US4238788A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for detecting a combustion process
Assignee: TDY Industries LLC
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Filing: 1978-01-03
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Granted: 1980-12-09
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Expires: 1998-01-03
Abstract
Abstract An ionization type smoke detector includes an element for giving a visible indication of operativeness of the system together with a component responsive thereto for representing impending failure of the power source. A housing for the system includes a battery-containing well that includes a channel permitting finger-access to the batteries. A pushbutton is located in a wall of the housing. An electrically-conductive probe is positioned within an ionization chamber and is associated with the pushbutton for addressing the probe in a manner that creates a simulation of the existence of combustion. In response to a signal from the ionization chamber, digital processing is employed in order to enable alarm indication as appropriate as well as to monitor continued capability of the battery power source. Special circuitry cooperates advantageously with those features as well as in interrelating the different features so as to minimize complexity.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Rosauer
- 👤 James F. Gamble, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:53
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B17/00; G08B17/10; G08B17/11; G08B17/113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In a system for detecting the existence of a combustion process and which includes means for sensing the existence of that process and means for indicating the occurrence thereof, the improvement comprising: a housing having spaced top and bottom walls and defining a cavity in which electronic circuitry of said system is contained, said housing including aperture means through which smoke to be detected is admitted; means defining an opening in said housing; a resiliently-biased pushbutton seated in said opening; means responsive to depression of said pushbutton for simulating the existence of said process and effecting operation of said indicating means; a visible light-emitting device included within said pushbutton; and means for periodically energizing said device independently of said pushbutton, to indicate operativeness of said system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a system for detecting the existence of a combustion process and which includes means for sensing the existence of that process and means for indicating the occurrence thereof, the improvement comprising: a housing having spaced top and bottom walls and defining a cavity in which electronic circuitry of said system is contained, said housing including aperture means through which smoke to be detected is admitted; means defining an opening in said housing; a resiliently-biased pushbutton seated in said opening; means responsive to depression of said pushbutton for simulating the existence of said process and effecting operation of said indicating means; a visible light-emitting device included within said pushbutton; and means for periodically energizing said device independently of said pushbutton, to indicate operativeness of said system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as defined in claim 1 which further includes means responsive to operation of said device for representing impending failure of a power source that energizes said device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system as defined in claim 1 in which said electronic circuitry of said system is disposed on a substrate mounted to said top wall, in which a switch actuator supports said pushbutton from and above said substrate, and in which said responsive means includes a movable switch element mounted on said substrate in a location to be moved by said actuator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a system for detecting the existence of a combustion process and which includes means for sensing the existence of that process and means for indicating the occurrence thereof, the improvement comprising: said sensing means having an elongated electrically conductive tube that forms an essential part of an ionization-type of said sensing means and which also includes an internally transverse conductive member for establishing an electric field extending therefrom to said tube with said field being subject to change upon the presence of products of said combustion process; an electrically-conductive probe positioned within said tube in a location intermediate the extent of said electric field; and means for addressing said probe in a manner that it creates a simulation of the existence of said process by altering the condition of said electric field.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a system for detecting the existence of a combustion process and which includes means for sensing the existence of that process and means for indicating the occurrence thereof, the improvement comprising: said sensing means having an elongated electrically conductive tube that forms an essential part of an ionization-type of said sensing means and which also includes an internally transverse conductive member for establishing an electric field extending therefrom to said tube with said field being subject to change upon the presence of products of said combustion process; an electrically-conductive probe positioned within said tube in a location intermediate the extent of said electric field; and means for addressing said probe in a manner that it creates a simulation of the existence of said process by altering the condition of said electric field.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as defined in claim 4 in which said probe is suspended transversely within and intermediate the length of a chamber defined by said tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system as defined in claim 4 in which said tube is perforated in one end portion for admitting smoke particles, in which an insulative sleeve is fastened and spaced within said one portion, and in which said probe is a conductive plate secured on the inner end of said sleeve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as defined in claim 4 which further includes means for biasing said probe in a direction to cause a response within said tube which simulates that caused by the reception within said tube of particles of smoke.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
182 words
In a system for detecting the existence of a combustion process and which includes means for sensing the existence of that process and means for indicating the occurrence thereof, the improvement comprising: means included in said sensing means defining a chamber to the interior of which there is access by surrounding air and any smoke particles therein, within which chamber radioactive emissions occur, and through which chamber an electric field is distributed; means, including said indicating means, responsive to a change in distribution of said field gradient for producing an alarm signal; an electrically-conductive probe disposed within said chamber; means for selectively impressing a potential on said probe of a value changing said distribution sufficiently to enable operation of a test signal; a source of electrical power for energizing said sensing means and said indicating means; means for coupling said power source to said probe to impress said potential thereon; and an element connected across said power source for producing said potential and included within said coupling means, said element limiting current drawn thereby from said power source to a pre-determined level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
182 words
In a system for detecting the existence of a combustion process and which includes means for sensing the existence of that process and means for indicating the occurrence thereof, the improvement comprising: means included in said sensing means defining a chamber to the interior of which there is access by surrounding air and any smoke particles therein, within which chamber radioactive emissions occur, and through which chamber an electric field is distributed; means, including said indicating means, responsive to a change in distribution of said field gradient for producing an alarm signal; an electrically-conductive probe disposed within said chamber; means for selectively impressing a potential on said probe of a value changing said distribution sufficiently to enable operation of a test signal; a source of electrical power for energizing said sensing means and said indicating means; means for coupling said power source to said probe to impress said potential thereon; and an element connected across said power source for producing said potential and included within said coupling means, said element limiting current drawn thereby from said power source to a pre-determined level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a system for detecting the existence of a combustion process and which includes means for sensing the existence of that process and means for indicating the occurrence thereof, the improvement comprising: said sensing means having a chamber that forms an essential part of an ionization-type of said sensing means; an electrically-conductive probe positioned within and insulated from said chamber; and means for adjusting said probe in a manner that it creates a simulation of the existence of said process, the amount of said process simulated being a function of the depth by which said probe is positioned within said chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a system for detecting the existence of a combustion process and which includes means for sensing the existence of that process and means for indicating the occurrence thereof, the improvement comprising: said sensing means having a chamber that forms an essential part of an ionization-type of said sensing means; an electrically-conductive probe positioned within and insulated from said chamber; and means for adjusting said probe in a manner that it creates a simulation of the existence of said process, the amount of said process simulated being a function of the depth by which said probe is positioned within said chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as defined in claim 9 in which said adjusting means includes means for enabling development of a test signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as defined in claim 10 in which said test signal is a representation that said amount of said process is being simulated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as defined in claim 9 which includes means for permitting adjustment of the degree of said process simulated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-09 | 1984-06-09 | 1984-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-09 | 1988-06-09 | 1988-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-09 | 1992-06-09 | 1992-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |