Abstract: A smoke detector of superior smoke sensitivity characterized by a compact unipolar ionization chamber in which the ionization area or zone is situated and defined between the source of alpha particles and an electrode which confronts the source; another electrode, which attracts the unipolar charge carriers, is situated on an indirect path from the source, preferably being behind such source with respect to the pattern of radiation emitted therefrom.

Abstract: Improvements in battery operated smoke detector electronics including micro power astable multi-vibrator circuitry which has fast reliable switching of the inverters and electronic circuitry for single or dual ionization chamber smoke detector which maintains constant smoke detector sensitivity throughout the usable life of the battery.

Abstract: A self-monitoring ion chamber type combustion products detection apparatus operable to generate perceptibly different output signals indicative of, respectively: the apparatus is being tested; the condition of the apparatus is normal; an alarm condition is detected; an apparatus malfunction is detected; and, a low power supply voltage is detected. The impedance of the ion chamber of the apparatus varies as a function of the degree of combustion products in the atmosphere being monitored and this change in impedance produces a variation in the output voltage of the ion chamber which is used by the apparatus to produce an alarm signal. In generating different output signals, the apparatus employs test, alarm, fault and low power supply reference voltages. An oscillator circuit is selectively driven by one or more substantially constant current sources to produce output pulses having predetermined frequencies which are utilized in producing at least some of the perceptibly different output signals.

Abstract: A smoke detector of the ionization type is provided with a movable test target or probe for intercepting alpha radiation within the measuring chamber when moved to a particular position. As a result of the interception of alpha particles, the electrical resistance of the chamber between a pair of electrodes is increased. Since the electrical resistance similarly increases when airborne products of combustion enter the measuring chamber, the operative position and size of the test target may be selected such that its movement to its operative position results in electrical simulation of a predetermined level of airborne products of combustion within the measuring chamber.

Abstract: An ionization chamber with two electrodes having a variable spacing and with a radioactive source for the ionization of the electrode gap therebetween includes an adjusting mechanism for the positional adjustment of one of the electrodes relative to the other. The mechanism is such that a spring element presses the adjustable electrode against at least one point of the adjusting mechanism.Several arrangements are disclosed for adjustably mounting a cup-shaped electrode in the housing of the chamber in such a manner that it is readily adjustable and will not undergo spurious readjustment as a result of vibration of shock.

Abstract: An ionization chamber of the type used in an ionization smoke detector is made adjustable. The chamber has two electrodes and one radioactive source for ionizing the electrode gap. One of the electrodes is laterally displaceable relative to the other. As a result of displacement of this electrode, areas of the electrode with differing geometrical configurations can be brought into the ionization zone of the radioactive source.Several different embodiments of the electrode with different geometrical configurations are described.

Abstract: An ionization type of smoke detector is described having a means for reducing the effect of extraneous electrical fields which penetrate an ionization chamber of the detector.

Abstract: An ionization smoke detector is disclosed wherein an electric field is established in an ionization chamber for reducing detector instability caused by air currents acting on the detector. An improved structure for enhancing detector sensitivity by establishing a unipolar region in the chamber is described.

Abstract: A field effect transistor in common-drain amplifier connection is followed in direct-coupled cascade by a bipolar transistor of similar conductivity type, in common-emitter amplifier connection, and without emitter degeneration resistance for limiting its collector current by means of current feedback. Rather the collector current is limited by (a) restricting the range of source voltage variation of the field effect transistor by a threshold conducting means between the source electrode of the field effect transistor and the emitter electrode of the bipolar transistor and (b) inserting a resistance between the source electrode of the field effect transistor and the base electrode of the bipolar transistor to limit the maximum base drive current available to the bipolar transistor when the restricted source voltage of the field effect transistor departs most from the emitter voltage of the bipolar transistor.

Abstract: An ionization smoke detector is provided with a ventilated sensing chamber and housing which cooperate to improve and control smoke sensitivity by reducing adverse effects of external winds or drafts. The detector includes a housing having arcuate openings arranged in a circle and a flared deflector mounted within the circle in order to direct smoke and other particulate matter into the interior of the housing. A smoke sensing chamber is positioned within the housing adjacent the openings and has a cylindrical shell electrode defining arcuate ventilating apertures registering with the arcuate openings of the housing to pass smoke and particulate matter in and out of the chamber in cooperation with the flared deflector. The shell electrode and the housing cooperate to control the flow of smoke through the chamber and thereby improve smoke sensitivity.

