Aspirating Particle Sensor for Multi-Compartment Smoke Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoke detection systems in multi-compartment electronics enclosures face challenges due to zero or near-zero airflow between compartments, leading to delayed detection of smoke, especially when system fans rapidly remove warm air, causing smoke to escape and contaminate cleanroom environments, necessitating a rapid and space-efficient detection method.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a particle sensor system with fluid pathways connecting each compartment to a central sensor, utilizing an air controller to create a pressure differential that draws air and particles from compartments to the sensor, and a detection and warning module to trigger alerts or safety mechanisms when smoke levels exceed thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single smoke detector is used in a multi-compartment enclosure, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but detection speed and reliability deteriorate due to zero or near-zero airflow between compartments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary airflow pathway that connects all compartments to the smoke detector. This mediator enables smoke particles to be transported from isolated compartments to the detection point, allowing a single sensor to reliably detect smoke across multiple compartments despite zero or near-zero airflow between them.
2Productivity
If system fans rapidly remove warm air from compartments, then cooling efficiency is improved, but smoke detection capability deteriorates as smoke escapes the enclosure faster than it can move between compartments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts smoke detection from the general cooling airflow pathway. By providing a dedicated smoke detection pathway that is separate from the cooling fan system, the invention allows smoke to be captured and detected before it is completely removed by the cooling fans, preventing contamination while maintaining cooling efficiency.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are installed in each compartment, then detection speed and reliability are improved, but device complexity, cost, and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single smoke detector universal by enabling it to serve all compartments simultaneously. Through the intermediary airflow pathways, one sensor performs the detection function for multiple compartments, eliminating the need for multiple sensors while maintaining fast and reliable detection across all compartments.
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
Enables rapid and accurate detection of smoke within compartments, preventing contamination by triggering warnings or shutdowns, thus protecting cleanroom environments without requiring multiple sensors or excessive space.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing an air controller to create a pressure differential that draws air and particles from compartments to the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for rapidly detecting smoke or other particles or aerosols generated in any one or more compartments of a multi-compartment electronics enclosure. The herein disclosed system includes a particle sensor and an airflow controller that pulls air and particles from the one or more compartments through fluid pathways and into the particle sensor.