CA2052781A1 - Method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance in the presence of fire - Google Patents
Method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance in the presence of fireInfo
- Publication number
- CA2052781A1 CA2052781A1 CA 2052781 CA2052781A CA2052781A1 CA 2052781 A1 CA2052781 A1 CA 2052781A1 CA 2052781 CA2052781 CA 2052781 CA 2052781 A CA2052781 A CA 2052781A CA 2052781 A1 CA2052781 A1 CA 2052781A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- switch
- electrical appliance
- fire
- power source
- operating components
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Fire Alarms (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance in the presence of a fire, consisting of the step of placing a secondary switch between the operating components of an electrical appliance and a power source. The secondary switch has an open position and a closed position. In the closed position electrical current flows from the power source to the operating components of the electrical appliance. In the open position the flow of electrical current between the power source and the operating components of the electrical appliance is disrupted. The secondary switch has a fire sensing switch actuator in the form of a heat sensor or a smoke sensor, such that the position of the secondary switch is altered upon the presence of a fire being sensed.
A method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance in the presence of a fire, consisting of the step of placing a secondary switch between the operating components of an electrical appliance and a power source. The secondary switch has an open position and a closed position. In the closed position electrical current flows from the power source to the operating components of the electrical appliance. In the open position the flow of electrical current between the power source and the operating components of the electrical appliance is disrupted. The secondary switch has a fire sensing switch actuator in the form of a heat sensor or a smoke sensor, such that the position of the secondary switch is altered upon the presence of a fire being sensed.
Description
2~278~
The present invention relates to a method of automatically ackivating/deactivating an electrical appliance in the presence of a fire.
ACi~OU~D OF TH~ VENTION
There are many reasons why it may be advantageous to either activate or deactivate an electrical appliance in the presence of fire.
Many fires originate in electrical appliances. These fires are exacerbated when the appliance continues to operate after ignition of a fire. For example, it would be advantageous to deactivate an electric stove if a fire originated from ~hat appliance.
Electrical appliances are such an integral part of our society that there is one in virtually every room of modern households. People are awakened every day by elec-tric radio/alarm clocks. It would be advantageous if an appliance such as a radio/alarm clock could be activated in the presence of fire as a warning to the occupants of the residence.
SUMMAR~ OF TN~ INVENTION
What is required is a method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance in the presence of a fire.
According to the present invention there is provided a method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance having a primary manual on/of~ switch in the presence of a fire. This method is comprised of the step of placing a secondary switch between the operating components of an electrical appliance and a power source.
The secondary switch has an open position and a closed position. In the closed position electrical current flows from the power source to the operating components of the electrical appliance. In the open posikion the flow of 2~2781 electrical current between the power source and the operating components of the electrical appliance is disrupted. The secondary switch has fire sensing switch actuator means such that the position of -the secondary switch is altered upon the presence of a fire being sensed.
With the invention as described an electrical appliance which would exacerbate a fire if it continued to operate can be automatically deactivated as soon as fire is detected. Depending upon the type of fire which is within contemplation, khere can be incorporated into the fire sensing switch actuator a heat sensor, a smoke detector or both. In some ins-tances, there may be advantages to have the electrical appliance activated, as opposed to deactivated, as soon as fire is detected. For examplet a radio could be turned on at loud volume when the presence of fire was detected to permit the occupants of a residence time to escape. Another example, would be an electrical appliance such as a vibrating pillow which could be activated to vibrate at high frequency to wa~e a deaf person who would not be cognizant of audio alarms.
Although beneficial results may be obtained by building into new electrical appliances an embodiment of the invention as described above, it is not practical to retrofit all existing electrical app]iances with such a secondary switch, although it is desirable to, in some fashion, adapt existing devices in accordance with the teachings of the present method. Accordingly, even more beneficial results may be obtained by having the secondary switch in the form of a plug adaptor having a male connection adapted to plug into a household power outlet and a female connection adapted to received a plug from an electrical appliance.
