Environmental detection system useful for fire detection and suppression
First Claim
1. A method of detecting the environmental status such as the presence of smoke, heat or unauthorized intrusion of a monitored space, said method comprising the steps of:
- locating at least one environmental status detector in association with the monitored space for sensing an environmental condition parameter, said detector having means for producing a plurality of signal types including at least one detector signal representative of said parameter;
using signal processing means operably coupled with said detector for receiving signals therefrom and for determining the occurrence of a predetermined environmental condition in the monitored space as a function of said detection signal;
storing range data representative of the normal operational range for each of said signal types of a normally functioning detector, said detection signal falling within the corresponding stored range during detecting of the occurrence of said predetermined environmental condition during normal functioning of said detector; and
comparing in said signal processing means said detector signal with said stored range data and deteterming whether said detector signal falls outside said corresponding stored range, such being indicative of abnormal functioning of said detector.
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Abstract
An environmental detection system particularly useful for fire detection and suppression is provided which ensures high reliability in operation and high reliability in preventing false operation. The preferred system includes a microprocessor-based, software-governed, control panel connected to one or more detector loops. Each loop includes a plurality of parallel-coupled, addressable detectors which send analog signals to the control panel representative of an environmental parameter such as smoke obscuration along with reference and identification signals. The preferred system provides automatic calibration and test of the detectors, automatic testing under load of the backup batteries, flexibility in defining the protective scheme, and storage of history information concerning system alarms, and troubles. The preferred system also verifies alarm conditions before actuating an alarm or discharging a fire suppressant.
23 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of detecting the environmental status such as the presence of smoke, heat or unauthorized intrusion of a monitored space, said method comprising the steps of:
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locating at least one environmental status detector in association with the monitored space for sensing an environmental condition parameter, said detector having means for producing a plurality of signal types including at least one detector signal representative of said parameter; using signal processing means operably coupled with said detector for receiving signals therefrom and for determining the occurrence of a predetermined environmental condition in the monitored space as a function of said detection signal; storing range data representative of the normal operational range for each of said signal types of a normally functioning detector, said detection signal falling within the corresponding stored range during detecting of the occurrence of said predetermined environmental condition during normal functioning of said detector; and comparing in said signal processing means said detector signal with said stored range data and deteterming whether said detector signal falls outside said corresponding stored range, such being indicative of abnormal functioning of said detector.
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2. An apparatus for detecting the environmental status such as the presence of smoke, heat or unauthorized intrusion of a monitored space, said apparatus comprising:
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at least one environmental status detector for association with the monitored space for sensing an environmental condition parameter and having means for producing a plurality of signal types including at least one detector signal representative of said parameter; and signal processing means operably coupled with said detector for receiving signals therefrom and for determining the occurrence of a predetermined environmental condition in the monitored space as a function of said detection signal, said signal processing means further including means for storing range data representative of the normal operational range for each of said signal types of a normally functioning detector, said detection signal falling within the corresponding stored range during detecting of the occurrence of said predetermined environmental condition during normal functioning of said detector, and means for comparing said detector signal with said stored range data for determining whether said detector signal falls outside said corresponding stored range, such being indicative of abnormal functioning of said detector. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification