Abstract
The invention relates to a suction particle detection system (100) for detecting a fire, comprising a fluid line system (200) which opens into one or more monitored areas (i), and having a suction device (230), connected in a fluid-guiding manner to the at least one pipe and/or hose line (210) in order to generate a test fluid flow (240) along the at least one pipe and/or hose line (210), and a light guiding system (300) having one or more local detector modules (320) and designed for the local capture and transmission of scattered light scattered at scattering and/or smoke particles and/or designed for the capture and transmission of transmitted light passing through the scattering and/or smoke particles. In the suction particle detection system (100) at least one light guide (310) is connected to the one or more local detector modules (320) and a central analysis device (110) for evaluation.
Claims
1. A suction particle fire detection system, for detecting or locating a fire or a fire emergence, comprising a fluid guiding system (200) having at least one pipe or hose line (210) which, via one or more suction openings (220) for the respective removal of an amount of test fluid, opens into one or more monitored areas (i), and having a suction device (230), which is connected in a fluid-guiding manner to the at least one pipe or hose line (210) in order to generate a test fluid flow (211) along the at least one pipe or hose line (210), and a light guiding system (300) having one or more local detector modules (320) each assigned to at least one suction opening (220) and designed for local capture and transmission of scattered light scattered at particles or smoke particles present in the respective monitored area (i) or the test fluid flow (211), and configured for the capture and transmission of transmitted light passing through the particles or smoke particles, and having at least one light guide (310) connected in a light-guiding manner to the one or more local detector modules (320) and a central analysis device (110) for evaluation of the scattered light or transmitted light captured and transmitted by each of the one or more local detector modules (320).
2. The suction particle detection system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the one or more local detector modules (320) are each arranged within a flow cross section of the at least one pipe or hose line (210) and/or within the test fluid flow (211).
3. The suction particle detection system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one light guide (310) of the light guiding system (300) is an optical waveguide or glass fiber cable having at least one first optical fiber (311) and at least one second optical fiber (312) for the transmission of light or scattered light between the one or more local detector modules (320) and the central analysis device (110).
4. The suction particle detection system (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the one or more local detector modules (320) each have a first fiber end (313) of a first optical fiber (311) and a second fiber end (314) of a second optical fiber (312), wherein the first fiber end (313) of the first optical fiber (311) and the second fiber end (314) of the second optical fiber (312) are aligned with one another at an angle that can be selected as required.
5. The suction particle detection system (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the central analysis device (110) has at least one light receiver (111) for converting the transmitted scattered light into a current or voltage signal, and a light source (113), wherein the at least one first optical fiber (311) is connected in a light-guiding manner to the light receiver (111), and the at least one second optical fiber (312) is connected to the light source (113) in a light-guiding manner.
6. The suction particle detection system (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the central analysis device (110) comprises at least one light modulator configured for modulating light emitted from at least one light source (113) and for assigning the scattered light or transmitted light captured by at least one light receiver (111) to one or more local detector modules (320).
7. The suction particle detection system (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that two or more local detector modules (320) are arranged along the at least one pipe or hose line (210), and the local detector modules (320) are each assigned to a specified number of suction openings (220), wherein a desired dilution ratio (V.sub.i) of the test fluid flow (211) can be set as required at the respective local detector module (320).
8. The suction particle detection system (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that dilution ratios (V.sub.i), which are set as required and which are present at the respective local detector modules (320), are stored as a data set or data model (403) in the central analysis device (110).
9. The suction particle detection system (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the central analysis device (110) has at least one central scattered light detector module (112) through which fluid flows, which is connected to the at least one pipe or hose line (210) in a fluid-guiding manner, and configured for the central capture of scattered light scattered at particles or smoke particles present in the test fluid flow (211).
10. The suction particle detection system (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the central analysis device (110) has a computing unit (130) which is designed to evaluate the scattered light or transmitted light captured by the one or more local detector modules (320) or to evaluate the scattered light captured by the central scattered light detector module (112) through which fluid flows, or for correlation with the dilution ratios (V.sub.i) stored as a data set or data model (403).
