Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods configured to provide customized and guided instructions for the placement of multiple access points in a home envelope to optimize-coverage therein. The exemplified system and method facilitates the learning of the home envelope, the determining of placements of devices within different locations within the home envelope, and the guiding of the homeowner or occupant through the installation process of the devices at such placements. The provided information are customized and tailored for a given home envelope. In addition, the exemplified systems and methods simplifies the task of adding personal wireless devices to a network whereby no password is used.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods configured to provide customized and guided instructions for the placement of multiple access points in a home envelope to optimize-coverage therein. The exemplified system and method facilitates the learning of the home envelope, the determining of placements of devices within different locations within the home envelope, and the guiding of the homeowner or occupant through the installation process of the devices at such placements. The provided information are customized and tailored for a given home envelope. In addition, the exemplified systems and methods simplifies the task of adding personal wireless devices to a network whereby no password is used.

Abstract: A gas sensor having first and second electrodes, an ion conducting solid electrolyte membrane positioned therebetween, first and second electrically conductive gas diffusion layers, first and second electrode contact members for electrically coupling said first and second electrodes to an external circuit, a water reservoir, a gas entry passageway and a water permeation barrier for controlling the transport of water vapor to the ion conducting solid electrolyte membrane. The water permeation barrier is a thin walled member which allows water vapor to diffuse therethrough and evaporate from an exit surface, the thickness of the water permeation barrier controlling the internal relative humidity of the sensor. A method for adjusting the present sensor in-situ due to changes in the current humidity conditions of the sensor so as to keep the gas sensitivity loss within a predetermined range is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas sensor having first and second electrodes, an ion conducting solid electrolyte membrane positioned therebetween, first and second electrically conductive gas diffusion layers, first and second electrode contact members for electrically coupling said first and second electrodes to an external circuit, a water reservoir, a gas entry passageway and a water permeation barrier for controlling the transport of water vapor to the ion conducting solid electrolyte membrane. The water permeation barrier is a thin walled member which allows water vapor to diffuse therethrough and evaporate from an exit surface, the thickness of the water permeation barrier controlling the internal relative humidity of the sensor. A method for adjusting the present sensor in-situ due to changes in the current humidity conditions of the sensor so as to keep the gas sensitivity loss within a predetermined range is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an apparatus that issues maintenance warnings, such as the low-battery audio warnings issued by smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, a system for insuring that warnings are issued only at times of day when it is likely that residents will be awake, so as not to interrupt sleep. In the simplest embodiments, the system may comprise an oscillator, a 24-hour timer, and control logic, most of which may be contained in a microcontroller. One embodiment allows manual selection of the time of day of inhibiting warnings by pressing a pushbutton once. In other embodiments the starting time for the issuing a warning is close to the time of day at which the battery was installed, or the time of day that the detector was last tested. The latter embodiments are automatic, and require no user configuration.

Abstract: An aerosol fire extinguisher for dispensing a liquid wet chemical fire extinguishing agent, and a composition for the liquid wet chemical fire extinguishing agent, where the liquid wet chemical fire extinguishing agent is rated for class A, B, C and K fires. The fire extinguisher includes a container and a valve assembly affixed to the container. A hag is positioned within the container, where the bag includes an output tube connected in fluid communication to the valve assembly. An actuator is connected in fluid communication to the valve assembly opposite the output tube, where. the actuator has an elongated output orifice. A liquid wet chemical fire extinguishing agent is disposed within the bag and a propellant is disposed within the container, wherein the bag isolates the liquid wet chemical fire extinguishing agent from the propellant. The: configuration of the elongated output orifice expels the liquid wet chemical fire extinguishing agent in a substantially planar pattern onto the fire.

Abstract: A sensor supervision system for periodically providing a test to accesses the status of a gas detection sensor, such as a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor, is provided. To access the status of the CO sensor, a processor provides a voltage to the sensor supervision system, such that a voltage is applied to CO sensor, charging the CO sensor. The status of the CO sensor is accessed by determining the change in the voltage charge of the CO sensor between two sampling time points. If the first sample voltage is substantially equal to the second sample voltage, i.e., a substantially constant voltage, the carbon monoxide sensor fails the test. However, if there is an change is the voltage change between the first and second sampled time points, the CO sensor passes the test.

