Fiber Optic Smoke Detection Using Raman-Scattered Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smoke detection systems experience delays in detecting fire due to smoke transport time in pipe networks and dilution of smoke with clean air, leading to insufficient detection of fire thresholds.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic detection system utilizing a fiber optic cable with nodes and optical enhancement devices to analyze scattered light for the presence of smoke, employing Raman scattering and optical enhancement techniques to enhance sensitivity and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a pipe network with inlets is used to collect smoke, then smoke from multiple locations can be monitored, but smoke dilution occurs and detection threshold is not exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the smoke detection function from the pipe network system and implements it directly at the smoke source location using a fiber optic node. This eliminates the dilution problem by detecting smoke at its origin rather than after it has traveled through and mixed with clean air in the pipe network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fiber optic node as an intermediary detection point between the smoke source and the central monitoring system. This node collects optical signals from the smoke plume and transmits them along the fiber optic cable to the remote monitoring location, enabling direct detection without relying on smoke transport through a pipe network.
2Ease of operation
If smoke is transported through a pipe network to a remote detector, then centralized monitoring is achieved, but detection delay occurs due to smoke transport time
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic node serves as an intermediary that performs detection locally at the smoke source while maintaining connectivity to the centralized monitoring system through the fiber optic cable. This enables immediate detection at the source without requiring smoke to travel through a pipe network, eliminating transport-related delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pipe network system with an optical fiber-based detection system. Instead of physically transporting smoke through pipes to a remote detector, the system uses fiber optic cables to transmit optical signals from the smoke plume to the monitoring location, achieving both rapid detection and centralized monitoring capability.
3Measurement precision
If individual sensor units are positioned at each sensing location, then local detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic node is designed as a universal detection unit that can be deployed at multiple locations throughout the facility. Each node performs the same multi-functional detection and optical signal transmission, allowing the system to achieve high local detection accuracy at any location without requiring different types of complex sensor units for each position.
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 enables rapid and accurate detection of smoke and fire by analyzing scattered light, reducing false positives and improving detection speed and precision.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one focusing element and at least one optical enhancement device of the discrimination assembly may be configured to cooperate to perform Raman scattering.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A detection system for measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes a fiber optic cable including a first core for transmitting light to the ambient atmosphere adjacent a node and a second core for receiving scattered light from the ambient atmosphere adjacent the node. A discrimination assembly operably coupled to the first and second cores includes at least one focusing element and at least one optical enhancement device. The at least one optical enhancement device separates the scattered light received from the ambient atmosphere into a plurality of wavelengths. A control system operably coupled to the fiber optic cable receives the scattered light received from the ambient atmosphere. The scattered light received from the ambient atmosphere has a higher frequency than the light transmitted to the ambient atmosphere and only the scattered light having a desired wavelength is transmitted to the control system.