Fire detector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fire detector comprising:
- a wide band infrared sensor;
means for detecting when a level of wide band infrared radiant energy detected by the wide band infrared sensor exceeds an energy level threshold; and
means responsive to said detecting means for initiating a fire response protocol;
wherein said means for detecting when a level of wide band infrared radiant energy detected by the wide band infrared sensor exceeds an energy level threshold comprises a filter connected to the wide band infrared sensor for measuring the level of wide band infrared radiant energy, and a comparator connected to an output of said filter and to said energy level threshold; and
wherein said means for detecting when a level of wide band infrared radiant energy detected by the wide band infrared sensor exceeds an energy level threshold further comprises a visible band sensor connected to a second filter for measuring a level of visible band radiant energy, and a subtractor whereby said level of visible band radiant energy is subtracted from the output of the filter connected to the wide band infrared sensor prior to said comparator.
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Abstract
A process and system for flame detection includes a microprocessor-controlled detector with at least three sensors. A wide band infrared sensor is used as the primary detector, with near band and visible band sensors serving to detect false-alarm energy from nonfire sources. Digital signal processing is used to analyze sensed data and discriminate against false alarms. A multistage alarm system can be provided, which is selectively triggered by the microprocessor. Spectral recording and analysis of prefire data is provided for. The detector can be housed in an enclosed, sealed, removable, plastic housing that may include an integral plastic window lens.
60 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A fire detector comprising:
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a wide band infrared sensor; means for detecting when a level of wide band infrared radiant energy detected by the wide band infrared sensor exceeds an energy level threshold; and means responsive to said detecting means for initiating a fire response protocol; wherein said means for detecting when a level of wide band infrared radiant energy detected by the wide band infrared sensor exceeds an energy level threshold comprises a filter connected to the wide band infrared sensor for measuring the level of wide band infrared radiant energy, and a comparator connected to an output of said filter and to said energy level threshold; and wherein said means for detecting when a level of wide band infrared radiant energy detected by the wide band infrared sensor exceeds an energy level threshold further comprises a visible band sensor connected to a second filter for measuring a level of visible band radiant energy, and a subtractor whereby said level of visible band radiant energy is subtracted from the output of the filter connected to the wide band infrared sensor prior to said comparator.
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2. A fire detection system, comprising:
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a sensor array for providing sensor signals, said sensor array including a false-alarm sensor for detecting visible band energy, a false-alarm sensor for detecting near band infrared energy, and a primary sensor for detecting wide band infrared energy; a temperature sensor for providing signals indicative of ambient temperature conditions; and a controller for processing said sensor signals, said controller coupled to said sensor array and said temperature sensor for receiving said sensor signals from said sensor array and said signals from said temperature sensor, said controller calibrating operation parameters for said fire detection system in accordance with said signals from said temperature sensor and said sensor signals. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A fire detection system, comprising:
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a sensor array including a primary fire sensor for detecting wide band infrared energy, a first false-alarm sensor for detecting near band infrared energy, and a second false-alarm sensor for detecting visible band energy; a temperature sensor; a microprocessor configured to receive signals from said sensor array and said temperature sensor, said microprocessor calibrating operation parameters for said fire detection system in accordance with said signals received from said sensor array and said temperature sensor; a multistage alarm system coupled to said microprocessor, said microprocessor selectively activating a select one of a plurality of relays of said multistage alarm system depending upon one of a plurality of conditions sensed by said microprocessor; an enclosed, sealed, removable housing containing said sensor array, said temperature sensor, and said microprocessor, said housing including a window lens integral thereto; and a nonvolatile storage medium for storing spectral data associated with a detected fire event, said nonvolatile storage medium coupled to said microprocessor.
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17. A method of detecting a spark, flame, or fire, comprising the steps of:
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sensing wide band infrared energy, near band infrared energy, and visible band energy; eliminating false-alarm, nonfires based upon the sensed near band infrared energy and visible band energy; and detecting a spark, flame, or fire based upon the sensed wide band infrared energy. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification