Electrical fire hazard detector

• US 5,831,538 A
• Filed: 03/18/1997
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert G. Schena
• Original Assignee: Robert G. Schena
• Inventors: Schena, Robert G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LA, ANH V
• Application Number:
  US08/819,774
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 340/635, 340/539, 340/658, 340/659, 340/661, 340/500, 324/536, 324/520
• US Class Current: 340/635
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/0871 Complete apparatus or systems; circuits, e.g. receivers or amplifiers G01R29/0878, G01R29/0892 take precedence; dosimeters, warning devices G01R29/0857
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/1227 of components, parts or materials G01R31/1209, G01R31/1218, G01R31/18 take precedence; circuits therefor G01R31/14; testing vessels of electrodes G01R31/16

Abstract

An electrical fire hazard detector which senses an arcing condition in AC power distribution systems by sensing radio frequency radiation generated by arcing. The detector senses certain frequencies and duty cycle(s) present in a frequency selected, demodulated and pulse converted radio frequency signal and activates a visual and audible alarm. The detector is contained within a compact housing and includes: a power on LED; an electrical fire hazard detected LED; a CLEAR push-button; a TEST push-button; an audible alarm; and a range/sensitivity switch. The TEST push-button simulates a detected hazard for insuring proper operation of the detector. The CLEAR push-button resets the detector after a simulated or real detection of an electrical fire hazard. The range/sensitivity switch selects either a MINIMUM or MAXIMUM detection range by connection to an internal antenna, which may be a directional type antenna, or to the power distribution system respectively. The detector is a low cost device in that it contains a compact transformerless AC-DC power supply and only two standard integrated circuits, namely a PLL frequency detector and a quad comparator. The device can be powered either from a standard electrical outlet or from a battery. When the device is powered from a battery, the housing can be removed from its mounting location, and with the use of a directional or omnidirectional type antenna can be hand held to localize the source of the hazard.

Claims

1. An electrical fire hazard monitoring device for detecting the presence of hazardous electrical arcing, said device comprising:

means for receiving an RF signal emanating from hazardous electrical arcing;

means for filtering the RF signal to allow only frequencies within a predetermined bandwidth and duty cycle output range;

detection means for demodulating and pulse converting the received RF signal;

frequency and duty cycle detection means to sense frequencies within said predetermined bandwidth and duty cycle range, said frequency and duty cycle detection means producing a hazard detected signal in response to sensing frequencies within said predetermined bandwidth and duty cycles range;

integrator means for sensing the presence of said hazard detected signal during a first predetermined period of time; and

indicator means for providing an indication of said hazard detected signal being present for said first predetermined period of time.

2. The electrical fire hazard monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising:

latch means for continuing said indication once said presence of said hazard detected signal has been present for said first predetermined period of time, after the presence of said hazard detected signal.

3. The electrical fire hazard monitoring device according to claim 2, including:

clearing means to reset said latch means thereby ending said indication, until the presence of said hazard detected signal is once again present for said first predetermined period of time.

4. The electrical fire hazard monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein:

said indication is a visual indication comprised of a self-flashing LED.

5. The electrical fire hazard monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein:

said indication is an audible indication including a self-oscillating alarm.

6. The electrical fire hazard monitoring device according to claim 5, further including actuation means for actuating said self-oscillating alarm, said actuation means comprises:

a timing oscillator activating said self-oscillating alarm for a second predetermined period of time and deactivating said self-oscillating alarm for a third predetermined period of time.

7. The electrical fire hazard monitoring device according to claim 1, including:

testing means for activating said integrator means to thereby test said electrical fire hazard monitoring device.

8. The electrical fire hazard monitoring device according to claim 1, including:

power supply means for providing a DC voltage to components of said device.

9. The electrical fire hazard monitoring device according to claim 8, wherein:

said power supply means is a non-isolated transformerless power supply that derives said DC voltage from an AC source.

10. The electrical fire hazard monitoring device according to claim 8, wherein:

said power supply means is a battery.

11. The electrical fire hazard monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein:

said means for receiving an RF signal includes an electrical connection to a power distribution system, said hazardous electrical arcing being monitored in said power distribution system.

12. The electrical fire hazard monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein:

said means for receiving an RF signal includes an internal antenna.

13. The electrical fire hazard monitoring device according to claim 12, wherein:

said antenna is selected from the group consisting essentially of a directional and an omnidirectional type antenna for isolating the location of said hazardous electrical arcing.

14. The electrical fire hazard monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein:

said means for receiving an RF signal includes a switch with an electrical connection to a power distribution system and an internal antenna, said hazardous electrical arcing being directly monitored in said power distribution system and being indirectly monitored by receiving said RF signal via said antenna when said switch is closed, and being only indirectly monitored by receiving said RF signal via said antenna when said switch is open.

15. A method for detecting the presence of hazardous electrical arcing, said method comprising:

receiving an RF signal emanating from hazardous electrical arcing;

filtering the RF signal to allow only frequencies within a predetermined bandwidth and duty cycle range to pass therefrom;

demodulating and pulse converting the RF signal;

sensing frequencies within the predetermined bandwidth and duty cycle and producing a hazard detected signal in response to the frequencies within the predetermined bandwidth and duty cycles within a predetermined range;

sensing that the hazard detected signal has been present for a first predetermined period of time; and

providing an indication of the hazard detected signal being present for the first predetermined period of time.

16. The method according to claim 15, further including:

continuing the indication once the presence of the hazard detected signal exists for the first predetermined period of time.

17. The method according to claim 16, further including:

manually resetting the indication to inhibit the indication until the presence of the hazard detected signal is once again present for the first predetermined period of time.

18. An electrical hazard indicating device for detecting hazardous electrical arcing comprising:

an RF receiver for receiving RF radiation generated by electrical arcing;

a circuit coupled to said RP receiver including a first integrated circuit for detecting frequency and duty cycle components of the RF radiation, and a second integrated circuit for determining when said frequency and duty cycle components fall within a predetermined range; and

alarm means coupled to said circuit for indicating the presence of hazardous electrical arcing.

19. The electrical hazard indicating device according to claim 18, said first integrated circuit being a phase-locked-loop frequency detector, and said second integrated circuit being a QUAD comparator having four comparators.

20. The electrical hazard indicating device according to claim 19, wherein each said first and second integrated circuits being a single package application specific integrated circuit.