Systems and methods of firefighter air replenishment system fault monitoring

Abstract

An air replenishment system includes a source of air, a plurality of air fill stations, a piping assembly, a first controller, and a second controller. The source of air is to provide air at an operating pressure greater than or equal to 3000 psig. The piping assembly is coupled with the source of air to provide the air to the plurality of air fill stations. The first controller is to monitor at least one first condition associated with the air. The second controller is to receive a state signal regarding a state of the first controller over a first connection between the first controller and the second controller, and to transmit to a fire control panel, over a second connection, a fault signal of at least one of the first condition and the state of the first controller.

Description

Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO)SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF FIREFIGHTER AIR REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM FAULT MONITORINGCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 692,499, filed September 9, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] A structure (e.g., a vertical building, a horizontal building, a tunnel, marine craft) can have a firefighter air replenishment system (FARS) implemented therein. The FARS can have an emergency air fill station to enable firefighters and / or emergency personnel access breathable air.SUMMARY

[0003] At least one aspect relates to an air replenishment system, such as a firefighter air replenishment system (FARS). The air replenishment system can include a source of air, a plurality of air fill stations, a piping assembly, a first controller, and a second controller. The source of air is to provide air at an operating pressure greater than or equal to 3000 psig. The piping assembly is coupled with the source of air to provide the air to the plurality of air fill stations. The first controller is to monitor at least one first condition associated with the air. The second controller is to receive a state signal regarding a state of the first controller over a first connection between the first controller and the second controller, and to transmit to a fire control panel, over a second connection, a fault signal of at least one of the first condition and the state of the first controller.

[0004] At least one aspect relates to a control system. The control system can include a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is to detect a first fault of an air replenishment system to fill firefighter air tanks, and to output an indication of the first fault to a receiver. The second controller is to monitor a state of the first controller to detect an error of the first controller, and to output an indication of the error to the receiver.

[0005] At least one aspect relates to a control system. The control system can include a controller that includes a first control circuit and a second control circuit. The first control14897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO) circuit is to process a data signal, from at least one of an air quality sensor of the FARS and a flow sensor of the FARS, to detect a first fault of the FARS. The second control circuit is to process the data signal to detect the first fault of the FARS, to monitor a state of the first control circuit to detect a second fault of the first control circuit, and to transmit a fault signal to a fire control panel responsive to detecting the first fault and detecting the second fault.

[0006] At least one aspect relates to a method. The method can include providing a connection of one or more controllers of a FARS. The method can include providing a connection for fault reporting by the one or more controllers to a receiver, such as a fire control panel.

[0007] These and other aspects and implementations are discussed in detail below. The foregoing information and the following detailed description include illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations, and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects and implementations. The drawings provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and implementations, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. For purposes of clarity, not every component can be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

[0009] FIG. l is a schematic diagram of an example of a firefighter air replenishment system.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of a control system of a firefighter air replenishment system.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example of a control system of a firefighter air replenishment system.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method of fault monitoring in a firefighter air replenishment system.DETAILED DESCRIPTION24897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO)

[0013] Following below are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and implementations of systems and methods of firefighter air replenishment systems (FARSs), such as a FARS that can be implemented in a manner that prevents unreported faults in the FARS. The various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below can be implemented in any of numerous ways, including in standby operation of air pipes in buildings implementations.

[0014] FARSs can be used to provide air, such as pressurized air, at various locations in an environment, such as a building or other structure in which access to breathable air may be limited. The pressurized air can be delivered to one or more fill stations, for example for a firefighter to retrieve the air, such as to refill air bottles or cylinders. For example, the pressurized air can be retrieved as breathable air at one or more access points, such as fill stations, such as during an incident (e.g., a fire, smoke / air pollution) occurring in the structure. The access points can be coupled with an air supply by a piping assembly that delivers the air to the access points from the air supply. The piping assembly can include or be coupled with any of various air storage tanks, pipes, valves. For example, the FARS can include a stand pipe for air to connect air supply elements (storage tanks, etc.) with access points. This can address logistical issues with making air available in complex structures, such as multi-story buildings or tunnels, for example.

