Engine CO Detection With Automatic Shutdown for Enclosed Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon monoxide detectors for portable internal combustion engine-based machines are inadequate for monitoring enclosed spaces and fail to automatically shut down operations when dangerous CO levels are detected, posing a risk of accidental poisonings.
Innovation Solution
A carbon monoxide detection system for internal combustion engines that includes a carbon monoxide detector, a controller, and an engine interrupt, which automatically shuts down the engine when CO levels exceed predetermined thresholds or show a trend of increasing CO amounts over time, and can be calibrated by additional sensors for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a carbon monoxide detector is statically mounted, then it can monitor a fixed location, but it cannot properly monitor every enclosed area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static CO detectors to dynamic monitoring systems that can adapt to different locations and conditions. The system uses multiple sensors positioned at different locations within the enclosure, allowing the monitoring capability to dynamically cover various areas rather than being fixed at a single point.
2Ease of operation
If portable internal combustion engine-based machines are used in enclosed spaces, then they provide operational flexibility, but they pose a risk of accidental poisonings due to CO exhaust
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of CO levels before dangerous conditions develop. The controller continuously monitors CO concentrations and can trigger warnings or automatic shutdowns before poisoning levels are reached, preventing the harmful effect rather than just responding to it after occurrence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of CO levels in the enclosed space. The controller receives real-time data from CO detectors and adjusts machine operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop safety system that responds to actual environmental conditions.
3Measurement precision
If existing CO detectors are used without automatic shutdown capability, then they can detect CO levels, but they fail to prevent poisoning by stopping operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of CO levels in the enclosed space. The controller receives real-time data from CO detectors and adjusts machine operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop safety system that responds to actual environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service safety by automatically shutting down the internal combustion engine when dangerous CO levels are detected, without requiring external human intervention. The engine interrupt device is automatically activated by the controller based on sensor input, making the safety function self-executing.
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
Effectively monitors CO levels in enclosed spaces and automatically shuts down the engine to prevent CO poisoning, ensuring safety by integrating a tamper-proof CO detector and intelligent control system.
Implementation Method 1
a carbon monoxide detector configured to provide signals representative of a carbon monoxide level in an environment surrounding the internal combustion engine
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine-based system includes an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes an engine interrupt connected to the engine. The engine interrupt is configured to selectively stop the operation of the engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a controller in communication with the engine interrupt. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a carbon monoxide detector in communication with the controller. The controller uses the engine interrupt to stop the operation of the engine when the carbon monoxide detector provides the controller with signals that are representative of a carbon monoxide level proximate the internal combustion engine that together form a trend of building carbon monoxide amounts over a set time interval.