By Radiant Energy Patents (Class 340/578)
  • Patent number: 11835676
    Abstract: An automated fire detection system includes a distributed network of standalone sensor units having multifunctional capability to detect wildfires at their earliest stage. Multiple modes of verification are employed, including thermal imaging, spectral analysis, near infrared and long-wave infrared measurements, measurements of the presence and/or concentration of smoke, and sensing local temperature and humidity and wind speed and direction. A dedicated algorithm receives all data from the network and determines the location of flames from the imaging sensors, combined with the smoke, temperature, humidity, and wind measurements at every dispersed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventor: Vasily Antonovich Tremsin
  • Patent number: 11462089
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed that can automatically detect smoking conditions for industrial flares. It can analyze live or historical video images to identify smoking conditions and generate a “Smoke Level” value in the range of 0 to 10 to represent the seriousness of the smoking events. The Smoke Level data can be sent to the plant distributed control system (DCS) or other control devices so alarms can be generated and automatic or manual control actions can be taken to stop the flare from smoking quickly. The Smoke Level data can also be saved in historical files for reporting and smoke event tracking purposes. Using the described method and system, industrial plants can comply with EPA regulations at all times, improve flare control and monitoring, be better prepared for EPA reporting and auditing, and save energy and manpower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: General Cybernation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: George Shu-Xing Cheng, Andrew J. Chow, Manuel Martinez
  • Patent number: 11232689
    Abstract: The present invention provides a smoke detection method with visual depth, which uses an image camera and a depth camera to extract surrounding images and surrounding depth information. A vehicle is used to patrol an area, such as the area of a processing factory, for receiving the surrounding environment information and detecting existence of burning objects or smoke. Then a processor adopting the clustering algorithm is used to estimate the smoke distribution or the location of fire source of burning objects, and uses an alarm to provide alarm information. Thereby, the rescue crew can prepare in advance and respond immediately. By providing the correct information to the firemen in the fire scenes, the time to control the fire can be shortened and the time for evacuation can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Metal Industries Research & Development Centre
    Inventors: Tsung-Han Lee, Jinn-Feng Jiang, Shih-Chun Hsu, Tsu-Kun Chang, Hung-Yuan Wei
  • Patent number: 11183042
    Abstract: A thermographic detector device for a fire alarm control system is described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a thermography camera configured to capture a thermal image within a field of view of the thermographic detector device, a memory and a processor to execute instructions stored in the memory to detect a fault associated with the thermographic detector device, wherein the fault includes at least one of a field of view fault, an operating parameter fault, and an internal fault, generate a fault signal upon detecting the fault, and provide a notification of the fault using the fault signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny Julien De Blonde, Marco Di Nubila, Matthew John Naylor, Scott Lang, Uroj Usmani
  • Patent number: 11150713
    Abstract: An information processing device includes: a state determination unit that determines a change in a state of connection between the information processing device and an external device or a power supply; a cause selection unit that selects from a plurality of choices, a cause of the determined change in the state of connection; and a processing unit that performs a process in accordance with the selected choice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Kobayashi, Eiji Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 11023743
    Abstract: Example implementations described herein are directed to integration of far infrared cameras in a vehicle system to detect objects based on relative temperature of objects. Such implementations can improve accuracy when paired, for example, with classification systems that classify objects based on the shape of the object, as both the shape and relative temperature can be used to ensure that the classification is accurate. Further, example implementations can synchronize far infrared cameras with other sensor systems to determine distance, energy, and absolute temperature of an object, which can also be used to enhance classification. Such classifications can then be provided to an advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which can control the vehicle system in accordance with the object classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Takeo Shibata
  • Patent number: 11017649
    Abstract: A dynamic alarm priority system includes plural kinds of alarm devices, an alarm signal being generated when the alarm device is triggered; a plurality of image capture devices, correspondingly coupled to the alarm devices respectively, the triggered alarm device activating the corresponding image capture device to capture an alarm image; an interface device that receives the alarm signal; an assignment device coupled to receive the alarm signals, which are assigned priorities in order of time, thereby generating an initial alarm signal sequence; and an object detection device that performs object detection on the alarm image to determine whether an associated object is detected in the alarm image. The assignment device dynamically modifies the initial alarm signal sequence according to an object detection result from the object detection device, thereby generating an updated alarm signal sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Climax Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi-Kai Chen
  • Patent number: 10948191
    Abstract: Magnet-thermocouple for the fail-safe safety supply of gas to burners or the like, in particular of fail-safe safety control for domestic cooking devices, comprises: at least one gas burner, which gas burner is connected to a gas supply source by flame-regulating means and by means of a safety valve driven by a flame presence sensor consisting of a thermocouple, said safety valve having an open condition, wherein said supply source supplied said burner, and a closed condition, wherein the gas passage is interrupted and wherein the thermocouple, in the presence of a flame, generates an electrical signal constituting the drive signal for the passage of said safety valve from an open condition to a closed condition, and vice-versa, of said safety valve, whereas a further drive signal generator and power supply of said safety valve is provided, for the temporary and alternative supply of the safety valve during the flame ignition step heating the thermocouple, to the temperature generating the drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventors: Ivan Fumagalli, Augusto Marco Culatti, Marco Corbella, Marcello Toscani
  • Patent number: 10855922
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an interior of an autonomous vehicle using an image sensor including a unit pixel composed of an infrared pixel and three primary color-pixels, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes the following procedure. Setting an RGB mode boundary value that is expressed in illumination and an infrared mode boundary value having illumination lower than the RGB mode boundary value; acquiring an illumination value of the interior of the vehicle; and creating an RGB image and an infrared image from the image sensor in accordance with the illumination value and driving in a common mode that creates both of the RGB image and the infrared image when the illumination value is less than the RGB mode boundary value and is the infrared mode boundary value or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Minsick Park
  • Patent number: 10442438
    Abstract: In a method for detecting and assessing reflections on a road (7), a camera (2) produces at least two digital images of at least one point (3) of the road, respectively from different recording perspectives (A, B) of the camera (2). Diffuse reflection and specular reflection of the road (7) are then detected by assessing differences in the appearances of the point (3) of the road in the at least two digital images using digital image processing algorithms. Road reflections are preferably assessed using an approximative approach. An item of road condition information is determined based on the detected reflection, preferably an item of road condition information which states whether the road is dry, wet, snow-covered or icy. Also provided are an apparatus (1) for carrying out the above-mentioned method, and a vehicle having such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Stefan Fritz, Bernd Hartmann, Manuel Amthor, Joachim Denzler
  • Patent number: 10304306
    Abstract: Image-based fire detection methods are provided which include analyzing a field of view based on a plurality of images, determining if changes occur, and analyzing whether any such changes are due to smoke-like material. Changes due to large objects are ruled out, and drift in the scene or shaking of the image collection device is accounted for by the method. The methods employ representing images of the field of view with quantifiable values and comparing to thresholds established for each event, and activating an alarm if changes due to smoke-like material are detected. The fire detection methods may also include monitoring a field of view for changes, and only performing the analysis on the images if changes are detected. The monitoring and validating stages of the methods include collecting images at different sampling rates for different amounts of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Smoke Detective, LLC
    Inventors: Russell P. Mills, Gustavo K. Rohde, Frederick Lanni, Stephen C Davis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9863990
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for determining failure of an ultraviolet (UV) sensor are described herein. One device includes a memory, and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to reduce an excitation voltage of a UV sensor until no conduction occurs in the UV sensor, increase, upon no conduction occurring in the UV sensor, the excitation voltage of the UV sensor until a conduction event occurs, compare the excitation voltage at which the conduction event occurs to a reference voltage, and determine whether the UV sensor has failed based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Zabel, Chad Carty
  • Patent number: 9803560
    Abstract: A method for tuning a combustor of a gas turbine engine based on one or more monitored operating conditions is provided. One or more operating conditions of the gas turbine engine are monitored. The monitored operating conditions may include, for example, a low frequency tone, a high frequency tone, and a ratio of the low frequency tone to the high frequency tone. It is determined whether the ratio of the low frequency tone to the high frequency tone is within a first predefined normal range. If the ratio of the low frequency tone to the high frequency tone is within the first predefined normal range, a determination is made not to tune the gas turbine engine. But, if the ratio of the low frequency tone to the high frequency tone is not within the first predefined normal range, a determination is made to tune the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter John Stuttaford, Sumit Soni, Donald Gauthier, Hany Rizkalla
  • Patent number: 9759616
    Abstract: A coupling device for an optical waveguide includes an optical waveguide connection for a first optical waveguide. The coupling device includes an optical filter arranged in a beam path between a laser light source and the optical waveguide connection which reflects light of a first wavelength range or a first polarization direction and transmits light of a second wavelength range or a second polarization direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ingeneric GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Kallendrusch, Volker Sinhoff, Christian Wessling, Kai Ulf Markus
  • Patent number: 9587987
    Abstract: A flame detector includes an infrared detector and a first window covering the infrared detector. A second window is positioned in front of the first window. The flame detector is adapted to reject light having a wavelength below approximately 2 ?m and to reject light having a wavelength above approximately 6 ?m, allowing detection of flame from multiple sources. In variations, the windows in combination with the infrared detector may provide the rejection or a band pass filter provides the rejection. Still further variations utilize notch filters or a band reject filter to provide notches of light to the infrared detector corresponding to the wavelength of different flame sources to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Scott Larsen, Barrett E. Cole
  • Patent number: 9415882
    Abstract: An overheat sensor system is provided. A controller may create an aircraft temperature profile and may compare temperature sensor data to the profile. The system may provide an output indicating temperatures or fires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Kern, Ken Bell, Aaron Stanley Rogers
  • Patent number: 8952822
    Abstract: A smoke alarm comprises smoke detection circuitry for detecting smoke and generating a detection signal responsive thereto. Proximity detection circuitry generates a proximity detection signal responsive to detection of an object within in a selected distance of the smoke alarm. Alarm generation circuitry generates an audible alarm responsive to the detection signal. The audible alarm may be deactivated for a predetermined period of time responsive to at least one proximity detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne T. Holcombe
  • Patent number: 8947508
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus which employs a basic configuration including an image processing controller which processes images captured by a stereo camera and a recognition processing controller which recognizes an object based on information from the image processing controller includes a target object area specifying unit, feature amount extracting unit and smoke determining unit as functions of enabling recognition of a smoky object. The target object specifying unit specifies an area of an object which is a detection target, by canceling the influence of the background, the feature amount extracting unit extracts an image feature amount for recognizing a smoky object in a target object area and the smoke deciding unit decides whether the object in the target object area is a smoky object or an object other than the smoky object, based on the extracted image feature amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noboru Morimitsu
  • Patent number: 8890696
    Abstract: A fire detector includes a sensor (4) for, in use, detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by a flame and generating an electronic signal corresponding to the detected electromagnetic radiation. The detector further includes a processing device (2) configured to select a portion of the electronic signal corresponding to a first time period and compare the selected signal portion with at least one parameter to determine an initial presence or absence of a flame, the processing device being further configured, upon determining the initial presence of the flame, to select a further portion of the electronic signal corresponding to a further time period and comparing the further selected signal portion with at least one parameter to determine a definite presence or absence of the flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: James Sinclair Popper
  • Patent number: 8816867
    Abstract: A detector includes a smoke detecting section that includes a light-receiving unit at a position at which the light-receiving unit does not directly receive light emitted by a light-emitting unit in a chamber in which a labyrinth for preventing light from directly entering from the outside and an insect net covering the rim of the labyrinth are provided, the light-receiving unit receiving light scattered by smoke flowing into the chamber. An opening hole is formed open in the surface of the cover receiving hot air current, of the detector. In the cover behind the opening hole, an electrochemical gas sensor is placed to bring gas generated by a fire through the opening hole into contact with an electrolyte solution to detect the gas by an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: HOCHIKI Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuchi Mammoto, Hiromichi Ebata
  • Patent number: 8773137
    Abstract: A method for flame sensing in a solid, liquid or gaseous fuel burner, the flame generated at an ionization electrode, the flame presence resulting in an ionizing effect on the electrode. The electrode is powered by an alternating voltage signal. The ionization phenomenon generates in the electrode a direct current. The current being sensed by a suitable sensing circuit including a control unit. This signal generator being of relatively low internal impedance to enable the measured generated current to have a high value compared with that normally used and of waveform to tend to limit the value of the direct current flowing through the electrode. The sensing and control circuit being such as to enable the presence of a parasitic current on the flame sensing electrode to be measured. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Bertelli & Partners, S.R.L.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Bertelli
  • Patent number: 8742937
    Abstract: An alarm unit of the invention is provided with: a light emitting section; a battery power supply; a voltage booster circuit that boosts a voltage from this battery power supply to thereby generate a boosted voltage; a light emission control section that controls the voltage booster circuit to supply, with the timing at which the boosted voltage is obtained, the boosted voltage to the light emitting section, thereby intermittently driving light emission; a light receiving section that receives light from the light emitting section having been diffused by smoke; a conversion circuit that converts a received light signal from the light receiving section into received light data; a fire hazard detection section that detects a fire hazard based on the received light data from the conversion circuit; an alarm section that outputs an alarm based on a fire hazard detection signal from the fire hazard detection section; a reference voltage circuit that generates a reference voltage for the voltage booster circuit and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Hochiki Corporation
    Inventor: Isao Asano
  • Patent number: 8704670
    Abstract: A smoke detector includes processing circuitry coupled to a camera. The field-of-view of the camera contains one or more targets, each having spatial indicia thereon. At least a portion of one of the targets is coated, at least in part, by an infra-red absorbing dye. The dye produces visually discernable dark areas on the coated target(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kwong Wing Au, Thomas W. Shoaff, Scott R. Lang
  • Patent number: 8666420
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, an access point (AP) uses out-of-band signaling on a single non-DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) frequency band radio in an N-radio system to synchronize information with neighboring APs and to learn about their radio interfaces. This enables the AP to be able to acquire information about neighbor APs on different frequency bands and to build and maintain mesh routing structures while minimizing backhaul down-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hari Narayanan Rangarajan, Jyoti Raju
  • Patent number: 8659437
    Abstract: A flame sensing system having a flame rod, a signal generator, a signal measurement circuit, and a controller, where the frequency and/or amplitude of the excitation signal may be variable. The signal measurement circuit may include a bias circuitry that references the flame signal to a voltage, a capacitor that varies the filtration, an AC coupling capacitor, a current limiting resistor, and a low-pass filter. The system may determine the flame-sensing rod contamination, the stray capacitance of the flame sensing system, and compensate for stray capacitance in the flame sensing system. The flame model may include a circuit that simulates a flame in the presence of the sensing rod, and another circuit that simulates a contact surface between the flame and the sensing rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Brent Chian
  • Patent number: 8587442
    Abstract: A smoke alarm has a base element with a flat mounting surface, a light emitter that is attached to the mounting surface and that is configured to issue an illuminating light, and a light receiver that is attached to the mounting surface next to the light emitter and that is configured to receive a measurement light that results from a back-scattering of the illumination light at a measurement object located in a detection space. A data processing device is coupled to an output of the light receiver and configured to evaluate temporal changes of an output signal issued by the light receiver. Also, there is provided a method for checking the functional capability of the smoke alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Loepfe, Kurt Müller, Georges A. Tenchio, Walter Vollenweider
  • Patent number: 8547238
    Abstract: A system for confirming the detection of a fire using a plurality of radiation or flame sensors each equipped with a radiation detector and an optical filter having a spectral transmission characteristic in which at least one optical filter is redundant to at least one other optical filter. The result is a system having operationally redundant sensors. In use, if a fire is detected by one of the redundant sensors without including the other redundant radiation sensor in the fire detection calculation, then a fire detection algorithm can switch to the other operationally redundant sensor to check for confirmation of a fire. Due to the spatial separation and if the object is small and close, a different result will be obtained with the redundant detector being used in the calculation compared to the primary detector that is associated with the redundant detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: KnowFlame, Inc.
    Inventor: John Harchanko
  • Patent number: 8519856
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable detection and/or monitoring and/or control of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure of target body-related portions of a user operating a telecommunication device. In some embodiments a risk-assessment output is provided based on a safety threshold or predetermined intrusion level of EMR exposure. A further aspect may include interaction with external EMR sources regarding possible modification of emissions as well as possible arrangements for other types of remedial action. Some embodiments may provide travel route mapping data indicative of EMR source locations and/or irradiation values in a given locale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas A. Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8457835
    Abstract: A method for use in evaluating an operation of a combustion machine. A plurality of current average intensities is calculated by a computing device based on a series of intensity readings from a flame sensor. Each current average intensity corresponds to a current time interval. The computing device selects a plurality of past average intensities, each of which corresponds to a past time interval equal in duration to the current time interval corresponding to a current average intensity. The computing device calculates a plurality of decay rates indicating a change in intensity readings over a current time interval based on the current average intensities and the past average intensities. The computing device estimates a predicted flame sensor malfunction time based on the plurality of decay rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Gaurav Nigam
  • Patent number: 8430666
    Abstract: A low pressure heater control system. In some embodiments a control is in electrical communication with a sensor having a view of a combustion chamber. The control calculates an average sensor value over each of a plurality of brief sampling periods based on a plurality of readings from the sensor. In some embodiments a reference point that may be at least based in part on an average of a plurality of average optical sensor values from earlier brief sampling periods is calculated and compared against the average optical sensor value from a recent brief sampling period to monitor for an abrupt combustion change. In some embodiments a peak-to-peak optical sensor value is also calculated over each of a plurality of brief sampling periods. In some embodiments the type of fuel being combusted is recognized and/or the fuel level approximated based on measured average and/or peak-to-peak optical sensor values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Procom Heating, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacy Clevenger, Craig Higginbotham, Eric Pitchford, Joseph Lee
  • Patent number: 8400314
    Abstract: A fire alarm consists of a housing in which sensors, a radiation source, and an optical window are disposed. A reflector protection basket or ring is disposed above the optical window. The basket or ring is suitable for protecting the optical window against mechanical influences, allows UV and IR radiation to pass through to a sufficient degree, and reflects UV and IR radiation from the housing interior, on its inside. Monitoring of the contamination of the window, function monitoring of the sensors and of the signal processing electronics, as well as easy replaceability of the components in the fire alarm are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Minimax GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hauke Dittmer, Dirk Siemer, Peter Zuelzer, Bernd Ziems, Axel Grothoff, Arne Stamer, Kurt Lenkeit
  • Patent number: 8373561
    Abstract: An infrared detector comprising a plurality of bolometer detectors, bias circuitry for applying a bias to the bolometer detectors, and connectors for connecting the bolometer detectors together to form a network, wherein the bolometer detectors are arranged in an environment at substantially atmospheric pressure. A method for increasing the sensitivity of an infrared detector, having a plurality of bolometer detectors arranged in an environment at substantially atmospheric pressure so as to at least partly compensate for a reduction in the sensitivity of the infrared detector due to conduction of thermal energy from the bolometer detectors through the environment, the method comprising at least one of the steps of connecting the bolometer detectors together in at least one of series and parallel, and operating the bolometer detectors at a DC bias current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventor: Paul A Manning
  • Patent number: 8346500
    Abstract: A self check-type flame detector includes a casing provided with a monitoring window formed therein. A wavelength generation unit is disposed inside the casing and generates a wavelength in a direction of the monitoring window. A wavelength detection element is disposed inside the casing and detects the wavelength. A comparison unit is provided with a wavelength DB for storing intensity of a reference wavelength and determines whether the monitoring window has been contaminated. A display unit is located outside the casing and displays a state of the monitoring window. A communication unit is disposed inside the casing and configured to receive operation information for the wavelength generation unit, to provide the operation information to the wavelength generation unit, and to transmit the intensity of the wavelength, or a normal signal or a contamination signal of the monitoring window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Chang Sung Ace Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeu Yong Lee, Seung Hun Choi
  • Patent number: 8334782
    Abstract: A smoke detector comprises a soft x-ray source (10) and an air space (16) communicating with ambient air (18) and positioned so that soft x-rays produced by the soft x-ray source (10) pass into the air space (16) to ionise air in the air space (16). A detector (14) is positioned for detecting ionised air in the air space (16). Smoke particles entering into the air space (16) mop up ionised air. This leads to a reduction in the number of ions detected which triggers an alarm. The soft x-ray source (10) preferably comprises a substrate (22) on which are provided a plurality of nanometer scale elongate structures (28). The elongate structures (28) are provided in an evacuated chamber (42) formed between the substrate (22), a spacer (30), and a laminated film (36). The laminated film (36) comprises an aluminum foil layer (38) and a supporting nylon layer (40). A voltage converting circuit (44) is powered by a 9 volt DC battery and applies a 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Max D. Allsworth
  • Patent number: 8314709
    Abstract: A fire detection switch for use in a fire detection circuit of a aircraft engine, having: a first resistor and a second resistor disposed in series between a common terminal and an alarm terminal; and a thermally-sensitive element having a different resistance at low temperature than at high temperature, the thermally-sensitive element disposed in series with the second resistor and in parallel with the first resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Peter Lance, Gordon Ferch
  • Patent number: 8283646
    Abstract: A flame detector includes a sensor module, which carries a plurality of pyroelectric sensors, and a filter module which carries a plurality of replaceable filters with one filter being associated with each sensor. The modules are coupled together and carried in an exterior housing. A cover can overlay the filters to retain them in predetermined positions relative to the respective sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Murphy, Scott R. Lang
  • Publication number: 20120126985
    Abstract: A smoke detector includes processing circuitry coupled to a camera. The field-of-view of the camera contains one or more targets, each having spatial indicia thereon. At least a portion of one of the targets is coated, at least in part, by an infra-red absorbing dye. The dye produces visually discernable dark areas on the coated target(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kwong Wing AU, Thomas W. Shoaff, Scott R. Lang
  • Patent number: 8138927
    Abstract: A video analytics system for characterization of a flare. A video of a flare may be taken for obtaining information so as to appropriately control the flare in an interest of reducing emissions not necessarily favorable to the environment. The system may incorporate a control scenario involving one or more parameters of a flare which are to be controlled in view of a flare characterization from an algorithmic analysis of the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Annemarie Diepenbroek, Joel T. Langill, Isaac Cohen, Kwong Wing Au
  • Patent number: 8094301
    Abstract: A system and method for real-time monitoring of the interior of a combustor or gasifier wherein light emitted by the interior surface of a refractory wall of the combustor or gasifier is collected using an imaging fiber optic bundle having a light receiving end and a light output end. Color information in the light is captured with primary color (RGB) filters or complimentary color (GMCY) filters placed over individual pixels of color sensors disposed within a digital color camera in a BAYER mosaic layout, producing RGB signal outputs or GMCY signal outputs. The signal outputs are processed using intensity ratios of the primary color filters or the complimentary color filters, producing video images and/or thermal images of the interior of the combustor or gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignees: Gas Technology Institute, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Alexei V. Saveliev, Serguei A. Zelepouga, David M. Rue
  • Publication number: 20120001760
    Abstract: A system for confirming the detection of a fire using a plurality of radiation or flame sensors each equipped with a radiation detector and an optical filter having a spectral transmission characteristic in which at least one optical filter is redundant to at least one other optical filter. The result is a system having operationally redundant sensors. In use, if a fire is detected by one of the redundant sensors without including the other redundant radiation sensor in the fire detection calculation, then a fire detection algorithm can switch to the other operationally redundant sensor to check for confirmation of a fire. Due to the spatial separation and if the object is small and close, a different result will be obtained with the redundant detector being used in the calculation compared to the primary detector that is associated with the redundant detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: John Harchanko
  • Patent number: 8077046
    Abstract: A fire detector and method of using it generate a fire alarm through use of a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector once the smoke detector detects a threshold level of light obscuration for greater than a first pre-selected time period or a reduced threshold level of light obscuration for greater than a second pre-selected time period or the CO detector detects a rate of increase in CO concentration which exceeds a first preselected CO rate for a third pre-selected time period and the smoke detector detects the reduced threshold level of light obscuration or the rate of increase in CO concentration exceeds a second preselected CO rate for a fourth pre-selected time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Airware, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Wong
  • Publication number: 20110080296
    Abstract: A fire detection switch for use in a fire detection circuit of a aircraft engine, having: a first resistor and a second resistor disposed in series between a common terminal and an alarm terminal; and a thermally-sensitive element having a different resistance at low temperature than at high temperature, the thermally-sensitive element disposed in series with the second resistor and in parallel with the first resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Lance, Gordon Ferch
  • Patent number: 7872584
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing smoke or other emissions are provided. An image is analyzed and processed to identify characteristics associated with the emission, such as color, densities, dispersion rates, fuel mixture characteristics, and other suitable analysis factors. If the analysis indicates that abnormal conditions exist or that any user-defined alerts are warranted, a message is sent to an operator terminal. The system and method may continue to capture subsequent images and thus provide real-time data. The data may be stored in memory and collected over time. The data may be associated with a digital signature and used to create reports for company quality control boards, regulatory control agencies, and the public. The system and method thus provide a cost effective, reliable, and repeatable mechanism for real-time analysis of smoke stacks and other environmental changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Gene T. Chen
  • Patent number: 7868772
    Abstract: A flame detecting method and device are provided to improve the accuracy of flame detection and reduce the possibilities of the false fire alarm. The flame detecting method and device capture a plurality of images of a monitored area; determines whether a moving area image exists in the plurality of images; analyzes at least one of a color model and a flickering frequency of the moving area image to generate a first analyzed result and compares the first analyzed result with a feature of a reference flame image; analyzes at least one of a variation of a location and an area of the moving area image to generate a second analyzed result and compares the second analyzed result with a predetermined threshold; and determines whether the moving area image is a flame image based on results of the comparing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hao-Ting Chao, Chung-Hsien Lu, Yu-Ren Hsu, Shen-Kuen Chang, Yi Chih Chen, Kun-Lin Huang, Cheng-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 7859419
    Abstract: A smoke detecting method and device are provided. The smoke detecting method and device capture a plurality of images; determine one of the plurality of images as an analyzable image when the one of the plurality of images is identified to have a moving object; analyze a chrominance variation of the analyzable image; analyze at least one of an edge blur and a flickering frequency of the analyzable image; compare at least one of analyzed results from the analyzing steps with a corresponding predetermined feature; and determine the moving object is a smoke when at least one of the analyzed results conforms to the corresponding predetermined feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chang Shen-Kuen, Lu Chung-Hsien, Chao Hao-Ting, Chang Shih-Hua, Hsu Yu-Ren, Huang Kun-Lin, Wang Cheng-Wei
  • Publication number: 20100289650
    Abstract: A fire alarm consists of a housing in which sensors, a radiation source, and an optical window are disposed. A reflector protection basket or ring is disposed above the optical window. The basket or ring is suitable for protecting the optical window against mechanical influences, allows UV and IR radiation to pass through to a sufficient degree, and reflects UV and IR radiation from the housing interior, on its inside. Monitoring of the contamination of the window, function monitoring of the sensors and of the signal processing electronics, as well as easy replaceability of the components in the fire alarm are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: MINIMAX GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Hauke Dittmer, Dirk Siemer, Peter Zuelzer, Bernd Ziems, Axel Grothoff, Arne Stamer, Kurt Lenkeit
  • Patent number: 7834771
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting a fire includes a fire detection device and a control center terminal. The fire detection device includes an LRF for calculating a distance to a location of breakout of a fire using a laser. An infrared camera captures an infrared image and transmits the infrared image to a control unit. A CCD camera captures a CCD image and transmits the CCD image to the control unit. The control unit analyzes the infrared image, determines whether a fire has broken out, performs processing such that the CCD camera captures an area on fire, determines the location of breakout of the fire, performs processing such that the captured image is output to the control center terminal, and controls a function of a warning unit. The warning unit outputs a warning sound or a warning message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Chang Sung Ace Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yeu Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 7817034
    Abstract: A monitoring system for developing information data, for use in association with an opening that provides access for removal by a customer of articles stored in an article storage area. In one embodiment, the monitoring system includes a beam forming device adapted to be arranged about the perimeter of the opening so as to form at least one radiation beam that spans the opening. The radiation beam has a position with respect to the opening that is sufficient to detect manual removal by the customer of one or more of the articles from inside the article storage area, by the article and hand of the customer causing a temporary blockage of at least a portion of the radiation beam as the article and hand of the customer pass through the opening. A processing circuit coupled to the beam forming device senses the blockage of the radiation beam, and in response to the sensing, develops the information data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Munroe Chirnomas
  • Patent number: 7800508
    Abstract: A system for adjusting a bias voltage of a flame sensing system. The system may use pulse width modulation to adjust the bias voltage. The system may have a flame sensing rod that conveys an electrical equivalent circuit of a flame presence to a detector via low pass filter. An excitation voltage may be conveyed via a DC blocking mechanism to the sensing rod. A pulse width modulation signal may be conveyed via a bias resistor to a node of the low pass filter and the detector. The input of an A/D converter may be that of the detector for flame signals. Also, leakages between the node of the A/D converter connection and the voltage source and/or ground may be detected and compensated. Further, leakage of the DC blocking mechanism may be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Chian, John T. Adams, Timothy J. Nordberg, Bruce Hill, Peter M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7786877
    Abstract: To eliminate the drawbacks of false alarm problems due to mimic flame features of sunlight or moonlight reflecting on wave or mimic flame features of fabrics, animals or stage flames and alarm failures of methanol or ethanol burning flames or flames under a high illumination background condition, a multi-wavelength video image fire detecting system is disclosed consisting of a multi-wavelength video image fire detector, which is comprised of a color and near IR dual-mode camera, a color and B/W dual-mode camera, an image capture module, a processor and controller, an I/O module, a housing and a visible light and near IR view window, an alarm and indicate equipment, a setting and debugging system, a communication equipment, an area alarm and monitor system, and a pan & title and control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Billy Hou