The plug adaptor constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention can be used with any form of appliance. Although beneficial results may be 3 20~27~
obtained from using this form of plug adaptor, an electrical appliance can only be activated or deactivated through the plug adaptor if the primary manual on/off switch of the electrical appliance is left in the "on"
position. Even more beneficial results may be obtained by having a tertiary manual switch whereby the default setting of th~ secondary switch is set in either an open or closed position depending upon whether-the electrical appliance is to be turned on or off in the presence of a fire.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the invention as described, the electrical outlets into which the plug adaptor must be inserted are not always positioned to optimize fire detection. For this reason even more beneficial results may be obtained by having a fire sensing switch actuator which has a sensor attached by way of an umbilical cord such that the sensor may be selectively positioned to optimize detection of a fire.
BRIEF D~SCRIPTION 0~ TH~ DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrical appliance wired in parallel in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
~IGU~E 2 is a schematic diagram of an electrical appliance wired in series in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a plug adaptor apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present method.
DETAILED DE~CRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED E~qBODIMElaT
The preferred method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance in the presence of a fire will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 30 2~2781 Every electrical appliance 12 has a primary manual on/off switch 14, which controls the flow of electricity to electrical appliance 12 from a power source 16. The method consists of the step of placin~ a secondary switch 18 between electrical appliance 12 and power source 16.
Secondary switch 18 has an open position and a closed position. In the closed position electrical current flows from power source 16 to electrical appliance 12. In the open position the flow of electrical current between power source 14 and electrical appliance 12 is disrupted.
~econdary switch 18 has fire sensing switch actuator means in the form of a heat sensor 20 and a smoke sensor 22.
Secondary switch 18 can have a default position setting as either normally open or normally closed. Upon receiving a signal from heat sensor 20 or smoke sensor 22, that heat or smoke has been detected~ secondary switch 18 is moved from its default setting to either open or close the s~itch.
It is intended that secondary switch 18 be incorporated into new electrical appliances 12. When secondary switch 18 is incorporatecl as part of an appliance the manner in which it is wired will depend upon whether it is intended to turn electrical appliance 12 on or off. If the intention is to turn electrical appliance 12 on, it is preferred that secondary switch 18 be connected in parallel with primary switch 1~ as illustrated in FIGURE 1. With this configuration the default setting o~ secondary switch 18 is the open position. It is expected that primary switch 14 will be in the off position a fire occurs. When the fire occurs its presence is detected by sensors 20 and 22 and secondary switch moves from its open default setting to a closed position where power from power source 16 is supplied to electrical appliance 12. If the intention is to turn electrical appliance 12 off, it is preferred that secondary switch 18 be connected in series with primary switch 14 as illustrated in FIGV~E 2. W'th this configuration the default setti~g of secondary switch 18 is the closed positioned. When fire occurs its presence is detected by sensors 20 and 22 and secondary switch moves 20~2~1 from its closed default setting to an op~n position where power from power source 16 to electrical appliance 12 is disrupted.
Re~erring to FIGURE 3, there is illustrated a plug adaptor 24, which can be used to adapt existing appliances in accordance with the teachings of the present method.
Plug adaptor 24 has a male connection 26 adapted to plug into a household power outlet (not shown) which serves as a power source and a female connection 28 adapted to received a plug (not shown) from an electrical appliance (not shown). Plug adaptor 24 has a outer housing 30 having a plurality of vent holes 32 to permit heat or smoke laden air access to heat sensor 20 and smoke sensor 22.
Plug adaptor 24 has a tertiary manual switch 34 which is used to determine the default setting of plug adaptor 24.
In addition, plug adaptor 24 has a satellite housing 36 in which a heat sensor 20 and smoke sensor 22 are housed.
Sa-tellite housing 36 is attached by way of an umbilical cord 38 to plug adaptor 24 and has a clip 40 to enable satellite housing 36 to be attached to curtains or the like.
The use and operation of plug adaptor 24 will now be described. Plug adaptor 24 as illustrated in FIGURE 3, is used to interpose secondary switch 18 between power source 20 (a household power outlet) and electrical appliance 12.
