Fire detection device and method of using the same
View Patent ↗A fire detection device is provided herein, specifically a gasket that is attached to at least one cartridge containing carbon dioxide. The gasket is located between a dryer body and a dryer vent, and wherein the gasket is attached to the dryer vent. The cartridge is made of a material that melts when in contact with a fire, and which then results in the release of the carbon dioxide contained therein. The gasket contains perforations, through which the released carbon dioxide flows when released, and which causes a whistling noise to be emitted to alert to the presence of a dryer fire. There is also provided herein a method for detecting fires which can comprise mounting the fire detection device within a clothes drier. The device and method of the present invention may be useful in providing clear and efficient alerts to clothes dryer fires.
1 . A fire detection device for a clothes dryer comprising:
a gasket, wherein the gasket is mounted at a clothes dryer between a dryer body and a dryer vent, the gasket having a plurality of perforations, wherein the plurality of perforations are configured such that they emit an audible sound when in contact with carbon dioxide; and,
at least one cartridge, which is affixed to an outer side of the gasket, said cartridge containing carbon dioxide, and wherein the cartridge melts when it comes into contact with fire.
2 . The fire detection device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of perforations are located on the inner diameter of the gasket.
3 . The fire detection device of claim 1 , wherein the gasket is in the shape of a ring.
4 . The fire detection device of claim 1 , wherein the gasket has an internal diameter of from about 3 inches to about 6 inches.
5 . The fire detection device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of perforations are at an angle.
6 . The fire detection device of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is affixed to the gasket via a bezel.
7 . The fire detection device of claim 1 , wherein the gasket is configured to allow for the venting of the carbon dioxide from the cartridges through the plurality of perforations.
8 . The fire detection device of claim 1 , wherein the carbon dioxide cartridge is replaceable.
9 . The fire detection device of claim 1 , wherein the audible sound emitted from the perforations in the gasket are at a level of at least 120 decibels.
10 . The fire detection device of claim 1 , wherein the fire detection device is connected to a vent of a clothing dryer.
11 . The fire detection device of claim 10 , wherein invention, the dryer vent has a heat-resistant cap.
12 . The fire detection device of claim 11 , wherein the heat-resistant cap is made of aluminum.
13 . The fire detection device of claim 1 , further comprising openings on the sides of the gasket to allow for attachment of one or more bezels.
14 . The fire detection device of claim 13 , wherein the carbon dioxide cartridge has a top end and a bottom end and the bezel is configured to screw into the gasket and into the bottom end of the carbon dioxide cartridge.
15 . A method of fire detection comprising:
mounting a fire detection device at a clothes dryer, wherein the fire detection device comprises:
a gasket, wherein the gasket is mounted at a clothes dryer between a dryer body and a dryer vent, the gasket having a plurality of perforations, wherein the plurality of perforations are configured such that they emit an audible sound when in contact with carbon dioxide; and,
at least one cartridge, which is affixed to an outer side of the gasket, said cartridge containing carbon dioxide, and wherein the cartridge melts when it comes into contact with fire.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising replacing the cartridge after the carbon dioxide is discharged from the cartridge.
17 . The method of claim 15 further comprising extinguishing a fire within the clothes dryer with the carbon dioxide from the cartridge.
18 . A method of fire detection comprising:
perforating a plurality of holes into a gasket, wherein the plurality of perforations are configured such that they emit an audible whistling sound when in contact with a gaseous substance and, wherein the perforations are located on the inner diameter of the gasket;
affixing one or more cartridges to the gasket, wherein the cartridges contain a gaseous substance and wherein the outer casing of the cartridge melts at a predetermined temperature, releasing said gaseous substance from the cartridge and wherein the gaseous substance ducts through the perforations of the gasket; and,
attaching the gasket to a vent of a clothing dryer.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the gaseous substance is carbon dioxide.
20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the gasket is attached between a dryer body and the dryer vent.