CA2921709A1 - Hazardous gas response system - Google Patents

Hazardous gas response system Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2921709A1
CA2921709A1 CA2921709A CA2921709A CA2921709A1 CA 2921709 A1 CA2921709 A1 CA 2921709A1 CA 2921709 A CA2921709 A CA 2921709A CA 2921709 A CA2921709 A CA 2921709A CA 2921709 A1 CA2921709 A1 CA 2921709A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
house
hvac
air
carbon monoxide
thermostat
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
Application number
CA2921709A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Sobhan Etemadi
Arthur K. L. Lin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sobie Systems Inc
Original Assignee
Isobie
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Isobie filed Critical Isobie
Priority to CA2921709A priority Critical patent/CA2921709A1/en
Publication of CA2921709A1 publication Critical patent/CA2921709A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F7/00Ventilation
    • F24F7/04Ventilation with ducting systems, e.g. by double walls; with natural circulation
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/30Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/30Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
    • F24F11/32Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
    • F24F11/39Monitoring filter performance
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/70Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/02Ducting arrangements
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/50Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
    • F24F11/52Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2110/00Control inputs relating to air properties
    • F24F2110/50Air quality properties
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2110/00Control inputs relating to air properties
    • F24F2110/50Air quality properties
    • F24F2110/65Concentration of specific substances or contaminants
    • F24F2110/72Carbon monoxide
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02BCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/70Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

A hazardous gas response system is a home safety device used for monitoring and responding to the house air quality and health of the HVAC system. The device has the capability to override any thermostat upon detection of hazardous gas and signal an alarm through the ventilation ducts. A user friendly lighting interface classifies carbon monoxide concentrations using three indication levels. In addition, the invention monitors the air filter and evaporator coil conditions using the lighting interface and indicates the need to change the air filter and/or clean the evaporator coil. The device is connected through the heat/cool line of the HVAC system to override the thermostat in the event of dangerous levels of hazardous gas. The sound waves propagate inside the ventilation system and are delivered across the entire house. Air properties are measured inside the ventilation ducts to determine the health of the evaporator coil and air filter.

