US20190293556A1 - Protective cover for chamberless point sensor - Google Patents
Protective cover for chamberless point sensor Download PDFInfo
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- US20190293556A1 US20190293556A1 US15/936,073 US201815936073A US2019293556A1 US 20190293556 A1 US20190293556 A1 US 20190293556A1 US 201815936073 A US201815936073 A US 201815936073A US 2019293556 A1 US2019293556 A1 US 2019293556A1
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- protective cover
- chamberless
- detector
- light
- covered
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Images
Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B17/00—Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
- G08B17/10—Actuation by presence of smoke or gases, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
- G08B17/103—Actuation by presence of smoke or gases, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means using a light emitting and receiving device
- G08B17/107—Actuation by presence of smoke or gases, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means using a light emitting and receiving device for detecting light-scattering due to smoke
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
- G01N21/47—Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection
- G01N21/49—Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid
- G01N21/53—Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N33/0004—Gaseous mixtures, e.g. polluted air
- G01N33/0009—General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment
- G01N33/0027—General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment concerning the detector
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B17/00—Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
- G08B17/10—Actuation by presence of smoke or gases, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
- G08B17/11—Actuation by presence of smoke or gases, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means using an ionisation chamber for detecting smoke or gas
- G08B17/113—Constructional details
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
- G01N2021/0106—General arrangement of respective parts
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates generally to particulate monitors and smoke detectors, and more particularly, to a protective cover for a chamberless point sensor.
- Smoke detectors play an important role in identifying smoke, ideally alarming as early as possible in the course of fire.
- Smoke detectors can use one or more sources of light as the source of the smoke detection scheme, and can use multiple wavelengths of light to help improve detection performance. For example, dual wavelengths of light, one being infrared and the other being visible, can be used in a smoke detector.
- a chamberless detector can provide improved sensing performance over designs that utilize a chamber, therefore resulting in the popularity of the chamberless design in high-performance applications.
- a chamberless detector can be referred to as a next-generation point sensor, because of its advanced design and its use in detecting smoke at a particular point of installation.
- a chamberless detector can also be referred to as a chamberless point sensor.
- a commercial aircraft is a non-limiting example of a high-performance application where a chamberless point sensor utilizing multiple wavelengths of light can be used.
- a chamberless point sensor utilizing multiple wavelengths of light can be used.
- factors that contribute to the need for a high-performance chamberless detector include the desire to discern between steam or dust and the smoke particles from a fire, the desire to avoid nuisance alarms from food preparation, and the desire to detect smoke particles that can be produced from smoldering synthetic materials, often resulting in particle sizes smaller than 0.5 ⁇ m (microns) in diameter.
- chamberless detectors utilizing multiple wavelengths of light can be used to monitor indoor air quality, where fine particles (particle sizes ⁇ 2.5 ⁇ m) and coarse particles (particle sizes ⁇ 10 ⁇ m) can be important.
- the optical emitters of a next-generation point sensor can cast light into the surrounding environment, where it can be a source of annoyance.
- the optical detectors of a next-generation point sensor can be prone to interference from ambient light sources emanating from the surrounding environment.
- a covered chamberless particulate detector includes a chamberless detector configured to produce a signal when particulate sensing events occurs, one or more optical emitters on the chamberless detector configured to emit one or more emitting cones of light, one or more optical sensors on the chamberless detector defining one or more receiving cones, and a protective cover on the chamberless detector defining an inside region and an outside region.
- Each optical sensor is configured to detect the occurrence of particulate sensing events, and each of the one or more emitting cones of light is configured to overlap with each of the one or more receiving cones, thereby creating one or more sensing volumes.
- a method of using a covered chamberless particulate detector that includes one or more optical emitters, one or more optical sensors, and a protective cover over the optical emitters and the optical sensors that defines an inside region and an outside region.
- the method includes emitting one or more emitting cones of light from the one or more optical emitters, receiving light in one or more receiving cones by the one or more optical sensors, detecting particulate sensing events, and producing a signal denoting occurrence of the particular sensing events.
- the detecting is based on the presence of particulate material in one or more sensing volumes defined by an overlap of the one or more emitting cones of light and the one or more receiving cones, where the one or more sensing volumes are located in the inside region, the outside region, or both the inside region and the outside region.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a next generation chamberless particulate detector with one embodiment of the protective cover.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the protective cover.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the protective cover.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the protective cover.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the protective cover.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the protective cover.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the protective cover.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the protective cover.
- the present disclosure provides a protective cover for a next generation chamberless point sensor.
- the next generation chamberless point sensor can be referred to as a chamberless point sensor and monitor, covered chamberless particulate detector, or chamberless detector for short.
- “particulate” will be used to describe all airborne particles that are detectable, which includes smoke.
- the descriptions provided herein refer to the detection of airborne particulates by the interaction of light and the scattering of light to the optical detection circuitry of the chamberless detector.
- the operation of a chamberless detector can be referred to as monitoring, whereby the chamberless detector monitors for sensing events.
- a sensing event is when an electrical response occurs within the detection circuitry as a result of a photo interaction.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a chamberless particulate detector with a protective cover. Shown in FIG. 1 are covered point sensor 10 , chamberless detector 12 , optical sources 14 , optical sensors 16 , mounting rim 20 , emitting cone 22 , receiving cone 23 , near particles 24 , far particles 26 , inside region 29 , protective cover 30 , and outside region 31 .
- emitting cone 22 is associated with each optical source 14
- receiving cone 23 is associated with each optical sensor 16 .
- the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 depicts two optical sources 14 and two optical sensors 16 , but only one emitting cone 22 and one receiving cone 23 is shown for ease of illustration.
- covered point sensor 10 has a substantially hemispherical geometry, being comprised of chamberless detector 12 and protective cover 30 .
- Chamberless detector 12 has a substantially flat profile as illustrated in the side view of FIG. 1 .
- chamberless detector 12 has a circular or disk-like shape viewed from the top or in perspective (not shown).
- protective cover 30 has a semi-circular shape as viewed from the side.
- Protective cover 30 can be referred to as an envelope, defining an inside region and an outside region of protective cover 30 .
- protective cover 30 has a diameter of about 10 cm (3.9 inches) in the region near where protective cover 30 attaches to chamberless detector 12 .
- protective cover 30 can have a diameter between 5-15 cm (2.0-5.9 inches). In yet other embodiments, protective cover 30 can have a diameter of less than 5 cm (2.0 inches), or greater than 15 cm (5.9 inches).
- protective cover 30 has a generally hemispherical shape, in which the height of protective cover 30 is approximately half the diameter. In other embodiments, the geometry of protective cover 30 can be substantially different from hemispherical. For example, in an embodiment, protective cover 30 can be squat in its geometry, with a height less than approximately half the diameter. In another embodiment, the height of protective cover 30 can be significantly less than approximately half the diameter.
- protective cover 30 can have a bulbous geometry, in which the height of protective cover 30 is greater than approximately half the diameter.
- the cover can be cylindrical, square, or rectangular in shape, with these being non-limiting examples of possible geometries of protective cover 30 .
- covered point sensor 10 includes chamberless detector 12 and protective cover 30 . It will be appreciated that covered point sensor 10 can provide additional benefits including but not limited to reduction of transport time for particles to reach the particle detecting elements to enable faster alerting, alarm, and response by users and systems; improved sensitivity; improved manufacturability; negligible directionality; ease of maintenance; and enhanced aesthetic appearance.
- Optical emitters 14 produce and emit light having a wavelength or wavelengths that are employed by chamberless detector 12 .
- there are two optical emitters 14 with each optical emitter producing a peak wavelength of light.
- a first optical emitter 14 can produce an infrared light and a second optical emitter 14 can produce a blue light.
