System and method for suppressing the spread of fire and various contaminants

• US 7,696,891 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2007
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Firekiller Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Firekiller Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Whitney, Paul K.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US11/956,955
• Publication Number:
  US 20080197204A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 340/628, 340/629, 340/630, 340/632
• US Class Current: 340/628
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/33 to fire, excessive heat or smoke
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion

Abstract

Systems and methods for suppressing the spread of fire, fire-related toxins, and other biological and chemical hazards are disclosed. One described system includes a thermostat incorporating an HVAC interface in communication with a residential HVAC system, a receiver operable to receive a signal indicating the presence of a contaminant from an environmental condition detector, and a processor in communication with the receiver and the residential HVAC system and operable to receive the signal from the receiver, and in response, send a signal to the HVAC interface to cause the residential HVAC system to be shut down.

Claims

1. A thermostat comprising:

an HVAC interface in communication with a residential HVAC system;

a receiver operable to receive a signal indicating the presence of a contaminant from an environmental condition detector; and

a processor in communication with the receiver and the residential HVAC system and operable to receive a signal from the receiver, and in response, send a signal to the HVAC interface to cause the residential HVAC system to be shut down.

2. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the contaminant comprises at least one of:

smoke, carbon monoxide, or carbon dioxide.

3. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a fuel shutoff interface in communication with the processor.

4. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a water shutoff interface in communication with the processor.

5. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a security system interface in communication with the processor and with a security system.

6. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a wireless receiver.

7. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a modem in communication with the processor.

8. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the environmental condition detector comprises one of:

a smoke detector, a sprinkler system, or a carbon monoxide detector.

9. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a reset.

10. The thermostat of claim 9, wherein the reset is in communication with a water shutoff in a sprinkler system.

11. A method for suppressing the spread of contaminants, the method comprising:

receiving a message at an access point message indicating detection of a contaminant by an environmental condition detector;

initiating an automated shut down procedure for the residential HVAC system in response to the message; and

initiating an automated shut down procedure at a system interface;

wherein the automated shutdown procedure causes a fuel supply to shut down.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving a signal from the environmental condition detector indicator indicating the presence of a contaminant;

generating the message indicating the reception of the signal; and

transmitting the message.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising performing a notification procedure.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the notification procedure comprises:

initiating a connection;

assembling a notification message; and

transmitting the notification message.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein transmitting the notification message comprises transmitting the notification to a security system.