Description

TITLE: Hazardous Gas Response System A. Field of the Invention The invention relates to indoor air quality monitoring and response systems, more specifically, the detection and reduction of hazardous gas, chemicals, and airborne bacteria in a home environment.
B. Description of Prior Art The concept of a hazardous gas detector systems for indoor air quality monitoring is by no means novel. To address the continuing desire to improve home safety and prevent health risks associated with hazardous gas leaks, indoor airborne bacteria, and air pollutants various products are presented in the literature.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,379 B1; U.S. Pat. No. 9,030,330 B1; U.S. Pat. No.
8,803,696 B1; U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,141 B2; U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,352.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a product that monitors the HVAC air filter and/or condition of the evaporator coil. As a dirty air filter reduces the oxygen air flow to the HVAC heat exchanger, an increase in carbon monoxide levels occurs due to insufficient air inside the burning chamber.
This may result in increased carbon monoxide gas generation inside the furnace heat exchanger.
Prior arts do not monitor the condition of the air filter to ensure safe operating conditions of the HVAC system and reduce the likelihood of a carbon monoxide leak; due to a cracked heat exchanger as caused by furnace short-cycling. The inventive device includes a housing that comprises various sensors including a pressure sensor that is used to monitor the health of the HVAC air filter and evaporator coil. Furthermore, the present invention overrides any thermostat in the event of a hazardous gas leak. Prior art utilizes only the heat line to shut off the HVAC system which creates problems whereby only the furnace is shut off. If any hazardous gases or airborne pollutants exist inside in the ventilation ducts, they can be circulated throughout the house environment if the air conditioning system is turned on. Furthermore, upon detection of carbon monoxide, prior art does not address to reduce the levels of the said gas, but rather simply notify of its existence.
In these respects, the hazardous gas response system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of prior art. In so doing, provides an apparatus primarily developed for the monitoring of the HVAC air filter and evaporator coil. Furthermore, hazardous gas leaks such as carbon monoxide are identified at the source, thereby helping to reduce the effects of prolonged exposure to such hazardous gases. Furthermore, the system notifies when to change the air filter i.e. when it is dirty, to ensure optimal safe performance of the system; prior art set a predated notification schedule for changing the air filter, even though the filter may require being changed prior to the scheduled date. Lastly, carbon monoxide levels are reduced by injecting a catalyst into the HVAC system upon detection of a predetermined level of carbon monoxide, thereby reducing the chances of prolonged exposure to deadly levels of said gas.
C. Summary of the Invention In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in existing carbon monoxide detectors and in the prior art, the present invention provides a novel method of monitoring the HVAC air filter, while also providing a method to monitor and reduce carbon monoxide levels and trigger a warning alarm throughout the entirety of a house via a novel method.
The embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a housing with integrated sensors and a user interface for indicating the level of air pollutants and hazardous gas toxicity in a house. The housing extends into the ventilation duct to sample the air circulating through the house ventilation and HVAC system. Upon detection of predetermined levels of carbon monoxide, the system will notify that an HVAC service is required will attempting to reduce the levels of said gas and trigger a warning alarm if levels become threatening and detrimental to one's health. Furthermore, the invention notifies when to change the air filter and clean the evaporator coil based on the performance of the HVAC system.
D. Brief Description of the Drawings FIG 1 illustrates the electrical and mechanical interface between the invention and the home HVAC
system; with the focus on the air ventilation ducts. FIG 1 further depicts the electrical interface between the invention and the main HVAC power switch, thermostat, and the invention's response unit (ERU).
FIG 2 demonstrates the propagation of a sound signal throughout the home via the ventilation ducts, wherein said sound signal can be an alarm signal from the invention.
2 FIG 3 presents three stages for a carbon monoxide severity scale, wherein said scale uses a user friendly "Normal", "Caution", and "Critical" to define the appropriate level of carbon monoxide concentration.
FIG 4 shows an add-on unit of the invention as a sensor and alarm positioned at the registers and/or wall grills inside rooms throughout the house.
E. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS 1 through 4 thereof, a novel hazardous gas response system and concepts of an embodiment of the system and generally designated by the reference numeral 1 or 'Everest' will be described.
As best illustrated in FIGS 1 through 4, the invention 1 comprises a user interface as in FIG 3. The interface 2 has four lights 15, 16, 18, 19 indicating the state and health of the HVAC system and house air quality. Each of the four lights is labelled on the screen of the user interface, accordingly.
As viewed in FIG 1 the sensors 6, 7, 8 and audio speaker 3 are placed inside a probe that is positioned behind the user interface FIG 3. The probe is inserted into the ventilation duct above the coil 10 through a drilled hole on the side of duct. Four mounting holes 28, 29, 30, 31 are positioned on the front of the invention 1 to connect it to the duct using 4 screws. The Everest 1 is connected intermediate to the thermostat 20 through the Heat/Cool (R) line 21 and the control board 13.
The Everest 1, positioned inside the ventilation ducts, comprises a user friendly interface 2 to indicate the level of carbon monoxide present inside the house. Furthermore, 1 has an integrated audio system 3 to sound an alarm through the ventilation supply ducts 4 and ventilation return ducts upon detection of elevated levels of carbon monoxide gas or other air pollutants. Levels of said gas are detected using the carbon monoxide detector 6 and the presence of air pollutants and other hazardous gases are identified using the air quality sensor 7. The Everest 1 also comprises a pressure sensor 8 to monitor the performance of the HVAC air filter 9 and evaporator coil 10. In the event of a pressure drop, the "Service" light 18 will emit to notify the need for changing the air filter or cleaning a blocked evaporator coil. The Everest 1 is powered by one of 3 methods, a. back-up battery 11, b. power socket 12, and/or c. through the furnace control board 13 via a power line 14.
Upon "Normal" levels of carbon monoxide inside the home environment, the Everest 1 will light green 15. Upon predetermined elevated levels of carbon monoxide wherein said level are not immediately harmful to the human body, and indicated by an amber or yellow light 16, the Everest
3 Response Unit (ERU) 17 is activated to lower the carbon monoxide levels by introducing a catalyst into the HVAC system. During the operation of the ERU 17, blue "Service" light 18 and "Caution"
16 are emitted. If the levels of carbon monoxide pose an immediate health risk, the interface will emit "Critical" 19 and sound a warning alarm 3 through the ventilation supply
4 and return ducts 5.
Upon carbon monoxide detection level 19, the Everest 1 simultaneously overrides any HVAC
thermostat 20 through its Heat/Cool line 21 to shut down the entire HVAC
system. Alternatively, the Everest 1 may shut down the HVAC system through the main HVAC power switch 22 while maintaining power for the alarm through the back-up battery 11. The warning alarm 3 emitted by the Everest 1 is distributed into the rooms through the supply registers 23 and return grills 24. The registers have an embedded buzzer 25, and set of coloured lighting 26 that supplement the Everest 1 to provide additional indication of hazardous gases in specific rooms.
Furthermore, the register grills can act as a standalone system by incorporating sensors 27 to detect local hazardous gases at the registers and wall-grills in each room.
F. Applications and Benefits The invention disclosed herein applies to the monitoring of the health of HVAC
air filters and quality of air circulating in an indoor environment. It can be used in any house or indoor facility utilizing an HVAC system. Its benefits are in its capability to analyze the concentration of carbon monoxide at its source and take necessary measures to reduce the harmful effects of said gas until the system is repaired or, to shut down the entire HVAC system to ensure the hazardous gas is not circulated throughout the entirety of an indoor facility.
Further applications include the assessment and analysis of airborne chemicals (including pollens and bacteria) as well as other harmful gases such as Radon that are contained inside the ground and travel into homes through miniature cracks inside the building foundation. The proposed system can detect such health risks and provide a warning signal much quicker than traditional methods and also inform when to change and service the system to prevent such health risks from occurring in general.

