Santa Barbara Research Center

Kidde Technologies Incorporated

Raytheon Company

Hughes Aircraft Company

Mark T Kern

Robert J Cinzori

Kenneth A Shamordola

Ken Bell

David William Frasure

Christopher Wilson

Gregory L Tangonan

Mark Sherwood Miller

Scott Kenneth Newlin

Stefan Coreth

Chris George Georgoulias

Steven E Hodges

John M Wetzork

Terry Simpson

Aaron Stanley Rogers

Danny G Snider

Max J Riedl

Richard C Heath

Robert A Bell

Charles B McLean

William D Fuller

Clinton E Piland

John Streater

Charles B Mcclean

Overheat and fire detection for aircraft systems includes an optical controller and a fiber optic loop extending from the optical controller. The fiber optic loop extends through one or more zones of the aircraft. An optical signal is transmitted through the fiber optic loop from the optical controller and is also received back at the optical controller. The optical controller analyzes the optical signal to determine the temperature, strain, or both experienced within the zones.

Aircraft overheat detection using optical fiber technology for system health monitoring by determining a physical characteristic associated with a location

Optical health monitoring for aircraft overheat and fire detection systems

A method for calibrating a test light to simulate a fire includes measuring a baseline resistance induced in a sensor cell of a two-color detector in response to a controlled fire. The method includes monitoring a test resistance induced in the sensor cell in response to exposure to emissions from a test light and adjusting the emissions of the test light until the test resistance of the sensor cell equals the baseline resistance of the sensor cell to achieve a calibration setting for the test light. A test light for a detector includes a housing and a first LED within the housing having a first emission wavelength. A second LED is within the housing. The second LED has a second emission wavelength. The second emission wavelength is different than the first emission wavelength.

Systems and methods for testing two-color detectors

An overheat sensor system is provided. A controller may create an aircraft temperature profile and may compare temperature sensor data to the profile. The system may provide an output indicating temperatures or fires.

Overheat sensor system

A thermopile radiation detector (,) has an optical filter layer (,) that supports a thermopile detector (,) and, in addition, filters undesired wavelengths. The filtering is accomplished by selectively absorbing electromagnetic radiation at predetermined wavelengths. The use of the thermopile radiation detector simplifies the overall construction of a system that incorporates the detector by eliminating one focal point in the optical system. By altering the filter material, the number of layers of filter material, etc., a plurality of detectors can be constructed, each responsive to a different wavelength. In forming the detector, the filter can be deposited on a thin backing material such as aluminum. Examples of suitable filter materials include alternating layers of zinc selenide/magnesium fluoride or germanium/magnesium fluoride. After the filter is deposited, the backing is etched away and suitable thermocouples, such as bismuth/antimony, are deposited on one side of the filter. Incident radiation is directed to the reverse side of the filter for selective absorption and detection.

Spectrally selective thermopile detector

A fiber optic fire and overheat sensor system 10 includes a fiber optic cable 12 having a lens 14 at a distal to direct radiation from a fire 16 into the cable 12 and to a radiation detector 18 disposed at a proximal end of the cable 12. Detector 18 is coupled to a fire sensor 19. The detector 18 is sensitive to two wavelength bands including a short wavelength band of approximately 0.8 to approximately 1.1 microns and a long-wavelength band of approximately 1.8 to approximately 2.1 microns. A controller 21, such as a microprocessor, analyzes the fire sensor 19 output signals which correspond to the two spectral bands to determine if a fire is present. The system 10 further includes a body of fluorescent material 20 disposed at the distal end of the cable 12. The material 20 can be interposed between a reflecting surface, such as a mirror 22, and a lens, such as a collimating lens 24. A fiber optic coupler 26 and 26a launches radiation from a source 28, such as a laser diode, into the fiber optic cable 12. The fluorescent material is pumped by the source 28 at a first wavelength, the rate of decay of a resulting fluorescent emission being measured and correlated with predetermined decay rates to derive the temperature of the material 20 and, hence, the ambient temperature of a region within which the material 20 is disposed.

Fiber optic flame and overheat sensing system with self test

A fiber optic fire detection and temperature measurement system 10 includes a fiber optic cable 12 having a lens 14 at a distal to direct radiation from a fire 16 into the cable 12 and to radiation detector 18 disposed at a proximal end of the cable 12. Detector 18 is coupled to a fire sensor 20. Detector 18 is sensitive to three wavelength bands including a short wavelength band of approximately 0.8 to 1.1 microns, a mid-wavelength band of approximately 1.3 to 1.5 microns and a long-wavelength band of approximately 1.8 to 2.1 microns. A controller 22, analyzes the fire sensor 20 output signals which correspond to the two spectral bands to determine if a fire is present. The fiber optic conductor is doped with a material selected for its temperature dependent fluorescent emission characteristics. Radiation from a fire passes via cable 12 to the detector 18. A pulse of radiation from source 28 passes from a coupler 26 and 26a to the cable 12. The fluorescent doping material within the fiber optic cable 12 is pumped by the pulse and is caused to fluoresce within the third wavelength band. A portion of the fluorescent emission passes back through the fiber 12 to the detector 18 where the fluorescent emission is detected and processed to determine the temperature.

