Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A beam detector (10) including a light source (32), a receiver (34), and a target (36), acting in co-operation to detect particles in a monitored area (38). The target (36), reflects incident light (40), resulting in reflected light (32) being returned to receiver (34). The receiver (34) is a 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 (10) emits a first light beam (3614) in a first wavelength band; a second light beam (3618) in a second wavelength band; and a third light beam (3616) in a third wavelength band, wherein the first and second wavelengths bands are substantially equal and are different to the third wavelength band.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: A method for determining an operational condition of a particle detection system including at least one sample inlet for receiving a sample flow from a monitored region. The method includes the step of conducting an upstream measurement of a flow rate through the at least one sample inlet.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for determining particle transmittance Tx of a filter for use with a particle detection system to provide a filter warning for aspirated particle detection systems by detecting a level of first particles having a size indicative of smoke particles and which pass through the detection system; determining an integrated smoke hours value by integrating the detected level of first particles over time; estimating the smoke particle transmittance Tx of the filter by applying a predetermined weighting operation to the integrated smoke hours value. An empirical measure of a filter's particle transmittance Tx, due to at least first particles having a size indicative of smoke particles may be achieved by way of integrating a level of such first particles passing through a particle detection system over time to determine the proportion of smoke particles arrested by a filter, “integrated smoke hours”.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A beam detector (10) including a light source (32), a receiver (34), and a target (36), acting in co-operation to detect particles in a monitored area (38). The target (36), reflects incident light (40), resulting in reflected light (32) being returned to receiver (34). The receiver (34) is a 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 (10) emits a first light beam (3614) in a first wavelength band; a second light beam (3618) in a second wavelength band; and a third light beam (3616) in a third wavelength band, wherein the first and second wavelengths bands are substantially equal and are different to the third wavelength band.

Abstract: A filter arrangement for removing impurities from a fluid is disclosed, the filter arrangement (10) includes a plurality of screen portions (18, 20) through which the fluid passes. The screen portions include a first screen portion (18) and a second screen portion (20) separated by a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance can be determined on the basis of a threshold particle length. In one form the filter arrangement (10) is mounted in a housing (16) which is configured to receive two filter elements (18, 20) arranged in a nested configuration. A particle detector using the filter is described.