Abstract: A smoke detection apparatus is disclosed having a highly efficient ionization chamber. The ionization chamber is primarily formed by a wire mesh collector that readily admits products of combustion such as smoke into the chamber which has therein an alpha emitting, radioactive source and a selectable portion of a tuning screw. Two types of smoke detectors are shown utilizing the ionization chamber with one of the detectors operating from a conventional A.C. power source and the other being battery operated. The smoke detector utilizing the conventional A.C. power source requires no transformer and has the alarm indicating horn connected with the A.C. source with the horn being triggered by a silicon controlled rectifier connected with the radioactive source in the ionization chamber through a field effect transistor switch. A rectified and regulated D.C. voltage is provided to the wire mesh collector and to the field effect transistor switch.

Abstract: Alarm condition detecting apparatus in the form of a combustion products detection system for monitoring a zone to detect the occurrence of fire therein. The apparatus has a plurality of detecting units adapted to be interconnected as parallel loads with a control unit. Each detecting unit receives operating power which may be from the control unit and functions to monitor a selected portion of the zone, generating, as appropriate, condition signals indicative of condition normal, impending alarm, alarm or unit malfunction. The impending alarm and unit malfunction signals are preferably pulsed signals of distinctly different frequencies and a light emitting diode (LED) arrangement is included in the detecting units to generate visual ouputs corresponding to the impending alarm, alarm and unit malfunction signals.

Abstract: In a hydrogen cooled dynamoelectric machine, an ion chamber detector monitors thermally produced particulates. The sensitivity of the ion chamber detector is improved by incorporating a particulate enhancement section upstream from the ion chamber detector. The particulate enhancement section has included therein a platinum surface over which the gaseous carrier flows increasing the number of submicron particulates entrained in the gaseous carrier.

Abstract: A detector module for use in a gas monitor assembly to measure changes in electron flow resulting from absorption of electrons in an electron capture gas includes an internal housing for containing a radioactive source and electrodes suitably spaced apart to permit gas flow therepast. The internal housing along with couplings for interconnection with a gas flow source, a gas receiver and suitable electronic receiver means are disposed within a detector housing having integrally attachable closure means, the detector housing and closure means providing shielding for the radioactive source while being adapted in combination to prevent operating access to the couplings in order to prevent accidental or undesired exposure of the internal housing and radioactive source.

Abstract: A combustion product detector comprises two ionization chambers with a radioactive source in each chamber. One chamber is vented to the ambient atmosphere and the other serves as a reference. A communicating passage is provided between the chambers. An adjustable target is provided in the reference chamber.Test means to determine status of the device comprises a member having a conductive end which is normally in conductive relation with the vented electrode of the chamber. It may be manually depressed into the vented chamber against a biasing force to disconnect it.Two radioactive sources are mounted in a holder which provides a window for each of the sources. In different embodiments the windows may be varied in size to vary the amount of radiation provided to each of the chambers independently without changing the parameters of the sources themselves.

Abstract: An ionization particle detector for indicating the presence of charged particles in a gas includes a single ionization chamber having two defined regions of electrical field intensity. The first region is of small geometric volume and high electric field intensity while the second region is of large geometric volume and low electric field intensity. The radioactive source for generating the ions is located near one electrode while the second electrode forming the walls of the chamber are located such that the walls are incident near the Bragg ionization peak of the detector. A probe is positioned between the two regions for detecting the maximum electric field change when particles enter the chamber.

Abstract: In the disclosed ionization fire alarm structure, a gap that admits ambient air to the alarm test chamber eliminates directional smoke sensitivity or any insensitivity that might be caused by high air velocities. A ring shaped wall section in the approximate plane of the center electrode and common to the test and reference chambers, and an axially extending tubular wall and housing that enclose the jacket of a flat-bottomed external electrode establish the gap that admits ambient air to the test chamber and form axially compact device with adequate electrical insulation. An insulator cover and angular bends which are formed in the latch springs that couple the alarm to the base prevent unauthorized disassembly by requiring a special manipulation to uncouple these components.

