Integrated Gas Sensing and Relay-Based Leak Mitigation Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for mitigating gas leaks in HVAC and combustion systems require separate units for gas sensing and leak mitigation, which can be costly and complex to implement.
Innovation Solution
A gas sensing leak mitigation unit that integrates a gas sensing element, microcontrollers, and relays within a common housing, allowing for real-time signal processing and control of system components to mitigate leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate units are used for gas sensing and leak mitigation control, then the system can perform dedicated functions for each task, but the device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gas sensing element, microcontroller for signal processing, and relay-based leak mitigation control unit into a single integrated device. This merging eliminates the need for separate sensing and control units, reducing device complexity and installation cost while maintaining the reliability of dedicated functions through internal modular architecture
2Ease of manufacture
If separate units are used for gas sensing and leak mitigation control, then each unit can be optimized independently, but the installation cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple independently optimized components (gas sensing element, microcontroller, relays) into a single manufactured unit. This approach allows each component to be optimized independently during design while achieving cost savings and simplified installation through unified manufacturing and installation of the integrated device
3Reliability
If a dedicated control unit with relays is used for leak mitigation, then the system can effectively control HVAC components, but the material cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the relay-based control unit directly with the gas sensing element and microcontroller in a single integrated device. This maintains the reliable relay-based control capability for HVAC components while eliminating the need for a separate dedicated control unit, thereby reducing material cost and system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A gas sensing leak mitigation unit for a gas system includes a gas sensing element, at least one onboard relay, and at least one microcontroller. The at least one microcontroller is configured to receive a signal from the gas sensing element and to determine if the signal from the gas sensing element is above a first predetermined threshold level. The at least one microcontroller is further configured to control the energizing and de-energizing of the onboard relays. A first onboard relay may be configured, when energized, to transmit power to a compressor of the gas system and, when de-energized, to break power to the compressor. A second onboard relay may be configured, when de-energized, to transmit power to a fan control. The gas sensing element, the at least one onboard relay and the at least one microcontroller may all be arranged within a common housing.