Failsafe gas leak detection and mitigation system and method
US12298039B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 2022 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2700/21163
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A failsafe hydrocarbon-based gas (HBG) leak detection (HLD) and mitigation (HLM) system/method for use in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that incorporates a hydrocarbon gas sensor (HGS), sensor signal conditioner (SSC), alarm status indicator (ASI), and digital control processor (DCP) is disclosed. The HGS detects ambient hydrocarbon gas (AHG) and presents a hydrocarbon sensor voltage (HSV) to the SSC. The DCP and SSC form a closed control loop (CCL) in which the SSC electrical characteristics are adjusted by the DCP such that the HSV is continuously and dynamically recalibrated to account for background HBG levels, changes in ambient air conditions, HGS manufacturing tolerances, and other field-specific operational conditions that impact the HGS detection capabilities. The DCP is configured to log alarms to the ASI if a HGS HBG leak is detected and optionally shutdown gas flow to one or more HBG target (HBT) system components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.