Outlet heat detector
AssigneeFiresmart Technology, Inc.
InventorJonathan Lermann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and apparatus for sensing temperature to prevent electrical fires is provided for. Here, a device that plugs into a wall outlet, or attaches to the wall plate of a wall outlet, is equipped with an audible alarm and at least one temperature sensor, such that the device can sense the temperature of an appliance plugged into it, as well as the temperature of the electrical wires powering the wall outlet and the outlet receptacle. The device is capable of turning off the power to an appliance, as well as ejecting itself from the wall outlet entirely. It can be operated automatically or through a software application. Optionally, the apparatus is combined with a second device that connects to the main circuit panel of a house that is capable of stopping the flow of electricity to an entire house.
Claims21
An outlet cover for sensing temperature to prevent electrical fires, comprising:
- a faceplate configured for positioning against an outlet receptacle, the faceplate defining at least one hole configured to enable access to at least one socket of the outlet receptacle;
- a contact plate extending from the faceplate towards the outlet receptacle, the contact plate including a heat sensor configured to contact a terminal screw of the outlet receptacle and sense a temperature of the terminal screw of the outlet receptacle;
- at least one mounting screw inserted through the faceplate and affixed to the outlet receptacle to thereby affix the faceplate in position against the outlet receptacle;
- and
- a base extending from the faceplate and defining an enclosed shell, the enclosed shell including electronics configured to receive the sensed temperature of the terminal screw of the outlet receptacle from the heat sensor, determine whether the sensed temperature is above a temperature limit, and at least one of provide an output or break an electrical connection when it is determined that the sensed temperature is above the temperature limit.
An outlet cover for sensing temperature to prevent electrical fires, comprising:
- a faceplate configured for positioning against an outlet receptacle, the faceplate defining at least one hole configured to enable access to at least one socket of the outlet receptacle;
- a contact plate extending from the faceplate towards the outlet receptacle, the contact plate configured to contact a terminal screw of the outlet receptacle and including a heat sensor configured to sense a temperature of the terminal screw of the outlet receptacle;
- at least one mounting screw inserted through the faceplate and affixed to the outlet receptacle to thereby affix the faceplate in position against the outlet receptacle;
- and
- a base extending from the faceplate and defining an enclosed shell, the enclosed shell including electronics configured to receive the sensed temperature of the terminal screw of the outlet receptacle from the heat sensor and determine whether the sensed temperature is above a temperature limit, the electronics including a wireless transceiver configured to output a notification to an electronic device when it is determined that the sensed temperature is above the temperature limit, the notification identifying a device plugged into the outlet receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.