NL2008811C2

NL2008811C2 - CONTROLLING A CO CONCENTRATION.

Info

Publication number: NL2008811C2
Application number: NL2008811A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Arie Schuurkamp; Hendrik Schouls
Original assignee: Schenso
Priority date: 2012-05-14
Filing date: 2012-05-14
Publication date: 2013-11-18

Description

Controlling a CO-concentration

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

5 The present invention is in the field of controlling a CO-concentration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to amongst others to a CO-detector. A carbon monoxide detector or CO detector detects 10 presence of carbon monoxide (CO) gas e.g. in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. It is noted that CO is a colorless and odorless compound typically produced by incomplete combustion. It is virtually undetectable without using a detection technology. Both elevated levels of CO and smaller concentra-15 tions should be prevented in view of human health. Therefor a CO-concentration in a building, such as a house, should be controlled.

CO detectors are designed to measure CO levels over time and sound an alarm before dangerous levels of CO accumu-20 late in an environment, giving people adequate warning to safely ventilate the area or evacuate. Some system-connected detectors also alert a monitoring service that can dispatch emergency services if necessary.

It is noted that a CO detector can not detect smoke 25 and vice versa. Dual smoke/CO detectors exist.

Such a CO-detector per se is known in the prior art. Various documents recite such detectors.

For instance TW 201035914 recites a carbon monoxide alarm and control system for use in a gas water heater.

30 Some documents, such as WO 2011068273, recite a gas safety management system activating an automatic fire extinguisher when there are indications of abnormalities such as a fire or leakage of gas.

Some documents recite detectors, but no regulation 35 and/or feedback.

Some prior art systems need to be coupled directly to a heating device, i.c. being in close vicinity or even inside thereof. Detection of CO is therefore provided in a space where typically no human beings are present.

40 Some prior art documents recite very generic concepts 2 of CO-detection.

Some prior art documents do not provide a feedback or a limited feedback and are limited to detection of CO per se.

Some prior art documents recite CO-detection, but de-5 tection is marginal or sub-optimal. It is noted that installation locations vary e.g. by manufacturer and by specific detector. Such is prone to mistakes.

The present invention therefore relates to a detector system, a system, use of a detector system and a method 10 wherein one or more of the above disadvantages are overcome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method of controlling a CO-concentration according to claim 10, a detector system according to claim 1, and use of said detector system.

15 The present invention therefor provides a gas safety management system, regulation and/or feedback, detection of CO in a space where human beings are or may be present, as well as improved detection of CO.

The present detector system provides an accurate 20 measurement of a CO-concentration, further providing a concentration-time function. The present detector is very sensitive, capable of detecting CO concentrations of about 20 ppm. It is adapted to provide an alarm at a low concentration of e.g. about 100 parts per million after about 15 minutes. At a 25 higher concentration, e.g. of 500 parts per million (ppm), it is adapted to provide an alarm e.g. within a one minute or less. If the concentration increases rapidly (such as a multiple concentration level, such as tenfold) also an alarm may be provided much quicker. The present sensor takes into account a 30 presumed uptake of carbon monoxide in a human body. The present sensor cab further be provided with a threshold, e.g. in order to prevent a false alarm. The present sensor may relate to an electrochemical, an infrared sensor and a semiconductor sensor.

35 The present switching device is activated by the CO- sensor. Upon activation the switching device transmits feedback using a wireless transmitter. The feedback is received by a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver is adapted to control CO-release, e.g. by communicating with a fuel consuming 40 burner, such as a gas supply. By accurately measuring a CO- 3 concentration, and monitoring a change therein, the burner may be provided with extra oxygen or air, and/or may reduce a fuel input into the burner, in order to reduce a CO-concentration, or may be shut down all together.

5 At all times wireless communication needs to be pre sent. Thereto a controller is provided.

In case of malfunction of the present system and/or unwanted CO-concentration the present alarm is activated.

