Abstract: A detection system includes a central manifold including a detection chamber, a pipe network including at least one pipe fluidly coupled to the central manifold, a plurality of inlets formed over a length of the at least one pipe and an aspirating mechanism operable to draw a fluid flow at each of the plurality of inlets through the pipe network to the central manifold. A plurality of independently operable flow control devices is associated with the plurality of inlets. At least one of the plurality of flow control devices includes a solid state flexible polymer deformable in response to application of a voltage.

Abstract: A method of measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes receiving at a control system a signal including scattered light and time of flight information associated with a plurality of nodes of a detection system, parsing the time of flight information into zones of the detection system, identifying one or more features within the scattered light signal, and analyzing the one or more features within the scattered light signal to determine a presence of the one or more conditions within the predetermined area.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a polymer film includes a base composition of poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) and a surface composition comprising hydroxy groups. In some embodiments, a polymer film includes a base layer of a first composition of poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), a surface layer at a surface of the base layer, and a coating layer of a second composition of a copolymer of glycerol and sebacic acid. The surface layer includes surface hydroxy groups converted from acetate groups of the poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate). The second composition is attached to the surface layer by ester bonds between carboxyl groups of the copolymer and the hydroxy groups. A single-use bioreactor bag includes a polymer film including a base composition of poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) and a surface composition comprising hydroxy groups. A method of modifying a poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) film includes converting acetate groups at a first surface of the poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) film to hydroxy groups.

Abstract: An interactive control unit is disclosed. The interactive control unit includes an interactive touchscreen display, an interface configured to couple the control unit to a surgical hub, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive input commands from the interactive touchscreen display located inside a sterile field and transmit the input commands to the surgical hub to control devices coupled to the surgical hub located outside the sterile field.

Abstract: An example screening system includes a plurality of detectors about a screening area. Each detector includes a sensor configured to detect information from one or more objects moving along a path from an entrance to an exit of the screening area. The plurality of detectors include a first detector configured to detect information from a first location of the path, and a second detector configured to detect information from a second location of the path. The second detector is configured to adapt its functionality based on a finding of the first detector for a given one of the one or more objects.

Abstract: A covered chamberless particulate detector includes a chamberless detector configured to produce a signal when particulate sensing events occurs, one or more optical emitters configured to emit one or more emitting cones of light, one or more optical sensors defining one or more receiving cones and configured to detect occurrence of particulate sensing events, and a protective cover defining an inside region and an outside region. Each of the one or more emitting cones of light is configured to overlap with each of the one or more receiving cones, thereby creating one or more sensing volumes which may be in the inside region, the outside region, or both regions. The protective cover can be transparent, partially transparent, or opaque, and can include apertures. The optical emitters and detectors can use one or more wavelengths, allowing discrimination of various airborne particulates.

Abstract: A photoacoustic detection system includes a detector that has a chamber, a pulsed light source, piezoelectric tuning forks, and a photosensor. The chamber has an inlet and an outlet for flow of an analyte. The pulsed light source is adjacent the chamber and is operable to emit a light beam along a path through the chamber. The tuning forks are arranged along the path, and each of the tuning forks is operable to emit first sensor signals. The photosensor is arranged along the path and is operable to emit second sensor signals. A controller is connected to receive the first and second sensor signals. The controller is configured to determine whether a target species is present in the analyte based on the first sensor signals and determine whether the target species is present in the analyte based on the second sensor signals.

Abstract: A smoke alarm includes a housing having a generally hollow interior, a printed circuit board arranged within the interior of the housing, and an optical chamber assembly connected to the printed circuit board. The optical chamber assembly has an interior chamber and at least one smoke entry location. A substantial entirety of the interior chamber is external to the housing. At least one light device for evaluating particles is arranged within an interior chamber of the optical chamber assembly.

Abstract: A photoacoustic detection system (20) includes a detector (22) that has a chamber (24), a pulsed light source (26), piezoelectric tuning forks (28), and a photosensor (30). The chamber has an inlet and an outlet for flow of an analyte. The pulsed light source is adjacent the chamber and is operable to emit a light beam along a path through the chamber. The tuning forks are arranged along the path, and each of the tuning forks is operable to emit first sensor signals. The photosensor is arranged along the path and is operable to emit second sensor signals. A controller (38) is connected to receive the first and second sensor signals. The controller is configured to determine whether a target species is present in the analyte based on the first sensor signals and determine whether the target species is present in the analyte based on the second sensor signals.

Abstract: A system for measuring a status of a detection device having a component transformable between a plurality of configurations includes a fiber optic cable for transmitting light. The at least one fiber optic cable defines a node arranged in communication with the component. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber optic cable such that scattered light reflected from the component and returned to the node is transmitted to the control system. The control system analyzes the scattered light to determine the configuration of the component.

Abstract: An aircraft pressurized air system and method is disclosed. The system includes a compressor that receives and compresses outside air, and an air cycle machine that receives compressed air from the compressor and directs conditioned air to an aircraft pressurized zone. The system also includes a contaminant sensor disposed along an air flow path between the compressor and the aircraft pressurized zone, comprising an optical guide, a metal organic framework on an exterior surface of the optical guide in operative fluid communication with air from the air flow path, a light source in communication with the optical guide at a first end of the optical guide, and a light detector in communication with the optical guide at a second end of the optical guide.

Abstract: A fire suppression system has a plurality of tank units (40, 42, 44, 46) each having: a tank body having a first port and an interior for storing at least one of fire suppressant and driver gas; a discharge assembly mounted to the first port and comprising: a discharge valve (50, 52); and a first monitoring switch or sensor (230; 240). A first monitoring unit (100) is coupled to the first monitoring switch or sensor of each said tank unit and configured to communicate with a remote monitoring location. For each of the tank units there is: a second monitoring switch or sensor (260, 280, 290); and a second monitoring unit (340) coupled to said second monitoring switch or sensor and configured to communicate with the remote monitoring location.

Abstract: A fire suppression system has a plurality of tank units (40, 42, 44, 46) each having: a tank body having a first port and an interior for storing at least one of fire suppressant and driver gas; a discharge assembly mounted to the first port and comprising: a discharge valve (50, 52); and a first monitoring switch or sensor (230; 240). A first monitoring unit (100) is coupled to the first monitoring switch or sensor of each said tank unit and configured to communicate with a remote monitoring location. For each of the tank units there is: a second monitoring switch or sensor (260, 280, 290); and a second monitoring unit (340) coupled to said second monitoring switch or sensor and configured to communicate with the remote monitoring location.

Abstract: A method of operating a detection system includes switching the system from a normal mode for sensing smoke to a high sensitivity mode for sensing airborne particles, such that in the high sensitivity mode the detection system is configured to discriminate between particles of diameters less than 2.5 micrometers and 10 micrometers. Transmitting light from one or more light sources of the detection system into a monitored space, and detecting scattered light at one or more light sensing devices of the detection system. The detection of scattered light is indicative of one or more indoor air quality conditions in the monitored space.

Abstract: A system for measuring a status of a detection device having a component transformable between a plurality of configurations includes a fiber optic cable for transmitting light. The at least one fiber optic cable defines a node arranged in communication with the component. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber optic cable such that scattered light reflected from the component and returned to the node is transmitted to the control system. The control system analyzes the scattered light to determine the configuration of the component.

Abstract: A combined capability sensor includes a first laser source and a second laser source. The first laser source is configured to emit light having a wavelength in at least one of an infrared spectrum and a visible spectrum and the second laser source is configured to emit light having a wavelength in a blue or ultraviolet spectrum. A director is configured to direct the first and second laser source to a detection zone. A first sensor is configured to detect scattered light originating from the first laser source, thereby detecting a presence of smoke in the detection zone. A second sensor is configured to detect fluoresced light originating from the second laser source, thereby detecting a presence of a biological agent in the detection zone.

Abstract: A system for measuring a status of a detection device having a component transformable between a plurality of configurations includes a fiber optic cable for transmitting light. The at least one fiber optic cable defines a node arranged in communication with the component. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber optic cable such that scattered light reflected from the component and returned to the node is transmitted to the control system. The control system analyzes the scattered light to determine the configuration of the component.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments including a system for operating an augmented reality model-based fire extinguisher training platform. The system includes a computation engine configured to receive one or more inputs and generate a simulation based on the one or more inputs, and a fire extinguisher configured to communicate with the computation engine, wherein the fire extinguisher includes a plurality of sensors to provide feedback to the computation engine. The system also includes a display device that is operably coupled to the computation engine and is configured to display the generated simulation from the computation engine, and wherein the computation engine is configured to perform analytics to generate a recommendation for a design of the fire extinguisher based at least in part on the feedback from fire extinguisher. Also provided are embodiments that include a method for operating an augmented reality model-based fire extinguisher training platform.

Abstract: A method of operating a detection system includes switching the system from a normal mode for sensing smoke to a high sensitivity mode for sensing airborne particles, such that in the high sensitivity mode the detection system is configured to discriminate between particles of diameters less than 2.5 micrometers and 10 micrometers. Transmitting light from one or more light sources of the detection system into a monitored space, and detecting scattered light at one or more light sensing devices of the detection system. The detection of scattered light is indicative of one or more indoor air quality conditions in the monitored space.

Abstract: A detection system including a smoke detector configured to transmit a detector baseline signal to at least one of a control panel and a server (e.g., to establish at least one indoor air quality trend), and a method for monitoring indoor air quality with at least one smoke detector are provided. The smoke detector includes a processor configured determine whether a current condition indicates a need to trigger an alarm. The smoke detector is configured to measure a baseline. The detector baseline signal is used (e.g., by the control panel and/or the server) to establish at least one indoor air quality (IAQ) trend.