Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting the occurrence of snow above a preset level in relation to a combustion device outlet vent and inflow fresh air inlet providing a remote signal and alarm activation response thereto. A sensor arranged to project a distance determinating beam indicates the presence of snow and obstructions to a controller that selectively activates a light and sound alarm. Telecommunication from the integrated alarm provides wireless notification to remote locations that an event has occurred and remedial action is required.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to sensor activated alarms that respond to a specific sensor input to detect snow levels and sound alarms to provide a warning if the sensor&#39;s predetermined protocols are reached. The alarm system of the invention overcomes issues associated with obstructed vents in heating systems and the like by applying real time monitoring of the status of outside inlet and outlet vents which if obstructed or blocked can lead to forcing carbon monoxide back into the structure. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Prior art alarm systems provide for alarm activation, such as sound, light or telecommunications to warn of an event such as an access breach alarm for unauthorized entering of a structure. Examples of alarm detection systems can be seen in prior art U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,801,779, 4,600,842, 6,057,769 and U.S. Patent Publication 2012/0112920 A1. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,779 a snow fall level detector can be seen that utilizes a light source and sensors with multiple baffles positioned at predetermined distances to the sensor. Snow accumulation blocks the light path activating the sensor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,842 discloses a snowfall measuring device having a probe that descends to engage the snow. A light sensor determines the travel distance of the probe thereby indicating the effective level of the snow that has fallen or accumulated at that location. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,769 illustrates an intelligent alarm system with snow sensor. The system has an alarm clock that will be activated if a predetermined snow level is reached either earlier or later than the preset alarm time thereby alerting the user that snow of a specific depth has fallen in a pre-described time frame. 
     U.S. Patent Publication 2012/0112920 A1 a carbon monoxide and smoke alarm can be seen. A carbon monoxide and smoke detector are positioned within the building, responding therefore to both the presence of carbon monoxide levels and smoke. Upon activation, the system will send an alert to a remote location defining the activity alarm. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A snow alarm detection system that determines the presence of a snow level build-up that may block or impede the venting of products of combustion in a building heating system. A snow depth sensor is positioned on or near the vent preset to an activation level that would effectively block or impede the venting or alternately the intake of fresh air for combustion. An integrated command and control system thereby activates visual and audio alarms indicating that such blockage is taking place and may also be interfaced with a control board of a combustion heater source to deactivate or shut down the device if no response is made to alleviate the blockage after the alarm system has been activated and snow build up has been removed, for example. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a graphic illustrational flow diagram that illustrates the system apparatus of the invention in a structural heating device. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged front elevational view of a furnace vent with a snow depth sensor of the invention attached thereto. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged side elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective assembly view of multiple sensor mounts of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a block flow command and control diagram illustrating the aspects of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged bottom view of the snow depth sensor before installation. 
         FIG. 7  is a graphic illustration of an infrared distance sensor. 
         FIG. 8  is a block flow diagram of an alternate use application in a vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, a snow level alarm system  10  of the invention can be seen for detecting and warning of a potential blockage of a furnace vent  11  extending through an outside wall  12  of an illustrative structure B. The snow level alarm system  10  has a remote snow sensor  13  positioned on the furnace vent  11 , best seen in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 5  of the drawings by an adjustable strap mounting assembly  14 . The strap mounting assembly has a strap  14 A with oppositely disposed slotted ends  14 B and  14 C. The remote sensor  13  has an exterior housing  15  defining a top  16 A, a bottom  16 B, oppositely disposed ends  17  and  18 . 
     Mounting fittings  19 A and  19 B extend from the respective spaced opposing housing ends  17  and  18 . 
     The straps slotted ends  14 B and  14 C are therefore registerable over the respective mounting fittings  19 A and  19 B and secured thereto by threaded fasteners F for adjustable attachment to the furnace vent as best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings. An alternate sensor mount fitting  20  can be seen in composite exploded relation in  FIG. 4  of the drawings illustrating a multiple assembly mounting configuration with the hereinbefore described single strap  14 A. 
     The alternate sensor mounting fitting  20  is configured as a surface mount wall bracket  21  having an elongated U-shaped body member  21 A with oppositely disposed longitudinally shaped arms  21 B and  21 C which are apertured inwardly of their respective free ends for engagement with and over the hereinbefore described sensor end mounts  19 A and  19 B and secured by fasteners F. 
