Ambient condition detector with multipe sensors and single control unit

• US 20040222884A1
• Filed: 05/07/2003
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Security Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: GE Security Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Burns, Jeffrey, Right, Robert, Costa, Hilario
• Granted Patent: US 6,897,774 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/522
• 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

Abstract

A device with multiple sensors for detecting multiple alarm conditions coupled to a single control unit provides for monitoring and interrogating air flow through Heating/Ventilation/Air-conditioning (HVAC)-type ducts for changes to ambient conditions such as smoke, heat, gas, and/or relative humidity.

Claims

1. A device for detecting an ambient condition, comprising:

(a) a first sensor to determine the presence of a first ambient condition, said first sensor providing a first alarm signal;

(b) a second sensor to determine the presence of a second ambient condition, said second sensor providing a second alarm signal; and

(c) a control unit comprising a processor coupled to said first sensor and said second sensor, said control unit providing a status message indicative of the state of said first alarm signal and second alarm signal.

2. A device of claim 1, wherein said first sensor is a photoelectric smoke sensor.

3. A device of claim 1, wherein said first sensor is an ionization-type smoke sensor.

4. A device of claim 1, wherein said first sensor comprises an air flow sensor to determine air flow through the first sensor, said air flow sensor providing an air flow alarm signal.

5. A device of claim 4, wherein said first sensor further comprises a processor to compare said air flow to a low air flow threshold, said processor providing an air flow alarm signal indicative of low air flow status when said air flow status is less than said low air flow threshold.

6. A device of claim 5, wherein said low air flow threshold is adjustable.

7. A device of claim 6, wherein said low air flow threshold is ambient air flow.

8. A device of claim 4, wherein said air flow sensor comprises a thermistor.

9. A device of claim 1, wherein said second sensor is a temperature sensor to determine temperature level in the second sensor, said temperature sensor providing a temperature alarm signal.

10. A device of claim 9, wherein said temperature sensor further comprises a processor to compare said temperature level to a high temperature threshold, said processor providing a temperature alarm signal indicative of a high temperature level when said temperature level is higher than said high temperature threshold.

11. A device of claim 10, wherein said high temperature threshold is adjustable.

12. A device of claim 11, wherein said high temperature threshold is ambient temperature.

13. A device of claim 9, wherein said temperature sensor comprises a thermistor.

14. A device of claim 1, wherein said second sensor is a CO₂ sensor to determine CO₂ level in the second sensor, said CO₂ sensor providing a CO₂ alarm signal.

15. A device of claim 14, wherein said CO₂ sensor further comprises a processor to compare said CO₂ level to a high CO₂ threshold, said processor providing a CO₂ alarm signal indicative of a high CO₂ level when said CO₂ level is higher than said high CO₂ threshold.

16. A device of claim 15, wherein said high CO₂ threshold is adjustable.

17. A device of claim 16, wherein said high CO₂ threshold is the ambient temperature.

18. A device of claim 1, wherein said second sensor is a second smoke sensor.

19. A device of claim 1, wherein said second sensor is a relative humidity sensor.

20. A device of claim 1, where at least one of said first and second sensors is adapted for location in a HVAC duct.

21. An integrated detection system for detecting ambient conditions, comprising:

(a) first sensing means for determining the presence of a first ambient condition and for providing a first alarm signal;

(b) second sensing means for determining the presence of a second ambient condition and for providing a second alarm signal; and

(c) control means, comprising a processing means coupled to said first sensing means and said second sensing means for providing a status message indicative of the state of said smoke alarm signal and second alarm signal.

22. An integrated detection system of claim 21, wherein said first sensing means is a photoelectric smoke sensor.

23. An integrated detection system of claim 21, wherein said first smoke sensing means is an ionization-type smoke sensor.

24. An integrated detection system of claim 21, wherein at least one of said first and second sensing means is adapted for location in a HVAC duct.

25. A method of using an integrated device for detecting ambient conditions, comprising the steps of:

(a) sensing the presence of a first ambient condition and for providing a first alarm signal;

(b) sensing the presence of a second ambient condition and for proving a second alarm signal;

(c) processing said first alarm signal and said second alarm signal; and

(d) providing a status message indicative of the state of said first alarm signal and second alarm signal.

26. A method of claim 25, wherein the first ambient condition is a smoke condition.