Fire Acoustic Detector and Smoke Alarm

Innovation: To my knowledge no previous devices using acoustics have been manufactured to detect fires in homes just prior to become a full blaze. This device is unique because it will detect the fire just as is starting between walls and no visible or smell of smoke is present to warn of developed danger. This device could give people the extra time to get out of their homes to avoid injury and to call the fire department before is too late to save their homes. The problem with existing smoke alarms is that they will sound the alarm once the fire has produce enough smoke but not before. By using acoustic signatures or resonance you could detect the burning material by the sound it makes as it burns, as it has been known that most materials produce a burst or pop high frequency sound.

The principle behind my design is the following:

1. Microcomputer IC turns on data acquisition IC and tells it to be ready to catch incoming frequencies.
2. Microprocessor sends and impulse or a set of ultrasound frequencies to penetrate wall and see through plaster, wood, concrete or steel.
3. As the frequencies bounce back the data acquisition starts to capture the incoming frequencies and are further send to the microprocessor for analysis.
4. If the microprocessor finds a hit frequency, a new more narrow bad of frequencies are sent out to verify the hit frequency more accurate.
5. Upon return and double verification of hit frequency the microprocessor looks up its internal memory to identify the fire by its acoustic signature (burning wood, paint, plastic, etc.)
6. Once the microprocessor has identified the fire it would send a signal and activate the local piezoelectric speaker or speech processor (for voice warning).
7. If the local alarm has not been reset after a predetermined time, the microprocessor will send an external fire warning signal through its Ethernet adapter to a pre-programmed webpage or internet network during the initial setup by an external keypad or keyboard (not shown in diagram)

Manufacturability: Should not be hard as there are multiple companies making microcomputers in one chip. A lot of the components could be off the shelf and modified to fit design.

Marketability: Easy to market if you can save people a few minutes which in turn can save not only their lives but perhaps will give them more time to save their home.

Cost-effectiveness: Initial cost probably would be high until mass production gets started. Initial cost might not stop people from buying unit if the unit can really save them time to get out of their houses and call the fire department.

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Tags

Alarm, Computers, Imaging, Sensors