As such, the present invention solves one or more of 10 the above mentioned problems, providing further advantages as described throughout the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, the invention relates to a detector system, comprising: 15 a carbon monoxide sensor module comprising a carbon monoxide sensor, a transceiver for wireless communication, an electrical power supply, and a microprocessor, 20 a switching device comprising a transceiver for wireless communication, an electrical power supply, a means for controlling a fuel burner, and a microprocessor, 25 a communication controller for establishing presence or absence of wireless communication between the sensor module and switching device, and an alarm, the alarm being adapted to be activated by the sensor and by the controller 30 wherein the carbon monoxide sensor module is adapted to activate the switching device.

In an example a light indicator, such as a LED, is set to be green, i.e. "safe". Initially the system may be asleep. After a time interval has lapsed the CO-concentration 35 and temperature are measured. If these are within predetermined limits a wireless signal is provided to the present switching device and the system returns to sleep. If these are not within limits the light indicator switches to "unsafe", e.g. by providing a red LED. The system may be reset by press-40 ing a button provided thereto. As such the system is reset by 4 providing a wireless signal; as a consequence the above sequence starts again. If the system is not reset the light indicator remains e.g. red. An RF receiver in stand-by mode receives a wireless signal. The signal may trigger a repeat of 5 the CO- and temperature measurement and it triggers determination of the measurement being within the predetermined limits. If so the system goes back to asleep, in the other case an alarm may be triggered. At the same time the communication with the system is checked. If the communication can be estab-10 lished the receiver may go to sleep, or not, depending on the measurement above. If there is no communication the receiver needs to be reset, or re-activated, and the sequence starts again. If the alarm is activated the system it can be deactivated. A user then needs to judge the situation, e.g. is the 15 alarm justified or not by circumstances.

The measurement may also be used to provide more oxygen to a (gas) burner. Likewise the burner may be shut down all together, e.g. by closing a gas supply valve.

In an example of the present detector system the carbon monox-20 ide sensor and the switching device are spaced apart at least 3 meters, preferably at least 5 meters, more preferably at least 7 meters. As noted above correct placement of the present CO-sensor further improves the feedback, e.g. in terms of number of limited false alarms and/or correct alarms, e.g. in 25 view of a CO-concentration. It is very important not to provide a false alarm, as the present system should be reliable; otherwise there is a risk a user will not react anymore or too late to an alarm. On the other hand, the present system is adapted to provide an alarm once a certain concentration of CO 30 is exceeded, and/or when a concentration is too high over a period of time, the first mentioned concentration being optionally higher than the second mentioned one. Thereto the sensor and receiver are spaced apart, preferably over a large distance of e.g. 7 meters or more. As such fluctuations and/or 35 relatively high CO-concentrations close to a fuel burner, e.g. due to statistical fluctuations and/or sub-optimal functioning of the burner, do not cause a false alarm.

In an example of the present detector system the carbon monoxide sensor is placed at a height of at least one me-40 ter, preferably at least 1.5 meters, the height being taken 5 relative to a floor or the like. It has been found experimentally that the sensor is preferably placed at a height of at least one meter, the height closely correlating with CO-uptake by a human being, especially an adult human being. Also a 5 situation of a building/room can be taken into account. When a user of a room is typically seated it has been found that a somewhat lower location is preferred.

In an example of the present detector system the carbon monoxide sensor further comprises a regulator for deter-10 mining intervals between measurements. The regulator preferably uses an algorithm providing intervals (in minutes) being proportional to an inverse of the square of the CO-concentration (in 100 ppm)(time (minutes) ~ c/[C0]2 (100 ppm)), the constant c being 0.1-10. The constant can be set, 15 according to regulations, circumstances, etc. Settings used for c were 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 respectively.

In an example of the present detector system the alarm comprises one or more of an optical alarm, such as a light, such as a LED, an acoustical alarm, such as a speaker 20 and a buzzer, a tastant release device, an odor release device, and a vibrator, and/or wherein the alarm is located in one or more of the sensor module, switching device, living, sleeping room, and burner. As such the present system can be adapted to a user, e.g. a blind person can be provided with an 25 acoustic signal, a blind and deaf person with a vibration, etc. Especially providing an odor or tastant can be very advantageous, as such can be noticed quickly. Also an amount of odor or tastant as well as an intensity of light and sound can be scaled with a CO-concentration, e.g. a more penetrable odor 30 at a higher concentration. The present system may be provided with more than one alarm, each alarm being in communication with the switching device. For instance the switching device, the CO-sensor, a living room, a sleeping room, a kitchen, a location of a burner, etc. may all comprise an alarm.

35 In an example of the present detector system it fur ther comprises one or more of a memory, such as a RAM, a ROM, a DRAM, and a DROM, a power circuit, an amplifier, a temperature sensor, a microprocessor, one or more electrical filters, a connector, a power supply, and a transceiver.

40 The memory can be used to store data, and to store 6 one or more protocols, optionally to be selected. A protocol may determine when feedback is to be provided. A power circuit is provided to ensure the present system can function as a stand alone system and provide wireless communication. Typi-5 cally a battery or the like may be used. If a battery is used typically an low power indicator is provided.

In order to calibrate a CO-concentration also a temperature sensor may be provided.

Typically one or more microprocessors may be pro-10 vided, in order to execute various functions.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to a system for controlling CO-release comprising a detector system according to the present invention, and a fuel consuming burner, such as a gas burner for a central heating system.

15 Thereto the present detector is in communication with a burner. The present detector and/or components thereof is preferably integrated into a fuel burner, such as a gas burner.

In an example of the present system it further com-20 prises a shut-down valve, a ventilator, an adjustable fuel gas supply valve, such as a needle valve, wherein the switching device provides feedback for one or more of the valves and ventilator. It is preferred to be able to shut a fuel burner down. Thereto a shut-down valve is provided. As a safety 25 mechanism the shut down valve may close automatically upon absence of feedback. It is also preferred to adjust fuel input, e.g. by a needle valve, to be activated and regulated by the present switching device. The switching device may also activate a ventilator, e.g. in order to provide extra air/oxygen 30 to the burner.

In a third aspect the present invention relates to a use of the detector system of one or more of the preceding claims to control a CO-level and/or identifying burning efficiency of a fuel burner.

35 In a fourth aspect the present invention relates to a method of controlling a CO-concentration, comprising the steps of measuring a first CO-concentration, determining a variable time interval between a first 40 and a second measurement, wherein the length of the time in- 7 terval is at least based on the CO-concentration, such that a relatively higher CO-concentration leads to a relatively shorter time interval, and measuring a second CO-concentration.

5 In an example of the present method a switching de vice is activated after receiving a number of CO-concentration inputs from a CO-sensor, wherein the measured CO-concentration determines the number of CO-concentration measurements and/or the variable time interval.

10 In an example of the present method presence or ab sence of wireless communication is established by a communication controller at least once per five minutes, preferably at least once per minute, such as every 10 seconds, and wherein when absence is established presence or absence of wireless 15 communication is preferably established again, preferably within one minute, more preferably within 10 seconds, such as within 1 second.

In an example of the present method an alarm is activated by one or more of the controller, CO-sensor and a 20 switching device.

The present invention also relates to combinations of the above exemplary embodiments.

The invention although described in detailed explanatory context may be best understood in conjunction with the 25 accompanying figures.

EXAMPLES

The invention is further detailed by the Figures, which are exemplary and explanatory of nature and are not limiting the scope of the invention. To the person skilled in the 30 art it may be clear that many variants, being obvious or not, may be conceivable falling within the scope of protection, defined by the present claims.

SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS

Figures la and lb show functional details of an exam-35 pie of a CO sensor module and a switching device, respectively.

Figures 2a and 2b show details of an example of a CO sensor module and a switching device, respectively.

8

DETAILS OF DRAWINGS

In fig. la in a CO sensor module (10) a power supply unit (11) provides power to a microprocessor (12), a transceiver (13), a serial port (14), a temperature sensor (15), a 5 CO sensor (19) and an amplifier (16). The transceiver preferably operates at a relative high freguency, e.g. of 2.4 GHz.

