Two photoelectric smoke detectors are arranged so that each smoke detector in turn verifies operation of the other smoke detector. Each smoke detector has a light source and a photodetector which is not directly illuminated by the light source. A smoke detection signal is issued when light from such a light source is scattered to the respective photodetector. The two smoke detectors are arranged so that a small amount of light from each light source illuminates the photodetector of the other smoke detector. A fault signal is issued when such a photodetector is not illuminated by the other light source.
The invention relates to a method in an optically operated proximity switch, particularly for checking the working condition of the proximity switch. Accordingly to the method, the proximity switch is fitted with a control circuit which is switched on at certain intervals. The control circuit comprises, in addition to a coupling, a controlling receiver circuit and a controlling transmitter circuit, whereby the working condition of the transmitter and the receiver is checked. The proximity switch further comprises reflecting device, whereby the control pulse is reflected to the receiver.
Detection apparatus employs a plurality of conduits, a plurality of photosensors, and a laser in a multi-port forward-scattering geometry to detect particles for each of a plurality of spatial sections (S.sub.1, . . . S.sub.n) of an enclosure. The photosensors are provided in two sets arranged at two different scattering angles to discriminate smoke from other particulate matter in sample flows which flow along the conduits and intersect the laser beam. The sample flows are discharged into a plenum and removed from the plenum via a single manifold. The laser can be backed up by an auxiliary laser.
A radiation sensing method and device that is used to measure physical properties of materials over a wide dynamic range. The sensor (20) comprises multiple radiation sources and multiple detectors at multiple separation distances. The detected signals from the different sources are separated and then combined mathematically in a manner such that the combination is self-compensated for both component drift and changes in radiation coupling efficiency between the source or detector and the material of interest. In a preferred embodiment, the biomass in a liquid cell culture (54) is measured with high accuracy over a wide dynamic range using optical wavelength radiation. The measurement can be made with the sensor external to the liquid culture container in a manner that is compensated for the thickness of the container window (50).
Particle detecting apparatus for detecting other particulate matter comprises a measuring section and an input/output section removably attached together. A measuring chamber receives gaseous fluid by diffusion from a receiving chamber connected via an inlet to an area being monitored. The measuring chamber comprises a cylindrical body housing pairs of light emitting diodes positioned diametrically opposite, and directing light towards, each other through a sampling volume viewed by a photo-diode through a viewing aperture. The photo-diode detects light scattered by particles in the sampling volume. A glass tube protects the LEDs from contamination and can easily be cleaned or removed. Each LED can temporarily be de-energised in turn so as to act as a light detector, its output in response to light received from the opposite LED being thus a measure of any contamination. The measuring and input/output sections can easily be separated for servicing or replacement.
A forward scattering loss compensated smoke sensor or smoke detector and a back scattering loss compensated smoke detector are disclosed. Both systems include first and second light sources for supplying a light signal into a fluid containing particulates. Both systems also include first and second photodetector devices for detecting directly transmitted, forward scattered and/or back scattered light. A ratiometric value or signal is produced in accordance with direct versus scattered detected light levels. The selection of forward versus back scattering particulate detection devices and methods is driven by the efficiency of the scattering which is a function of light source frequencies and particulate size.
