Improvement in independent emergency lighting systems with alarm signals for fires, harmful gas, surrounding air pollution and alike

Abstract: An improvement in independent emergency lighting systems which, through the use of an appropriate microprocessor, can be used to centralize not only the data relative to the non-exclusive functional diagnosis of the connected equipment, but also the data detected by the environmental sensors incorporated into the equipment itself.

Description: This invention relates to an improvement in "intelligent" independent emergency lighting systems, extended to fire emergencies, harmful gas detection, surrounding air pollution factors and alike. It is noted that systems defined as being "intelligent" exist for independent emergency lighting systems with operational self-diagnosis, which is programmed and displayed and which can eventually be centralized together with the electrical supply, with assembly and extensibility possibilities as far as the level of "intelligence" is concerned, on the basis of the performances required. All devices have the common feature that their emergency operation is activated at the moment of a main power failure, whether they are mounted with lamps for continuous lighting or with lamps for non-continuous and only emergency lighting. Under emergency conditions, electrical power is provided by special rechargeable batteries. An appropriate microprocessor can be used to check the recharging current and voltage of the batteries, the fault detection of the circuit and the lamps with the programming and performance of a visualized periodical functional test; and the programming and performance of an independence test at programmable intervals. The results of the periodical fault tests and independence tests are communicated to a centralized control and monitoring unit which can be activated remotely and which is also capable of receiving and transmitting operating orders to the individual emergency units. In addition, a microprocessor circuit can be included in the battery unit for the programming/performance of periodical functional tests on the connected lamps and for the programming/performance of independence tests at programmable intervals with the detection of defective lamps and the deactivation of one or more lamps. It is also known that emergency lighting systems exist that are equipped with a sensor for gas or fumes produced by combustion and/or with a sensor with a threshold photocell, complete with a processor for the signals emitted by a sensor and with a fire alarm or a general alarm including at least one emergency lamp, in addition to a sensor of the above mentioned type. In addition, Patent GB 2129179A describes a system composed by several sensors connected to a central controller via data line, Patent GB 2186404 describes a security system having the possibility of transmitting signal from peripheral sensors to a central controller, via radio frequency communication, Patent EP 102229 describes a security system having the possibility to use mains segnalling for the transmission of coded informations, but they do not disclose a functional combination between emergemcy luminaires and sensors. The object of this invention is to extend the advantages of "intelligent" emergency lighting systems to other types of emergencies, such as exhalations of harmful toxic gas or with the risk of explosion, the development of combustion fumes with a principle of a fire, heat production and risks and exhalations of any kind connected to surrounding air pollution. In particular, the intention is to take advantage of the capacity and potentiality of data transmission from the peripheral units to the central units of the "intelligent" systems for the purpose of centralizing not only the data relative to the non-exclusive functional diagnosis of the connected equipment, but also the data detected by the environmental sensors incorporated into the equipment itself. In fact, in addition to the emergency lighting device, each lamp is equipped with a sensor having a different activation feature, or a combination of different sensors in order to detect one or more dangerous environmental characteristics, in order that one or more computers can send out an appropriate signal and, via a microprocessor joined with a transmitter/receiver across the data line, transmit it to the central microprocessor for activating the optical and/or acoustic alarm signals with the proper connection circuits, whether these be electrical conductors or radio waves. The microprocessor sequentially "interrogates" the various circuit blocks, compares the responses received with the stored data and implements the appropriate operating strategies on the basis of the results of this comparison. A further object is that the single emergency device can send the alarm signal by means of a signal wave conveyed on the normal electrical network, even independently from the centralized control unit, activating, in such a way, the acoustic and/or luminous alarms. More particularly, the invention relates to an independent emergency lighting system having individual lighting devices and comprising means for detecting one or more environmental hazard factors, means for receiving and transmitting and analyzing emergency signals of a dangerous type, means for carrying out a programmed, visualized and centralized self-diagnosis, a means for supplying the individual lighting devices by a centralized battery unit with a programmable recharging circuit, and a circuit for determination of the charging condition and for detection of incipient fault conditions. The detecting means can include a microprocessor circuit whose input and output signals regulate programmed and sequential sequences affecting the centralized functions of central, testing and diagnosis of the emergency lighting circuits and of the fire, harmful and surrounding air pollution signals. Means can be provided for activating remotely the system by radio or telephone connection. The system can further comprise means for communicating remotely with the system by means of a wave signal conveyed on the normal electrical network. Other objects and advantages will appear in the following description and in the attached charts which illustrate a form of realization of the invention in a schematic and exemplary manner. Fig. 1 represents an emergency device with or without a lamp. Fig. 2 illustrates a lateral view of the same equipment. Fig. 3 schematically illustrates the connection between the various elements of the system. Fig. 4 illustrates a complete diagram of an intelligent emergency system. Device 1, Fig. 1, Fig. 2, intercepts anomalous presences in the surrounding air with sensor 3 via slit 2 and activates the entire circuit 5 with microprocessor and data transmitter/receiver by means of conductors 4. Rechargeable batteries 6 are included for emergency electrical supply. Each device 1, Fig. 3, is connected to the central unit 8 by means of data line 7. In Fig. 4, an exemplary diagram of a first level BUS 7 between the system's circuit blocks (that is to say, for each emergency device, battery recharge check, activation emergency battery system, controlled electrical switch, current inverter) and the microprocessor 9 inserted in the central unit B, which they reach and where they are exchanged with interface 10 of the common data bus. A timer 12 for the operational frequency to microprocessor 9 and a display system 14 are the essential elements inserted in the central unit, along with the microprocessor 9. The possibility the system offers of intervening with the signals on the electronic switch 11, allows the activation/deactivation of the entire emergency system. Diagrams of a more complete level with random-access memory and a diagnosis circuit for the battery charge condition, allow for the memorization of the parameters of operating conditions and, from the comparison with the present state, a suitable operating strategy is set up. This invention fulfills the objects specified and, in particular, allows the improvement of the current emergency lighting systems by implementing and extending them to any type of emergency deriving from harmful gas, fire and surrounding air pollution, while increasing and completing the general level of safety and substantially reducing the burden of testing and preventive maintenance, and whose protection is granted by the following claims.

Claims: EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM comprising a data bus (7) and a central unit (8); a plurality of individual devices (1, 1 I , 1 II , 1 III , 1 IV ) connected to said bus for emergency lighting in response to signals transmitted along said bus; means (3) connected to said bus for detecting at least one environmental hazard factor; means (4) connected to said bus for receiving and transmitting and analyzing emergency signals adapted to be carried along said bus; means for carrying out programmed self-analysis of devices along said bus; and means connected to said bus for supplying said light devices and including a programmable recharging circuit, and circuit for determination of a charging condition, and means for detection of incipient faults. EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM according to claim 1, wherein said means for supplying include a microprocessor circuit connected to said bus with input and output signals for regulating programmed and sequential sequences effecting centralized control, testing and diagnosis of emergency lighting circuits of said devices and of fire, harmful gas and air pollution signals from said means for detecting. EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM according to claim 1, further comprising means for remote radio activation of the system. EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM according to claim 1, further comprising means for telephone activation of the system. EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM according to claim 1, further comprising means for communicating with the system by means of a wave signal conveyed on a numeral electrical network supplying said system.

Inventors: BEGHELLI GIAN PIETRO, BEGHELLI, GIAN PIETRO
Applicants: BEGHELLI G P B SRL, G.P.B. BEGHELLI S.R.L.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: G08B25
IPC codes: G08B25, G08B29, H05B37