EP3312815B1 - Monitoring and alert system for fireplaces - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a monitoring and warning system for fireplaces.

Warning systems for fires caused by fireplaces are known. Out US 4,916 . 436 is a device for warning the homeowner of unsafe temperatures in the chimney of a wood or a coal stove, and therefore is known to emit an alarm against a possible fire that could be caused by creosote.

This device gives only one alarm for a heat in a local area and the signal is given only to a person present in the house and only at the moment when the critical limit of the temperature has already been exceeded. If a single thermocouple is present, it can not give an alarm if the device is damaged.

Other systems are for example in from CA 2849666 and the US 5,153,516 known. These publications also describe monitoring systems with extinguishing systems included.

These publications do not provide for placement of monitoring devices and their redundancy in hazardous areas.

The GB 2 483 883 describes a warning system for fireplaces in buildings, comprising at least one control unit, at least two heat sensors connected to this control unit and at least one display system. The control unit also includes means for relaying the indication. The publication GB 2 483 883 does not teach the verification of proper measurement of the temperature of the probes. This is a resource cost and causes false alarms. The system of GB 2 483 883 also notifies only the moment the band breaks out and does not warn against it.

The US 2014/043167 describes a warning system for a stove and a chimney within a house. This publication describes the use of multiple sensors, but not in the same range, and therefore can not detect potential malfunction and / or faulty or missing signaling or there is no comparison between the probes. Moreover, the probes are the US 2014/043167 used to improve combustion within the furnace / flue and not to indicate a potential fire hazard.

The US 2016/0260318 describes a control circuit connected to sensors, in this publication not the Positioning a series of sensors of the same kind is taught to check for possible errors.

The object of the present invention is to provide a smoke detector monitoring and alarm system which notifies the user of an increased risk of fire, preventing fire initiation and / or enabling timely intervention to prevent damage, with lower energy consumption and with less error signals,

This object is achieved by a system according to the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

The system according to the invention consists of at least three heat detection sensors, of which at least three are arranged in the same area in the intersection region between flue and supports on the outer circumference of the flue. In this way, the installation of existing flues is easy, since the positioning is less invasive. The system includes at least one control unit where all the data from the thermal sensors are prepared and recorded. The connection between control unit and sensors can be wireless or via cable.

In the system according to the invention at least two thermal sensors may be present, which are preferably two thermostats with the function of the power switch of the entire system. As soon as one of the two heat sensors exceeds a limit value of a predetermined temperature, for example a value of 40 °, the entire system is switched on and the measurements of at least one further heat probe are preferably started by at least three further heat probes.

If at least two sensors detect a temperature above 110 ° C., the control unit transmits at least one optical and / or acoustic signal and at least one data signal, sends at least one SMS to a user determined in advance, for example to a fire station or a chimney sweep.

Preferably, the two thermal sensors may be thermostats that are always on and turn on the system as soon as a threshold temperature is exceeded, for example, 40 °. After exceeding the limit temperature of 40 °, the system in particular turns on the control unit and the other sensors and the measurements are preferably started by at least three heat sensors / probes, which are more accurate and positioned in the same area of the flue and the exact temperature Forward control unit, the Temperature history can save. In this way, the entire system remains rigidly below 40 °. If exceeded, it will be turned on and may also send the message to the user to inform him that the system is on.

The system according to the invention is preferably powered by batteries. Should the batteries reach a predetermined minimum charge, the system will send a visual and / or audible signal and provide at least one data signal, for example, send an SMS to a given user, for example the homeowner or the chimney sweep.

The system also has inside it a self-diagnostic device which checks the operation of all connected sensors / probes. In the case where one or more sensors / probes are faulty or damaged, the system will send a visual and / or audible signal and at least one data signal, for example send SMS to a given user, for example the homeowner, for the failure and / or report bugs. The error of a probe is detected, for example, as soon as the detected value differs by 20 ° from the other sensors / probes. This verification can be ensured thanks to the positioning of the sensors in the same area and that at least three sensors as soon as they are switched on, the temperatures compare.

The system also has a smoke detector. In this way, fires that originate from other positions can also be detected.

In a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention may also comprise a device for measuring the presence of soot and for measuring the soot thickness.

This measurement is carried out via known ultrasound systems, etc. This measurement allows the soot thickness to be detected. As the thickness increases, so does the risk of fire in the flue.

If the measuring device detects a critical soot thickness, the system will send an alarm signal. After this, a simple cleaning reduces the risk of fire.

Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of a preferred, non-limiting, illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiment. It shows:
FIG. 1 schematically in a vertical section a building with a system according to the invention.

In FIG. 1 a building is indicated by the reference numeral 100. Within the building 100 is a chimney 10. This chimney 10 is formed by a chimney 11. The chimney 10 passes through beams 20 and other elements of the building 100. In these passageways there is a greater risk that a fire due to overheating of the flue 11 is triggered.

The heat generated by a fire is transmitted through the chimney wall 12 and overheats the carrier 20, especially if it is made of wood and causes a fire.

The system according to the invention is formed by a control unit 1, which is connected via cables or without cables to sensors or sensors 2, 7, 3. These sensors may be two thermostats 7, which may be positioned in contact with the chimney wall 12 in the position where contact between the chimney and the supports 20 of the building 100 is in an approximate position. The system is also connected to at least one further heat sensor 2, preferably three further sensors 2, which are also positioned in the same area. The system also has a data communication and recording device, for example, a device to send SMS. As soon as at least one of the two thermostats / sensors 7 a temperature above 40 °, the system is switched on. In particular, the control unit with at least three heat sensors 2, which detect the heat history. In this way, the system consumes little energy in the period when the fireplace is not used. The system may also send a data message, for example an SMS that is on. As soon as the probes / sensors 2 detect a temperature above 110 °, the system sends an SMS message or other data messages, for example. The SMS messages can be sent to a mobile device 4, for example, the owner and / or a fixed monitoring station 5, for example to the fire department or to the chimney sweep.

