Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an ultraviolet radiation (UV) sensor includes a UV sensitive material and a first electrode and a second electrode connected in series through the UV sensitive material such that UV radiation can reach the UV sensitive material. The UV sensitive material can include at least one of zinc tin oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium zinc oxide, or zinc oxide. The electrodes can be interdigitated comb electrodes.

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 enhancement device is operably connected to the fiber harness or to the control system to reduce interference sources transmitted from 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: Open-chamber smoke detector and detection method. An elecromagnetic emitter emits radiation, a sensor receives the signal after it has travelled through the monitored area and analyses it to determine whether smoke is present by comparison with a reference signal representative of a smoke plume. An alarm condition is signaled when an evolution in the obtained data corresponds to the reference profile within a threshold amount.

Abstract: A covered chamberless particulate detector includes a chamberless detector configured to produce a signal when particulate sensing events occur; one or more optical emitters disposed on the chamberless detector, configured to emit one or more emitting cones of light; one or more optical sensors disposed on the chamberless detector, defining one or more receiving cones; and a protective cover on the chamberless detector defining an inside region and an outside region. Each of the one or more optical sensors is configured to detect occurrence of particulate sensing events. The protective cover includes a material having one or more optical properties of transmission, reflection, and absorption; and at least of these optical properties has a bandwidth.

Abstract: A system for monitoring smoke and/or temperature of an electronic device includes a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable terminating at a node. The node is located to measure one or more conditions at the electronic device, and a control system operably connected to the fiber harness. The control system includes a light source configured to transmit light through the fiber harness, a light sensitive device configured to receive scattered light associated with the node, and a control unit configured to analyze the scattered light to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions at the node of one or more conditions at the electronic device, wherein the control unit is further configured to transmit a signal in response to the one or more conditions, wherein the one or more conditions are one or more of smoke, fire, and temperature.

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 covered chamberless particulate detector includes a chamberless detector configured to produce a signal when particulate sensing events occur; one or more optical emitters disposed on the chamberless detector, configured to emit one or more emitting cones of light; one or more optical sensors disposed on the chamberless detector, defining one or more receiving cones; and a protective cover on the chamberless detector defining an inside region and an outside region. Each of the one or more optical sensors is configured to detect occurrence of particulate sensing events. The protective cover includes a material having one or more optical properties of transmission, reflection, and absorption; and at least of these optical properties has a bandwidth.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an area includes distributing, by a detector unit, light during a first instance of time in order to characterize the area based on first data associated with the first instance of time; distributing, by the detector unit, light during at least a second instance of time in order to obtain second data; comparing a first portion of the second data to at least one of: a second portion of the second data and the first data; and based on the comparison, signaling an alarm condition by the detector unit when an evolution in the second data is detected in an amount greater than a threshold.

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 detection system (20) for measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area (21) includes a fiber harness (30) having at least one fiber optic cable (28) for transmitting light, the at least one fiber optic cable defining a node (34) arranged to measure one or more conditions within the predetermined area. A control system (50) 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 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 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: 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 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 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 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 a signal indicative of scattered light associated with the node is transmitted to the control system. The control system analyzes the signal associated with the node in one or more of a frequency domain, time-frequency domain, time domain, and spatial domain, 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 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 includes a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light, a plurality of nodes operably connected to the at least one fiber optic cable arranged to measure one or more conditions within the predetermined area, a coupling to connect each node of the plurality of nodes to the at least one fiber optic cable, and a control system 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.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting smoke including establishing a baseline measurement for each of at least three over-lapping 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.