Carbon monoxide detection

Abstract

A system includes a gas-powered appliance in a first location and a gas detector in a second location. The gas detector is configured to detect presence of at least carbon monoxide. In response to a detection of presence of carbon monoxide above a threshold level, the gas detector is configured to send a signal to the gas-powered appliance to shutdown combustion of the gas-powered appliance.

Description

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTIONCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 625,523 filed January 26, 2024, its entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to detection of carbon monoxide. More particularly, this disclosure relates to detection of carbon monoxide in a structure such as, but not limited to, a building including one or more gas-powered appliances.BACKGROUND

[0003] Gas-powered appliances rely upon combustion for operation. In some instances, carbon monoxide can be generated by a gas-powered appliance. Improved methods and systems for detecting and mitigating carbon monoxide are desirable.SUMMARY

[0004] In some embodiments, a system includes a gas-powered appliance in a first location and a gas detector in a second location. In some embodiments, the gas detector is configured to detect presence of at least carbon monoxide. In some embodiments, in response to a detection of presence of carbon monoxide above a threshold level, the gas detector is configured to send a signal to the gas-powered appliance to shutdown combustion of the gas-powered appliance.

[0005] In some embodiments, the first location is separated from the second location.

[0006] In some embodiments, the gas detector is configured to detect presence of one or more additional harmful gases.

[0007] In some embodiments, the gas detector is configured to generate an audible alarm.

[0008] In some embodiments, the system includes a second gas detector disposed in a third location. In some embodiments, the third location is separate from the first location and separate from the second location.

[0009] In some embodiments, in response to a detection of presence of carbon monoxide above the threshold level, the second gas detector is configured to send a second signal to the gas-powered appliance to shutdown combustion of the gas-powered appliance.

[0010] In some embodiments, the system includes a thermostat. In some embodiments, the thermostat is configured to receive the signal from the gas detector in response to the detection of presence of carbon monoxide above the threshold level.

[0011] In some embodiments, the thermostat is configured to shutdown heat demand from the gas-powered appliance. In some embodiments, the thermostat is configured to enable an equipment of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to ventilate carbon monoxide outside or bring in fresh air to dilute the carbon monoxide.

[0012] In some embodiments, the system includes a second gas detector in the first location. In some embodiments, in response to a detection of presence of carbon monoxide above the threshold level by the second gas detector, the second gas detector is configured to send a second signal to the gas-powered appliance to shutdown combustion of the gas- powered appliance.

[0013] In some embodiments, the gas gas-powered appliance is configured to enable a combustion fan of the gas-powered appliance to ventilate the first location.

[0014] In some embodiments, the gas-powered appliance includes a safety controller, and the safety controller is configured to receive the signal from the gas detector. In some embodiments, the safety controller is configured to control the gas-powered appliance in response to the signal.

[0015] In some embodiments, the gas-powered appliance includes a safety controller, and the system further includes a gas safety switch. In some embodiments, the gas safety switch is configured to receive the signal from the gas detector. In some embodiments, the safety controller is configured to cause a shutdown of the gas-powered appliance in response to a change in state of the gas safety switch.

[0016] In some embodiments, the gas detector is incorporated into the gas safety switch.

[0017] In some embodiments, a system includes a plurality of gas-powered appliances and a plurality of gas detectors. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of gas detectors is configured to detect presence of at least carbon monoxide. In some embodiments, inresponse to a detection of presence of carbon monoxide above a threshold level by one of the plurality of gas detectors, a respective one of the plurality of gas detectors is configured to send a signal to at least one of the plurality of gas-powered appliances to shutdown combustion of the at least one of the plurality of gas-powered appliances.

[0018] In some embodiments, the plurality of gas detectors is configured to detect presence of one or more additional harmful gases.

[0019] In some embodiments, the plurality of gas detectors is configured to generate an audible alarm.

[0020] In some embodiments, the respective one of the plurality of gas detectors is configured to send the signal to others of the plurality of gas detectors to cause an alarm on the others of the plurality of gas detectors.

[0021] In some embodiments, the system includes a thermostat. In some embodiments, the thermostat is configured to receive the signal from one of the plurality of gas detectors in response to the detection of presence of carbon monoxide above the threshold level.

[0022] In some embodiments, the thermostat is configured to shutdown heat demand from at least one of the plurality of gas-powered appliances. In some embodiments, the thermostat is configured to enable an equipment of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to ventilate carbon monoxide outside or bring in fresh air to dilute the carbon monoxide.

[0023] In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of gas-powered appliances comprises a safety controller configured to receive the signal from the plurality of gas detectors. In some embodiments, the safety controller is configured to control a corresponding one of the plurality of gas-powered appliances in response to the signal.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] References are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this disclosure and that illustrate embodiments in which the systems and methods described in this Specification can be practiced.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system including a gas-powered appliance, according to some embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a system including a plurality of gas- powered appliances, according to some embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a system including a plurality of gas- powered appliances, according to some embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a system including a plurality of gas- powered appliances, according to some embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a system including a gas-powered appliance, according to some embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a system including a plurality of gas- powered appliances, according to some embodiments.[0031| FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a system including a gas-powered appliance, according to some embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the gas safety switch (FIGS. 5-7), according to some embodiments.

[0033] Like reference numbers represent the same or similar parts throughout.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Gas-powered appliances rely upon combustion for operation. In some instances, carbon monoxide can be generated by a gas-powered appliance. Improved methods and systems for detecting and mitigating carbon monoxide are desirable.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system 100 including a gas-powered appliance 102A, according to some embodiments.

[0036] The system 100 includes the gas-powered appliance 102A and a gas detector 104A. In some embodiments, the gas-powered appliance can include any appliance that combusts gas as part of its operation and that includes a safety controller 106A. The gas detector 104A is in electronic communication with the gas-powered appliance 102A. In some embodiments, the gas detector 104A is in electronic communication with the safety controller 106A of the gas-powered appliance 102A. In some embodiments, the gas detector 104A can be in wired or wireless communication with the gas-powered appliance 102 A.

[0037] In some embodiments, the gas detector 104A is a device configured to detect presence of, for example, harmful gases. As used herein, harmful gases can include, for example, carbon monoxide or the like. It is to be appreciated that the gas detector 104A canbe configured to detect presence of other gases besides carbon monoxide. For example, the gas detector 104A can be a combined smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. In some embodiments, the gas detector 104A can also be configured to detect other harmful gases besides the presence of smoke or carbon monoxide.

[0038] In some embodiments, the gas detector 104A can be located in a conditioned space within the building. In some embodiments, the conditioned space can be located remotely from the gas-powered appliance 102A. As used herein, located remotely can include being located in a location of a building that is separated from a location in which the gas-powered appliance 102A is located. In some embodiments, this can include a different room of the building or a different location within the room in which the gas- powered appliance 102A is located.

[0039] In some embodiments, in response to detection of presence of a hazard, the gas detector 104A is configured to emit an alarm. As used herein, detection of presence of a hazard can include a hazard being measured at a level that is greater than a threshold level. For example, in some embodiments, an amount of carbon monoxide can be measured in parts per million (PPM). If the amount in PPM is greater than a threshold level, the gas detector 104A has detected a presence of a hazard. In some embodiments, emitting an alarm can include emitting an audible alarm from the gas detector 104A. In some embodiments, emitting alarm can also include, in substantially real-time from the audible alarm, sending a signal to the safety controller 106A of the gas-powered appliance 102A. In response to receiving the signal from the gas detector 104A, the safety controller 106A is configured to initiate a shutdown process of the gas-powered appliance, thus removing a potential source of carbon monoxide production. In some embodiments, the safety controller 106A can be configured to shut down the combustion process while maintaining a combustion fan on the gas-powered appliance to serve as a potential ventilation source to remove the carbon monoxide.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a system 150 including a plurality of gas- powered appliances 102A-102N, according to some embodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 2 includes features similar to those shown and described regarding FIG. 1 above. In the system 150 of FIG. 2, a plurality of gas-powered appliances 102A-102N are connected in electrical communication with the gas detector 104A.

[0041] In some embodiments, in response to detection of presence of a hazard, the gas detector 104A is configured to emit an alarm. In some embodiments, emitting an alarm can include emitting an audible alarm from the gas detector 104A. In some embodiments, emitting alarm can also include, in substantially real-time from the audible alarm, sending a signal to the safety controller 106A of the gas-powered appliance 102A, sending a signal to the safety controller 106B of the gas-powered appliance 102B, sending a signal to the safety controller 106N of the gas-powered appliance 102N, or a combination thereof. That is, in some embodiments, the gas detector 104A can be used to send a signal to one of the plurality of gas-powered appliances 102A-102N, to more than one of the gas-powered appliances 102A-102N, or to all of the gas-powered appliances 102A-102N. In response to receiving the signal from the gas detector 104A, the safety controller 106A-106N is configured to initiate a shutdown process of the gas-powered appliance, thus removing a potential source of carbon monoxide production. In some embodiments, the safety controller 106A-106N can be configured to shut down the combustion process while maintaining a combustion fan on the gas-powered appliance to serve as a potential ventilation source to remove the carbon monoxide.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a system 200 including a plurality of gas- powered appliances 102A-102N, according to some embodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 3 includes features similar to those shown and described regarding FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 above. In the system 150 of FIG. 2, a plurality of gas-powered appliances 102A-102N are connected in electrical communication with a plurality of gas detectors 104A-104N.

[0043] In some embodiments, in response to detection of presence of a hazard at the gas detector 104 A, the gas detector 104A is configured to emit an alarm. In some embodiments, emitting an alarm can include emitting an audible alarm from the gas detector 104A. In some embodiments, emitting alarm can also include, in substantially realtime from the audible alarm, sending a signal to the safety controller 106A of the gas- powered appliance 102 A, sending a signal to the safety controller 106B of the gas-powered appliance 102B, sending a signal to the safety controller 106N of the gas-powered appliance 102N, or a combination thereof. That is, in some embodiments, the gas detector 104 A can be used to send a signal to one of the plurality of gas-powered appliances 102A- 102N, to more than one of the gas-powered appliances 102A-102N, or to all of the gas- powered appliances 102A-102N. In response to receiving the signal from the gas detector 104 A, the safety controller 106A-106N is configured to initiate a shutdown process of thegas-powered appliance, thus removing a potential source of carbon monoxide production. In some embodiments, the safety controller 106A-106N can be configured to shut down the combustion process while maintaining a combustion fan on the gas-powered appliance to serve as a potential ventilation source to remove the carbon monoxide.

[0044] In addition to emitting the alarm and a signal to one of the plurality of gas- powered appliances 102A-102N, the gas detector 104A can be configured to send a signal to the plurality of gas detectors 104B-104N, causing these additional gas detectors to also emit and alarm and send a signal to the gas-powered appliances 102A-I02N. In some embodiments, gas detector 104A can be configured to send the signal to the gas detector 104B and the gas detector 104B can be configured to similarly send a signal to the gas detector 104N.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a system 250 including a plurality of gas- powered appliances 102A-102N, according to some embodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 4 includes features similar to those shown and described regarding FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 above.

[0046] In some embodiments, the system 250 additionally includes one or more computing devices 252, one or more thermostats 254, and one or more security panels 256 configured to communicate with the plurality of gas detectors 104A-104N. In some embodiments, the one or more computing devices 252, the one or more thermostats 254, and the one or more security panels 256 can be in wired or wireless communication with the plurality of gas detectors 104A-I04N. In some embodiments, the one or more computing devices 252, the one or more thermostats 254, and the one or more security panels 256 can be connected to a local area network, a wide area network, a cellular network, or suitable combinations thereof.

[0047] In some embodiments, the one or more computing devices 252, the one or more thermostats 254, and the one or more security panels 256 can be configured to receive a signal from the plurality of gas detectors I04A-104N in response to an alarm condition. In some embodiments, the receipt of such a signal on the one or more computing devices 252, the one or more thermostats 254, or the one or more security panels 256 can be used to provide additional notifications to building occupants (whether present or not), building managers, emergency services, combinations thereof, or the like.

[0048] In some embodiments, the one or more thermostats 254 can be used to initiate equipment of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. For example, in some embodiments, the one or more thermostats 254 can turn on a fresh air exchanger in response to receiving a signal from the plurality of gas detectors 104A-104N. In some embodiments, this can, for example, aid in removing any harmful gases from the structure in which the equipment is installed. In some embodiments, the one or more thermostats 254 can also be used to shut down one or more of the gas-powered appliance 102A, the gas- powered appliance 102B, or the gas-powered appliance 102N by, for example, removing a call for heat from the one or more thermostats 254 to one or more of the gas-powered appliance 102A, the gas-powered appliance 102B, or the gas-powered appliance 102N, thereby causing the equipment to shut down.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a system 300 including a gas-powered appliance 102A, according to some embodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 5 includes features similar to those shown and described regarding FIG. 1 above.

[0050] In some embodiments, the safety controller 106A may not be capable of wired or wireless communication with the gas detector 104A. In such embodiments, a gas safety switch 302A can be added to the gas-powered appliance 102A. An example of the gas safety switch 302A is shown and described in additional detail regarding FIG. 8 below. In some embodiments, the gas safety switch 302A can be a retrofit application to existing furnaces that would otherwise be unable to communicate with the gas detector 104A. In some embodiments, the gas safety switch 302A can be configured to receive an indication of an alarm state from gas detector 104A and then change a state of the gas safety switch 302A to interrupt an electrical signal to the gas-powered appliance 102A, thereby triggering a shutdown of the gas-powered appliance 102A. In some embodiments, the gas safety switch 302A can be wired in series with an interlock, such as a primary interlock, of the gas-powered appliance 102A. In some embodiments, the gas safety switch 302A can be wired in series with a demand input line of the gas-powered appliance 102 A so that in response to a signal from the gas detector 104A, the demand call to the gas-powered appliance 102A is interrupted, thereby shutting down the gas-powered appliance 102A. It is to be appreciated that these are two examples of locations at which the gas safety switch 302A can be electrically connected to the gas-powered appliance 102A, but that other examples are possible within the scope of this disclosure so long as the gas safety switch 302A is configured to cause a shutdown of the gas-powered appliance 102A in response toa signal from the gas detector 104A. For example, in some embodiments, the gas safety switch 302A can be connected in series with a Roll Out Limit Switch, a Low Pressure Switch, a Temperature High Limit Switch, or the like. These are examples of locations of the safety controller 106A at which an interruption to the circuit (i.e., change in state of gas safety switch 302A) would cause a shutdown of the gas-powered appliance 102A.

[0051] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a system 350 including a plurality of gas- powered appliances 102A-102N, according to some embodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 6 includes features similar to those shown and described regarding FIGS. 1-5 above. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the system 350 includes a similar structure and format to the system 250. Unlike the system 250, each of the plurality of gas-powered appliances 102A-102N include gas safety switches 302A-302N. It is to be appreciated that in some embodiments, fewer than all of the gas-powered appliances 102A-102N can include the gas safety switches 302A-302N. That is, in some embodiments, the gas-powered appliances 102A- 102N can include the safety controller 106A without the gas safety switch 302A.

[0052] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a system 400 including a gas-powered appliance 102A, according to some embodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 7 includes features similar to those shown and described regarding FIGS. 1-6 above. In some embodiments, in addition to or in place of the gas detector 104A, the system 400 can include a gas detector 402A. In some embodiments, the gas detector 402A can function similar to the gas detector 104A but be located in a same space as the gas-powered appliance 102A. As shown, the gas detector 402 A is incorporated into the gas safety switch 302 A. However, it is to be appreciated that in some embodiments, the gas detector 402A can be included in the same space as the gas-powered appliance 102A but without inclusion of the gas safety switch 302A.100531 In some embodiments, in response to detection of presence of a hazard, the gas detector 402A is configured to emit an alarm. In some embodiments, emitting an alarm can include emitting an audible alarm from the gas detector 402A. In some embodiments, emitting alarm can also include, in substantially real-time from the audible alarm, sending a signal to the safety controller 106A of the gas-powered appliance 102A (e.g., by changing a state of the gas safety switch 302A). In response to receiving the signal from the gas detector 402A, the safety controller 106A is configured to initiate a shutdown process of the gas-powered appliance, thus removing a potential source of carbon monoxide production. In some embodiments, the safety controller 106A can be configured to shutdown the combustion process while maintaining a combustion fan on the gas-powered appliance to serve as a potential ventilation source to remove the carbon monoxide.

[0054] In some embodiments, the configuration of the system 400 can be incorporated into the systems shown and described regarding FIGS. 1-6 above. That is, in some embodiments, the system can include both the gas detector 104A and the gas detector 402A.

[0055] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the gas safety switch 302A (FIGS. 5-7), according to some embodiments.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the gas safety switch 302A can include a microcontroller 304A. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 304A is configured to be in electrical communication with the gas detector 104A or the gas detector 402 A. In some embodiments, in response to receiving a signal from the gas detector 104A or the gas detector 402A, the microcontroller 304A is configured to change a state of the gas safety switch 302A. For example, in some embodiments, the alarm signal can trigger the microcontroller 304A to open the gas safety switch 302A, causing a break in the circuit to which the gas safety switch 302A is electrically connected. In some embodiments, the gas safety switch 302A can be a normally closed relay or solid state switch. In some embodiments, the gas safety switch 302A is wired in series with a terminal of the safety controller 106A of the gas-powered appliance 102 A.

[0057] The terminology used herein is intended to describe embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms as well, unless clearly indicated otherwise. The terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” when used in this Specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components.

[0058] It is to be understood that changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of the construction materials employed and the shape, size, and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This Specification and the embodiments described are examples, with the true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system comprising: a gas-powered appliance in a first location; and a gas detector in a second location. wherein the gas detector is configured to detect presence of at least carbon monoxide; wherein in response to a detection of presence of carbon monoxide above a threshold level, the gas detector is configured to: send a signal to the gas-powered appliance to shutdown combustion of the gas-pow ered appliance.

2. The system of claim 1. wherein the first location is separated from the second location.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the gas detector is configured to detect presence of one or more additional harmful gases.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the gas detector is configured to generate an audible alarm.

5. The system of claim 1. further comprising a second gas detector disposed in a third location, wherein the third location is separate from the first location and separate from the second location.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein in response to a detection of presence of carbon monoxide above the threshold level, the second gas detector is configured to send a second signal to the gas-powered appliance to shutdown combustion of the gas-powered appliance.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a thermostat, wherein the thermostat is configured to receive the signal from the gas detector in response to the detection of presence of carbon monoxide above the threshold level.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the thermostat is configured to at least one of:shut down heat demand from the gas-powered appliance; or enable an equipment of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to at least one of ventilate the carbon monoxide outside or bring in fresh air to dilute the carbon monoxide.

9. The system of claim 1, comprising a second gas detector in the first location, wherein in response to a detection of presence of carbon monoxide above the threshold level by the second gas detector, the second gas detector is configured to send a second signal to the gas-powered appliance to shutdown combustion of the gas-powered appliance.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the gas-powered appliance is configured to enable a combustion fan of the gas-powered appliance to ventilate the first location.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the gas-powered appliance comprises a safety controller and the safety controller is configured to receive the signal from the gas detector, wherein the safety controller is configured to control the gas-powered appliance in response to the signal.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the gas-pow ered appliance comprises a safety7controller, the system further comprising a gas safety switch, wherein the gas safety switch is configured to receive the signal from the gas detector, wherein the safety controller is configured to cause a shutdown of the gas-powered appliance in response to a change in state of the gas safety7switch.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the gas detector is incorporated into the gas safety switch.

14. A system comprising: a plurality7of gas-powered appliances; and a plurality7of gas detectors; wherein each of the plurality of gas detectors is configured to detect presence of at least carbon monoxide; wherein in response to a detection of presence of carbon monoxide above a threshold level by one of the plurality of gas detectors, a respective one of the plurality of gas detectors is configured to:send a signal to at least one of the plurality of gas-powered appliances to shutdown combustion of the at least one of the plurality of gas-powered appliances.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of gas detectors is configured to detect presence of one or more additional harmful gases.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of gas detectors is configured to generate an audible alarm.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the respective one of the plurality of gas detectors is configured to send the signal to others of the plurality of gas detectors to cause an alarm on the others of the plurality of gas detectors.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising a thermostat, wherein the thermostat is configured to receive the signal from one of the plurality of gas detectors in response to the detection of presence of carbon monoxide above the threshold level.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the thermostat is configured to at least one of: shut down heat demand from the at least one of the plurality of gas-powered appliances; or enable an equipment of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to at least one of ventilate carbon monoxide outside or bring in fresh air to dilute the carbon monoxide.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the plurality of gas-powered appliances comprises a safety controller and the safety controller is configured to receive the signal from the plurality of gas detectors, wherein the safety controller is configured to control a corresponding one of the plurality of gas-powered appliances in response to the signal.

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