Responsive To Fire Or Smoke Patents (Class 236/49.2)
  • Patent number: 11933673
    Abstract: A heat source detection device is a heat source detection device that detects a heat source on the earth using observation data of a radiometer provided in a geostationary satellite and includes: a calculation unit that calculates a heat source proportion value indicating a proportion of a wavelength distribution due to the heat source included in the observation data to the observation data by curve fitting using Planck's law; and a determination unit that determines presence or absence of the heat source according to the heat source proportion value calculated by the calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Chiharu Sasagawa, Takashi Ogai
  • Patent number: 11615685
    Abstract: One variation of a method for detecting a fire includes: during a first time period: detecting an increase in ambient light intensity and detecting an increase in ambient humidity; responsive to the increase in ambient light intensity and the increase in ambient humidity, detecting a fire event; during a second time period: correlating a decrease in ambient light intensity with an increase in visual obscuration; detecting an increase in ambient air temperature; in response to a magnitude of the increase in visual obscuration remaining below a high obscuration threshold and a magnitude of the increase in ambient temperature remaining below a high temperature threshold, classifying the fire as an incipient fire; and, in response to the magnitude of the increase in visual obscuration exceeding the high obscuration threshold and the magnitude of the increase in ambient temperature exceeding the high temperature threshold, classifying the fire as a developed fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Noah Lael Ryder
  • Patent number: 11151854
    Abstract: One variation of a method for detecting a fire includes: during a first time period: detecting an increase in ambient light intensity and detecting an increase in ambient humidity; responsive to the increase in ambient light intensity and the increase in ambient humidity, detecting a fire event; during a second time period: correlating a decrease in ambient light intensity with an increase in visual obscuration; detecting an increase in ambient air temperature; in response to a magnitude of the increase in visual obscuration remaining below a high obscuration threshold and a magnitude of the increase in ambient temperature remaining below a high temperature threshold, classifying the fire as an incipient fire; and, in response to the magnitude of the increase in visual obscuration exceeding the high obscuration threshold and the magnitude of the increase in ambient temperature exceeding the high temperature threshold, classifying the fire as a developed fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Noah Lael Ryder
  • Patent number: 10748400
    Abstract: One variation of a method for detecting a fire includes: during a first time period: detecting an increase in ambient light intensity and detecting an increase in ambient humidity; responsive to the increase in ambient light intensity and the increase in ambient humidity, detecting a fire event; during a second time period: correlating a decrease in ambient light intensity with an increase in visual obscuration; detecting an increase in ambient air temperature; in response to a magnitude of the increase in visual obscuration remaining below a high obscuration threshold and a magnitude of the increase in ambient temperature remaining below a high temperature threshold, classifying the fire as an incipient fire; and, in response to the magnitude of the increase in visual obscuration exceeding the high obscuration threshold and the magnitude of the increase in ambient temperature exceeding the high temperature threshold, classifying the fire as a developed fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Noah Lael Ryder
  • Patent number: 10520614
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a nuclear gauge of the having a source includes providing a nuclear gauge comprising a radiation source, the radiation source being coupled with a computing system with a machine readable program stored thereon containing a calibration routine. An operator places the gauge on one or more specified blocks to adjust the source within each block to one or more specified positions to initiate a count. The method includes determining that the source is at each position before each count begins, adjusting the counting times before each count begins by the program on the nuclear gauge based on each position of the source to obtain calibration information, obtaining counts at each position, storing the counts within the computing system of the nuclear gauge, and calculating for each position calibration coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ernest Troxler, Dirk M. Steckmann, Donald E. Weger
  • Patent number: 10443871
    Abstract: A method for determining the level of efficiency of a ventilation system of an electrical enclosure intended to house one or more electrical devices, the method including a learning step including a step for determining a profile of the power dissipated via the Joule effect by each electrical device, an evaluation step for evaluating the level of efficiency of the ventilation system, including a step for determining the average air flow rate of a fan from a profile of the temperature of the air outside the enclosure obtained over an evaluation period, a profile of the temperature of the air at the outlet of the enclosure, and the dissipated power profile determined during the learning step, a step for comparing the average air flow rate with one or more threshold values in order to determine the level of efficiency of the ventilation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Abderrahmane Agnaou, Josep Lopez, Alain Perrin, Philippe Cassan
  • Patent number: 10032686
