SENSOR CHAMBER AIRFLOW MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20150065030A1
• Filed: 11/10/2014
• Published: 03/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 10,663,443 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 454/257
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/50 Air quality properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/007 with forced flow using ducting systems F24F7/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0006 Calibrating gas analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0065 using more than one threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0075 for multiple spatially distributed sensors, e.g. for environmental monitoring transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• 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 17/107 for detecting light-scattering due to smoke
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/11 using an ionisation chamber for detecting smoke or gas
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/00 Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/007 Details of data content structure of message packets; data protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/005 with transmission via computer network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/26 by updating and storing reference thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/401 for selecting or indicating operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/69 Spread spectrum techniques

Abstract

Various devices, systems, and methods may be presented. A sensor unit may be presented that includes a housing and a chamber arranged within the housing and configured to receive air from outside of the housing of the sensor unit. Also present may be a sensor arranged within the housing and configured to measure a characteristic within the chamber. The sensor unit may include a fan arranged within the housing in relation to the chamber, the fan configured to clear air from the chamber of the sensor unit. Further, the sensor unit may include a controller in communication with the fan and the sensor, the controller configured to operate the fan.

Claims

1. A sensor unit, comprising:

a housing;

a chamber arranged within the housing and configured to receive air from outside of the housing of the sensor unit;

a sensor arranged within the housing and configured to measure a characteristic within the chamber;

a fan arranged within the housing in relation to the chamber, the fan configured to clear air from the chamber of the sensor unit; and

a controller in communication with the fan and the sensor, the controller configured to operate the fan.

2. The sensor unit of claim 1, further comprising:

an emitter arranged within the housing and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation into the chamber, wherein the chamber is a smoke chamber and the characteristic measured by the sensor is a measurement of the scattered portion of the electromagnetic radiation.

3. The sensor unit of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive the measurement of the scattered portion of the electromagnetic radiation made by the sensor, wherein the controller being configured to operate the fan comprises;

operate the fan based on the measurement of the scattered portion of the electromagnetic radiation made by the sensor.

4. The sensor unit of claim 1, further comprising:

a transceiver arranged within the housing and configured to wirelessly receive and transmit data, wherein the controller is in communication with the transceiver.

5. The sensor unit of claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive one or more commands, via the transceiver, to activate the fan and take a sensor measurement;

activate the fan in response to the one or more commands; and

while the fan is active, take a measurement using the sensor.

6. The sensor unit of claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive one or more commands, via the transceiver, to activate the fan and take a second measurement using the sensor;

activate the fan in response to the one or more commands; and

after the fan has stopped being active, take the second measurement from the sensor.

7. The sensor unit of claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to:

transmit, via the transceiver, the characteristic measured by the sensor until a handshaking acknowledgement is received from a repeater unit.

8. The sensor unit of claim 1, wherein the fan is further configured to facilitate an exchange of air between the chamber and a region exterior to the chamber.

9. The sensor unit of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

activate the fan such that a measurement of the characteristic is made by the sensor occurs while the fan is active.

10. A method for handling air flow at a sensor unit, the method comprising:

measuring, within a chamber of the sensor unit, a first measurement;

activating a fan located within the sensor unit to exchange air between outside and inside the chamber of the sensor unit; and

measuring, within the chamber, a second measurement.

11. The method for handling air flow at the sensor unit of claim 10, further comprising:

emitting electromagnetic radiation into the chamber arranged within the sensor unit, wherein;

the chamber is a smoke chamber;

measuring the first measurement comprises measuring a first scattered portion of electromagnetic radiation emitted into the chamber, wherein smoke causes the electromagnetic radiation to be scattered within the smoke chamber; and

measuring the second measurement comprises measuring a second scattered portion of electromagnetic radiation emitted into the chamber.

12. The method for handling air flow at the sensor unit of claim 11, wherein measuring the second scattered portion of electromagnetic radiation emitted into the smoke chamber occurs after the fan has activated and ceased being activated.

13. The method for handling air flow at the sensor unit of claim 10, wherein the fan is activated while the first scattered portion of electromagnetic radiation is measured.

14. The method for handling air flow at the sensor unit of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving, via wireless communication involving a spread spectrum technique, a command to activate the fan located within the sensor unit.

15. The method for handling air flow at the sensor unit of claim 14, further comprising:

waking the sensor unit from a low-power sleep mode in response to a specified sleep period expiring; and

activating a wireless transceiver of the sensor unit prior to receiving the command to activate the fan.

16. The method for handling air flow at the sensor unit of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving, via a wireless communication protocol, one or more commands to sequentially;

perform the first measurement, activate the fan within the sensor unit, and then perform the second measurement.

17. The method for handling air flow at the sensor unit of claim 10, wherein measuring the first measurement comprises measuring a carbon monoxide level within the chamber.

18. An apparatus for handling air flow, the apparatus comprising:

means for measuring, within a chamber of a sensor unit, a first and second measurement; and

means for activating a fan to exchange air between the chamber and a region external to the chamber, wherein the fan is located within a housing of the apparatus.

19. The apparatus for handling air flow of claim 18, further comprising:

means for emitting electromagnetic radiation into the chamber arranged within the sensor unit, wherein;

the chamber is a smoke chamber;

the means for measuring is configured to measure a first scattered portion of electromagnetic radiation and a second scattered portion of electromagnetic radiation emitted into the chamber, wherein smoke causes the electromagnetic radiation to be scattered.

20. The apparatus for handling air flow of claim 18, further comprising:

means for receiving, via wireless communication, a command to activate the fan within the apparatus, wherein the command was generated in response to another apparatus sensing smoke.