Techniques for Smoke Detection

• US 20070229293A1
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gary Martino
• Original Assignee: Gary Martino
• Inventors: Martino, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 7,928,854 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/630
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/103 using a light emitting and receiving device
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/113 Constructional details

Abstract

Techniques for smoke detection are provided. In one aspect, an exemplary smoke detection device is provided. The smoke detection device comprises an infrared beam transmitting unit; an infrared beam receiving unit; and a control module associated with the infrared beam transmitting unit and the infrared beam receiving unit. The infrared beam transmitting unit and the infrared beam receiving unit are configured to communicate with each other, via an infrared beam, and with the control module, via a signal produced in response to smoke being present at a level that is greater than a threshold smoke level.

Claims

1. A smoke detection device, comprising:

an infrared beam transmitting unit;

an infrared beam receiving unit; and

a control module associated with the infrared beam transmitting unit and the infrared beam receiving unit,

wherein the infrared beam transmitting unit and the infrared beam receiving unit are configured to communicate with each other, via an infrared beam, and with the control module, via a signal produced in response to smoke being present at a level that is greater than a threshold smoke level.

2. The smoke detection device of claim 1, wherein the threshold smoke level is up to about a three smoke level.

3. The smoke detection device of claim 1, wherein the threshold smoke level is up to about a two smoke level.

4. The smoke detection device of claim 1, wherein the threshold smoke level is adjustable.

5. The smoke detection device of claim 1, further comprising:

a first high-temperature resistant optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the first high-temperature resistant optical fiber is attached and optically connected to the infrared beam transmitting unit; and

a second high-temperature resistant optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the second high-temperature resistant optical fiber is attached and optically connected to the infrared beam receiving unit.

6. The smoke detection device of claim 1, further comprising:

a first high-temperature resistant optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the first high-temperature resistant optical fiber is attached and optically connected to the infrared beam transmitting unit;

a second high-temperature resistant optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the second high-temperature resistant optical fiber is attached and optically connected to the infrared beam receiving unit; and

a bracket adapted to retain the distal end of the first high-temperature resistant optical fiber and the distal end of the second high-temperature resistant optical fiber facing, and in line of sight of, each other.

7. The smoke detection device of claim 1, further comprising one or more brackets adapted to mount the infrared beam transmitting unit and the infrared beam receiving unit lacing, and in line of sight of, each other.

8. The smoke detection device of claim 1, further comprising an infrared light module linking the control module with the infrared beam transmitting unit and the infrared beam receiving unit, wherein the infrared light module is configured to produce the signal in response to smoke being present at a level that is greater than a threshold smoke level.

9. The smoke detection device of claim 1, wherein the control module comprises at least one relay switch adapted to turn off one or more electrical components in response to the signal.

10. A ventilation system comprising:

one or more of a heating unit, an air conditioning unit and an air distribution fan; and

one or more smoke detection devices, comprising;

an infrared beam transmitting unit;

an infrared beam receiving unit; and

a control module associated with the infrared beam transmitting unit and the infrared beam receiving unit;

wherein the infrared beam transmitting unit and the infrared beam receiving unit are configured to communicate with each other, via an infrared beam, and with the control module, via a signal produced in response to smoke being present at a level that is greater than a threshold smoke level.

11. The ventilation system of claim 10, wherein the heating unit comprises a furnace system having a furnace with a burner and a flue positioned to vent smoke from the burner, and wherein at least one of the one or more smoke detection devices is associated with the flue and is configured to turn off the burner in response to smoke being present in the flue at a level that is greater than the threshold smoke level.

12. The ventilation system of claim 11, wherein the furnace system further comprises a bypass that, when activated, is configured to serve as a temporary connection between an ignition mechanism of the burner and an electrical power source.

13. The ventilation system of claim 11, wherein one or more of the smoke detection devices comprises a seal between the flue and at least one of the infrared beam transmitting unit and the infrared beam receiving unit.

14. The ventilation system of claim 10, wherein the heating unit comprises a furnace system having a furnace with a burner and a flue positioned to vent smoke from the burner, the flue comprising a barometric damper, and wherein at least one of the one or more smoke detection devices is associated with a portion of the flue that is between the furnace and the barometric damper.

15. The ventilation system of claim 10, wherein the heating unit comprises a furnace system having a furnace with a burner and a flue positioned to vent smoke from the burner, and wherein at least one of the one or more smoke detection devices is associated with the flue, the at least one smoke detection device further comprising:

a first high-temperature resistant optical fiber having a proximal end attached to the infrared beam transmitting unit and a distal end attached to the flue; and

a second high-temperature resistant optical fiber having a proximal end attached to the infrared beam receiving unit and a distal end attached to the flue opposite the distal end of the first high-temperature resistant optical fiber and in line of sight of the distal end of the first high-temperature resistant optical fiber.

16. The ventilation system of claim 15, wherein the at least one smoke detection device further comprises a light guide shield on one or more of the distal end of the first high-temperature resistant optical fiber and the distal end of the second high-temperature resistant optical fiber.

17. The ventilation system of claim 10, further comprising a duct connecting one or more of the heating unit, the air conditioning unit and the air distribution fan, and wherein at least one of the one or more smoke detection devices is associated with the duct and is configured to turn off one or more of the heating unit, the air conditioning unit and the air distribution fan in response to smoke being present in the duct at a level that is greater than the threshold smoke level.

18. A method for smoke detection in a furnace system having a furnace with a burner, a flue positioned to vent smoke from the burner and at least one smoke detection device associated with the flue, the at least one smoke detection device comprising an infrared beam transmitting unit;

an infrared beam receiving unit; and

a control module associated with the infrared beam transmitting unit and the infrared beam receiving unit, wherein the infrared beam transmitting unit and the infrared beam receiving unit are configured to communicate with each other, via an infrared beam at least a portion of which passes through the flue, and with the control module, via a signal, the method comprising the steps of;

generating the signal in response to at least one break in the infrared beam;

sending the signal to the control module; and

upon receipt of the signal by the control module, using the control module to turn off the burner.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

upon receipt of the signal by the control module, instituting a time delay; and

alter expiration of the time delay, determining whether the signal is still present.

20. A method for smoke detection in a ventilation system having one or more of an air conditioning unit, a heating unit, an air distribution fall and a duct connecting one or more of the air conditioning unit, the heating unit and the air distribution fan, and at least one smoke detection device associated with the duct, the at least one smoke detection device comprising an infrared beam transmitting unit;

an infrared beam receiving unit; and

a control module associated with the infrared beam transmitting unit and the infrared beam receiving unit, wherein the infrared beam transmitting unit and the infrared beam receiving unit are configured to communicate with each other, via an infrared beam at least a portion of which passes through the duct, and with the control module, via a signal, the method comprising the steps of;

generating the signal in response to at least one break in the infrared beam;

sending the signal to the control module; and

upon receipt of the signal by the control module, using the control module to turn off the air conditioning unit, the heating unit and the air distribution fan.