Fiber Optic Smoke Detection Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smoke detection systems face delays in detecting fire due to smoke transport time through pipe networks, leading to potential dilution of smoke with clean air, which may not exceed the threshold for fire detection.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic detection system with nodes arranged to measure conditions using scattered light and time of flight records, allowing for real-time monitoring and localization of smoke or fire within a predetermined area, enabling early detection and precise localization of hazardous conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pipe network detection system is used, then smoke can be collected from a region being monitored, but smoke transport time causes delays in detection and dilution with clean air reduces detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pipe network system with an optical detection system. Fiber optic cables with distributed sensing nodes directly detect smoke particles in the monitored region without requiring physical smoke transport through pipes, thereby eliminating transport delays and dilution effects while maintaining reliable detection sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium for detection. Instead of transporting smoke through pipes to a remote detector, light is transmitted through fiber optic cables that interact with smoke particles at distributed nodes, enabling direct in-situ detection without mechanical transport intermediaries that cause delays and dilution.
2Reliability
If individual sensor units are positioned at each sensing location, then detection coverage is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal fiber optic cable system that serves multiple detection functions simultaneously. A single fiber optic cable with distributed sensing nodes provides both the structural framework and the detection capability across multiple locations, replacing the need for separate sensor units at each position while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the transmission medium and sensing elements into a unified fiber optic cable system. The fiber optic cable itself serves as both the structural support and the sensing element through distributed Brillouin scattering measurement, combining what would traditionally be separate components into a single integrated system that reduces overall complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides rapid and accurate detection of smoke or fire, reducing false alarms and enabling timely activation of fire suppression systems by analyzing scattered light and time of flight data across multiple nodes, improving response times and reducing exposure to hazardous conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light, the at least one fiber optic cable defining a plurality of nodes
Implementation Method 2
A control system is in communication with the at least one fiber optic cable such that scattered light and a time of flight record is transmitted from the at least one fiber optic cable to the control system
Implementation Method 3
scattered light and a time of flight record is transmitted from the at least one fiber optic cable to the control system
Data Source
AI summary
A detection system for measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light, the at least one fiber optic cable defining a plurality of nodes arranged to measure the one or more conditions. A control system is in communication with the at least one fiber optic cable such that scattered light and a time of flight record is transmitted from the at least one fiber optic cable to the control system. The control system includes a detection algorithm operable to identify a portion of the scattered light associated with each of the plurality of nodes and indicate a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions at each of the plurality of nodes.