UVLED Emitter Self-Test Mechanism for Flame Detectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of Neon/Hydrogen UV emitters in fire detection systems poses regulatory challenges due to the need for radioactive materials, leading to difficulties in shipping and reliability issues, especially in environments without stray light, which can result in faulty optical integrity evaluations.
Innovation Solution
A UV light emitting diode (UVLED) emitter is used to transmit UV test signals within a specific wavelength range (220 nM to 240 nM) to test the UV photocell, eliminating the need for radioactive materials and reducing scattering from contaminants, thus ensuring reliable operation and fault detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Neon/Hydrogen UV emitter with radioactive gas is used, then reliable operation is achieved, but shipping and regulatory difficulties occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the radioactive gas (Krypton 85) from the UV emitter system, replacing it with a non-radioactive alternative that maintains operational reliability while eliminating shipping and regulatory restrictions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the emitter by substituting radioactive gas with non-radioactive gas or alternative UV generation mechanisms, thereby altering the fundamental properties to remove regulatory constraints while preserving functional performance
2Reliability
If UV emitter is stored in complete darkness, then operational reliability is improved, but optical integrity evaluation becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a preliminary self-diagnosis function that performs optical integrity evaluation before the emitter is stored in darkness, establishing a baseline measurement that allows for accurate assessment even when the emitter is later operated in dark environments where stray light is unavailable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detector monitors its own optical integrity by analyzing light transmission through the UV window, providing continuous diagnostic information that alerts users to contamination or degradation before it affects operational reliability
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 UVLED emitter provides a reliable and regulatory-compliant solution for testing UV flame detectors, reducing error rates from contamination and improving the accuracy of optical integrity evaluations, while avoiding the use of radioactive materials.
Implementation Method 1
A UV light emitting diode (UVLED) emitter is used to transmit UV test signals within a specific wavelength range (220 nM to 240 nM) to test the UV photocell
Implementation Method 2
UV radiation emitted from the flames of a fire is detected by the detector's UV sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A flame detector includes an ultraviolet (UV) sensor to detect UV radiation emitted by a flame; a testing apparatus to periodically test function of the flame detector. The testing apparatus includes a UV light emitting diode (UVLED) emitter to emit a test signal and a mirror to reflect the test signal emitted from the UVLED emitter to the UV sensor. A method of testing an ultraviolet (UV) flame detector includes transmitting a test signal from a UV light emitting diode (UVLED) emitter. The test signal is reflected toward a UV sensor of the flame detector, and the test signal received at the UV sensor is evaluated.