Fire Sentry Corporation

Fire Sentry Systems, Inc.

Nordson Corporation

David A Castleman

Owen D Parham

Chris A Selstad

Theodore Raymond Lapp

Don R Scarbrough

Robert C Lindrud

Anthony B Williams

A process and system for flame detection includes a microprocessor-controlled detector with a first sensor for sensing temporal energy in a first optical frequency range, and a second sensor for sensing temporal energy in a second optical frequency range. The temporal energy sensed in the respective first and second optical frequency ranges are transformed into respective first and second spectra of frequency components. A compensated spectrum of frequency components is generated by performing a frequency bin subtraction of the first and second spectra of frequency components. The compensated spectrum represents the energy emitted from the environment with energy emitted from false alarm sources. An average amplitude and centroid of the compensated spectrum are obtained and used to determine if a monitored phenomenon represents an unwanted fire situation. The compensated spectrum can be compared to reference compensated spectra of frequency components generated from known unwanted fire sources and known false alarm sources.

Fire detector with electronic frequency analysis

A process and system for flame detection includes a microprocessor-controlled detector with an array of sensors for sensing radiant energy from a fire or other heat source. A wide band infrared sensor is used as the primary detector, with near band and visible band sensors serving to detect false-alarm energy from nonfire sources. A narrow band sensor, such as a 4.3-micron sensor, is also employed in the sensor array, and assists in the detection of hydrocarbon fires. Digital signal processing is used to analyze sensed data and discriminate against false alarms. A multistage alarm system can be provided, which is selectively triggered by the microprocessor. Spectral recording and analysis of prefire data is provided for. The detector can be housed in an enclosed, sealed, removable, plastic housing that may include an integral plastic window lens.

Fire detector with multiple sensors

A process and system for flame detection includes a microprocessor-controlled detector with an array of sensors for sensing radiant energy from a fire or other heat source. A wide band infrared sensor is used as the primary detector, with near band and visible band sensors serving to detect false-alarm energy from non-fire sources. A narrow band sensor, such as a 4.3-micron sensor, may also be employed in the sensor array, and assists in the detection of hydrocarbon fires. Digital signal processing is used to analyze sensed data and discriminate against false alarms. A modulation index of one of the sensors (preferably the wideband IR sensor) is calculated by the microprocessor using measurements of the signal extremes (i.e., maxima and minima). A fire situation is not declared unless the modulation index falls within a prespecified range, such as between 5% and 85%. A multistage alarm system can be provided, which is selectively triggered by the microprocessor. Spectral recording and analysis of prefire data is provided for. The detector can be housed in an enclosed, sealed, removable, plastic housing that may include an integral plastic window lens.

Fire detector with modulation index measurement

A process and system for flame detection includes a microprocessor-controlled detector with a first sensor for sensing temporal energy in a first optical frequency range, and a second sensor for sensing temporal energy in a second optical frequency range. The temporal energy sensed in the respective first and second optical frequency ranges are transformed into respective first and second spectra of frequency components. A compensated spectrum of frequency components is generated by performing a frequency bin subtraction of the first and second spectra of frequency components. The compensated spectrum of frequency components represents the energy emitted from the environment with energy emitted from false alarm sources. An average amplitude and centroid of the compensated spectrum of frequency components are obtained and used to determine if a monitored phenomenon represents an unwanted fire situation. The compensated spectrum of frequency components can be compared to reference compensated spectra of frequency components generated from known unwanted fire sources and known false alarm sources. This comparison can be facilitated by constructing a frequency space scatter plot from respective average amplitudes and centroids obtained from the reference compensated spectra. A fire detection boundary can be defined, which excludes substantially all of the false alarm sources. Inclusion of the unknown phenomenon within the fire detection boundary is indicative of an unwanted fire situation.

A process and system for flame detection includes a microprocessor-controlled detector with at least three sensors. A wide band infrared sensor is used as the primary detector, with near band and visible band sensors serving to detect false-alarm energy from nonfire sources. Digital signal processing is used to analyze sensed data and discriminate against false alarms. A multistage alarm system can be provided, which is selectively triggered by the microprocessor. Spectral recording and analysis of prefire data is provided for. The detector can be housed in an enclosed, sealed, removable, plastic housing that may include an integral plastic window lens.