Claims (22)

CLAIM S
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus overriding any thermostat control device, wherein said control device controls the HVAC system.
2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said apparatus monitors and analyzes air properties and the air quality in a house environment.
3. Said apparatus overriding the thermostat through the heat/cool (R) line.
4. Said apparatus drawing power from the HVAC control board.
5. Said apparatus drawing power from other external power sources.
6. External power sources as in claim 5, wherein the power source comprises a house power socket and/or battery.
7. An audible device located inside the ventilation ducts wherein said device propagates sound throughout the entire house from inside the ducts.
8. An audible device as in claim 7 wherein said device is connected to any system to propagate sound.
9. Said system as in claim 8, wherein said system is integrated with/into an apparatus as in claim 1.
10. User friendly indicator to visually display carbon monoxide gas concentrations in a house environment.
11. A user friendly indicator wherein said indicator comprises a carbon monoxie gas concentration rating scale as in "Normal", "Caution", and "Critical".
12. A user friendly indicator as in claim 11, wherein coloured lighting is used to enhance visualization.
13. As in claim 11 and claim 12, a classification method of said gas concentrations using light indicators.
14. An apparatus as in claim 1 comprising said light indicators as in claim 13.
15. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said apparatus can monitor and indicate when to change the HVAC air filter.
16. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said apparatus can indicate a clogged or dirty HVAC
evaporator coil.
17. A device (Everest Response Unit) helping to reduce the production of carbon monoxide gas generated by the furnace when a predetermined level of said gas is detected.
18. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is integrated with/into a device as in claim 17.
19. An add-on apparatus to claim 1, wherein said apparatus detects the air quality and air properties at floor registers (vents) and wall and ceiling grills inside a house.
20. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein said apparatus may or may not override the thermostat.
21. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein said apparatus is designed into said register or said grill.
22. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein said apparatus comprises an audible and/or visual alarm as in claim 7 and claim 10, respectively.
CA2921709A 2016-02-24 2016-02-24 Hazardous gas response system Abandoned CA2921709A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2921709A CA2921709A1 (en) 2016-02-24 2016-02-24 Hazardous gas response system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2921709A CA2921709A1 (en) 2016-02-24 2016-02-24 Hazardous gas response system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2921709A1 true CA2921709A1 (en) 2017-08-24

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2921709A Abandoned CA2921709A1 (en) 2016-02-24 2016-02-24 Hazardous gas response system

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CA (1) CA2921709A1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108151260A (en) * 2018-01-03 2018-06-12 西安鹏光环保科技有限责任公司 A kind of indoor harmful gas monitors system
CN111059688A (en) * 2019-12-17 2020-04-24 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 Self-cleaning control method and device based on air quality and intelligent box
US11636870B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2023-04-25 Denso International America, Inc. Smoking cessation systems and methods
US11760170B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2023-09-19 Denso International America, Inc. Olfaction sensor preservation systems and methods
US11760169B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2023-09-19 Denso International America, Inc. Particulate control systems and methods for olfaction sensors
US11813926B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2023-11-14 Denso International America, Inc. Binding agent and olfaction sensor
US11828210B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2023-11-28 Denso International America, Inc. Diagnostic systems and methods of vehicles using olfaction
US11881093B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2024-01-23 Denso International America, Inc. Systems and methods for identifying smoking in vehicles
US11932080B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2024-03-19 Denso International America, Inc. Diagnostic and recirculation control systems and methods

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108151260A (en) * 2018-01-03 2018-06-12 西安鹏光环保科技有限责任公司 A kind of indoor harmful gas monitors system
CN111059688A (en) * 2019-12-17 2020-04-24 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 Self-cleaning control method and device based on air quality and intelligent box
US11636870B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2023-04-25 Denso International America, Inc. Smoking cessation systems and methods
US11760170B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2023-09-19 Denso International America, Inc. Olfaction sensor preservation systems and methods
US11760169B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2023-09-19 Denso International America, Inc. Particulate control systems and methods for olfaction sensors
US11813926B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2023-11-14 Denso International America, Inc. Binding agent and olfaction sensor
US11828210B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2023-11-28 Denso International America, Inc. Diagnostic systems and methods of vehicles using olfaction
US11881093B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2024-01-23 Denso International America, Inc. Systems and methods for identifying smoking in vehicles
US11932080B2 (en) 2020-08-20 2024-03-19 Denso International America, Inc. Diagnostic and recirculation control systems and methods

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued

Effective date: 20210215