Seismic warning system

• US 7,598,884 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2007
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Heinz Lachenit, Jurgen Przybylak, Ralf-Dieter Schultz
• Original Assignee: Heinz Lachenit, Jurgen Przybylak, Ralf-Dieter Schultz
• Inventors: Przybylak, Jurgen, Schultz, Ralf-Dieter, Lachenit, Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): Goins; Davetta W
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAI, ANNE VIET NGA
• Application Number:
  US11/753,202
• Publication Number:
  US 20070279239A1
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 340/690, 340/522, 340/689, 340/683, 340/665, 340/669, 340/539.26, 340/286.02, 340506-508, 367/14, 367/20, 367/21, 367 36- 38, 702 14- 18
• US Class Current: 340/690
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/01 Measuring or predicting earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/10 responsive to calamitous events, e.g. tornados or earthquakes

Abstract

The invention relates to a seismic warning system comprising of two or more sensors for detecting shock signals and electronic signal processing elements for processing and analyzing said signals. According to the invention, the system has at least two detection units, each comprising a shock sensor and electronic signal processing elements. The signal processing elements of each detection unit are configured in such a way that they detect the primary waves of earthquakes using the signals of the shock sensors. The detection units are interconnected via an electronic data bus.

Claims

1. Earthquake alert system having two or more sensors for detecting tremor signals, and having means for electrical signal processing for processing and analyzing the tremor signals, comprising:

(i) at least two detection units that each have a tremor sensor for detecting tremor signals and an electronic signal processing means for processing and analyzing the tremor signals, in each instance, wherein the signal processing means of each detection unit is configured to detect primary waves of earthquakes on the basis of a signal received from the tremor sensor and to calculate characteristic variables from detected primary waves and compare the calculated characteristic variables with threshold values, the characteristic variables being a measure of the destructive effect of subsequent secondary waves;

(ii) an electronic data bus operatively connecting the detection units with one another, wherein the detection units communicate with one another in master/slave mode, by way of the data bus, such that a detection unit being operated in master mode periodically queries the detection units being operated in slave mode; and

(iii) an alarm configured for activation as a function of the result of the comparison between the characteristic variables and the threshold values,

wherein the detection unit operated in master mode is configured to activate the alarm only if the signal processing means of at least two detection units detect a primary wave, with time correlation.

2. Earthquake alert system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic data bus is configured at least partially as a wireless connection.

3. Earthquake alert system according to claim 1, wherein the alarm can be activated separately by the detection units and by way of the data bus.

4. Earthquake alert system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one building technology unit connected with the data bus, wherein the at least one building technology unit controls at least some components of the building technology of a building being monitored by means of the earthquake alert system.

5. Earthquake alert system according to claim 4, wherein the signal processing means of the detection units are configured to detect secondary waves of earthquakes on the basis of the signals of the tremor sensors, wherein at least some components of the building technology can be controlled as a function of the detection of secondary waves.

6. Earthquake alert system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one power supply unit, said at least one power supply unit providing the individual components of the system with electrical power.

7. Earthquake alert system according to claim 6, wherein the power supply unit comprises a battery or a rechargeable battery for providing the system with emergency power, independent of the power network.

8. Earthquake alert system according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the power supply unit has connectors for optical and/or acoustical alarms.

9. Earthquake alert system according to claims 1, further comprising a memory unit connected with the data bus for storing the signals of the tremor sensors.

10. Earthquake alert system according to claim 1, further comprising a remote data communication unit for data communication between spatially remote earthquake alarm systems.

11. Earthquake alert system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one operating unit connected with the data bus, said operating unit including operating and display elements for controlling the detection units and for querying and displaying the operating state of the system.

12. Earthquake alert system, comprising:

(i) at least two detection units, including a first detection unit and a second detection unit, comprising a tremor sensor for detecting tremor signals and an electronic signal processing means for processing and analyzing tremor signals, in each instance, wherein the signal processing means of each detection unit is configured to detect primary waves of earthquakes on the basis of a signal received from the tremor sensor and to calculate characteristic variables from detected primary waves and compare the calculated characteristic variables with threshold values, the characteristic variables being a measure of the destructive effect of subsequent secondary waves; and

(ii) an electronic data bus operatively connecting the detection units with one another, wherein the detection units communicate with one another in master/slave mode, by way of the data bus, such that said first detection unit being operated in master mode periodically queries the detection units, including the second detection unit, being operated in slave mode; and

(iii) an alarm configured for activation as a function of the result of the comparison between characteristic variables and the threshold values,

wherein, said first detection unit is configured to activate the alarm only if the signal processing means of at least two detection units detect a primary wave, with time correlation, wherein at least said second detection unit being configured to automatically assume the function of master mode upon the failure or loss of connection to the electronic data bus by the first detection unit.