Abstract: In a method for frequency analysis of a signal of a hazard detector, wavelet transformation is combined with fuzzy logic analysis. In the transformation, based on orthonormal or semi-orthonormal wavelets, an original signal is fed to a multi-stage filter cascade of pairs of high-pass/low-pass filters. From the output of the high-pass filter, wavelet coefficients and values of the original signal, each filter stage produces an association function. The functions are normalized and analyzed further in accordance with fuzzy logic rules. The method is particularly suitable for analyzing signals from flame detectors, noise detectors and the like. As processor code for transformation and analysis is kept short, high speed and accuracy are achieved at low cost.

Abstract: An optical fire detector employs two or more sensors operating a different spectral bands. The spectral bands are selected to have approximately coincident cut-off wavelengths in order to make the detector's ability to positively identify a fire more uniform over its field of view. The use of three overlapping spectral bands provides the detector with enhanced detection capabilities for large, hot fires that behave like black body radiators.

Abstract: A fire detector with a maximum average response time of less than 1.5 minutes is obtained by combining a smoke detector with a CO.sub.2 detector that uses NDIR sensor technology. The smoke detector is used to detect smoldering fires and to help prevent false alarms attributable to the CO.sub.2 detector. The CO.sub.2 detector is used to rapidly detect fires by measuring the rate of change of CO.sub.2 concentration. A signal processor generates an alarm signal when a smoldering fire is detected or alarm logic indicates that a fire has been detected.

Abstract: A detector for use in a combustion system includes a probe having a tip adapted for placement through a singular aperture in the mixing area of a combustion system. First and second channels are derived from the probe output and are used to detect a flashback or flameout condition.

Abstract: An electrical fire sensing and fire prevention/extinguishing system which senses properties of electrical fires in cabinets having electrical circuits or circuit boards and detects sparks for detecting an electrical short in the electrical circuits or circuit boards. Upon detecting a spark, power to the electrical circuits or circuit boards is turned off to prevent a fire from developing within the cabinet. Furthermore, the electrical fire sensing and fire prevention/extinguishing system senses heat increases and smoke for activating a fire extinguishing device to extinguish a fire and turning off power to the electrical circuits or circuit boards.

Abstract: An imaging flame detection system for detecting flames of fires against false alarms using continuous imaging and pattern recognition of infrared (IR) images of a protected area under surveillance by the system. The system uses a Silicon (Si) Charge-Coupled-Device (CCD) array to detect the IR images, which first have passed through a wide field of view lens to establish a wide surveillance of the protected area, and have been filtered by a narrow band IR filter centered at 1,140 nm wavelength to remove false alarms originated from background sources of the protected area. Then, the system digitizes and thresholds these images into binarized images for pattern recognition to remove any remaining false alarms.

Abstract: An aspirated-type detector includes a housing with an internal ambient condition sensing region and a sensor carried therein. The housing is perforated with ambient atmosphere inflow ports. A fan or similar device lowers the pressure in the internal region thereby producing a positive inflow of adjacent, external ambient atmosphere into the sensing region. Alternatively, the fan can be operated to inject exterior ambient atmosphere into the sensing chamber under positive pressure. The fan can also be modularized. The detector can incorporate control circuitry for supervisory or signal processing purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an incipient fire detection system that receives gaseous samples and measures the light absorption spectrum of the mixture of gases evolving from heated combustibles includes a detector for receiving gaseous samples and subjecting the samples to spectroscopy and determining wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples. The wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples are compared to predetermined absorption wavelengths. A warning signal is generated whenever the wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples correspond to the predetermined absorption wavelengths. The method includes receiving gaseous samples, subjecting the samples to light spectroscopy, determining wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples, comparing the wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples to predetermined absorption wavelengths and generating a warning signal whenever the wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples correspond to the predetermined absorption wavelengths.

