Patent ID: 12198532

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Devices, methods, and systems for a self-testing fire sensing device are described herein. One device includes an adjustable particle generator and a variable airflow generator configured to generate an aerosol density level, an optical scatter chamber configured to measure a rate at which the aerosol density level decreases after the aerosol density level has been generated, and a controller configured to compare the measured rate at which the aerosol density level decreases with a baseline rate, and determine whether the fire sensing device requires maintenance based on the comparison of the measured rate at which the aerosol density level decreases and the baseline rate.

In contrast to previous fire sensing devices in which a maintenance engineer would have to manually inspect and/or test (e.g., using pressurized aerosol, a heat gun, a gas generator, or any combination thereof) each fire sensing device to determine whether a fire sensing device required maintenance, fire sensing devices in accordance with the present disclosure can determine how dirty (e.g., clogged) they are without testing or inspection by a maintenance engineer. For example, fire sensing devices in accordance with the present disclosure can utilize a baseline rate at which the aerosol density level in the fire sensing device decreases to determine trends in the amount of time needed to clear the fire sensing device, which can indicate whether maintenance of the device is required. Accordingly, fire sensing devices in accordance with the present disclosure may determine whether and/or when the fire sensing devices require maintenance without manual testing and/or inspection by a maintenance engineer.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof. The drawings show by way of illustration how one or more embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced.

These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice one or more embodiments of this disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that mechanical, electrical, and/or process changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As will be appreciated, elements shown in the various embodiments herein can be added, exchanged, combined, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number of additional embodiments of the present disclosure. The proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit or digits correspond to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. Similar elements or components between different figures may be identified by the use of similar digits. For example,104may reference element “04” inFIG.1, and a similar element may be referenced as204inFIG.2.

As used herein, “a”, “an”, or “a number of” something can refer to one or more such things, while “a plurality of” something can refer to more than one such things. For example, “a number of components” can refer to one or more components, while “a plurality of components” can refer to more than one component.

FIG.1illustrates a block diagram of a self-test function of a fire sensing device100in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fire sensing device100includes a controller (e.g., microcontroller)122, an adjustable particle generator102, an optical scatter chamber104, and a variable airflow generator116.

The microcontroller122can include a memory124and a processor126. Memory124can be any type of storage medium that can be accessed by processor126to perform various examples of the present disclosure. For example, memory124can be a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions (e.g., computer program instructions) stored thereon that are executable by processor126to test a fire sensing device100in accordance with the present disclosure. For instance, processor126can execute the executable instructions stored in memory124to generate an aerosol density level, measure a rate at which the aerosol density level decreases after the aerosol density level has been generated, compare the measured rate at which the aerosol density level decreases with a baseline rate, and determine whether the fire sensing device100requires maintenance based on the comparison of the measured rate and the baseline rate. In some examples, memory124can store the baseline rate and/or the measured rate.

For example, the microcontroller122can send a command to the adjustable particle generator102to generate particles. The particles can be drawn through the optical scatter chamber104via the variable airflow generator116creating a controlled aerosol density level. The aerosol density level can be sufficient to trigger a fire response without saturating the optical scatter chamber. As shown inFIG.1, the optical scatter chamber104can include a transmitter light-emitting diode (LED)105and a receiver photodiode106to measure the aerosol density level. The aerosol density level can be measured a number of times over a time period by the optical scatter chamber104. The rate at which the aerosol density level decreases can be determined based on the number of aerosol density level measurements over the time period.

Once the rate at which the aerosol density level decreases is determined, the fire sensing device100can store the rate in memory124. The measured rate at which the aerosol density level decreases can be stored in memory124as a baseline rate if, for example, the measured rate is the first (e.g., initial) measured rate at which the aerosol density level decreases in the fire sensing device100. If the fire sensing device100already has a baseline rate, then the measured rate can be stored in memory124as a subsequently measured rate at which the aerosol density level decreases.

In some examples, the fire sensing device100can determine whether the fire sensing device100requires maintenance by comparing the subsequently measured rate at which the aerosol density level decreases with the baseline rate. For example, the fire sensing device100may require maintenance when the difference between the measured rate and the baseline rate is greater than a threshold value. The threshold value can be set by a manufacturer, according to regulations, and/or set based on the baseline rate, for example.

In some examples, the microcontroller122can determine when the fire sensing device100will reach a particular rate at which the aerosol density level will decrease based on the measured rate at which the aerosol density level decreases, and previously measured rates at which the aerosol density level decreased. For example, the microcontroller122can extrapolate the measured rate and the previously measured rates to determine a date when the fire sensing device100will reach a particular rate at which the aerosol density level decreases. This particular rate of reduction in the aerosol density level can be when the fire sensing device100is fully masked (e.g., clogged) and/or when the fire sensing device100is masked enough to make the fire sensing device100unreliable, for example.

The measured rate at which the aerosol density level decreases can also be used to determine the amount of soiling (e.g., masking, clogging, soiling, etc.) of the optical scatter chamber104. For example, the lower the measured rate of reduction in the aerosol density level, the higher the percentage of soiling of the optical scatter chamber104.

FIG.2illustrates a portion of an example of a self-testing fire sensing device200in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fire sensing device200can be, but is not limited to, a fire and/or smoke detector of a fire control system.

A fire sensing device200can sense a fire occurring in a facility and trigger a fire response to provide a notification of the fire to occupants of the facility. A fire response can include visual and/or audio alarms, for example. A fire response can also notify emergency services (e.g., fire departments, police departments, etc.) In some examples, a plurality of fire sensing devices can be located throughout a facility (e.g., on different floors and/or in different rooms of the facility).

A fire sensing device200can automatically or upon command conduct one or more tests contained within the fire sensing device200. The one or more tests can determine whether the fire sensing device200is functioning properly and/or requires maintenance.

As shown inFIG.2, fire sensing device200can include an optical scatter chamber204and a variable airflow generator216, which can correspond to the optical scatter chamber104and the variable airflow generator116ofFIG.1, respectively. Further fire sensing device200can also include a controller and an adjustable particle generator analogous to those ofFIG.1. Further, the functionality of optical scatter chamber204and variable airflow generator216can be analogous to that further described herein for chamber304and variable airflow generator316in connection withFIG.3.

FIG.3illustrates an example of a self-testing fire sensing device300in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fire sensing device300can be, but is not limited to, a fire and/or smoke detector of a fire control system.

A fire sensing device300can sense a fire occurring in a facility and trigger a fire response to provide a notification of the fire to occupants of the facility. In some examples, a plurality of fire sensing devices can be located throughout a facility (e.g., on different floors and/or in different rooms of the facility).

A fire sensing device300can automatically or upon command conduct one or more tests contained within the fire sensing device300. The one or more tests can determine whether the fire sensing device300is functioning properly and/or requires maintenance.

As shown inFIG.3, fire sensing device300can include an adjustable particle generator302, an optical scatter chamber304including a transmitter light-emitting diode (LED)305and a receiver photodiode306, a heat source308, a heat sensor310, a gas source312, a gas sensor314, a variable airflow generator316, and an additional heat source319. In some examples, a fire sensing device300can also include a microcontroller including memory and/or a processor, as previously described in connection withFIG.1.

The adjustable particle generator302of the fire sensing device300can generate particles which can be mixed into a controlled aerosol density level by the variable airflow generator316. The aerosol density level can be a particular level that can be detected by an optical scatter chamber304. Once the aerosol density level has reached the particular level, the adjustable particle generator316can be turned off and the variable airflow generator316can increase the rate of airflow through the optical scatter chamber304. The variable airflow generator316can increase the rate of airflow through the optical scatter chamber304to reduce the aerosol density level back to an initial level of the optical scatter chamber304prior to the adjustable particle generator316generating particles. For example, the variable airflow generator316can remove the aerosol from the optical scatter chamber304after the rate in reduction of aerosol density is determined. If the fire sensing device300is not blocked or covered, then airflow from the external environment through the optical scatter chamber304will cause the aerosol density level to decrease. The rate at which the aerosol density level decreases indicates whether the sensing device300is impeded and whether the sensing device300could require maintenance.

