Abstract: A light detection system is provided for association with a light source. The light detection system includes a light detector and circuitry. The light detector includes semiconductor film and phototube devices and is disposed with at least one line-of-sight (LOS) to the light source. The circuitry is coupled to the light detector and the light detector and the circuitry are configured to cooperatively identify a presence and a characteristic of a light emission event at the light source.

Abstract: A detection system for measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light, the at least one fiber optic cable defining a node arranged to measure one or more conditions within the predetermined area. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber harness such that scattered light associated with the node is transmitted to the control system, wherein the control system analyzes the light transmitted from the node by comparing multiple wavelengths of scattered light to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions at the node.

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 for measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light, the at least one fiber optic cable defining a node arranged to measure the one or more conditions. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber harness such that scattered light associated with the node is transmitted to the control system, wherein the control system analyzes the scattered light to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions at the node. An optical element is operably connected to the fiber harness or control system to alter or define the operational range or sensitivity of the node.

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 detection system for measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light, the at least one fiber optic cable defining a plurality of nodes arranged to measure the one or more conditions. A control system is in communication with the at least one fiber optic cable such that scattered light and a time of flight record is transmitted from the at least one fiber optic cable to the control system. The control system includes a detection algorithm operable to identify a portion of the scattered light associated with each of the plurality of nodes and indicate a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions at each of the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: A detection system for measuring one or more condition within a predetermined area includes a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light. The at least one fiber optic cable defines a node arranged to measure the one or more conditions. A light source is coupled to the at least one fiber optic cable for emitting a modulated light to the node. The modulated light is transmitted into the predetermined area. A light sensitive device is coupled to the at least one fiber optic cable for receiving scattered light associated with the node. A control unit is operably coupled to the light source and to the light sensitive device to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions within the predetermined area.

Abstract: A detection system for measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area including a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light. The at least one fiber optic cable defines a plurality of nodes arranged to measure the one or more conditions. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber harness such that scattered light associated with the plurality of nodes is transmitted to the control system. The control system analyzes the scattered light from each of the plurality of nodes individually and the control system analyzes the scattered light from each of the plurality of nodes collectively to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions within the predetermined area.

Abstract: A control system of a detection system for measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes a control unit having at least one processor for implementing an algorithm and a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light, the at least one fiber optic cable defining at least one node arranged to measure the one or more conditions. A sensor is operably coupled to the at least one node, wherein the sensor receives scattered light associated with the at least one node and generates signals corresponding to the scattered light. A switch is operably coupled to the sensor and to the control unit. The switch selectively provides signals from the sensor to the control unit for processing to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the condition within the predetermined area.

Abstract: A detection system for measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light. The at least one fiber optic cable defines a node arranged to measure the one or more conditions. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber harness such that scattered light associated with the node is transmitted to the control system. The control system analyzes the scattered light to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions at the node.

Abstract: An illustrative example monitoring device includes a plurality of radiation sources that respectively emit a different type of radiation. At least one radiation detector is situated to detect radiation emitted the radiation sources and reflected off airborne particles. The radiation detector has a first sensitivity configured for detecting a concentration of the particles within a first range and a second sensitivity configured for detecting a concentration of the particles within a second, different range. A processor is configured to determine a ratio of the types of detected radiation, a type of the particles reflecting the detected radiation based on the ratio, and the concentration of the particles reflecting the detected radiation based on the first or second sensitivity.

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: An illustrative example monitoring device includes a plurality of radiation sources that respectively emit a different type of radiation. At least one radiation detector is situated to detect radiation emitted the radiation sources and reflected off airborne particles. The radiation detector has a first sensitivity configured for detecting a concentration of the particles within a first range and a second sensitivity configured for detecting a concentration of the particles within a second, different range. A processor is configured to determine a ratio of the types of detected radiation, a type of the particles reflecting the detected radiation based on the ratio, and the concentration of the particles reflecting the detected radiation based on the first or second sensitivity.

Abstract: An integrated detection and suppression system includes a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light defining at least one node arranged to measure one or more conditions. A light source is operably connected to the fiber harness to transmit light along the fiber harness to the at least one node. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber harness such that scattered light associated with the node is transmitted to the control system, wherein the control system analyzes the scattered light to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions. At least one suppressant outlet is associated with at least one node and is operably connected to the control system configured to initiate a response for the delivery of a volume of suppressant through a suppressant outlet associated with a particular node.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting smoke including establishing a baseline measurement for each of at least three overlapping sensing volumes; comparing a measured reading within each of the at least three sensing volumes and the baseline measurements to determine whether the measured reading is within a sensing threshold, and annunciating a warning signal if the difference is outside the sensing threshold.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a detector for sensing, detecting and monitoring environmental hazards and conditions, said method including the printing of an electronic circuit on at least a first side of a flexible, printable substrate; coupling at least two electronic components to the electronic circuit on at least the first side of the flexible, printable substrate; thermoforming the flexible, printable substrate to form at least one detection zone from: (i) at least one side of the flexible, printable substrate having an angle for emitting one of a light or a signal from at least one electronic component; and (ii); at least one side of the flexible, printable substrate having an angle for receiving one of a light or a signal by at least one electronic component; and encapsulating the flexible, printable substrate, forming a detector.

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 scanner of an optical detection system includes a housing, a light source associated with the housing operable to emit a light pulse into an area being scanned, a light sensitive device associated with the housing operable to detect a reflected light pulse from the area being scanned and an actuator for moving the light pulse through the area being scanned. The actuator comprises a solid state flexible polymer deformable in response to application of a voltage to the solid state flexible polymer.

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 method of monitoring smoke, fire, and temperature conditions includes transmitting light through a first fiber optic cable, the fiber optic cable terminating at a node disposed to monitor a smoke or fire condition at one or more predetermined areas, transmitting light along a second fiber optic cable, the second fiber optic cable arranged to monitor a temperature condition at one or more predetermined areas, receiving scattered light from the first fiber optic cable and/or the second fiber optic cable at a control system, and analyzing the scattered light to determine at least one of the presence and magnitude of smoke, fire and/or a temperature condition along the fiber harness or at the node.