Abstract: A smoke detector with a surface mounted emitter configured to emit light substantially vertically and a surface mounted receiver configured to receive light at an angular distance less than 90° reflected by ambient materials, and a method of operating the smoke detector are provided. The angular distance at which the light is reflected by the ambient materials generates a back scatter effect. The smoke detector includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving the ambient materials, a supporting structure (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)) disposed adjacent to the housing, an emitter mounted substantially vertically to an upper surface of the supporting structure, and a receiver mounted substantially vertically to the upper surface of the supporting structure. The smoke detector may also include a controller configured to receive output signals from the receiver (to determine whether a current condition of the chamber indicates a need to trigger an alarm).

Abstract: A smoke detector and method for testing a smoke detector are provided. The smoke detector includes a housing defining a chamber, an emitter, and a receiver. The housing includes an inlet port and an outlet port configured to allow an airflow to pass through the chamber. The emitter is configured to emit light into the chamber. The receiver is configured to receive light reflected by ambient materials in the airflow passing through the chamber. The smoke detector includes an entry point and an exit point, defining a channel therebetween. At least a portion of the airflow passes through the channel. The channel is in fluid communication with a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect at least one of a pressure differential and a mass flow of the airflow. The smoke detector and method for testing the smoke detector enable in situ testing of the smoke detector.

Abstract: A smoke detector and method for testing a smoke detector are provided. The smoke detector includes a housing defining a chamber, an emitter, and a receiver. The housing includes an inlet port and an outlet port configured to allow an airflow to pass through the chamber. The emitter is configured to emit light into the chamber. The receiver is configured to receive light reflected by ambient materials in the airflow passing through the chamber. The smoke detector includes an entry point and an exit point, defining a channel therebetween. At least a portion of the airflow passes through the channel. The channel is in fluid communication with a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect at least one of a pressure differential and a mass flow of the airflow. The smoke detector and method for testing the smoke detector enable in situ testing of the smoke detector.

Abstract: A smoke detector with a surface mounted emitter configured to emit light substantially vertically and a surface mounted receiver configured to receive light at an angular distance less than 90° reflected by ambient materials, and a method of operating the smoke detector are provided. The angular distance at which the light is reflected by the ambient materials generates a back scatter effect. The smoke detector includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving the ambient materials, a supporting structure (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)) disposed adjacent to the housing, an emitter mounted substantially vertically to an upper surface of the supporting structure, and a receiver mounted substantially vertically to the upper surface of the supporting structure. The smoke detector may also include a controller configured to receive output signals from the receiver (to determine whether a current condition of the chamber indicates a need to trigger an alarm).

Abstract: A magnetomechanical marker for use in an electronic article surveillance system comprising a magnetomechanical element, a bias magnet and a housing. The magnetomechanical element comprises first and second resonator strips composed of an unannealed magnetostrictive amorphous metal alloy having a resonant frequency response including a resonant frequency minimum in response to the incidence thereon of an electromagnetic interrogating field. The bias magnet has a bias point to magnetically bias the magnetomechanical element so that the magnetomechanical element resonates at a predetermined frequency in the presence of an electromagnetic interrogating field.

Abstract: A magnetomechanical marker for use in an electronic article surveillance system comprising a magnetomechanical element, a bias magnet and a housing. The magnetomechanical element comprises first and second resonator strips composed of an unannealed magnetostrictive amorphous metal alloy having a resonant frequency response including a resonant frequency minimum in response to the incidence thereon of an electromagnetic interrogating field. The bias magnet has a bias point to magnetically bias the magnetomechanical element so that the magnetomechanical element resonates at a predetermined frequency in the presence of an electromagnetic interrogating field.

Abstract: A fabrication process produces markers for a magnetomechanical electronic article surveillance system. The marker includes a magnetomechanical element comprising one or more resonator strips of magnetostrictive amorphous metal alloy; a housing having a cavity sized and shaped to accommodate the resonator strips for free mechanical vibration therewithin; and a bias magnet to magnetically bias the magnetomechanical element. The process employs adaptive control of the cut length of the resonator strips, correction of the length being based on the deviation of the actual marker resonant frequency from a preselected, target marker frequency. Use of adaptive, feedback control advantageously results in a much tighter distribution of actual resonant frequencies. Also provided is a web-fed press for continuously producing such markers with adaptive control of the resonator strip length.

Abstract: A temperature sensor used to monitor coolant and an automobile coolant system. The temperature sensor includes a one-piece housing having a sensor portion and a connector portion. A sensor assembly, including a sensor having a pair of terminals connected thereto is disposed within the housing. The sensor portion includes a sensor tip having a configuration conducive to improving thermal transfer from the coolant through the sensor tip to the sensor. A thermally conductive material may also be used to improve thermal or heat transfer to the sensor.

Abstract: A magnetomechanical EAS marker includes a housing, a magnetostrictive active element in the housing, and a bias magnet mounted on the housing adjacent to the active element. Both the active element and the bias magnet are substantially planar metal strips. The length and/or surface area of the bias magnet is substantially less than the length and/or surface area of the active element. The reduction in the size of the bias magnet relative to the active element enhances reliable deactivation of the marker by increasing the resonant frequency shift obtained by degaussing the bias magnet. The increased reliability of deactivation is obtained without increasing the sensitivity of the marker, when in an active state, to variations in applied bias magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetomechanical EAS marker is formed of a housing, a magnetostrictive active element in the housing and a bias element fixedly mounted on the housing. A central portion of the active element is secured to the housing to keep the active element from shifting in a longitudinal direction relative to the bias element and to keep ends of the active element spaced from the housing. The active element remains free to mechanically resonate in response to an EAS interrogation signal. The stable positioning of the active element prevents variations in the bias magnetic field due to shifting relative to the bias element, while keeping ends of the active element free from frictional damping due to mechanical loading from contact with the housing.