11. A method for detecting and/or localizing a fire and/or a fire emergence in one or more monitored areas (i) using a suction particle detection system (100), the method comprising in a first step (A), removing a respective amount of test fluid from the one or more monitored areas (i) via a fluid line system (200) having at least one pipe or hose line (210) and one or more suction openings (220) each opening into a monitored area (i), in a second step (B), flowing the amount of test fluid removed from the one or more monitored areas (i) as part of a test fluid flow (211) through one or more local detector modules (320), each assigned to one or more suction openings (220), in a third step (C), scattered light that is scattered at particles or smoke particles contained in the test fluid flow (211) or in the respective monitored area (i), or transmitted light passing through the particles or smoke particles is captured by the one or more local flow-through detector modules (320), in a fourth step (D), transmitting the respectively captured scattered light or transmitted light to a central analysis device (110) via at least one light guide (310), and in a fifth step (E), evaluating the transmitted scattered light or transmitted light by means of the central analysis device (110) to detect a fire or a fire emergence or is assigned to the respective local detector module(s) (320) to localize a fire or a fire emergence.
12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that a fire or a fire emergence is detected if the scattered light captured by at least one local detector module (320) and transmitted to the central analysis device (110) exceeds an alarm threshold (AS.sub.i) stored there.
13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the captured and transmitted scattered light or transmitted light is assigned to the respective local detector module(s) (320) by correlating a data set or data model (403) of dilution ratios (V.sub.i) set for the respective local detector modules (320), which data set or data model (403) is stored in the central analysis device (110), with the transmitted scattered light or transmitted light.
14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that each of the amount of test fluids removed from the one or more monitored areas (i) flows through a central scattered light detector module (112) as a test fluid flow (211), and the scattered light captured by the central scattered light detector module (112) is compared with the scattered light or transmitted light captured by the one or more local detector modules (320).
15. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that test particles forming a test aerosol, are released in one or more of the monitored areas (i) or in the vicinity of one or more suction openings (220), the local detector modules (320) in the third step (C) capturing the scattered light scattered at the test particles or the transmitted light passing through the test particles.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0054] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a suction particle detection system according to the invention having a central analysis device,
[0055] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a first exemplary embodiment of a local detector module,
[0056] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the first exemplary embodiment of the local detector module of FIG. 2 with polarizing filters,
[0057] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a second exemplary embodiment of a local detector module,
[0058] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the second exemplary embodiment of the local detector module from FIG. 4 with polarizing filters,
[0059] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a central analysis device for a suction particle detection system according to the invention,
[0060] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary signal strength profile for a “fresh air signal”,
[0061] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary signal strength profile for a “fire pattern”,
[0062] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary signal strength profile for a “false variable”,
[0063] FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary signal strength profile for a “contamination pattern”
[0064] FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of a first exemplary variant of the method according to the invention for detecting and/or localizing a fire and/or a fire emergence in one or more monitored areas,
[0065] FIG. 12 shows a flow chart of a second exemplary variant of the method according to the invention,
[0066] FIG. 13 shows a flow chart of a third exemplary variant of the method according to the invention, and
[0067] FIG. 14 shows a schematic representation for carrying out a plausibility check.
[0068] The figures are merely exemplary in nature and are only provided to promote understanding of the invention. Same elements are provided with the same reference numerals and are usually described only once.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0069] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a suction particle detection system 100 according to the invention. In the embodiment depicted, the suction particle detection system 100 has, as essential components, a central analysis device 110, a fluid line system 200 and a light guiding system 300. Fluid line system 200 comprises a pipe and/or hose line 210 (a branch), the first end of which is connected in a fluid-guiding manner with a suction device 230, e.g. a fan. Suction device 230 is arranged in a housing 120 of central analysis device 110. A plurality of suction openings 220 are formed along pipe and/or hose line 210, each of which opens into assigned, here a total of eight monitored areas i=1-8. In the embodiment depicted by way of example, three suction openings 220 are assigned to each monitored area 1-8. In total, pipe and/or hose line 210 thus has 24 suction openings 220. The number of suction openings 220 per monitored area 1-8 can of course also differ and is based, for example, on the size of the assigned monitored area 1-8. During operation, suction device 230 generates a test fluid flow 211 directed along pipe and/or hose line 210 in the direction of suction device 230, an amount of test fluid being continuously removed from assigned monitored areas 1-8 by means of suction openings 220. In this embodiment, central analysis device 110 comprises a principally optional, central scattered light detector module 112, which is arranged upstream of suction device 230. By means of central scattered light detector module 112, scattering and/or smoke particles contained in test fluid flow 211 can be captured, which particles were removed from one or more of monitored areas 1-8 as part of a respective amount of test fluid. A typical value for the transport time of an amount of test fluid along entire pipe and/or hose line 210 to central scattered light detector module 112 is, for example, 60 seconds in this embodiment. The central scattered light detector module 112 is preferably designed as an RAS detector module. RAS detector modules are known from the prior art and are commonly used in suction particle detection systems 100.
[0070] The exemplary suction particle detection system 100 shown in FIG. 1 also has a light guiding system 300 with a light guide 310, which connects a number of local detector modules 320 with a light receiver 111, in particular in an LWL detector module, of central analysis device 110 in a light-guiding manner. LWL detector modules are known from the prior art and are used in particular for locally limited fire monitoring of devices. In this case, light guide 310 comprises at least one first optical fiber 311, which is provided for transmitting light or scattered light and/or transmitted light captured at one or more of local detector modules 320 to the light receiver 111. The transmission of the light or scattered light and/or transmitted light captured at the local detector modules 320 to light receiver 111 takes place almost instantaneously at the speed of light. At least one second optical fiber 312 is provided for the transmission of light originating from a light source 113, in particular from an LWL detector module, to respective local detector modules 320. In this embodiment, local detector modules 320 are each assigned to three suction openings 220 of a respective monitored area 1-8 and are arranged within pipe and/or hose line 210 downstream of corresponding monitored area 1-8 in the direction of flow of test fluid flow 211.
[0071] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a first exemplary embodiment of a local detector module 320. The local detector module is formed, for example, according to FIG. 1, within pipe and/or hose line 210 of fluid line system 200. A second fiber end 314 of second optical fiber 312 is mounted to pipe and/or hose line 210 in such a way that light transmitted via second fiber end 314 of second optical fiber 312 is emitted into the flow cross section of pipe and/or hose line 210 and forms there a detection area intersecting test fluid flow 211. A first fiber end 313 of first optical fiber 311 is also mounted to pipe and/or hose line 210 and directed to the detection area. First fiber end 313 and second fiber end 314 are aligned with one another at a desired angle, in this case approximately 120°, so that first fiber end 313 captures scattered light scattered at this angle.
[0072] The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 is also shown schematically in FIG. 3. In addition, a second polarizing filter 316 is arranged before second fiber end 314 for polarizing the emitted light or a first polarizing filter 315 is arranged before first fiber end 313 for polarizing the scattered light to be captured. Opposite second polarizing filter 316 an absorber 330 is provided on the inner wall of pipe and/or hose 210 which absorber absorbs not scattered, in particular polarized light. The polarization of light or scattered light in individual local detector modules 320 simplifies a local assignment of the detected scattering and/or smoke particles, and thus a potential fire and/or fire emergence by evaluating the transmitted light signals.
[0073] FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically show a second exemplary embodiment of a local detector module 320, which is designed as a transmitted light detector. Principally, all exemplary embodiments of the invention can also be implemented with such a transmitted light detector which is utilized instead of the local detector modules 320 generally described and designed as a scattered light detector. In the transmitted light detector variant, first fiber end 313 and second fiber end 314 are opposite one another or aligned at an angle of 180° with one another, so that first fiber end 313 detects the transmitted light that is not scattered at scattering and/or smoke particles. In FIG. 5, the second exemplary embodiment (corresponding to the FIG. 3) is formed with a first polarizing filter 315 and a second polarizing filter 316.