    Abstract: A motor drive device detects the malfunction of a flow path in a heat sink based on the temperature of the device. The motor drive device includes: a temperature detection part which detects the temperature of the motor drive device; a temperature change calculating part which calculates the degree of change of the temperature with respect to time when the rotation number of a fan is controlled to a lower rotation number than a regular rotation number; an malfunction determination part which determines whether or not the degree of the change is different from a predetermined standard; and an malfunction signal generation part which generates a signal indicating that malfunction occurs in fluid flow when it is determined that the degree of the change is different from the standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Okuaki, Kazuhiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9858786
    Abstract: A danger detector configured as a point detector includes an alarm housing with an alarm cover, a non-contact heat radiation sensor that is sensitive to heat radiation in the infrared range, and a treatment unit configured to determine and emit a temperature value derived from the detected heat radiation for the ambient temperature in the surroundings of the danger detector and/or an alarm, in the event that the currently determined temperature value exceeds a predetermined temperature comparison value. The heat radiation sensor is arranged in the alarm housing and is configured to optically detect the ambient temperature on the inner side of the alarm cover. The heat radiation sensor may be a thermopile designed as an SMD component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Martin Fischer, Claudio Foelmli, Christian Liechti
  • Patent number: 9447982
    Abstract: A turbine ventilation system includes at least one fan configured to provide a first air flow into a gas turbine enclosure, a fan bypass configured to circumvent the at least one fan to provide a second air flow into the gas turbine enclosure, and an eductor configured to draw the first or second air flows through and out of the gas turbine enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Allen Baten, David Joseph Drobniak, Harley Matthew Ross
  • Patent number: 8770493
    Abstract: A system configured to provide cooling of electronic equipment in a shelter in combination with an air conditioning (A/C) system. The system includes one or more blowers for drawing air into the shelter, a damper arrangement for controlling air exhaust. The system further includes a DC powered controller coupled to the one or more blowers, the damper arrangement, and the A/C system. The controller is configured to receive at least a first analog input signal associated with a shelter-interior temperature, a second analog input signal associated with a shelter-exterior temperature, and a plurality of alarm input signals and to generate the one or more first control signals to control blower rotational speed, the second control signal to open/close the damper arrangement, and a third control signal to inhibit/activate the A/C system based on at least the first analog input signal, or the second analog input signal, or a plurality of alarm input signals, or a combination of these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David Therrien, Henry Riddoch
  • Patent number: 8493221
    Abstract: One embodiment involves detecting the fouling of an air filter used to filter airflow entering a computer system. An expected airflow rate is obtained from a current fan speed. An expected temperature rise between two positions is computed as a function of the expected airflow rate and the power consumption of heat-generating components, such as servers. An actual temperature rise is obtained from temperature sensors. An electronic alert is automatically generated in response to the actual temperature rise exceeding the expected temperature rise by a setpoint. Different setpoints may be used to trigger distinct electronic alerts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin M. Cash, Jason A. Matteson, Mark E. Steinke
  • Publication number: 20130032638
    Abstract: A system configured to provide cooling of electronic equipment in a shelter in combination with an air conditioning (A/C) system. The system includes one or more blowers fur drawing air into the shelter, a damper arrangement for controlling air exhaust. The system further includes a DC powered controller coupled to the one or more blowers, the damper arrangement, and the A/C system. The controller is configured to receive at least a first analog input signal associated with a shelter-interior temperature, a second analog input signal associated with a shelter-exterior temperature, and a plurality of alarm input signals and to generate the one or more first control signals to control blower rotational speed, the second control signal to open/close the damper arrangement, and a third control signal to inhibit/activate the A/C system based on at least the first analog input signal, or the second analog input signal, or a plurality of alarm input signals, or a combination of these.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicants: MINEBEA CO., LTD., SCHROFF TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Schroff Technologies International, Inc., Minebea Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20120318878
    Abstract: The controlling of a plurality of smoke and heat evacuation and ventilation (SHEV) devices is shown, in which the devices are connected to field wiring that also includes fire detection devices and alarms. A constant limited current (705) is supplied in a first direction for fire detection. A non-limited voltage is applied to supply alarm current 708 in a second direction for sounding alarms and opening the SHEV DEVICES. A non-limited positive voltage 712 is applied to supply reset current in the first direction for closing the SHEV devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: CUSTOM ELECTRONICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Brian Park
