CA2588299A1 - Extreme heat and flashover safety warning device - Google Patents
Extreme heat and flashover safety warning device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2588299A1 CA2588299A1 CA 2588299 CA2588299A CA2588299A1 CA 2588299 A1 CA2588299 A1 CA 2588299A1 CA 2588299 CA2588299 CA 2588299 CA 2588299 A CA2588299 A CA 2588299A CA 2588299 A1 CA2588299 A1 CA 2588299A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- firefighter
- indicated
- designed
- helmet
- safety
- 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
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
- A62B99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Helmets And Other Head Coverings (AREA)
Abstract
This invention relates to an extreme heat, flashover sensor and safety warning device, mounted within a firefighter's helmet, on the air-pack, or other suitable location on the firefighter's gear. It provides an early warning system to the firefighter in the case of extreme temperature increases or risks to the safety and well being of the firefighter. The alarm for the device can also be activated by an external source to notify the firefighter of impending danger or risk
Description
EXTREME HEAT FLASHOVER SENSOR AND SAFETY WARNING
DEVICE
This invention relates to an extreme heat, flashover sensor and safety warning device, mounted within a firefighter's helmet, on the air-pack, or other suitable location on the firefighter's gear. It provides an early warning system to the firefighter in the case of extreme temperature increases or risks to the safety and well being of the firefighter. The alarm for the device can also be activated by an external source to notify the firefighter of impending danger or risk.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
There have been several different designs patented with the intent to monitor temperature or infrared energy in a firefighters operating environment. One such design monitors the temperature within the firefighters protective gear compared to the surrounding environment. This determines when it has become to hot inside the protective gear for a firefighter to safely operate. However, this does not provide early warning alarm for the occurrence of a flashover event, which can happen in seconds. Other devices generally come in two styles, either a handheld unit carried by a firefighter or a stationary unit placed in a fixed location. There are some negative aspects with these devices that restrict or limit the usability of the device for the firefighter. The handheld style of sensor device is physically held in the hand and the temperature/thermal energy can be monitored as a firefighter moves from place to place inside the area of operation. However this reduces the ability of the firefighter to do other duties, because one hand is limited to holding the sensor device. These devices are also not usually designed to specifically monitor for the potential of a flashover occurrence, which is vital to a firefighters survival. The stationary style of sensor unit is placed in a fixed location to monitor temperature/thermal energy fluctuations in the surrounding area. The limiting factor in this design is it only monitors the surrounding environment where it has been placed. If firefighters move into a forward area they are no longer being warned of temperature/thermal energy fluctuations, specifically a potential flashover occurrence, in their current location because this sensor device is now in a zone to the rear of their position, thereby reduces the firefighters level of safety. These devices also do not send valuable information about the external atmospheric exposure, that the firefighters are currently experiencing, to an outside data recorder being monitored by a safety officer, who can also activate the alarm system remotely to alert the firefighters or warn of an evacuation or retreat order.
Some of the previous temperature/thermal energy sensor system designs are:
Cited documents: US6317047 STEIN, MAHONEY
US5973602 COLE, RYAN
The current designs are not made to specifically provide a detection and warning system for the potential of extreme temperature increases leading up to a flashover occurrence. Nor do they provide frontline, hands-free monitoring and information data recording of the location the firefighters are operating in, wherever they move within the firefighting zone. These limitations and restrictions are solved by this current application.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention proposes to create an extreme heat and flashover safety warning device that will be able to be mounted inside the firefighters helmet, or on the air-pack, or any other suitable location on the firefighters gear. It includes a user-friendly external temperature sensor, which is easily replaceable, that connects to an internal sensory computer. The computer unit is mounted within the protective shell of helmet that continuously monitors the surrounding environment and also sends a signal to an outside source that is constantly monitored. The information is stored in a data recorder, for signs of hazard or risk to the individual firefighters.
There is also an easily accessible on/off switch that can be manipulated by a heavily gloved hand of a firefighter. The alarm is designed to activate at a pre-determined safe temperature, approximately 800 degrees Fahrenheit, before the conditions develop for a flashover occurrence to be possible. If the temperature rises above the pre-determined safe temperature mark, or a temperature conducive to creating a possible flashover, the audible and visual alarms will be activated automatically. If the safety officer determines that the surrounding environmental temperature indicates there is an increasing hazard to the inside firefighter team, and they need to leave the area, the safety officer can also set off the alarms by remote. The data recorder is able to monitor several individual firefighters sensors at one time. The electronics of the sensory unit inside the helmet will be easily accessible for maintenance and as well as for replacing the commonly available, disposable batteries which power the unit. The audible alarm will be mounted in a position to be easily heard and recognized. The device will also create a faint clicking noise at a pre-determined interval, that when turned on, will notify the firefighter that it is functioning properly. The temperature sensory unit will extend to the outside of the helmet into the heated environment, where it collects data on the external atmospheric exposure of the firefighter.
