High temperature resistant flame detector

Abstract: A flame detector (12a-12g) comprising a housing (18) adapted to contain a flame sensor (20) and circuitry (34) for processing signals produced by said sensor, said housing having a predetermined outer diameter, is characterized in that the detector further comprises a thin, highly thermally reflective coating (56) adhered to an outer surface of the housing for shielding the sensor and the circuitry from high ambient temperatures, whereby the detector is operable at the high ambient temperatures while having an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the predetermined diameter.

Description: The invention relates to an apparatus for detecting a flame in a compartment. Aircraft fires, if undetected and not suppressed, can cause catastrophic consequences. GB-A-2097120 discloses an apparatus for detecting a flame in a compartment, comprising: a sensor for detecting radiation within said compartment; a threshold detector for determining whether said detected radiation has an intensity which exceeds a predetermined threshold intensity; and decision means for indicating the presence of fire in the compartment on the basis of the flicker of said threshold exceeding radiation. According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, as defined with reference to GB-A-2097120, characterised in that the decision means includes a counting means, a count window generator for enabling the counting means for a count window period by detection of a flicker and terminated, when not re-initiated, after a fixed time, when the flicker rate has fallen below a predetermined rate, and means responsive to a set of flickers within a series of flickers, a succeeding flicker in said set following the preceding flicker in said set by a period within a predetermined range, to produce a count signal indicative of the occurrence of a flicker within said set, wherein the counting means counts count signals, during said count window, and outputs an alarm signal if the counted value is greater than a predetermined value. Preferably, the predetermined flicker rate range is between 3 Hz and 15 Hz, the predetermined number of flickers is between 2 and 8, and the predetermined delay is between one second and ten seconds. The apparatus may further comprise circuitry for applying a DC bias level to the sensor tc cause the sensor to produce output signals referenced to the bias level, circuitry for amplifying the output signals and for applying the amplified output signals to the threshold detector, and circuitry for removing the DC bias level from the threshold detector. The sensor may be sensitive to infrared radiation and further comprise a spectral filter for passing only radiation within a predetermined radiation profile of the flame. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an aircraft flame detector system; Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional diagram of an aircraft flame detector; Fig. 3 is a schematic and block diagram of the electronic circuitry of an aircraft flame detector; and Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of some of the components of the circuitry of Fig. 3. Referring to Fig. 1, aircraft flame detection system 10 includes a number of flame detectors 12a-12g (e.g. seven are shown) disposed at various locations in the aircraft, e.g. detectors 12a-12d may be located throughout storage compartments and detectors 12d-12g positioned in the nacelles of the engines of the aircraft. Detectors 12a-12g are connected in series (i.e. "daisy-chained") along cable 14, which originates and terminates at controller 16. Controller 16 supplies operating power and ground potential to detectors 12a-12g along cable 14. Detectors 12a-12g send signals to controller 16 on a common line of cable 14 to indicate the detection of a fire, as discussed in detail below. A housing suitable for apparatus according to the present invention, will now be described so as to place the present invention in context. However, the housing itself does not form part of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 2, a partial cross-section of representative detector 12a of identically-constructed detectors 12a-12g is shown. Detector 12a includes a cylindrical aluminum housing 18, which is a hollow shell that has a length, L₁, of 2.0 inches (5.08 cm) and an outer diameter, D, of 1.29 inches (3.28 cm). The side walls 19 of housing 18 are thin (e.g., approximately 0.045 inch (1.14mm) thick), and step to a reduced thickness at an annular shelf 21 in the rear region of housing 18. Front wall 26 of housing is about 0.126 inch (3.2 mm) thick. The exterior surfaces of housing 18 are typically not anodized. Housing 18 contains a radiation sensor 20, such as a thermopile