[0015] The FARS can include one or more, e.g., two, controllers to perform operations such as managing stored air data and controlling valve actuation. The controllers can each detect and / or receive indications of faults, such as to a fire panel (e.g., fire control panel). These faults can include, for example, communications faults, components faults, air quality faults, or monitored mechanical faults. In some instances, faults may be unreported. For example and without limitation, depowering of a controller, electrical faults, or software and / or firmware code errors can result in faults not being reported by the controller, such as to not be communicated from the controller to the fire panel.

[0016] Unreported faults can result in the FARS being in a fault state or inoperative when needed to be used. While periodic maintenance checks can be performed to identify faults before operation of the FARS, the frequency of such checks may not be sufficient and / or may be resource intensive. In addition, where a controller becomes unable to report faults, this may correspond to failures that can affect the ability of the FARS to operate when needed. This can lead to emergency personnel or FARS service personnel not receiving status34897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO) information, or having inaccurate or incomplete status information. Accurate status information may include air availability at isolated panels, panels being reported as isolated (when they are not isolated) and / or incorrect air quality statuses (e.g., air quality being reported as good where bad).

[0017] Systems and methods in accordance with the present disclosure can implement a FARS in which unreported faults are prevented. The FARS can include a connection between at least a first controller and a second controller, which can be used to communicate a state signal between the two controllers. The controllers can use the state signal to facilitate fault reporting. For example, the first controller, responsive to detecting that the state signal is not received in a target period from the second controller, can report a fault of the second controller to the fire panel (or vice versa). The state signal can be used to report faults detected by the controller(s); for example, the second controller can include an indication of a fault in the state signal, which the first controller can detect and report to the fire panel. This can facilitate preventing FARS faults from being unreported where there is a failure in a component (e.g., hardware, firmware, and / or software associated with either controller) otherwise used for reporting the fault. The controller(s) can communicate a redundant signal to the fire panel, e.g., over a second output, such as to a second fire panel relay, to provide hardware redundancy, and / or using a redundant communication channel and / or protocol (e.g., BACnet MSTP, B ACnet IP, or Modbus, where a different protocol is used for the primary signal). A redundant controller can be used to facilitate redundancy to avoid unreported faults.

[0018] For example, a system (e.g., a FARS) can include a source of air, such as one or more air storage tanks. The source of air can have air at a relatively high operating pressure, such as an operating pressure greater than or equal to 3000 psig (e.g., 4000 to 6000 psig), and / or can be coupled with one or more pumps (e.g., booster pumps) to increase the pressure of air from a standby pressure to the operating pressure. The system can include a first controller and a second controller. The first controller can detect a first fault of an air replenishment system to fill firefighter air tanks, and can output an indication of the first fault to a receiver. The second controller can monitor a state of the first controller to detect an error of the first controller, and can output an indication of the error to the receiver.

[0019] FIG. 1 depicts an example of a system 100, such as a safety system or FARS. The system 100 can enable firefighters entering a structure 102 in times of fire-related44897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO) emergencies to gain access to breathable (e.g., human breathable) air (e.g., breathable air 103) in the structure, without the need of bringing in air bottles / cylinders to be transported up several flights of stairs of the structure 102 or deep into the structure 102, or to refill depleted air bottles / cylinders that are brought into the structure 102.

[0020] The structure 102 can include any of various vertical building structures, horizontal building structures (e.g., shopping malls, hypermarts, extended shopping, storage and / or warehousing related structures), tunnels, marine craft (e.g., large marine vessels such as cruise ships, cargo ships, submarines and large naval craft, which may be floating versions of buildings and horizontal structures) and mines.

[0021] The system 100 can supply breathable air provided from a supply of air tanks (described further herein) that can be stored in the structure 102 or coupled with air piping components located in the structure 102. For example, when a fire department vehicle arrives at the structure 102 during an emergency, breathable air supply can be provided through a source of air connected to the vehicle. The safety system 100 can enable firefighters to refill air bottles / cylinders at emergency air fill stations located at one or more locations in the structure 102.