Fiber optic flame detection and temperature measurement system employing

A fiber optic fire detection and temperature measurement system 10 includes a fiber optic cable 12 having a lens 14 at a distal to direct radiation from a fire 16 into the cable 12 and to a radiation detector 18 disposed at a proximal end of the cable 12. Detector 18 is coupled to a fire sensor 20. The detector 18 is sensitive to three wavelength bands including a short wavelength band of approximately 0.8 to 1.1 microns and a long-wavelength band of approximately 1.8 to 2.1 microns. A controller 22, analyzes the fire sensor 20 output signals which correspond to the two spectral bands to determine if a fire is present. The fiber optic conductor of cable 12 includes an optical filter 32 having a temperature dependent radiation transmission characteristic. Radiation from a fire passes via cable 12 to the detector 18. A dual wavelength pulse of radiation from a source 28 passes through the filter 32 where a reference wavelength, corresponding to one of the fire sensor spectral bands, passes through unimpeded while the other wavelength within a third spectral band is absorbed as a function of temperture. The detector includes third element 18c for detecting the third spectral band and includes circuitry 54 for determining the temperature of the coupler 30.

Fiber optic flame detection and temperature measurement system having

An apparatus for the discharge of powder by a fluidic propellant is suitable for use as a fire extinguisher, the apparatus including a container wherein powder and propellant is pressurized prior to use of the apparatus. Discharge of the powder and the propellant from the container is accomplished by means of a diaphragm in a wall of the container, there being a gas generator contained within a well of the container for providing an overpressure which, in combination with the pressure to which the propellant has been charged, fractures the diaphragm. Thereupon, the propellant and the powder exits the container in a homogeneous stream. The overpressure is less than approximately 30 percent, preferably 20 percent of the pressure to which the propellant and the powder are subjected during a charging of the container with the powder and the propellant. The charge pressure is in the range of 400-600 p.s.i. so as to be many times greater than the pressure of an environment external to the container. A battery operated circuit may be connected between a fire sensor and the gas generator for activation of the generator in a modular self-contained form of fire extinguisher.

Powder discharge apparatus

A method and improved apparatus for generating and transmitting the distinguishing radiation characteristics of a fire, an ignition and fire, or an ignition without a fire, to a fire sensing system under test are disclosed. Varying radiant energy attributes of a fire, and in particular a hydrocarbon fire such as might be encountered in a vehicle fuel or engine compartment are safely generated by a blackbody transmitter 100, an ultraviolet transmitter 200 and an ignition flash transmitter 300, having appropriate radiation sources. The radiation sources may be conveniently assembled into a palm-sized radiation 'head' 101. The transmitters may be selected sequentially to test installed fire sensing systems in aircraft or vehicles or during manufacture where the environment does not permit the use of an actual fire. The blackbody transmitter 100 has a random-noise generator 20 and amplifier 30, which drive a blackbody source 40 containing a heater wire 110 sealed in a reflective cavity with a carbon dioxide gas and water vapor mixture. The resulting emitted radiation 42 has characteristics of a flickering, 1200 to 1700 degrees Kelvin blackbody superimposed with CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O emission lines. The ultraviolet transmitter 200 uses the noise generator 20 to also drive, through a power amplifier 50, an ultraviolet source 60 which emits an ultraviolet radiation 'spike' 62. The ultraviolet radiant energy output is adjusted to an amplitude with respect to the blackbody source in accordance with a ratio of such energy measured for an actual fire. The ignition flash transmitter 200 has a high voltage source 70 which fires a gas-discharge tube source 80 to simulate an ignition flash 82.

Universal fire simulator

Apparatus for sensing the ex(i)stence of a fire and providing a warning, if desired, with improved discrimination against the possibility of false alarms. Dual channel detectors are used, one detector being set to respond to incident radiation having a wavelength in the range of 0.8 to 1.1 microns while the other wavelength range is significantly displaced therefrom, being selected for wavelengths in the range from 14 to 25 microns. Reliability of true signal detection is further improved by the provision of separate flame flicker bandpass filters in the respective channels, these bandpass filters being set for different passbands. Circuits providing ratio discrimination, threshold detectors and delay circuitry are combined with the dual spectrum detectors and disparate flicker frequency filters to achieve improved performance. In addition, the dynamic range of instrument sensitivity is substantially increased by utilizing preamplifiers with wide gain variability controlled by automatic gain control circuits in the dual channel circuitry.

Dual spectrum frequency responding fire sensor

A fire sensor can perform a sophisticated analysis of the outputs of radiant energy detectors, while minimizing size, weight, and cost, by employing a microprocessor to analyze the detector outputs. In a preferred embodiment, an Intel 2920 Signal Processor is utilized as the microprocessor.

Microprocessor-controlled fire sensor

A fire sensing system utilizing fiber optics to extend the physical range of radiation sensing elements into areas and environments which are physically inaccessible to, and/or destructive of, such sensors and their associated electronic circuitry. The fiber optics are combined with signal processing circuitry to achieve reliable fire sensing systems which present particular advantages in special applications.

Fire sensor system utilizing optical fibers for remote sensing

Apparatus for sensing the existence of a fire and providing a warning, if desired, with improved discrimination against the possibility of false alarms. Dual channel detectors are used, one detector being set to respond to incident radiation having a wavelength in the range of 0.8 to 1.1 microns while the other wavelength range is significantly displaced therefrom, being selected for wavelengths in the range from 14 to 25 microns. Reliability of true signal detection is further improved by the provision of separate flame flicker bandpass filters in the respective channels, these bandpass filters being set for different passbands. Circuits providing ratio discrimination, threshold detectors and delay circuitry are combined with the dual spectrum detectors and disparate flicker frequency filters to achieve improved performance. In addition, the dynamic range of instrument sensitivity is substantially increased by utilizing preamplifiers with wide gain variability controlled by automatic gain control circuits in the dual channel circuitry.

Growing community of inventors

Goleta, CA, United States of America

Mark T Kern