There are many benefits to this invention that are not addressed in current designs. This safety device informs firefighters of potential situations conducive to a flashover developing, therefore increasing the chance of survival and creating a safer working environment.
This device will help gauge the amount of heat exposure the firefighter is subjected to, thereby allowing the safety officer to determine exposure limits on an individual basis. The individual firefighter can also be alerted of the approaching extreme heat exposure limits, due to the device having an intermittent warning signal that activates when approaching the maximum heat exposure and time limits. The safety officer also has the ability to communicate an evacuation or retreat order by simply activating the alarm system of this device. Less experienced personnel involved in firefighting activities can be monitored more easily and the data recorded and tracked by more experienced personnel to help insure the safety of the firefighters. The data collection can be used to record the "time entered fire" to "actual time extinguished" as well as serve as a record for real timeline of fire benchmarks.
This gives the fire service the chance to develop a large library of sensory information about fire situations through the ability to record data from actual situations. The fire service would also have the ability to monitor the firefighters in real-time during training scenarios with this device built into each individual firefighters gear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation, showing a cross section of the interior of the Fireman's Helmet from a rear view, indicating the location and orientation of the device within the helmet.
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation, showing a cross section of the interior of the Fireman's Helmet the from a right side view, indicating the location and orientation of the device within the helmet.
FIG. 3 is a schematic representation, showing an interior view of the inside of the Fireman's Helmet from the bottom side, indicating the location and orientation of the device within the helmet.
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation, showing the Fireman's helmet from the top side and indicating the orientation and location of the device within the helmet.
FIG. 5 is a schematic representation, showing the various component parts of the Extreme Heat and Flashover warning device, which is mounted in the Fireman's Helmet.
FIG. 6 is a schematic representation, showing the receiving antenna apparatus and cable for connecting to a Lap top computer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
With reference to the accompanying Figures, a cross sectional representation of the interior of the Fireman's Helmet from a rear view is depicted in FIG. 1 and includes as part of the Helmet, an outer shell Al, then extending downward to the brim A2. A chin strap used to hold the Helmet securely is A3, with the clasp on the chin strap indicated as M. The fire resistant protective skirt of the helmet is shown as A5, and the suspension harness within the helmet is indicated as A6. The electronic pack for the Extreme Heat and Flashover Warning device is indicated as item A7, with the cable A8 extending down to the earpiece A9. Item A10 indicates the High Temperature sensing wire extending from the electronics pack down the inside of the interior of the helmet and out under the brim to the outer rim which encircles the outer edge of the brim and indicated as A-15. Item Al l indicates the High Temperature sensor itself, which is exposed on the top side of the brim of the helmet. Item A-12 shows the internal antenna attached to the electronics pack, which transmits to the receiver. The battery pack is located on the opposite end of the electronics pack from the antenna and it is connected to the electronics pack by flexible wires and shown as item A13. Item A14 shows the shock absorbing protective foam located between the suspension harness and the inner shell of the helmet.
The receiving unit, which connects to the lap top computer to allow the safety officer to monitor the progress and safety of the fire fighter, is represented in FIG 6. The electronic wiring for the receiver is enclosed within the base B1 of the unit, with the receiving antenna located on the top flat surface and shown as item B2. Item B3 shows the cable, which extends from the receiving antenna unit to item B4, being the connecting socket, which attaches to the laptop so that the data received by the unit can be monitored in real time.
DEVICE
This invention relates to an extreme heat, flashover sensor and safety warning device, mounted within a firefighter's helmet, on the air-pack, or other suitable location on the firefighter's gear. It provides an early warning system to the firefighter in the case of extreme temperature increases or risks to the safety and well being of the firefighter. The alarm for the device can also be activated by an external source to notify the firefighter of impending danger or risk.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
There have been several different designs patented with the intent to monitor temperature or infrared energy in a firefighters operating environment. One such design monitors the temperature within the firefighters protective gear compared to the surrounding environment. This determines when it has become to hot inside the protective gear for a firefighter to safely operate. However, this does not provide early warning alarm for the occurrence of a flashover event, which can happen in seconds. Other devices generally come in two styles, either a handheld unit carried by a firefighter or a stationary unit placed in a fixed location. There are some negative aspects with these devices that restrict or limit the usability of the device for the firefighter. The handheld style of sensor device is physically held in the hand and the temperature/thermal energy can be monitored as a firefighter moves from place to place inside the area of operation. However this reduces the ability of the firefighter to do other duties, because one hand is limited to holding the sensor device. These devices are also not usually designed to specifically monitor for the potential of a flashover occurrence, which is vital to a firefighters survival. The stationary style of sensor unit is placed in a fixed location to monitor temperature/thermal energy fluctuations in the surrounding area. The limiting factor in this design is it only monitors the surrounding environment where it has been placed. If firefighters move into a forward area they are no longer being warned of temperature/thermal energy fluctuations, specifically a potential flashover occurrence, in their current location because this sensor device is now in a zone to the rear of their position, thereby reduces the firefighters level of safety. These devices also do not send valuable information about the external atmospheric exposure, that the firefighters are currently experiencing, to an outside data recorder being monitored by a safety officer, who can also activate the alarm system remotely to alert the firefighters or warn of an evacuation or retreat order.
