Combustion Gas Detection for Early Smoldering Fire Warnings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoke detectors rely on smoke aerosols, which are not generated in sufficient quantities during smoldering fires, leading to delayed detection and potential false alarms due to surrounding components inhibiting smoke entry.
Innovation Solution
A detection device that measures combustion gases such as nitrogen dioxide and hydrogen to detect fires, using sensors to monitor gas levels and changes, distinguishing between flaming and smoldering fires, and initiating alarms based on threshold comparisons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If smoke aerosol detection is used, then fire detection capability is provided, but detection is delayed in smoldering fires due to insufficient smoke generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from smoke aerosol concentration to combustion gas concentration. Gas sensors detect combustion gases (CO, CO2, NO, NO2, H2) that are produced in smoldering fires before significant smoke is generated, enabling early detection without the time delay associated with smoke-based detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical detection mechanism (infrared light scattering) with chemical detection mechanisms (electrochemical or metal oxide gas sensors). This substitution allows direct detection of combustion gases in the air without requiring smoke aerosols to be present or to reach the detector.
2Reliability
If smoke detectors are used, then fire detection is provided, but false alarms occur due to surrounding components inhibiting smoke entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical detection system that requires smoke to physically reach the detector with electrochemical or metal oxide gas sensors that chemically detect combustion gases directly in the air. This eliminates the problem of surrounding components blocking smoke entry, as the sensors detect gases that diffuse through the air to the sensing elements.
3Reliability
If thermal energy is relied upon to move smoke toward detector, then smoke detection is enabled, but detection fails in smoldering fires lacking thermal energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal-driven smoke movement and optical detection with passive gas diffusion and chemical sensing. Combustion gases diffuse through the air to the gas sensors without requiring thermal energy to drive smoke movement, enabling detection in smoldering fires where thermal energy is insufficient to move smoke toward the detector.
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 early detection of fires, reduces false alarms, and differentiates between fire types, improving fire detection efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor configured to measure an amount of at least one combustion gas
Data Source
AI summary
A detection device for monitoring an area includes a housing and at least one sensor configured to measure an amount of at least one combustion gas. A controller is operably coupled to the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to determine if a combustion event is present within the area in response to the amount of the at least one combustion gas measured by the at least one sensor and initiate an alarm in response to determining that the combustion event is present within the area.