- the infrared light can have a peak wavelength between 800-950 nm, but in some embodiments may be outside of this range.
- the blue light can have a peak wavelength between 460-480 nm, but in some embodiments may be outside of this range.
- optical emitters 14 can produce wavelengths of light in the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet bands of light.
- optical emitters 14 can produce a wide range of wavelengths of light.
- one or more optical emitters 14 can produce violet or ultraviolet light having a wavelength shorter than 460 nm.
- one or more optical emitters 14 can produce visible light having a wavelength between 380-700 nm.
- one or more optical emitters 14 can produce infrared light having a wavelength greater than 700 nm.
- optical emitters 14 can produce the same wavelength of light.
- only one optical emitter 14 can be used.
- three or more optical emitters 14 can be used.
- optical emitters 14 are light emitting diodes (LEDs).
- optical emitters 14 can produce light by any suitable means.
- optical emitter 14 produces and emits light as emitting cone 22 .
- Emitting cone 22 is an expanding cone of light that is emitted from optical emitter 14 at one or more wavelengths of light.
- two optical emitters 14 are shown but for simplicity of illustration, only one emitting cone 22 is illustrated being emitted from a first optical emitter.
- each optical emitter 14 will produce and emit a separate emitting cone 22 , although they can be placed adjacent to each other and therefore have overlapping emitting cones 22 .
- multiple emitting cones 22 can be produced from a single optical emitter 14 , and each of the multiple emitting cones 22 can have similar or different optical properties.
- emitting cone 22 is projected into a volume of the space being monitored by covered point sensor 10 , with emitting cone 22 having a dispersion angle that results in an expansion of emitting cone 22 at greater distances from optical emitter 14 .
- Optical sensors 16 detect light. Two optical sensors 16 are depicted in the present embodiment. In some embodiments, one optical sensor 16 can be used. In other embodiments, three or more optical sensors 16 can be used. In the illustrated embodiment, optical sensors 16 are photo diodes. In other embodiments, optical sensors 16 can be any suitable device that produces a photoelectric indication of light. In other embodiments, a single optical sensor 16 can be used, or three or more optical sensors 16 can be used. In some embodiments, the two or more optical sensors 16 can be the same style of photo detector, or can be different styles of photo detectors from each other. In some embodiments, each optical sensor 16 can be responsive to a particular wavelength of light.
- Each optical sensor has a corresponding receiving cone 23 , depicting the field of view of the particular optical sensor 16 , with a single receiving cone 23 being shown for ease of illustration.
- Receiving cone 23 is an expanding cone defining the region that optical sensor 16 is sensitive to.
- a particular optical sensor 16 can have two or more optical cones 23 , and each particular optical cone can have different geometries and/or be responsive to different wavelengths of light.
- sensing volume The volume where a particular emitting cone 22 and a particular receiving cone 23 overlap is referred to as a sensing volume.
- One or more sensing volumes can be created by the interaction of a single emitting cone 22 with a single receiving cone 23 , the interaction of a single emitting cone 22 with two or more receiving cones 23 , by the interaction of two or more emitting cones 22 with a single receiving cone 23 , or by the interaction of two or more emitting cones 22 with two or more receiving cones 23 .
- protective cover 30 is transparent. Accordingly, any of the multiple sensing volumes created by covered point sensor 10 as described above can be entirely in inside region 29 , outside region 31 , or in both inside region 29 and outside region 31 . In some embodiments there can be fluid communication from the region outside protective cover 30 to inside protective cover 30 .
- exemplary near particles 24 are located in inside region 29
- exemplary far particles 26 are located in outside region 31
- various embodiments of protective cover 30 are available to allow for fluid communication between outside region 31 and inside region 29
- Exemplary near particles 24 are located in inside region 29
- exemplary far particles 26 are located in outside region 31 .
- particulates including smoke and other airborne particles, can vary in size depending on several factors including without limitation the materials that are smoldering, burning, or combusting, the temperature of the process, the stage of the process, and the concentration of oxygen and other gasses at the point of the process.
- the process can be combustion, pre-combustion, or any other process that evolves airborne particulates.
- processes other than combustion can cause airborne particulates.
- chemical reactions can evolve airborne particulates.
- Particulates can generally range in size from 0.1-2.0 ⁇ m in diameter, however they can be smaller in size than 0.1 ⁇ m in diameter, or larger in size than 2.0 ⁇ m in diameter. Some particulates can be up to 10 ⁇ m in diameter.
- covered point sensor 10 can monitor for indoor air quality, while being able to discriminate between fine particles (particle sizes ⁇ 2.5 ⁇ m) and coarse particles (particle sizes ⁇ 10 ⁇ m).
- each optical sensor 16 has receiving cone 23 .
- the geometry of each receiving cone 23 depends on the field of view, position, and alignment of respective optical sensor 16 . Accordingly, the intersection of receiving cone 23 of optical sensor 16 , and emitting cone 22 of optical emitter 14 , determines the sensing volume, as described above.
- multiple sensing volumes are created by covered point sensor 10 , with each sensing volume determining where particulates can be detected. Covered point sensor 10 detects the presence of particulates by the scattering of light in each of the sensing volumes, as described above. As light illuminates near particles 24 and/or far particles 26 , scattering and/or fluorescence occurs.
- optical sensor 16 Some of the scattered and/or fluoresced light within each sensing volume is directed to optical sensor 16 .
- the light received by optical sensor 16 causes an electrical reaction in optical sensor 16 which is amplified and analyzed by detection circuitry (not shown) within covered point sensor 10 . Accordingly, the electrical signal produced by each optical sensor 16 is received by circuitry (not shown) of covered point sensor 10 , thereby producing a sensing event.
- the processing of these electrical signals that are produced by sensing events can be referred to as monitoring, as described above.
- one or more levels produced by the monitor can be displayed on an indicator and/or recorded on a data storage medium.
- different monitored levels can be produced in response to various detection wavelengths and other factors.
- the covered point sensor 10 can be programmed to discriminate between various sensing events, while producing additional responses if various threshold criteria are met. Non-limiting examples of additional responses can include activating an alarm, triggering other system responses, and initiating protective actions.
- Mounting rim 20 surrounds the outer peripheral edge of chamberless detector 12 in the region where protective cover 30 attaches to chamberless detector 12 .
- protective cover rim 32 surrounds the outer peripheral edge of protective cover 30 in the region where protective cover 30 attaches to chamberless detector 12 .
- mounting rim 20 fully surrounds chamberless detector 12
- protective cover rim 32 fully surrounds protective cover 30
- a removable adhesive can be used to affix protective cover rim 32 to mounting rim 20 , thereby affixing protective cover 30 to chamberless detector 12 .
- a means of fastening protective cover 30 to chamberless detector 12 may be provided.
- threaded fasteners could be used to affix protective cover 30 to chamberless detector 12 .
- a distinctive mounting rim 20 may not exist on chamberless detector 12 , and/or a distinctive protective cover rim 32 may not exist on protective cover 30 .
- any suitable means of affixing protective cover 20 to chamberless detector 12 may be employed. Non-limiting examples include friction-fit, snap-fit, twist lock, touch fasteners, threaded fasteners, and permanent adhesives.
- mounting rim 20 may only partially surround chamberless detector 12
- protective cover rim 32 may only partially surround mounting rim 30 .
- tabs, hooks, snaps, feet, or the like may take the place of affixing protective cover 32 to mounting rim 20 .
- FIGS. 2-8 disclose various embodiments of protective cover 30 as shown in FIG. 1 .
- references to emitting cone 22 , receiving cone 23 , near particles 24 , far particles 26 , inside region 29 , and outside region 31 will be as shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the protective cover of covered point sensor 10 . Shown in FIG. 2 are protective cover 130 , protective cover rim 132 , protective cover material 134 , and protective cover apertures 136 .
- Protective cover 130 is formed from a structure of protective cover material 134 , with a lattice of protective cover apertures 136 in the non-material regions.
- protective cover material 134 includes stands of wire that are woven together and formed into the dome-like structure of protective cover 130 .
- protective cover material 134 can be any metallic or non-metallic material, with non-limiting examples including glass, plastic, fiberglass, resin, and metal.
- protective cover material 134 is anti-reflective, such that light from emitting cone 22 is not reflected within protective cover 130 .
- protective cover material 134 can be transparent, reflective, anti-reflective, and/or absorptive.
- protective cover apertures 136 can allow for light from optical emitters 14 to pass from inside region 29 into outside region 31 , thereby illuminating particulates in outside region 31 .
- Protective cover apertures 136 can also allow for scattered light from particulates in outside region 31 to pass from outside region 31 to inside region 29 , thereby entering one or more receiving cones 23 of optical sensors 16 . Accordingly, one or more sensing volumes can be created in outside region 31 .
- Protective cover apertures 136 can also permit fluid communication between outside region 31 and inside region 29 , thereby allowing particulates to enter inside region 29 . Particles in inside region 29 can be detected by covered point sensor in one or more sensing volumes that are created in inside region 29 .
- protective cover material 134 covers between about 1-3% of the surface area of protective cover 130 . In some embodiments, protective cover material 134 can cover less than 1% of the surface area of protective cover 130 . In yet other embodiments, protective cover material 134 can cover more than 3% of the surface area of protective cover 130 .
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the protective cover of covered point sensor 10 . Shown in FIG. 3 are protective cover 230 , protective cover rim 232 , protective cover material 234 , protective cover apertures 236 , and protective cover inner surface 238 .
- Protective cover 230 is formed from a structure of protective cover material 234 , with a lattice of protective cover apertures 236 in the non-material regions.
- protective cover material 234 is a lattice structure of metal that is formed into the dome-like structure of protective cover 230 .
- protective cover material 234 can be any metallic or non-metallic material, with non-limiting examples including plastic, fiberglass, and resin.
- the lattice of protective cover material 234 can be formed by punching, drilling, etching, or burning protective cover apertures 236 into protective cover material 234 .
- protective cover inner surface 238 is anti-reflective, such that light from emitting cone 22 is not reflected within protective cover 230 .
- protective cover inner surface 238 can be reflective or partially reflective.
- protective cover material 234 can be transparent, reflective, anti-reflective, and/or absorptive.
- Protective cover apertures 236 can function similar to protective cover apertures 136 described in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the protective cover of covered point sensor 10 . Shown in FIG. 4 are protective cover 330 , protective cover rim 332 , protective cover material 334 , protective cover apertures 336 , protective cover inner surface 338 , and protective cover rim apertures 340 .
- Protective cover 330 is formed from a structure of protective cover material 334 , with a structure of protective cover apertures 336 in the non-material regions.
- protective cover material 334 is a material structure of plastic that is molded into the dome-like structure of protective cover 330 .
- protective cover material 334 can be any metallic or non-metallic material, with non-limiting examples including metal, fiberglass, and resin.
- protective cover apertures 336 are molded into protective cover 330 .
- protective cover apertures 336 can be formed by punching, cutting, etching, or burning protective cover apertures 336 into protective cover material 334 .
- protective cover inner surface 338 is anti-reflective, such that light from emitting cone 22 is not reflected within protective cover 330 .
- protective cover inner surface 338 can be reflective or partially reflective.
- protective cover material 334 can be transparent, reflective, anti-reflective, and/or absorptive.
- Protective cover apertures 336 can function similar to protective cover apertures 136 described in FIG. 1 .
- protective cover material 334 covers between about 40-60% of the surface area of protective cover 330 .
- protective cover material 334 can cover less than 40% of the surface area of protective cover 330 .
- protective cover material 334 can cover more than 60% of the surface area of protective cover 330 .
- Protective cover rim apertures 340 can be used for affixing protective cover 330 to mounting rim 20 by the use of mechanical fastening devices.
- mechanical fastening devices include pins, threaded fasteners, studs, and rivets.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the protective cover of covered point sensor 10 . Shown in FIG. 5 are protective cover 430 , protective cover rim 432 , protective cover material 434 , and protective cover apertures 436 .
- Protective cover 430 is formed from protective cover material 434 , with an array of protective cover apertures 436 that are arranged as parallel latitudes in some regions of protective cover 430 .
- protective cover material 434 is transparent plastic material in the form of a dome-like structure for protective cover 430 . Accordingly, protective cover 430 can allow light transmission similar to that described in FIG. 1 .
- transparent is defined to mean the material has a transparency of at least 90% at the wavelength or wavelengths of light being transmitted through protective cover 430 .
- protective cover material 434 can be any transparent or substantially transparent material such as glass or resin.
- protective cover material 434 can be a partially transparent material.
- partially transparent is defined to mean the material has a transparency of 40-90% at the wavelength or wavelengths of light being transmitted.
- protective cover material 434 can be transparent, reflective, anti-reflective, and/or absorptive.
- Protective cover apertures 436 can be formed by molding, punching, cutting, etching, or burning protective cover material 434 .
- Protective cover apertures 436 can function similar to protective cover apertures 136 described in FIG. 1 .
- protective cover apertures 436 are arranged as parallel latitudes.
- the shape, size, and orientation of protective cover apertures 436 can be of any geometry.
- protective cover apertures 436 cover between about 2-10% of the surface area of protective cover 430 .
- protective cover apertures 436 can cover less than 2% of the surface area of protective cover 430 .
- protective cover apertures 436 can cover more than 10% of the surface area of protective cover 430 .
- Protective cover apertures 436 can function similar to protective cover apertures 136 described in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the protective cover of covered point sensor 10 . Shown in FIG. 6 are protective cover 530 , protective cover rim 532 , protective cover material 534 , and protective cover apertures 536 .
- Protective cover 530 is formed from protective cover material 534 , with an array of protective cover apertures 536 that are arranged as meridian longitudes in some regions of protective cover 530 .
- Protective cover apertures 536 can be formed by molding, punching, cutting, etching, or burning protective cover material 534 . In the illustrated embodiment, protective cover apertures 536 are arranged as meridian longitudes. In other embodiments, the shape, size, and orientation of protective cover apertures 536 can be of any geometry.
- protective cover material 534 is transparent plastic material in the form of a dome-like structure for protective cover 530 .
- protective cover material 534 can be any transparent material such as glass, polymer, or resin.
- protective cover material 534 can be a partially transparent material.
- protective cover material 534 is transparent. Accordingly, protective cover 430 can allow light transmission similar to that described in FIG. 1 .
- protective cover material 334 can be transparent, reflective, anti-reflective, and/or absorptive.
- protective cover apertures 536 cover between about 2-10% of the surface area of protective cover 530 . In some embodiments, protective cover apertures 536 can cover less than 2% of the surface area of protective cover 530 . In yet other embodiments, protective cover apertures 536 can cover more than 10% of the surface area of protective cover 530 . Protective cover apertures 536 can function similar to protective cover apertures 136 described in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the protective cover of covered point sensor 10 . Shown in FIG. 7 are protective cover 630 , protective cover rim 632 , protective cover material 634 , and protective cover apertures 636 .
- Protective cover 630 is formed from protective cover material 634 , with an array of protective cover apertures 636 that are arranged as parallel latitudes in some regions of protective cover 630 .
- protective cover material 634 is an opaque material in the form of a dome-like structure for protective cover 630 . As use in this disclosure, opaque is defined to mean the material has a transparency less than of 40% at the wavelength or wavelengths of light being transmitted.