     The wall bracket  21  has spaced surface attachment apertures A with fasteners F as will be understood by those skilled in the art for effective attachment to a variety of surfaces adjacent the venting outlet  11  as described. This alternate wall bracket  21  provides for an alternate positional mounting of the sensor  13  to accommodate different venting venues which may be encountered in the field. The sensor  13  may be therefore adjusted rotatably on its longitudinal axis within the wall bracket  21  or slotted strap ends  14 B and  14 C to provide for adaptive alternate positioning or adjusting the precise field of view of the sensor application, as required. 
     The sensor  13  may be of any applicable configuration that will detect to a preset distance determination of an object such as snow S, in this example, as seen in  FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings or a foreign object, not shown. 
     Chosen for illustration in this example is a utilization of an infrared proximity sensor which typically has omitting and receiving infrared sensor fields which are well known in the art. Such an example of an infrared proximity sensor can be characterized as Sharp® Model No. GP2Y0A21YK which provides continuous real-time proximity distance determination which can be adapted to a preset distance, as noted, for the detection of snow S accumulating near the furnace vent  11 . Such infrared proximity sensors, as noted, have a dedicated light emitter  22 A and a receiver  22 B within the housing openings  23 A and  23 B shown in  FIG. 6  of the drawings and graphically in  FIG. 7  of the drawings which illustrate the workability of such infrared sensors indicating an infrared beam IB travel path to and reflected from an object representation OB. 
     A power source PS and determined control circuit  24  for the system are positioned remotely in a command and control module  25  as best seen in  FIG. 5  of the drawings. 
     In operation, input from the sensor  13  in response to snow level accumulation is received by the control and command module  25 , interpreted by the control circuit  24  which contains a microprocessor for select alarm activation and sequence. 
     Alarms can be characterized as an audio alarm  26  and a visual light alarm  27  which are shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5  of the drawings and may be positioned anywhere within the structure B. Such alarms so activated will require immediate response by the user in the form of remedial action clearly accumulated snow S below the sensor  13 . Alternately, a foreign object FO blocking the vent  11  can also be detected and cleared after the warning alarm has been activated. Once the snow or object to be cleared has been achieved, the system can be reset, thus confirming the safe status thus achieved. 
     Additionally, a telecommunication alarm option is provided having a communications module  28  in communication with the command and control module  25 . The communications module  28  is interfaced with a traditional telephone line indicated at  29  and a cellular phone access portal  30  indicated symbolically in  FIG. 5  of the drawings. Such cellular alarm communication may initiate a text or simple pre-recorded voice mail message and internet to alert the user, not shown, that there is a problem at the monitored location that requires immediate attention and action. 
     The system of the invention has a failsafe control and command output which is an interface with a combustion heating appliance  31  in this example a furnace shown in broken lines via a control panel  32  as shown in  FIG. 5  of the drawings and graphically in  FIG. 1  of the drawings. The failsafe control will shut down the appliance  31  if no remedial action is taken as hereinbefore described. 
     The alarm system  10  confirms a failsafe shut down and message communication via a telecommunication module  27 . Additionally, a battery backup  32  for the alarm system  10  is provided to assure alarm activation. 
     It will be seen therefore that the snow alarm detection system of the invention will respond to multiple alarms and notification of a restricted or soon to be blocked eating system vent  11  and alternately a fresh air intake. 
     It therefore effectively protects users such as homeowners from harmful carbon monoxide accumulation due to a blocked vent system. It also allows users time to unclear the vents or pipes before the heating system shuts down. It provides dual telecommunication notification in the event of no remedial corrective action a failsafe shut down protocol in order to avert a possible lethal collection and concentration of carbon monoxide within the building. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8  of the drawings, an alternate use application of the snow level and obstruction alarm system  30  of the invention is shown applied to a vehicle  31  indicated by broken lines with an internal combustion engine  32 . 
     A remote detection sensor  33  of the system, such as infrared as hereinbefore described in the primary form of the invention is positioned for detecting the accumulation of material, such as snow S, chosen for this illustration adjacent the exhaust pipe outlet  34  of the vehicle  31 . 
     The exhaust gas G from the engine  32  is shown with the potential to restrict and block from atmosphere A the exhaust gas by the snow accumulation illustrated as SA. 
     It will be seen therefore that the sensor  33  is in communication with a system detection controller  35  having an activation logic circuit C for warning alarm sequence including, but not limited to, a visual light  36  and warning sound emulator  37  on the vehicle dash D indicated by broken inclusion lines within the vehicle  31 . 
     It will be apparent that other applications may be adapted to the alarm detection system of the invention utilizing a variety of venue applicable circuits, not shown, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
     It will thus be seen that a new and novel alarm activation system with snow level sensor has been illustrated and described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.