Patent Publication Number: US-8973211-B2

Title: Detector cleaner and/or tester and method of using same

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention generally relates to a device for cleaning and/or testing a detector and a method of using such a device for cleaning and/or testing a detector. The device and method are particularly well suited for cleaning a detector, such as a detector for detecting the presence of carbon monoxide, smoke, or heat. The device and method are also designed for testing a carbon monoxide detector or a smoke detector. 
     The use of various types of detectors has become widespread. For example, carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and heat detectors are commonly used in commercial and residential buildings, recreational vehicles, mobile homes, as well as boats. The use of such detectors is even required by law to be installed in some jurisdictions. The lifespan of the various detectors has also increased over time. As a result, detectors are often used for longer periods of time before they are replaced. Over time, detectors may become dirty as dust or other debris accumulates. The operational capability of the detectors may be reduced or compromised as a result. Thus, there is a need to provide a device and method for cleaning the various types of detectors that are used. 
     In addition, carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and heat detectors are often placed in areas that require a very clean environment. For example, in hospitals, laboratories, and sophisticated manufacturing and assembly facilities it may be important that any dust or debris dislodged or removed from the detectors during a cleaning operation does not contaminate the environment. Thus, for example, in “clean room” applications, it desirable that any dust and debris dislodged during the cleaning of the detectors is captured and prevented from contaminating the environment. Thus, there is a need to provide a device and method for cleaning the various types of detectors that are used that includes means for capturing any dust or debris that is dislodged from the detector during the cleaning operation to help prevent contamination of the environment. 
     Furthermore, many detectors include a button that may be depressed to test and verify that that the circuitry of the detector is working properly, or that the batteries are sufficiently charged. However, it is also desirable to check that the carbon monoxide and/or smoke detecting capability of the detectors is still working properly as well. Thus, there is a need to provide a device and method for testing the carbon monoxide and/or smoke detecting capabilities of the various detectors to see if they are properly working. 
     In addition, detectors come in various shapes and sizes. Some are circular, some are rectangular, some extend further from the mounting surface, etc. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a detector cleaner and/or tester that may accommodate a range of detector shapes and sizes. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present embodiments disclose an apparatus for cleaning a detector comprising a housing and a bowl connected to the housing having a detector chamber adapted for enclosing a detector to be cleaned, a contacting surface positioned on the bowl, and one of more air nozzles positioned within the detector chamber for directing one or more bursts of compressed air at a detector to clean the detector, and a fan positioned within the housing operable to draw air within the detector chamber into a filter, and a dust collector for containing dirt and debris dislodged from a detector during the cleaning operation. 
     Further embodiments include a test container receptor within the housing adapted for receiving a container of test gas where test gas is released from the container of test gas and passes through a chimney into the detector chamber. 
     Example embodiments also disclose a method of cleaning a detector comprising the steps of positioning a detector chamber of a bowl attached to a housing over a detector to be cleaned, pressing a contacting surface positioned on the detector chamber against a surface to which the detector is positioned, discharging one or more bursts of compressed air through one or more nozzles positioned in the detector chamber towards the detector to clean dust or debris from the detector, operating a fan to draw air from the detector chamber into a filter, and collecting dust or debris dislodged from the detector in a dust bin. 
     Further embodiments disclose the additional step of releasing a test gas into the detector chamber, and operating a fan to remove test gas from the detection chamber and into the air filter. 
     An additional example embodiment is directed to a method including the steps of positioning a detector chamber of a bowl attached to a housing over a detector to be cleaned, discharging one or more bursts of compressed air through one or more nozzles positioned in the detector chamber towards the detector to clean dust or debris from the detector, operating a fan to draw air from the detector chamber into a filter, releasing test gas into the detector chamber; and operating a fan to draw the test gas from the detector chamber into the filter. 
     An additional example embodiment is directed to an apparatus for testing a detector that includes a housing, a bowl connected to the housing having a detector chamber adapted for enclosing a detector to be tested, a contacting surface positioned on the bowl, a passageway within the housing for test gas to enter the detector chamber, and a fan positioned within the housing operable to draw test gas from the detector chamber into a filter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a detector cleaning and/or testing device  10 ; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the detector cleaning and/or testing device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cut away view of the detector cleaning and/or testing device shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is another cut away view of the detector cleaning and/or testing device shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of circle F shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of circle E shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7A  is an enlarged view of an upper left section of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 7B  is an enlarged view of an upper right section of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a detector cleaning and/or testing device  10 . Device  10  includes a housing  20 . The housing  20  is comprised of a main housing  38 , an upper housing  26 , and a bottom  40 . A bowl or cup  12  is connected to the upper housing  26 . The bowl  12  includes a detector chamber  16  that is sized to enclose a detector that is to be cleaned or tested. The bowl  12  includes contacting surface  18  that is designed for placement against a wall or ceiling during the cleaning or testing operation. Preferably the contacting surface  18  is comprised of a flexible, rubbery material such as silicone rubber or santoprene so that a seal may be formed around the detector between the bowl and the surface, ceiling or wall, where the detector is located. Device  10  also includes a handle  14  that is attached to the housing  20 , and is shown pivotally mounted to upper housing  26 . The handle  14  is adapted to receive a pole or other device to enable the device  10  to be positioned over a detector located on a ceiling. Housing  20  also includes a removable dust drawer  24  positioned in the upper housing  26  that serves to collect dust and debris that is dislodged during the cleaning operation. The handle  14 , housing  20 , and bowl  12  are preferably comprised of a durable, lightweight material such as a hard plastic, such as a polycarbonate. In a preferred embodiment, the handle  14  is comprised of glass-filled nylon, the components of housing  20  are comprised of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and bowl  12  is comprised of a polycarbonate having the trade name Lexan. In addition, the bowl  12  may be made from a translucent material so that the detector being cleaned or tested may be visible during the cleaning or testing process. 
     The detector chamber  16  is sized so that the bowl  12  may enclose a variety of the commonly used carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and heat detectors on the market. In  FIG. 1 , the detector chamber  16  is shown to have a round shape having a diameter of 8.5 inches, which is suitable to enclose the size of many round detectors found on the market. However, the shape of the bowl  12  or detector chamber  16  is not limited to a round shape, and may take any desired geometric shape, such as a square, rectangle, polygon, oval, etc. 
       FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the detector cleaning and/or testing device  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . Device  10  includes a bowl  12  and a detector chamber  16  that is designed to enclose a detector to be cleaned and/or tested. Bowl  12  includes mounting surface  18  that is designed to engage the ceiling or wall where the detector is located. Positioned within upper housing  26  is an air nozzle  80 . Air nozzle  80  is used to clean a detector positioned within the detector chamber  16  by delivering a burst of compressed air towards the detector to dislodge any dirt or debris that may have accumulated on the detector. Upper housing  26  also includes dust drawer  24  with a fan  28  positioned underneath the dust drawer  24 . An air filter (not shown) is also positioned within the dust drawer  24  above the fan  28 . During operation, the fan serves to create a vacuum to draw air and any dust or debris that is dislodged during a cleaning operation into the filter. The dust drawer  24  serves to contain the dust and debris that is dislodged during cleaning which helps to prevent contaminating the area where the detector is located. In this manner, the device serves as a self-contained cleaning unit that is able to both clean a detector and contain any dirt or debris that is dislodged during the cleaning operation. 
     Main housing  38  includes a battery pack  42  that is used to power the detector cleaning and/or testing device  10 . Battery pack  42  is removably positioned on main housing  38  so that the battery pack  42  may be easily accessed or replaced. In a preferred embodiment, the battery pack  42  is a 25.2 volt lithium ion battery pack. The device  10  is controlled by control panel  32  and printed circuit board  30  positioned on main housing  38 . Also positioned within main housing  38  is compressed air canister  48  and test canister  50  which may contain a test gas for a carbon monoxide tester or a test gas for a smoke detector. For example, test canister  50  may contain COCheck carbon monoxide test gas or SmokeCheck smoke detector test gas available from HSI Fire &amp; Safety Group of Elk Grove Village, Ill. However, any test gas suitable for testing the operation of a carbon monoxide detector or a smoke detector may be used. Moreover, compressed air canister  48  and test canister  50  are shown as cylindrical canisters, they could be a container of any suitable shape. 
     In addition, it is also contemplated that the compressed air could be provided by an external source. For example, instead of a container of compressed air, an accumulator could be positioned within the housing and an external pump could be used to periodically pressurize the accumulator. In this manner, pressurized air from the accumulator could be directed to the air nozzles. Alternately, an air compressor or air pump could be used to deliver compressed air to the detector cleaning and/or testing device  10 . For example, a port could be positioned on the housing to which a connector at the end of a hose could be used to deliver compressed air to the device  10  from an air compressor or air pump. An air hose with a quick disconnect fitting could be used to connect the air compressor to the device  10  to deliver the compressed air for the cleaning operation. In addition, the test gas, whether containing carbon monoxide, or containing smoke or synthetic smoke could also be provided by an external source. For example a container of test gas could be connected to the cleaning and/or testing device test to deliver test gas to the detector chamber  16 . Thus, the cleaning and/or testing device could be operated without having containers of compressed air or test gas positioned therein, as the compressed air or test gas used for the cleaning and testing operations could be provided from a source external to device  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , compressed air canister  48  is retained within receptor  102  and test canister  50  is positioned within receptor  112 . Receptor  102  includes female threads that mate with corresponding male threads positioned on the top of compressed air canister  48 . Thus, compressed air canister  48  is maintained in position by virtue of being threadingly engaged with receptor  102 . Also shown in  FIG. 2  is retainer  70  that generally retains the compressed air canister  48  and test canister  50  in proper alignment. Latch  72  extends from retainer  70  and fits over the bottom of test canister  50  to retain test canister  50  in proper position with respect to receptor  112 . Knob  22  has a threaded portion that engages retainer  70  to retain bottom  40  of the housing in place. Thus, access to the canisters  48  and  50  may easily be achieved by unscrewing knob  22  to remove the bottom  40 . The removable bottom  40  provides ready access to canisters  48  and  50  if they need to be replaced. Alternately, a quarter turn fastener that rotates 90 degrees could be used to secure the removable bottom  40 . Other alternatives also exist for accessing the canisters  48  and  50  including a pair of side opening doors, or a door that opens to the side, up, or down, etc. 
     A linear actuator  120  is positioned within pocket  123  located on receptor  112  and includes an arm  121  that is connected to level  122  and is used to release carbon monoxide test gas or test gas for a smoke detector from test canister  50  and through passageway  130  of chimney  60  that extends from receptor  112 . Passageway  130  provides a pathway between test canister  50  and detector chamber  16  so that the carbon monoxide test gas or test gas for a smoke detector may be provided in the vicinity of the detector to be tested. In this manner, the detecting capability of a carbon monoxide detector or a smoke detector may be tested. 
       FIG. 3  shows a different cross-sectional view of the detector cleaning and/or testing device  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 3  shows that a contact switch  90  is positioned beneath the contacting surface  18 . A shoulder bolt  92  is also positioned beneath the contacting surface  18 . A spring  93  is positioned over the shoulder bolt  92  and normally biases the contacting surface  18  away from the contact switch  90 . When the contacting surface  18  is brought into contact against a ceiling or wall when cleaning or testing a detector, the spring  93  positioned over the shoulder bolt  92  is loaded and depressed, and the contacting surface travels on the order of 20 thousandths of an inch before the contact switch  90  is activated. A more detailed cross-sectional view of the top of the device showing contacting surface  18 , contact switch  90 , shoulder bolt  92  and spring  93  is shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . In particular,  FIG. 7A  shows contact switch  90  positioned beneath contacting surface  18  and  FIG. 7B  shows how contacting surface  18  is connected to bowl  12  via shoulder bolt  92 , and also shows spring  93  positioned over shoulder bolt  92  to normally bias contacting surface  18  away from contact switch  90 . The activation of contact switch  90  places the detector cleaning and/or testing device  10  in a ready mode where it is ready to begin a cleaning or testing operation. 
