EP0076338A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Broad-spectrum particle detector
Assignee: Gamewell Corp
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Filing: 1981-10-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-10-05
Abstract
Abstract An optical detector employs either a plurality of transmitters, with a single light sensor, a plurality of light sensors with a single transmitter, or both a plurality of transmitters and sensors with the components being arranged at different angles to each other to provide a broad spectrum (particle size) of detection. In one system employing two transmitters and one receiver the line of sight of field of view of the receiver is disposed, for example, at 90° and 150°, respectively, to the lines of sight of the transmitter. Efficiency can be improved by arranging the light emitting diodes in series and operating them either concurrently or alternatively. In one embodiment a pair of receivers are used in association with a pair of transmitters while in still another embodiment a pair of transmitters are associated with a single receiver having a relatively large sensitivity area preferably of curved or parabolic shape. A combination optical and ionization detector is also provided employing a comparator wherein the output of the ionization detector is used to alter the threshold level of the comparator with the main input of the comparator being coupled from the optical detector. Alternatively, a combination detector of this type can be used wherein the optical detector is used to change the threshold level and the main input to the comparator is from the output of the ionization detector. In another arrangement the gain of an optical detector may be altered by the output from an ionization detector and vice versa. A summing circuit may also be employed wherein the outputs of the optical and' ionization detectors are additive.
Inventors
- 👤 Elias Ezekiel Solomon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/49; G01N21/53; G08; G08B; G08B17/00; G08B17/10; G08B17/103; G08B17/107; G08B17/11; G08B17/113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
In an optical detection system,.a plurality of optical transmitters each having a beam path, means supporting the transmitters, at least one optical receiver having a field of view and means supporting the optical receiver, the beam path of the transmitters each being at a different angle to the field of view of the optical receiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
In an optical detection system,.a plurality of optical transmitters each having a beam path, means supporting the transmitters, at least one optical receiver having a field of view and means supporting the optical receiver, the beam path of the transmitters each being at a different angle to the field of view of the optical receiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
In an optical detection system as set forth in claim 1 including at least two optical receivers arranged at an acute angle to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an optical detection system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said optical transmitters are arranged at an acute angle to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an optical detection system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said optical transmitters are arranged at an acute angle to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
In an optical detection system as set forth in claim 1 including barrier means disposed between said transmitters and receiver for optically biasing the receiver.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
In an optical detection system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said angles may include an acute angle up to about 90° and an obtuse angle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
In an optical detection system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transmitters are disposed at a 90° angle to each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
In an optical detection system, a plurality of optical receivers each having a receiving field of view, means supporting the receivers, at least one optical transmitter having a beam path and means supporting the optical transmitter, the field of view of the receivers each being at a different angle to the beam path of the transmitter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
In an optical detection system, a plurality of optical receivers each having a receiving field of view, means supporting the receivers, at least one optical transmitter having a beam path and means supporting the optical transmitter, the field of view of the receivers each being at a different angle to the beam path of the transmitter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
In an optical detection system as set forth in claim 8 including at least two optical transmitters arranged at an acute angle to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
In an optical detection system having a.transmitter section and a receiver section, said transmitter section including a plurality of light emitting means and means commonly driving the light emitting means to provide concurrent illumination thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
In an optical detection system having a.transmitter section and a receiver section, said transmitter section including a plurality of light emitting means and means commonly driving the light emitting means to provide concurrent illumination thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
In an optical detection system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said light emitting means includes a light emitting diode and said means driving includes a current controlled semiconductor means for providing a constant current through the diodes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
In an optical detection system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the semiconductor means includes a transistor having the diodes connected in series to a main electrode of the transistor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
In an optical detection system having a transmitter section and a receiver section, said transmitter section including a plurality of light emitting means and means for sequentially operating the light emitting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
In an optical detection system having a transmitter section and a receiver section, said transmitter section including a plurality of light emitting means and means for sequentially operating the light emitting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
In an optical detection system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said means for sequentially operating includes means for alternatively operating a pair of the light emitting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
In an optical detection system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the light emitting means includes at least a pair of light emitting diodes and the means for operating includes bistable means having opposite outputs for alternatively operating the diodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
In an optical detection system.as set forth in claim 15 including a semiconductor switch in series with each diode and operated from the bistable means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an optical detection system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the optical receiver has a relatively wide field of view including a focusing curved sensitivity surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
A smoke and particle detectdr comprising; an optical detection means including optical detection circuitry for providing a detection signal, an ionization detection means including ionization detection circuitry for providing.a reference or threshhold signal and output decision means responsive to said detection signal and reference signal for providing an output alarm signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
A smoke and particle detectdr comprising; an optical detection means including optical detection circuitry for providing a detection signal, an ionization detection means including ionization detection circuitry for providing.a reference or threshhold signal and output decision means responsive to said detection signal and reference signal for providing an output alarm signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
. A smoke and particle detector as set forth in claim 18 wherein said output decision means includes a comparator means having one input for receiving the reference or threshhold signal and another input for raceiving the detection signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
A smoke and particle detector as set forth in claim 19 including a threshhold circuit having a node coupled to the one input of the comparator means and semiconductor means providing a variable impedance for the threshhold circuit and controlled from the ionization detection circuitry.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A smoke and particle detector as set forth in claim 18 wherein the output decision means includes gain control means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
A smoke and particle detector as set forth in claim 21 wherein the gain control means includes voltage divider means including semiconductor control means the conduction of which is controlled from the ionization detection circuitry.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A smoke and particle detector as set forth in claim 18 wherein the output decision means includes summing means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
57 words
A smoke and particle detector comprising: a first detection means including first detection circuitry for providing a first detection signal, a second detection means including second detection circuitry for providing a second reference or threshhold signal, and output decision means responsive to both set signals from said first and second means for providing an output alarm signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
57 words
A smoke and particle detector comprising: a first detection means including first detection circuitry for providing a first detection signal, a second detection means including second detection circuitry for providing a second reference or threshhold signal, and output decision means responsive to both set signals from said first and second means for providing an output alarm signal.
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