Abstract: A portable, roll-able or fold-able mat for supporting one or more individuals includes a non-inflatable, buoyant core. The core includes buoyancy sufficient to support the one or more individuals on a surface of the mat. The core includes at least one layer of foam and a non-foam layer connected with at least one surface of the layer of foam.

Abstract: An aerosol fire extinguisher for dispensing a liquid wet chemical fire extinguishing agent, and a composition for the liquid wet chemical fire extinguishing agent, where the liquid wet chemical fire extinguishing agent is rated for class A, B, C and K fires. The fire extinguisher includes a container and a valve assembly affixed to the container A bag is positioned within the container, where the bag includes an output tube connected in fluid communication to the valve assembly. A actuator is connected in fluid communication to the valve assembly opposite the output tube, where the actuator has an elongated output orifice. A liquid wet chemical fire extinguishing agent is disposed within the bag and a propellant is disposed within the container, wherein the bag isolates the liquid wet chemical fire extinguishing agent from the propellant. The configuration of the elongated output orifice expels the liquid wet chemical fire extinguishing agent in a substantially planar pattern onto the fire.

Abstract: A wireless detector and alarm system, such as for example a smoke detector and/or carbon monoxide (CO) detector, operable to be linked and unlinked with one or more like detectors thereby forming a network of detectors. A detector sensing the presence of an environmental condition, which requires the sounding of an alert is operable to transmit a signal to other remotely linked detectors, thereby triggering the remotely linked detectors to sound an appropriate alarm. The detector at the location of the environmental condition causing the alarm and the remotely linked detector are capable to operate in teach and learn modes such that the address or “house codes” of the detectors can be synchronized.

Abstract: An electrical unit, such as a fire or gas detector, carries a three conductor plug for receipt of energy, AC hot, and neutral, as well as for coupling to a bidirectional signaling line. A multiple conductor adapter makes it possible to couple the plug to a plurality of incompatible, previously installed sockets. The adapter can be fully contained in a single housing. Alternately, it can include a housing for some of the conductors with the remainder carried on a cable which extends from the housing.

Abstract: A contactless ambient condition detection system includes at least one base connectable to a power and signal transmitting cable and a compatible detector. The detector removably engages the base. Electrical energy, from the cable is wirelessly coupled to the detector via the base. The detector is in wireless bidirectional communication with the base. Alarm indicating signals, generated remotely, can be wirelessly coupled, from the cable via the base, to the detector. Locally generated alarms can be wirelessly coupled to the cable. Detectors can be replaced without exposing the installer to AC contacts.

Abstract: An ambient condition detector can provide verbal feedback to a user or consumer indicative of an alarm condition being sensed beyond the existence of a predetermined alarm condition and/or location. Information pertaining to developing alarm conditions whether gas or fire, that are being sensed can be verbally fed back to the consumer either automatically or in response to incident infrared control signals directed to the detector by the consumer. Additional status and/or parametric information can be provided by the consumer in response to incoming infrared command signals.

Abstract: An electrical unit, such as a fire or gas detector, carries a three conductor plug for receipt of energy, AC hot, and neutral, as well as for coupling to a bidirectional signaling line. A multiple conductor adapter makes it possible to couple the plug to a plurality of incompatible, previously installed sockets. The adapter can be fully contained in a single housing. Alternately, it can include a housing for some of the conductors with the remainder carried on a cable which extends from the housing.

Abstract: An electrical unit, such as a fire or gas detector, carries a three conductor plug for receipt of energy, AC hot, and neutral, as well as for coupling to a bidirectional signaling line. A multiple conductor adapter makes it possible to couple the plug to a plurality of incompatible, previously installed sockets. The adapter can be fully contained in a single housing. Alternately, it can include a housing for some of the conductors with the remainder carried on a cable which extends from the housing.

Abstract: An electrical unit, such as a fire or gas detector, carries a three conductor plug for receipt of energy, AC hot, and neutral, as well as for coupling to a bidirectional signaling line. A multiple conductor adapter makes it possible to couple the plug to a plurality of incompatible, previously installed sockets. The adapter can be fully contained in a single housing. Alternately, it can include a housing for some of the conductors with the remainder carried on a cable which extends from the housing.

Abstract: A modular detector includes at least one module receiving port. Members of a plurality of modules have a common form factor and are removably insertable into the port. Members of the plurality, when inserted, implement a selected communication, sensing or output function. One module can be removed and replaced with another thereby changing detector characteristics. A respective detector could have several ports to receive a plurality of insertable modules.