includes repeating the transmitting step.

11. The method for controlling a fume hood apparatus of claim 9, wherein the step of maintaining containment includes sounding an alarm.

12. The method for controlling a fume hood apparatus of claim. 9, wherein the step of maintaining containment includes increasing the airflow through the hood opening.

13. The method for controlling a fume hood apparatus of claim 9, wherein the step of maintaining containment includes changing a size of the hood opening.

14. The method for controlling a fume hood apparatus of claim 9, wherein the step of maintaining containment includes initiating a backup communication system.

15. The method of controlling a fume hood apparatus of claim 9, wherein the step of maintaining containment occurs if no wireless signal is received for a period of time.

16. The method of controlling a fume hood apparatus of claim 9, wherein the step of maintaining containment occurs if the wireless signal is received, but is unintelligible.

17. The method of controlling a fume hood apparatus of claim 9, wherein a source of the signal includes a sensor, transmitter, or controller.

18. A fume hood apparatus, comprising:

at least one sensor that detects a containment condition related to containment of substances in a fume hood housing having a hood opening;

an airflow control device that controls airflow through the hood opening; and

a fume hood controller that receives information from the sensor regarding the detected containment condition and sends a wireless signal to the airflow control device to control at least airflow through the hood opening based on the information representing the detected containment condition, wherein the fume hood controller is adapted to take an action to maintain containment in the fume hood when the controller does not properly receive a wireless signal from the at least one sensor.

19. The fume hood apparatus of claim 18, wherein the action to maintain containment includes reducing the size of the hood opening.

20. The fume hood apparatus of claim 18, wherein the action to maintain containment includes initiating an alarm.

21. The fume hood apparatus of claim 18, wherein the action to maintain containment includes retransmitting the wireless signal.

22. The fume hood apparatus of claim 18, wherein the action to maintain containment includes increasing the airflow through the hood opening.