The adjustable particle generator302can include a reservoir to contain a liquid and/or wax used to create particles. The adjustable particle generator302can also include a heat source, which can be heat source308or a different heat source. The heat source308can be a coil of resistance wire. A current flowing through the wire can be used to control the temperature of the heat source308and further control the number of particles produced by the adjustable particle generator302. The heat source308can heat the liquid and/or wax to create airborne particles to simulate smoke from a fire. The particles can measure approximately 1 micrometer in diameter and/or the particles can be within the sensitivity range of the optical scatter chamber304. The heat source308can heat the liquid and/or wax to a particular temperature and/or heat the liquid and/or wax for a particular period of time to generate an aerosol density level sufficient to trigger a fire response from a properly functioning fire sensing device without saturating the optical scatter chamber304and/or generate an aerosol density level sufficient to test a fault condition without triggering a fire response or saturating the optical scatter chamber304. The ability to control the aerosol density level can allow a smoke test to more accurately mimic the characteristics of a fire and prevent the optical scatter chamber304from becoming saturated.

The optical scatter chamber304can sense the external environment due to a baffle opening in the fire sensing device300that allows air and/or smoke from a fire to flow through the fire sensing device300. The optical scatter chamber304can measure the aerosol density level. In some examples a different measurement device can be used to measure the aerosol density level through the fire sensing device300.

As previously discussed, the rate at which aerosol density level decreases can be used to determine whether fire sensing device300requires maintenance. For example, the fire sensing device300can be determined to require maintenance responsive to a difference between the measured rate and the baseline rate being greater than a threshold value.

In some examples, the fire sensing device300can generate a message if the device requires maintenance (e.g., if the difference between the measured rate and the baseline rate is greater than a threshold value). The fire sensing device300can send the message to a monitoring device and/or a mobile device, for example. As an additional example, the fire sensing device300can include a user interface that can display the message.

The fire sensing device300can include an additional heat source319, but may not require an additional heat source319if the heat sensor310is self-heated. In some examples, heat source319can generate heat at a temperature sufficient to trigger a fire response from a properly functioning heat sensor310. The heat source319can be turned on to generate heat during a heat self-test. Once the heat self-test is complete, the heat source119can be turned off to stop generating heat.

The heat sensor310can normally be used to detect a rise in temperature caused by a fire. Once the heat source319is turned off, the heat sensor310can measure a rate of reduction in temperature. The rate of reduction in temperature can be used to determine whether the fire sensing device300is functioning properly and/or whether the fire sensing device300is dirty. The rate of reduction in temperature and can be used to determine whether the fire sensing device300requires maintenance. Maintenance can include cleaning the fire sensing device300so that clean air is able to enter the fire sensing device300and reach the heat sensor310.

A message can be generated by the fire sensing device300if the device requires maintenance (e.g., if the difference between the measured rate and a baseline rate is greater than a threshold value). In some examples, the message can be sent to a monitoring device and/or a mobile device. As an additional example, the fire sensing device300can include a user interface that can display the message.

A gas source312can be separate and/or included in the adjustable particle generator302, as shown inFIG.3. The gas source312can be configured to release one or more gases. The one or more gases can be produced by combustion. In some examples, the one or more gases can be carbon monoxide (CO) and/or a cross-sensitive gas. The gas source312can generate gas at a gas level sufficient to trigger a fire response from a properly functioning fire sensing device300and/or trigger a fault in a properly functioning gas sensor314.

The gas sensor314can detect one or more gases in the fire sensing device300, such as, for example, the one or more gases released by the gas source312. For example, the gas sensor314can detect CO and/or cross-sensitive gases. In some examples, the gas sensor314can be a CO detector. Once the gas source312is turned off, the gas sensor314can measure the gas level and determine the change in gas level over time (e.g., rate of reduction in gas level) to determine whether the fire sensing device300is functioning properly and/or whether the fire sensing device300is dirty.

The rate of reduction in the gas level can be used to determine whether the fire sensing device300requires maintenance. Maintenance can include cleaning the fire sensing device300so that air is able to enter the fire sensing device300and reach the gas sensor314.

In some examples, the fire sensing device300can generate a message if the device requires maintenance (e.g., if the difference between the measured rate and the baseline rate is greater than a threshold value). The fire sensing device300can send the message to a monitoring device and/or a mobile device, for example. As an additional example, the fire sensing device300can include a user interface that can display the message.

The variable airflow generator316can control the airflow through the fire sensing device300, including the optical scatter chamber304. For example, the variable airflow generator316can move gases and/or aerosol from a first end of the fire sensing device300to a second end of the fire sensing device300. In some examples, the variable airflow generator316can be a fan. The variable airflow generator316can start responsive to the adjustable particle generator302, the heat source319, and/or the gas source312starting. The variable airflow generator316can stop responsive to the adjustable particle generator302, the heat source319, and/or the gas source312stopping, and/or the variable airflow generator316can stop after a particular period of time after the adjustable particle generator302, the heat source319, and/or the gas source312has stopped.

