Gas detection and alarm system for monitoring gas such as carbon monoxide

• US 5,694,118 A
• Filed: 12/28/1994
• Issued: 12/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hasbro Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hasbro Inc.
• Inventors: Park, Sea C., Park, In P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US08/365,290
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 340/632, 340/633, 340/634, 73/23.21, 73/23.31, 73/31.01, 73/31.02, 73/31.03, 346/628, D13/139
• US Class Current: 340/632
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/004 CO or CO2
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0063 using a threshold to release an alarm or displaying means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

A gas detection and alarm system and a method thereof for monitoring a predetermined dose of carbon monoxide and other gases in the atmosphere which can be harmful to humans, having a gas detection/alarm device comprising a detection circuit which detects a predetermined dose of a gas such as carbon monoxide, an indication circuit which visually and audibly indicates the dose detection to the user based on the detection circuit, a microprocessor for digitally operating the detection circuit and the indication circuit, a power conversion circuit which converts AC power to DC power without using any transformers and which supplies the converted constant power to the detection circuit, indication circuit and microprocessor, and a housing which compactly houses the detection circuit, indication circuit, power conversion circuit and microprocessor.

Claims

1. A gas detection and alarm system for monitoring carbon monoxide, comprising:

detection means for detecting a predetermined dose of carbon monoxide, the detection means including a semiconductor-type carbon monoxide sensor having a plurality of connections connected to at least three terminals of a microprocessor through a plurality of transistors;

indication means for indicating the dose detected by the detection means to the user, said indication means including a temperature compensating circuit for maintaining a constant temperature thereof;

microprocessor means including the microprocessor for digitally controlling said indication and detection means;

power conversion means for supplying constant power to said detection and indication means;

housing means for housing said detection, indication, microprocessor and power conversion means,

wherein said housing means has a circular configuration and includes an electric plug disposed on a bottom surface of said housing means, and said indication means includes a buzzer for generating an audio sound and a first transistor directly connected to said buzzer;

wherein said housing means further includes;

a top cover having a light emitting portion, and

a bottom plate having said electric plug and a surface for mounting thereon said indication, power conversion, microprocessor, and detection means in a substantially coplanar manner, said top cover and bottom plate engaging each other to form a housing unit;

wherein said light emitting portion includes a movable switch for resetting the system after activation of said indication means to indicate said dose detection; and

wherein said power conversion means includes a power conversion circuit having no transformers, said conversion circuit receiving AC power and generating constant DC power from said AC power.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said indication means includes at least one light source which emits light,

said buzzer and said at least one light source audibly and visually indicating said detection of predetermined dose of gas, respectively.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least one light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting different color of light,

said different color of light including a green light and a red light being alternatively emitted through said housing means based on said dose detection by said detection means.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said green light is emitted when the system is in normal operation mode or in a reset mode, and the red light is emitted when said predetermined dose of gas is detected,

said emission of red light and said audio sound from the buzzer being terminated when the movable switch is activated.

5. A gas detection and alarm system for monitoring carbon monoxide, comprising:

detection means for detecting a predetermined dose of carbon monoxide, the detection means including a semiconductor-type carbon monoxide sensor having a plurality of connections connected to at least three terminals of a microprocessor through a plurality of transistors;

indication means for indicating the dose detected by the detection means to the user, said indication means including a temperature compensating circuit for maintaining a constant temperature thereof;

microprocessor means including the microprocessor for digitally controlling said indication and detection means;

power conversion means for supplying constant power to said detection and indication means;

housing means for housing said detection, indication, microprocessor and power conversion means;

strobe light emitting means for emitting a strobe light when said predetermined dose of gas is detected;

trigger means for triggering said strobe light; and

voltage doubler means for supplying constant voltage to said trigger means and said strobe light emitting means,

wherein said housing means includes;

a top cover having a light emitting portion, and

a bottom plate having an electric plug and a surface for mounting thereon said indication power conversion, microprocessor, and detection means in a substantially coplanar manner, said top cover and bottom plate engaging each other to form a housing unit.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said strobe light emitting means includes a strobe light tube having a plurality of electrodes,

said trigger means including a trigger circuit for applying a plurality of pulses of volts to one of said plurality of electrodes.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said voltage doubler means includes a voltage doubler circuit for doubling voltage applied to said doubler circuit and generating constant doubled voltage,

said doubled voltage being applied to both said trigger circuit for generating said plurality of pulses of volts and to said light tube.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said strobe light are emitted when both said constant doubled voltage and said plurality of pulses of volts are applied to said light tube.