Visual alarm reliability assurance system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for operational status monitoring and reliability assurance of a visual alarm system having fixtures containing alarm lamps, operable in a flashing mode, distributed in the rooms of a building or institution for alerting and warning occupants of said rooms, wherein the improvement comprises:
- (a) a source of alternating current (AC) power available through a pair of wires to input line and neutral terminals of said apparatus;
(b) an interface relay, responsive to an external control source that detects an emergency condition and requires activation of an alarm, having a normally open switch for on-off application of full AC line voltage, an input contact of said switch connected to said line terminal and an output contact thereof connected to an input terminal of a lamp excitation circuit;
(c) said excitation circuit for said alarm lamp, responsive to said application of full line voltage, having means therein whereby said alarm lamp is operated in said flashing mode and having further means for discriminating against monitor voltages applied at voltage levels below a threshold required for operation of said alarm lamp at its rated intensity of flashing illumination;
(d) a means, connected between said line terminal and a monitor display for supplying a current for on-site monitoring when said interface relay is deenergized in the absence of said emergency conditions;
(e) said monitor display on-site at said alarm lamp fixture, responsive to said monitor current, comprising;
a light emitting diode for visual indication of the presence of said AC power at said line and neutral terminals; and
a zener diode arranged in parallel for voltage protection of said light emitting diode; and
a series network comprising;
a rectifying diode; and
a current limiting resistor;
said parallel and series networks connected in series from said excitation circuit input terminal to said neutral terminal with the polarity of said light emitting and rectifying diodes arranged for current flow; and
(f) a means whereby an attending inspector may periodically perform an operational test of said alarm lamp by bypassing said interface relay normally open switch for on-off application of full line voltage to said excitation circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flashing visual alarm system for buildings and institutions, having occupants including persons having impaired hearing abilities, is provided with on-site continuous monitoring devices and provisions for periodic operational tests of the strobe or incandescent lamp assembly in each room by an inspector, plus a centralized supervisor'"'"'s station for the entire building complex where the operating status of each alarm lamp is continually displayed for the maintenance of a reliable and fully operational emergency warning system.
20 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for operational status monitoring and reliability assurance of a visual alarm system having fixtures containing alarm lamps, operable in a flashing mode, distributed in the rooms of a building or institution for alerting and warning occupants of said rooms, wherein the improvement comprises:
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(a) a source of alternating current (AC) power available through a pair of wires to input line and neutral terminals of said apparatus; (b) an interface relay, responsive to an external control source that detects an emergency condition and requires activation of an alarm, having a normally open switch for on-off application of full AC line voltage, an input contact of said switch connected to said line terminal and an output contact thereof connected to an input terminal of a lamp excitation circuit; (c) said excitation circuit for said alarm lamp, responsive to said application of full line voltage, having means therein whereby said alarm lamp is operated in said flashing mode and having further means for discriminating against monitor voltages applied at voltage levels below a threshold required for operation of said alarm lamp at its rated intensity of flashing illumination; (d) a means, connected between said line terminal and a monitor display for supplying a current for on-site monitoring when said interface relay is deenergized in the absence of said emergency conditions; (e) said monitor display on-site at said alarm lamp fixture, responsive to said monitor current, comprising; a light emitting diode for visual indication of the presence of said AC power at said line and neutral terminals; and a zener diode arranged in parallel for voltage protection of said light emitting diode; and a series network comprising; a rectifying diode; and a current limiting resistor; said parallel and series networks connected in series from said excitation circuit input terminal to said neutral terminal with the polarity of said light emitting and rectifying diodes arranged for current flow; and (f) a means whereby an attending inspector may periodically perform an operational test of said alarm lamp by bypassing said interface relay normally open switch for on-off application of full line voltage to said excitation circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A visual alarm system, adapted for at least one of the separate rooms of a building or institution for alerting persons of impaired hearing ability to an existing emergency condition, wherein the improvement comprises:
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(a) a source of AC power made available in at least one room of said building or institution. (b) a visual alarm assembly for each said room, comprising; line and neutral terminals for connection to said source of AC power; an interface relay, responsive to an external source of alarm control, for application of full line voltage of said AC power, through a line voltage control switch, of said relay, having an input contact thereof connected to said line terminal and an output contact thereof connected to an input terminal of a lamp excitation circuit; said excitation circuit responsive to said application of full line voltage for developing repetitive high voltage pulses of energy; a strobe lamp, responsive to said repetitive pulses of energy, for emitting high intensity flashes of illumination; a means for supplying a low level current from said AC power; a visual monitor display, responsive to said low level current, for indicating integrity of said AC power source and continuity of the system wiring; a means for bypassing said interface relay control switch for a periodic test, by an attending inspector, of the operability of said excitation circuit and said strobe lamp through application of said line voltage to said excitation circuit; a means of interfacing said line voltage control switch of said interface relay to an external location; and (c) a two wire conductor, a first wire thereof connected to a junction of said line terminal and an input contact of said line control switch, and a second wire thereof connected to a junction of an output contact of said line control switch and an input terminal of said excitation circuit for transmitting the prevailing conditions of said line voltage control switch of said interface relay to a centralized remote location; and (d) a supervisory monitoring station at said centralized remote location, comprising for each visual alarm lamp; a first subcircuit, terminating said two wire conductor, and having means for sensing and displaying an indication of an open circuit and absence of said AC power at said alarm lamp, momentary testing by said inspector of said lamp, and closure of said interface relay by said source of alarm control; and a second subcircuit, connected in parallel with said first subcircuit, and having means for sensing and displaying an indication of a short circuit or an excessive leakage current condition in said excitation circuit or alarm lamp.
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Specification