Patents by Inventor Ron Knox
Ron Knox has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11002579Abstract: A method of determining at least one point of entry of smoke into a smoke detection system, the system having a sampling pipe network including at least one sampling pipe and a plurality of sampling inlets through which an air sample can enter the at least one sampling pipe of the smoke detection system for analysis by a particle detector, said method including: determining a volume of sample air that has passed through at least part of the smoke detection system since a predetermined event or a value corresponding to said volume; and determining through which sampling inlet of the plurality of sampling inlets the smoke entered the smoke detection system based, at least in part, on the determined volume or value. Systems for implementing such a method and related methods are also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Xtralis Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Kemal Ajay, Ron Knox, Brian Alexander, Karl Boettger, Rajiv Kumar Singh, Thor North, Stephen James Pattinson, Peter Massingberd-Mundy
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Publication number: 20200109976Abstract: A method of determining at least one point of entry of smoke into a smoke detection system, the system having a sampling pipe network including at least one sampling pipe and a plurality of sampling inlets through which an air sample can enter the at least one sampling pipe of the smoke detection system for analysis by a particle detector, said method including: determining a volume of sample air that has passed through at least part of the smoke detection system since a predetermined event or a value corresponding to said volume; and determining through which sampling inlet of the plurality of sampling inlets the smoke entered the smoke detection system based, at least in part, on the determined volume or value. Systems for implementing such a method and related methods are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Kemal Ajay, Ron Knox, Brian Alexander, Karl Boettger, Rajiv Kumar Singh, Thor North, Stephen James Pattinson, Peter Massingberd-Mundy
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Patent number: 10545041Abstract: A method of determining at least one point of entry of smoke into a smoke detection system, the system having a sampling pipe network including at least one sampling pipe and a plurality of sampling inlets through which an air sample can enter the at least one sampling pipe of the smoke detection system for analysis by a particle detector, said method including: determining a volume of sample air that has passed through at least part of the smoke detection system since a predetermined event or a value corresponding to said volume; and determining through which sampling inlet of the plurality of sampling inlets the smoke entered the smoke detection system based, at least in part, on the determined volume or value. Systems for implementing such a method and related methods are also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Xtralis Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Kemal Ajay, Ron Knox, Brian Alexander, Karl Boettger, Rajiv Kumar Singh, Thor North, Stephen James Pattinson, Peter Massingberd-Mundy
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Patent number: 10161866Abstract: The invention provides use of one or more emitted beams of radiation (16), for example, laser beam(s), in combination with an image capturing means (14), for example, one or more video cameras and/or optical elements to detect particles (30), for example, smoke particles, located in an open space (12).Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: GARRETT THERMAL SYSTEMS LIMITEDInventors: Ron Knox, Karl Boettger, Kemal Ajay
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Patent number: 9989443Abstract: A sampling point for use with an aspirating particle detection system. The sampling point includes: a body; a plurality of apertures in the body for drawing an air sample from an ambient environment; an outlet for delivering the sampled air, at a predetermined sample flow rate, from the body into a sampling pipe of the network of sampling pipes; and a means for maintaining the predetermined sample flow rate regardless of the presence or absence of ambient flow of air about the body. A particle detection system, and air sampling system are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Xtralis Technologies Ltd.Inventor: Ron Knox
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Patent number: 9702803Abstract: A particle detection system (100), such as an active video smoke detection system, includes at least one illumination means (102) for directing a beam (106) of radiation through at least part of the air volume being monitored (110), an image sensor (104) is positioned to capture images of at least part of a beam (106) from illumination means (102); and means to analyze (107) the captured images to detect the presence of particles within the volume. At least 29 different aspects are described for improving the sensitivity, usability, and robustness of particle detection. These include, for example, configuring illumination means (102) to create a curtain of light or a rapidly-scanned beam across the air volume (110), and configuring a reflector to steer or change direction of a beam reflected from illumination means (102).Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: GARRETT THERMAL SYSTEMS LIMITEDInventors: Ron Knox, Kemal Ajay, Karl Boettger
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Publication number: 20170146454Abstract: The invention provides use of one or more emitted beams of radiation (16), for example, laser beam(s), in combination with an image capturing means (14), for example, one or more video cameras and/or optical elements to detect particles (30), for example, smoke particles, located in an open space (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Applicant: GARRETT THERMAL SYSTEMS LIMITEDInventors: Ron KNOX, Karl BOETTGER, Kemal AJAY
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Patent number: 9645081Abstract: A particle detection system including; at least one light source adapted to illuminate a volume being monitored at at least two wavelengths; a receiver having a field of view and being adapted to receive light from at least one light source after said light has traversed the volume being monitored and being adapted to generate signals indicative of the intensity of light received at regions within the field of view of the receiver; a processor associated with the receiver adapted to process the signals generated by the receiver to correlate light received at at least two wavelengths in corresponding regions within the field of view of the receiver and generate an output indicative of the relative level of light received at the two wavelengths.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Xtralis Technologies LtdInventors: Ron Knox, Kate Cooper, Kemal Ajay
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Patent number: 9594066Abstract: The invention provides use of one or more emitted beams of radiation (16), for example, laser beam(s), in combination with an image capturing means (14), for example, one or more video cameras and/or optical elements to detect particles (30), for example, smoke particles, located in an open space (12).Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Garrett Thermal Systems LimitedInventors: Ron Knox, Karl Boettger, Kemal Ajay
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Patent number: 9423344Abstract: A smoke detecting method which uses a beam of radiation such as a laser (16), to monitor a region, such as a room (12). A camera (14) is used to capture images of part of the room (12), including a path of the laser beam. Particles in the laser beam scatter light (30), and this is captured by the camera (14) for analysis. A processor (20) extracts data relating to the scattered light (30) to determine the density of particles in the beam, to determine the level of smoke in the region. The laser may have a modulated output (38) so that images captured without the laser tuned “on” can be used as a reference point and compared to images taken with the laser turned “on”, to assist in determining the level of scattered light (30) compared to ambient light. Filters (24, 26) may be used to decrease signals generated from background light.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2016Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Xtralis Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Ron Knox, Kate Cooper, Peter Meikle, Brian Alexander
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Publication number: 20160153906Abstract: A smoke detecting method which uses a beam of radiation such as a laser (16), to monitor a region, such as a room (12). A camera (14) is used to capture images of part of the room (12), including a path of the laser beam. Particles in the laser beam scatter light (30), and this is captured by the camera (14) for analysis. A processor (20) extracts data relating to the scattered light (30) to determine the density of particles in the beam, to determine the level of smoke in the region. The laser may have a modulated output (38) so that images captured without the laser tuned “on” can be used as a reference point and compared to images taken with the laser turned “on”, to assist in determining the level of scattered light (30) compared to ambient light. Filters (24, 26) may be used to decrease signals generated from background light.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2016Publication date: June 2, 2016Applicant: Xtralis Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Ron KNOX, Kate COOPER, Peter MEIKLE, Brian ALEXANDER
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Patent number: 9291555Abstract: A smoke detecting method which uses a beam of radiation such as a laser (16), to monitor a region, such as a room (12). A camera (14) is used to capture images of part of the room (12), including a path of the laser beam. Particles in the laser beam scatter light (30), and this is captured by the camera (14) for analysis. A processor (20) extracts data relating to the scattered light (30) to determine the density of particles in the beam, to determine the level of smoke in the region. The laser may have a modulated output (38) so that images captured without the laser tuned “on” can be used as a reference point and compared to images taken with the laser turned “on”, to assist in determining the level of scattered light (30) compared to ambient light. Filters (24, 26) may be used to decrease signals generated from background light.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Xtralis Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Ron Knox, Kate Cooper, Peter Meikle, Brian Alexander
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Publication number: 20160077001Abstract: A particle detection system including; at least one light source adapted to illuminate a volume being monitored at at least two wavelengths; a receiver having a field of view and being adapted to receive light from at least one light source after said light has traversed the volume being monitored and being adapted to generate signals indicative of the intensity of light received at regions within the field of view of the receiver; a processor associated with the receiver adapted to process the signals generated by the receiver to correlate light received at at least two wavelengths in corresponding regions within the field of view of the receiver and generate an output indicative of the relative level of light received at the two wavelengths.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Ron Knox, Karl Boettger, Kemal Ajay
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Patent number: 9267884Abstract: A particle detection system including; at least one light source adapted to illuminate a volume being monitored at at least two wavelengths; a receiver having a field of view and being adapted to receive light from at least one light source after said light has traversed the volume being monitored and being adapted to generate signals indicative of the intensity of light received at regions within the field of view of the receiver; a processor associated with the receiver adapted to process the signals generated by the receiver to correlate light received at at least two wavelengths in corresponding regions within the field of view of the receiver and generate an output indicative of the relative level of light received at the two wavelengths.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Xtralis Technologies LtdInventors: Ron Knox, Karl Boettger, Kemal Ajay
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Publication number: 20150276593Abstract: A beam detector including a light source, a receiver, and a target, acting in cooperation to detect particles in a monitored area. The target reflects incident light, resulting in reflected light being returned to receiver. The receiver is capable of recording and reporting light intensity at a plurality of points across its field of view. In the preferred form the detector emits a first light beam in a first wavelength band; a second light beam in a second wavelength band; and a third light beam in a third wavelength band, wherein the first and second wavelengths bands are substantially equal and are different to the third wavelength band.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Ron Knox, Karl Boettger, Kemal Ajay
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Publication number: 20150253165Abstract: A method of determining at least one point of entry of smoke into a smoke detection system, the system having a sampling pipe network including at least one sampling pipe and a plurality of sampling inlets through which an air sample can enter the at least one sampling pipe of the smoke detection system for analysis by a particle detector, said method including: determining a volume of sample air that has passed through at least part of the smoke detection system since a predetermined event or a value corresponding to said volume; and determining through which sampling inlet of the plurality of sampling inlets the smoke entered the smoke detection system based, at least in part, on the determined volume or value. Systems for implementing such a method and related methods are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: Kemal Ajay, Ron Knox, Brian Alexander, Karl Boettger, Rajiv Kumar Singh, Thor North, Stephen James Pattinson, Peter Massingberd-Mundy
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Publication number: 20150241330Abstract: A particle detection system (100), such as an active video smoke detection system, includes at least one illumination means (102) for directing a beam (106) of radiation through at least part of the air volume being monitored (110), an image sensor (104) is positioned to capture images of at least part of a beam (106) from illumination means (102); and means to analyse (107) the captured images to detect the presence of particles within the volume. At least 29 different aspects are described for improving the sensitivity, usability, and robustness of particle detection. These include, for example, configuring illumination means (102) to create a curtain of light or a rapidly-scanned beam across the air volume (110), and configuring a reflector to steer or change direction of a beam reflected from illumination means (102).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: Xtralis Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Ron KNOX, Kemal AJAY, Karl BOETTGER
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Patent number: 9111427Abstract: A particle detector including a chamber, a first aspirator, a sensor(s), a controller and clean air supply. The controller, when in a detecting mode, receives an indicative signal from the sensor and applies logic to the indicative signal to generate a further signal, and when in the purge mode controls substantial purging of the chamber of sample fluid with clean fluid from the clean fluid supply. The controller receives the indicative signal when the chamber is so purged and if necessary adjusts the logic in response thereto.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Xtralis Technologies LtdInventors: Ron Knox, Karl Boettger
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Publication number: 20150213697Abstract: The invention relates to a particle detector, systems, and methods for detecting the presence of particles in a volume of air, most particularly it relates to detection systems and methods that use multiple modes of detection to detect the presence of particles. Preferably the particles being detected are particles that indicate an actual or incipient fire, or pyrolysis, such as smoke.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2013Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: Xtralis Technologies LtdInventors: Ron Knox, Matthew Naylor, Kemal Ajay, Rajiv Singh
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Publication number: 20150177137Abstract: A smoke detecting method which uses a beam of radiation such as a laser (16), to monitor a region, such as a room (12). A camera (14) is used to capture images of part of the room (12), including a path of the laser beam. Particles in the laser beam scatter light (30), and this is captured by the camera (14) for analysis. A processor (20) extracts data relating to the scattered light (30) to determine the density of particles in the beam, to determine the level of smoke in the region. The laser may have a modulated output (38) so that images captured without the laser tuned “on” can be used as a reference point and compared to images taken with the laser turned “on”, to assist in determining the level of scattered light (30) compared to ambient light. Filters (24, 26) may be used to decrease signals generated from background light.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2015Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: Xtralis Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Ron KNOX, Karl BOETTGER, Peter MEIKLE, Brian ALEXANDER