Flame detector
First Claim
1. A flame sensing unit which comprises:
- an optical sensor for creating an event signal, wherein the event signal is indicative of a flame and is created whenever ultra-violet (UV) radiation is incident on the sensor and the incident UV radiation exceeds a predetermined fluence;
an electro-magnetic sensor for creating a cancel signal in response to the reception of a Radio Frequency (RF) component transmitted in an electrical arc discharge;
an antenna electrically connected to the electro-magnetic sensor for receiving the RF component of the electrical arc discharge, wherein the antenna has a predetermined length L, and the length L is established to receive RF components having an intensity above a predetermined threshold;
a controller electronically connected to the electro-magnetic sensor for monitoring an operation of the electro-magnetic sensor for creation of the cancel signal;
a computer connected to the optical sensor for receiving the event signal therefrom, and connected to the controller of the electro-magnetic sensor for receiving the cancel signal therefrom, and for stopping the event signal when the event signal and a cancel signal are received simultaneously by the computer; and
an alarm connected to the computer for indicating the presence of a flame when the alarm receives an event signal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for detecting open flames in an outdoor environment. Structurally, the outdoor flame detector includes both an ultra-violet (UV) detector and a Radio Frequency (RF) detector. While operating within predetermined parameters, these detectors respectively create an event signal(s) and a cancel signal(s). In detail, the UV detector will output an event signal whenever UV radiation with a fluence above a predetermined value is incident on the UV detector. On the other hand, the RF detector will output a cancel signal whenever it receives an RF component transmitted in an electrical arc discharge having an intensity above a predetermined threshold. The event signal and the cancel signal are then individually and collectively evaluated by a computer to distinguish between an actual open flame and a non-flame event, such as an electric arc discharge (e.g. lightening, electric motors and arc welding).
5 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A flame sensing unit which comprises:
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an optical sensor for creating an event signal, wherein the event signal is indicative of a flame and is created whenever ultra-violet (UV) radiation is incident on the sensor and the incident UV radiation exceeds a predetermined fluence; an electro-magnetic sensor for creating a cancel signal in response to the reception of a Radio Frequency (RF) component transmitted in an electrical arc discharge; an antenna electrically connected to the electro-magnetic sensor for receiving the RF component of the electrical arc discharge, wherein the antenna has a predetermined length L, and the length L is established to receive RF components having an intensity above a predetermined threshold; a controller electronically connected to the electro-magnetic sensor for monitoring an operation of the electro-magnetic sensor for creation of the cancel signal; a computer connected to the optical sensor for receiving the event signal therefrom, and connected to the controller of the electro-magnetic sensor for receiving the cancel signal therefrom, and for stopping the event signal when the event signal and a cancel signal are received simultaneously by the computer; and an alarm connected to the computer for indicating the presence of a flame when the alarm receives an event signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for sensing flames which comprises:
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an ultra-violet (UV) detector for creating an event signal, wherein the event signal is indicative of a flame and is created whenever ultra-violet (UV) radiation is incident on the detector, and the incident UV radiation exceeds a predetermined fluence; a Radio Frequency (RF) detector for creating a cancel signal in response to the reception of a Radio Frequency (RF) component transmitted in an electrical arc discharge; a computer connected to the controller of the optical sensor for receiving the event signal therefrom, and connected to the controller of the electro-magnetic sensor for receiving the cancel signal therefrom, and for stopping the event signal when the event signal and a cancel signal are received simultaneously by the computer; and an alarm connected to the computer for indicating the presence of a flame when the alarm receives an event signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for sensing flames which comprises the steps of:
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creating an event signal using an ultra-violet detector having an optical sensor, wherein the event signal is indicative of a flame and is created whenever ultra-violet (UV) radiation is incident on the optical sensor, and the incident UV radiation exceeds a predetermined fluence; creating a cancel signal using a Radio Frequency (RF) detector having an electro-magnetic sensor, wherein the cancel signal is created in response to the reception by the electro-magnetic sensor of a Radio Frequency (RF) component transmitted in an electrical arc discharge; using a computer for receiving the event signal and for receiving the cancel signal; stopping the event signal when an event signal and a cancel signal are received simultaneously by the computer; and providing an alarm for indicating the presence of a flame when the alarm receives an event signal. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification