Abstract: An apparatus is provided for providing simulated smoke. The apparatus comprises a reservoir including a reservoir port, and a bladder disposed in the reservoir. The bladder can be deflated to cause a fluid substance to flow through the reservoir port into the reservoir to fill the reservoir with the fluid substance to generate smoke. The bladder can be inflated to cause smoke to flow out of the reservoir through the reservoir port to provide simulated smoke.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for providing simulated smoke. The apparatus comprises a reservoir including a reservoir port, and a bladder disposed in the reservoir. The bladder can be deflated to cause a fluid substance to flow through the reservoir port into the reservoir to fill the reservoir with the fluid substance to generate smoke. The bladder can be inflated to cause smoke to flow out of the reservoir through the reservoir port to provide simulated smoke.

Abstract: A simulated smoke generator method and apparatus is provided for generating a consistent smoke plume. By using a closed loop controller to maintain at least one property, affecting one or more characteristics of the oil, at a desired level, a consistent type of simulated smoke is generated.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for detecting aerosol includes transmitting a light beam, focusing at least one image sensor having a field of view that encompasses at least a portion of the light beam on a portion of the light beam, capturing an image of the light beam by the image sensor(s), and detecting aerosol if the image of the light beam has a predefined shape and at least a predetermined intensity. Therefore, the apparatus and method for detecting aerosol permit the accurate detection of aerosol, while ignoring the stray contaminants that routinely cause false alarms in conventional aerosol detectors. In particular, an image of a light beam is sensed when aerosol is present, such that random contaminants that adhere to the walls of a detection chamber or that pass through the light beam do not affect the aerosol detection.

Abstract: A detection system is provided for detecting at least one hazardous condition in an enclosure including a ventilation system, where the ventilation system is capable of operating in either an on or off mode. The system includes at least one detector capable of detecting at least one level representative of the severity of the hazardous conditions within the enclosure, where each level is associated with a pre-alarm threshold and an alarm threshold that is higher than the pre-alarm threshold. The detection system also includes a controller capable of operating the ventilation system in the off or on mode when at least one level detected by the detectors is above or below the respective pre-alarm threshold, respectively. The controller is also capable of reporting the hazardous condition when the at least one level is above or below the respective alarm threshold, respectively.

Abstract: A detection system is provided for detecting at least one hazardous condition in an enclosure including a ventilation system, where the ventilation system is capable of operating in either an on or off mode. The system includes at least one detector capable of detecting at least one level representative of the severity of the hazardous conditions within the enclosure, where each level is associated with a pre-alarm threshold and an alarm threshold that is higher than the pre-alarm threshold. The detection system also includes a controller capable of operating the ventilation system in the off or on mode when at least one level detected by the detectors is above or below the respective pre-alarm threshold, respectively. The controller is also capable of reporting the hazardous condition when the at least one level is above or below the respective alarm threshold, respectively.

Abstract: A smoke detector that is insensitive to moisture, such as for use in aircraft cargo bays and the like, is provided. The smoke detector includes a housing defining a chamber that is sealed from outside light sources yet is capable of receiving smoke. The smoke detector also includes a light source that is positioned inside the chamber and a detector for receiving diffusely scattered light within the chamber. Advantageously, the smoke detector also includes a moisture compensating device that reflects a substantially consistent percentage of light incident thereupon regardless of moisture on the surfaces thereof such that the operation of the light source can be reliably tested even in environments where moisture has condensed or otherwise collected on the walls of the housing.