sensor, disposed in a conventional TO-5 package. Sensor 20 is, for example, a Model #2M detector available from Dexter Research Center, Inc. of Dexter, Michigan, USA and contains a 4.3 micron spectral filter (not shown). Thus, while sensor 20 is capable of detecting radiation having wavelengths between less than 0.1 microns and greater than 50 microns, the spectral filter sharply limits sensor 20 to respond only to energy having wavelengths of substantially 4.3 microns, the characteristic wavelength of radiation emitted by burning hydrocarbons. This substantially reduces the possibility of false alarms caused by the detection of, e.g., sunlight and lightning. Sensor 20 includes multiple antimony-bismuth junctions (e.g. 24 reference junctions and 24 signal junctions that are exposed to radiation admitted through the spectral filter). Sensor 20 is mounted in a thermally-insulating bushing 22 which is held in place within housing 18 in a manner described in detail below. A high-dielectric insulator 24 (e.g. a dielectric paper washer) is disposed between bushing 22 and the front wall 26 to prevent sensor 20 from arcing to housing 18. An opening 28 is disposed in front wall 26 (and insulator 24) to admit radiation for detection by sensor 20. A window 30 (made from, e.g., sapphire) is mounted within opening 28 in a manner described in detail below and serves to protect sensor 20 from heat and other environmental conditions which might damage or impair the operation of thermopile sensor 20. A circuit card 32 on which the electronics of detector 12a (represented generally by reference numeral 34) are disposed is mounted within housing 18 by a pair of tabs 36 which engage bushing 22 and a pair of tabs 38 which engage a second bushing 40. Bushing 40 also threadably receives connector 44. When inserted in housing 18 in a manner described in detail below, bushing 40 engages annular shelf 21 and is secured to housing 18 by, e.g., three self-threading screws 41 which extend through wall 18 and into bushing 40. A gasket 46 seals the seam between bushing 40 and shelf 21. Electronic circuitry 34 makes connections with other devices on circuit card 32 with electrically conductive traces 42 formed on circuit card 32, and connections are also made to the leads 43 of thermopile sensor 20 and to the pins (not shown) of connector 44. Connector 44 is a commercially available receptacle (e.g. a nickel-plated M83723/74R1212N receptacle) which connects to cable 14 (Fig. 1) for providing power, ground, and the common signal line to circuit card 32. Connector 44 includes a flat surface (not shown) for aligning connector 44 within an opening in, e.g., a wall for mounting detector 12a in the aircraft. Nut 48 and an O-ring washer (not shown) secure detector 12a to the wall. The overall length, L₂, of detector 12a is 2.9 inches (7.37 cm), and thus detector 12a is sufficiently compact to fit into small spaces in aircraft storage compartments or engine nacelles. As discussed, it is highly desirable that detectors 12a-12g be sufficiently heat resistant so as to remain operational when exposed to extreme temperatures, such as those encountered when the detectors are immersed in flame for a short time. One military specification requires that aircraft flame detectors remain operational when exposed to 2000°F (1100°C) temperatures for 60 seconds. However, to be usable in the often narrow spaces of an aircraft engine nacelle or storage compartment, detectors 12a-12g must be compact in size (i.e. in diameter as well as length). Thus, in accordance with the invention, housing 18 is provided with a highly polished outer surface to reflect a substantial amount of incident (i.e. ambient) heat, and housing 18 is filled with a highly thermally insulating material 50 that encases circuit card 32 to block a substantial amount of that heat which may penetrate highly polished housing 18 from reaching (and possibly damaging) electronic circuitry 34. That is, detectors 12a-12g provide two levels of thermal protection for the components within housing 18: substantial reflection of incident heat by the outer surfaces of housing 18 and, with insulating material 50, substantial absorption of thermal energy that may penetrate housing 18 to impede such heat from reaching the components. Housing 18 is provided with a highly polished outer surface by plating or coating the outer surfaces of housing 18 with a thin layer of chrome and then polishing the chrome to a high surface finish. However, before this is done, a layer 52 of copper flashing, having a thickness of 0.0003 inch ± 0.0001 inch (0.0076 mm ± 0.0025 mm), is applied over the outer surfaces of housing 18. The front wall 26 of housing 18 includes a shelf 27 that extends slightly into opening 28 for supporting sapphire window 30. Sapphire window 30, the edges of which are brazed with a thin layer of metal, such as silver palladium (not shown), is installed on shelf 27 and soldered in place within opening 28. Copper flashing layer 52 promotes a secure bond between the brazed edges of window 30 and housing 18. The solder is selected to withstand exposure to the high temperatures specified above, and is, for example, part no. Xersin 2000 manufactured by Multi Core Solders of Westbury, New York, USA. After sapphire window 30 has been soldered in place, copper layer 52 is buffed and housing 18 is plated with thin (e.g. 0.0011 inch ± 0.0001 inch (0.028 mm ± 0.0025 mm) thick) layer 54 of nickel. Then, a very thin layer 56 of chromium (e.g. 0.0002 inch ± 0.00005 inch (0.0051 mm ± 0.0013 mm) thick) is applied (i.e., plated) over base nickel layer 54. Copper layer 52 promotes adhesion between nickel layer 54 and aluminum housing 18, and nickel layer 54 aids in the adhesion of the chromium layer 56 to housing 18. Nickel layer 54 also provides corrosion protection. Chromium layer 56 is then polished (e.g., by electropolishing) to a bright finish. Note that the plated nickel and chromium does not adhere to surfaces of sapphire window 30 other than its silver palladium-brazed edges. Portions of housing 18 (i.e., the corner of front wall 26 and the region of wall 26 around opening 28 and shelf 27) are shown greatly magnified in Fig. 2 so that copper layer 52, nickel base layer 54, and outer chrome layer 56 can be seen. Obviously, the thickness of layers 52, 54, 56 are infinitesimal when compared with the nominal outer diameter D (1.29 inches (3.28 cm)) of housing 18. In fact, the outer diameter of housing 18 is increased by less than 0.3 percent by the combined maximum thicknesses of layers 52, 54, 56. Thus, a detector 12a with highly polished housing 18 can be placed in substantially any location as a detector having a non-polished housing of outer diameter D. Sensor 20 and fully-assembled circuit card 32 are inserted into bushing 22 outside of housing 18, and the electrical connections between sensor 20 and circuit card 32 are made by soldering. Then, the assembled bushing 40 and connector 44 are inserted onto circuit card tabs 38 and the electrical connections to connector 44 are made. These components are placed together in one half of a two-part mold for subsequent encasement by thermally insulating material 50. The mold cavity is cylindrical in shape and is slightly smaller in diameter than the inside diameter of housing 18. Insulating material 50 is, e.g., a two-part silicone rubber-based potting compound (such as part number TBS-758, manufactured by the Silicone Products Department of the General Electric Co., Waterford, New York, USA). Prior to injecting potting compound 50 into the mold, the silicone rubber base is thoroughly mixed with 10 percent by weight of the curing agent. The mold is then closed and sealed, and the mixed potting compound is injected under low pressure (i.e., by gun or by hand) through, e.g., a pair of injection holes in the mold. The mold also includes a pair of bleed holes for aiding in determining when the mold has been filled. After the mixture has been completely injected into the mold, the potting compound is cured by heating the mold at 160°F (about 70°C) for three hours. After the mold has cooled, the integral assembly of sensor 20, bushing 22, circuit card 34 encased in thermally insulating material 50, bushing 40, and connector 44 is removed from the mold and inserted into housing 18 along with insulator 24. The integral assembly is secured within housing 18 by screws 41. Thermally insulating material 50 not only protects circuit card 32 and electrical components 34 from mechanical effects such as shock and vibration, it also blocks heat which may penetrate highly polished housing 18, and thus provides an additional thermal barrier for circuit card 32 and components 34. The combined thermal protection provided by highly polished housing 18 and thermally insulating material 50 allows detector 12a to be exposed to temperatures of 2000°F (1100°C) or higher for periods of time (e.g., 60 seconds) while maintaining the temperature to which circuit card 32 and components 34 are exposed significantly lower. For example, after detector has been heated to 2000°F (1100°C) for 60 seconds, the temperature at the center of card 32 may rise to approximately 400°F (205°C) for 5 to 10 minutes, and the temperature near the edges of card 32 (where a lesser thickness of insulating material 50 is present) may rise to approximately 600°F (315°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. As a result, components 34 and circuit card 32 can continue to operate, supplying the crew of the aircraft with vital information about