     To operate the cleaning and/or testing device  10 , the control panel  32  includes a power button to turn on the power to device  10 . At this point, a user may select a number of different modes of operation. For example, a clean only mode, a test only mode, or a clean and test mode may be selected. For the clean mode, a heavy clean mode or normal clean mode may also be selected. Furthermore, a button for testing either a carbon monoxide detector or a test for a smoke detector may be selected. A start button may be used included to commence the clean and/or test mode of the device. The control panel may also include an indicator showing how much battery life remains. 
     In the cleaning mode of operation, when the cleaning operation begins, the fan operates to pull the air within the detector chamber through the air filter. Next, the solenoid valve is energized to open the manifold and release compressed air through the nozzle in one or more bursts directed towards the detector within the detector chamber to dislodge dust and debris that may have accumulated on the detector. It is contemplated that the one or more bursts of compressed air may preferably have a duration of up to 1 second. Each burst could be of varying duration, and any number of desired bursts could be employed. The fan may continue to run for 5 to 10 seconds to pull any dust or debris dislodged by the bursts of compressed air into the filter. In the test mode of operation, the test gas is released by operating the linear actuator to depress the aerosol trigger for a desired duration to deliver test gas to the detector chamber. The duration of time the aerosol trigger is depressed may depend on which test gas is being released. For example, when testing a smoke detector, the aerosol trigger may only need to be depressed for a 0.5 to 1 second, whereas when testing a carbon monoxide detector, the aerosol trigger may be depressed for up to 2 or 3 seconds. 
     When the cleaning and/or testing device  10  is removed from over the detector being tested, the test is completed. Next, the fan is operated to draw the test gas through the filter. When clean and test mode is selected, the clean mode is run, followed by the test mode. In one contemplated embodiment, the clean mode is performed by directed one or more blasts of compressed air towards the detector and the detector chamber is then cleared by having the fan draw air and any dust and debris dislodged by the compressed air blasts through the filter. Next, the test is performed by releasing test gas into the detector chamber. After the test, the test gas is drawn through the air filter to remove the test gas from the detector chamber. The test gas may be cleared once the test is completed, or after a predetermined period time, e.g., after one minute. Alternately, the test gas may be cleared automatically once contact between the contacting surface and the contact switch is broken, which may include a delay, for example, a one second period of lack of contact before automatically clearing the detector chamber of test gas. Thus, the device may be used to perform clean, test, and clear functions. 
     Initially, the fan  28  shown in  FIG. 2  may be turned on for five seconds to clear the test chamber and provide a vacuum to draw air through an air filter  25  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). When normal clean mode is selected, a series of 3 bursts of compressed air each lasting around one half second, i.e., plus or minus 20%, may be directed through air nozzles  80 ,  81 ,  82 , and  83  towards the detector positioned within the detector chamber  18 . Any dust or debris that is dislodged from the detector during the cleaning operation is drawn by the fan  28  into the air filter  25  and collected in the dust drawer  24  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). In a preferred embodiment, under normal clean mode operation, three bursts of compressed air each lasting around a half second are simultaneously directed through air nozzles  80 ,  81 ,  82 , and  83  towards a detector in the detector chamber  18  to clean the detector. However, the air bursts could also be sequentially performed, could be of a longer or shorter duration, and a greater or lesser number of air bursts could be also be provided. Nonetheless, the level of cleaning obtained using around three half second bursts simultaneously directed through the air nozzles towards a detector in the detector chamber  18  has proven to provide a sufficient level of cleaning for a detector. In heavy clean mode, the normal clean mode could be repeated or additional series of burst of compressed air could be used. 
     In test mode, test gas for either a carbon monoxide detector or a smoke detector is released from the test canister  50  and travels to detector chamber  16  to test the operational capability of the detector within the detector chamber  16 . In order to conduct the proper test, the test canister  50  should include the appropriate test gas. For example, when testing a carbon monoxide detector, the test gas within test canister  50  should contain carbon monoxide. When testing a smoke detector, the gas within test canister  50  should contain smoke or synthetic smoke. A user of the device may simply use a test canister  50  containing carbon monoxide when testing a carbon monoxide tester, and remove that test canister and replace it with a test canister containing smoke or synthetic smoke when it is desired to test a smoke detector. Optionally, the cleaning and/or testing device  10  could contain both a test canister with gas containing carbon monoxide and a test canister containing smoke or synthetic smoke. Thus, cleaning and/or testing device could contain a canister of compressed air, a canister of test gas containing carbon monoxide, and a canister of test gas containing smoke or synthetic smoke. Alternately, device  10  could contain any combination of two canisters, or contain only of the canisters. 
     In the view shown in  FIG. 3 , compressed air nozzle  80  is shown centrally located within the detector chamber  16 . Additional air nozzles  81  and  82  are also shown positioned at the bottom of detector chamber and directed towards the center of the detector chamber  16  at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Alternate angles, including or example 30 degrees and 60 degrees are also contemplated. In the embodiments shown, there are four nozzles that are used to deliver bursts of compressed air towards a detector during a cleaning operation. Nozzle  80  is positioned directly below the detector to be cleaned and nozzles  81 ,  82 , and  83  (not shown) are spaced apart from each other 120 degrees from one another, and positioned generally below and to the side of the detector to be cleaned. Compressed air from compressed air canister  48  is delivered to air nozzles  80 ,  81 ,  82  and  83  (not shown) through passageways  80   a ,  81   a ,  82   a , and  83   a  (not shown). These passageways could be in the form of flexible hoses that extend from the compressed air canister  48  to the air nozzles. 
     It is contemplated that the location, positioning, and number of the air nozzles may be changed. For example, the air nozzles could all be positioned on one side of the detector chamber, or positioned beneath the detector, or positioned at an angle perpendicular to the detector. In addition, only a single air nozzle could be used, or additional air nozzles added. However, testing has revealed that the particular configuration of the four air nozzles shown in  FIGS. 1-3  provides for a good cleaning effect. The air nozzles that are shown may be obtained from Henkel Corporation, having part number 97230. However, any air nozzle or orifice with the capability of delivering a burst of compressed air towards a detector in the detector chamber may be used. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates how the threaded portion  23  of knob  22  engages the retainer  70  and barb  72  extends beneath test canister  50  to hold it in place.  FIG. 3  includes encircled portion E that is shown in enlarged form in  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , a male threaded portion  49  of compressed air canister  48  is shown threaded into a manifold  100  located on receptor  102 , and having passageway  47  for directing compressed air from the compressed air canister  48  to the air nozzles  80 - 83 . The compressed air canister  48  may use a B188 female aerosol valve available from LINDAL. As shown in the present embodiment, the manifold  100  includes four separate passageways for directed compressed air to each of the four air nozzles  80 ,  81 ,  82 , and  83 . Of course, in an embodiment using additional air nozzles, additional passageways could be provided in manifold  100 . A solenoid valve  101  may be used to control the discharge of compressed air through the air nozzles. When the solenoid valve  101  is energized, the passageways in the manifold  100  to the air nozzles are opened and a burst of air is allowed to travel through passageways (hoses)  80   a ,  81   a ,  82   a , and  83   a  (not shown) to the air nozzles  80 ,  81 ,  82 , and  83  (not shown). The solenoid valve used for this application may be a Magnum Series 10 mm solenoid valve available from Hargraves. It will be appreciated that that use of a solenoid valve is simply a preferred means for controlling the discharge of compressed air from compressed air canister  48  and that other types of valves or controls could also be used that are suitable for controlling the discharges of compressed air from air canister  48 . For example, a rotating cam could be used to release the compressed, or a linear actuator could be used. In addition, a gear motor may also be used and mechanisms that are used to release chemicals in air fresheners may also be used. 
       FIG. 3  also includes encircled portion F that is shown enlarged in  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a linear actuator  120  positioned within pocket  123  is used to control the discharge of carbon monoxide test gas or gas for testing a smoke detector from test canister  50 . In particular, linear actuator  120  includes an arm  121  that is drawn into the linear actuator  120  when the linear actuator is energized. Arm  121  is connected to lever  122 , such that when linear actuator  120  is energized, arm  121  is drawn into the linear actuator  120  and lever  122  is caused to push depressor  54  into contact with aerosol trigger  52  and depress aerosol trigger  52  to cause carbon monoxide test gas or gas for testing smoke detectors to be released from test canister  50 . The test gas is released into chimney  60  where it travels through passageway  130  of chimney  60  that provides a pathway between test canister  50  and detector chamber  16 . In this manner, test gas may be released and introduced into detector chamber  16  to test whether the detecting capabilities of a carbon monoxide detector or a smoke detector are working properly. In a preferred embodiment, an L12 series linear actuator from Firgelli may be used to control the release of test gas from test canister  50 . It will be appreciated that that use of a linear actuator is simply a preferred means for controlling the discharge of test gas from test canister  50  and that other types of valves or controls could also be used that are suitable for controlling the discharges of test gas from test canister  50 . For example, a rotating cam could be used to release the compressed, or solenoid valve could be used. In addition, a gear motor may also be used and mechanisms that are used to release chemicals in air fresheners may also be used. 
       FIG. 4  shows an alternate cutaway view of the detector cleaning and/or testing device  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . A different view of detector chamber  16  is shown with air nozzles  80 ,  81 , and  83  and passageways  80   a ,  81   a , and  83   a  shown. A fan  28  is shown positioned beneath air filter  25 , and dust drawer  24 . When contacting surface  18  is positioned to enclose a detector to be cleaned or tested, the fan is used to create a vacuum that draws air, and any dust or debris dislodged during the cleaning operation, from detector chamber  16 , and into air filter  25 . Air filter  25  filters out dust and debris from the air which is collected in dust bin  123  of dust drawer  24 . The dust drawer  24  may be periodically removed to empty the dust and debris from dust bin  123  positioned on dust drawer  24 . The use of the dust drawer  24  with dust bin  123  allows any dust or debris dislodged during the cleaning operation to be collected and contained within the dust bin  123  so that the area surrounding the detector is not contaminated with dust and debris dislodged during the cleaning operation. 
     The air filter  25  is preferably a HEPA filter that filters out 99.97% of all particles greater than 0.3 micrometers in size from the air that passes through the filter. The air filter  25  may also be replaced periodically. In addition, the fan may also be used to clear the detector chamber  16  of test gas following a test of a detector within the detector chamber. For example, particulates within a test gas for testing a smoke alarm may be filtered out through air filter  25 . 
     The fan  28  is preferably a pancake style fan that draws the air from detector chamber  16  through air filter  25 . In a preferred embodiment, the fan  28  is made by Digikey having part number KDE2406PHS2. Handle  14  is shown having a cavity  15  adapted to receive a pole or other device for extending the detector cleaning and/or testing device into place over a detector positioned on a ceiling, wall, or other surface. 
     It is known that in the past, when detectors were cleaned, the extent of cleaning could vary widely depending on the technician performing the cleaning, the amount time spent cleaning each detector, the location and positioning of the detectors, etc. The present cleaning device  10  allows for more uniform cleaning of detectors within a certain location or facility. For example, the cleaning is highly repeatable where each detector may be given the identical cleaning treatment. This is desirable so that the time between required cleaning can better be determined. 
     It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the detector cleaning and/or testing device  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-6  has the capability of both cleaning a detector as well as testing a carbon monoxide detector or smoke detector. However, the device could be limited to only a cleaning device or only a testing device, and does not require that the device is capable of both. The present embodiments simply disclose how a device that cleans and tests could be incorporated into a single device, but that is not required. 
     Example embodiments of the present invention have been described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that changes and modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention, which is defined by the claims.