Abstract: An improved warning device having a sensor responsive to predetermined phenomena to generate a signal which changes in value upon the presence of the phenomena, and means for comparing the signal with a reference potential and for generating an indication upon a predetermined difference therebetween, is characterized by integrated circuit components which may economically be manufactured and assembled, and which maintain substantially constant the sensitivity of the device to the phenomena despite changes in the level of power supplied thereto. Where the warning device is a battery powered fire detector, the phenomena to be sensed is products of combustion, circuitry supervises the power level of the battery, and means are provided for readily testing the entire combustion detecting and indication generating portion of the detector, whereby a user of the detector may be assured of proper operation of the detector in response to combustion.

Abstract: In a storage type smoke detector which requires a predetermined time after an ionization smoke sensor detects a fire before a fire warning is issued, a charging circuit including a capacitor connected to a power supplying line is coupled with a discharging circuit for periodically discharging a voltage charged in the capacitor, and the discharging circuit is periodically closed by a P-channel type field effect transistor which is connected to an output end the ionization smoke sensor and which is supplied with a series of oscillating pulse.

Abstract: An ionization detecting fire alarm device that comprises a double chamber structure, a source disposed in at least one of the chambers and a vernier adjusting screw electrode protruding into one chamber. The chamber containing the adjustable electrode is more open to the atmosphere than the other chamber. Porting is provided between chambers and detection occurs by sensing the rate of change of ionization current in the chamber structure. The source or sources, one being in each chamber, is a beta source such as a nickel 63 source. A change in ionization current is detected by a unique circuit of this invention which comprises a programmable unijunction transistor oscillator circuit.

Abstract: A smoke detector comprising a smoke detection cell of the ionization type and an electrical network which provides for ac operation of the detection cell. The impedance of the smoke detection cell is very high (40,000 megohms) and changes in the presence of airborne combustion products. The network senses the impedance change by a measurement of the current through the chamber assuming an ac source under a short circuit load condition, a technique facilitating the use of bipolar transistors.

Abstract: A gas monitor comprising means for detecting changes in electron flow between two electrodes caused by absorption of the electrons by an electron capture gas flowing between the electrodes. A carrier gas is supplied to the detecting means at a predetermined velocity. A sample of the gas to be measured is added to the carrier gas by a valve means at a predetermined time which gas sample contains a trace of a first type of electron capture gas. The carrier gas together with any gas sample flows through a column means which slows down the velocity of any other type of electron capture gas in the sample with respect to the velocity of the first type of electron capture gas. The gas then passes through the detector wherein the electron capture gas causes a decrease in the electron flow between the electrodes. Means are provided for measuring the maximum decrease in the electron flow caused by the first type of electron capture gas and means are coupled to the measuring means for indicating the maximum decrease.

Abstract: An ionization chamber is exposed to the atmosphere to be supervised, the ionization chamber being so constructed that the electrical resistance thereof changes in the presence of fire particles or aerosols upon occurrence of a fire; to improve reliability of detection, the ionization chamber is connected as a resistance element in a free-running multivibrator oscillator circuit, which includes a pair of cross-coupled field effect transistors (FET's) so that, upon change of the atmosphere to which the ionization chamber is exposed, the pulse frequency of the oscillator changes, which change is detected by a pulse rate detector. If the detector has upper and lower threshold levels, deviation of pulse rate in one direction may be used to sense presence of a fire, and in the other direction may be used to sense incipient trouble in the circuit itself.

Abstract: A smoke detector comprising a smoke detection cell of the ionization type and an electrical network providing for a.c. operation of the detection cell. The impedance of the detection cell changes in the presence of airborne combustion products and alters the operating frequency of the network. The frequency change is sensed to actuate an alarm. A.C. operation avoids the problem of d.c. instability in the high impedance detection cell circuit and simplifies sensing the electrical condition of the detection cell. The electrical network typically uses MOS-FET devices as the active circuit elements.

Abstract: An ionization detector, such as an electron capture detector for use in pesticide residue analysis, utilizes a scandium tritide beta particle source. The scandium tritide forms a surface portion of a metallic foil. If the foil initially exhibits an unacceptably high tritium emanation rate at desired high operating temperatures, e.g., at temperatures above 250.degree. C, the foil can be treated so as to exhibit an acceptable tritium emanation rate at such temperatures. The treatment comprises heating the foil at a predetermined treatment temperature, e.g., at a selected temperature in the 300.degree. to 400.degree. C range, until the tritium emanation rate for the foil at the selected treatment temperature reaches a value which correlates with an acceptable tritium emanation rate for the foil at a particular desired operating temperature.

Abstract: A fire detector of the ionization type is characterized by sensitivity compensating circuitry. The detector includes an ionization chamber in series circuit with a reference impedance to form a voltage divider, and circuitry for sensing the voltage at the juncture between the ionization chamber and reference impedance and for generating a current flow which changes in value with changes in the voltage. The sensitivity compensating circuitry monitors the current flow, and for slowly occurring changes corresponding to slow changes in the juncture voltage adjusts the current flow to and maintains the flow at a quiescent value. The compensating circuitry responds relatively slowly to changes in current flow, and therefore does not significantly affect the current flow in response to a rapid change in juncture voltage.

Abstract: A detecting device having a sensor responsive to the presence of predetermined phenomena to generate a signal which changes from a nominal value by an amount in accordance with concentrations of the phenomena, and circuitry connected with the sensor to monitor the signal and adjustable to generate an indication upon the signal changing by at least a selected first amount, is characterized by means for operating the sensor to selectively change the signal in the absence of the phenomena by either the first amount or by a second predetermined and greater amount. Where the detector is a fire detector, the phenomena to be sensed is products of combustion, and the signal changes by the first amount upon the presence of products of combustion in the minimum concentrationswhereat it is desired to generate an indication, and by the second amount upon the presence of products of combustion in the maximum concentrations which may occur before generation of an indication is necessary.

Abstract: A high output smoke and heat detector alarm system comprises a high output audible alarm means which includes a piezoelectric transducer and a voltage doubling means in combination with an improved smoke and heat detector which includes a low voltage power supply source, an ambient temperature detecting means, at least one ionization sensing chamber, a voltage amplitude comparing means, and a low voltage sensing means.

Abstract: Fire alarm system utilizing an aerosol detector of the type formed by outer and inner interconnected ion chambers with a single particle source located within the inner chamber. The particle source radiates charged particles emitted therefrom into the inner chamber as well as through the path of chamber interconnection into the outer ion chamber. The outer chamber communicates directly with atmosphere to be monitored and operates as a sensing ion chamber. The inner chamber, operates as a reference ion chamber, is only interconnected with the outer chamber, and is otherwise totally isolated from outside atmosphere to avoid contamination of the particle source therein. Two embodiments of aerosol detector are disclosed.

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: Circuit for indicating when a voltage indicative of a condition, such as the presence of smoke, changes to a value outside of a given voltage range. It includes an oscillator which oscillates in response to a value of voltage within said range and which stops oscillating when the voltage changes to a value outside of said range. A circuit coupled to said oscillator sounds an alarm when the oscillations cease.

Abstract: A battery-powered fire alarm including a smoke detector, a controllable horn circuit and a battery monitoring circuit. The smoke detector employs a pair of complementary field-effect transistor switches with gates respectively connected to an ionization chamber and a potentiometer of a Wheatstone bridge circuit connected across the battery. The field-effect transistors are biased off to minimize standby power consumption and are connected such that the threshold voltages thereof are offsetting to minimize supply voltage sensitivity of the detector. When the voltage from the ionization chamber assumes a value approximately equal to the potentiometer voltage, both field-effect transistors turn on to energize an alarm circuit to sound an alarm. The switching circuit is provided with hysteresis through positive feedback. The battery monitoring circuit employs a pair of complementary field-effect transistors connected with each other to establish a reference voltage to which the battery voltage is compared.

Abstract: Certain internal parts of a gas cooled dynamoelectric machine may be coated with selected materials which will decompose at elevated temperatures to give off sub-micron particles into the machine gas coolant called pyrolysates. The presence of such pyrolysates in the machine gas coolant is indicative of localized overheating within the dynamoelectric machine. A detector is known for sensing the occurrence of these pyrolysates and hence a monitoring system has been devised for giving an early warning of machine overheating. Occasionally, oil mist particles from the machine may become entrained in the machine gas coolant and cause a false overheating signal from the detector. A second detector has been devised which may be used in combination with the first detector to provide a redundant monitoring system which will provide immediate validation of the presence of pyrolysate particles and which monitoring system is testable on line.

Abstract: Axially aligned conductive metal cylindrical members on opposite sides of a printed circuit plate define a first measuring chamber and a second reference chamber on opposite sides thereof. The bottom of one cylindrical member forms the first electrode of the reference chamber and a plate closing off the end of the measuring chamber remote from the printed circuit plate forms the first electrode of the measuring chamber.

Abstract: An alarm condition detection apparatus and method is embodied in the form of a combustion products detector for detecting fire. The detector generates a difference voltage signal proportional to the degree of combustion products in the atmosphere being monitored. The difference signal is employed to generate an alarm signal to indicate when the condition reaches an alarm state. The detector is adjustable to control the level of a reference voltage which in turn controls the difference signal voltage change needed to cause generation of an alarm signal. Thereby, detector sensitivity is set. The detector includes circuitry operable to generate in response to the difference signal a series of perceptible pulses having a pulse rate proportional to the magnitude of the difference signal. Thereby, with the condition normal, the pulse rate provides a perceptible indication of detector sensitivity.

Abstract: A combustion product detector contains a single ionization chamber having a radioactive source therein. It is provided with means to test the function of the device. The means includes an electrically non-conductive member which may be introduced in the ionization chamber to simulate (in effect) the presence of smoke in the chamber. Housing for the chamber is constructed and mounted to shield the components contained therein. An FET and resistors are closely coupled to a radioactive source holder and to a printed circuit board on which the housing is mounted. A metal coil spring electrically connects the non-conductive test member and the housing to discharge static. The test member may be removed readily to permit inspection and cleaning of the radioactive source surface.

Abstract: In a hydrogen cooled dynamoelectric machine, an ion chamber detector monitors thermally produced particulates. Specificity and sensitivity of the ion chamber detector are improved by applying an electrical potential of a limited predetermined range to the electrodes of the detector and operation of the detector occurs within a well defined subsaturation range.

Abstract: Two cup-shaped electrodes respectively defining outer walls of a closed and an open ionization chamber and an insulator wall sandwiched therebetween defining an interior wall of both chambers and carrying both an electrode common to both chambers and at least one circuit element of a sensing circuit responsive to the relative impedances of the two chambers for indicating the presence of smoke in the open chamber. Minimizing leakage current-increasing factors as moisture, dust, etc., the body of the circuit element is protectively mounted to the insulator wall within the closed chamber by means of a plurality of leads extending through mating holes in the insulator wall with a header surface of the body pressed against the wall. One of the leads is folded around the edge of a hole in the wall wherein the common electrode is mounted and is squeezed between the insulator wall and a part of the common electrode to make electrical contact therewith.

Abstract: Two ionization chambers are formed on the sensor, one including a pair of electrodes and ionizing substance, which are relatively so located that, in the space between the electrodes, the air will be ionized with both positive and negative ions so that the current flowing between the electrodes will be generated by ions of both polarities to form a bipolar ionization chamber; the other has the electrodes and the ionizing substance so located that at least in a portion, preferably a major portion of the space between the electrodes, ions of only a single polarity will occur. The bipolar chamber is shielded from air flow therethrough, the unipolar chamber, however, being exposed to free air flow. Preferably, a third or reference chamber may be combined with the sensor. The unipolar and bipolar chambers are connected to an evaluation circuit which responds when the current between the electrodes in at least one of the unipolar or bipolar chambers drops below a certain threshold value.

Abstract: A novel form of ionization detector, particularly one operating in the electron capture mode, is described. The detector includes iron-55 as a source of electrons to cause ionization. The detector may be operated in direct current, pulse or frequency modulated modes.

Abstract: This ionization detector or combustion product detector includes a single radioactive source located in an ionization chamber, and the ionization chamber includes portions comprising a reference zone and a signal zone. Electrical circuitry connected to the reference and signal zones provides an output signal directly related to changes in voltages across the signal zone in relation to the amount of particulates of combustion present in the ionization chamber.

Abstract: An ionization smoke sensor wherein the electric circuit of the sensor is surrounded by a first metallic case; an ionization chamber into which smoke from the exterior enters is constructed of a radiation source, an intermediate electrode and an outer electrode; the outer electrode is formed of a second metallic case; and the first and second metallic cases are electrically connected through a member of conductive elastomer, so that electric elements of the electric circuit are protected from external electrostatic charges.

