Glass breakage detector with self-aligning housing

• US 4,949,073 A
• Filed: 01/10/1989
• Issued: 08/14/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Electronics Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: International Electronics Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Voosen, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III., Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/295,650
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 340/550, 340/693, 310/348
• US Class Current: 340/550
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/04 by breaking of glass

Abstract

A glass fracture detection system includes a circuit having a sensor for providing an output signal when a glass fracture occurs. The sensor is positioned within a housing so that, when the housing is mounted on the surface of the glass adjacent the frame in which the glass is encased, the sensor is automatically positioned in communication with the glass surface at a specified distance from the frame, which distance is selected so as to reduce damping of the output signal due to the presence of the frame and to reduce signals reflected from the frame to the sensor.

Claims

1. A glass fracture detection system for use with a glass encased in a frame, said system comprising

circuit means, including a sensor element for sensing a fracture of said glass, for providing an output signal when a glass fracture occurs;

housing means containing said circuit means, the sensor element thereof being positioned within said housing means so that, when said housing means is mounted on the surface of said glass adjacent said frame, the sensor element is automatically positioned in communication with said glass surface at a specified distance from said frame, which distance is selected so as to reduce damping of said output signal by said frame and to reduce signals reflected from said frame to the sensor element.

2. A glass fracture detection system in accordance with claim 1 and further including wiring means connected to the output signal of said circuit means and extending outwardly from said housing to said frame for connection to an alarm device.

3. A glass fracture detection system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said wiring means either extends substantially directly into and through an opening in said frame or extends around and external to said frame.

4. A glass fracture detection system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sensing element is a piezo-electric transducer element.

5. A glass fracture detection system in accordance with claim 1 and further including testing means integrally formed with said housing means.

6. A glass fracture detection system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said testing means includes means for providing a test signal directly at said glass.

7. A glass fracture detection system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said testing means comprises a flexible member attached at one end to said housing means, the other end of said flexible member being freely movable so that said member can be snapped against the surface of the glass to generate mechanical wave signals simulating wave signals generated when a fracture of said glass occurs, said sensing element being responsive to at least one of said mechanical wave signals.

9. A glass fracture detection system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing means includes a peel-and-stick adhesive material on one surface thereof for use in adhering said housing means to the surface of said glass and in providing a suitable coupling for communication between the glass surface and said sensor element in said housing means.

8. A glass fracture detection system in accordance 7 wherein said flexible member is a semi-rigid plastic tab element.