[0022] For example, the system 100 can allow for firefighters to fill air bottles / cylinders at one or more access points (e.g., fill stations 120) in the structure 102 under full respiration in less than one to two minutes. The system 100 can include a piping system 104 (e.g., piping assembly), which can be permanently installed within structure 102 to provide the breathable air 103. The piping system 104 can include any of various pipes and / or pipe components (e.g., pipes, conduits, fittings, valves, joints) to direct air flow through the piping system 104.

[0023] As depicted in FIG. 1, the piping system 104 can distribute breathable air 103 across floors / levels of the structure 102. The piping system 104 can distribute breathable air 103 from an air storage system 106, which can be at least partially disposed in the structure 102. The air storage system 106 can include one or more air storage tanks 108 that serve as sources of pressurized / compressed air (e.g., breathable air 103).

[0024] The piping system 104 can connect with a mobile air unit 110 (e.g., a fire vehicle) through an External Mobile Air Connection (EMAC) panel 112. The EMAC panel 112 can be a boxed structure (e.g., exterior to the structure 102) to enable the connection between the mobile air unit 110 and the system 100. For example, the mobile air unit 110 can include an54897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO) on-board air compressor, as well as piping, tanks, bottles, etc., to store and replenish pressurized / compressed air (e.g., breathable air analogous to breathable air 103) in air bottles / cylinders (e.g., utilizable with Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs) carried by firefighters). Firefighters, for example, may be able to fill breathable air (e.g., breathable air 103, breathable air analogous to breathable air 103) into air bottles / cylinders (e.g., spare bottles, bottles requiring replenishment of breathable air) carried on the mobile air unit 110 through the system 100.

[0025] An air monitoring system 150 can be installed as part of the system 100 to automatically track and monitor a parameter (e.g., pressure) and / or a quality (e.g., indicated by moisture levels, carbon monoxide levels) of the breathable air 103 within the system 100. The air monitoring system 150 can be communicatively coupled with the air storage system 106 and the EMAC panel 112. The EMAC panel 112 can be at a remote location associated with (e.g., internal to, external to) the structure 102. To monitor the parameters and / or the quality of breathable air of the system 100, the air monitoring system 150 can include various sensors. For example, a pressure sensor of the air monitoring system 150 can automatically sense and record a pressure of the breathable air 103 of the system 100. The pressure sensor can communicate with an alarm system that is triggered responsive to the sensed pressure being outside a safety range. The air monitoring system 150 can automatically trigger a shutdown of breathable air distribution through the system 100 in case of impurity / contaminant (e.g., carbon monoxide) detection therethrough yielding levels above a safety / predetermined threshold.

[0026] The piping system 104 can include one or more pipes (for example and without limitation, stainless steel tubing pipes) that distribute the breathable air 103 to one or more fill stations 120. The piping system 104 can include, for example, one or more stand pipes 114 (e.g., vertical pipes extending through the structure 102 to connect with fill stations 120 at multiple levels of the structure 102). The piping system 104 can include or be coupled with one or more pumps, such as booster pumps, to drive air through the piping system 104 to fill stations 120 (e.g., responsive to a pressure on a downstream side of the booster pumps falling below a target threshold, such as the operating pressure). The piping system 104 can include or be coupled with one or more flow control components, such as valves and / or pressure regulators, to control air flow and pressure of air flow through the piping system 104 to the air fill stations 120.64897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO)

[0027] The fill stations 120 can be structures that function as access points to retrieve the breathable air 103. The fill stations 120 can be fill stations, such as emergency air fill stations. The fill station 120 can be a charge panel, an emergency air fill panel, or a rupture containment air fill station, for example.

[0028] As an example, each fill station 120 can be located at a specific level of the structure 102, such as to be each of a basement level, a first floor level, a second floor level and so on. The fill station 120 can be located at the end of the flight of stairs that emergency fighting personnel (e.g., firefighting personnel) climb to reach a specific floor level within the structure 102.

[0029] The fill station 120 can be a static location within a level of the structure 102 that provides emergency personnel 122 (e.g., firefighters, emergency responders) the ability to rapidly fill air bottles / cylinders (e.g., SCBA cylinders) with breathable air 103.