In a further embodiment, the system comprises at least one device for measuring the soot thickness 6 in the flue 11. The measurement is advantageously carried out at the level of the passage of the fireplace through the support 20 of the building 100.

The system can also continuously record the total measurements of the probes / sensors 2. In this way, in a fire, the cause of the same can be detected more easily.

The system according to the invention also has a device for emitting acoustic and / or visual signals of the kind that any persons present in the house are informed when the predetermined limit of the temperature is exceeded.

These SMS messages and audible and visual signals are already sent as soon as a critical value is exceeded, even only as soon as the risk of fire exists. In this way, the damage of a fire can be avoided or significantly reduced.

In this way, the owner can give the order for the cleaning of the fireplace by removing the soot present in the fireplace 10. This allows the fire brigade with invasive surgery not to claim, but to prevent the risk of fire by a simple chimney cleaning.

In the same optics, the device for detecting the soot 6 is present in a preferred embodiment. This device 6 measures the soot thickness, for example, via ultrasound or other systems of a known type. The measurements are carried out within predefined time intervals. The result of the measurement is compared with previous data.

In a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention comprises at least five sensors / probes for measuring the temperature 2, 7, which are positioned on the outer wall 12 of the chimney 10 in the intersection area with components 20 of the building 100. In this way, only if at least two sensors / probes 2 give an alarm, alarm signals via SMS and figuratively. In this way any false alarms are avoided.

In particular, an alarm is given when at least two sensors / probes 2 measure a temperature above 110 ° C. If only one single probe measures the exceedance of the limit value and the measurement is more than 20 ° different than the other sensors / probes, then no fire alarm is given, but an error signal is sent. This is because the sensors / probes are positioned close to each other and the temperature must be almost equal.

In this way, the owner or the managing company of the system and / or the chimney sweep and not the fire department is notified. This avoids false alarms.

The car diagnostic system not only measures the temperature difference but also the charge level of the battery. If the charge level of the battery is below a predetermined level, then the system administrator, the chimney sweep and / or the Owners communicated the need to change the battery.

The system according to the invention comprises an auto-diagnostic system of heat, for example the thermostat 7, which sends data as soon as one of the two thermostats 7 does not close the contact fixed at the predetermined temperature of 40 °.

In a preferred embodiment, the entire system can be integrated into an alarm system. In this way, the same alarm signaling means can be used. Advantageously, the type of acoustic, pictorial signal, etc., alternates between a possible fire and burglary / theft.

Clearly, if the heat probes / thermal sensors 2 detect a temperature below 40 ° C, the heat probes / heat sensors 2 are turned off and it remains only the heat probe / n / heat sensor / s / thermostat 7 is turned on. Advantageously, the heat probes / thermal sensors 2 are switched off at a temperature below 35 ° C in order to avoid a repeated switching on / off at the temperature of 40 °.

Finally, it is clear that the surveillance and warning system for Chimneys natural additions, changes and variants can be made without thereby departing from the scope defined by the appended claims.

List of reference numbers

1

control unit

2

Heat probes / heat sensors

4

Mobile device / mobile phone

5

Fixed monitoring station

6

Rußerfassungsvorrichtung

7

Heat probes / heat sensors / thermostats

10

fireplace

11

flue

12

chimney wall

20

Carrier / building element

100

building

Claims (10)

1. Monitoring and warning system for fireplaces in buildings (100) comprising at least one controller (1), at least three heat sensors (2) connected to the controller, at least one acoustic or visual warning device, wherein the controller (1) comprises data transmitting means and data recording means, characterized in that the three sensors (2) are placed close together on the outer wall of a fireplace (12) at the intersection between the fireplace (10) and a beam / construction member (20) of the building (100) and at least one sensor (7), when measuring a temperature above 40°C, turns on at least one additional sensor and the controller, and in that the controller sends data as soon as at least two sensors (7) sense that a predetermined level of 110°C has been exceeded or a difference of more than 20° exists between the sensors (7), and in that the controller (1) comprises a self-test system which sends data as soon as measurement difference between one sensor (2) and the other two sensors (2) exceeds 20°.
2. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the two sensors (7) turn on at least three additional sensors if they measure a temperature above 40°C.
3. A monitoring system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system is powered by at least one battery.
4. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the self-test system sends data when it detects that the state of charge of the battery is below a predetermined limit value.
5. A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data signal is a SMS.
6. A monitoring system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (1) comprises a self-test system for the sensors or thermostats (7) that sends data as soon as one of the two thermostats dos not close the contact at the predetermined temperature of 40°.
7. A monitoring system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat sensors (7) are two thermostats (7).
8. A monitoring system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entire system is integrated in an anti-theft alarm system.
9. A monitoring system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that if the temperature probes heat/heat sensors (2) detect a temperature below 40°C, the temperature probes/heat sensors (2) turn off, with the thermostat/s (7) being still on, and a data signal, e.g. a SMS, is sent.
10. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 9, characterized in if the temperature is below 35°C, the temperature probes/heat sensors (2) are turned off with the thermostat/s being still on.

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