Alarm system for detecting excess temperature in electrical wiring

• US 5,654,684 A
• Filed: 05/26/1994
• Issued: 08/05/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boyden systems, inc.
• Original Assignee: David Boyden
• Inventors: Boyden, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/250,095
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 340/287, 340/288, 340/289, 340/286.01, 340/292, 340/584, 340/635, 340/693, 379/42, 740/501, 740/506, 740/286.05, 169/60, 169/61, 169/23, 169/52, 169/24, 374/141, 374/183
• US Class Current: 340/287
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/16 in electrical installations, e.g. cableways
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/06 Electric actuation of the alarm, e.g. using a thermally-operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/185 Electrical failure alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

The system includes a sensor for each junction box in the building to be guarded, i.e., the residence, and a display panel showing the temperature of any junction box that is heated above the danger point. Another display panel shows the name of the resident and address of the residence, and the location of the heated junction box by room number and junction box number and the shape of the junction box. A plurality of residences are connected with a central station, such as a fire station, by single telephone line to each residence. A single processing unit is located in each residence, and a single such unit in the central display station. A display panel is located in the central station identical with each display in a residence. The central station is provided with a single processing unit responsive to actuating of any and each of the processing units in the residences, the central station having a modem operable for receiving signals from the processing units in the units and processing them according to the respective processing units in the residences. The system also includes rotating extinguisher heads which rotate towards the source of any dangerous heat an extinguish the fire.

Claims

1. An alarm system for use in a residence or business establishment, comprising:

an electrical junction box containing electrical wiring;

a thermistor for detecting a change in temperature of said junction box and for generating an electrical signal in response thereto;

a thermistor for detecting a change in temperature of said junction box and for generating an electrical signal in response thereto;

said thermistor also having a protection device;

alarm conductor means for conducting said electrical signal, said alarm conductor means being connected to said temperature sensing means;

comparison means connected to said alarm conductor means for comparing said electrical signal to a threshold signal level; and

display means connected to said comparison means for displaying an indication of temperature when said electrical signal exceeds said threshold signal level;

wherein said thermistor is attached to said electrical junction box in a thermally conducting relationship; and

wherein a transmitter transmits data received from said thermistor to a base station via UHF radio transmission.

2. An alarm system for use in a residence or business establishment, comprising:

an electrical junction box containing electrical wiring;

a thermistor for detecting a change in temperature of said junction box and for generating an electrical signal in response thereto;

alarm conductor means for conducting said electrical signal, said alarm conductor means being connected to said temperature sensing means;

comparison means connected to said alarm conductor means for comparing said electrical signal to a threshold signal level; and

display means connected to said comparison means for displaying an indication of temperature when said electrical signal exceeds said threshold signal level;

wherein said thermistor is attached to said electrical junction box in a thermally conducting relationship and said thermistor includes means to transmit data to extinguisher units located in an establishment.

3. An alarm and extinguisher system for use in a residence or business establishment, comprising;

a base unit, operable to receive signals from temperature sensing means and transmit signals to extinguisher means;

an extinguisher, connected to said base unit via a UHF radio line;

a tank containing extinguishing material, said tanks being connected by an I/O port to said base unit;

a plurality of heat sensors located on the baseboards of an establishment, wherein said heat sensors are operable to signal a rise in heat; and

said extinguisher means being adapted to swivel towards the heat sensor of said plurality of heat sensors which indicates that there is a rise in heat.

4. The system of claim 3 in which said heat sensors are thermistors.

5. A method of detecting and extinguishing fires, comprising the steps of detecting a rise in heat at a junction box with a thermistor in thermal contact with said junction box;

sending a signal to a base unit microprocessor from said thermistor,

displaying a visual indication of the location of said junction box,

transmitting location information to a rotating extinguisher head,

pointing said extinguisher head at the location, and extinguishing the fire.