[0030] The system 100 can include one or more isolation valves 160. The isolation valves 160 can be proximate one or more respective fill stations 120. The isolation valves 160 can isolate a corresponding fill station 120 from a remaining portion of the system 100. For example, said isolation may be achieved through the manual turning of isolation valve 160 proximate the corresponding fill station 120, or the isolation valve 160 can be remotely actuated (e.g., based on automatic turning) from the air monitoring system 150. The air monitoring system 150 can maintain breathable air supply to a subset of the fill stations 120 via the piping system 104 through control of a corresponding subset of isolation valves 160.

[0031] FIG. 2 depicts an example of a system 200, such as a control system that can be deployed for or with a FARS. The system 200 can be implemented as at least a portion of the system 100 to facilitate more reliable reporting of faults between components of the system 200 and / or components of the system 100. For example, the system 200 can prevent unreported faults that may result from errors and / or faults in operation of one or more components of the system 100 and / or the system 200.

[0032] The system 200 can include at least one air monitor 204. The air monitor 204 can include one or more sensors to detect a characteristic of air associated with one or more components of the system 100, such as of air in or provided by the air storage system 106, piping 104, or air fill stations 120. For example, the characteristic can include a quality of the air. The characteristic can include an amount of one or more pollutants or chemicals in the74897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO) air, including but not limited to pollutants associated with smoke and / or a fire. For example, the air monitors 204 can include any one or more smoke detectors.

[0033] The system 200 can include at least one first controller 208. The first controller 208 can perform functions including processing signals from the air monitor 204 and generating alerts responsive to the processing. The first controller 208 can include one or more processors and memory. The processor may be a general purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. The processor may be configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory (e.g., fuzzy logic, etc.) or received from other computer readable media (e.g., CDROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.) to perform one or more of the processes described herein. The memory may include one or more data storage devices (e.g., memory units, memory devices, computer-readable storage media, etc.) configured to store data, computer code, executable instructions, or other forms of computer-readable information. The memory may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporary storage, non-volatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any other suitable memory for storing software objects and / or computer instructions. The processor can be implemented as a hardware processor including a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an Application- Specific Instruction-Set Processor (ASIP), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Physics Processing Unit (PPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a Controller, a Microcontroller unit, a Processor, a Microprocessor, an ARM, or the like, or any combination thereof. The memory may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. The memory can include various modules (e.g., circuits, engines) for completing processes described herein. The first controller 208 can include one or more of various electronic control hardware devices, for example and without limitation, a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a programmable controller, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). The first controller 208 can have low power usage requirements (e.g., relative to a fire control panel).84897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO)

[0034] The first controller 208 can include one or more input and / or output ports. The input ports can receive input signals from any of various current, voltage, and / or resistancebased sensors (e.g., one or more air monitors 204). The output ports can include any one or more digital and / or analog outputs. The first controller 208 can include or be coupled with a communications circuit to communicate using one or more communications protocols (e.g., parameters, techniques), including, for example, BACNet (e.g., multiple spanning tree protocol (MSTP) and / or internet protocol (IP)) and / or MODBUS. The communications circuit can include wired communications connectors, such as Ethernet connectors. The communications circuit can include wireless communications connectors.

[0035] For example, the system 200 can include a connection 210 to connect the controller 208 with the receiver 220. The connection 210 can be a wired connection, such as a cable, Ethernet connection, BACNet connection, or dry contact connection. The connection 210 can connect the controller 208 with a relay of the receiver 220.

[0036] The system 200 can include at least one flow manager 212. The flow manager 212 can include one or more valves, pumps, piping, or sensors to control air flow and / or provide data signals regarding air flow, such as an air flow rate at one or more points in the system 200. The flow manager 212 and air monitor 204 can be coupled (e.g., fluidly coupled) with the piping system 104 at various locations of the piping system 104, to allow for controlling air flow in and / or detecting flow data regarding various portions of the system 200.

[0037] The system 200 can include at least one second controller 216. The second controller 216 can incorporate features of and / or be identical to the first controller 208. For example, the second controller 216 can be a hardware PLC, and can communicate with the flow manager 212. The second controller 216 can control one or more components of or associated with the flow manager 212, such as one or more valves or pumps. The second controller 216 can receive data from the flow manager 212, such as pressure data (e.g., from one or more pressure sensors) and / or flow data. The second controller 216 can detect a fault associated with one or more components of the flow manager 212. The second controller 216 may or may not include operate based on evaluation of the flow manager 212 (e.g., the system 200 may or may not include the flow manager 212); for example, the second controller 216 can detect a fault associated with at least one of the first controller 208 or the air monitor 204.94897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO)

[0038] The second controller 216 can have distinct components and / or functionality from the first controller 208. For example, the first controller 208 can have more functionality and / or components than the second controller 216. The first controller 208 and the second controller 216 can each be capable of supporting user interface functions, such as humanmachine interface (HMI) functions, e.g., through at least an Ethernet connection (e.g., Cat5 connection), or the first controller 208 can support user interface functions while the second controller 216 does not (e.g., the first controller 208 performs fault monitoring and user interface functions, while the second controller 216 performs fault monitoring functions and does not perform user interface functions and / or HMI functions).

[0039] The system 200 can include at least one receiver 220. The receiver 220 can include one or more devices to receive signals regarding components of the system 200 and / or the system 100. The receiver 200 can perform control operations for the system 100 and / or the system 200. For example, the receiver 220 can include a fire control panel. The receiver 220 can include a portable electronic device. The receiver 220 can include wired and / or wireless communications electronics.

[0040] The system 200 can include at least one connection 224 that connects the first controller 208 with the second controller 216. The connection 224 can be a wired connection, such as a cable, Ethernet connection, BACNet connection, or dry contact connection. The connection 224 can include a first connection from an output port of the first controller 208 to an input port of the second controller 216, and can include a second connection from an input port of the first controller 208 to an output port of the second controller 216. The connection 224 can be a bidirectional connection.

[0041] The first controller 208 can communicate to the second controller 216, by way of the connection 224, a first signal indicative of a state of the first controller 208. The first signal can be a status signal. The first signal can include the state, such as to include one or more data elements, such as bits, that represent the state. The first signal can indicate the state due to the presence (or absence) of the first signal. The first controller 208 can communicate the first signal on a periodic basis, e.g., at a rate between 1 / second and 1 / day, or between 1 / minute and 1 / hour, or various rates in these ranges. The selection of the rate of communication of the first signal can allow for sufficient communication of the status of the first controller 208 without significantly increasing power requirements for operation of the first controller 208, including based on the first signal having minimal data requirements.104897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO)

[0042] The second controller 216 can monitor the state of the first controller 208 based on the first signal. For example, the second controller 216 can start a timer, e.g., responsive to an initiation command or first receipt of the first signal, and can increment the timer until a second receipt of the first signal (e.g., to reset the timer) or until a threshold is exceeded by the timer. Responsive to the threshold being exceeded, the second controller 216 can detect an error of the first controller 208. The second controller 216 can output an indication of the error to the receiver 220. This can allow for alerting of issues of the first controller 208, such as alerting of a fault associated with the first controller 208.

[0043] The second controller 216 can communicate, to the first controller 208 by way of the connection 224, a second signal indicative of a state of the second controller 216. The second signal can be a status signal. The second signal can include the state, such as to include one or more data elements, such as bits, that represent the state. The second signal can indicate the state of the second controller 216 due to the presence (or absence) of the second signal. The second controller 216 can communicate the second signal on a periodic basis, e.g., at a rate between 1 / second and 1 / day, or between 1 / minute and 1 / hour, or various rates in these ranges, such as to provide a predictable timeframe for expecting the second signal. The selection of the rate of communication of the second signal can allow for sufficient communication of the status of the second controller 216 without significantly increasing power requirements for operation of the second controller 216, including based on the second signal having minimal data requirements.

[0044] The first controller 208 can monitor the state of the second controller 216 based on the second signal. For example, the first controller 208 can start a timer, e.g., responsive to an initiation command or first receipt of the second signal, and can increment the timer until a second receipt of the second signal (e.g., to reset the timer) or until a threshold is exceeded by the timer. Responsive to the threshold being exceeded, the first controller 208 can detect an error of the second controller 216. The first controller 208 can output an indication of the error to the receiver 220. This can allow for alerting of issues of the second controller 216, such as alerting of a fault associated with the first controller 208. The controllers 208, 216 can monitor the state of the other of the controllers 208, 216, during a same period of time (e.g., same minute, same hour, same day), such as to allow for simultaneous or near- simultaneous monitoring and / or fault reporting.114897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO)

[0045] The first controller 208 (or the second controller 216) can transmit to the receiver 220 information regarding a fault detected by the second controller 216 (or the first controller 208). For example, the first controller 208 (or the second controller 216) can receive an indication of the fault by way of the connection 224, and can transmit the indication to the receiver 220 responsive to receiving the indication from the second controller 216 (or the first controller 208). As such, the controllers 208 can provide redundancy with respect to faults of the controllers 208, including to provide alerts regarding faults of components of the system 200 or of the controllers 208.

[0046] As depicted in FIG. 2, the system 200 can include a connection 228, which can connect the first controller 208 with the receiver 220. The connection 228 can include at least one of a separation connection (e.g., additional or separate cable or wire) or communication protocol (e.g., BACnet MSTP, BACnet IP or Modbus) with respect to the connection 210. For example, the connection 210 can connect the first controller 208 with a first relay of the receiver 220, and the connection 228 can connect the first controller 208 with a second relay of the receiver 220 different from the first relay; the connection 210 can use a first communication protocol to communicate with the receiver 220, and the connection 228 can use a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol to communicate with the receiver 220. This can allow the first controller 208 to have hardware and / or communications redundancy for communicating with the receiver 220.

[0047] The system 200 can include a connection 232, which can connect the second controller 216 with the receiver 220. The connection 232 can include at least one of a separation connection (e.g., additional or separate cable or wire) or communication protocol (e.g., BACnet MSTP, BACnet IP or Modbus) with respect to the connection 218. For example, the connection 218 can connect the second controller 216 with a first relay of the receiver 220, and the connection 232 can connect the second controller 216 with a second relay of the receiver 220 different from the first relay; the connection 218 can use a first communication protocol to communicate with the receiver 220, and the connection 232 can use a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol to communicate with the receiver 220. This can allow the second controller 216 to have hardware and / or communications redundancy for communicating with the receiver 220.

[0048] FIG. 3 depicts an example of a system 300, such as a control system that can be deployed for or with a FARS. The system 300 can be implemented as at least a portion of the124897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO) system 100 to facilitate more reliable reporting of faults between components of the system 300 and / or components of the system 100. For example, the system 300 can prevent unreported faults that may result from errors and / or faults in operation of one or more components of the system 100 and / or the system 300. The system 300 can incorporate components and / or aspects of the system 200. For example, the system 300 can include the air monitor 204, flow manager 212, and receiver 220. The system 300 can include or be coupled with the piping system 104, air storage system 106, and air fill stations 120.

[0049] The system 300 can include a controller 304. The controller 304 can include features of the controllers 208, 216, and can be a redundant controller(s). For example, the controller 304 can include a plurality of controllers. The controllers can include one or more first (e.g., primary) controller, and can include a second (e.g., secondary) controller. The first controller and the second controller can each process data from the air monitor 204 and / or flow manager 212. For example, the second controller can perform at least a subset of operations on data from the air monitor 204 and / or flow manager 212 as the first controller. The first and second controller each can perform a self-check operation, and can output an alert responsive to detecting a fault state. The first controller and second controller can each monitor a state of the other of the first controller and second controller, and can output an alert and / or switch to an active state responsive to detecting a fault of the other controller. For example, in the active state, the second controller can transmit outputs to the receiver 220, e.g., based on processing of data from the air monitor 204 and / or flow manager 212. By implementing the controller 304 as a redundant controller, the system 300 can reduce the likelihood of faults detected by the controller 304 being unreported to the receiver 220.

[0050] As depicted in FIG. 3, the system 300 can include a connection 308 between the controller 304 and the receiver 220. The connection 308 can incorporate features of the connection 210. For example, the connection 308 can be a wired connection, such as a cable, Ethernet connection, BACNet connection, or dry contact connection. The controller 304 can communicate data based on processing of signals from the air monitor 204 and / or flow manager 212 to the receiver 220 by way of the connection 308. The controller 304 can transmit an indication of a fault to the receiver 220 by way of the connection 308, for example.

[0051] The system 300 can include a connection 312 to connect the controller 304 with the receiver 220. The connection 312 can be a different connection from the connection 308.134897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO)For example, the connection 312 can provide at least one of hardware redundancy and protocol redundancy with respect to the connection 308. For example, the connection 312 can connect with a different relay of the receiver 220 than the connection 308; the connection 312 can communicate data to the receiver 220 using a different protocol (e.g., amongst BACnet MSTP, BACnet IP or Modbus) than the connection 308.

[0052] FIG. 4 depicts an example of a method 400 of deploying a control system of a FARS. The method 400 can be performed as part of an installation procedure for the FARS and / or a retrofit procedure for the FARS. The method 400 can be performed to facilitate reducing and / or eliminating the likelihood of faults of the FARS being unreported to a receiver, such as a fire control panel and / or user device.

[0053] At 405, a connection of one or more controllers of the FARS can be provided. The connection can be a wired connection. The connection can connect the two controllers of the FARS, such as to include a cable, Ethernet connection, BACNet connection, or dry contact connection to allow for unidirectional or bidirectional communication between the two controllers. The connection can allow each controller to monitor a state of the other controller.

[0054] At 410, a connection can be provided for fault reporting to the receiver. For example, the connection can be a provided as part of causing one or both controllers to monitor the state of the other controller, and to communicate fault information received from the other controller and / or of the other controller based on processing of data received by way of the connection between the controllers. The connection can be a second or redundant connection from one or more controllers to the receiver (e.g., to provide hardware and / or communication protocol redundancy).

[0055] Having now described some illustrative implementations, it is apparent that the foregoing is illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example. In particular, although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, those acts and those elements can be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed in connection with one implementation are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other implementations or implementations.144897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO)

[0056] The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” “comprising” “having” “containing” “involving” “characterized by” “characterized in that” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, equivalents thereof, and additional items, as well as alternate implementations consisting of the items listed thereafter exclusively. In one implementation, the systems and methods described herein consist of one, each combination of more than one, or all of the described elements, acts, or components.

[0057] Any references to implementations or elements or acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singular can also embrace implementations including a plurality of these elements, and any references in plural to any implementation or element or act herein can also embrace implementations including only a single element. References in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements to single or plural configurations. References to any act or element being based on any information, act or element can include implementations where the act or element is based at least in part on any information, act, or element.

[0058] Any implementation disclosed herein can be combined with any other implementation or embodiment, and references to “an implementation,” “some implementations,” “one implementation” or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation can be included in at least one implementation or embodiment. Such terms as used herein are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation. Any implementation can be combined with any other implementation, inclusively or exclusively, in any manner consistent with the aspects and implementations disclosed herein.

[0059] Where technical features in the drawings, detailed description or any claim are followed by reference signs, the reference signs have been included to increase the intelligibility of the drawings, detailed description, and claims. Accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effect on the scope of any claim elements.

[0060] Systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the characteristics thereof. Further relative parallel, perpendicular, vertical or other positioning or orientation descriptions include variations within + / - 10% or154897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO)+ / -10 degrees of pure vertical, parallel or perpendicular positioning. References to “approximately,” “about” “substantially” or other terms of degree include variations of + / - 10% from the given measurement, unit, or range unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Coupled elements can be electrically, mechanically, or physically coupled with one another directly or with intervening elements. Scope of the systems and methods described herein is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are embraced therein.

[0061] The term “coupled” and variations thereof includes the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly with or to each other, with the two members coupled with each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled with each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

[0062] References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. References to at least one of a conjunctive list of terms may be construed as an inclusive OR to indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. For example, a reference to “at least one of ‘A’ and ‘B’” can include only ‘A’, only ‘B’, as well as both ‘A’ and ‘B’. Such references used in conjunction with “comprising” or other open terminology can include additional items.

