Flame Detection System Using IR Signal Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flame detection systems are unable to differentiate between friendly or known fires and hazardous or dangerous fires, leading to false alarms and unnecessary disruptions in industrial processes.

Innovation Solution

A flame detection system comprising at least one primary and one secondary flame detector configured to detect infrared signals from a monitoring zone and a flame zone, respectively, with processors correlating these signals based on time and frequency domains to determine the status of flames, distinguishing between hazardous and friendly fires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional flame detection systems are used to detect any form of combustion, then fire hazard identification is achieved, but false alarms increase due to inability to distinguish between friendly and hazardous fires

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire hazard identification accuracyVSAvoidfalse alarms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection system into multiple independent detectors (first and second flame detectors) positioned at different locations. The first detector monitors the monitoring zone while the second detector monitors the flame zone, allowing spatial segmentation of detection functions to differentiate between friendly and hazardous fires

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The processor acts as an intermediary that receives signals from both detectors and correlates them to determine flame status. By comparing the temporal and spatial relationship between signals from the monitoring zone and flame zone detectors, the system can identify whether a detected flame is hazardous or a reflection of a friendly fire

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple detectors are added to differentiate between fire types, then discrimination capability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire type differentiation capabilityVSAvoiddetector configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both the first and second flame detectors use the same detector type and detection mechanism, allowing the system to maintain simplicity in component selection while achieving complex discrimination functionality through their coordinated operation and signal correlation processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively reduces false alarms by accurately differentiating between hazardous and friendly fires, enabling timely and appropriate responses to actual fire hazards while minimizing disruptions from false alarms.

Implementation Method 1

at least one primary flame detector configured to detect one or more infrared (IR) signals from a monitoring zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

correlate the one or more IR signals from the monitoring zone with the one or more IR signals from the flame zone based at least on time and frequency domain of the detected one or more IR signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime domain correlation:

Implementation Method 3

correlate the one or more IR signals from the monitoring zone with the one or more IR signals from the flame zone based at least on time and frequency domain of the detected one or more IR signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency domain analysis:

Data Source

PatentUS20250189377A1Flame detection system and a method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 LIFE SAFETY DISTRIBUTION

AI summary

A flame detection system is disclosed. The flame detection system comprises at least one monitoring device comprising at least one primary flame detector configured to detect one or more infrared (IR) signals from a monitoring zone, and at least one secondary flame detector configured to detect one or more IR signals from a flame zone. Further, one or more processors are communicatively coupled to the at least one monitoring device. The one or more processors are configured to receive the detected one or more IR signals from the monitoring zone and the flame zone, correlate the one or more IR signals from the monitoring zone with the one or more IR signals from the flame zone based at least on time and frequency domain of the detected one or more IR signals, and determine a status of flame within the monitoring zone based at least on the correlation.