[0074] A schematic representation of a central analysis device 110 for an embodiment of a suction particle detection system 100 according to the invention, for example according to FIG. 1, is shown in FIG. 6. Central analysis device 110 according to this embodiment comprises a suction device 230, in particular a fan, which is connected in a fluid-guiding manner to a pipe and/or hose line 210 of the fluid line system 200 of the suction particle detection system 100 and provided for generating test fluid flow 211. The central scattered light detector module 112 is arranged in the direction of flow of test fluid flow 211 upstream to suction device 230 and also connected to pipe and/or tube line 210 in a fluid-guiding manner, which module captures scattering and/or smoke particles contained in the test fluid flow and converts the captured light signals into current and/or voltage signals for further evaluation. For conversion of light signals transmitted via at least one first optical fiber 311 of light guide 310, into current and/or voltage signals, a light receiver 111, preferably designed as a photodiode, is designed as a component of central analysis device 110. According to the embodiment depicted, light receiver 111 is part of an LWL detector module, which module also has a light emitter or a light source 113, preferably a light emitting diode. The light emitted by light source 113 is guided as a light signal to respective local detector modules 320 via at least one second optical fiber 312. Since the conversion of the respective light signals only takes place within central analysis device 110, all active or current-carrying components of suction particle detection system 100 are arranged centrally and outside the respective monitored rooms 1-8. The components of suction particle detection system 100 arranged in monitoring spaces 1-8 are exclusively passive components, which also enables use in a potentially explosive atmosphere.
[0075] The central analysis device 110 also comprises a programmable computing unit 130 having a storage unit 131, which, for recording and evaluating the signals transmitted by light receiver 111, in particular by the LWL detector module, and by the central scattered light detector module 112, in particular the RAS detector module, is connected in a signal-guiding manner with these devices. For this purpose, computing unit 130 is equipped with expert software, in particular stored in storage unit 131. In addition, various program sequences for carrying out a method for detecting and/or localizing a fire and/or a fire emergence in one or more of the monitored areas 1-8 are implemented on storage unit 131. The detection and/or localization of a fire and/or a fire emergence is by means of the expert software based on stored data models, which, inter alia, contain dilution ratios V.sub.i individually present at respective local detector modules 320, as well as the geometric and fluidic characteristics of suction particle detection systems 100, in particular the fluid line system 200.
[0076] FIGS. 7-10 show data models for detecting and localizing a fire and/or a fire emergence which data models are stored in computing unit 130, in particular storage unit 131. The stored data models can be determined empirically and are based on the geometric data of fluid line system 200, in particular the distances between suction openings 220, the fluidic characteristics, for example flow velocity and/or volume flow of the test fluid flow, and individual dilution ratios V.sub.i individually present at respective local detector models 320. The diagram profiles shown each relate, by way of example, to the evaluation of the test fluid captured by first local detector module 321, which module is assigned to first monitored area 1.
[0077] In FIG. 7, a typical profile of a “fresh air signal” 410 is plotted over a period of time with in this case, for example, 13 times of measurement t-12 to t. The diagram shows in each case a time course of the signal strength s.sub.i from the first four monitored areas i=1-4 with respect to the direction of flow of test fluid flow 211 (see FIG. 1). A local detector module 321, 322, 323, 324 is assigned to each monitored area 1-4, plotted signal strengths s.sub.1-s.sub.4 correspond to the scattered light signal captured at local detector module 321-324 in each case, or to the current and/or voltage signal resulting therefrom through conversion by means of light receiver 111, and are plotted purely schematically in FIG. 7. A fresh air signal 410 for monitored area 1, for example, exists if no smoke particles are captured in this area and the measured signal strength s.sub.1 is constant over the specified measurement period t-12 to t. The measurement period t-12 to t can be based, inter alia, on the transport time of an amount of test fluid through fluid line system 200. Due to the lighting conditions and/or scattering at other scattering particles such as, for example, dust, the signal strength s.sub.1 always has