This is accomplished by inserting male connection 26 of plug adaptor 24 into a household power outlet and inserting 3D a plug of elec-trical appliance 12 into female connection 28. In order for plug adaptor 24 to function~ primary switch 14 of electrical appliance 12 must be left in the "on" position. The use of plug adaptor 24 has the effect of hooking up secondary switch 18 in series as illustrated in FIGU~E 2. The default setting of secondary switch 18 is determined by the positioning of tertiary switch 34. In the event of a fire the heat and smoke produced by the fire passes through vent holes 32 in outer housing 30 and is sensed by heat sensor 20 or alternatively, by smoke sensor 6 20~27~
22. Satellite housing 36 is attached by clip 40 in a location and at a height which is considered optimal for detection of a fire. The detection of the fire and -the operation of switch 10 otherwise works in the same manner.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the method described in the claims.
The present invention relates to a method of automatically ackivating/deactivating an electrical appliance in the presence of a fire.
ACi~OU~D OF TH~ VENTION
There are many reasons why it may be advantageous to either activate or deactivate an electrical appliance in the presence of fire.
Many fires originate in electrical appliances. These fires are exacerbated when the appliance continues to operate after ignition of a fire. For example, it would be advantageous to deactivate an electric stove if a fire originated from ~hat appliance.
Electrical appliances are such an integral part of our society that there is one in virtually every room of modern households. People are awakened every day by elec-tric radio/alarm clocks. It would be advantageous if an appliance such as a radio/alarm clock could be activated in the presence of fire as a warning to the occupants of the residence.
SUMMAR~ OF TN~ INVENTION
What is required is a method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance in the presence of a fire.
According to the present invention there is provided a method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance having a primary manual on/of~ switch in the presence of a fire. This method is comprised of the step of placing a secondary switch between the operating components of an electrical appliance and a power source.
The secondary switch has an open position and a closed position. In the closed position electrical current flows from the power source to the operating components of the electrical appliance. In the open posikion the flow of 2~2781 electrical current between the power source and the operating components of the electrical appliance is disrupted. The secondary switch has fire sensing switch actuator means such that the position of -the secondary switch is altered upon the presence of a fire being sensed.
With the invention as described an electrical appliance which would exacerbate a fire if it continued to operate can be automatically deactivated as soon as fire is detected. Depending upon the type of fire which is within contemplation, khere can be incorporated into the fire sensing switch actuator a heat sensor, a smoke detector or both. In some ins-tances, there may be advantages to have the electrical appliance activated, as opposed to deactivated, as soon as fire is detected. For examplet a radio could be turned on at loud volume when the presence of fire was detected to permit the occupants of a residence time to escape. Another example, would be an electrical appliance such as a vibrating pillow which could be activated to vibrate at high frequency to wa~e a deaf person who would not be cognizant of audio alarms.
Although beneficial results may be obtained by building into new electrical appliances an embodiment of the invention as described above, it is not practical to retrofit all existing electrical app]iances with such a secondary switch, although it is desirable to, in some fashion, adapt existing devices in accordance with the teachings of the present method. Accordingly, even more beneficial results may be obtained by having the secondary switch in the form of a plug adaptor having a male connection adapted to plug into a household power outlet and a female connection adapted to received a plug from an electrical appliance.
The plug adaptor constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention can be used with any form of appliance. Although beneficial results may be 3 20~27~
obtained from using this form of plug adaptor, an electrical appliance can only be activated or deactivated through the plug adaptor if the primary manual on/off switch of the electrical appliance is left in the "on"
position. Even more beneficial results may be obtained by having a tertiary manual switch whereby the default setting of th~ secondary switch is set in either an open or closed position depending upon whether-the electrical appliance is to be turned on or off in the presence of a fire.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the invention as described, the electrical outlets into which the plug adaptor must be inserted are not always positioned to optimize fire detection. For this reason even more beneficial results may be obtained by having a fire sensing switch actuator which has a sensor attached by way of an umbilical cord such that the sensor may be selectively positioned to optimize detection of a fire.
BRIEF D~SCRIPTION 0~ TH~ DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrical appliance wired in parallel in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
~IGU~E 2 is a schematic diagram of an electrical appliance wired in series in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a plug adaptor apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present method.
DETAILED DE~CRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED E~qBODIMElaT
The preferred method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance in the presence of a fire will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 30 2~2781 Every electrical appliance 12 has a primary manual on/off switch 14, which controls the flow of electricity to electrical appliance 12 from a power source 16. The method consists of the step of placin~ a secondary switch 18 between electrical appliance 12 and power source 16.
Secondary switch 18 has an open position and a closed position. In the closed position electrical current flows from power source 16 to electrical appliance 12. In the open position the flow of electrical current between power source 14 and electrical appliance 12 is disrupted.
~econdary switch 18 has fire sensing switch actuator means in the form of a heat sensor 20 and a smoke sensor 22.
Secondary switch 18 can have a default position setting as either normally open or normally closed. Upon receiving a signal from heat sensor 20 or smoke sensor 22, that heat or smoke has been detected~ secondary switch 18 is moved from its default setting to either open or close the s~itch.
It is intended that secondary switch 18 be incorporated into new electrical appliances 12. When secondary switch 18 is incorporatecl as part of an appliance the manner in which it is wired will depend upon whether it is intended to turn electrical appliance 12 on or off. If the intention is to turn electrical appliance 12 on, it is preferred that secondary switch 18 be connected in parallel with primary switch 1~ as illustrated in FIGURE 1. With this configuration the default setting o~ secondary switch 18 is the open position. It is expected that primary switch 14 will be in the off position a fire occurs. When the fire occurs its presence is detected by sensors 20 and 22 and secondary switch moves from its open default setting to a closed position where power from power source 16 is supplied to electrical appliance 12. If the intention is to turn electrical appliance 12 off, it is preferred that secondary switch 18 be connected in series with primary switch 14 as illustrated in FIGV~E 2. W'th this configuration the default setti~g of secondary switch 18 is the closed positioned. When fire occurs its presence is detected by sensors 20 and 22 and secondary switch moves 20~2~1 from its closed default setting to an op~n position where power from power source 16 to electrical appliance 12 is disrupted.
Re~erring to FIGURE 3, there is illustrated a plug adaptor 24, which can be used to adapt existing appliances in accordance with the teachings of the present method.
Plug adaptor 24 has a male connection 26 adapted to plug into a household power outlet (not shown) which serves as a power source and a female connection 28 adapted to received a plug (not shown) from an electrical appliance (not shown). Plug adaptor 24 has a outer housing 30 having a plurality of vent holes 32 to permit heat or smoke laden air access to heat sensor 20 and smoke sensor 22.
Plug adaptor 24 has a tertiary manual switch 34 which is used to determine the default setting of plug adaptor 24.
In addition, plug adaptor 24 has a satellite housing 36 in which a heat sensor 20 and smoke sensor 22 are housed.
Sa-tellite housing 36 is attached by way of an umbilical cord 38 to plug adaptor 24 and has a clip 40 to enable satellite housing 36 to be attached to curtains or the like.
The use and operation of plug adaptor 24 will now be described. Plug adaptor 24 as illustrated in FIGURE 3, is used to interpose secondary switch 18 between power source 20 (a household power outlet) and electrical appliance 12.
This is accomplished by inserting male connection 26 of plug adaptor 24 into a household power outlet and inserting 3D a plug of elec-trical appliance 12 into female connection 28. In order for plug adaptor 24 to function~ primary switch 14 of electrical appliance 12 must be left in the "on" position. The use of plug adaptor 24 has the effect of hooking up secondary switch 18 in series as illustrated in FIGU~E 2. The default setting of secondary switch 18 is determined by the positioning of tertiary switch 34. In the event of a fire the heat and smoke produced by the fire passes through vent holes 32 in outer housing 30 and is sensed by heat sensor 20 or alternatively, by smoke sensor 6 20~27~
22. Satellite housing 36 is attached by clip 40 in a location and at a height which is considered optimal for detection of a fire. The detection of the fire and -the operation of switch 10 otherwise works in the same manner.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the method described in the claims.