- protective cover material 634 can be any opaque material such as resin or metal. In yet other embodiments, protective cover material 634 can be a partially opaque material. Protective cover apertures 636 can be formed by molding, punching, cutting, etching, or burning protective cover material 634 . In the illustrated embodiment, protective cover material 634 is opaque, thereby preventing or restricting the transmission of light from emitting cone 22 to pass through protective cover 630 . The opacity of protective cover material 634 can also prevent or restrict the transmission of light from outside region 31 into inside region 29 . Sources of light from outside region 31 can include light from optical emitters that is scattered from particulates in outside region 31 , or from ambient light external to covered point sensor 10 .
- Non-limiting examples of ambient light can include light sources in the vicinity of covered point sensor such as office, room, and cargo bay lighting, or from direct or reflected light from other sources such as sunlight. These various sources of ambient light can be broad or narrow bands of light in the range of wavelengths from about 300-3000 nm.
- Protective cover apertures 636 can also allow fluid communication of particulates from outside region 31 into inside region 29 , as described earlier.
- protective cover apertures 636 are arranged as parallel latitudes. In other embodiments, the shape, size, and orientation of protective cover apertures 636 can be of any geometry. Protective cover apertures 636 can allow for light from optical emitters 16 to pass from inside region 29 to outside region 31 , and from outside region 31 to inside region 29 , thereby allowing for sensing volumes to be created in outside region 31 . As described earlier, several factors determine the size and location of the sensing volumes that are created by covered point sensor 10 including the location, direction, and cone width of emitting cones 22 and receiving cones 23 . In the illustrated embodiment, protective cover apertures 636 cover between about 2-10% of the surface area of protective cover 630 . In some embodiments, protective cover apertures 636 can cover less than 2% of the surface area of protective cover 630 . In yet other embodiments, protective cover apertures 636 can cover more than 10% of the surface area of protective cover 630 .
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the protective cover of covered point sensor 10 . Shown in FIG. 8 are protective cover 730 , protective cover rim 732 , protective cover material 734 , and protective cover apertures 736 .
- Protective cover 730 is formed from protective cover material 734 , with an array of protective cover apertures 736 that are arranged as meridian longitudes in some regions of protective cover 730 .
- protective cover material 734 is an opaque material in the form of a dome-like structure for protective cover 730 .
- protective cover material 734 can be any opaque material such as resin or metal.
- protective cover material 734 can be a partially opaque material.
- Protective cover apertures 736 can be formed by molding, punching, cutting, etching, or burning protective cover material 734 .
- protective cover material 734 is opaque, thereby not allowing light from emitting cone 22 to pass through protective cover 730 .
- protective cover apertures 736 are arranged as meridian longitudes. In other embodiments, the shape, size, and orientation of protective cover apertures 736 can be of any geometry.
- protective cover apertures 736 cover between about 2-10% of the surface area of protective cover 730 . In some embodiments, protective cover apertures 736 can cover less than 2% of the surface area of protective cover 730 . In yet other embodiments, protective cover apertures 736 can cover more than 10% of the surface area of protective cover 730 .
- Protective cover apertures 736 can function similar to protective cover apertures 636 described in FIG. 7 .
- protective cover 30 depicted in FIGS. 1-8 are non-limiting, with the scope of the present disclosure including any embodiment of a cover that is disposed on chamberless detector 12 . While the various embodiments that are disclosed herein generally depict protective cover 30 as being round and symmetrical in shape, other geometries of protective cover 30 are within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the various embodiments that are disclosed herein generally depict protective cover 30 as entirely covering chamberless detector 12 , with apertures generally having a uniform distribution. However, a partial protective cover 30 is within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, aperture arrangements that are non-uniform in size and/or shape and/or coverage are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
- a covered chamberless particulate detector comprises a chamberless detector configured to produce a signal when particulate sensing events occurs, one or more optical emitters disposed on the chamberless detector and configured to emit one or more emitting cones of light, one or more optical sensors disposed on the chamberless detector defining one or more receiving cones, and a protective cover disposed on the chamberless detector and defining an inside region and an outside region, wherein each of the one or more optical sensors is configured to detect occurrence of the particulate sensing events.
- the covered chamberless particulate detector of the preceding paragraph can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or additional components:
- each of the one or more emitting cones of light is configured to overlap with each of the one or more receiving cones, thereby creating one or more sensing volumes.
- a further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector further configured to create one or more of the sensing volumes in the inside region.
- a further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector further configured to create one or more of the sensing volumes in the outside region.
- a further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector wherein the one or more optical emitters comprises two optical emitters, each configured to emit a different wavelength of light.
- a further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector wherein the one or more optical sensors comprises two optical sensors, each configured to detect a different wavelength of light.
- a further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector wherein the protective cover has a plurality of apertures therethrough, the apertures configured to: permit light from each of the one or more emitting cones of light to illuminate the outside region; permit light from the outside region to enter the inside region; and permit fluid communication between the outside region and the inside region.
- a further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector wherein the plurality of apertures are configured in a geometrical pattern selected from the group consisting of: parallel latitudes and meridian longitudes.
- a further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector wherein a ratio of a surface area of the apertures to a total surface area of the protective cover is at least 40%.
- the protective cover comprises a material that is selected from the group consisting of: glass, plastic, polymer, fiberglass, resin, and metal.
- a further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector further comprising a protective cover rim, the protective cover rim disposed on the protective cover in a region where the protective cover matingly attaches to the chamberless detector.
- a further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector further comprising a plurality of protective cover rim apertures disposed on the protective cover rim, the protective cover rim apertures configured to receive a connector for attaching the protective cover to the chamberless detector.
- a method of using a covered chamberless particulate detector that comprises one or more optical emitters, one or more optical sensors, and a protective cover over the optical emitters and the optical sensors that defines an inside region and an outside region.
- the method includes emitting one or more emitting cones of light from the one or more optical emitters; receiving light in one or more receiving cones by the one or more optical sensors; and detecting particulate sensing events, and producing a signal denoting occurrence of the particular sensing events, based on presence of particulate material in one or more sensing volumes defined by an overlap of the one or more emitting cones of light and the one or more receiving cones; wherein the one or more sensing volumes are located in the inside region, the outside region, or both the inside region and the outside region.
- the method of the preceding paragraph can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or additional components:
- the protective cover has a plurality of apertures therethrough, the apertures configured to: permit light from each of the one or more emitting cones of light to illuminate the outside region; permit light from the outside region to enter the inside region; and permit fluid communication between the outside region and the inside region.
- a further embodiment of the foregoing method wherein a ratio of a surface area of the apertures to a total surface area of the protective cover is at least 97%.
- the protective cover comprises a material that has a transparency of at least 90%.
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Abstract
Description
- The present disclosure relates generally to particulate monitors and smoke detectors, and more particularly, to a protective cover for a chamberless point sensor.
- Smoke detectors play an important role in identifying smoke, ideally alarming as early as possible in the course of fire. Smoke detectors can use one or more sources of light as the source of the smoke detection scheme, and can use multiple wavelengths of light to help improve detection performance. For example, dual wavelengths of light, one being infrared and the other being visible, can be used in a smoke detector. A chamberless detector can provide improved sensing performance over designs that utilize a chamber, therefore resulting in the popularity of the chamberless design in high-performance applications. A chamberless detector can be referred to as a next-generation point sensor, because of its advanced design and its use in detecting smoke at a particular point of installation. A chamberless detector can also be referred to as a chamberless point sensor. A commercial aircraft is a non-limiting example of a high-performance application where a chamberless point sensor utilizing multiple wavelengths of light can be used. There are many factors that contribute to the need for a high-performance chamberless detector, with non-limiting examples including the desire to discern between steam or dust and the smoke particles from a fire, the desire to avoid nuisance alarms from food preparation, and the desire to detect smoke particles that can be produced from smoldering synthetic materials, often resulting in particle sizes smaller than 0.5 μm (microns) in diameter. Additionally, chamberless detectors utilizing multiple wavelengths of light can be used to monitor indoor air quality, where fine particles (particle sizes ≤2.5 μm) and coarse particles (particle sizes ≤10 μm) can be important.