[0063] Modifications of described elements and acts such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations can occur without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed can be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Other substitutions,164897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO) modifications, changes and omissions can also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the disclosed elements and operations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.174897-7495-3557.1

Claims

Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO)WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A control system, comprising: a first controller to: detect a first fault of an air replenishment system to fill firefighter air tanks; and output an indication of the first fault to a receiver; and a second controller to: monitor a state of the first controller to detect an error of the first controller; and output an indication of the error to the receiver.

2. The control system of claim 1, comprising: the second controller is to monitor the state of the first controller based on a signal from the first controller.

3. The control system of claim 1, comprising: the second controller is to detect the error responsive to a timer for detection of a status signal from the first controller expiring.

4. The control system of claim 1, comprising: the state is a first state, the error is a first error, and the indication is a first indication; and the first controller is to monitor a second state of the second controller, during a same period of time as the monitoring of the state of the first controller by the second controller, to detect a second error of the second controller, and to output a second indication of the second error to the receiver.

5. The control system of claim 1, comprising: the receiver comprises at least one of a fire control panel and a portable electronic device.

6. The control system of claim 1, comprising:184897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO) at least one sensor to detect a characteristic of air to be outputted from the air replenishment system, the first controller to detect the first fault based on the characteristic.

7. The control system of claim 1, comprising: the first controller is to detect the first fault based on a signal, from a sensor coupled with the air replenishment system, regarding a characteristic of air in the air replenishment system.

8. The control system of claim 1, comprising: the second controller is to detect a second fault of the air replenishment system, based on a signal regarding at least one of a valve, a pump, and an air flow of the air replenishment system, and to output an indication of the second fault to the receiver.

9. The control system of claim 1, comprising: the second controller is to: detect a second fault of the air replenishment system; output the indication of the first fault to the receiver using a first connection between the second controller and the receiver; and output an indication of the second fault to the receiver using a second connection between the second controller and the receiver.

10. The control system of claim 1, comprising: the second controller is to output the indication of the error to the receiver by way of at least one of a first connection between the second controller and the receiver and a second connection between the second controller and the receiver, the second connection comprising at least one of a different wired connection and a different communication protocol than the first connection.

11. The control system of claim 1, comprising: the second controller is to monitor the state of the first controller based on polling of a status of the first controller at a rate between once per second and once per day.

12. A firefighter air replenishment system (FARS), comprising:194897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO) a source of air to provide air at an operating pressure greater than or equal to 3000 psig; a plurality of air fill stations; a piping assembly coupled with the source of air to provide the air to the plurality of air fill stations; a first controller to monitor at least one first condition associated with the air; and a second controller to: receive a state signal regarding a state of the first controller over a first connection between the first controller and the second controller; and transmit to a fire control panel, over a second connection, a fault signal of at least one of the first condition and the state of the first controller.

13. The FARS of claim 12, comprising: an air quality sensor, the first controller to monitor the at least one first condition based on a signal from the air quality sensor.

14. The FARS of claim 12, comprising: a flow manager coupled with the piping assembly, the flow manager comprising at least one of a valve, a flow sensor, a pump, and a pressure sensor, the second controller to monitor a second condition associated air based on a signal from the flow manager.

15. The FARS of claim 12, comprising: the fire control panel, the fire control panel to transmit an indication of the fault signal to a remote device responsive to receiving the fault signal.

16. The FARS of claim 12, comprising: a bidirectional connection between the first controller and the second controller.

17. The FARS of claim 12, comprising: the second controller is to receive the state signal by polling the first controller for the state signal at a rate between once per minute and once per hour.

18. A control system of a firefighter air replenishment system (FARS), comprising: a controller comprising:204897-7495-3557.1Atty. Dkt. No. 118651-1800 (FWR-24-8487-WO) a first control circuit to process a data signal, from at least one of an air quality sensor of the FARS and a flow sensor of the FARS, to detect a first fault of the FARS; and a second control circuit to: process the data signal to detect the first fault of the FARS; monitor a state of the first control circuit to detect a second fault of the first control circuit; and transmit a fault signal to a fire control panel responsive to detecting the first fault and detecting the second fault.

19. The control system of claim 18, comprising: a plurality of connections to connect the controller with the fire control panel.

20. The control system of claim 18, comprising: the second control circuit is redundant with respect to the first control circuit.214897-7495-3557.1

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