Fire alarm device accompanied with air conditioner

• US 5,260,691 A
• Filed: 10/30/1990
• Issued: 11/09/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NORM Pacific Automation Corporation
• Original Assignee: NORM Pacific Automation Corporation
• Inventors: Shyu, Jia-Ming
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/605,418
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 340/589, 340/693, 340/627, 340/628, 454/229, 454/257, 454/342, 454/357, 454/258
• US Class Current: 340/589
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/06 Electric actuation of the alarm, e.g. using a thermally-operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/117 by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire G08B17/103, G08B17/11 take precedence

Abstract

A combination fire alarm/air conditioner, which can immediately detect a fire. The device includes a temperature-sensor and/or a smoke-sensor installed in the room-side air inlet of the air conditioner. Signals generated by the sensor are received by a microcomputer which monitors them based on a threshold and a rate of change of the signals. When the rate of change of the signals exceeds the threshold, the microcomputer produces signals which set off an alarm.

Claims

1. A combination fire alarm/air circulating system for a room, comprising:

means for circulating air in the room, said circulating means having an air inlet and means for drawing the room air into said air inlet;

sensing means, located in said air inlet for sensing at least one of temperature and smoke values of the room air drawn into said air inlet by said drawing means; and

a microcomputer for monitoring the values sensed by said sensing means, calculating a rate of change of said values, comparing the calculated rate of change to a preset threshold and generating a warning signal if the calculated rate of change exceeds the preset threshold.

2. A system of according to claim 1, further comprising a backup power supply to supply power for said system during a period of power failure.

3. A system according to claim 1, where said means for circulating air is a window air conditioner.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the means for circulating air is a central air conditioning system.

5. A system according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm means, responsive to said warning signal, for providing a warning of a fire.