- Despite the many advantages of a chamberless detector, there are a few problems that need to be overcome. For example, in not having a chamber, there is not a well-protected volume that is free from interference or tampering. Additionally, the optical emitters of a next-generation point sensor can cast light into the surrounding environment, where it can be a source of annoyance. Moreover, the optical detectors of a next-generation point sensor can be prone to interference from ambient light sources emanating from the surrounding environment.
- According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a covered chamberless particulate detector includes a chamberless detector configured to produce a signal when particulate sensing events occurs, one or more optical emitters on the chamberless detector configured to emit one or more emitting cones of light, one or more optical sensors on the chamberless detector defining one or more receiving cones, and a protective cover on the chamberless detector defining an inside region and an outside region. Each optical sensor is configured to detect the occurrence of particulate sensing events, and each of the one or more emitting cones of light is configured to overlap with each of the one or more receiving cones, thereby creating one or more sensing volumes.
- According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of using a covered chamberless particulate detector that includes one or more optical emitters, one or more optical sensors, and a protective cover over the optical emitters and the optical sensors that defines an inside region and an outside region. The method includes emitting one or more emitting cones of light from the one or more optical emitters, receiving light in one or more receiving cones by the one or more optical sensors, detecting particulate sensing events, and producing a signal denoting occurrence of the particular sensing events. The detecting is based on the presence of particulate material in one or more sensing volumes defined by an overlap of the one or more emitting cones of light and the one or more receiving cones, where the one or more sensing volumes are located in the inside region, the outside region, or both the inside region and the outside region.
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FIG. 1 is a side view of a next generation chamberless particulate detector with one embodiment of the protective cover. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the protective cover. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the protective cover. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the protective cover. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the protective cover. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the protective cover. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the protective cover. -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the protective cover. - The present disclosure provides a protective cover for a next generation chamberless point sensor. As used in this disclosure, the next generation chamberless point sensor can be referred to as a chamberless point sensor and monitor, covered chamberless particulate detector, or chamberless detector for short. As used in this disclosure, “particulate” will be used to describe all airborne particles that are detectable, which includes smoke. Moreover, the descriptions provided herein refer to the detection of airborne particulates by the interaction of light and the scattering of light to the optical detection circuitry of the chamberless detector. The operation of a chamberless detector can be referred to as monitoring, whereby the chamberless detector monitors for sensing events. A sensing event is when an electrical response occurs within the detection circuitry as a result of a photo interaction.
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FIG. 1 is a side view of a chamberless particulate detector with a protective cover. Shown inFIG. 1 are coveredpoint sensor 10,chamberless detector 12,optical sources 14,optical sensors 16,mounting rim 20, emittingcone 22, receivingcone 23, nearparticles 24,far particles 26, insideregion 29,protective cover 30, andoutside region 31. As will be described in this disclosure, emittingcone 22 is associated with eachoptical source 14, and receivingcone 23 is associated with eachoptical sensor 16. The exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 depicts twooptical sources 14 and twooptical sensors 16, but only one emittingcone 22 and one receivingcone 23 is shown for ease of illustration. - In the illustrated embodiment, covered
point sensor 10 has a substantially hemispherical geometry, being comprised ofchamberless detector 12 andprotective cover 30.Chamberless detector 12 has a substantially flat profile as illustrated in the side view ofFIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment,chamberless detector 12 has a circular or disk-like shape viewed from the top or in perspective (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover 30 has a semi-circular shape as viewed from the side.Protective cover 30 can be referred to as an envelope, defining an inside region and an outside region ofprotective cover 30. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover 30 has a diameter of about 10 cm (3.9 inches) in the region near whereprotective cover 30 attaches tochamberless detector 12. In other embodiments,protective cover 30 can have a diameter between 5-15 cm (2.0-5.9 inches). In yet other embodiments,protective cover 30 can have a diameter of less than 5 cm (2.0 inches), or greater than 15 cm (5.9 inches). In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover 30 has a generally hemispherical shape, in which the height ofprotective cover 30 is approximately half the diameter. In other embodiments, the geometry ofprotective cover 30 can be substantially different from hemispherical. For example, in an embodiment,protective cover 30 can be squat in its geometry, with a height less than approximately half the diameter. In another embodiment, the height ofprotective cover 30 can be significantly less than approximately half the diameter. Alternatively, in yet other embodiments,protective cover 30 can have a bulbous geometry, in which the height ofprotective cover 30 is greater than approximately half the diameter. In other embodiments, the cover can be cylindrical, square, or rectangular in shape, with these being non-limiting examples of possible geometries ofprotective cover 30. - In the illustrated embodiment, covered
point sensor 10 includeschamberless detector 12 andprotective cover 30. It will be appreciated that coveredpoint sensor 10 can provide additional benefits including but not limited to reduction of transport time for particles to reach the particle detecting elements to enable faster alerting, alarm, and response by users and systems; improved sensitivity; improved manufacturability; negligible directionality; ease of maintenance; and enhanced aesthetic appearance. -
Optical emitters 14 produce and emit light having a wavelength or wavelengths that are employed bychamberless detector 12. In the illustrated embodiment there are twooptical emitters 14, with each optical emitter producing a peak wavelength of light. In an embodiment, a firstoptical emitter 14 can produce an infrared light and a secondoptical emitter 14 can produce a blue light. The infrared light can have a peak wavelength between 800-950 nm, but in some embodiments may be outside of this range. The blue light can have a peak wavelength between 460-480 nm, but in some embodiments may be outside of this range. In some embodiments,optical emitters 14 can produce wavelengths of light in the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet bands of light. In these other embodiments,optical emitters 14 can produce a wide range of wavelengths of light. For example, in an embodiment, one or moreoptical emitters 14 can produce violet or ultraviolet light having a wavelength shorter than 460 nm. In another embodiment, one or moreoptical emitters 14 can produce visible light having a wavelength between 380-700 nm. In yet other embodiments, one or moreoptical emitters 14 can produce infrared light having a wavelength greater than 700 nm. In some embodiments,optical emitters 14 can produce the same wavelength of light. In some embodiments, only oneoptical emitter 14 can be used. In other embodiments, three or moreoptical emitters 14 can be used. In the illustrated embodiment,optical emitters 14 are light emitting diodes (LEDs). In other embodiments,optical emitters 14 can produce light by any suitable means. - Referring again to
FIG. 1 ,optical emitter 14 produces and emits light as emittingcone 22. Emittingcone 22 is an expanding cone of light that is emitted fromoptical emitter 14 at one or more wavelengths of light. In the illustrated embodiment, twooptical emitters 14 are shown but for simplicity of illustration, only one emittingcone 22 is illustrated being emitted from a first optical emitter. It should be recognized that eachoptical emitter 14 will produce and emit a separate emittingcone 22, although they can be placed adjacent to each other and therefore have overlapping emittingcones 22. In some embodiments, multiple emittingcones 22 can be produced from a singleoptical emitter 14, and each of the multiple emittingcones 22 can have similar or different optical properties. In the illustrated embodiment, emittingcone 22 is projected into a volume of the space being monitored by coveredpoint sensor 10, with emittingcone 22 having a dispersion angle that results in an expansion of emittingcone 22 at greater distances fromoptical emitter 14. -
Optical sensors 16 detect light. Twooptical sensors 16 are depicted in the present embodiment. In some embodiments, oneoptical sensor 16 can be used. In other embodiments, three or moreoptical sensors 16 can be used. In the illustrated embodiment,optical sensors 16 are photo diodes. In other embodiments,optical sensors 16 can be any suitable device that produces a photoelectric indication of light. In other embodiments, a singleoptical sensor 16 can be used, or three or moreoptical sensors 16 can be used. In some embodiments, the two or moreoptical sensors 16 can be the same style of photo detector, or can be different styles of photo detectors from each other. In some embodiments, eachoptical sensor 16 can be responsive to a particular wavelength of light. - Each optical sensor has a corresponding receiving
cone 23, depicting the field of view of the particularoptical sensor 16, with asingle receiving cone 23 being shown for ease of illustration. Receivingcone 23 is an expanding cone defining the region thatoptical sensor 16 is sensitive to. In some embodiments, a particularoptical sensor 16 can have two or moreoptical cones 23, and each particular optical cone can have different geometries and/or be responsive to different wavelengths of light. - The volume where a particular emitting
cone 22 and a particular receivingcone 23 overlap is referred to as a sensing volume. One or more sensing volumes can be created by the interaction of a single emittingcone 22 with asingle receiving cone 23, the interaction of a single emittingcone 22 with two ormore receiving cones 23, by the interaction of two or more emittingcones 22 with asingle receiving cone 23, or by the interaction of two or more emittingcones 22 with two ormore receiving cones 23. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover 30 is transparent. Accordingly, any of the multiple sensing volumes created bycovered point sensor 10 as described above can be entirely ininside region 29, outsideregion 31, or in both insideregion 29 and outsideregion 31. In some embodiments there can be fluid communication from the region outsideprotective cover 30 to insideprotective cover 30. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , exemplary nearparticles 24 are located ininside region 29, and exemplaryfar particles 26 are located inoutside region 31. As will be described inFIGS. 2-8 , various embodiments ofprotective cover 30 are available to allow for fluid communication betweenoutside region 31 and insideregion 29. Exemplarynear particles 24 are located ininside region 29, and exemplaryfar particles 26 are located inoutside region 31. Generally speaking, particulates, including smoke and other airborne particles, can vary in size depending on several factors including without limitation the materials that are smoldering, burning, or combusting, the temperature of the process, the stage of the process, and the concentration of oxygen and other gasses at the point of the process. The process can be combustion, pre-combustion, or any other process that evolves airborne particulates. Moreover, processes other than combustion can cause airborne particulates. For example, chemical reactions can evolve airborne particulates. Particulates can generally range in size from 0.1-2.0 μm in diameter, however they can be smaller in size than 0.1 μm in diameter, or larger in size than 2.0 μm in diameter. Some particulates can be up to 10 μm in diameter. In some embodiments, coveredpoint sensor 10 can monitor for indoor air quality, while being able to discriminate between fine particles (particle sizes ≤2.5 μm) and coarse particles (particle sizes ≤10 μm). - As described above, each
optical sensor 16 has receivingcone 23. The geometry of each receivingcone 23 depends on the field of view, position, and alignment of respectiveoptical sensor 16. Accordingly, the intersection of receivingcone 23 ofoptical sensor 16, and emittingcone 22 ofoptical emitter 14, determines the sensing volume, as described above. In a typical embodiment, multiple sensing volumes are created bycovered point sensor 10, with each sensing volume determining where particulates can be detected.Covered point sensor 10 detects the presence of particulates by the scattering of light in each of the sensing volumes, as described above. As light illuminates nearparticles 24 and/orfar particles 26, scattering and/or fluorescence occurs. Some of the scattered and/or fluoresced light within each sensing volume is directed tooptical sensor 16. The light received byoptical sensor 16 causes an electrical reaction inoptical sensor 16 which is amplified and analyzed by detection circuitry (not shown) within coveredpoint sensor 10. Accordingly, the electrical signal produced by eachoptical sensor 16 is received by circuitry (not shown) of coveredpoint sensor 10, thereby producing a sensing event. The processing of these electrical signals that are produced by sensing events can be referred to as monitoring, as described above. During the monitoring process, one or more levels produced by the monitor can be displayed on an indicator and/or recorded on a data storage medium. Moreover, different monitored levels can be produced in response to various detection wavelengths and other factors. The coveredpoint sensor 10 can be programmed to discriminate between various sensing events, while producing additional responses if various threshold criteria are met. Non-limiting examples of additional responses can include activating an alarm, triggering other system responses, and initiating protective actions. - As will be described in
FIGS. 2-8 , several factors can influence the ability of particulates to enter insideregion 29, thereby being detectable in sensing volumes ininside region 29. Similarly, several factors can affect the ability of coveredpoint sensor 10 to detect particulates inoutside region 31. Non-limiting examples of these several factors include the size and shape ofprotective cover 30, the transparency ofprotective cover 30, the use of mesh/openings/slots/openings onprotective cover 30, and the degree of fluid communication fromoutside region 31 to insideregion 29. - Mounting
rim 20 surrounds the outer peripheral edge ofchamberless detector 12 in the region whereprotective cover 30 attaches to chamberlessdetector 12. Similarly, protective cover rim 32 surrounds the outer peripheral edge ofprotective cover 30 in the region whereprotective cover 30 attaches to chamberlessdetector 12. In the illustrated embodiment, mountingrim 20 fully surroundschamberless detector 12, and protective cover rim 32 fully surroundsprotective cover 30, and a removable adhesive can be used to affix protective cover rim 32 to mountingrim 20, thereby affixingprotective cover 30 tochamberless detector 12. In other embodiments, a means of fasteningprotective cover 30 tochamberless detector 12 may be provided. For example, threaded fasteners could be used to affixprotective cover 30 tochamberless detector 12. In some embodiments, a distinctive mountingrim 20 may not exist onchamberless detector 12, and/or a distinctiveprotective cover rim 32 may not exist onprotective cover 30. In these embodiments, any suitable means of affixingprotective cover 20 tochamberless detector 12 may be employed. Non-limiting examples include friction-fit, snap-fit, twist lock, touch fasteners, threaded fasteners, and permanent adhesives. In other embodiments, mountingrim 20 may only partially surroundchamberless detector 12, and/orprotective cover rim 32 may only partially surround mountingrim 30. In these other embodiments, for example, tabs, hooks, snaps, feet, or the like may take the place of affixingprotective cover 32 to mountingrim 20. -
FIGS. 2-8 disclose various embodiments ofprotective cover 30 as shown inFIG. 1 . In the description ofFIGS. 2-8 , references to emittingcone 22, receivingcone 23, nearparticles 24, farparticles 26, insideregion 29, and outsideregion 31 will be as shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the protective cover of coveredpoint sensor 10. Shown inFIG. 2 areprotective cover 130,protective cover rim 132,protective cover material 134, andprotective cover apertures 136.Protective cover 130 is formed from a structure ofprotective cover material 134, with a lattice ofprotective cover apertures 136 in the non-material regions. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover material 134 includes stands of wire that are woven together and formed into the dome-like structure ofprotective cover 130. In other embodiments,protective cover material 134 can be any metallic or non-metallic material, with non-limiting examples including glass, plastic, fiberglass, resin, and metal. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover material 134 is anti-reflective, such that light from emittingcone 22 is not reflected withinprotective cover 130. In other embodiments,protective cover material 134 can be transparent, reflective, anti-reflective, and/or absorptive. - In the illustrated embodiment,
protective cover apertures 136 can allow for light fromoptical emitters 14 to pass from insideregion 29 intooutside region 31, thereby illuminating particulates inoutside region 31.Protective cover apertures 136 can also allow for scattered light from particulates inoutside region 31 to pass fromoutside region 31 to insideregion 29, thereby entering one ormore receiving cones 23 ofoptical sensors 16. Accordingly, one or more sensing volumes can be created inoutside region 31.Protective cover apertures 136 can also permit fluid communication betweenoutside region 31 and insideregion 29, thereby allowing particulates to enter insideregion 29. Particles ininside region 29 can be detected by covered point sensor in one or more sensing volumes that are created ininside region 29. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover material 134 covers between about 1-3% of the surface area ofprotective cover 130. In some embodiments,protective cover material 134 can cover less than 1% of the surface area ofprotective cover 130. In yet other embodiments,protective cover material 134 can cover more than 3% of the surface area ofprotective cover 130. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the protective cover of coveredpoint sensor 10. Shown inFIG. 3 areprotective cover 230,protective cover rim 232,protective cover material 234,protective cover apertures 236, and protective coverinner surface 238.Protective cover 230 is formed from a structure ofprotective cover material 234, with a lattice ofprotective cover apertures 236 in the non-material regions. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover material 234 is a lattice structure of metal that is formed into the dome-like structure ofprotective cover 230. In other embodiments,protective cover material 234 can be any metallic or non-metallic material, with non-limiting examples including plastic, fiberglass, and resin. The lattice ofprotective cover material 234 can be formed by punching, drilling, etching, or burningprotective cover apertures 236 intoprotective cover material 234. In the illustrated embodiment, protective coverinner surface 238 is anti-reflective, such that light from emittingcone 22 is not reflected withinprotective cover 230. In other embodiments, protective coverinner surface 238 can be reflective or partially reflective. In some embodiments,protective cover material 234 can be transparent, reflective, anti-reflective, and/or absorptive.Protective cover apertures 236 can function similar toprotective cover apertures 136 described inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the protective cover of coveredpoint sensor 10. Shown inFIG. 4 areprotective cover 330,protective cover rim 332,protective cover material 334,protective cover apertures 336, protective coverinner surface 338, and protectivecover rim apertures 340.Protective cover 330 is formed from a structure ofprotective cover material 334, with a structure ofprotective cover apertures 336 in the non-material regions. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover material 334 is a material structure of plastic that is molded into the dome-like structure ofprotective cover 330. In other embodiments,protective cover material 334 can be any metallic or non-metallic material, with non-limiting examples including metal, fiberglass, and resin. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover apertures 336 are molded intoprotective cover 330. In other embodiments,protective cover apertures 336 can be formed by punching, cutting, etching, or burningprotective cover apertures 336 intoprotective cover material 334. In the illustrated embodiment, protective coverinner surface 338 is anti-reflective, such that light from emittingcone 22 is not reflected withinprotective cover 330. In other embodiments, protective coverinner surface 338 can be reflective or partially reflective. In some embodiments,protective cover material 334 can be transparent, reflective, anti-reflective, and/or absorptive. -
Protective cover apertures 336 can function similar toprotective cover apertures 136 described inFIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover material 334 covers between about 40-60% of the surface area ofprotective cover 330. In some embodiments,protective cover material 334 can cover less than 40% of the surface area ofprotective cover 330. In yet other embodiments,protective cover material 334 can cover more than 60% of the surface area ofprotective cover 330. Protectivecover rim apertures 340 can be used for affixingprotective cover 330 to mountingrim 20 by the use of mechanical fastening devices. Non-limiting examples of mechanical fastening devices include pins, threaded fasteners, studs, and rivets. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the protective cover of coveredpoint sensor 10. Shown inFIG. 5 areprotective cover 430,protective cover rim 432,protective cover material 434, andprotective cover apertures 436.Protective cover 430 is formed fromprotective cover material 434, with an array ofprotective cover apertures 436 that are arranged as parallel latitudes in some regions ofprotective cover 430. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover material 434 is transparent plastic material in the form of a dome-like structure forprotective cover 430. Accordingly,protective cover 430 can allow light transmission similar to that described inFIG. 1 . As use in this disclosure, transparent is defined to mean the material has a transparency of at least 90% at the wavelength or wavelengths of light being transmitted throughprotective cover 430. In other embodiments,protective cover material 434 can be any transparent or substantially transparent material such as glass or resin. In yet other embodiments,protective cover material 434 can be a partially transparent material. As use in this disclosure, partially transparent is defined to mean the material has a transparency of 40-90% at the wavelength or wavelengths of light being transmitted. In some embodiments,protective cover material 434 can be transparent, reflective, anti-reflective, and/or absorptive. -
Protective cover apertures 436 can be formed by molding, punching, cutting, etching, or burningprotective cover material 434.Protective cover apertures 436 can function similar toprotective cover apertures 136 described inFIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover apertures 436 are arranged as parallel latitudes. In other embodiments, the shape, size, and orientation ofprotective cover apertures 436 can be of any geometry. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover apertures 436 cover between about 2-10% of the surface area ofprotective cover 430. In some embodiments,protective cover apertures 436 can cover less than 2% of the surface area ofprotective cover 430. In yet other embodiments,protective cover apertures 436 can cover more than 10% of the surface area ofprotective cover 430.Protective cover apertures 436 can function similar toprotective cover apertures 136 described inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the protective cover of coveredpoint sensor 10. Shown inFIG. 6 areprotective cover 530,protective cover rim 532,protective cover material 534, andprotective cover apertures 536.Protective cover 530 is formed fromprotective cover material 534, with an array ofprotective cover apertures 536 that are arranged as meridian longitudes in some regions ofprotective cover 530.Protective cover apertures 536 can be formed by molding, punching, cutting, etching, or burningprotective cover material 534. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover apertures 536 are arranged as meridian longitudes. In other embodiments, the shape, size, and orientation ofprotective cover apertures 536 can be of any geometry. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover material 534 is transparent plastic material in the form of a dome-like structure forprotective cover 530. In other embodiments,protective cover material 534 can be any transparent material such as glass, polymer, or resin. In yet other embodiments,protective cover material 534 can be a partially transparent material. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover material 534 is transparent. Accordingly,protective cover 430 can allow light transmission similar to that described inFIG. 1 . In some embodiments,protective cover material 334 can be transparent, reflective, anti-reflective, and/or absorptive. - In the illustrated embodiment,
protective cover apertures 536 cover between about 2-10% of the surface area ofprotective cover 530. In some embodiments,protective cover apertures 536 can cover less than 2% of the surface area ofprotective cover 530. In yet other embodiments,protective cover apertures 536 can cover more than 10% of the surface area ofprotective cover 530.Protective cover apertures 536 can function similar toprotective cover apertures 136 described inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the protective cover of coveredpoint sensor 10. Shown inFIG. 7 areprotective cover 630, protective cover rim 632,protective cover material 634, andprotective cover apertures 636.Protective cover 630 is formed fromprotective cover material 634, with an array ofprotective cover apertures 636 that are arranged as parallel latitudes in some regions ofprotective cover 630. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover material 634 is an opaque material in the form of a dome-like structure forprotective cover 630. As use in this disclosure, opaque is defined to mean the material has a transparency less than of 40% at the wavelength or wavelengths of light being transmitted. - In other embodiments,
protective cover material 634 can be any opaque material such as resin or metal. In yet other embodiments,protective cover material 634 can be a partially opaque material.Protective cover apertures 636 can be formed by molding, punching, cutting, etching, or burningprotective cover material 634. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover material 634 is opaque, thereby preventing or restricting the transmission of light from emittingcone 22 to pass throughprotective cover 630. The opacity ofprotective cover material 634 can also prevent or restrict the transmission of light from outsideregion 31 intoinside region 29. Sources of light from outsideregion 31 can include light from optical emitters that is scattered from particulates inoutside region 31, or from ambient light external to coveredpoint sensor 10. Non-limiting examples of ambient light can include light sources in the vicinity of covered point sensor such as office, room, and cargo bay lighting, or from direct or reflected light from other sources such as sunlight. These various sources of ambient light can be broad or narrow bands of light in the range of wavelengths from about 300-3000 nm.Protective cover apertures 636 can also allow fluid communication of particulates from outsideregion 31 intoinside region 29, as described earlier. - In the illustrated embodiment,