Abstract: The device for detecting the presence of smoke includes a dark chamber which receives the smoke to be detected, a source suitable for emitting into said chamber a light pencil made up of short duration pulses spaced apart from one another by identical much longer periods, a detector suitable for generating response signals associated with the smoke reflecting part of the successive light pulses, and means for comparing said signals with a threshold and for triggering an alarm in the event of said threshold being exceeded by a plurality of said successive signals. The device further comprises means for automatically increasing the frequency at which said pulses are emitted from the first occasion on which a signal exceeding said threshold is detected, the alarm then possibly being triggered, as a function of the signals generated by the detector in response to a plurality of successive pulses emitted at the higher frequency.

Abstract: A method for extracting a number of temporal frequencies occurring in a fire and false fire condition concurrently from two or more radiation detectors for receiving signals, a correlation detector for each frequency and sensor, and a storage buffer for the temporal frequencies extracted and sensors employed, so as to distinguish a small fire signal in the presence of a much larger false fire signal whether random in nature or not. The ratio of each extracted frequency following proper qualification is compared to the ratio band for fire and an output signal is generated when the ratio at one or more temporal frequencies indicates a fire.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes the modulation ratio between the flicker of a sensor signal and the absolute signal average to detect fire conditions. The system of the present invention requires that the signal on a sensor channel be above a certain threshold and the ratio of the flickering portion of the signal to the absolute signal average be within a certain range. The system may be applied to any sensor signal in response to any source, including, but not limited to, radiation, acoustic or optical signals including ultraviolet, visible or infrared radiation. Signals may be filtered with a median filter to remove noise. A least-mean-square curve-fit is made to the data to account for any growth or decay in the fire signal. The flicker can be calculated using any of several metrics such as standard deviation, p-norms, or maximum deviation, but mean deviation seems to provide optimal performance. The modulation ratio system can be augmented with a separate detection scheme for large-scale fires.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically detecting fires in select areas, and reacting thereto to put out the fires. A stationary, earth orbit satellite, pilotless drone aircrafts or piloted aircraft contains one or more infrared detectors and optical means for detecting small fires when they first occur in fields and wooded areas, preferably where man made campfires and trash dumping are prohibited. A computer in the satellite, drone or piloted aircraft and/or on the ground receives and analyzes image signals of the earth area or areas being monitored and, upon detecting infrared radiation of varying intensity and variable shape, indicative that a fire has started, generates coded signals which are (a) indicative of the coordinate locations of the fire, (b) the extent of the fire, (c) the shape of the area(s) burning, (d) the direction of movement of the fires (e) the speed(s) of the flame fronts, (f) smoke condition, (g) intensity of the fire, (h) fire ball location(s), etc.

Abstract: A sensor provides a status signal indicating a condition of an operating system to the operating system's control system. The sensor has an inherent variable quantity such as resistance whose magnitude indicates the operating system status. The control system includes a user-operable switch which when actuated signals the microprocessor to determine the approximate value of the sensor's variable quantity. The magnitude of the variable quantity is then indicated by a signal comprising one or more beeps of sound or flashes of light. The number of beeps or flashes indicates the approximate present magnitude of the sensor's variable quantity. In a preferred embodiment, the control system comprises a microprocessor programmed to control the operating system and to perform most of the functions of the invention.

Abstract: A radiation detector having wide-range sensitivity is provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a radiation detector for detecting a radiation condition is provided. The radiation detector includes a plurality of sensors each of which detect radiation in a spectral band and output an analog signal in response to the amount of radiation in the spectral band, a converter system associated with each of the sensors for converting each analog signal to a digital signal, and a processor coupled to the converter system for using the digital signals to output a detection signal. The converter system has a sensitivity range which includes a minimum magnitude and a maximum magnitude of the analog signals. The processor can detect the radiation condition in an environment which concurrently induces the minimum magnitude in the analog signal of one of the sensors, and the maximum magnitude in the analog signal of a different one of the sensors.

Abstract: A signal processing method and apparatus for analyzing operation of a combustion burner. Responsive to a signal produced by a flame sensor which monitors a burner flame, a fluctuational component of the signal is converted into an extremum function having a floating extremum point with a frequency coordinate which varies in the frequency domain with changes in combustion conditions. A current extremum value of the extremum function is calculated. Then, in relation to the current extremum value, a value of at least one parameter of the extremum function is calculated, such function being related to the combustion characteristic. The apparatus comprises a processor and memory coupled thereto, the memory having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the aforementioned operations.

Abstract: An infrared emittance combustion analyzer utilizing detectors in a flame burner which monitor the radiation at two preselected wavelengths. The respective radiation signals are filtered to eliminate DC signal variations, rectified and converted into a DC value which is representative of the measured radiation signals. The respective DC values are formed into a ratio which is compared against a predetermined setpoint signal, and the error signal resulting from this comparison is utilized to drive an electromechanical controller which adjusts either the air damper or the fuel damper to adjust the fuel/air mixture which is fed into the burner.

Abstract: A monitoring target plane is photographed with infrared-rays by each infrared-ray camera. A converter converts format of image data from each infrared-ray camera from analog format into digital format. A control unit, when detecting an abnormal area consisting of pixels having a density value over a fixed value in the image data, calculates an azimuth and an angle of elevation toward the sun from an abnormal location on the monitoring target plane that corresponds to that abnormal area, and judges that a fire occurs if an azimuth toward the abnormal location from the infrared-ray camera photographing the image data including the abnormal area is not coincident with the calculated azimuth toward the sun, or if an angle of depression toward the abnormal location from this infrared-ray camera is not coincident with the calculated angle of elevation toward the sun.

Abstract: A combination temperature unit/intruder sensor is described wherein the thermistor used for adjusting the sensitivity of a passive infrared detector in a microprocessor of the unit is also used for the secondary purpose of indicating whether the ambient temperature of a protected zone falls outside a pre-selected temperature range. The detector, in addition to providing signals indicative of an intruder, can provide indications of possible freezing, thawing, or fire conditions. Both the intruder detection and temperature sensing capabilities are provided in a single, inexpensive housing.

Abstract: A device has been developed which monitors the presence of a flame within a combustion chamber. The optical flameout detection system responds to gross changes in combustor light intensity, which is monitored in two spectral bands. A photomultiplier tube makes optical measurements in the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum, and a silicon photodiode covers the visible region. The detectors, located outside the combustion chamber, receive the light energy radiated from the combustion process through fiber optic probes designed to operate in a high pressure environment. The optical fibers are aimed diagonally through the center of the injector at the combustion chamber wall downstream of the injector. The probed observe events occurring within a narrow conical-shaped field of view so that the system can quickly detect longitudinal movement of the flame front away from the injector.

Abstract: A visual indicator is provided for warning a pilot of an engine compartment fire and comprises a housing which is mounted on the cowling enclosing the engine compartment. In one form of the invention, a lens and mirror arrangement is provided for transmitting light through the housing so that the pilot will be warned of the existence of an engine compartment fire.

Abstract: A system for imaging a flame and the background scene. The flame imaging system consists of two charge-coupled-device (CCD) cameras. One camera uses a 800 nm long pass filter which during overcast conditions blocks sufficient background light so the hydrogen flame is brighter than the background light, and the second CCD camera uses a 1100 nm long pass filter, which blocks the solar background in full sunshine conditions such that the hydrogen flame is brighter than the solar background. Two electronic viewfinders convert the signal from the cameras into a visible image. The operator can select the appropriate filtered camera to use depending on the current light conditions. In addition, a narrow band pass filtered InGaAs sensor at 1360 nm triggers an audible alarm and a flashing LED if the sensor detects a flame, providing additional flame detection so the operator does not overlook a small flame.

