Detection system

Claim 2

In a fluid detection system including a sealed fluid line having an established absolute fluid line pressure, sensing means in fluid continuity with said line, an independent supply reservoir of fluid under a selected absolute pressure, coupling means joining said reservoir in fluid communication only with said line, and restricting orifice means coupled to said line between said independent reservoir and sensing means producing a first fluid flow rate from said reservoir into said line, the improvement comprising a generally T-shaped temperature-responsible sensing element having a base portion in fluid continuity with the line and having a core portion extending transversely from and in fluid communication with said base portion, and a fusible core emplaced in said core portion to close said element, said core being responsive to a selected temperature change to open said core portion and change said line pressure at a second flow rate greater than said first flow rate, and further wherein the rate of response of said core to said temperature change is variable by varying the length of said core in said core portion.

Claim 3

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said core portion of said element is tapered in configuration to retard movement of said core from said core portion and thereby prolong the response time of said element to said temperature change.

Claim 4

The invention in accordance with claim 2 said line pressure is a positive gauge pressure and wherein said core portion comprises a hollow frusto-conical member attached to said base portion and converging away from said base portion.

Claim 5

The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said line pressure is a partial vacuum pressure and said core portion comprises an inverted frusto-conical member attached to said base portion and converging toward said base portion.

Claim 6

A static fluid system for detecting a change in ambient conditions comprising: a closed elongate fluid line having an absolute fluid line pessure differing from the absolute ambient pressure of the line environment; means coupled to said line to maintain said line pressure in said closed fluid line; a plurality of means for sensing ambient conditions positioned in said line and adapted to normally maintain the fluid continuity and closed static fluid integrity of said line, at least one of said sensing means being responsive to a first selected change in the ambient conditions of the line environment and at least one other of said condition-sensing means being responsive to a second selected change in said line environment, said sensing means being operative to open said closed fluid line to a fluid flow at an initial flow rate which changes said line pressure to said ambient pressure; one of said sensing means comprising a ventilation monitoring system including a pressure-responsive valve coupled to said line and biased normally closed to maintain the fluid integrity of said line and air-flow detection means coupled with said valve, said air flow detection means being arranged to maintain said valve closed under selected normal air flow conditions in said line environment and further arranged to open said valve and change said line pressure to ambient pressure in response to a selected air flow change; means coupled to said line for creating a signal in response to the change of said line pressure to ambient pressure, said signal creating means connected to signal activation means through connecting means separate from said fluid line; and means for restricting fluid flow from said pressure maintaining means to said line both before and after the change of said line pressure, said flow restricting means having an effective flow area such that the fluid flow therethrough is substantially lower than said initial flow rate, said restricting means also being operative to permit fluid flow into said line to compensate for line leakage and to preclude the re-establishment of said line pressure when said line is opened by sensing means.

Claim 7

A static fluid system for detecting a change in ambient conditions comprising: a closed elongate fluid line having an absolute fluid line pessure differing from the absolute ambient pressure of the line environment; means coupled to said line to maintain said line pressure in said closed fluid line; a plurality of means for sensing ambient conditions positioned in said line and adapted to normally maintain the fluid continuity and closed static fluid integrity of said line, at least one of said sensing means being responsive to a first selected change in the ambient conditions of the line environment and at least one other of said condition-sensing means being responsive to a second selected change in said line environment, said sensing means being operative to open said closed fluid line to a fluid flow at an initial flow rate which changes said line pressure to said ambient pressure; one of said sensing means comprising a ventilation monitoring system including a pressure-responsive valve coupled to said line and biased normally closed to maintain the fluid integrity of said line and air-flow detection means coupled with said valve, said air flow detection means being arranged to maintain said valve closed under selected normal air flow conditions in said line environment and further arranged to open said valve and change said line pressure to ambient pressure in response to a selected air flow change; means coupled to said line for creating a signal in response to the change of said line pressure to ambient pressure, said signal creating means connected to signal activation means through connecting means separate from said fluid line; and means for restricting fluid flow from said pressure maintaining means to said line both before and after the change of said line pressure, said flow restricting means having an effective flow area such that the fluid flow therethrough is substantially lower than said initial flow rate, said restricting means also being operative to permit fluid flow into said line to compensate for line leakage and to preclude the re-establishment of said line pressure when said line is opened by sensing means.

Claim 8

A static fluid system for detecting a change in ambient conditions comprising: a closed elongate fluid line having an absolute fluid line pressure differing from the absolute ambient pressure of the line environment; means coupled to said line to maintain said line pressure in said closed fluid line; a plurality of means for sensing ambient conditions positioned in said line and adapted to normally maintain the fluid continuity and closed static fluid integrity of said line, at least one of said sensing means being responsive to a first selected change in the ambient conditions of the line environment and at least one other of said condition-sensing means being responsive to a second selected change in said line environment, said sensing means being operative to open said closed fluid line to a fluid at an initial flow rate which changes said line pressure to said ambient pressure; one of said sensing means comprising a fluid level monitoring system including a pressure-responsive valve coupled to said fluid line and biased normally closed to maintain the fluid integrity of said line and a fluid level detection float means coupled to said valve and arranged to move said valve from said closed position to an open position in response to a selected change in fluid level detected by said float means; means coupled to said line for creating a signal in response to the change of said line pressure to ambient pressure, said signal creating means connected to signal activation means through connecting means separate from said fluid line; and means for restricting fluid flow from said pressure maintaining means to said line both before and after the change of said line pressure, said flow restricting means having an effective flow area such that the fluid flow therethrough is substantially lower than said initial flow rate, said restricting means also being operative to permit fluid flow into said line to compensate for line leakage and to preclude the re-establishment of said line pressure when said line is opened by sensing means.

Claim 9

A static fluid system for detecting a change in ambient conditions comprising: a closed elongate fluid line having an absolute fluid line pressure differing from the absolute ambient pressure of the line environment; means coupled to said line to maintain said line pressure in said closed fluid line; a plurality of means for sensing ambient conditions positioned in said line and adapted to normally maintain the fluid continuity and closed static fluid integrity of said line, at least one of said sensing means being responsive to a first selected change in the ambient conditions of the line environment and at least one other of said condition-sensing means being responsive to a second selected change in said line environment, said sensing means being operative to open said closed fluid line to a fluid at an initial flow rate which changes said line pressure to said ambient pressure; one of said sensing means comprising a fluid level monitoring system including a pressure-responsive valve coupled to said fluid line and biased normally closed to maintain the fluid integrity of said line and a fluid level detection float means coupled to said valve and arranged to move said valve from said closed position to an open position in response to a selected change in fluid level detected by said float means; means coupled to said line for creating a signal in response to the change of said line pressure to ambient pressure, said signal creating means connected to signal activation means through connecting means separate from said fluid line; and means for restricting fluid flow from said pressure maintaining means to said line both before and after the change of said line pressure, said flow restricting means having an effective flow area such that the fluid flow therethrough is substantially lower than said initial flow rate, said restricting means also being operative to permit fluid flow into said line to compensate for line leakage and to preclude the re-establishment of said line pressure when said line is opened by sensing means.