protective cover apertures 636 are arranged as parallel latitudes. In other embodiments, the shape, size, and orientation ofprotective cover apertures 636 can be of any geometry.Protective cover apertures 636 can allow for light fromoptical emitters 16 to pass from insideregion 29 tooutside region 31, and fromoutside region 31 to insideregion 29, thereby allowing for sensing volumes to be created inoutside region 31. As described earlier, several factors determine the size and location of the sensing volumes that are created bycovered point sensor 10 including the location, direction, and cone width of emittingcones 22 and receivingcones 23. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover apertures 636 cover between about 2-10% of the surface area ofprotective cover 630. In some embodiments,protective cover apertures 636 can cover less than 2% of the surface area ofprotective cover 630. In yet other embodiments,protective cover apertures 636 can cover more than 10% of the surface area ofprotective cover 630. -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the protective cover of coveredpoint sensor 10. Shown inFIG. 8 areprotective cover 730,protective cover rim 732,protective cover material 734, andprotective cover apertures 736.Protective cover 730 is formed fromprotective cover material 734, with an array ofprotective cover apertures 736 that are arranged as meridian longitudes in some regions ofprotective cover 730. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover material 734 is an opaque material in the form of a dome-like structure forprotective cover 730. In other embodiments,protective cover material 734 can be any opaque material such as resin or metal. In yet other embodiments,protective cover material 734 can be a partially opaque material.Protective cover apertures 736 can be formed by molding, punching, cutting, etching, or burningprotective cover material 734. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover material 734 is opaque, thereby not allowing light from emittingcone 22 to pass throughprotective cover 730. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover apertures 736 are arranged as meridian longitudes. In other embodiments, the shape, size, and orientation ofprotective cover apertures 736 can be of any geometry. In the illustrated embodiment,protective cover apertures 736 cover between about 2-10% of the surface area ofprotective cover 730. In some embodiments,protective cover apertures 736 can cover less than 2% of the surface area ofprotective cover 730. In yet other embodiments,protective cover apertures 736 can cover more than 10% of the surface area ofprotective cover 730.Protective cover apertures 736 can function similar toprotective cover apertures 636 described inFIG. 7 . - The various embodiments of
protective cover 30 depicted inFIGS. 1-8 are non-limiting, with the scope of the present disclosure including any embodiment of a cover that is disposed onchamberless detector 12. While the various embodiments that are disclosed herein generally depictprotective cover 30 as being round and symmetrical in shape, other geometries ofprotective cover 30 are within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the various embodiments that are disclosed herein generally depictprotective cover 30 as entirely coveringchamberless detector 12, with apertures generally having a uniform distribution. However, a partialprotective cover 30 is within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, aperture arrangements that are non-uniform in size and/or shape and/or coverage are also within the scope of the present disclosure. - The following are non-exclusive descriptions of possible embodiments of the present invention.
- A covered chamberless particulate detector comprises a chamberless detector configured to produce a signal when particulate sensing events occurs, one or more optical emitters disposed on the chamberless detector and configured to emit one or more emitting cones of light, one or more optical sensors disposed on the chamberless detector defining one or more receiving cones, and a protective cover disposed on the chamberless detector and defining an inside region and an outside region, wherein each of the one or more optical sensors is configured to detect occurrence of the particulate sensing events.
- The covered chamberless particulate detector of the preceding paragraph can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or additional components:
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, wherein each of the one or more emitting cones of light is configured to overlap with each of the one or more receiving cones, thereby creating one or more sensing volumes.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, further configured to create one or more of the sensing volumes in the inside region.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, further configured to create one or more of the sensing volumes in the outside region.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, wherein the one or more optical emitters comprises two optical emitters, each configured to emit a different wavelength of light.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, wherein the one or more optical sensors comprises two optical sensors, each configured to detect a different wavelength of light.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, wherein the protective cover comprises a material that has a transparency of at least 40%.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, wherein the protective cover has a plurality of apertures therethrough, the apertures configured to: permit light from each of the one or more emitting cones of light to illuminate the outside region; permit light from the outside region to enter the inside region; and permit fluid communication between the outside region and the inside region.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, wherein the plurality of apertures are configured in a geometrical pattern selected from the group consisting of: parallel latitudes and meridian longitudes.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, wherein a ratio of a surface area of the apertures to a total surface area of the protective cover is at least 40%.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, wherein the protective cover comprises a material that is selected from the group consisting of: glass, plastic, polymer, fiberglass, resin, and metal.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, wherein an inside surface of the protective cover has a reflectivity that is less than 4%.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, further comprising a protective cover rim, the protective cover rim disposed on the protective cover in a region where the protective cover matingly attaches to the chamberless detector.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, further comprising a plurality of protective cover rim apertures disposed on the protective cover rim, the protective cover rim apertures configured to receive a connector for attaching the protective cover to the chamberless detector.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing covered chamberless particulate detector, wherein
- A method of using a covered chamberless particulate detector that comprises one or more optical emitters, one or more optical sensors, and a protective cover over the optical emitters and the optical sensors that defines an inside region and an outside region. The method includes emitting one or more emitting cones of light from the one or more optical emitters; receiving light in one or more receiving cones by the one or more optical sensors; and detecting particulate sensing events, and producing a signal denoting occurrence of the particular sensing events, based on presence of particulate material in one or more sensing volumes defined by an overlap of the one or more emitting cones of light and the one or more receiving cones; wherein the one or more sensing volumes are located in the inside region, the outside region, or both the inside region and the outside region.
- The method of the preceding paragraph can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or additional components:
- A further embodiment of the foregoing method, wherein the one or more sensing volumes are created in the inside region.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing method, wherein the one or more sensing volumes are created in the outside region.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing method, wherein the protective cover has a plurality of apertures therethrough, the apertures configured to: permit light from each of the one or more emitting cones of light to illuminate the outside region; permit light from the outside region to enter the inside region; and permit fluid communication between the outside region and the inside region.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing method, wherein a ratio of a surface area of the apertures to a total surface area of the protective cover is at least 97%.
- A further embodiment of the foregoing method, wherein the protective cover comprises a material that has a transparency of at least 90%.
- While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (3)
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US15/936,073 US20190293556A1 (en) | 2018-03-26 | 2018-03-26 | Protective cover for chamberless point sensor |
EP19164852.6A EP3547278B1 (en) | 2018-03-26 | 2019-03-25 | Protective cover for chamberless point sensor |
US17/469,470 US11860092B2 (en) | 2018-03-26 | 2021-09-08 | Protective cover for chamberless point sensor |
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US17/469,470 Active US11860092B2 (en) | 2018-03-26 | 2021-09-08 | Protective cover for chamberless point sensor |
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Cited By (1)
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US20210404955A1 (en) * | 2018-03-26 | 2021-12-30 | Kidde Technologies, Inc. | Protective cover for chamberless point sensor |
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Also Published As
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EP3547278A2 (en) | 2019-10-02 |
US11860092B2 (en) | 2024-01-02 |
EP3547278A3 (en) | 2019-11-20 |
US20210404955A1 (en) | 2021-12-30 |
EP3547278B1 (en) | 2021-12-29 |
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