Abstract: A security detector including an optical emitter and a controller for determining detector specific values of predetermined parameters and operating the emitter to transmit a code representing the values. The controller periodically initiates test cycles of the detector, determines the detector specific values, and operates the emitter to transmit a bit stream including an alpha-numeric code representing the values. For a smoke detector, the parameters include atmospheric density, information for determining detector sensitivity and alarm threshold. The emitted radiation is in the visible spectrum and the controller operates the emitter to transmit one code at rates perceptible to humans and another code imperceptible to humans. The imperceptible code provides machine readable information as bytes of alpha-numeric characters. Other features include a method and an optical reader for decoding and displaying the transmitted data.

Abstract: A multi-signature fire detection method and apparatus, utilizing first and second detectors for detecting first and second fire signatures. The first detector outputs a first signal indicative of the first detected fire signature, and the second detector outputs a second signal indicative of the second detected fire signature. A signal processor is provided for combining the first and second signals using a number of correlations, wherein outputs of the first and second detector means are coupled to the signal processor, and the signal processor compares and combines the first and second signals to a first predetermined reference value, and outputs a fire condition signal if a combination of the first and second signals exceeds the predetermined reference value.

Abstract: A fire sensor according to the present invention includes a sensor base, a sensor body and an address unit. The sensor base is mounted and fixed on a predetermined position, for example, a ceiling. The sensor body includes a plurality of pins for electrically connecting the sensor body with the sensor base, and a first fitting member for electrically and mechanically connecting the sensor body with the sensor base. The plurality of pins are formed on a surface of the sensor body connectable to the sensor base and circumferentially arranged on a circle with a predetermined radius. The sensor base has a second fitting member which is electrically and mechanically fitted to the first fitting member.

Abstract: A flame detector employs a plurality of wavelength selective radiation detectors and a digital signal processor programmed to analyze each of the detector signals, and determine whether radiation is received directly from a small flame source that warrants generation of an alarm. The processor's algorithm employs a normalized cross-correlation analysis of the detector signals to discriminate between radiation received directly from a flame and radiation received from a reflection of a flame to insure that reflections will not trigger an alarm. In addition, the algorithm employs a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) frequency spectrum analysis of one of the detector signals to discriminate between flames of different sizes. In a specific application, the detector incorporates two infrared (IR) detectors and one ultraviolet (UV) detector for discriminating between a directly sensed small hydrogen flame, and reflections from a large hydrogen flame.

Abstract: A fire detection system including two optical sensing channels and signal processing circuitry that processes the two sensing channels' output signals and generates another output signal when the processed signals are indicative of a fire. The system automatically detects hydrocarbon and certain non-hydrocarbon fueled fires. The first sensing channel simultaneously senses IR radiation in two IR spectral regions having separate and distinct bandwidths and generates a first signal corresponding to incident IR radiation being sensed in at least one of these spectral regions. One bandwidth is selected so the first sensing channel is responsive to the IR radiation emitted by hydrocarbon and/or certain non-hydrocarbon fueled fires and the other bandwidth is selected so the first sensing channel is responsive to IR radiation emitted from hydrocarbon fueled fires. Both bandwidths are selected so the first sensing channel is essentially non-responsive to solar IR radiation.

Abstract: A flame is detected by signal analysis for intensity variations in radiation received by a sensor. A low-frequency spectrum of the signal is analyzed for mid- and cut-off frequencies, and the signal is classified as periodic or non-periodic. Periodic signals with a mid-frequency (.omega..sub.mp) above a first frequency value (G.sub.1), and non-periodic signals with a cut-off frequency (.omega..sub.gc) above a second frequency value (G.sub.2) are classified as interfering signals. The first frequency value is determined by the flicker frequency of a stationary flame having a magnitude corresponding to a flame of minimum magnitude to be detected. The second frequency value is selected greater than the first frequency value (G.sub.1).

Abstract: The instant device is a portable security alarm unit. It is made up of a housing component containing control electronics, powered by an external power source, a back-up battery connected to the control electronics and wiring that connects the control electronics and/or battery to external accessories such as motion sensors, a siren, a temperature sensor and to a motion sensor and keyboard built into the frontally located walling of the housing component. There is also a slidable panel component that slides on tracks built into extensions of the roofing and flooring of the housing component such that the slidable panel component is capable of covering completely at any one time either the keyboard or motion sensor both of which are built in adjacent one another into the frontally located walling of the instant device's housing component.

Abstract: Intensity of optical emission from a combustion flame within a gas turbine combustor is monitored through an optical window in the combustor wall by a primary detector. Because the window is susceptible to becoming coated with deposits during combustor operation, compensation for presence of a coating is achieved by directing illumination from an optical signal source, such as a silicon carbide light-emitting diode, into the window for internal reflection at an optical interface defined by the combustion side surface. A compensation detector, such as a silicon carbide photodiode, detects intensity of the internally reflected illumination as an indicator of the window coating thickness. The compensation detector is located at a non-combustion side of the window, along with a reference detector that responds to intensity of optical signal source illumination reflected from the non-combustion side surface of the window.

Abstract: A system for the monitoring and detection of heat sources in open areas crising an integrated assembly of observatories which include autonomous means (2) of infrared vision (11) and diurnal vision (12) and which are linked to a central control station (1) where the images are processed in real time for the automatic detection of heat sources, in particular fires, within a certain area of coverage. The system can be applied to the automatic detection of forest fires in areas of several square kilometres.

Abstract: A camera includes a plurality of photosensors disposed on an imaging surface. The photosensors separately output respective photodetection signals, and are grouped into a plurality of photosensitive units each including at least two of the photosensors. The photosensors of each of the photosensitive units have respective detection wavelength ranges which do not overlap one another. The photodetection signals outputted from selected ones of the photosensors of each of the photosensitive units are used in performing spectrum analysis. R (red), G (green), and B (blue) signals are synthesized from the photodetection signals outputted from the photosensors of each of the photosensitive units and are used in displaying an ordinary color image.

Abstract: A standalone modular flame sensor containing a multi-function power supply having outputs for both a flame rod and an ultraviolet transducer. The module also contains interfaces for the ultraviolet transducer and for the flame rod transducer. The interfaces are brought together at a summing junction arranged so that the module will work with either a flame rod, an ultraviolet transducer, or both such transducers. Output circuitry provides not only a flame-on/flame-off indication (both visible via an LED and a switch contact closure), but also provides a continuously variable signal indicating the quality of the sensed flame. The module can be used standalone with either transducer type or incorporated in a more complex control system.

Abstract: An automated fire extinguishing apparatus includes a turret with a nozzle connected to a water supply. A plurality of sensors are used to detect a fire monitored by the apparatus. The signals from the sensors are used to aim the nozzle toward the fire and to initiate water ejection therefrom. After the fire is extinguished the water is turned off.

Abstract: A new and improved inner tip or head is provided for a fiberoptic scanner mechanism of the type monitoring the presence of flame in a boiler furnace. The scanner tip according to the present invention is more easily installed and removed. It also reduces the transfer of heat from the furnace to the fiberoptic scanner.

Abstract: A flame detection apparatus and method includes a camera, preferably operating in the near I.R. which produces a succession of images of a space to be monitored. The image intensity of each pixel in each image is converted to a binary value by comparing it with the average intensity value for that image. For each pixel in an image the average intensity value for all of the images is calculated. The binary intensity value of each pixel in an image is then compared with the binary intensity value of the corresponding pixels in all the other images to produce a crossing frequency value dependent on the number of times those binary values change state. The average intensity values and the crossing frequency values are then processed for each pixel according to a predetermined relationship to produce a constant. If the values of this constant for a cluster of adjacent pixels are found to be the same or nearly so, this is considered to indicate a flame.

Abstract: A self diagnostic system for a flame detector. The system produces an optical determinant signal from an analog determinant signal that has a controllable amplitude and frequency. The system detects the optical determinant signal and the optical signal from the flame and processes both signals to thereby continuously monitor the flame while also continuously analyzing the operating status of the flame detector.

