# US 2022/0277643 A1 · Fire detection system diagnostic systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0277643 A1 - Document ID: US20220277643A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/632,974 - Filed: 2020-09-29 - Published: 2022-09-01 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-18 - Assignees: Carrier Corporation - Applicants: Carrier Corporation - Inventors: Michael Lawrence Golob; Juan F. Posada; Dennis Michael Gadonniex - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220277643A1 ## CPC - G08B 29/145: {of fire detection circuits} - G08B 17/113: Constructional details - G08B 29/123: {of line circuits} - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract A tool for performing diagnostics on a fire detection system includes an induction coil which includes two halves that may be selectively opened and closed to surround a wire in the system and sense current through the wire. A diagnostic module and a conduit provide communication of data of the sensed current between the induction coil and the diagnostic module. The diagnostic module is configured to decode the data to interpret communications sent through the wire. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tool for performing diagnostics on fire detection system, comprising: an induction coil comprising two halves that may be selectively opened and closed to surround a wire in the system and sense current through the wire; a diagnostic module; and a conduit providing communication of data of the sensed current between the induction coil and the diagnostic module, wherein the diagnostic module is configured to decode the data to interpret communications sent through the wire. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the two halves are hingeably connected. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The tool as recited in claim 2, wherein each of the two halves comprises a ferrous core. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The tool as recited in claim 3, wherein each of the two halves comprises a plastic enclosure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the diagnostic module comprises an interface signal processing board for performing the decoding. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the interface signal processing board is programmed with an algorithm for converting the sensed data into signals from at least one detector of the system. ### Claim 7 A method for monitoring a fire detection system, the method comprising: surrounding a wire of the system with an induction coil; sensing current in the wire with the induction coil; communicating data of the sensed current from the induction coil to a diagnostic tool; and decoding the data to interpret communications sent through the wire. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the communications are commands from a panel of the fire detection system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the communications are responses from a detector of the fire detection system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the step of surrounding comprises maintaining a connection of the wire with the system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the fire detection system comprises a panel and a detector in communication through the wire. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the wire remains connected to the panel and the detector throughout the method for monitoring. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the fire detection system comprises a module in communication with a detector through the wire. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the wire remains connected to the module and the detector throughout the method for monitoring. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, the method comprising detecting a dirty detector in the fire detection system based on the decoded data. ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, the method comprising detecting a lack of communication between a device and a panel of the fire detection system based on the decoded data. ### Claim 17 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the step of surrounding comprises opening the induction coil, placing the wire within an inner diameter of the induction coil, and closing the induction coil. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the induction coil comprises two halves. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the two halves are hingeably connected. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method as recited in claim 19, wherein each of the two halves comprises a ferrous core. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method as recited in claim 20, wherein each of the two halves comprises a plastic enclosure.