Claim 10

A static fluid system for detecting a change in ambient conditions comprising: a closed elongate fluid line having an absolute fluid line pressure differing from the absolute ambient pressure of the line environment; means coupled to said line to maintain said line pressure in said closed fluid line; a plurality of means for sensing ambient conditions positioned in said line and adapted to normally maintain the fluid continuity and closed static fluid integrity of said line, at least one of said sensing means being responsive to a first selected change in the ambient conditios of the line environment and at least one other of said condition-sensing means being responsive to a second selected change in said line environment, said sensing means being operative to open said closed fluid line to a fluid flow at an initial flow rate which changes said line pressure to said ambient pressure; one of said sensing means comprising a system for detecting the shifting of a selected structure including orifice means coupled to said fluid line; and defining a valve seat; means joining said orifice means to said structure; and a movable valve positioned on said valve seat and maintaiing said orifice normally closed, said valve further arranged to open said orifice in reponse to selected shifting of said structure; means coupled to said line for creating a signal in response to the change of said line pressure to ambient pressure, said signal creating means connected to signal activation means through connecting means separate from said fluid line; and means for restricting fluid flow from said pressure maintaining means to said line both before and after the change of said line pressure, said flow restricting means having an effective flow area such that the fluid flow therethrough is substantially lower than said initial flow rate, said restricting means also being operative to permit fluid flow into said line to compensate for line leakage and to preclude the re-establishment of said line pressure when said line is opened by sensing means.

Claim 11

A static fluid system for detecting a change in ambient conditions comprising: a closed elongate fluid line having an absolute fluid line pressure differing from the absolute ambient pressure of the line environment; means coupled to said line to maintain said line pressure in said closed fluid line; a plurality of means for sensing ambient conditions positioned in said line and adapted to normally maintain the fluid continuity and closed static fluid integrity of said line, at least one of said sensing means being responsive to a first selected change in the ambient conditios of the line environment and at least one other of said condition-sensing means being responsive to a second selected change in said line environment, said sensing means being operative to open said closed fluid line to a fluid flow at an initial flow rate which changes said line pressure to said ambient pressure; one of said sensing means comprising a system for detecting the shifting of a selected structure including orifice means coupled to said fluid line; and defining a valve seat; means joining said orifice means to said structure; and a movable valve positioned on said valve seat and maintaiing said orifice normally closed, said valve further arranged to open said orifice in reponse to selected shifting of said structure; means coupled to said line for creating a signal in response to the change of said line pressure to ambient pressure, said signal creating means connected to signal activation means through connecting means separate from said fluid line; and means for restricting fluid flow from said pressure maintaining means to said line both before and after the change of said line pressure, said flow restricting means having an effective flow area such that the fluid flow therethrough is substantially lower than said initial flow rate, said restricting means also being operative to permit fluid flow into said line to compensate for line leakage and to preclude the re-establishment of said line pressure when said line is opened by sensing means.

Claim 12

The system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said valve comprises a movable ball balanced on said valve seat and normally closing said orifice means.

Claim 13

The system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said movable valve comprises a poppet valve adapted to close said orifice; means biasing said poppet valve to open said orifice, a valve lever engaged with said poppet valve; and a displaceable weight mounted on said lever and overcoming said biasing means to close said orifice by said poppet valve, whereby shifting of said structure displaces said weight and caused said poppet valve to open said orifice.

Claim 14

A static fluid system for detecting a change in ambient conditions comprising: a closed elongate fluid line having an absolute fluid line pressure differing from the absolute ambient pressure of the line environment; means coupled to said line to maintain said line pressure in said closed fluid line; a plurality of means for sensing ambient conditions positioned in said line and adapted to normally maintain the fluid continuity and closed static fluid integrity of said line, at least one of said sensing means being responsive to a first selected change in the ambient conditions of the line environment and at least one other of said condition-sensing means being responsive to a second selected change in said line environment, said sensing means being operative to open said closed fluid line to a fluid flow at an initial flow rate which changes said line pressure to said ambient pressure; one of said sensing means comprising a structure fault-shift detector including first and second shiftable members coupled to said fluid line and each defining a conduit to maintain the fluid continuity of said line; and means joining said members to said structure across a fault therein with said members engaged and said conduits in fluid alignment; whereby movement of said structure along said fault shifts said members and breaks the fluid integrity of said line by disaligning said conduits; means coupled to said line for creating a signal in response to the change of said line pressure to ambient pressure, said signal creating means connected to signal activation means through connecting means separate from said fluid line; and means for restricting fluid flow from said pressure maintaining means to said line both before and after the change of said line pressure, said flow restricting means having an effective flow area such that the fluid flow therethrough is substantially lower than said initial flow rate, said restricting means also being operative to permit fluid flow into said line to compensate for line leakage and to preclude the re-establishment of said line pressure when said line is opened by sensing means.

Claim 15

A static fluid system for detecting a change in ambient conditions comprising: a closed elongate fluid line having an absolute fluid line pressure differing from the absolute ambient pressure of the line environment; means coupled to said line to maintain said line pressure in said closed fluid line; a plurality of means for sensing ambient conditions positioned in said line and adapted to normally maintain the fluid continuity and closed static fluid integrity of said line, at least one of said sensing means being responsive to a first selected change in the ambient conditions of the line environment and at least one other of said condition-sensing means being responsive to a second selected change in said line environment, said sensing means being operative to open said closed fluid line to a fluid flow at an initial flow rate which changes said line pressure to said ambient pressure; one of said sensing means comprising a structure fault-shift detector including first and second shiftable members coupled to said fluid line and each defining a conduit to maintain the fluid continuity of said line; and means joining said members to said structure across a fault therein with said members engaged and said conduits in fluid alignment; whereby movement of said structure along said fault shifts said members and breaks the fluid integrity of said line by disaligning said conduits; means coupled to said line for creating a signal in response to the change of said line pressure to ambient pressure, said signal creating means connected to signal activation means through connecting means separate from said fluid line; and means for restricting fluid flow from said pressure maintaining means to said line both before and after the change of said line pressure, said flow restricting means having an effective flow area such that the fluid flow therethrough is substantially lower than said initial flow rate, said restricting means also being operative to permit fluid flow into said line to compensate for line leakage and to preclude the re-establishment of said line pressure when said line is opened by sensing means.

Claim 16

A static fluid system for detecting a change in ambient conditions comprising: a closed elongate fluid line having an absolute fluid line pressure differing from the absolute ambient pressure of the line environment; means coupled to said line to maintain said line pressure in said closed fluid line; a plurality of means for sensing ambient conditions positioned in said line and adapted to normally maintain the fluid continuity and closed static fluid integrity of said line, at least one of said sensing means being responsive to a first selected change in the ambient conditions of the line environment and at least one other of said condition-sensing means being responsive to a second selected change in said line environment, said sensing means being operative to open said closed fluid line to a fluid flow at an initial flow rate which changes said line pressure to said ambient pressure; one of said sensing means comprising an explosion detection system including a pair of spaced pressure-responsive valves biased into a normally closed position and a movable air-flow detector positioned between said valves, said detector being arranged to respond to an explosive increase in air flow to engage and open one of said valves; means coupled to said line for creating a signal in response to the change of said line pressure to ambient pressure, said signal creating means connected to signal activation means through connecting means separate from said fluid line; and means for restricting fluid flow from said pressure maintaining means to said line both before and after the change of said line pressure, said flow restricting means having an effective flow area such that the fluid flow therethrough is substantially lower than said initial flow rate, said restricting means also being operative to permit fluid flow into said line to compensate for line leakage and to preclude the re-establishment of said line pressure when said line is opened by sensing means.

Claim 17

A static fluid system for detecting a change in ambient conditions comprising: a closed elongate fluid line having an absolute fluid line pressure differing from the absolute ambient pressure of the line environment; means coupled to said line to maintain said line pressure in said closed fluid line; a plurality of means for sensing ambient conditions positioned in said line and adapted to normally maintain the fluid continuity and closed static fluid integrity of said line, at least one of said sensing means being responsive to a first selected change in the ambient conditions of the line environment and at least one other of said condition-sensing means being responsive to a second selected change in said line environment, said sensing means being operative to open said closed fluid line to a fluid flow at an initial flow rate which changes said line pressure to said ambient pressure; one of said sensing means comprising an explosion detection system including a pair of spaced pressure-responsive valves biased into a normally closed position and a movable air-flow detector positioned between said valves, said detector being arranged to respond to an explosive increase in air flow to engage and open one of said valves; means coupled to said line for creating a signal in response to the change of said line pressure to ambient pressure, said signal creating means connected to signal activation means through connecting means separate from said fluid line; and means for restricting fluid flow from said pressure maintaining means to said line both before and after the change of said line pressure, said flow restricting means having an effective flow area such that the fluid flow therethrough is substantially lower than said initial flow rate, said restricting means also being operative to permit fluid flow into said line to compensate for line leakage and to preclude the re-establishment of said line pressure when said line is opened by sensing means.

Claim 18

A static fluid system for detecting a change in ambient conditions comprising: a closed elongate fluid line having an absolute fluid line pressure differing from the absolute ambient pressure of the line environment; means coupled to said line to maintain said line pressure in said closed fluid line; a plurality of means for sensing ambient conditions positioned in said line and adapted to normally maintain the fluid continuity and closed static fluid integrity of said line, at least one of said sensing means being responsive to a first selected change in the ambient conditions of the line environment and at least one other of said condition-sensing means being responsive to a second selected change in said line environment, said sensing means being operative to open said closed fluid line to a fluid flow at an initial flow rate which changes said line pressure to said ambient pressure; one of said sensing means comprising a smoke detection system including a melt union included within said fluid line and having a fusible core portion closing said union; a heating element adjacent said core portion; and circuit means connected to said heating element and operative to energize said element in response to the presence of a selected quantity of smoke adjacent said union, with the energization of said element heating said fusible core portion for removal from said union to break the fluid continuity of said line; means coupled to said line for creating a signal in response to the change of said line pressure to ambient pressure, said signal creating means connected to said activation means through connecting means separate from said fluid line; and means for restricting fluid flow from said pressure maintaining means to said line both before and after the change of said line pressure, said flow restricting means having an effective flow area such that the fluid flow therethrough is substantially lower than said initial flow rate, said restricting means also being operative to permit fluid flow into said line to compensate for line leakage and to preclude the re-establishment of said line pressure when said line is opened by sensing means.

Claim 19

A static fluid system for detecting a change in ambient conditions comprising: a closed elongate fluid line having an absolute fluid line pressure differing from the absolute ambient pressure of the line environment; means coupled to said line to maintain said line pressure in said closed fluid line; a plurality of means for sensing ambient conditions positioned in said line and adapted to normally maintain the fluid continuity and closed static fluid integrity of said line, at least one of said sensing means being responsive to a first selected change in the ambient conditions of the line environment and at least one other of said condition-sensing means being responsive to a second selected change in said line environment, said sensing means being operative to open said closed fluid line to a fluid flow at an initial flow rate which changes said line pressure to said ambient pressure; one of said sensing means comprising a smoke detection system including a melt union included within said fluid line and having a fusible core portion closing said union; a heating element adjacent said core portion; and circuit means connected to said heating element and operative to energize said element in response to the presence of a selected quantity of smoke adjacent said union, with the energization of said element heating said fusible core portion for removal from said union to break the fluid continuity of said line; means coupled to said line for creating a signal in response to the change of said line pressure to ambient pressure, said signal creating means connected to said activation means through connecting means separate from said fluid line; and means for restricting fluid flow from said pressure maintaining means to said line both before and after the change of said line pressure, said flow restricting means having an effective flow area such that the fluid flow therethrough is substantially lower than said initial flow rate, said restricting means also being operative to permit fluid flow into said line to compensate for line leakage and to preclude the re-establishment of said line pressure when said line is opened by sensing means.

Claim 20

The system in accordance with claim 13 wherein said heating element is embedded within said core portion.