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  Air quality sensor/interruptorUSPTO Application #: 20060234175Title: Air quality sensor/interruptor Abstract: An air quality sensor and interrupter system includes an air quality sensor to measure the air quality around a gas appliance and an appliance shut-off device to turn off the gas appliance in response to a signal from the sensor indicating unsafe air. Unsafe air can be indicated by a measurement of 18.5% or less oxygen in the air. (end of abstract) Agent: Macpherson Kwok Chen & Heid LLP - San Jose, CA, US Inventors: Jon Bridgwater, Martin Yan USPTO Applicaton #: 20060234175 - Class: 431037000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Combustion, Timer, Programmer, Retarder Or Condition Responsive Control, Of Or By Burner Feed Supply Heating Structure, By Controlling Admittance Of Feed To Structure The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060234175. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/671,952, filed Apr. 15, 2005, and which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to air quality detection systems, and in particular, to such systems that take action based on the air quality detected. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] Gas appliances can generate unsafe levels of various gases, such as carbon monoxide (CO), into the air. Such gases need to be detected so that people within the air space do not get ill or suffer any other health-related problems. For example if a burner system in a gas appliance is not burning properly, unsafe levels of combustion by-products are released into the environment because of incomplete combustion. [0006] One type of gas detection system uses the oxygen detection safety-pilot (ODS) technology on gas appliances. A typical ODS pilot system includes an oxygen-sensitive pilot burner that regulates flame characteristics, a thermocouple positioned in the mantle of the pilot flame, and a safety shut-off valve. The pilot flame is designed to be stable within a very narrow operating range. The thermocouple responds to changes in the pilot flame characteristics and, when heated, generates a voltage, e.g., in the millivolt range, which keeps the gas supply valve in the open position. [0007] However, if low levels of oxygen are detected by the ODS system, the flame extinguishes. The loss of flame causes the thermocouple to cool. This cooling reduces the voltage, which causes the gas valve to return to its normally closed position, thus turning off the fuel supply to the appliance. The unit will not operate until the space is properly ventilated and adequate oxygen is introduced, and the appliance is restarted. [0008] Although relatively effective, there are several inherent problems with ODS systems. These include, but are not limited, to susceptibility to drafts, pilot positioning, gas supply, orifice sizing, and heating value of the gas. Due to the nature of the ODS pilot system, it is subject to nuisance shutdowns from overheating conditions on the thermocouple cold junction. [0009] Therefore, there is a need for an air quality detection system that overcomes the disadvantages of conventional systems discussed above. SUMMARY [0010] According to one aspect of the invention, an air quality sensor/interrupter includes an air quality sensor and a means of interrupting the operation of the appliance when a low air quality is detected. In one embodiment, when the oxygen level is approximately 18.0% or lower, a signal is sent to the shut-down mechanism to shut down the gas appliance. [0011] The air quality sensor/interrupter is a device that measures air quality in a confined space, and if unsafe air is detected, shuts down the appliance(s) affecting the air in the monitored space. The sensor may communicate to the interrupter or shut-down mechanism by a wired or a wireless system. Upon receipt of the signal, the interrupter will stop the flow of power, gas, or electricity to the heating element of the appliance(s). In one embodiment, the interrupter may shut down only the heater or burner element of the system and allow the rest of the appliance to function, such as blowers and lights. The appliance is not turned back on until the interrupter or system is reset, either by the user or automatically upon detection of "safe" air. [0012] Thus, because the air quality sensor/interrupter measures the actual air quality in the space and shuts down the appliance based on a detection of unsafe air, the present invention does not have many of the inherence problems of conventional ODS systems. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING [0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an air quality detection/shut-down system according to one embodiment; and [0014] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing steps for shutting down an appliance when unsafe air is detected according to one embodiment. [0015] Embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sensor is used to measure the quality of air in a room or area. If the measurement indicates unsafe air, a signal is sent to a shut-down device, which then shuts down the appliance or appliances in the monitored air space. [0017] The sensor may employ one of several known technologies and products, such as electromechanical, semiconductor, catalytic bead, and zirconia lambda. Suitable sensors or detectors include the TX-2000 Toxic Gas and OX-2000 Oxygen Intrinsically Safe series of detectors from Enmet Corporation of Ann Arbor, Michigan. These detectors are capable of continually monitoring toxic gases or oxygen and indicating when a certain gas is detected or a certain gas has reached a threshold, such as by an audio alarm or visual display. Gases that can be monitored include, but may not be limited to chlorine (Cl.sub.2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H.sub.2), hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2S), ammonia (NH.sub.3), nitrogen oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (N0.sub.2), oxygen (O.sub.2), and ozone (O.sub.3). [0018] In one embodiment, when the sensor detects low oxygen levels, such as at 18.0% or less, an alarm will sound and a signal will be sent to a shut-down device or interrupter. The signal can be sent along a wired channel, such as along a wire, or through a wireless communication. An example of a wireless shut-down device is a RR-1 or RR-1A remote system receiver and transmitter from the Robert H. Peterson Company, the City of Industry, California. The RR-1 or RR-1A system can be modified to act as transmitter and receiver grounding device. [0019] Thus, once a signal is received indicating that the quality of the air has dropped below an acceptable level, the grounding circuit will activate or close and either directly ground the thermocouple/thermopile/battery or magnet power circuit. This would then result in the magnet/valve dropping out or shutting off, causing the gas appliance to shut down. Alternatively, a remote transmitter may be activated to send a signal to a grounding system which would shut down the gas appliance. Continue reading... Full patent description for Air quality sensor/interruptor Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Air quality sensor/interruptor patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Air quality sensor/interruptor or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Use of recirculated exhaust gas in a burner-based exhaust generation system for reduced fuel consumption and for cooling Next Patent Application: Burner shut off Industry Class: Combustion ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Air quality sensor/interruptor patent info. 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