Abstract: An improved solar energy control system and method are disclosed that enables efficient utiliziation of heat produced from solar energy in heating air and/or water. The system and method sense the availability of heat along with the need for such heat at monitored areas and, responsive thereto, selectively directs the heat to the monitored areas as necessary to cause the temperature in each area to be increased to predetermined levels. To most efficiently utilize heat derived from a solar collector, the heat initially made available from the collector is directed to the water within a temperature monitored water heater when the water is sensed to be at a temperature lower than the air in a temperature monitored room.

Abstract: A combustion detection device that senses the presence of a fire and provides an alarm indication of the same by essentially shorting the input leads from a power supply. An ionization detector is utilized to sense the products of combustion and provide an output indicative thereof, which output is coupled through a field effect transistor to an operational amplifier where the output is compared with a reference voltage that can be varied as desired. When an output from the ionization detector supplied through the field effect transistor exceeds the reference voltage, an output is provided from the operational amplifier to a triggering circuit connected between the power supply leads to essentially short the leads as an alarm indication of a sensed fire condition. A light-emitting diode is connected to the triggering circuit to give a visual alarm indication, and calibration leads are also provided to facilitate calibration of the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical quantity measuring device is disclosed that includes a probe unit presenting high impedance, which device is suitable for measuring voltage. The components of the measuring device, except for the probe unit, are housed in a cabinet having a meter mounted thereon for external viewing. The probe unit has a contactor and provides an output signal indicative of the predetermined quantity of an element to be measured during contact of the element with the contactor and a ground lead. A high impedance between the contactor and the probe output is provided by a plurality of field effect transistors, and an operational amplifier, the gate of the first of which transistors is connected with the contactor and the gate of the second of which receives a feedback signal from the processing circuitry of the measuring device within the cabinet. A third field effect transistor is connected with the first field effect transistor and compensates for leakage current.

Abstract: A combustion product indicating device for use as a calibration or surveying instrument is disclosed. The device senses the presence of combustion and provides an indication of the same including an indication of the amount of combustion sensed within predetermined limits. An ionization detector is utilized to sense the products of combustion and provide an output indicative thereof, which output is coupled through a field effect transistor to a pair of operational amplifiers, which amplifiers function as followers with the latter amplifier having a reference input that may be varied to adjust the reading of a meter, which meter receives the output from the operational amplifiers. Optional circuitry is also provided for providing a voltage output that varies within predetermined limits and is indicative of the amount of combustion sensed. A method for calibrating combustion detectors is also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery operated fire detection unit that is capable of independent monitoring through sensing of smoke with the unit maintaining monitoring capabilities over long periods of time. A smoke detector senses the presence of smoke indicative of a fire and, when above a predetermined threshold, produces an electrical output signal that is coupled through latch circuitry and a logic gate to an audible alarm, such as a horn. An oscillator is also provided, the output of which is coupled through a differentiator to a logic gate, which gate also receives the output from the latch circuitry connected with the smoke detector. In the absence of a sensed fire condition, a light is periodically energized at a rate dependent upon the oscillator frequency to indicate that the system is operable, and the light is constantly energized to indicate the sensed presence of fire.