System and method for suppressing the spread of fire and various contaminants

• US 20060255957A1
• Filed: 07/21/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Paul Whitney
• Original Assignee: Paul Whitney
• Inventors: Whitney, Paul
• Application Number:
  US11/491,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20060255957A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/628
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 2/24 Operating or controlling mechanisms emergency operation of doors and windows E05F1/002, E05F15/72
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/33 to fire, excessive heat or smoke
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion

Abstract

Systems and methods for suppressing the spread of fire, fire-related toxins, and other biological and chemical hazards are disclosed. One described system includes an HVAC interface in communication with-a residential HVAC system, a receiver operable to receive a signal indicating the presence of a contaminant from an environmental condition detector; and a processor in communication with the receiver and the residential HVAC system. The processor is operable to: receive the signal from the receiver, in response, send a signal to the HVAC interface to cause the residential HVAC system to be shut down, and minimizing collision of data packets during transmission of data signals.

Claims

1. A system for suppressing the spread of contaminants, the system comprising:

an HVAC interface in communication with-a residential HVAC system;

a receiver operable to receive a signal indicating the presence of a contaminant from an environmental condition detector; and

a processor in communication with said receiver and said residential HVAC system and operable to;

receive said signal from said receiver,

in response, send a signal to said HVAC interface to cause said residential HVAC system to be shut down, and

minimizing collision of data packets during transmission of data signals by;

(a) determining the presence of an existing transmission;

(b) if no transmission is present, transmitting a message;

(c) generating a pseudo random number;

(d) calculating a delay comprising the sum of a fixed time interval and the pseudo random number;

(e) pausing for an interval equal to said delay; and

(f) repeating steps (a) through (e).

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a wireless receiver.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a differential wired receiver.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said air handler interface is electrically coupled to a thermostat.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a programming port in communication with said processor.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a modem in communication with said processor.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a network interface in communication with said processor.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said network interface comprises an Ethernet network interface.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter in communication with said processor.