Abstract:
A glow discharge starter having an hermetically sealed envelope containing an ionizable medium, a bimetallic electrode including a bimetallic element, and a counter electrode. The bimetallic element has a free end adapted to form first and second discharge gaps with the counter electrode. The first discharge gap has a spacing which varies during operation of the glow discharge starter. The spacing of the second discharge gap remains relatively constant. Problems associated with high ambient temperatures can be overcome by increasing the initial spacing of the first discharge gap without affecting the electrical breakdown voltage of the glow discharge starter. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the free end of the bimetallic element has a first portion substantially parallel to the counter electrode and a second portion substantially perpendicular to the counter electrode. Preferably, the initial spacing of the first discharge gap measured at 25 degrees Celsius is within the range of from about 0.020 inch to about 0.030 inch. The spacing of the second discharge gap is within the range of from about 0.006 inch to about 0.010 inch.
Abstract:
A combustion product detector comprises two ionization chambers with a radioactive source in each chamber. One chamber is vented to the ambient atmosphere and the other serves as a reference. A communicating passage is provided between the chambers. An adjustable target is provided in the reference chamber.Test means to determine status of the device comprises a member having a conductive end which is normally in conductive relation with the vented electrode of the chamber. It may be manually depressed into the vented chamber against a biasing force to disconnect it.Two radioactive sources are mounted in a holder which provides a window for each of the sources. In different embodiments the windows may be varied in size to vary the amount of radiation provided to each of the chambers independently without changing the parameters of the sources themselves.
Abstract:
An ionization detecting fire alarm device that comprises a double chamber structure, a source disposed in at least one of the chambers and a vernier adjusting screw electrode protruding into one chamber. The chamber containing the adjustable electrode is more open to the atmosphere than the other chamber, porting is provided between chambers and detection occurs by sensing the rate of change of ionization current in the chamber structure. The source or sources, one being in each chamber, is a beta source such as a nickel 63 source. A change in ionization current is detected by a unique circuit of this invention which comprises a programmable unijunction transistor oscillator circuit.
Abstract:
An ionization-type gas contamination detector, intended primarily for use as a fire detector, in which a substance which emits predominantly low-energy beta particles is used as an ionizing radiation source in an ionizing chamber. Rapid changes in ionization current, which indicate the present of a fire or smoke preceding a fire, are detected and an alarm is energized by a rate-of-change circuit in response to such changes. The output of the ionization chamber is amplified, and a level detector energizes the alarm when the amplified chamber output reaches a predetermined level. The output of the amplifier is adjusted relatively slowly to a reference level. In one embodiment, the amplifier output is adjusted to the reference level by the activation of a sample-and-hold feedback loop for a short period of time. In another embodiment, continuous feedback through a circuit with a relatively long time constant provides the desired adjustment. This feature makes the device relatively insensitive to normal atmospheric and environmental changes, while being very sensitive to changes in the level of combustion products in the atmosphere.
Abstract:
An ionization detector in which a vapor sample flows past a source of ionizing radiation of beta particles and through a recombination region which forces the sample to pass through a tortuous path created by a series of parallel adjacent and spaced insulated washers mounted about a shaft with the washers having different selected openings. The sample first passes through a metallic manifold also having openings and then through the washers followed by the ion collection region which includes a screen of electrically conducting material. A DC voltage source connects the manifold and the screen with an ammeter in series therewith for readout.