US4379290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alarm device with a condition sensor element
Assignee: Cerberus AG
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Filing: 1980-10-27
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Granted: 1983-04-05
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Expires: 2000-10-27
Abstract
Abstract In an alarm installation containing a central evaluation unit and alarm devices arranged remotely therefrom, the transmission of energy from a radiation source and the reporting back of the signal occurs exclusively according to optical principles by means of radiation conducting elements, so-called light guides or conductors, by means of which the alarm devices are connected with the evaluation device. The alarm devices contain a preferably high-ohm sensor element, for instance a smoke-sensitive ionization chamber, whose operating voltage is infed by means of a solar cell which is irradiated by a light guide and whose output signal is fed back to the evaluation device by means of a high-ohm electrical transducer and a light guide. Such type alarm installation preferably is used for fire detection purposes, for gas, smoke temperature detection or intrusion protection, and is particularly suitable for use in an explosion-endangered environment or one subjected to electrical disturbances.
Inventors
- 👤 Jurg Muggli
- 👤 Gustav Pfister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:24
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B17/00; G08B17/10; G08B17/103; G08B17/107; G08B17/11; G08B17/113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An alarm device comprising: a condition sensor element for delivering an output voltage which upon occurrence of a condition which is to be reported alters said output voltage in order to initiate giving of an alarm signal; an opto-electrical transducer operatively connected with said sensor element for applying an electrical potential thereto; at least one radiation-conducting element for transmitting electromagnetic radiation to said opto-electrical transducer in order to thereby deliver said electrical potential for the voltage supply of the sensor element; an electro-optical transducer operatively connected with said sensor element; an input radiation-conducting element for infeeding electromagnetic radiation to said electro-optical transducer; an output radiation-conducting element for outfeeding electromagnetic radiation from the electro-optical transducer; and said electro-optical transducer modulating, in response to said sensor element, the electromagnetic radiation passing from said input radiation-conducting element to said output radiation-conducting element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
An alarm device comprising: a condition sensor element for delivering an output voltage which upon occurrence of a condition which is to be reported alters said output voltage in order to initiate giving of an alarm signal; an opto-electrical transducer operatively connected with said sensor element for applying an electrical potential thereto; at least one radiation-conducting element for transmitting electromagnetic radiation to said opto-electrical transducer in order to thereby deliver said electrical potential for the voltage supply of the sensor element; an electro-optical transducer operatively connected with said sensor element; an input radiation-conducting element for infeeding electromagnetic radiation to said electro-optical transducer; an output radiation-conducting element for outfeeding electromagnetic radiation from the electro-optical transducer; and said electro-optical transducer modulating, in response to said sensor element, the electromagnetic radiation passing from said input radiation-conducting element to said output radiation-conducting element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 1, wherein: said sensor element contains an element which is sensitive to a combustion phenomenon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 2, wherein: said sensor element which is sensitive to a combustion phenomenon comprises an air accessible ionization chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 3, wherein: said sensor element further includes an additional ionization chamber with which the air accessible ionization chamber is connected in series; and said additional ionization chamber being connected in series with output means of the opto-electrical transducer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 4, wherein: said additional ionization chamber is less accessible to air than said air accessible ionization chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 4, wherein: said additional ionization chamber comprises a smoke-sensitive ionization chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 4, further including: means defining a light guide connection portion; a base plate; a socket portion with which the base plate can be connected; said opto-electrical transducer and the electro-optical transducer being arranged at a rear face of the light guide connection; a counter element provided for the light guide connection portion; and said counter element being arranged within the socket portion and constituting an optical contact between components of individual light guides defined by said radiation-conducting elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 7, further including: a support plate having a lower face and an upper face; said opto-electrical transducer and said electro-optical transducer being arranged upon said support plate; said lower face of said support plate carrying the air accessible ionization chamber; the upper face of said support plate carrying the additional ionization chamber; said support plate being arranged below the base plate; and said base plate containing the light guide connection portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 4, wherein: both of said ionization chambers are inter-connected at a connection terminal; a field-effect transistor having a gate, source electrode and drain electrode; said electro-optical transducer having a control connection; said connection terminal of both ionization chambers being connected with the gate of said field-effect transistor; and one of said electrodes of the field-effect transistor being connected with said control connection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 1, wherein: said sensor element comprises a high-ohm semiconductor element having an active insulation layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 1, wherein: said opto-electrical transducer comprises at least one solar cell.