Page 22 - Gi flipbook May 2018
P. 22
The invention of a Chartered Engineer
it was imperative at the design stage
that the device be capable of working FIGURE 2. Showing an early prototype to FIGURE 3. Shows a development kit Ben
with any new or existing approved CO test and prove the principle theory used to learn software programming
detector by learning, storing and
referencing the alarm characteristics,
rather than developing a proprietary
detector. This would avoid needless
manufacturing, unnecessary waste
from disposing of working CO
detectors and other associated costs.
A CHANGING
TECHNOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE
With big data and the threat of
cyber-terrorism growing, special care
has gone into developing proprietary FIGURE 4. Showing a 3D printed version of the CO interlock
algorithms, data loggers and
communication protocols that cannot
be tampered with remotely, nor can
the device be interrupted or disabled
locally without such actions being
recorded. In such events, there are
mitigation procedures both
mechanically and via the software.
Another benefit of the device is
that it is capable of working offline
and doesn’t allow power to be
established to the appliance until it
has been properly commissioned.
Current models of the CO interlock
also incorporate various methods of
resetting the device depending on
the target market. These include
near-field communication (NFC),
radio-frequency identification (RFID),
reed switch or recessed buttons,
which are still in trial.
SUCCESS AND VALIDATION
During the development of the CO
interlock, an application was made
for intellectual property rights within
the United Kingdom. The application improve safety within multi-occupancy THE FUTURE OF THE
was soon extended to Europe and dwellings, extended protection for INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
the United States. During this electrically independent appliances, AND COMMERCIALISATION
process, all search and examination smart technologies and wireless This novel solution has now been
reports were successfully overcome, protocols. Multiple markets for the use granted full patent rights within the
including citations referencing blue of the CO interlock have also been United Kingdom and the United
chip companies. The application has discovered through this process. States of America while Europe
now been granted in the UK and US, My research and development remains patent-pending.
with the European application journals were used to create a technical Moving forward, the intellectual
patent-pending. report that was submitted to IGEM property will be open for tender to
The CO interlock is still in extensive for review at CEng level. Following a allow the CO interlock to reach a
small scale field trials to expand on its successful interview and peer review, I global customer base. ■
technological capabilities. To date, new was admitted as a Chartered Engineer
functions have been discovered to on 2 November, 2017. ■ For more information, visit
www.quantic-corporation.co.uk/
The application has now been granted co-interlock or call
Managing Director Ben Kuchta
in the UK and US, with the European on +447547506753.
application patent-pending
22
DownstreamGas.indd 3 19/04/2018 12:55