Fire detection and warning system

Abstract

A fire detection system is provided employing a plurality of electronic fire detection units, each of which is a code generating and short wave transmitting unit which derives electrical energy for powering the unit from the heat of a fire. In one form, each unit is operable to generate a specific code identifying the unit and its location which code is short wave transmitted directly to a monitor station. The receipt and recording or display of the code is an indication of the location of the unit which becomes activated by heat. The extent of the fire can be determined by the number of units which are so activated as indicated by the number of different codes received by the monitor station. Each detection unit is preferably self insulated against immediate destruction of the electronic circuit thereof, to permit the unit to transmit a remotely detectable code. Where the monitor station is a substantial distance from the detection unit, an intermediate transponder receiving and transmitting station is located within range of a given number of such units and is operable to retransmit codes received thereby from those units which are activated by heat, to a remote monitor station. An entire fire detection and monitoring system may be composed of a number of such transponders, each of which is host to a plurality of detection units, the short wave signals of which are within receiving range of the particular transponder associated therewith. One or more of the detection units and transponder units may be powered by batteries which are rechargable by means of solar cells or are held inactivated until the heat of a fire activates the battery.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.