Smoke detector and method of detecting smoke

• US 20060261967A1
• Filed: 03/28/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Security Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: GE Security Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Marman, Douglas H., Eggers, Frederick W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,564,365 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/630
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/103 using a light emitting and receiving device
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/113 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/26 by updating and storing reference thresholds

Abstract

A smoke detector that includes at least one image-forming reflective surface, at least one light source and at least one light sensor. In operation, at least one light source emits light from a first area thereon and the reflective surface focuses the light onto a second area that includes at least one light sensor, wherein the first area is smaller than the second area.

Claims

1. A smoke detector, comprising:

a first light source configured to emit, from a first area thereon, light in a first wavelength range;

a first light sensor configured to detect the light in the first wavelength range; and

a reflective surface configured to focus the light in the first wavelength range onto a second area that includes the first light sensor, wherein the second area is larger than the first area.

2. The smoke detector of claim 1, wherein the first wavelength range includes at least one of infra-red wavelengths and near infrared wavelengths.

3. The smoke detector of claim 1, wherein the first wavelength range includes ultraviolet wavelengths.

4. The smoke detector of claim 1, wherein the first wavelength range includes at least one of blue wavelengths and green wavelengths.

5. The smoke detector of claim 1, further comprising:

a second light source also configured to emit light in the first wavelength range onto the reflective surface.

6. The smoke detector of claim 1, further comprising:

a second light source configured to emit light in a second wavelength range onto the reflective surface, wherein the second wavelength range differs from the first wavelength range; and

a second light sensor configured to detect the light in the second wavelength range.

7. The smoke detector of claim 1, further comprising self-calibration circuitry configured to automatically calibrate the detector.

8. The smoke detector of claim 1, further comprising:

a light barrier positioned between the first light source and the first light sensor, wherein the light barrier is opaque to the light in the first wavelength range.

9. The smoke detector of claim 1, further comprising:

an electronic component positioned between the first light source and the first light sensor.

10. The smoke detector of claim 1, wherein the first light source, the first light sensor and the reflective surface are mounted on a single surface.

11. The smoke detector of claim 1, further comprising:

a shroud substantially surrounding the first light sensor, wherein the shroud is opaque to the light in the first wavelength range.

12. The smoke detector of claim 1, further comprising:

a gas absorption sensor positioned adjacent to the light source.

13. A method of monitoring smoke concentration, the method comprising:

emitting light in a first wavelength range from a first area on a first light source;

focusing the light in the first wavelength range onto a second area, wherein the second area is larger than the first area and includes a first light sensor; and

detecting how much of the light in the first wavelength range reaches the first light sensor.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

automatically compensating for signal loss due to accumulation of particles over time.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

automatically compensating for changes in intensity of the light from the first light source over time.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

automatically compensating for changes in sensitivity of the first light sensor over time.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

emitting light in a second wavelength range from a third area on a second light source;

focusing the light in the second wavelength range onto a fourth area, wherein the fourth area is larger than the third area and includes the first light sensor; and

detecting how much of the light in the second wavelength range reaches the first light sensor.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

determining sizes of particles present in a first volume positioned between a mirror and the first light sensor and in a second volume positioned between the mirror and the first light source; and

distinguishing between at least two of flaming fires, smoldering fires and steam at least partially based on the sizes of the particles determined.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the distinguishing step is also partially based on a rate of change in how much of the light in the first wavelength range reaches the first light sensor.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

detecting concentration of a gas present in a first volume positioned between a mirror and the first light sensor and a second volume positioned between the mirror and the first light source.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the emitting step occurs on an intermittent basis and wherein the method further comprises:

recording a first light intensity value when the first light source is emitting the light in the first wavelength;

recording a second light intensity value when the first light source is not emitting the light in the first wavelength; and

subtracting the second light intensity value from the first light intensity value to obtain a measured value.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the emitting step occurs on an intermittent basis and wherein the method further comprises:

recording a first plurality of measurement values at times when the first light source is emitting the light in the first wavelength;

recording a second plurality of measurement values at times when the first light source is idle;

subtracting the second plurality of measurement values from the first plurality of measurement values to obtain a plurality of measured values; and

averaging the plurality of measured values to obtain a single measured value.

23. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

collecting a first smoke concentration value at a first time and a second smoke concentration value at a second time; and

setting off an alarm when the first smoke concentration value differs from the second smoke concentration by at least a predetermined threshold value.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein the reflecting step is performed in an air duct.

25. A smoke detector, comprising:

means for emitting light in a first wavelength range from a first area on a first light source;

means for focusing the light in the first wavelength range onto a second area, wherein the second area is larger than the first area and includes a first light sensor; and

means for detecting how much of the light in the first wavelength range reaches the first light sensor.