Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-29
2001-05-08
Lefkowitz, Edward (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S532000, C340S539230
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229449
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a detector apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a detector apparatus for emitting a warning alarm signal in response to the presence of a hazardous condition within at least one room of a building having a plurality of rooms.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
Smoke detectors and the like are provided in buildings such as private dwellings and offices in order to warn occupants of a potential fire hazard. Such fire and smoke detectors include a photoelectric cell which includes an emitter for emitting a beam of light and a receiver for receiving the beam. The detector is sensitive to smoke so that the beam of light is scattered by the presence of smoke. Consequently, when the beam of light is not received by the receiver, the receiver transmits a warning signal for warning the occupants of the potential danger.
Prior art smoke detectors have typically required a considerable power supply in order to reliably run such detectors for several months. Consequently, because of the power drain, it has been necessary to check and replace batteries every few months. However, a detector is not always placed in a readily accessible location. Therefore, there has existed a tendency to postpone the testing and replacement of a discharged battery. Clearly, such failure to maintain adequately charged batteries has led to fire detector failures thus causing several fire and smoke inhalation fatalities.
Therefore, many authorities have passed legislation requiring all new dwellings to be hard wired for fire detectors rather than relying on battery operated devices. More specifically, the Federal Fire and Electrical Code requires all newly constructed buildings whether industrial, commercial or residential to have such smoke alarms hardwired.
However, there is no requirement for pre-existing buildings built before 1984 to be hardwired for smoke detectors. Nevertheless, in the interests of safety, many owners of older buildings built prior to 1984 would like to have the safety factors associated with a hardwired system but without the considerable expense or inconvenience of providing a hidden wiring system. Also, the alternative of having unsightly wires trailing across walls and ceilings is unacceptable.
The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art arrangements by providing a detector apparatus which is battery operated but which uses a fraction of the electrical power used by prior art devices and thus conserves the power source for a considerable period so that frequent battery changes are avoided.
Therefore, it is a primary feature of the present invention to provide a a hazardous condition detector apparatus which overcomes the problems associated with prior art detectors and which makes a considerable contribution to the art of fire detection.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a hazardous condition detector apparatus which is battery operated and which maximizes the conservation of the power source.
A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a hazardous condition detector apparatus which activates all the hazardous condition detectors throughout a building when a hazardous condition is detected by at least one of the detectors so that occupants in the rest of the building are warned of the potential fire or other hazard in another part of the building.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a careful consideration of the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention described hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A detector apparatus is provided according to the present invention for emitting a warning alarm signal in response to the presence of a hazardous condition within at least one room of a building having a plurality of rooms. The apparatus includes a plurality of hazardous condition detectors arranged such that at least one detector is disposed within each of the rooms. Each of the detectors includes a detecting device for detecting the presence of a hazardous condition and a micro controller electrically connected to the detecting device and powered by an electrical power source. An alarm is electrically connected to the controller such that when the detecting device detects the presence of a hazardous condition, the controller emits an electrical signal. An analog to digital converter device is electrically connected to the controller for converting the electrical signal into a digital signal so that when a hazardous condition is detected, the converter transmits the digital signal. A receiver is provided for receiving the digital signal, the receiver including an antenna for receiving the digital signal and a crystal for detecting the digital signal and for using the detected digital signal to activate the alarm.
The arrangement is such that each detector of the plurality of detectors is disposed remote relative to each other within a respective room of the building so that when a hazardous condition is detected by one of the detectors, all of the detectors emit warning alarm signals for warning occupants within any of the rooms of a potential hazard within at least one of the rooms.
In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the detecting device includes a radiation source for emitting a radiation beam having an optical axis and a photodetector for receiving such beam. When a hazardous condition is present, the radiation beam is scattered by the smoke particles or the like thus triggering the photodetector to emit a warning signal.
Furthermore, the micro controller includes an encoder for encoding pulses emitted by the detecting device and a decoder for analyzing the pulses and for generating the electrical signal when a hazardous condition is detected by the detecting device.
Additionally, the controller further includes an activating circuit for activating the controller only when the detecting device detects a hazardous condition so that in the absence of a hazardous condition, energy consumption and power drain from the source of power is minimized.
More specifically, the electrical power source is a direct current source which is preferably a 9 volt battery.
The alarm includes an audible warning device for emitting an audible warning signal. However, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the alarm includes a visual warning device for emitting a visual warning signal.
The digital signal is easily transmitted over a considerable distance within the building while minimizing a power drain from the source of electrical power.
Also, the detector apparatus further includes an amplifier for amplifying the digital signal and a transmitter connected to the analog to digital converter and to the controller for transmitting the digital signal.
Additionally, the receiver further includes an amplifying circuit for amplifying the detected digital signal and for applying the amplified digital signal to the warning alarm.
Moreover, each of the detectors includes a discriminator circuit for determining which detector of the plurality of detectors is detecting the presence of a hazardous condition so that location of the source of the potential hazard is facilitated.
Furthermore, each of the detectors is free of any need for electrical hardwired connections to another detector of the plurality of detectors.
Also, each of the detectors is free of any requirement of connection to an electrical outlet of a source of mains power within the building thereby avoiding the need for locating each detector close to an electrical power outlet.
Many modifications and variations of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art of fire detection by a careful consideration of the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention described herein. However, such modifications and variations fall within the spirit and scope of the present inve
Kirchner Darren S.
Kirchner Judith E.
Kirchner Richard A.
Archer David J.
Lefkowitz Edward
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