IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,525,121
Granted Patent B2
US 12,525,121 · App. 18/266,679 · Granted Jan 13, 2026

Method and test device for verifying the functionality of an intake particle detection system

Inventor: Oliver Linden (Hannover, DE)
Assignee: Wagner Group GmbH
G08B29/145G08B17/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,525,121
App. No.
18/266,679
Granted
Jan 13, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for verifying the functionality of an intake particle detection system ( 100 ), in particular an intake fire detection system. A test fluid flow ( 220 ) within at least one pipe and/or hose line ( 110, 120 ) is directed in such a way that the test fluid ( 210 ) from the test fluid generator ( 230 ) enters the fluid conduction system ( 110, 120, 130 ) and exits from the one or more intake openings. Respective actual exit times from the introduction and/or entry of the test fluid ( 210 ) into the fluid conduction system until the exit of the test fluid ( 210 ) from a respective intake opening are detected by means of a timer. Detected actual exit times are compared with a data set ( 261 ) which is stored on a data carrier ( 160, 260 ), and which comprises target exit times and/or target exit time ranges associated with the respective intake openings (A, B, C, . . . X).

Claims (34)

1 . A method for verifying the functionality of an intake particle detection system ( 100 ), which intake particle detection system ( 100 ) has a fluid conduction system ( 110 , 120 , 130 ) with at least one pipe or hose line ( 110 , 120 ) which opens out via one or more intake openings (A, B, C, . . . X) for respectively removing a fluid sample into one or more monitoring regions ( 300 ), wherein

in a first method step (V 1 ), a test fluid ( 210 ) is generated or provided by means of a test fluid generator ( 230 ), which is connected or connectable to the fluid conduction system ( 110 , 120 , 130 ) in a fluidically conductive manner via a test fluid line or a test fluid connection ( 130 ) of said system,

in a second method step (V 2 ), the test fluid ( 210 ) is introduced into the fluid conduction system ( 110 , 120 , 130 ) via the test fluid line or the test fluid connection ( 130 ), wherein a test fluid flow ( 220 ) is generated via a flow means ( 140 , 240 ) within the at least one pipe or hose line ( 110 , 120 ),

characterized in that

the test fluid flow ( 220 ) within the at least one pipe or hose line ( 110 , 120 ) is directed from the test fluid generator ( 230 ) in the direction of the one or more intake openings (A, B, C, . . . X) in such a way that

the test fluid ( 210 ) enters the fluid conduction system ( 110 , 120 , 130 ) from the test fluid generator ( 230 ) via the test fluid line or the test fluid connection ( 130 ) and

exits from the one or more intake openings (A, B, C, . . . X), wherein

in a third method step (V 3 ), respective actual exit times ((t actual,A , t actual,B , t actual,C , . . . t actual,X ) from the introduction or entry of the test fluid ( 210 ) into the fluid conduction system ( 110 , 120 , 130 ) until the test fluid ( 210 ) exits from the respective intake opening (A, B, C, . . . X) are recorded by means of a timer ( 150 , 250 ), and

in a fourth method step (V 4 ), the recorded actual exit times (t actual,A , t actual,B , t actual,C , . . . t actual,X ) are compared with a data set ( 261 ) stored on a data carrier ( 160 , 260 ), which data set includes target exit times or target exit time ranges (t target ,A, t target ,B, t target,C , . . . t target,X ) associated with the respective intake openings (A, B, C, . . . X).

2 . The method according to claim 1 , characterized in that

in a fifth method step (V 5 ), impairments in the functionality of the intake particle detection system ( 100 ), are detected if at least one of the recorded actual exit times (t actual,A , t actual,B , t actual,C , . . . t actual,X ) deviates from the associated target exit time or the target exit time range (t target,A , t target,B , t target,C , . . . t target,X ).

3 . The method according to claim 2 , characterized in that

the exit of the test fluid ( 210 ) from the one or more intake openings (A, B, C, . . . X) to record the respective actual exit times (t actual,A , t actual,B , t actual,C , . . . t actual,X ) is recorded optically, manually by a user, or by means of optical sensors ( 280 ).

