Recessed detector assembly for detecting and venting airborne substances

• US 7,262,705 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2004
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Denis L. Back, James E. Routzong
• Original Assignee: Denis L. Back, James E. Routzong
• Inventors: Back, Denis L., Routzong, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/893,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20050035868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 340/628, 340/629, 340/630, 340/632, 340/633, 340/634, 454/228, 454/236, 454/342, 236/44.R, 236/49.1, 236/49.3
• US Class Current: 340/628
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/113 Constructional details

Abstract

A recessed detector assembly having the capability to detect and evacuate air laden with airborne substances from within the assembly. The assembly includes a detector frame adapted to be flush mounted into a mounting box mounted in a ceiling or a wall, the frame having exposed vents allowing air containing airborne substances to enter the frame; at least one sensor mounted in the detector frame for sensing one or more of the airborne substances and for exhausting the airborne substances, the at least one sensor generating a signal causing an exhaust fan or a drop down sensor for evacuating the one or more airborne substances to operate when a presence of the one or more of the airborne substances is sensed to exceed predetermined levels. Accordingly, the detector may be promptly reset and an alarm may be promptly turned off when airborne substances in the room drop below the predetermined levels.

Claims

1. A recessed detector assembly, comprising:

a detector frame adapted to be flush mounted into a mounting box mounted in a ceiling or a wall, the frame having exposed vents for allowing air containing airborne substances to enter the frame;

at least one sensor mounted in the detector frame for sensing one or more of the airborne substances;

means for exhausting the airborne substances,

the at least one sensor generating a signal causing the means for exhausting the one or more airborne substances to operate when a presence of the one or more of the airborne substances is sensed to exceed predetermined levels,

wherein the means for exhausting the airborne substances is a drop down sensor, the drop down sensor being provided with additional exposed vents.

2. The recessed detector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a power-on indicator light and a test button.

3. The recessed detector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a battery for powering the detector in the case of power failure.

4. The recessed detector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sensor generates an alarm signal to activate an alarm when the one or more of the airborne substances is detected to exceed the predetermined values, the alarm signal stopping when presence of the airborne substances in the detector assembly is reduced below the predetermined levels.

5. The recessed detector assembly according to claim 1, when the vents are formed on a cover plate of the detector frame.

6. The recessed detector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clips are provided to hold the detector assembly in the mounting box.

7. The recessed detector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a cover plate formed with a substantially flat surface, the exposed vents being disposed on the flat surface.

8. The recessed detector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor generates an alarm signal when the presence of the one or more of the airborne substances exceeds the predetermined levels.

9. The recessed detector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor detects temperature of the assembly.

10. The recessed detector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a transceiver for enabling the detector assembly to transmit an alarm to another detector assembly when the presence of the one or more of the airborne substances exceeds the predetermined levels.

11. The recessed detector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising inside vents provided on at least one inner wall of the mounting box for allowing air to circulate into the wall or the ceiling.

12. A recessed detector assembly comprising,

a detector frame adapted to be flush mounted into a mounting box mounted in a ceiling or a wall, the frame having exposed vents for allowing air containing airborne substances to enter the frame;

at least one sensor mounted in the detector frame for sensing one or more of the airborne substances;

means for exhausting the airborne substances,

the at least one sensor generating a signal causing the means for exhausting the one or more airborne substances to operate when a presence of the one or more of the airborne substances is sensed to exceed predetermined levels,

wherein the means for exhausting the airborne substances include an exhaust fan mounted above at least one of the exposed vents.

13. The recessed detector assembly according to claim 12, wherein the means for exhausting the airborne substances stops operating when none of the airborne substances is sensed to exceed the predetermined levels.

14. A recessed detector assembly, comprising:

a detector frame adapted to be flush mounted into a mounting box mounted in a ceiling or a wall, the frame having exposed vents for allowing air containing airborne substances to enter the frame;

at least one sensor mounted in the detector frame for sensing one or more of the airborne substances,

the at least one sensor generating a signal causing the means for exhausting the one or more airborne substances to operate when a presence of the one or more of the airborne substances is sensed to exceed predetermined levels, and

further comprising;

a cover plate formed with a conical-shaped projected sensor housing, and the exposed vents being disposed on the conical-shaped projected housing, the exposed vents serving as means for exhausting the airborne substances.

15. A method for detecting airborne substances in a recessed detector assembly, comprising the steps of:

determining when airborne substances in a detector assembly reach a predetermined level;

generating a signal to activate a drop down sensor with exposed vents, the drop down sensor with exposed vents serving as an exhaust mechanism;

evacuating the airborne substances from the assembly; and

stopping the signal activating the exhaust mechanism when the airborne substances have been reduced below the predetermined level.

16. The method for detecting airborne substances in a recessed detector assembly according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:

generating a signal to activate an alarm when the airborne substances in the detector assembly reach the predetermined level.

17. The method for detecting airborne substances in a recessed detector assembly according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:

stopping a signal to activate an alarm when the airborne substances in the detector assembly have been reduced below the predetermined level.

18. The method for detecting airborne substances in a recessed detector assembly according to claim 15, further comprising the step of generating an alarm when a temperature in the assembly exceeds a predetermined value.