Some of the previous temperature/thermal energy sensor system designs are:
Cited documents: US6317047 STEIN, MAHONEY
US5973602 COLE, RYAN
The current designs are not made to specifically provide a detection and warning system for the potential of extreme temperature increases leading up to a flashover occurrence. Nor do they provide frontline, hands-free monitoring and information data recording of the location the firefighters are operating in, wherever they move within the firefighting zone. These limitations and restrictions are solved by this current application.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention proposes to create an extreme heat and flashover safety warning device that will be able to be mounted inside the firefighters helmet, or on the air-pack, or any other suitable location on the firefighters gear. It includes a user-friendly external temperature sensor, which is easily replaceable, that connects to an internal sensory computer. The computer unit is mounted within the protective shell of helmet that continuously monitors the surrounding environment and also sends a signal to an outside source that is constantly monitored. The information is stored in a data recorder, for signs of hazard or risk to the individual firefighters.
There is also an easily accessible on/off switch that can be manipulated by a heavily gloved hand of a firefighter. The alarm is designed to activate at a pre-determined safe temperature, approximately 800 degrees Fahrenheit, before the conditions develop for a flashover occurrence to be possible. If the temperature rises above the pre-determined safe temperature mark, or a temperature conducive to creating a possible flashover, the audible and visual alarms will be activated automatically. If the safety officer determines that the surrounding environmental temperature indicates there is an increasing hazard to the inside firefighter team, and they need to leave the area, the safety officer can also set off the alarms by remote. The data recorder is able to monitor several individual firefighters sensors at one time. The electronics of the sensory unit inside the helmet will be easily accessible for maintenance and as well as for replacing the commonly available, disposable batteries which power the unit. The audible alarm will be mounted in a position to be easily heard and recognized. The device will also create a faint clicking noise at a pre-determined interval, that when turned on, will notify the firefighter that it is functioning properly. The temperature sensory unit will extend to the outside of the helmet into the heated environment, where it collects data on the external atmospheric exposure of the firefighter.
There are many benefits to this invention that are not addressed in current designs. This safety device informs firefighters of potential situations conducive to a flashover developing, therefore increasing the chance of survival and creating a safer working environment.
This device will help gauge the amount of heat exposure the firefighter is subjected to, thereby allowing the safety officer to determine exposure limits on an individual basis. The individual firefighter can also be alerted of the approaching extreme heat exposure limits, due to the device having an intermittent warning signal that activates when approaching the maximum heat exposure and time limits. The safety officer also has the ability to communicate an evacuation or retreat order by simply activating the alarm system of this device. Less experienced personnel involved in firefighting activities can be monitored more easily and the data recorded and tracked by more experienced personnel to help insure the safety of the firefighters. The data collection can be used to record the "time entered fire" to "actual time extinguished" as well as serve as a record for real timeline of fire benchmarks.
This gives the fire service the chance to develop a large library of sensory information about fire situations through the ability to record data from actual situations. The fire service would also have the ability to monitor the firefighters in real-time during training scenarios with this device built into each individual firefighters gear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation, showing a cross section of the interior of the Fireman's Helmet from a rear view, indicating the location and orientation of the device within the helmet.
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation, showing a cross section of the interior of the Fireman's Helmet the from a right side view, indicating the location and orientation of the device within the helmet.
FIG. 3 is a schematic representation, showing an interior view of the inside of the Fireman's Helmet from the bottom side, indicating the location and orientation of the device within the helmet.
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation, showing the Fireman's helmet from the top side and indicating the orientation and location of the device within the helmet.
FIG. 5 is a schematic representation, showing the various component parts of the Extreme Heat and Flashover warning device, which is mounted in the Fireman's Helmet.
