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EP1530786A2 - Test source for flame detectors - Google Patents

Test source for flame detectors

Info

Publication number
EP1530786A2
EP1530786A2 EP03792456A EP03792456A EP1530786A2 EP 1530786 A2 EP1530786 A2 EP 1530786A2 EP 03792456 A EP03792456 A EP 03792456A EP 03792456 A EP03792456 A EP 03792456A EP 1530786 A2 EP1530786 A2 EP 1530786A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electrodes
infrared radiation
source
source according
gases
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP03792456A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1530786B1 (en
Inventor
Ian Davidson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Micropack (Engineering) Ltd
Original Assignee
Micropack (Engineering) Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Micropack (Engineering) Ltd filed Critical Micropack (Engineering) Ltd
Publication of EP1530786A2 publication Critical patent/EP1530786A2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1530786B1 publication Critical patent/EP1530786B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B29/00—Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
    • G08B29/12—Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems
    • G08B29/14—Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems checking the detection circuits
    • G08B29/145—Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems checking the detection circuits of fire detection circuits
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B17/00—Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
    • G08B17/12—Actuation by presence of radiation or particles, e.g. of infrared radiation or of ions

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a test source for flame detectors, and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a source of infrared radiation for testing infrared flame detectors used for detecting hydrocarbon fires.
  • Infrared flame detectors for use in detecting hydrocarbon fires, such as on oil rigs, are designed to respond to a narrow band of flickering infrared emission at approximately 4.4 ⁇ m. Radiation outside of the band of interest around the wavelength 4.4 ⁇ m is rejected by means of narrow band pass optical filters and may, with the aid of additional processing, be used to identify false alarms and thermal sources.
  • Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome the above disadvantages of the prior art.
  • an infrared radiation source comprising a discharge chamber containing a plurality of electrodes and a mixture of gases including carbon dioxide, wherein said source is adapted to emit infrared radiation in the wavelength range 4 ⁇ m to 5 ⁇ m in response to application of a predetermined electrical signal between a plurality of said electrodes.
  • infrared radiation source in which a mixture of gases is adapted to emit radiation in the 4 ⁇ m to 5 ⁇ m wavelength range in response to electrical excitation, this provides the advantage that the source can be more rapidly and deeply modulated than prior art devices, which in turn extends the effective range of use of the device.
  • the invention also has the further advantage that little radiation outside of the wavelength band of interest is produced.
  • the discharge chamber may further contain carbon monoxide and/or nitrogen gas.
  • the source may be adapted to emit infrared radiation in the wavelength range 4.2 ⁇ m to 4.5 ⁇ m.
  • the discharge chamber may be at least partially formed from material allowing at least partial passage of infrared radiation therethrough.
  • At least one said electrode may be adapted to resist changes in relative proportions of said mixture of gases.
  • At least one said electrode may include nickel.
  • At least one said electrode may include copper.
  • At least one said electrode may include oxidised copper. At least one said electrode may include cupro-nickel .
  • an apparatus for testing infrared flame detectors comprising: -
  • control means for applying said predetermined electrical signal between a plurality of said electrodes.
  • an infrared flame detector including an apparatus as defined above.
  • the detector may be adapted to reject repetitively modulated infrared radiation.
  • Figure 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an infrared discharge tube of a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an infrared discharge tube of a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the discharge tube of Figure 1, together with electrical circuitry necessary to excite the tube;
  • FIG 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the discharge tube of Figure 1, together with optical components.
  • an infrared discharge tube has a body 1 formed from a material, typically sapphire, generally transparent to infrared radiation of between 4 ⁇ m and 5 ⁇ m, and electrodes 2, 3 formed from a non-reactive or catalytic metal, such as nickel, cupro-nickel or oxidised copper.
  • the body 1 forms a gas tight enclosure, and is evacuated of air and refilled with a mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas.
  • the proportions and pressures of gases in the body 1 are adjusted depending upon the intended use of the source, but are generally in the order of lOOmBar for a low energy source capable of stimulating a detector (for example in the case of optical integrity testing) , and may be several tens of Bar for a high energy source suitable for use over several tens of metres.
  • the tube is then sealed, and when a high voltage is applied between electrodes 2, 3 an arc is generated across a spark gap 4 between electrodes 2, 3.
  • the metal of the electrodes 2, 3 is chosen so as to resist changes in relative proportions of the constituent gases of the mixture of gases in the tube.
  • the bulk of the discharge containment is constructed from a material, such as the same material forming electrodes 6, 7, and not necessarily a material transparent to infrared radiation, but is provided with windows 5 of a material generally transparent to infrared radiation around the arc in spark gap 8.
  • the discharge tube is excited by means of a high voltage AC or DC source 9 modulated by switching equipment and an oscillator 11. Where a pseudo random flicker is required, a programmable flame simulator 10 provides a stored programme of a typical fire signal. Once initiated, the discharge may be maintained either with a continuous high voltage or, after ignition, may be sustained with a low voltage high current supply. Power is supplied to the power supply 9 by means of a battery 12 in order to make the apparatus portable.
  • infrared radiation emitted by the tube of Figure 1 when excited is collimated into a beam by means of a suitable parabolic reflector 13 and/or a lens system 14, to increase the effective range of the device for any given input power.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Fire-Detection Mechanisms (AREA)
  • Control Of Combustion (AREA)
  • Photometry And Measurement Of Optical Pulse Characteristics (AREA)
  • Fire Alarms (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Other Investigation Or Analysis Of Materials By Electrical Means (AREA)

Abstract

An infrared discharge tube is disclosed, the tube having a body (1) formed from a material, typically sapphire, generally transparent to infrared radiation of between 4 µm and 5 µm, and electrodes (2, 3) formed from a non-reactive or catalytic metal, such as nickel, cupro-nickel or oxidised copper. The body (1) forms a gas tight enclosure, and is evacuated of air and refilled with a mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas. The proportions and pressures of gases in the body (1) are adjusted depending upon the intended use of the source, but are generally in the order of 100mBar for a low energy source capable of stimulating a detector (for example in the case of optical integrity testing), and may be several tens of Bar for a high energy source suitable for use over several tens of metres. The tube is then sealed, and when a high voltage is applied between electrodes (2, 3) an arc is generated across a spark gap (4) between electrodes (2, 3). The metal of the electrodes (2, 3) is chosen so as to resist changes in relative proportions of the constituent gases of the mixture of gases in the tube.

Description

TEST SOURCE FOR FLAME DETECTORS
The present invention relates to a test source for flame detectors, and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a source of infrared radiation for testing infrared flame detectors used for detecting hydrocarbon fires.
Infrared flame detectors for use in detecting hydrocarbon fires, such as on oil rigs, are designed to respond to a narrow band of flickering infrared emission at approximately 4.4 μm. Radiation outside of the band of interest around the wavelength 4.4 μm is rejected by means of narrow band pass optical filters and may, with the aid of additional processing, be used to identify false alarms and thermal sources.
In order to test such devices, efficient and convenient sources of modulated 4.4 μm radiation are required. Known test equipment uses incandescent or hot "black body" sources, which are repeatedly energised or mechanically modulated to simulate the flicker of a fire. However, such known sources suffer from the drawback that they have a significant thermal inertia, which limits the available modulation depth, which in turn restricts the effective range of the test equipment, typically to less than one metre. As a result, known test equipment suffers from the drawback that expensive scaffolding needs to be erected in inaccessible locations such as on oil rigs in order for the low energy test equipment to be used.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome the above disadvantages of the prior art.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an infrared radiation source comprising a discharge chamber containing a plurality of electrodes and a mixture of gases including carbon dioxide, wherein said source is adapted to emit infrared radiation in the wavelength range 4 μm to 5μm in response to application of a predetermined electrical signal between a plurality of said electrodes.
By providing an infrared radiation source in which a mixture of gases is adapted to emit radiation in the 4 μm to 5 μm wavelength range in response to electrical excitation, this provides the advantage that the source can be more rapidly and deeply modulated than prior art devices, which in turn extends the effective range of use of the device. The invention also has the further advantage that little radiation outside of the wavelength band of interest is produced.
The discharge chamber may further contain carbon monoxide and/or nitrogen gas.
The source may be adapted to emit infrared radiation in the wavelength range 4.2 μm to 4.5 μm.
The discharge chamber may be at least partially formed from material allowing at least partial passage of infrared radiation therethrough.
At least one said electrode may be adapted to resist changes in relative proportions of said mixture of gases.
At least one said electrode may include nickel.
At least one said electrode may include copper.
At least one said electrode may include oxidised copper. At least one said electrode may include cupro-nickel .
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for testing infrared flame detectors, the apparatus comprising: -
an infrared radiation source as defined above; and
control means for applying said predetermined electrical signal between a plurality of said electrodes.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an infrared flame detector including an apparatus as defined above.
The detector may be adapted to reject repetitively modulated infrared radiation.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an infrared discharge tube of a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an infrared discharge tube of a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a schematic view of the discharge tube of Figure 1, together with electrical circuitry necessary to excite the tube; and
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the discharge tube of Figure 1, together with optical components. Referring to Figure 1, an infrared discharge tube has a body 1 formed from a material, typically sapphire, generally transparent to infrared radiation of between 4 μm and 5μm, and electrodes 2, 3 formed from a non-reactive or catalytic metal, such as nickel, cupro-nickel or oxidised copper. The body 1 forms a gas tight enclosure, and is evacuated of air and refilled with a mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas. The proportions and pressures of gases in the body 1 are adjusted depending upon the intended use of the source, but are generally in the order of lOOmBar for a low energy source capable of stimulating a detector (for example in the case of optical integrity testing) , and may be several tens of Bar for a high energy source suitable for use over several tens of metres. The tube is then sealed, and when a high voltage is applied between electrodes 2, 3 an arc is generated across a spark gap 4 between electrodes 2, 3. The metal of the electrodes 2, 3 is chosen so as to resist changes in relative proportions of the constituent gases of the mixture of gases in the tube.
Referring to Figure 2, which shows a tube of a second embodiment of the invention, the bulk of the discharge containment is constructed from a material, such as the same material forming electrodes 6, 7, and not necessarily a material transparent to infrared radiation, but is provided with windows 5 of a material generally transparent to infrared radiation around the arc in spark gap 8.
Referring now to Figure 3, the discharge tube is excited by means of a high voltage AC or DC source 9 modulated by switching equipment and an oscillator 11. Where a pseudo random flicker is required, a programmable flame simulator 10 provides a stored programme of a typical fire signal. Once initiated, the discharge may be maintained either with a continuous high voltage or, after ignition, may be sustained with a low voltage high current supply. Power is supplied to the power supply 9 by means of a battery 12 in order to make the apparatus portable.
Referring now to Figure 4, infrared radiation emitted by the tube of Figure 1 when excited is collimated into a beam by means of a suitable parabolic reflector 13 and/or a lens system 14, to increase the effective range of the device for any given input power.
It will be appreciate by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An infrared radiation source comprising a discharge chamber containing a plurality of electrodes and a mixture of gases including carbon dioxide, wherein said source is adapted to emit infrared radiation in the wavelength range 4 μm to 5μm in response to application of a predetermined electrical signal between a plurality of said electrodes.
2. A source according to claim 1, wherein the discharge chamber further contains carbon monoxide and/or nitrogen gas.
3. A source according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the source is adapted to emit infrared radiation in the wavelength range 4.2 μm to 4.5 μm.
4. A source according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge chamber is at least partially formed from material allowing at least partial passage of infrared radiation therethrough.
5. A source according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one said electrode is adapted to resist changes in relative proportions of said mixture of gases
6. A source according to claim 5, wherein at least one said electrode includes nickel.
7. A source according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one said electrode includes copper.
8. A source according to claim 7, wherein at least one said electrode includes oxidised copper.
9. A source according to claims 6 and 7, wherein at least one said electrode includes cupro-nickel.
10. An infrared radiation source substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
11. An apparatus for testing infrared flame detectors, the apparatus comprising: -
an infrared radiation source according to any one of the preceding claims; and
control means for applying said predetermined electrical signal between a plurality of said electrodes.
12. An infrared flame detector including an apparatus according to claim 11.
13. A detector according to claim 12, wherein the" detector is adapted to reject repetitively modulated infrared radiation.
EP03792456A 2002-08-21 2003-07-31 Test source for flame detectors Expired - Lifetime EP1530786B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0219418.1A GB0219418D0 (en) 2002-08-21 2002-08-21 Test source for flame detectors
GB0219418 2002-08-21
PCT/GB2003/003323 WO2004019298A2 (en) 2002-08-21 2003-07-31 Test source for flame detectors

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1530786A2 true EP1530786A2 (en) 2005-05-18
EP1530786B1 EP1530786B1 (en) 2006-08-16

Family

ID=9942673

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03792456A Expired - Lifetime EP1530786B1 (en) 2002-08-21 2003-07-31 Test source for flame detectors

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1530786B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE336771T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2003246976A1 (en)
DE (1) DE60307648D1 (en)
GB (1) GB0219418D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2004019298A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2896942B1 (en) * 2014-01-21 2024-01-10 Kidde Technologies, Inc. Apparatuses, systems and methods controlling testing optical fire detector

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2426578A (en) 2005-05-27 2006-11-29 Thorn Security A flame detector having a pulsing optical test source that simulates the frequency of a flame
GB2426577A (en) * 2005-05-27 2006-11-29 Thorn Security An optical detector with a reflector outside of its housing, and a plurality of sensors inside of its housing
US8493212B2 (en) 2007-06-15 2013-07-23 Icore and Associates, LLC Passive microwave system and method for protecting a structure from fire threats

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2823410A1 (en) * 1978-04-25 1979-11-08 Cerberus Ag FLAME DETECTOR
US4864146A (en) * 1987-07-23 1989-09-05 Santa Barbara Research Center Universal fire simulator

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2004019298A3 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2896942B1 (en) * 2014-01-21 2024-01-10 Kidde Technologies, Inc. Apparatuses, systems and methods controlling testing optical fire detector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003246976A8 (en) 2004-03-11
EP1530786B1 (en) 2006-08-16
DE60307648D1 (en) 2006-09-28
GB0219418D0 (en) 2002-09-25
WO2004019298A3 (en) 2004-04-08
WO2004019298A2 (en) 2004-03-04
AU2003246976A1 (en) 2004-03-11
ATE336771T1 (en) 2006-09-15

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