Abstract: In a reflection light barrier, improved security against sabotage is achieved through the simultaneous use of radiation with opposite types of polarization, e.g., by means of radiations polarized linearly perpendicular to one another, or radiations polarized circularly with opposite directions of rotation. The two types of polarization are processed separately by the receiver and when there is any disturbance of the equilibrium between the two types of polarization, a disturbance signal is triggered. Placed in front of the transmitter and reflector are polarizing filters with zones of opposite polarization and with different areas which are tuned to one another in such a way that equilibrium is produced at the receiver. In another variant there is provided, in front of the reflector, a quarter-wave plate which rotates the plane of polarization of the transmitted radiation 90.degree., and the receiver separately evaluates the two planes of polarization in order to give alarm and disturbance signals.

Abstract: An intrusion detector evaluates the infrared radiation emitted by an intruder within a closely defined zone or area by means of a virtual protective curtain. Uniform sensitivity independent of incident angle of the radiation is provided by a cylindrical Fresnel lens of small thickness, which divides the field of reception into sharply defined strips or elongate zones of substantially uniform sensitivity. The longitudinal axis of this Fresnel lens defines an arcuate sector of a circle whose radius is determined by the focal length in perpendicular direction, and an infrared sensor is arranged at the circular center point, i.e., the focal point of the curved Fresnel lens. One particularly advantageous embodiment of the intrusion detector includes a double sensor configuration, equipped with several sensor elements cooperating with one or more cylindrical Fresnel lenses, thus covering a number of separate zones for simultaneous radiation detection.

Abstract: An infrared intrusion detector having a predetermined number of rows of radiation reception zones comprises a primary reflector and a secondary reflector for each row of radiation reception zones. The primary reflectors and their associated secondary reflectors form a folded radiation path. The folded radiation path allows for compact construction and simple manufacturing of the infrared intrusion detector. One reflector of each radiation reception zone forms together with the infrared sensor a compact structural unit. The other reflectors of each radiation reception zone are combined to form a further structural unit which is arranged in a predetermined spaced relationship to the first compact structural unit. In order to achieve uniform detection sensitivity in radiation reception zones having different angles of inclination to the horizontal plane, a larger focal length is chosen for radiation reception zones with smaller angles of inclination and longer range.

Abstract: In the apparatus for signalling an alarm, for example, in a gas or fire detecting installation, a detector is reset after a first response and the time duration until the next-following detector response is determined and classified with respect to three classes of time periods. When the time duration until the further detector response is beyond a predetermined upper or outer time limit, no alarm signal is released and the apparatus returns into its original state. When the further detector response occurs between two time limits, the alarm is immediately signalled. When the further detector response occurs prior to a lower one of the two time limits, there is carried out still one further test during which the detector is once again reset. The alarm signal will only be released if an additional further detector response is still observed prior to the upper time limit.