FIG. 6 is a schematic representation, showing the receiving antenna apparatus and cable for connecting to a Lap top computer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
With reference to the accompanying Figures, a cross sectional representation of the interior of the Fireman's Helmet from a rear view is depicted in FIG. 1 and includes as part of the Helmet, an outer shell Al, then extending downward to the brim A2. A chin strap used to hold the Helmet securely is A3, with the clasp on the chin strap indicated as M. The fire resistant protective skirt of the helmet is shown as A5, and the suspension harness within the helmet is indicated as A6. The electronic pack for the Extreme Heat and Flashover Warning device is indicated as item A7, with the cable A8 extending down to the earpiece A9. Item A10 indicates the High Temperature sensing wire extending from the electronics pack down the inside of the interior of the helmet and out under the brim to the outer rim which encircles the outer edge of the brim and indicated as A-15. Item Al l indicates the High Temperature sensor itself, which is exposed on the top side of the brim of the helmet. Item A-12 shows the internal antenna attached to the electronics pack, which transmits to the receiver. The battery pack is located on the opposite end of the electronics pack from the antenna and it is connected to the electronics pack by flexible wires and shown as item A13. Item A14 shows the shock absorbing protective foam located between the suspension harness and the inner shell of the helmet.
The receiving unit, which connects to the lap top computer to allow the safety officer to monitor the progress and safety of the fire fighter, is represented in FIG 6. The electronic wiring for the receiver is enclosed within the base B1 of the unit, with the receiving antenna located on the top flat surface and shown as item B2. Item B3 shows the cable, which extends from the receiving antenna unit to item B4, being the connecting socket, which attaches to the laptop so that the data received by the unit can be monitored in real time.
Claims (11)
1) I claim a device as indicated in figure 5, which is designed to fit within the helmet of a firefighter or attached to the uniform or on the breathing apparatus of the firefighter.
2) I claim a device as indicated in figure 5, having an attached battery pack capable of powering the unit for a sufficient length of time, to continue the temperature sensing and warning signal process, for the time span required during fire suppression.
3) I claim a device as indicated in figure 5, containing an electronic package designed to monitor the extremely high heat temperatures which occur in the atmosphere surrounding a Firefighter during the course of his duties while performing his function as a search and rescue personnel.
4) I claim a device as in claim #3, containing an electronic package designed to generate a warning signal to be audible to the firefighter once the upper limit of the extreme external temperatures are approached, and or surpassed.
5) I claim a device as indicated in figure 5, having a high heat sensing wire which extends to the exterior of the helmet in this example to sense the extreme heat changes.
6) I claim a device as indicated in figure 5, having an antenna attached, designed to send the information gathered by the sensing device to an external unit, which is monitored by a safety officer overseeing the firefighter response to the incident.
7) I claim a device as indicated in figure 5, having an antenna attached, designed to receive a warning signal generated by the Safety officer who is monitoring the devices sensory information and well as the overall fire action taking place on the scene.
8) I claim a device as indicated in figure 5, having an ear piece attached to the electronics package and situated in a fashion suitable to allow the firefighter to hear a warning signal originating from the device, either generated from the heat sensing device itself or initiated by the Safety Officer monitoring the overall fire action.
9) I claim a device as in figure 5, which has as part of the unit, a receiving antenna as in figure 6, which utilizes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port cable to facilitate attachment to a lap top computer being monitored by the Safety Officer outside of the safety hazard area.
10) I claim a device as in figure 5, which is designed to transmit real time information during a fire suppression/fire rescue operation to a laptop computer, to be stored in a comprehensive data base, thus providing vital training information of active fire suppression activities.
11) I claim a device as indicated in figure 5, having contained within the electronic package, the ability to provide the firefighter with an audible clicking sound, through the ear piece, when activated, to verify to the firefighter that his or her particular unit is functioning.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2588299 CA2588299A1 (en) | 2007-04-20 | 2007-04-20 | Extreme heat and flashover safety warning device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2588299 CA2588299A1 (en) | 2007-04-20 | 2007-04-20 | Extreme heat and flashover safety warning device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2588299A1 true CA2588299A1 (en) | 2008-10-20 |
Family
ID=39876361
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2588299 Abandoned CA2588299A1 (en) | 2007-04-20 | 2007-04-20 | Extreme heat and flashover safety warning device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2588299A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9747760B2 (en) | 2015-02-10 | 2017-08-29 | International Business Machines Corporation | Safety equipment criteria verification |
-
2007
- 2007-04-20 CA CA 2588299 patent/CA2588299A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9747760B2 (en) | 2015-02-10 | 2017-08-29 | International Business Machines Corporation | Safety equipment criteria verification |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |