Wireless Heat Sensor Using Thermoelectric Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firefighters face challenges in detecting structural failures in buildings due to unreliable physical observations and the high cost and impracticality of existing heat sensors, which can lead to inadequate protection and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A wireless heat monitoring system comprising thermoelectric power components and communication modules that convert heat energy into electric power and generate wireless signals, allowing for real-time monitoring of structural elements and alerting systems to potential structural failures or fires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrically connected heat sensors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired electrical connections with wireless communication technology. The heat sensor system uses wireless transmitters to send temperature data to receivers, eliminating the need for complex wiring infrastructure while maintaining measurement precision. This substitution resolves the contradiction by removing the mechanical/electrical connection requirement that caused device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication modules as intermediaries between the heat sensors and the monitoring system. These modules transmit thermal data without physical electrical connections, serving as a mediator that enables accurate heat detection while avoiding the complexity of wired installations.
2Ease of operation
If battery powered sensors are used, then ease of installation is improved, but loss of energy increases due to periodic battery replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements energy harvesting through thermoelectric power components that convert ambient thermal energy into electrical power. This self-service mechanism allows the sensor to generate its own operating power from the temperature differential it measures, eliminating the need for external battery replacement while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy supply parameter from periodic battery replacement to continuous thermoelectric power generation. By utilizing the temperature gradient as a power source, the system transforms the measured parameter (temperature difference) into operational energy, resolving the energy loss issue while preserving installation simplicity.
3Reliability
If a large number of heat sensors are installed on structural members, then reliability of structural failure detection is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex wired sensor networks with wireless sensor nodes that independently transmit data. Each structural member can have its own wireless sensor without requiring extensive wiring infrastructure, enabling dense deployment for high reliability while keeping individual node complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the monitoring system into independent wireless sensor nodes, each capable of autonomous operation and data transmission. This segmentation allows multiple sensors to be deployed on different structural members without creating a complex centralized wiring system, as each node operates independently.
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 high heat conditions and structural failures, providing cost-effective and widespread installation of sensors on building structural members, enhancing firefighter safety and reducing the risk of structural collapses.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric power component for receiving heat energy and for transforming the heat energy to electric power
Implementation Method 2
a sensor for converting received heat energy to electric power and for generating a wireless signal representative of a temperature of an object
Data Source
AI summary
A system for wireless heat detection is disclosed. The system includes one or more heat sensors that convert sensed heat energy into electrical power for transmitting an alarm signals. A remote system may trigger an alarm based on the received alarm signals. The heat sensors may be placed at discrete locations within an interior of a building to monitor a condition of the infrastructure of the building. The remote system can include a communications module for receiving the signal and transmitting an alarm signal to an associated fire panel. The fire panel may analyze the signal, as well as signals generated from adjacent sensors, to determine whether a fire condition exists within a building. Appropriate notification devices may then be activated based on the determination. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.