Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-19
2002-04-23
Lefkowitz, Edward (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S629000, C340S630000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06377182
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to ambient type sensors such as photoelectric and ionization smoke detectors. More particularly, the invention pertains to structures for locating the respective sensor/sensors with an orientation that facilitates the ingress of smoke into the sensors
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Known smoke detector designs mount the respective sensor inside a housing or on top of the housing. Both ionization and photoelectric sensors have been located inside housings having complicated vents and baffling designs in order to promote the ingress of smoke. Smoke detectors having sensors mounted inside the cover of the detector may have barriers such as the p-horn, battery, or other electrical components that interfere with smoke detection due to interference with smoke flow.
FIGS. 1A-1C
illustrate relevant aspects of a prior art smoke detector
10
. The detector
10
includes a base
12
intended to be attached to a ceiling C. A cover
14
is carried on the base
12
. A plurality of openings indicated generally at
16
provide smoke pathways into and out of the cover
14
.
In the detector
10
, a printed circuit board
20
is carried adjacent to the mounting base
12
. The printed circuit board
20
in turn carries an ambient condition sensor, such as a smoke sensor
22
, an audible output device such as a horn or the like
24
, and a power supply such as a battery
26
. Other electrical or electronic components generally indicated at
28
, are conventionally carried by the printed circuit board
20
often on the same side as are sensor
22
, horn
24
and battery
26
.
The configuration illustrated in
FIGS. 1A
,
1
B and
1
C results in convoluted and tortuous smoke flow paths in and out of openings
16
and into cover
14
. Placing the sensor
22
on the printed circuit board as in
FIGS. 1A
,
1
B and
1
C directs the sensor
22
into the internal volume of the cover
14
away from smoke flow adjacent ceiling C. To compensate for placement of the sensor
22
, known detectors have included vents and baffles for the purpose of promoting smoke flow to and from the respective sensor.
It would be desirable from a cost and design manufacturing perspective to be able to eliminate known vents, baffles and flanges. Preferably such reduced complexity might promote improved flow into and out of the respective housings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention takes advantage of both the laminar and turbulent nature of smoke flow. Often smoke detectors are ceiling mounted. The sensor or sensors are arranged within the detector so as to be located near the respective mounting surface, such as near or on the ceiling.
The sensors are carried adjacent to a mounting surface of the detector as opposed to being mounted in the cover as in prior art smoke detectors. The design hereof displaces the sensor/sensors away from electronic components and closer to the mounting surface such as the ceiling. An air sampling gap exposes the sensor/sensors to air and smoke adjacent to the ceiling.
One or more sensors (ionization or photoelectric) may be carried adjacent to the mounting member for the detector. The present invention promotes omni-directional ingress of smoke into the detector.
Unlike the prior art, this invention eliminates the need for complicated venting geometries and complex baffling designs. This follows since the sensors are located adjacent to the mounting surface so as to promote direct ingress and egress of airborne smoke, and thus improved directionality.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4319234 (1982-03-01), Rice
patent: 4796015 (1989-01-01), Admire, Jr.
patent: 4887073 (1989-12-01), Nakao et al.
patent: 5729207 (1998-03-01), Yamano
The configuration of a smoke detector as shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 1C of the attached sheet from the present application illustrating the configuration of a prior art smoke detector of a type on sale in the USA more than a year before the earliest filing date the present application is entitled to claim.
Devine Mark A.
Ivanecky Andrew J.
Lopez Samuel D.
Osmani Lulzim
Venzant Kenneth L.
BRK Brands, Inc.
Lefkowitz Edward
Rockey Milnamow & Katz Ltd.
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