Self-test manual initiation device

Abstract

Described herein are self-test manual activation devices. A self-test manual activation device includes a switch configured to activate a fire alarm system, an actuator coupled to the switch and configured to activate the switch, and a controller configured to receive a command to test the self-test manual activation device and send a command to the actuator to activate the switch in response to receiving the command to test the self-test manual activation device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates in its entirety to self-testing manually started devices. Background Technology

[0002] Large facilities (e.g., buildings) such as commercial facilities, office buildings, and hospitals may have fire alarm systems that can be triggered during emergencies (e.g., fire) to warn occupants to evacuate. For example, a fire alarm system may include fire control panels located throughout the facility (e.g., on different floors and / or in different rooms), multiple fire sensing devices (e.g., smoke detectors), and multiple manually activated devices (e.g., manual alarm buttons or lever alarms) that can be triggered by occupants to notify other occupants of a fire via an alarm.

[0003] Maintaining a fire alarm system may include mandatory periodic testing of fire sensing and manual activation devices according to operating procedures to ensure their proper functioning. However, testing manual activation devices may involve isolating the fire alarm system or a section of it and placing it in test mode. This could compromise the safety of the building and its occupants, as occupants, maintenance engineers, and / or first responders cannot determine whether a real fire has occurred in the isolated area during testing. Attached Figure Description

[0004] Figure 1 A block diagram illustrating a self-test manual start device according to an embodiment of this disclosure is provided.

[0005] Figure 2 An example of a self-test manually starting device according to an embodiment of this disclosure is illustrated.

[0006] Figure 3 An example of a self-test manually starting device internally according to an embodiment of this disclosure is illustrated.

[0007] Figure 4 A block diagram of a fire control panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0008] Figure 5 A fire control system according to an embodiment of this disclosure is illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0009] This document describes a self-test manual activation device (e.g., an activation device). An activation device includes: a switch configured to activate a fire alarm system; an actuator coupled to the switch and configured to activate the switch; and a controller configured to receive a command for testing the activation device and send a command for activating the switch to the actuator in response to receiving the command for testing the activation device.

[0010] Previous activation devices required isolating the fire alarm system or the area of multiple activation devices including the fire alarm system to test a single activation device. If a fire breaks out during testing, this prevents the fire alarm system or the isolated area of the fire alarm system from detecting a real fire. Additionally, a person (e.g., a maintenance engineer and / or an operator) must manually test each activation device, e.g., by manually activating a switch or turning a key, which can be a difficult and time-consuming process.

[0011] In contrast, an activation device according to the present disclosure may include an actuator to activate the switch or turn the key in response to receiving a command for testing the activation device. Additionally, a single activation device may be placed in a test mode while the rest of the fire alarm system remains active to detect real fires. Thus, testing an activation device according to the present disclosure can be safer, easier, and / or faster than testing previous activation devices.

[0012] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings illustrate, by way of example, the manner in which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced.

[0013] These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and mechanical, electrical, and / or process changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0014] It should be appreciated that elements shown in the various embodiments herein may be added, exchanged, combined, and / or eliminated in order to provide several additional embodiments of the present disclosure. The proportions and relative dimensions of the elements provided in the drawings are intended to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be limiting.

[0015] The accompanying drawings herein follow the following numbering convention: one or more first digits correspond to the drawing number, and the remaining digits identify elements or components in the drawing. Similar elements or components between different drawings may be identified by using similar numbers. For example, 102 may refer to Figure 1 the element "02" in Figure 2 and a similar element may be referred to as 202 in

[0016] As used in this article, “one,” “a,” or “several” can refer to one or more such things, while “multiple” can refer to more than one such thing. For example, “several parts” can refer to one or more parts, while “multiple parts” can refer to more than one part.

[0017] Figure 1 A block diagram illustrating a self-test manual start device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The start device 100 includes a switch 102, an actuator 104, and a controller (e.g., a microcontroller) 106. The start device 100 may be a component of a fire alarm system for a facility (e.g., a building). In some examples, the start device 100 may be a lever alarm, or may include a breakable glass element to trigger a fire alarm and / or initiate building evacuation. The actuator 104 may be, but is not limited to, a solenoid, a linear actuator, a nonlinear actuator, a servo motor, or a stepper motor.

[0018] Controller 106 may include memory 108 and processor 110. Memory 108 may be any type of storage medium accessible to processor 110 to execute various examples of this disclosure. For example, memory 108 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions (e.g., computer program instructions) thereon that can be executed by processor 110 to perform a self-test according to this disclosure. For example, processor 110 may execute executable instructions stored in memory 108 to receive a command for testing the starting device 100, and in response to receiving the command for testing the starting device 100, send a command to actuator 104 to activate switch 102 and / or associated mechanical parts. In some examples, starting device 100 may be in test mode before controller 106 receives the command for activating switch 102.

[0019] In several embodiments, switch 102 can move from an inactive position to an active position in response to activation of switch 104 by actuator 104, in which switch 102 is located within an opening of actuation device 100. When switch 102 is in the active position, a portion of switch 102 can protrude from actuation device 100. In some examples, switch 102 may be a pull switch.

[0020] Controller 106 may receive a command to end the test. In response to receiving the command to end the test, controller 106 may send a command to actuator 104 to stop the activation of switch 102. Actuator 104 may move (e.g., return) switch 102 to an inactive position in response to receiving the command to end the test and / or stopping the activation of switch 102. In some examples, starting device 100 may stop the test mode in response to actuator 104 stopping the activation of switch 102 and / or switch 102 returning to the inactive position.

[0021] Figure 2 An example of a self-test manual start device 200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure is illustrated. The start device 200 can be connected to... Figure 1 The starting device 100 corresponds to this. As previously combined Figure 1 As described, the starting device 200 may include a switch 202, which is compatible with... Figure 1 The corresponding switch is 102.

[0022] In several implementations, in response to placing the starting device 200 into a test mode, the starting device 200 can be isolated from other components of the fire alarm system (e.g., the rest of the fire alarm system). Isolating the starting device 200 prevents false alarms. For example, activating an actuator (e.g., without first isolating the starting device 200) without first isolating the starting device 200. Figure 1 The actuator 104) activates the switch 202 of the starting device 200, which will trigger a fire alarm. Therefore, isolating the starting device 200 from the rest of the fire alarm system prevents the fire alarm from being triggered when the actuator is activated to activate the switch 202 of the starting device 200.

[0023] Once the starting device 200 has been tested, it can be exited from test mode and returned to a non-test (e.g., operational) mode, allowing a user (e.g., a person) to activate a fire alarm (e.g., after exiting test mode, the fire alarm can be activated in response to user activation (e.g., pulling) of switch 202). For example, the starting device 200 can exit test mode in response to receiving a command to end the test mode.

[0024] In several implementations, activation of switch 202 can be reported. For example, activation of switch 202 can be reported in response to actuator activation of switch 202. Additionally, deactivation of switch 202 can be reported. For example, failure to activate switch 202 can be reported in response to actuator failure to activate switch 202. Furthermore, cessation of activation of switch 202, pulling switch 202 back to the deactivated position, and / or failure of switch 202 to return to the deactivated position can also be reported.

[0025] Figure 3An example of the internal structure of a self-test startup device 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The startup device 300 may correspond to... Figure 1 The starting device 100 and / or Figure 2 The starting device 200. The starting device 300 may include a switch 302, a keyhole 312, a key 314, and a switch 316. The switch 302 may correspond to... Figure 1 Switch 102 and Figure 2 Switch 202.

[0026] In several implementations, the initiating device 300 may be placed in a test mode and / or receive a test command, as previously described herein. In response to being placed in test mode and / or receiving a command, the actuator (e.g., Figure 1 The actuator 104 can be activated to turn the key 314 in the keyhole 312.

[0027] In response to placing the starting device 300 into test mode, the starting device 300 can be isolated from other components of the fire alarm system (e.g., the rest of the fire alarm system). Isolating the starting device 300 prevents false alarms. For example, activating the actuator to turn the key 314 of the starting device 300 without first isolating the starting device 300 will trigger a fire alarm. Therefore, isolating the starting device 300 from the rest of the fire alarm system prevents a fire alarm from triggering when the actuator is activated to turn the key 314 of the starting device 300.

[0028] Once the starting device 300 has been tested, it can be exited from the test mode and returned to a non-test (e.g., operational) mode, allowing the user to activate the fire alarm (e.g., after exiting the test mode, the fire alarm can be activated in response to the user activating switch 302). For example, the starting device 300 can exit the test mode in response to receiving a command to end the test mode. Furthermore, in response to exiting the test mode, the actuator can be activated to turn the key 314 of the starting device 300 again. For example, the key 314 can be turned in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) to activate the fire alarm, actuate switch 302 to the active position, and / or test the starting device when it is in the test mode; and the key 314 can be turned in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) to exit the test mode and / or return switch 302 to the inactive position. After the starting device 300 exits the test mode, the fire alarm can be activated in response to the user activating switch 302 to toggle switch 316.