FIG.4illustrates a block diagram of a self-test function of a system420in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system420can include a fire sensing device400, a monitoring device401, a computing device430, a sensor432, and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system434. Fire sensing device400can be, for example, fire sensing device100,200, and/or300previously described in connection withFIGS.1,2, and3, respectively.

The fire sensing device400can include a user interface440. The user interface440can be a graphical user interface (GUI) that can provide and/or receive information to and/or from the user, the monitoring device401, and/or the computing device430. In some examples, the user interface440can display a message. The message can be displayed responsive to determining the fire sensing device400requires maintenance, for example.

The monitoring device401can be a control panel, a fire detection control system, and/or a cloud computing device of a fire alarm system. The monitoring device401can be configured to send commands to and/or receive test results from a fire sensing device400via a wired or wireless network. For example, the fire sensing device400can transmit (e.g., send) the monitoring device401a message responsive to the fire sensing device400determining that the fire sensing device400requires maintenance and/or the fire sensing device400can send the monitoring device401a determined date when the fire sensing device400will reach a particular rate at which aerosol density level will decrease.

The monitoring device401can receive messages from a number of fire sensing devices analogous to fire sensing device400. For example, the monitoring device401can receive a determined date from each of a number of fire sensing devices analogous to fire sensing device400and create a maintenance schedule based on the determined dates from each of the number of fire sensing devices.

In a number of embodiments, the monitoring device401can include a user interface436. The user interface436can be a GUI that can provide and/or receive information to and/or from a user and/or the fire sensing device400. The user interface436can display messages and/or data received from the fire sensing device400. For example, the user interface436can notify a user of the date when the fire sensing device400will reach a particular rate of reduction by displaying the determined date on the user interface436and/or can display a message that fire sensing device400requires maintenance.

In a number of embodiments, computing device430can receive the message and/or determined date from fire sensing device400and/or monitoring device401via a wired or wireless network. For example, the monitoring device401can notify a user at the computing device430responsive to the determined date being within a particular time period. The computing device430can be a personal laptop computer, a desktop computer, a mobile device such as a smart phone, a tablet, a wrist-worn device, and/or redundant combinations thereof, among other types of computing devices.

In some examples, a computing device430can include a user interface438to display messages from the monitoring device401and/or the fire sensing device400. For example, the user interface438can display the determined date. The user interface438can be a GUI that can provide and/or receive information to and/or from the user, the monitoring device401, and/or the fire sensing device400.

The system420can include a sensor432. The sensor432can be coupled to and/or placed near the fire sensing device400and can communicate with the fire sensing device400via a wired or wireless network. The sensor432can measure ambient airflow outside of the fire sensing device400. The sensor432can be a thermistor or a hot-wire anemometer, for example. The ambient airflow measurement can be used by fire sensing device400in determining which baseline rate to compare the measured rate to in order to determine whether the fire sensing device400requires maintenance and/or when the fire sensing device400requires maintenance.

In a number of embodiments, the system420can include an HVAC system434. The HVAC system434can communicate with the fire sensing device400via a wired or wireless network. The HVAC system434can send an input to the fire sensing device400responsive to the HVAC system434changing modes (e.g., turning off, turning on, etc.). The fire sensing device400including the microcontroller (e.g., microcontroller122inFIG.1) can receive the input from the HVAC system434. Responsive to receiving the input, the fire sensing device400can determine to use a particular baseline rate and/or a particular baseline rate range to compare the measured rate to in order to determine whether a fire sensing device400requires maintenance. For example, a baseline rate range can include a first baseline rate when the HVAC system434is on and a second baseline rate when the HVAC system is off. The baseline rate range can be determined by measuring a rate at which the aerosol density level decreases when the HVAC system434is on and measuring a rate at which the aerosol density level decreases when the HVAC system434is off.

The networks described herein can be a network relationship through which fire sensing device400, monitoring device401, computing device430, sensor432, and/or HVAC system434can communicate with each other. Examples of such a network relationship can include a distributed computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), a campus area network (CAN), or metropolitan area network (MAN), among other types of network relationships. For instance, the network can include a number of servers that receive information from, and transmit information to fire sensing device400, monitoring device401, computing device430, sensor432, and/or HVAC system434via a wired or wireless network.

As used herein, a “network” can provide a communication system that directly or indirectly links two or more computers and/or peripheral devices and allows a monitoring device401, a computing device430, a sensor432, and/or an HVAC system434to access data and/or resources on a fire sensing device400and vice versa. A network can allow users to share resources on their own systems with other network users and to access information on centrally located systems or on systems that are located at remote locations. For example, a network can tie a number of computing devices together to form a distributed control network (e.g., cloud).

A network may provide connections to the Internet and/or to the networks of other entities (e.g., organizations, institutions, etc.). Users may interact with network-enabled software applications to make a network request, such as to get data. Applications may also communicate with network management software, which can interact with network hardware to transmit information between devices on the network.

FIG.5illustrates a plot (e.g., graph)550of example optical scatter chamber (e.g., sensor) outputs558-1,558-2,558-3, and558-4used to determine whether a fire sensing device (e.g., fire sensing device100,200,300, or400previously described herein) requires maintenance in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The optical scatter chamber outputs558-1,558-2,558-3,558-4can be a rate at which aerosol density level decreases.

In the example illustrated inFIG.5, a variable airflow generator (e.g., variable airflow generator116,216, or316previously described herein) and an adjustable particle generator (e.g., adjustable particle generator102or302previously described herein) can be powered off (e.g., turned off) at time552-1. At time552-2, the variable airflow generator and the adjustable particle generator can be powered on (e.g., turned on) to start a smoke self-test function, as previously described in connection withFIGS.1and3. When powered on the adjustable particle generator (e.g., fan) can generate particles (e.g., aerosol particles) and the generated particles can be mixed into a controlled aerosol density level by the variable airflow generator. The variable airflow generator can move the generated particles through an optical scatter chamber (e.g., optical scatter chamber104,204, or304previously described herein). The optical scatter chamber can determine the rate at which the aerosol density level decreases after the aerosol has been generated.

Particles can be generated until a threshold aerosol density level (e.g., set-point)556is met. The threshold aerosol density level can be a sufficient aerosol density level to trigger a fire response (e.g., fire threshold)554from a properly functioning fire sensing device without saturating an optical scatter chamber, for example. Once the threshold aerosol density level556is met, the adjustable particle generator can stop generating particles at time552-3and the variable airflow generator can continue and/or increase the airflow, moving the generated particles through the optical scatter chamber.

The measured aerosol density level after the adjustable particle generator has stopped can reduce over time, as shown by the example optical scatter chamber outputs558-1,558-2,558-3, and558-4. In the example optical scatter chamber output588-1, the aerosol density level remains higher than the example optical scatter chamber output558-2after the adjustable particle generator stops generating particles. The example optical scatter chamber output588-1illustrates an impeded airflow through the optical scatter chamber where the optical scatter chamber is masked, and the fire sensing device cannot function properly.

Responsive to the output558-1, the fire sensing device can determine that the fire sensing device requires maintenance. In some examples, the fire sensing device can compare the measured rate, for example,558-1with a baseline rate, for example,558-2. The fire sensing device can determine the fire sensing device requires maintenance responsive to a difference between the measured rate and the baseline rate being greater than a threshold value.

In a number of embodiments, the fire sensing device can extrapolate the measured rate to determine a date when the fire sensing device will reach a particular rate of decrease in the aerosol density level. For example, the fire sensing device can determine the fire sensing device will reach a 20 particles per second rate of reduction represented by example output558-1in two days if today the fire sensing device was at a 40 particles per second rate of reduction represented by example output558-3and the day before yesterday the fire sensing device was at a 50 particles per second rate of reduction represented by example output558-2.

In some examples, the rate at which the aerosol density level decreases can identify when the fire sensing device has excessive airflow, as represented by example output558-4. An excessive airflow can be due to ambient airflow outside of the fire sensing device, for example, an HVAC system running near the fire sensing device. The fire sensing device can have a different baseline rate to compare the measured rate to when and HVAC system is running. In some examples, the fire sensing device can determine the fire sensing device is not functioning correctly and may require maintenance responsive to an excessive airflow rate output558-4.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same techniques can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments of the disclosure.

It is to be understood that the above description has been made in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combination of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

The scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure includes any other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in example embodiments illustrated in the figures for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the embodiments of the disclosure require more features than are expressly recited in each claim.

Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.