Abstract: An ionization smoke sensor including a pair of ionization chambers normally biased to maintain an ionic current which varies in response to smoke particles within one of the chambers. A normally non-conductive transistor is biased to conduct when an impedance change of the combination of ionization chambers, caused by the smoke, exceeds a certain amount. The conductive transistor in turn biases a thyristor to conduct to actuate an alarm circuit. A comparator circuit is connected between the transistor and the thyristor for providing a biased signal therebetween. The biased signal is not applied by the comparator until the current through the conductive transistor exceeds a certain threshold value. Consequently, leakage currents of the transistor when it is non-conductive are isolated from the thyristor to prevent erroneous triggering of the same.

Abstract: An ac powered smoke detector utilizes an ionization chamber as the sensing element and a threshold circuit including a programmable unijunction transistor for activating an annunciator device such as a horn. An ac-to-dc converter provides regulated dc power to the chamber, the threshold circuitry and the annunciator for operation. When a specified level of smoke exists within the chamber, the programmable unijunction transistor is placed in the conductive state and produces a non-latching activating signal which energizes the horn. To insure that the programmable unijunction transistor makes a positive transition into the conductive state at the threshold level, the anode-cathode circuit of the transistor and the transistor itself are jointly selected to provide an anode current greater than the characteristic valley current of the transistor when the threshold level is reached.

Abstract: To render an ionization-type sensing element essentially immune to changes in ambient conditions, principally temperature or operating voltage, while still using low-current draining circuits to sense response of the ionization chamber of the sensor, the threshold response level of a field effect transistor (FET) is arranged to have approximately the same temperature response characteristic, within the range of ambient temperature considered, as the ionization cell so that the overall circuit or system combination of the cell and FET amplifier will have a response which is essentially independent of ambient temperature or similar conditions. The source path of the FET is connected to a voltage divider which is so dimensioned that the voltage division ratio (R.sub.2 /R.sub.1) is related to the temperature coefficient (.alpha.) of the base-emitter voltage of the FET and the temperature coefficient (.beta.) of the measuring ionization cell chamber:R.sub.2 /R.sub.1 = (.beta./.alpha.) - 1.

Abstract: The improved incipient fire detector employs an ionization particulate detector in combination with a particulate collector to monitor selectively small particulates in the atmosphere which are indicative of an incipient fire condition. During an incipient fire condition, prior to ignition, a large mass of particulates less than 5 microns in size is generated by combustible material thereby increasing the concentration of such size particulates in the atmosphere. The detector is designed to collect particulates less than 5 microns in size, rejecting those above this size, and channel the collected particulates at a controlled rate of flow into an ionization chamber wherein the concentration of such particulates is measured.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved smoke-detection system of the ionization-chamber type. In the preferred embodiment, the system utilizes a conventional detector head comprising a measuring ionization chamber, a reference ionization chamber, and a normally non-conductive gas triode for discharging when a threshold concentration of airborne particulates is present in the measuring chamber. The improved system utilizes a measuring ionization chamber which is modified to minimize false alarms and reductions in sensitivity resulting from changes in ambient temperature. In the preferred form of the modification, an annular radiation shield is mounted about the usual radiation source provided to effect ionization in the measuring chamber.

Abstract: Ionization detector capable of operation at elevated temperatures and utilizing iron-55 as a radioactive source within the ionization chamber.

Abstract: A smoke sensing device of the type having a single ionization chamber wherein stability and reliability are increased by driving the ionization chamber from a square wave oscillator, and utilizing an A.C. amplifier responsive to the ionization current within the chamber. The A.C. amplifier serves to amplify the current through the ionization chamber and couple the amplified current to a rectifier and detector adapted to respond to decreases in current, such as caused by smoke particles within the ionization chamber, to activate an alarm device.

Abstract: To render an ionization-type sensing element essentially immune to changes in ambient conditions, principally temperature or operating voltage, while still using low-current draining circuits to sense response of the ionization chamber of the sensor, the threshold response level of a field effect transistor (FET) is arranged to have approximately the same temperature response characteristic, within the range of ambient temperature considered, as the ionization cell so that the overall circuit or system combination of the cell and FET amplifier will have a response which is essentially independent of ambient temperature or similar conditions. The source path of the FET is connected to a voltage divider which is so dimensioned that the voltage division ratio (R.sub.2 /R.sub.1) is related to the temperature coefficient (.alpha.) of the base-emitter voltage of the FET and the temperature coefficient (.beta.) of the measuring ionization cell chamber:R.sub.2 /R.sub.1 =(.beta./.alpha.)-1.