the state of the fire. The highly polished housing 18 and insulating material cannot shield the interior of housing 18 from temperature increases caused by the exposure of detector 12a to flames, so circuit card 32 and components 34 are selected to withstand short-term temperatures of, e.g., 400°F (205°C). For example, circuit card 32 is 0.062 inch (1.58 mm) thick, copper clad G-30 polyimide. Also, high temperature surface mount solder cream (e.g., part no. 6-SN10-200-C, manufactured by ESP of East Providence, Rhode Island, USA) is used to make electrical connections and mount components on circuit card 32. Additionally, hook-up wires between circuit card 32 and connector 44 and sensor 20 are selected to withstand the high temperatures experienced within housing 18, and are, e.g., part no. XE22-1934 manufactured by Harbour Industries of Shelbourne, Vermont, USA. Also, electrical components 34 are mounted near the center of circuit card 32, rather than at the edges of the card, to receive maximum thermal protection from insulating material 50. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. Referring again to Fig. 1, as discussed, detectors 12a-12g are connected serially along cable 14 and are monitored by controller 12. In operation, each detector 12a-12g detects and analyzes electromagnetic radiation generated by activity within the area of aircraft (e.g. ar engine nacelle or storage compartment) in which the detector is located. The electronic circuitry 34 (Fig. 2) in each detector 12a-12g determines whether activity that has been detected by its sensor 20 is a flame generated by burning hydrocarbons and also determines if the flame is of a predetermined intensity, flicker rate, and duration. If so, an alarm condition is deemed to exist, and electronic circuitry 34 sends an alarm signal to controller 16 via cable 14. Electronic circuitry 34 analyzes signals produced by sensor 20 to determine whether a hydrocarbon flame does indeed exist based on known characteristics of flames generated by burning hydrocarbons, and thus differentiates these flames from other activity (such as sunlight, lightning, sparking or arcing, and fluorescent lighting). One of these characteristics is the 4.3 micron wavelength radiation generated by hydrocarbon flames. The spectral filter on sensor 20 permits sensor 20 to detect only radiation having this profile, thereby reducing the possibility of false alarms. Burning hydrocarbons also produce flames that flicker at a rate within a predictable range, such as between 3 and 15 flickers per second (i.e., between 3 and 15 Hz). Also, to avoid indicating an alarm condition for hydrocarbon flashes which meet the requisite flicker rate but which do not result in a continuing flame, circuitry 34 determines whether the detected activity exists for a predetermined length of time (e.g. for more than one second) before indicating an alarm condition. This avoids unnecessary release of chemical suppressant or an unnecessary landing and evacuation of the aircraft. Referring to Fig. 3, the electronic circuitry 34 (Fig. 2) of detectors 12a-12g includes a voltage regulator 100 for receiving operating power (e.g. +28 VDC) from the aircraft via a connector 44 (Fig. 2) and an RFI filter 101 (located within housing 18) and converting it to +15 VDC operating potential for the remainder of the circuitry. Connector 44 also provides a system-wide ground potential for circuitry 34 from cable 14. As discussed, sensor 20 is a thermopile (i.e., multiple thermocouple) detector, which is a DC device that is referenced to the common ground potential. The signal produced by sensor 20 (e.g. at its (-) terminal) is very small (e.g. on the order of tens of microvolts), even in the presence of intense radiation. Bias voltage of approximately 0.5 VDC is applied to an input (i.e., the (+) terminal) of sensor 20 by bias circuitry 102 to cause the output signal from sensor 20 to be referenced to this level rather than to ground potential. This facilitates amplification and subsequent detection of the output of sensor 20. Bias circuitry 102 includes a unit gain amplifier 104 having a 0.5 volt input provided by voltage divider 106. Amplifier 104 provides bias circuitry 102 with a low-impedance output. Amplifier 110 is a two stage amplifier, the first stage 112 of which receives the output of bias circuitry 102 (via resistor 111) and the output of sensor 20. Amplifier 112 has a high gain (e.g. 100), and its output is further amplified by second stage 114, the gain of which is somewhat less than that of stage 112 (e.g. 15). A low-pass R-C filter 116 between stages 112, 114 removes frequency components that exceed 15 Hz (i.e., the maximum flicker rate for hydrocarbon flame) from the signal applied to amplifier stage 114, and thus aids in discriminating against noise caused, e.g., by fluorescent lighting, lightning, and sparking to reduce the incidence of false alarms. The DC component on the output of amplifier 114 is removed by blocking capacitor 118, thereby causing a signal referenced to ground potential to be applied to the (+) input of comparator 120. Comparator 120 determines whether the output of sensor 20 is of sufficient intensity so as to be an indication that a flame (rather than, e.g., a spark) is present by comparing the signal provided by amplifier 110 with a threshold level from voltage divider 106. Each time a signal exceeds the threshold (e.g. 37 mVDC), comparator 120 produces a pulse (i.e., a signal event) for the duration of time that the threshold is exceeded. Pulses produced by comparator 120 are applied to a flicker rate discriminator 122, and to a duration discriminator 124. Referring also to Fig. 4, discriminators 122, 124 are, e.g., Motorola MC14538B multivibrators. Flicker rate multivibrator 122 is connected as a nonretriggerable device, but duration discriminator multivibrator 124 is connected to be retriggerable. The R-C timing network 126 of multivibrator 122 is selected to produce an output pulse of 0.25 seconds duration in response to an applied pulse from comparator 120, while the time constant of R-C network 128 of multivibrator 124 is 2.5 seconds. The output of duration discriminator multivibrator 124 controls the operation of a counter 130. The clock for counter 130 (e.g. a Motorola MC 14022B) is provided by the 0.25 second-wide output pulses from flicker rate discriminator multivibrator 122. Counter 130 is enabled to count during the existence of an output pulse from multivibrator 124, and is reset to a count of zero whenever such pulse terminates. Counter 130 is selected to produce a logic "1" output signal on line 132 whenever a count of, e.g., 5 is reached, i.e. when counter 130 has counted five flickers as indicated by flicker rate discriminator 122. (Alternatively, counter 130 can be programmed to count to any value between, e.g., 1 and 8.) In operation, each time a pulse is produced by comparator 120, it is simultaneously applied to multivibrators 122, 124. Multivibrator 122 responds by producing a 0.25 second-duration output pulse. Because multivibrator 122 is nonretriggerable, it will ignore all pulses from comparator 120 during the existence of the 0.25 second pulse. Thus, pulses from comparator 120 (corresponding to flickers detected by sensor 20) that occur at a frequency of greater than about 4 Hz are ignored by multivibrator 122. To put it another way, nonretriggerable multivibrator 122 applies clock pulses at a maximum rate of about 4 Hz to counter 130, even if the pulses from comparator 120 occur at a higher rate (e.g. up to 15 Hz). The initial pulse from comparator 120 also triggers multivibrator 124, which responds by sending a logic "1" pulse of at least 2.5 seconds in duration to enable counter 130 to count subsequent pulses from multivibrator 122. Because multivibrator 124 is retriggerable, each subsequent pulse from comparator 120 which occurs during this 2.5 second period causes the logic "1" output pulse produced by multivibrator to be extended in duration for 2.5 seconds. Thus, counter 130 counts the 0.25 second duration clock pulses from multivibrator 122 for the duration of the logic "1" enable pulse from multivibrator 124. If 5 such pulses are counted, a flame having the desired flicker rate is deemed to be present for the proper duration, and the output 132 of counter 130 is asserted as an alarm signal. Note that, because the maximum rate of the clock pulses is about 4 Hz, the time taken by the counter 130 to reach a count of 5 when the detected flicker rate is 15 Hz is substantially the same as the time taken to reach that count for a 4 Hz flicker rate. This further avoids false alarms caused by flashes of 15 Hz flickers that do not become a flame. Referring again to Figs. 1 and 3, the alarm signal forward biases diode 134 and is coupled through RFI filter 135 and via connector 44 (Fig. 2) and cable 14 to controller 16. The diodes 134 in the other detectors present high impedance loads to the alarm signal. Controller 16 responds to the alarm signal by notifying the crew of the fire (such as by illuminating a warning light or sounding an alarm). A suppressant may then be released to extinguish the fire. The high tolerance of detectors 12a-12g to extreme temperatures permits the detectors to continue to operate for a time even when exposed to flame, thereby providing the crew with continuous information about the fire and their success or failure in extinguishing it. As a result, the crew can make an informed decision as to whether to take such additional steps as making an immediate landing and evacuating the aircraft. Referring again to Fig. 4, it should be noted that duration discriminator multivibrator 124 does not provide counter 130 with a fixed duration within which five 0.25 second duration pulses must be counted. Rather, the interval during which counter 130 is enabled to count is extended by 2.5 seconds each time that multivibrator 124 receives a pulse from comparator 120. If counter 130 has a count of less than five when the enable pulse from multivibrator 124 terminates (i.e. becomes a logic "0"), counter 130 is reset and must being counting from zero the next time that pulses are presented from comparator 120. As can be seen from Fig. 3, the continuity of cable 14 is broken if one of detectors 12a-12g is disconnected from the cable (by unplugging connector 44). It is also noted that amplifiers 104, 112, and 116 and comparator 120 are implemented on a single integrated circuit (e.g. a National Semiconductor LM124FKB), as are multivibrators 122,124. Other embodiments are envisaged. For example, in the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, the pulse from comparator 120 that initially triggers multivibrators 122, 124 is not counted by counter 130 (due to the prior reset condition of counter 130). This initial pulse can be counted by inserting a short delay between, e.g., multivibrator 122 and the clock input of counter 130. Also, the duration of the pulses produced by multivibrator 122 can be changed, e.g. to allow higher frequency clock pulses to be applied to counter 130. The retriggerable pulse width of multivibrator 124 may also be adjusted. Further, counter 130 can be arranged to count fewer or more than five flickers before asserting the alarm signal.

Claims: An apparatus for detecting a flame in a compartment, comprising: a sensor (20) for detecting radiation within said compartment; a threshold detector (120) for determining whether said detected radiation has an intensity which exceeds a predetermined threshold intensity; and decision means for indicating the presence of fire in the compartment on the basis of the flicker of said threshold exceeding radiation, characterised in that the decision means (122, 124, 130) includes a counting means (130), a count window generator (124) for enabling the counting means for a count window period initiated by detection of a flicker and terminated, when not re-initiated, after a fixed time, when the flicker rate has fallen below a predetermined rate, and means (122) responsive to a set of flickers within a series of flickers, a succeeding flicker in said set following the preceding flicker in said set by a period within a predetermined range, to produce a count signal indicative of the occurrence of a flicker within said set, wherein the counting means counts count signals, during said count window, and outputs an alarm signal if the counted value is greater than a predetermined value. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said threshold detector (120) comprises a comparator (120) that produces a flicker signal whenever said detected radiation exceeds said threshold instensity. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said count window generator responds to said flicker signals by producing a count window signal in response to an intitial flicker signal and maintaining said count window signal as long a successive ones of said flicker signals are produced at time intervals not exceeding a predetermined delay; and the counting means (13) counts count signal pulses and is reset by termination of the count window signal. An apparatus according to claim 3, responsive to flickers in a flicker rate range between 3 Hz and 15 Hz, wherein said predetermined value is between 2 and 8, and said predetermined delay is between 1 second and 10 seconds. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, including circuitry (102) for applying a DC bias level to said sensor (20) to produce output signals reference to said bias level, circuitry (110) for amplifying said output signals and for applying said amplified output signal to said threshold detector (120), and circuitry (118) for removing said DC bias level from said threshold detector. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said sensor (20) is sensitive to infrared radiation and further comprises a spectral filter (116) for passing only radiation within a predetermined radiation profile of said flame.

Inventors: DUNBAR ROBERT A, MCCLELLAND JOHN M, DUNBAR, ROBERT A., MCCLELLAND, JOHN M.
Applicants: KIDDE WALTER AEROSPACE, FENWAL SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC., KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES INC., WALTER KIDDE AEROSPACE, INC.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: G08B17
IPC codes: G08B17