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 1, wherein: said electro-optical transducer contains an element having electrically controllable optical permeability.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 1, wherein: said electro-optical transducer contains an element having electrically controllable optical reflection.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 1, further including: means defining a reflecting surface at which there is reflected the infed radiation, after passing the element of the electro-optical transducer, as a function of its degree of optical reflection and such reflected radiation is removed by said output radiation-conducting element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 1, further including: means defining a reflecting surface at which there is reflected the infed radiation, after passing the element of the electro-optical transducer, as a function of its degree of transmission and such reflected radiation is removed by said output radiation-conducting element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
99 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 1, wherein: said opto-electrical transducer comprises a solar cell; means defining a common light source for powering said solar cell and for infeeding said electromagnetic radiation to said electro-optical transducer; means cooperating with said common light source such that a portion of the light emitted by said common light source powers said solar cell; and said input radiation-conducting element feeding another portion of said light emitted by said common light source in the form of said electromagnetic radiation to said electro-optical transducer where such electromagnetic radiation is modulated by said electro-optical transducer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 16, wherein: said electro-optical transducer comprises a low-current consuming electro-optical transducer; and said common light source comprises a low-light intensity source.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 17, wherein: said low-current consuming electro-optical transducer comprises a liquid crystal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The alarm device as defined in claim 18, wherein: said sensor element comprises a low-current consuming sensor element affording safety in an explosion-prone environment.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
151 words
An ionization alarm device comprising: an ionization fire alarm structured as a high-ohmic low-current consumption sensor for delivering an output voltage upon occurrence of a condition in the form of a combustion phenomenon which is to be reported; an opto-electrical transducer operatively connected with said ionization fire alarm for applying an electrical potential thereto; at least one radiation-conducting element for transmitting electromagnetic radiation to said opto-electrical transducer in order to thereby deliver said electrical potential for the voltage supply of the ionization fire alarm; a low-power consuming electro-optical transducer constituted by a liquid crystal operatively connected with said ionization fire alarm; an input radiation-conducting element for infeeding electromagnetic radiation to said liquid crystal; an output radiation-conducting element for outfeeding electromagnetic radiation from the liquid crystal; and said liquid crystal modulating, in response to said ionization fire alarm, the electromagnetic radiation passing from said input radiation-conducting element to said output radiation-conducting element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
151 words
An ionization alarm device comprising: an ionization fire alarm structured as a high-ohmic low-current consumption sensor for delivering an output voltage upon occurrence of a condition in the form of a combustion phenomenon which is to be reported; an opto-electrical transducer operatively connected with said ionization fire alarm for applying an electrical potential thereto; at least one radiation-conducting element for transmitting electromagnetic radiation to said opto-electrical transducer in order to thereby deliver said electrical potential for the voltage supply of the ionization fire alarm; a low-power consuming electro-optical transducer constituted by a liquid crystal operatively connected with said ionization fire alarm; an input radiation-conducting element for infeeding electromagnetic radiation to said liquid crystal; an output radiation-conducting element for outfeeding electromagnetic radiation from the liquid crystal; and said liquid crystal modulating, in response to said ionization fire alarm, the electromagnetic radiation passing from said input radiation-conducting element to said output radiation-conducting element.
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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) | 1986-04-04 | 1986-10-04 | 1987-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-04 | 1990-10-04 | 1991-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-04 | 1994-10-04 | 1995-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |