Agent detection system assisted by a building subsystem
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agent detection systems in buildings often produce false or delayed alarms, and there is a need for cost-effective improvements that enhance detection accuracy and speed.
Innovation Solution
An agent detection system utilizing a building subsystem to control ambient parameters like air temperature, utilizing multiple agent detectors with infrared or ultraviolet light sources, and a controller to compare measurement signals with threshold values, allowing for confirmation of agent presence through altered ambient conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional agent detection systems use single measurement signals, then device complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to false alarms and delayed detection
Solution Approach 1:
The detection process is segmented into multiple sequential measurement signals (initial, intermediate, final) taken at different time points. This temporal segmentation allows the system to confirm agent presence through multiple independent measurements, reducing false alarms while maintaining relatively simple detector hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurements by taking an initial measurement signal before making any environmental alterations. This preliminary data serves as a baseline for comparison with subsequent measurements after ambient parameter changes, enabling accuracy improvement through temporal comparison rather than spatial redundancy.
2Reliability
If agent detection systems use multiple detectors in different locations, then detection accuracy improves through redundant measurements, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple static detectors simultaneously, the system uses a single detector dynamically measuring at multiple time points. The detector sequentially captures initial, intermediate, and final measurement signals while the ambient parameters change, providing temporal redundancy that replaces spatial redundancy of multiple detectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic measurements by sequentially capturing agent concentration at different time intervals (initial signal before alteration, intermediate signal during alteration, final signal after alteration). This periodic sampling approach provides multiple data points for reliability confirmation without requiring multiple simultaneous detectors.
3Measurement precision
If the system alters ambient parameters to confirm agent presence, then false alarms are reduced through verification, but detection time increases due to additional measurement steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from sequential measurement signals to dynamically adjust the detection process. The controller compares the initial measurement signal with subsequent signals taken after ambient parameter alterations, using this feedback to confirm or refute agent presence. This feedback loop reduces false alarms by requiring consistent readings across different conditions while maintaining efficient detection through automated comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes ambient parameters (such as temperature, humidity, or air flow) between measurements to verify agent presence. By altering these parameters and observing whether the agent signal persists or changes predictably, the system confirms true detections while filtering false alarms, achieving precision improvement through controlled environmental variation.
4Ease of manufacture
If cost-effective detection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but detection precision and speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the building's existing HVAC or environmental control subsystem to alter ambient parameters for detection verification purposes. This self-service approach allows the detection system to leverage already-paid-for infrastructure, avoiding the need for expensive specialized equipment while maintaining detection precision through controlled ambient changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The building subsystem serves multiple functions: it provides both environmental control for occupant comfort and agent detection verification. By using the same HVAC system for both climate control and detection algorithm execution, the system achieves cost-effective multi-functionality without requiring separate specialized equipment for detection purposes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces false alarms and improves detection accuracy by confirming agent presence through redundant measurements and controlled ambient parameter changes, maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one agent detector comprises a chemical detector, and includes an infrared light source
Implementation Method 2
at least one agent detector configured to detect an agent in ambient air
Implementation Method 3
the at least one agent detector comprises a biological detector, and includes an ultraviolet light source
Implementation Method 4
the at least one agent detector comprises a biological detector
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
An indoor air quality monitoring system (20) is adapted to function within a space (26) utilizing a building subsystem (22), such as a heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) unit, configured to control an ambient parameter, such as temperature, humidity or lightning, in the space (26). The system (20) includes an agent detector (30) configured to detect an agent in ambient air, such as smoke, biohazards or particulate matter, and sequentially output an initial agent measurement signal and a subsequent agent measurement signal. A controller (34) of the system (20) includes a processor and a storage media. The controller (34) is pre-programmed with an agent threshold value, and configured to receive the initial agent measurement signal, compare the signal to the agent threshold value, and if the signal exceeds the agent threshold value, then send a command signal (42) to the subsystem (22) to alter the ambient parameter associated with the agent detector, and then receive the subsequent agent measurement signal from the agent detector associated with the altered ambient parameter.