  • Patent number: 8313038
    Abstract: A system configured to provide cooling of electronic equipment in a shelter in combination with an air conditioning (A/C) system. The system includes one or more blowers for drawing air into the shelter, a damper arrangement for controlling air exhaust. The system further includes a DC powered controller coupled to the one or more blowers, the damper arrangement, and the A/C system. The controller is configured to receive at least a first analog input signal associated with a shelter-interior temperature, a second analog input signal associated with a shelter-exterior temperature, and a plurality of alarm input signals and to generate the one or more first control signals to control blower rotational speed, the second control signal to open/close the damper arrangement, and a third control signal to inhibit/activate the A/C system based on at least the first analog input signal, or the second analog input signal, or a plurality of alarm input signals, or a combination of these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David Therrien, Henry Riddoch
  • Patent number: 8249731
    Abstract: A system to control energy consumption in a building having a plurality of rooms with a wireless data transceiver; an occupancy sensor; a temperature sensor; a processor coupled to the wireless data transceiver, the occupancy sensor and the temperature sensor; and an air register including a motor coupled to the processor, the motor opening or closing one or more air vents in response to sensed motion or room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventors: Alexander Bach Tran, Alan An-Thuan Tran, Bao Q. Tran
  • Patent number: 7714731
    Abstract: A detection mechanism for monitoring airflow in an electronics enclosure includes a first thermal sensor positioned proximate the enclosure for measuring an ambient air temperature and a second thermal sensor positioned proximate an exit air stream for measuring the temperature of air that is heated by the electronics in the enclosure. A control circuit is coupled with the first and second thermal sensors and is configured for determining a temperature differential between the measured temperatures of the thermal sensors. The control circuit may initiate an alarm when the temperature differential exceeds a setpoint thereby indicating restricted airflow in the enclosure. The control circuit might also take other remedial steps prior to initiating the alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Palaszewski
  • Patent number: 7710720
    Abstract: An electronic device having an exhaust opening configured to exhaust air outside, the electronic device includes a door part configured to close the exhaust opening when the electronic device has a predetermined temperature, wherein the door part is rotated based on the own weight of the door part and a wind pressure of the air taken in the electronic device and exhausted outside the electronic device, so that the exhaust opening is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kazuya Fuke, Naoya Yamazaki, Hideki Zenitani, Hideo Araki, Takashi Shirakami, Satoshi Ueda, Kenji Toshimitsu, Yoshiaki Tada
  • Patent number: 7261243
    Abstract: A thermostat is provided that receives one or more inputs from at least one heating system of a climate control system, and initiates an appropriate action in response to the input. The thermostat can turn off a heat pump providing substandard heat and responsively turn on a fuel-fired auxiliary furnace. The thermostat may discontinue further operation of the auxiliary furnace upon receiving an operating error signal associated with the auxiliary furnace, and responsively turn on the heat pump to provide for continued heating. The thermostat may also discontinue operation of the fuel-fired furnace and turn on a circulating fan in response to an input signal indicating a furnace high-temperature or a carbon monoxide presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William P. Butler, Steven L. Casey, John M. Sartain
  • Patent number: 6844691
    Abstract: A ventilator having an abnormal operation indication device includes a power supply circuit, a central processing unit, a fan motor, and a load sensing circuit. Thus, the load sensing circuit detects the abnormal operation signals through the sensor, so that the abnormal operation indication lamp on the panel of the ventilator lights, so as to indicate that the part of the ventilator is disposed at an abnormal operation state and needs to be inspected and amended, thereby facilitating inspection and maintenance of the parts of the ventilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventors: Chao-Cheng Chiang, Chi-Hsiung Chiang
  • Publication number: 20020053978
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for responding to a fire emergency at a facility by analyzing a plurality of fire threat conditions to determine possible responses to a fire emergency and selecting a response to the fire emergency for minimizing human casualties within the facility. The present invention may be characterized in one embodiment as a method for generating an automated response to an emergency that includes the steps of (a) receiving as input fire threat condition data for a facility; (b) analyzing the fire threat condition data to determine a matrix of possible responses to a fire emergency; and (c) selecting a response from the matrix of possible responses to minimize human casualties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Edward W. Peterson , Richard A. Grot
  • Publication number: 20010035462
    Abstract: An emergency system is disclosed for venting smoke-filled air outside of a building during a fire in which the air conditioning and/or heating system forms part of the emergency system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Jonathan Collazo