Environmental detection system useful for fire detection and suppression
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting an environmental condition such as fire, smoke and intrusion in a monitored space, said apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of detectors each including means for sensing an environmental condition parameter in a monitored space and for producing detector signals representative of said parameter;
signal processing means including means for operably coupling with said detectors for receiving and processing said detector signals for determining the existence of predetermined environmental condition therefrom, and including means for periodically producing a battery test command signal; and
power supply means for supplying the electrical energy requirements of said apparatus, said power supply means includingmeans for coupling with a source of external power for supplying said energy requirements,battery means for supplying said energy requirements in the absence of external power,battery charger means selectively connectable with said battery for charging thereof,a test load, andcontrol means responsive to receipt of said battery test signal for disconnecting said battery charger means from said battery means, for connecting said test load to said battery means, and for producing a battery load signal representative of the performance of said battery means under said load,said signal processing means including means for operably coupling with said control means for receiving and responding to said load signal for determining whether said battery is capable of supplying said energy requirements for a predetermined amount of time.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
10 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for detecting an environmental condition such as fire, smoke and intrusion in a monitored space, said apparatus comprising:
-
a plurality of detectors each including means for sensing an environmental condition parameter in a monitored space and for producing detector signals representative of said parameter; signal processing means including means for operably coupling with said detectors for receiving and processing said detector signals for determining the existence of predetermined environmental condition therefrom, and including means for periodically producing a battery test command signal; and power supply means for supplying the electrical energy requirements of said apparatus, said power supply means including means for coupling with a source of external power for supplying said energy requirements, battery means for supplying said energy requirements in the absence of external power, battery charger means selectively connectable with said battery for charging thereof, a test load, and control means responsive to receipt of said battery test signal for disconnecting said battery charger means from said battery means, for connecting said test load to said battery means, and for producing a battery load signal representative of the performance of said battery means under said load, said signal processing means including means for operably coupling with said control means for receiving and responding to said load signal for determining whether said battery is capable of supplying said energy requirements for a predetermined amount of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
Specification