4 . The method according to claim 3 ,

characterized in that

the data set ( 261 ) is stored digitally on a data carrier ( 160 , 260 ), and the recorded actual exit times (t actual,A , t actual,B , t actual,C , . . . t actual,X ) of the test fluid ( 210 ) are compared at one or more of the intake openings (A, B, C, . . . X) with the respective target exit times or target exit time ranges (t target,A , t target,B , t target,C , . . . t target,X ) associated with the intake openings (A, B, C, . . . X) by means of software or programming.

5 . The method according to claim 1 ,

characterized in that

the fluid conduction system ( 110 , 120 , 130 ) of the intake particle detection system ( 100 ) is cleaned by blowing it out or by means of compressed air in a cleaning step before the test fluid ( 210 ) is introduced into it via the test fluid line or the test fluid connection ( 130 ).

6 . An intake particle detection system ( 100 ), with an integrated test device ( 200 ), the intake particle detection system ( 100 ) having:

a fluid conduction system ( 110 , 120 , 130 ) with at least one pipe or hose line ( 110 , 120 ) which opens into one or more monitoring regions ( 300 ) via one or more intake openings (A, B, C, . . . X) for the respective removal of a fluid sample,

a detection unit ( 180 ) for detecting test particles contained in the fluid samples taken,

a flow means ( 140 , 240 ) for generating a fluid sample flow ( 310 ) within the at least one pipe or hose line ( 110 , 120 ), wherein the fluid sample flow ( 310 ), starting from the one or more intake openings (A, B, C, . . . X), is directed in the direction of the detection unit ( 180 ),

a programmable computing unit ( 170 ) for evaluating signals transmitted by the detection unit ( 180 ), and

a test fluid generator ( 230 ) for providing a test fluid ( 210 ), which generator is connected or connectable to the fluid conduction system ( 110 , 120 , 130 ) in a fluid-conducting manner via a test fluid line or a test fluid connection ( 130 ),

characterized in that

a flow means ( 140 , 240 ) for generating a test fluid flow ( 220 ) is connected or connectable in a fluid-conducting manner to the at least one pipe or hose line ( 110 , 120 ), such that the test fluid ( 210 ) can be introduced into the fluid conduction system ( 110 , 120 , 130 ) and transported within the at least one pipe or hose line ( 110 , 120 ) by means of the test fluid flow ( 220 ) in the direction of the one or more intake openings (A, B, C, . . . X), wherein

a data set ( 261 ) is stored on a non-transitory data carrier ( 160 ) and comprises target exit times or target exit time ranges (t target,A , t target,B , t target,C , . . . t target,X ) respectively associated with the intake openings (A, B, C, . . . X), which target exit times or target exit time ranges are required for transporting the test fluid ( 210 ) from its introduction or entry into the fluid conduction system ( 110 , 120 , 130 ) until exiting from the respective intake opening (A, B, C, . . . X).

7 . The intake particle detection system ( 100 ) according to claim 6 ,

characterized in that

the test fluid line or the test fluid connection ( 130 ) opens into a central pipe section ( 131 ) of the fluid conduction system ( 110 , 120 , 130 ), which connects the one or more pipes or hose lines ( 110 , 120 ) and the detection unit ( 180 ) with each other in a fluid-conducting manner.

8 . The intake particle detection system ( 100 ) according to claim 6 ,

characterized in that

the test fluid line or the test fluid connection ( 130 ) opens into a local pipe section of the fluid conduction system ( 110 , 120 , 130 ), wherein the test fluid line or the test fluid connection ( 130 ) connects to a rear pipe end ( 111 , 121 ) of the at least one pipe or hose line ( 110 , 120 ) facing away from the detection unit ( 180 ).

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 19, 2024
From: LINDEN, OLIVER
To: WAGNER GROUP GMBH
Reel/Frame 068326/0298 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 20215275 · Dec 18, 2020 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240386789A1 · Nov 21, 2024
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