Indoor air quality and ventilation assessment monitoring device

• US 5,742,516 A
• Filed: 03/17/1994
• Issued: 04/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Olcerst
• Original Assignee: Robert Olcerst
• Inventors: Olcerst, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Demetra R.
• Application Number:
  US08/214,194
• Time in Patent Office: 1,496 Days
• Field of Search: 338/34, 128/630, 62/176.6, 436/151, 436/133, 436/137, 436/136, 98/1.5, 73/31.02, 73/23.2, 73/31.01, 73/863.01, 73/863.02, 73/863.2, 73/863.21, 364/496, 454/256, 250/430, 250/431, 250/432, 340/632, 340/633
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/0035 characterised by introduction of outside air to the room
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/0038 in combination with simultaneous exhaustion of inside air
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/0071 with means for purifying supplied air perfuming or deodorising means F24F1/008
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/0083 with dehumidification means
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/0087 with humidification means
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/0001 for ventilation F24F11/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/50 Air quality properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/70 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/204998 Inorganic carbon compounds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/208339 Fuel/air mixture or exhaust gas analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/209163 Dissolved or trace oxygen or oxygen content of a sealed environment

Abstract

A monitoring device system and a method for controlling ventilation in an enclosed or confined environment by regulating the effective ventilation rate, air exchange rate, mixing factors, stratification of air within the confined area, the percentage of outside air which is introduced (when possible), the percentage of recirculated air, mean air life, air half-life are described. The device may be used for controlling an HVAC system so that air quality conforms to predetermined air quality standards. The monitoring device consists of a multiport sample collection system and one or more sensors to detect determinants of air quality. The method of control uses a CPU to regulate fans, dampers, and other systems to maintain the air quality within predetermined ranges, based upon the monitoring data. A tracer gas, preferably CO₂, is used to determine system parameters. Measurement of additional gases and particulates and local ventilation control responsive to such toxicants is limited only by the availability of suitable detection methods.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the quality of the air within a confined environment comprising:

(a) introducing air into one or more sampling ports connected to one or more detectors of toxic chemicals;

(b) introducing a known amount of a gas detectable by one or more of said detection devices into said confined environment;

(c) analyzing the output from the detectors;

(d) comparing the output from said detectors with numerical standards;

(e) controlling the functions of at least one air handling system; and

(f) monitoring the function of the at least one air handling system.

2. A method for the measurement of air quality comprising:

introducing a discrete amount of carbon dioxide into a confined environment and comparing the amount of carbon dioxide which is present with the amount which should be present as a result of the intentional introduction of carbon dioxide.

3. An apparatus for the control of air quality in confined environments comprising:

(a) one or more sampling ports connected to one or more detection devices;

(b) means for introducing a known amount of a gas detectable by one or more of said detection devices;

(c) means for evaluation of the data outputted from one or more of said detection devices;

(d) means for control of an air handling system to maintain air quality in a confined environment within parameters which have been preset into the means for the evaluation of the data.