Claims (6)
1. A method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance having a primary manual on/off switch in the presence of a fire, comprising the step of:
placing a secondary on/off switch between the operating components of an electrical appliance and a power source, the secondary switch having an open position and a closed position such that in the closed position electrical current flows from the power source to the operating components of the electrical appliance and in the open position the flow of electrical current between the power source and the operating components of the electrical appliance is disrupted, the secondary switch having fire sensing switch actuator means such that the switch actuator means switch alters the positioning of the secondary switch upon the presence of fire being sensed.
placing a secondary on/off switch between the operating components of an electrical appliance and a power source, the secondary switch having an open position and a closed position such that in the closed position electrical current flows from the power source to the operating components of the electrical appliance and in the open position the flow of electrical current between the power source and the operating components of the electrical appliance is disrupted, the secondary switch having fire sensing switch actuator means such that the switch actuator means switch alters the positioning of the secondary switch upon the presence of fire being sensed.
2. A method of automatically deactivating an electrical appliance having a primary manual on/off switch in the presence of a fire, comprising the step of:
placing a secondary on/off switch between the operating components of an electrical appliance and a power source, the secondary on/off switch being in series hook up with the primary on/off switch, the secondary switch having an open position and a closed position such that in the closed position electrical current flows from the power source to the operating components of the electrical appliance and in the open position the flow of electrical current between the power source and the operating components of the electrical appliance is disrupted, the secondary switch having a default setting in a closed position f the secondary switch having fire sensing switch actuator means such that the switch actuator means switch moves the secondary switch to the open position deactivating the electrical appliance upon the presence of fire being sensed.
placing a secondary on/off switch between the operating components of an electrical appliance and a power source, the secondary on/off switch being in series hook up with the primary on/off switch, the secondary switch having an open position and a closed position such that in the closed position electrical current flows from the power source to the operating components of the electrical appliance and in the open position the flow of electrical current between the power source and the operating components of the electrical appliance is disrupted, the secondary switch having a default setting in a closed position f the secondary switch having fire sensing switch actuator means such that the switch actuator means switch moves the secondary switch to the open position deactivating the electrical appliance upon the presence of fire being sensed.
3. A method of automatically activating an electrical appliance having a primary manual on/off switch in the presence of a fire, comprising the step of:
placing a secondary on/off switch between the operating components of an electrical appliance and a power source, the secondary switch being in parallel hook up with the primary manual on/off switch, the secondary switch having an open position and a closed position such that in the closed position electrical current flows from the power source to the operating components of the electrical appliance and in the open position the flow of electrical current between the power source and the operating components of the electrical appliance is disrupted, the secondary switch having a default setting in the open position, the secondary switch having fire sensing switch actuator means such that the position of the secondary switch is altered to the closed position upon the presence of a fire being sensed thereby activating the appliance to provide a warning of the presence of fire.
placing a secondary on/off switch between the operating components of an electrical appliance and a power source, the secondary switch being in parallel hook up with the primary manual on/off switch, the secondary switch having an open position and a closed position such that in the closed position electrical current flows from the power source to the operating components of the electrical appliance and in the open position the flow of electrical current between the power source and the operating components of the electrical appliance is disrupted, the secondary switch having a default setting in the open position, the secondary switch having fire sensing switch actuator means such that the position of the secondary switch is altered to the closed position upon the presence of a fire being sensed thereby activating the appliance to provide a warning of the presence of fire.
4. The method as defined in Claim 1, the secondary switch being in the form of an plug adaptor having a male connection adapted to plug into a household power outlet and a female connection adapted to received a plug from an electrical appliance.
5. The method as defined in Claim 4, the plug adaptor having a tertiary manual switch whereby the default setting of the secondary switch is adjusted to one of the open position and the closed position.
6. The method as defined in Claim 4, the fire sensing switch actuator having a sensor which is attached by way of an umbilical cord such that the sensor may be selectively positioned to optimize detection of a fire.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2052781 CA2052781A1 (en) | 1991-10-04 | 1991-10-04 | Method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance in the presence of fire |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2052781 CA2052781A1 (en) | 1991-10-04 | 1991-10-04 | Method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance in the presence of fire |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2052781A1 true CA2052781A1 (en) | 1993-04-05 |
Family
ID=4148513
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2052781 Abandoned CA2052781A1 (en) | 1991-10-04 | 1991-10-04 | Method of automatically activating/deactivating an electrical appliance in the presence of fire |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2052781A1 (en) |
-
1991
- 1991-10-04 CA CA 2052781 patent/CA2052781A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |