IP Library Granted Patent US 7,969,296
Granted Patent B1
US 7,969,296 · App. 12/184,724 · Granted Jun 28, 2011

Method and system for fire detection

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,969,296
App. No.
12/184,724
Granted
Jun 28, 2011
Kind
B1
Abstract

A method and system are provided, which provides reliable fire detection. In one implementation, the automated system includes a combination of sensors configured to measure various factors associated with a hazard, such as a fire or gas leakage, and generate sensor readings. Factors measured can include smoke, carbon monoxide and heat. The system further includes a detection device that is configured to determine whether a hazard or fire exists by performing a fuzzy analysis of sensor readings. The fuzzy analysis includes categorizing respective sensor readings into fuzzy sets, and determining whether the hazard exists based on a combination of the categorizations. In addition the size and direction of a fire can be determined from multiple sensors.

Claims (27)

1. A method for detecting a hazardous condition, the method comprising:

receiving sensor readings from a plurality of sensors for attributes related to the hazardous condition; and

determining whether the hazardous condition exists based on a fuzzy analysis of the sensor readings, wherein:

the sensor readings include temperature readings: and

the fuzzy analysis comprises:

determining a temperature rise rate from the temperature readings;

classifying the temperature rise rate by assigning a classification value in the range 0 to 1;

categorizing the temperature rise rate and the temperature readings into respective fuzzy set categories; and

combining the respective fuzzy set categories into an output that indicates whether the hazardous condition exists or not.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the categorizing comprises:

assigning membership levels for one or more fuzzy set categories to the classification value;

determining a probability of the classification value belonging to the one or more fuzzy set categories; and

categorizing the classification value into a fuzzy set category for which the classification value has the highest probability.

3. A hazard detection system, the system comprising:

a plurality of sensors configured to measure attributes associated with a hazard and generate sensor readings; and

a detection device configured to determine whether the hazard exists or not based on a fuzzy analysis of the sensor readings, wherein:

the sensor readings include temperature readings: and

the fuzzy analysis comprises:

determining a temperature rise rate from the temperature readings;

classifying the temperature rise rate by assigning a classification value in the range 0 to 1;

categorizing the temperature rise rate and the temperature readings into respective fuzzy set categories; and

combining the respective fuzzy set categories into an output that indicates whether the hazardous condition exists or not.

4. The hazard detection system of claim 3 , wherein:

the categorizing comprises:

assigning membership levels for one or more fuzzy set categories to the classification value;

determining a probability of the classification value belonging to the one or more fuzzy set categories; and

categorizing the classification value into a fuzzy set category for which the classification value has the highest probability.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 22, 2013
From: WILLIAMS-PYRO, INC.
To: WILLIAMSRDM, INC.
Reel/Frame 031711/0167 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2008
From: STELL, ANDREW W
To: WILLIAMS-PYRO, INC.
Reel/Frame 021331/0303 →