The microprocessor may activate or deactivate an alarm, such as one or more LED's (17a, 17b, 17c). The temperature sensor provides temperature input to the microprocessor. The trans-10 ceiver provides input to the microprocessor and vice versa.

Further a reset (18), such as a button, is provided for resetting the microprocessor.

In fig. lb in a switching device (20)a power supply unit (21) provides power to a microprocessor (22), a transceiver (23), 15 and an alarm (29), such as a buzzer. Further a safety relais (24), a power supply attached to the power grid (25) and a connection to a gas burner (26) or the like may be provided. The transceiver preferably operates at a relative high frequency, e.g. of 2.4 GHz. The microprocessor may activate or 20 deactivate a further alarm, such as one or more LED's (27a, 27b, 27c). The transceiver provides input to the microprocessor and vice versa.

The transceiver (23) of the sensor module may communicate with the transceiver of the switching module (23), and 25 vice versa. Thereto the transceivers operate at the same frequency.

The switching device may further comprise a regulator (22a), which may be incorporated in the microprocessor.

In figs. 2a and 2b further details of figs, la and lb 30 are provided respectively. Therein examples of various components are provided. The components used in figs 2a and 2b are attached as figs. 3al-2 and 3bl-2, respectively.

Claims

A CO release control detector comprising: a CO sensor module comprising a carbon monoxide sensor module, a wireless communication transceiver, an electrical supply, and a microprocessor, a switching device comprising a wireless communication transceiver, an electrical power supply , a means for controlling a fuel burner, and a microprocessor, a communication controller for determining the presence or absence of wireless communication between the sensor module and switching device, and an alarm, wherein the alarm is arranged to be activated by the sensor and the controller, wherein the carbon monoxide sensor module is adapted to activate the switching device.

Detector according to claim 1, wherein the carbon monoxide sensor and the switching device are situated at a mutual distance of at least 3 m, preferably at least 5 meters, more preferably at least 7 meters.

Detector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carbon monoxide sensor is placed at a height of at least one meter, preferably at least 1.5 meters.

4. Detector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the carbon monoxide sensor further comprises a controller 30 for determining intervals between measurements.

5. Detector as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the alarm comprises one or more of an optical alarm, such as a lamp, for example an LED, an acoustic alarm, for example a loudspeaker and a buzzer, a flavoring delivery device , a fragrance delivery device odor, and a vibrator, and / or wherein the alarm is placed in one or more of the sensor module, switch device, living room, bedroom, and burner.

6. Detector according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more of a memory, such as a RAM, a ROM, a DRAM, and a DROM a circuit, an amplifier, a temperature sensor, a microprocessor, one or more electrical filters, and a connector.

7. System for controlling CO release comprising a detector according to one or more of the preceding claims and a fuel consumption burner, such as a gas burner for a central heating.

8. System as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a closing valve, a fan, an adjustable fuel gas supply valve, such as a needle valve, wherein the switching device provides feedback for one or more of the valves and fan 15.

Use of the detector of one or more of claims 1-7 to control a CO level and / or to identify combustion efficiency of a fuel burner.

10. A method for controlling a CO concentration, comprising the steps of measuring a first CO concentration, determining a variable time interval between a first and a second measurement, the length of the time interval being based at least on the CO concentration, such that a relatively higher CO concentration leads to a relatively short time interval and to measure a second CO concentration.

11. Method as claimed in claim 10, wherein a switching device is switched on after a number of CO concentration introduction of a CO sensor, wherein the measured CO concentration determines the number of CO concentration measurements and / or the variable time interval.

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the presence or absence of wireless communication is determined by a communication controller at least once every five minutes, preferably at least once per minute, for example every 10 seconds, and wherein when absence has been established presence or absence of wireless communication is again determined, preferably within a minute, more preferably within 10 seconds, such as within 1 second.

A method according to any one of claims 10-12, wherein an alarm signal is activated by one or more of the controller, CO sensor and a switching device.