Multi-point detection system
AssigneeCarrier Corporation
InventorsAlan Matthew Finn, Michael J. Birnkrant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-point detection system includes one or more light sources, one or more light sensors, and a controller. The light sources are configured to emit an array of collimated light beams, and the light sensors define an array of lines of view. Each of the lines of view intersect different ones of the collimated light beams at respective detection nodes. The light sensors are operable to emit sensor signals responsive to received scattered light from interaction of the collimated light beams with an analyte at the detection nodes. The controller is connected to receive the sensor signals and configured to determine from the scattered light whether the analyte contains a contaminant.
Claims25
A multi-point detection system comprising:
- one or more light sources configured to emit an array of collimated light beams;
- one or more light sensors defining an array of lines of view, each of the lines of view intersecting different ones of the collimated light beams at respective detection nodes, wherein each of the detection nodes is a localized region in space at which one of the lines of view crosses one of the collimated light beams, the one or more light sensors operable to emit sensor signals responsive to received process light from interaction of the collimated light beams with an analyte at the detection nodes;
- and
- a controller connected to receive the sensor signals, the controller configured to determine from the process light whether the analyte contains a target species and change operation of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in response to determining that the target species is present.
A method for installing a multi-point detection system, the method comprising:
- mounting one or more light sources configured to emit an array of collimated light beams;
- mounting one or more light sensors that define an array of lines of view such that the lines of view intersect different ones of the collimated light beams at respective detection nodes, the one or more light sensors operable to emit sensor signals responsive to received process light from interaction of the collimated light beams with an analyte at the detection nodes;
- and
- connecting the one or more light sensors with a controller to receive the sensor signals, the controller configured to determine from the process light whether the analyte contains a target species, determine whether the target species is one or more of moving, spreading, and contracting based on the sensor signals, and change operation of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in response to determining that the target species is present.
A multi-point detection system comprising:
- one or more modulated light sources configured to emit an array of collimated light beams;
- one or more light sensors defining an array of lines of view, the lines of view intersecting different ones of the collimated light beams at respective detection nodes, the one or more light sensors operable to emit sensor signals responsive to received process light from interaction of the collimated light beams with an analyte at the detection nodes;
- and
- a controller connected to receive the sensor signals, the controller configured to:
- determine from the process light whether the analyte contains a target species,
- determine distances of the detection nodes based on time-of-flight of the collimated light beams from the one or more light sources to the detection nodes and process light from the detection nodes to the one or more light sensors, and
- determine whether a cloud of the target species is moving and at what speed the cloud of the target species is moving.
A method comprising:
- emitting an array of collimated light beams from one or more light sources such that each of the collimated light beams intersect at respective detection nodes with an array of lines of view of one or more light sensors, the one or more light sensors operable to emit sensor signals responsive to received process light from interaction of the collimated light beams with an analyte at the detection nodes;
- determining whether a target species is present in the analyte based the sensor signals;
- and
- changing operation of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in response to determining that the target species is present.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.