Explosion proof fiber optic based detection
AssigneeCarrier Corporation
InventorsMichael J. Birnkrant, Hector Ortiz Valencia, Marcin Piech, Michael T. Gorski, Peter R. Harris
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Abstract
A system for measuring a status of a detection device having a component transformable between a plurality of configurations includes a fiber optic cable for transmitting light. The at least one fiber optic cable defines a node arranged in communication with the component. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber optic cable such that scattered light reflected from the component and returned to the node is transmitted to the control system. The control system analyzes the scattered light to determine the configuration of the component.
Claims20
A detection system associated with a building comprising:
- at least one detection device;
- a fiber harness comprising at least one fiber optic cable, the fiber harness having a plurality of nodes, each of the plurality of nodes being associated with one of ambient atmosphere and the at least one detection device;
- and
- a control system operably coupled to the fiber harness such that scattered light associated with the plurality of nodes is transmitted to the control system, wherein the control system is operable to:
- determine a condition associated with the ambient atmosphere at the nodes;
- and
- determine a status for the at least one detection device.
A method of managing a building comprising:
- transmitting light along a fiber optic cable to a first node associated with an ambient atmosphere within the building;
- receiving at the first node scattered light associated with the ambient atmosphere;
- communicating the scattered light associated with the ambient atmosphere to a control system;
- analyzing the scattered light associated with the ambient atmosphere to determine an existence of a condition at the first node;
- transmitting light along the fiber optic cable to a second node associated with a detection device arranged within the building;
- receiving scattered light associated with the detection device at the second node;
- communicating the scattered light associated with the detection device to a control system;
- and
- analyzing the scattered light associated with the detection device to determine a configuration of the detection device at the second node.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.