[0029] In several implementations, rotation of key 314 can be reported. For example, rotation of key 314 can be reported in response to the actuator turning key 314. Furthermore, failure to turn key 314 can also be reported. For example, failure to turn key 314 can be reported in response to the actuator failing to turn key 314.

[0030] Figure 4 A block diagram of a fire control panel (e.g., control panel) 440 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. Control panel 440 may be a monitoring device for a fire alarm system (e.g., the same fire alarm system including activation devices 100, 200, and / or 300) or a fire detection and control system. Control panel 440 may include a controller 442 and a transmitter / receiver 449.

[0031] The controller 442 may include a memory 446 and a processor 448. The memory 446 may be any type of storage medium accessible to the processor 448 to execute various examples of this disclosure. For example, the memory 446 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions (e.g., computer program instructions) thereon, which can be executed by the processor 448 to interact with a boot device (e.g., respectively) according to this disclosure. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The system communicates with boot devices 100, 200, and 300. For example, processor 448 may execute executable instructions stored in memory 446 to send commands to the boot devices. These commands may be for putting the boot devices into test mode and / or performing tests on the boot devices, as previously described herein. In some examples, control panel 440 may send the aforementioned commands to the boot devices in response to receiving commands from mobile devices. These commands may be sent via transmitter / receiver 449.

[0032] In several embodiments, the control panel 440 may receive a report from the startup device via a transmitter / receiver 449. This report may include actuators of the startup device (e.g., Figure 1 The actuator 104) is capable of turning the key (e.g., Figure 3 The key 314) and / or the actuation switch (e.g., respectively) Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 If switches 102, 202, and 302 fail to turn the key and / or actuate the switch, this is part of a test to start the device. If the key is turned and / or the switch is actuated, the test to start the device is successful. If the key is not turned and / or the switch is not actuated, the test to start the device has failed.

[0033] Control panel 440 can send another command to the activation device via transmitter / receiver 449. For example, control panel 440 can send a command to terminate the test mode of the activation device in response to receiving a report from the activation device. If the test is successful, control panel 440 can transmit a command to terminate the test mode, allowing the activation device to revert to being enabled to activate the fire alarm. If the test fails, control panel 440 can transmit a command to retry the test. Control panel 440 can be configured to transmit commands to and / or receive reports from several activation devices or fire detection devices via wired or wireless networks.

[0034] Despite Figure 4 Not illustrated, but in several embodiments, control panel 440 may include a user interface. The user interface may be a GUI that provides information to and / or receives information from the user and / or the startup device. The user interface may display messages and / or data received from the startup device. For example, the user interface may prompt the user whether a test of the startup device was successful or failed.

[0035] Figure 5 A fire control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The fire control system may include an activation device 500, a control panel 540, a cloud computing device 552, and a mobile device 554. The activation device 500 may correspond to... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The startup devices are 100, 200, and 300. Control panel 540 corresponds to... Figure 4 Control panel 440.

[0036] The startup device 500, control panel 540, cloud computing device 552, and mobile device 554 can communicate with each other via wired or wireless networks. For example, mobile device 554, cloud computing device 552, and / or control panel 540 can send commands (e.g., commands to enter test mode and / or execute tests) to startup device 500 via the network. In several embodiments, startup device 500 can send reports to mobile device 554, cloud computing device 552, and / or control panel 540 via the network, and mobile device 554 can display the report (e.g., the remainder of the test), such as... Figure 5 As illustrated, mobile device 554, cloud computing device 552, and / or control panel 540 can send commands to and receive reports from several boot devices similar to boot device 500. For example, mobile device 554 can send commands to each of the several boot devices similar to boot device 500 and receive reports from each of the several boot devices.

[0037] The network described herein can be a network relationship in which boot device 500, control panel 540, cloud computing device 552, and mobile device 554 can communicate with each other. Examples of such network relationships may include distributed computing environments (e.g., cloud computing environments), wide area networks (WANs) such as the Internet, local area networks (LANs), personal area networks (PANs), campus networks (CANs), or metropolitan area networks (MANs), and other types of network relationships. For example, the network may include several servers that receive and send information to boot device 500, control panel 540, cloud computing device 552, and mobile device 554 via wired or wireless networks.

[0038] As used herein, a “network” can provide a communication system that directly or indirectly links two or more computers and / or peripherals and allows mobile device 554 to access data and / or resources on startup device 500, control panel 540, and cloud computing device 552 (or vice versa). A network can allow users to share resources on their own systems with other network users and access information on systems located at a central location or at a remote location. For example, a network can connect several computing devices together to form a distributed control network (e.g., cloud computing device 552).

[0039] A network can provide connectivity to the Internet and / or to the networks of other entities (e.g., organizations, institutions, etc.). Users can interact with network-enabled software applications to make network requests, such as to retrieve data. Applications can also communicate with network management software, which can interact with network hardware to send information between devices on the network.

[0040] In some examples, the network may be used by boot device 500 and / or control panel 540 to communicate with mobile device 554. Mobile device 554 may be a personal laptop, smartphone, tablet, wrist-worn device, and / or a redundant combination thereof, as well as other types of computing devices. Mobile device 554 may receive reports from several boot devices similar to boot device 500 and / or several control panels similar to control panel 540, and send commands to one or more of the boot devices and / or control panels based on these reports.

[0041] In several implementations, the control panel 540 may send a command to the startup device 500. The startup device 500 may receive the command and, in response to receiving the command, enter a test mode. In response to entering the test mode, the startup device 500 may, via an actuator of the startup device 500 (e.g., Figure 1 The actuator 104) activates the switch (e.g., respectively) Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3Switches 102, 202, and 302) and / or keys (e.g., Figure 3 (Key 314) to test the startup device 500.

[0042] The starting device 500 can send a report to the control panel 540 in response to activating a switch or key via an actuator. Upon receiving the report, the control panel 540 can send a command to the starting device 500 to end the test mode. The starting device 500 can end the test mode in response to receiving the command.

[0043] Control panel 540 can send commands to additional (e.g., different) starting devices of the fire control system, similar to starting device 500, to test those devices. Each starting device can receive the command and, in response, enter a test mode. In response to entering the test mode, each starting device can activate a switch or key via its actuator in a manner similar to that previously described herein.

[0044] Each starting device can send a report to control panel 540 in response to activation or failure of a switch or key via an actuator. Upon receiving a fault report, control panel 540 can send a command to the starting device from which it received the report to attempt to reactivate the switch or key. The different starting devices can then attempt to reactivate the switch or key in response to receiving the command. In several embodiments, control panel 540 can flag a fault by sending a fault report to cloud computing device 552 and / or mobile device 554. Cloud computing device 552 can store the faults of the different starting devices in its memory. Mobile device 554 can communicate the faults of the different starting devices to a user, allowing someone to inspect the different starting devices to determine if they require maintenance or replacement.

[0045] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will understand that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same technology may replace the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all modifications or variations of the various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0046] It should be understood that the above description is given by way of illustration and not limitation. Combinations of the above embodiments, as well as other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description.

[0047] The scope of the various embodiments of this disclosure includes any other application using the structures and methods described above. Therefore, the scope of the various embodiments of this disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents.

[0048] In the above specific embodiments, for the purpose of simplifying this disclosure, various features are combined in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. This approach to disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention to require more features than expressly recited in each claim.

[0049] Instead, as reflected in the following claims, the subject matter of the invention lies in fewer than all the features of a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims below are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, wherein each claim exists independently as a separate embodiment.

Claims

1. A self-test manual start device (100, 200, 300, 500), said self-test manual start device comprising: Switches (102, 202, 302), which are configured to activate the fire alarm system; An actuator (104) coupled to the switches (102, 202, 302) and configured to activate the switches (102, 202, 302); and Controller (106), the controller is configured to: Receive commands for testing the self-test manual start device (100, 200, 300, 500); and In response to receiving the command for testing the self-test manual start device (100, 200, 300, 500), a command for activating the switch (102, 202, 302) is sent to the actuator (104).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the self-test manual start device (100, 200, 300, 500) is in test mode before the controller (106) receives the command for activating the switches (102, 202, 302).

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the controller (106) is configured to receive a command to terminate the test.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the controller (106) is configured to send a command to the actuator (104) to stop the activation of the switches (102, 202, 302) in response to receiving the command for ending the test.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the self-test manual start device (100, 200, 300, 500) stops the test mode in response to the actuator (104) stopping the activation of the switch (102, 202, 302) and restores the self-test manual start device (100, 200, 300, 500) to a non-test mode so that the user can activate the fire alarm.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (104) is a solenoid, a linear actuator, a nonlinear actuator, a servo motor, or a stepper motor.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controller (106) is configured to send a report to the control panel (440, 540) in response to activating the switches (102, 202, 302).

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controller (106) is configured to isolate the self-test manual start device (100, 200, 300, 500) in response to placing the self-test manual start device (100, 200, 300, 500) into test mode.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the controller (106) is configured to receive a command from the control panel (440, 540) to terminate the test mode.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the controller (106) is configured to cause the self-test manual start device (100, 200, 300, 500) to exit the test mode in response to receiving the command for ending the test mode.

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