Supercapacitor Notification Devices Extend Strobe Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire alarm and mass notification systems face limitations in coverage and device capacity due to voltage drops across notification appliance circuits (NAC), leading to suboptimal performance and reduced coverage length and device count.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of high capacity rechargeable energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors, in notification devices to store energy for extended strobe operation, allowing reduced power consumption during active states and enabling fallback power strategies, which reduce overall current draw and increase system capacity and coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If high capacity rechargeable energy storage devices are incorporated in notification devices, then the duration of strobe operation is extended and coverage is increased, but the device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is charged in advance during the supervisory state (normal operating condition) so that when the alarm activates and polarity reverses, the strobe circuit immediately has sufficient energy stored to operate for extended periods without requiring continuous high current during the alarm state
Solution Approach 2:
The notification device uses its own NAC circuit power to recharge its energy storage device during the supervisory state, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for external power sources or frequent recharging during alarm operations
2Length of stationary object
If high capacity rechargeable energy storage devices are incorporated in notification devices, then the coverage length and device capacity are increased, but the initial cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the energy storage solution at the individual notification device level rather than requiring system-wide power infrastructure changes, allowing incremental deployment and maintaining compatibility with existing NAC circuit architectures
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical parameters at the device level by incorporating energy storage that can deliver high current pulses during alarm while accepting lower current during supervisory state, enabling extended coverage without proportionally increasing NAC circuit current capacity requirements
3Reliability
If the strobe circuit operates at full power level continuously, then the notification effectiveness is maximized, but the current draw increases and depletes energy storage quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts strobe operation between full power mode (when energy storage is sufficient) and fallback power mode (when energy storage becomes depleted), optimizing the balance between notification effectiveness and energy conservation based on real-time energy availability
Solution Approach 2:
The strobe operates in periodic cycles of full-power notification followed by fallback operation, allowing the energy storage device to recharge during supervisory periods while maintaining effective notification during alarm periods through alternating intensity levels
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
The solution extends notification device coverage and capacity by minimizing current demand during active states, allowing more devices to be connected and maintaining effective alerts over longer distances without frequent recharging, while also reducing wear and tear through controlled intensity operations.
Implementation Method 1
high capacity rechargeable energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors, in notification devices to store energy for extended strobe operation
Implementation Method 2
The notification devices themselves may be simple on/off devices with a diode that maintains the notification devices in an off state when the power on the NAC has a first polarity
Data Source
AI summary
A notification appliance circuit (NAC) includes notification devices having a high capacity rechargeable energy storage device such as a supercapacitor and a strobe circuit. The supercapacitor can provide energy to produce flashes over an extended time period without fully discharging. The notification devices can also make use of the fallback power strategy in which the strobe circuit operates with reduced intensity while the supercapacitor is being recharged.