Abstract: An oil flame monitoring system has an ultraviolet flame detector 1 and an infra red Flicker flame detector 2. The UV flame detector views a region 11 of the flame 5 known as the primary combustion zone which is situated about 1 to 2 metres downstream of a fuel atomizer 4. The IR Flicker flame detector 2 views a region 3 of the flame 5 inside the fuel oil spray just downstream of the fuel atomizer 4. A programmable logic controller processes the outputs of the two detectors 1, 2 and provides information about the position of the flame front and the quality of the flame.

Abstract: Early fire detection and extinguishment is provided by a plurality of fire etection units, each associated with a localized portion of a protected space and including condition sensors specifically appropriate to the environment of that localized portion of a protected space by a selected combination of condition sensors. A fire alarm annunciator and at least one controlled fire extinguishment system portion, or a stand-alone fire extinguishment system, is provided for each fire detection unit. A central control unit preferably includes a profile detector which evaluates outputs of one or more condition sensors over time to reduce false alarm rates while increasing sensitivity to early stage fires.

Abstract: A integrated IR detector for detecting both motion and fire/smoke includes in one embodiment a single source of IR radiation and separate IR sensors for sensing motion and smoke. The separate sensors are coupled by their outputs to separate amplifier circuits and provide separate outputs indicating motion (intrusion) detection and smoke detection. The entire arrangement of IR source and dual sensors are mounted in a single housing and powered by a common power supply. In a second embodiment, a single passive IR motion detector having a pair of phase opposed series connected sensors is coupled to a circuit for detecting motion (intrusion) while one of the pair of sensors is coupled to a circuit for sensing changes in ambient temperature. The circuit for detecting ambient temperature changes includes logic analysis and time constant filtering to produce an alarm signal only when ambient temperature changes exceed a preset threshold rate of degrees per second.

Abstract: A blast furnace tuyere sensor system comprising a conditioning circuit including a D.C. power supply, a potentiometer for base loading circuit voltage, and a photosensitive resistor sensor which outputs an analog voltage signal proportional to the intensity of the light falling on the sensor, and method and means to measure the output voltage signal and to actuate alarms when the measured voltage signal deviates in a predetermined manner or amount from the base load voltage indicative of a plugged tuyere, a bright tuyere or a defective sensor.

Abstract: A system for detecting randomly occurring signals, particularly signals representative of a fire condition, having a radiation detector for receiving the signals, peak detector circuits for identifying the peak values of the received signals, peak duration signals for determining the time between adjacent peak signals, and a collection buffer for accumulating values representative of successive peak durations. The peak duration times are compared and evaluated to determine whether regularly occurring patterns of the received signals exist, or whether the received signals are randomly occurring, and an output signal is generated whenever the comparison indicates that the received signals are random in nature.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method for selectively monitoring the light intensity emitted from an oil-burner flame for purposes of determining when the burner is in need of preventative maintenance. The apparatus features a monitoring system including: a sensor for detecting burner, flame-light intensity; a comparator for comparing the light intensity sensed to predetermined upper and lower limits; a display for indicating whether the burner is operating acceptably or whether it requires maintenance; and a discriminator for selectively coupling out-of-range, intensity indications representative of a need for maintenance to the display. The discriminator includes measurement-threshold circuitry for determining whether the burner has successfully ignited and whether the flame generated has been sustained long enough to assure thermal stabilization.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting whether the level of an electrical signal having a preselected polarity is above a preselected value, is powered by DC of the opposite polarity. This prevents current leakage within the detector circuit from simulating the level of the electrical signal. Such a circuit is particularly suited for detecting the current level provided by a flame sensor in a combustion control system. The preferred embodiment has a capacitor which is charged by the circuit and then discharged by the electrical signal. The time required to discharge the capacitor to a preselected level indicates the level of the electrical signal. A second embodiment uses a comparator in a feedback loop which allows sensing the level of a voltage outside of the voltage range defined by the comparator's power supply.

Abstract: A fire detector includes a scattered light detector unit and an ionization detector unit which are arranged upon a common base at each side of the center axis of a compartment defined by the base and a peripheral wall extending from the base. The scattered light detector includes a light source and a receiver, with their principal axes intersecting in a point of intersection which is positioned at one side of the center axis of the compartment and thus extends eccentric to the center axis. The ionization detector unit includes a holder for a preparation to be ionized, with the holder being arranged at the other side of the center axis. Suitably, a heat detector is further provided in the center axis.

Abstract: A flame detector unit contains a silicon photodiode that is sensitive to UV light waves and two lead selenide photoresistors that are sensitive to IR light waves. The electromagnetic bandwidth of each sensor element is restricted by an optical wave filter to pass photons of certain wavelengths characteristic of hydrocarbon flames and to discriminate against photons of other wavelengths. Signals generated by the IR sensors are in the form of variations in electrical resistance of the sensor elements, which together with a resistor network comprise a bridge circuit which combines the two IR signals so as to discriminate against blackbody radiation sources and provide a signal which is fed through an amplifier. Amplified UV and IR signals are fed to a common analog to digital converter (ADC). Output from the ADC is fed to a digital processor through a notch filter, a cluster of weighted-moving-average filters, and into a threshold comparator/tester.

Abstract: Apparatus with an element for detecting and focusing the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the flame of a burner, and with an element formed by a light-conductive bundle of fiber optics for transmitting and separating the radiation of different wavelengths, which are received and analyzed by separate sensors.

Abstract: A system for automatically detecting fires fueled by hydrocarbons and certain non-organics including hydrogen, hydrazine, magnesium, aluminum, potassium, ammonia and silane, which system has a low incidence of false alarms from incident radiation emitted by non-fire radiation sources such as the sun. The system includes a UV sensor assembly that both senses UV radiation in a predetermined spectral bandwidth and generates a first signal corresponding to the sensed radiation; an IR sensing assembly consisting of a single IR sensor that simultaneously senses IR radiation in two predetermined spectral bandwidths and generates a second signal corresponding to the IR radiation in at least one of the spectral regions; and a signal processor. The UV spectral bandwidth is such that the UV sensing assembly is responsive to UV radiation emitted by hydrocarbons and certain non-organics but non-responsive to solar UV radiation.

Abstract: By using the ratio of the G component to the R component G/R, or the ratio of the B component to the R component B/R, from a television monitor image, and referring to a conversion table for converting to distribution temperature, a surface temperature of a flame is found for each pixel. An area in which luminance signals included in an image of a surveillance area exceed a prescribed level is sampled as a flame outline, and at least the distribution temperature of a sampled flame region is detected, and distance to a radiant energy source is measured. The amount of radiant energy from the radiant energy source is estimated by computation, based on the sampled flame area and its distribution temperature and the distance to the source of radiant energy.

Abstract: An improved electronic measuring system which not only determines the amount of fuel oil consumed by a home, office, or factory heating system, but also detects leaks in underground fuel storage tanks, errors in oil deliveries, heating system problems such as clogged nozzles, lines, filters, etc. and declining heating system efficiencies. The measuring system consists of an electromagnetic counter, printed circuit board with electronics, transformer, and dipswitches which are located in an enclosed housing. The device calculates fuel consumption rate via a mathematical algorithm based on burner nozzle size, fuel pump pressure, and burner flame-on time. Errors in count are avoided by using the burner's photo-optic cell output, and maintaining constant power to the electronics.

Abstract: An inexpensive flame detector capable of self checking for internal faults, and comprising a detecting photodiode used for detection of a flame, a checking photodiode used for checking function a light source optically coupled to the checking photodiode, an operational amplifier having a feedback resistor connected between the output terminal and non-inverting input terminal thereof, and a decision circuit for receiving the output signal from the amplifier. The checking photodiode is optically isolated from the detecting photodiode and is connected in series, in one embodiment, and in parallel, in another embodiment, with the detecting photodiode. The light source is switched ON and OFF at regular time intervals. The detecting photodiode is connected to the non-inverting input thermal of the operational amplifier. Alternatively, both photodiodes are connected to the non-inverting input terminal.