Apparatus for monitoring a smoke detector

• US 20040246137A1
• Filed: 05/03/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Bobenhausen, Axel
• Granted Patent: US 7,015,820 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/606
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/043 of fire detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/046 prevention of tampering with detection circuits

Abstract

The proper function of a smoke detector of an enclosed space, such as a toilet or freight space or crew quarters in an aircraft, is monitored by at least two air pressure sensors which are so positioned that these air pressure sensors can measure an air pressure differential in the air flow into the smoke detector. If a pressure differential is detected the differential is evaluated in a central processing unit which produces a respective signal that indicates that the air flow and thus the smoke flow into the smoke detector is obstructed, whereby the smoke detector cannot function properly. This signal is visibly or audibly indicated.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring the function of a smoke detector in an aircraft, said apparatus comprising a smoke detector, an air flow passage to an air or smoke inlet of said smoke detector, at least two air pressure sensors positioned in such locations relative to said air flow passage that an air pressure differential is detectable in said air flow passage to said smoke detector, a pressure information evaluating unit operatively connected to said at least two air pressure sensors for processing said pressure information to detect an air pressure differential which signifies that a clogging in said air flow passage to said smoke detector prevents said smoke detector from functioning properly, and an indicator for receiving a control signal from said information evaluating unit for indicating that said smoke detector is prevented from functioning properly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said two air pressure sensors comprise a first pressure sensor positioned inside said smoke detector and a second pressure sensor positioned outside said smoke detector.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said second air pressure sensor is positioned upstream of said air or smoke inlet of said smoke detector in said air flow passage.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a hood surrounding said air flow passage at least partially upstream of said air or smoke inlet of said smoke detector, said second air pressure sensor being secured to said hood inside said hood.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a third air pressure sensor arranged inside an enclosure (4) monitored by said smoke detector.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising an enclosure monitored by said smoke detector, a protective grid positioned in said air flow passage to said smoke detector between said enclosure and said smoke detector, said at least two air pressure sensors comprising a first air pressure sensor positioned upstream of said protective grid and a second air pressure sensor positioned downstream of said protective grid as viewed in an air flow direction toward said smoke detector, whereby said first and second air pressure sensors are positioned for detecting a clogging of said protective grid and thus an impairment of the function of said smoke detector.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising an enclosure monitored by said smoke detector, a protective grid positioned in said air flow passage to said smoke detector between said enclosure and said smoke detector, said at least two air pressure sensors comprising a first air pressure sensor inside said smoke detector and a second air pressure sensor inside said enclosure, whereby said first and second air pressure sensors are positioned for detecting a clogging of said protective grid and thus an impairment of the function of said smoke detector.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least two air pressure sensors comprise a first air pressure sensor positioned downstream of said air or smoke inlet, and a second air pressure sensor positioned upstream of said air or smoke inlet, whereby said air or smoke inlet is positioned between said first and second air pressure sensors for detecting a clogging of said air or smoke inlet of said smoke detector.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said smoke detector comprises a smoke inlet and a smoke outlet, said air flow passage comprising a first flow pipe leading to said smoke inlet, a second flow pipe leading away from said smoke outlet, said first flow pipe comprising a plurality of holes for smoke to enter into said first flow pipe for reaching said smoke detector.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a smoke discharge port and wherein said second flow pipe connects said smoke outlet of said smoke detector to said smoke discharge port for visibly indicating the presence of smoke in an enclosure monitored by said smoke detector in said aircraft.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is installed in a freight space of said aircraft for detecting whether anything has obstructed said air or smoke inlet of said smoke detector.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is installed in a position for monitoring any smoke generation in a toilet of said aircraft.

13. An apparatus for monitoring the function of a smoke detector, said apparatus comprising a smoke inlet for said smoke detector, at least one first air pressure sensor arranged downstream of said smoke inlet, at least one second smoke detector arranged upstream of said smoke inlet, as viewed in an air flow direction toward said smoke detector, for detecting an air pressure differential across said smoke inlet of said smoke detector, a pressure information evaluating unit operatively connected to said first and second air pressure sensors for processing a pressure differential information into a control signal signifying a clogging of said smoke inlet of said smoke detector, and an indicator for receiving said control signal for indicating that a smoke detector function is impaired or prevented.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a third air pressure sensor so positioned relative to said first and second air pressure sensors that an air pressure differential is detectable between said first and second air pressure sensors and/or between said second and third air pressure sensors for providing information regarding any clogging in an air or smoke flow passage.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said first air pressure sensor is positioned inside said smoke detector.