BACKGROUND

Embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to a system for detecting conditions of a device and, more particularly, to a fiber optic detection system.

Existing fire detection alarm systems typically include manually operated pull-stations (also called manual callpoints) and automatic sensor devices that are placed throughout the building and connected to a wiring system that communicates the activation of the automated sensors and pull-stations to circuitry in a control panel. The manually operated pull-stations and automated sensor devices work in conjunction with one another to send a signal to the control panel indicating that a specified emergency (i.e. fire) exists. In response, the system will alert the building occupants so that appropriate action may be taken.

SUMMARY

According to a first embodiment, a system for measuring a status of a detection device having a component transformable between a plurality of configurations includes a fiber optic cable for transmitting light. The at least one fiber optic cable defines a node arranged in communication with the component. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber optic cable such that scattered light reflected from the component and returned to the node is transmitted to the control system. The control system analyzes the scattered light to determine the configuration of the component.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the component is manually transformable between the plurality of configurations.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the component is automatically transformable between the plurality of configurations in response to an external condition.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the node is arranged in communication with a chamber formed at an interior of the detection device.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the plurality of configurations comprise at least a first configuration and a second configuration, the component being in the first configuration during normal operation of the detection device and the component being in the second configuration when the detection device is activated.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the detection device is a pull station.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the component of the detection device is an alarm activation mechanism.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a geometry of the alarm activation mechanism in the first configuration is distinct from a geometry of the alarm activation mechanism in the second configuration.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the detection device comprises a heat responsive mechanism.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments wherein the heat responsive mechanism is a sprinkler.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the component of the heat responsive mechanism is an activator bulb.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the activator bulb is whole in the first configuration and is broken in the second configuration.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a fluid contained within the activator bulb is in a first state in the first configuration and is in a second state in the second configuration.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments in the first state the fluid is a liquid, and in the second state the fluid is a bubbling or at least partially vaporized.

According to another embodiment, a method for determining a status of a detection device includes transmitting light along a fiber optic cable to a node arranged in communication with a component of the detection device, receiving scattered light reflected from the component, communicating the scattered light to a control system, and analyzing the scattered light to determine a configuration of the component.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the detection component is transformable between a first configuration and a second configuration and analyzing the scattered light determined whether the component is in the first configuration or the second configuration.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising determining a status of the detection device in response to the configuration of the component.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments transmitting light along a fiber optic cable to a node arranged in communication with a component of the detection device comprises transmitting light into a chamber of the detection device within which the component is at least partially received.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments transmitting light along a fiber optic cable to a node arranged in communication with a component of the detection device.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising converting the scattered light into a binary signal before communicating the electronic signal to a control unit of the control system.

According to yet another embodiment, a detection system associated with a building includes at least one detection device and a fiber harness comprising at least one fiber optic cable. The fiber harness has a plurality of nodes, each of the plurality of nodes being associated with one of ambient atmosphere and the at least one detection device. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber harness such that scattered light associated with the plurality of nodes is transmitted to the control system. The control system is operable to determine a condition associated with the ambient atmosphere at the nodes and determine a status for the at least one detection device.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the control system is further operable to determine the presence of smoke at the plurality of nodes associated with the ambient atmosphere.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one detection device is an electrically powered detection device.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising an energy conversion device arranged in communication with at least one of the plurality of nodes associated with the electrically powered detection device.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the energy conversion device is a photovoltaic cell.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one detection device comprises a sensor, radio, camera, indicator, transmitter, and receiver.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments at least one detection device is a pull station.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments at least one detection device comprises a heat responsive mechanism.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the detection system is a fire protection system.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the control system is operable to analyze the scattered light reflected from at least one of the plurality of nodes, communicate with the at least one of the plurality of nodes, and deliver power to the at least one detection device.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the control system further comprises at least one light source operably coupled to each of the plurality of nodes.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the control system further comprises at least one light sensitive device operably coupled to each of the plurality of nodes.

According to yet another embodiment, a method of managing a building includes transmitting light along a fiber optic cable to a first node associated with an ambient atmosphere within the building, receiving at the first node scattered light associated with the ambient atmosphere, communicating the scattered light associated with the ambient atmosphere to a control system, analyzing the scattered light associated with the ambient atmosphere to determine an existence of a condition at the first node, transmitting light along the fiber optic cable to a second node associated with a detection device arranged within the building, receiving scattered light associated with the detection device at the second node, communicating the scattered light associated with the detection device to a control system, and analyzing the scattered light associated with the detection device to determine a configuration of the detection device at the second node.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments transmitting light to the first node and transmitting light to the second node occurs simultaneously.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the detection device is a component of a fire detection system.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the detection device is a pull station.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the detection device is a heat responsive mechanism.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the detection device is electrically powered.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising transmitting light along the fiber optic cable to a third node located adjacent the second node, converting the light emitted from the third node into electrical energy, and providing the electrical energy to the electrically powered detection device at the second node.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising transmitting light along the fiber optic cable to a third node, converting the light emitted from the third node into electrical energy, and providing the electrical energy to an electrically powered device located at the third node.

