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: In a smoke sensor of the ionization type having as essential component parts an opposing pair of electrodes providing for high impedance effected by ionic current produced by a radioactive ray source, improvements are made to eliminate formation of dew at least on the surface of the radioactive ray source and also prevent the high impedance from being accidentally changed due to a cause other than smoke, for instance a comparatively intense air stream which may otherwise cause a casual change of the high impedance.

Abstract: A fire alarm system utilizes an ionization type aerosol detector having first and second intercommunicating and electrically in series ionization regions or chambers irradiated by a particle source. Electrodes are provided which operate in conjunction with a DC voltage source to establish a relatively large voltage gradient across the first region and a relatively small voltage gradient in the second region. Also, the location of the ion source and the effective volumes of the regions are arranged to establish a comparatively high ion density in the first region. In operation, the impedance or resistance of the first region to ion current flow is substantially uninfluenced by the presence of combustion or smoke aerosols due to the relatively high field gradient while the impedance or resistance of the second region is measurably changed thereby. The insensitivity of the first region to the presence of smoke is due to the high voltage gradient therein, as well as to the high ion density therein.

Abstract: The detector comprises a chamber having at least one radiation source disposed therein. The chamber includes spaced collector plates which form a part of a detection circuit for sensing changes in the ionization current in the chamber. The radiation source in one embodiment is in the form of a wound wire or ribbon suitably supported in the chamber and preferably a source of beta particles. The chamber may also include an adjustable electrode and the source may function as an adjustable current source by forming the wire or ribbon in an eliptical shape and rotating the structure. In another embodiment the source has a random shape and is homogeneously disposed in the chamber.

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 is designed to reduce false alarms caused by fluctuations in ambient temperature. Means are provided for periodically firing the gas discharge triode and each time recording the triggering voltage required. A computer compares each triggering voltage with its predecessor. The computer is programmed to energize an alarm if the difference between the two compared voltages is a relatively large value indicative of particulates in the measuring chamber and to disregard smaller differences typically resulting from changes in ambient temperature.

Abstract: A fire alarm system having a plurality of ceiling fixtures containing ionization smoke detectors which are located in regions of a building to be protected. Each smoke detector is connected to a common fire alarm signal receiver for sounding an audible alarm as well as a visual alarm in response to a fire alarm signal therefrom. Each ionization smoke detector is also provided with an ionization ambient atmosphere auxiliary co-detector for producing an auxiliary signal which is responsive to the environmental conditions of the detector in situ. The ambient atmosphere detector comprises an internal circuit having female terminals of a receptacle mounted in the wall of the corresponding fixture, and an external circuit having male terminals of a plug adapted to mate with the corresponding female terminals of such receptacle.

Abstract: An ionization-type fire detector having a pair of ionized chambers, one of which is arranged so that products of combustion can flow therethrough while the other is substantially isolated from the products of combustion. As a result, when combustion products are present, the electrical conductivity in one chamber is different than the other, and this condition is sensed to provide a fire alarm signal. The first-mentioned ionized chamber is defined by inner and outer shells of plastic material which are suitably spaced from each other and with the inner surface of the outer shell being provided with a conductive coating. The spaced plastic surfaces are curved, and one of the shells defines a cavity which forms at least a part of said first-mentioned chamber. It has been found that this minimizes the adverse effects caused by wind drafts which otherwise can affect the electrical conductivity in the first chamber and provide an erroneous fire alarm signal.

Abstract: An ionization-type gas contamination detector, intended primarily for use as a fire detector, in which a substance which emits predominantly low-energy beta particles is used as an ionizing radiation source in an ionizing chamber. Rapid changes in ionization current, which indicate the present of a fire or smoke preceding a fire, are detected and an alarm is energized by a rate-of-change circuit in response to such changes. The output of the ionization chamber is amplified, and a level detector energizes the alarm when the amplified chamber output reaches a predetermined level. The output of the amplifier is adjusted relatively slowly to a reference level. In one embodiment, the amplifier output is adjusted to the reference level by the activation of a sample-and-hold feedback loop for a short period of time. In another embodiment, continuous feedback through a circuit with a relatively long time constant provides the desired adjustment.

Abstract: A high input impedance circuit is employed to sense the condition of a bridge such as a Wheatstone bridge containing ionization chambers for smoke detection. The circuit comprises two CMOS inverters connected to operate as a differential signal detector, one inverter connected at its gate electrodes to one output terminal of the bridge and the other similarly connected to the other output terminal of the bridge. The system includes a simple null and sensitivity adjustment.

Abstract: An ionization smoke detector having two ionization chambers with one of said chambers having an electrode at least partially surrounded by a conductive mesh constituting an intermediate electrode and the other of said chambers being formed between the intermediate electrode and an outer surrounding electrode of conductive mesh and a radioactive source carried by said outer electrode. The volume defined by the outer and intermediate electrodes is greater than the volume defined by the intermediate electrode.

Abstract: An ionization analyzing alarm system of extreme accuracy independent of atmospheric turbulences caused by fire and of minute dimensions, ease and safety of manufacture, assembly and repairs and devoid of forced air devices, is provided, having an air baffle zone, a first ionization chamber with advantageously located electrodes, radioactive source and circuitry and optionally a second ionization chamber with radioactive source and an additional electrode, the central of the three electrodes serving both chambers and with sensitivity controls.

Abstract: An ionization smoke detector particularly suited to residential use is disclosed. The detector is battery-operated and is connected with a non-latching, pulsating alarm circuit. The detector has a sensing chamber formed by a perforated metallic shell and an electrode within which an insulated radiation source is centrally positioned to generate an ionization current for detecting smoke or other similar aerosols. The alarm circuit provides a pulsating alarm signal when smoke levels above a predetermined value are sensed. The alarm circuit also includes a low voltage detection circuit for sounding the alarm when the end of useful battery life is approaching.