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







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        DownstreamGas.indd   3                                                                                    19/04/2018   12:55
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