Fire detector with replacement module

A process and system for flame detection includes a microprocessor-controlled detector with at least three sensors. A wide band infrared sensor is used as the primary detector, with near band and visible band sensors serving to detect false-alarm energy from nonfire sources. Digital signal processing is used to analyze sensed data and discriminate against false alarms. A multistage alarm system can be-provided, which is selectively triggered by the microprocessor. Spectral recording and analysis of prefire data is provided for. The detector can be housed in an enclosed, sealed, removable, plastic housing that may include an integral plastic window lens.

Fire detector and housing

A process and system for flame detection includes a microprocessor-controlled detector with at least three sensors. A wide band infrared sensor is used as the primary detector, with near band and visible band sensors serving to detect false-alarm energy from nonfire sources. Digital signal processing is used to analyze sensed data and discriminate against false alarms. A multistage alarm system can be provided, which is selectively triggered by the microprocessor. Spectral recording and analysis of prefire data is provided for. The detector can be housed in an enclosed, sealed, removable, plastic horsing that may include an integral plastic window lens.

Fire detector with event recordation

Fire detector

Fire detector with multi-level response

The present invention provides a highly sensitive, intelligent, reliable, and effective process and system for detecting fire, which may be used in any industrial or other environment. The process and system for flame detection in accordance with the present invention features wide infrared spectrum sensitivity, which facilitates increased sensitivity to any sign of a flame or fire. The process and system of the present invention utilizes digital processing and analysis of data, calibration of operation parameters from temperture data, an intelligent controller (microprocessor) for discriminating against false alarms, and an elaborate multi-stage alarm system, selectively triggered by the controller.

Process and system for flame detection

A system and method for detecting and controlling ungrounded parts during the electrostatic coating process in order to improve production flow, provide an overall cost saving by efficient use of the coating material and prevention of accidental fires and false shutdown during production. The system of the present invention comprises a detection system for detecting any ungrounded parts prior to entering a coating environment, such as a painting booth. The detection system in accordance with one embodiment, comprises an array of detectors, specifically, an ultraviolet sensor, a radio-frequency wave sensor, an acoustic sensor and a light sensor, which upon sensing specific characteristics generate representative signal waveforms. These waveforms are than compared with stored waveforms relating to profiles of sparking or corona discharge characteristics. Correlation circuits may correlate data obtained by two or more sensors in order to ensure that the spark or corona discharge is caused by an ungrounded part. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the detection system comprises a measuring device, such as a sensitive electric field meter, for measuring the electrical potential field between each part to be coated and ground.

System and method for detection and control of ungrounded parts in a

The present invention relates to a flame detector and protective cover with wide spectrum characteristics. The novel flame detector has wide spectrum sensitivity, which facilitates increased sensitivity to any sign of a flame or fire. The protective cover has wide spectrum transmittance characteristics. The protective cover facilitates reduced cleaning requirements and less disruption of the automated process for cleaning purposes. The wide spectrum transmittance characteristics of the protective cover enable it to be used with any flame detector utilizing non-ultraviolet sensing techniques.

Flame detector and protective cover with wide spectrum characteristics

A system and method for coincidence detection of ungrounded or inadequately grounded parts during the electrostatic coating process in order to improve production flow, provide an overall cost saving by efficient use of the coating material and prevention of accidental fires and false shutdown during production. The present invention utilizes a coincidence detection technique which performs a test for radio-frequency electromagnetic energy radiated by sparking and/or corona discharge caused by ungrounded parts outside a electrostatic coating area and a test for sensing and discriminating spurious radio-frequency electromagnetic energy radiated by sparking and/or corona discharge caused by any other external source. In accordance with one specific embodiment, the test performed outside the booth may include a further test for detecting ultraviolet energy radiated by the sparking and/or corona discharge. Upon detecting an ungrounded part, the part may be removed from the production line and appropriate steps to properly ground it may be taken. Performing coincident tests thus prevents false shutdowns in the production line.

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Fresno, CA, United States of America

David A Castleman