Self-testing Fire Sensing Device Aerosol Generation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current fire sensing device testing methods are labor-intensive and time-consuming, requiring manual inspection and verification by multiple engineers, which can take days or weeks, especially in large facilities.

Innovation Solution

A self-testing system using a computing device to initiate a fire response in fire sensing devices, allowing maintenance engineers to remotely command and verify the activation of fire sensing devices and output events through a user interface, with features like aerosol density level generation and synthesized software events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual testing by multiple engineers is used, then testing accuracy and verification reliability are improved, but testing time and labor requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting verification reliabilityVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fire sensing device performs self-testing by automatically generating test aerosol and detecting its own response, eliminating the need for manual testing by multiple engineers. The device tests itself by creating the test condition (aerosol) and measuring its own detection capability, thereby maintaining reliability while dramatically reducing testing time and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary that coordinates the self-testing process. The computing device sends commands to the fire sensing device to generate test aerosol and reports the results, serving as a mediator between the device under test and the maintenance engineer, thereby automating the verification process while maintaining oversight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple engineers are deployed for testing, then comprehensive verification is improved, but operational complexity and resource requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive verificationVSAvoidtesting process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fire sensing device performs self-testing by automatically generating test aerosol and detecting its own response, eliminating the need for manual testing by multiple engineers. The device tests itself by creating the test condition (aerosol) and measuring its own detection capability, thereby maintaining reliability while dramatically reducing testing time and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fire sensing device integrates multiple functions into a single unit: it can both generate test aerosol and detect it, serving as both the test equipment and the device under test. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate testing equipment and multiple engineers, reducing operational complexity while maintaining comprehensive verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If self-testing with automated command initiation is used, then testing efficiency and speed are improved, but system complexity and automation requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidsystem automation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fire sensing device integrates multiple functions into a single unit: it can both generate test aerosol and detect it, serving as both the test equipment and the device under test. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate testing equipment and multiple engineers, reducing operational complexity while maintaining comprehensive verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary that coordinates the self-testing process. The computing device sends commands to the fire sensing device to generate test aerosol and reports the results, serving as a mediator between the device under test and the maintenance engineer, thereby automating the verification process while maintaining oversight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 efficient verification of fire sensing device functionality and output events from anywhere, reducing testing time and labor, and ensuring compliance with jurisdictional requirements.

Implementation Method 1

generate an aerosol density level sufficient to trigger a fire response

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerosol generation: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentUS20240282189A1Initiating a fire response at a self-testing fire sensing device

Publication Date: 2024.08.22 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Devices, methods, and systems for causing a self-testing fire sensing device to initiate a fire response are described herein. One device includes a user interface, a memory, and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive, via the user interface, a selection to initiate a fire response, receive, via the user interface, a selection of a self-testing fire sensing device to initiate the fire response, transmit a command to the self-testing fire sensing device to initiate the fire response, and receive a notification of a number of output events triggered by the initiation of the fire response by the self-testing fire sensing device.