# US 2017/0023402 A1 · Ultraviolet light flame detector

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- Number: US 2017/0023402 A1
- Document ID: US20170023402A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/039,937
- Filed: 2014-09-26
- Published: 2017-01-26
- Earliest claimed: 2013-11-27
- Assignees: Detector Electronics Corporation
- Applicants: Detector Electronics Corporation
- Inventors: Gary Follett
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170023402A1

## CPC

- G01J 1/0228: {Control of working procedures; Failure detection; Spectral bandwidth calculation}
- G01J 1/0414: {using plane or convex mirrors, parallel phase plates, or plane beam-splitters}
- G01J 1/429: {applied to measurement of ultraviolet light (using counting tubes G01T)}
- G01J 5/0018: {Flames, plasma or welding}
- G08B 17/113: Constructional details
- G08B 29/145: {of fire detection circuits}
- G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N)
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS

## Abstract

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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A flame detector comprising:
an ultraviolet (UV) sensor to detect UV radiation emitted by a flame; and
a testing apparatus to periodically test function of the flame detector, including:
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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The flame detector of claim 1, further comprising a UV window interposed between the mirror and the UV sensor, the test signal reflected off the mirror and through the UV window.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The flame detector of claim 2, wherein the UV window is interposed between the UVLED emitter and the mirror, the test signal emitted from the UV emitter transmitted through the UV window to the mirror.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The flame detector of claim 2, wherein the UV sensor, the UVLED emitter and the UV window are disposed at a common housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The flame detector of claim 1, wherein the UVLED emitter transmits the test signal at a wavelength between 220 nM and 240 nM.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The flame detector of claim 1, wherein the UV sensor is a photocell.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The flame detector of claim 1, where the UVLED emitter is devoid of radioactive materials.

### Claim 8

A method of testing an ultraviolet (UV) flame detector comprising:
transmitting a test signal from a UV light emitting diode (UVLED) emitter;
reflecting the test signal toward a UV sensor of the flame detector; and
evaluating the test signal received at the UV sensor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the test signal is reflected off a mirror to the UV sensor.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein:
the test signal is transmitted from the UVLED emitter through a UV window; and
the test signal is reflected back through the window toward the UV sensor.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the UV sensor, the UVLED emitter and the UV window are disposed at a common housing.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the UVLED emitter transmits the test signal at a wavelength between 220 nM and 240 nM.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the UV sensor is a photocell.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, where the UVLED emitter is devoid of radioactive materials.

### Claim 15

A flame detector comprising:
a housing;
an ultraviolet (UV) sensor disposed in the housing to detect UV radiation emitted by a flame; and
a testing apparatus to periodically test function of the flame detector, including:
a UV light emitting diode (UVLED) emitter disposed in the housing to emit a test signal at a wavelength between 220 nM and 240 nM;
a mirror to reflect the test signal emitted from the UVLED emitter to the UV sensor; and
a UV window disposed at the housing interposed between the mirror and the UV sensor and between the UVLED emitter and the mirror, the test signal transmitted through the UV window to the mirror, reflected off the mirror, and back through the UV window to the UV sensor.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The flame detector of claim 15, wherein the UV sensor is a photocell.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The flame detector of claim 15, where the UVLED emitter is devoid of radioactive materials.