Service panel with microprocessor

Abstract

A service panel for controlling at least one utility actuator to control the availability of a utility comprises a covered enclosure having an exterior region and an interior region, at least one readily accessible utility control providing ON and OFF request signals and a limited access control in the exterior region providing a temporary activate signal. The service panel has a controller and data storage programmed with code and data and control circuitry providing an “ON” control signal to the at least one utility actuator to switch the at least one utility actuator to the “ON” state, and the control circuitry providing an “OFF” control signal to the at least one utility actuator to switch the at least one utility actuator to an OFF state, the control circuitry further providing a re-key signal to the at least one actuator in response to activation of a switch.

Description

[0001]This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 004,671, filed on Jan. 11, 2011, entitled “Service Panel with Microprocessor”, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application No. 61 / 295,948, filed on Jan. 18, 2010, entitled “Service Panel with Utility Controller,” and which also claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 310,491, filed Dec. 5, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,757,589, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]This invention relates to controlling utility services within buildings and more particularly to the control of such utility services. As examples, control of utility services within buildings is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,587 granted to Geoffrey P. Brown on Dec. 7, 1993 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,619 granted to Thomas G. Barnum, et al., on Jul. 19, 1994. Plumbing and electrical service within commercial and / or public building structures is typically required to be provided with a means of control so that i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a control device that allows one person to turn on and off different circuits that control equipment, while others can only turn off those circuits. This approach ensures safety in the workplace. The control device can also be integrated with building automation systems, making it easy to control and operate the device using electronic inputs from those systems.

Problems solved by technology

On the other hand, when a service is not needed, the switch remains in the OFF position and access is denied.

However, there are several disadvantages associated with this type of control means.

If an emergency arises, it may be virtually impossible to close the valve within a short period of time.

However, with these described restrictions to access, if an emergency arises it would become necessary for the instructor to first unlock the containment area before the switch could be turned OFF and the service deactivated.

Also, if the instructor were to be called away from the classroom momentarily, then there would be no means of quickly deactivating the service in the event of an emergency.

Not only would this configuration create a potential hazard, but also it restricts future repositioning and arrangement of the classroom.

If any emergency arose during these times, then the possibility of a catastrophe is increased.

More specifically, if the service was not deactivated, and near the end of the school day a student inadvertently leaves a cold water faucet opened at a sink, that has a clogged drain that prevents the drainage of the water from the sink, by the beginning of the next school day a tremendous amount of water damage could occur within the classroom.

Further, if the event occurred prior to an extended weekend or holiday, then this damage could likely extend to the entire school.

An even more dangerous situation would exist if a gas valve was left open.

The results of such an event could be catastrophic.

Though this “EMS” does have the capability to regulate time intervals when services can be activated, there may not exist a common link between the “EMS” and the activating switches for science classroom services.

However, every instance that at first appears to be an emergency situation may not actually be an emergency.

Images