a basic value greater than 0. Local detector module 321 assigned to first monitored area 1 is, again according to FIG. 1, positioned downstream of three suction openings 221 arranged in monitored area 1 and thus has a dilution ratio V.sub.1 of 1:3. In the practical implementation, a monitored area i typically corresponds to a room or also a section of a room of a building. In case of fire or fire hazard in a room or section of a room corresponding to first monitored area 1, for example, the locally generated smoke particles are only captured by closest suction opening 221, whereas the other two suction openings 221 continue to suck in fresh air. This leads to a dilution of the amount of test fluid containing the sucked-in smoke particles along pipe and/or hose line 210, as a result of which the dilution ratio V.sub.1 of 1:3 is already present at detector module 321. Between local detector modules 321-324 there are three further suction openings 222, 223, 224 assigned to the respective monitored areas 2-4, which is why the dilution ratio V.sub.2 is 1:6 at local detector module 322 assigned to second monitored area 2, the dilution ratio V.sub.3 is 1:9 at local detector module 323 assigned to third monitored area 3, and the dilution ratio V.sub.4 is 1:12 at local detector module 324 assigned to fourth monitored area 4. Accordingly, individual local detector modules 321-324 show a signal strength s.sub.1-s.sub.4 that decreases along pipe and/or hose line 210. When using local detector modules 320 designed as transmitted light detectors, the basic value of the signal strength s.sub.i is correspondingly higher due to the continuous capture of the transmitted light (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
[0078] A respective time course of signal strengths s.sub.1-s.sub.4 of a “fire pattern” 420 can be seen in FIG. 8. An increased signal strength s.sub.1 is already evident at first local detector module 321 at point in time t-11, which signal strength increases further over remaining times of measurement t-10 to t. Because of the transport time along pipe and/or hose line 210, the increase in signal strengths s.sub.2-s.sub.4 at local detector modules 321-324 is shown offset in time. At point in time t-1 measured signal strength s.sub.1 exceeds an alarm threshold AS.sub.1 stored in the data model and specific for the first local detector module. The alarm thresholds A.sub.2-A.sub.4 of the other local detector modules 322-324 are lower in accordance with the higher dilution ratios V.sub.2-V.sub.4. Conversely, when using local detector modules 320 designed as transmitted light detectors, a lower alarm threshold AS.sub.i would have to be set in each case, which is undershot in the event of a fire.
[0079] In FIG. 9, a time course of signal strength s.sub.1 typical for a “false variable” is depicted in which the signal strength increases for a short time, in the range of times of measurement t-12 to t-8, and then decreases back to the basic value in the range of times of measurement t-8 to t. An increase correspondingly offset in time, with subsequent drop in signal strengths s.sub.2-s.sub.4 can be captured with lower values due to dilution, and local detector modules 322-324. When using local detector modules 320 designed as transmitted light detectors, a reverse course, in which the signal strengths s.sub.i initially drop and then again increase, would be observed.
[0080] Suction particle detection system 100 must be checked for its full operability at regular time intervals. For this purpose, for example, a test aerosol can be introduced into pipe and/or hose line 210 via first monitored area 1. A typical “test pattern” 440 together with a typical “contamination pattern” 450 is depicted by way of example in the diagram of FIG. 10 and, in principal, corresponds to the signal strength profile of false variable 430. By way of example, respective profiles of the signal strengths s.sub.2′ and s.sub.3′, which show the respective contamination pattern 450, for second monitored area 2 and third monitored area 3, are drawn in dashed lines. The profiles indicate contamination and/or clogging of one or more of corresponding suction openings 222, 223. In the event of contamination and/or clogging, a smaller amount of test fluid is sucked in through the respective suction opening 222, 223, the dilution ratio V.sub.2, V.sub.3 decreases and the captured signal strengths s.sub.2′, s.sub.3′ are above the expected signal strengths s.sub.2, s.sub.3. When using local detector modules 320 designed as transmitted light detectors, the respective signal strength profile is correspondingly reversed.
[0081] FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of a first exemplary variant of a method according to the invention for detecting and/or localizing a fire and/or a fire emergence in one or more monitored areas i, which variant is preferably carried out with a suction particle detection system 100 according to the invention, in particular in accordance with FIG. 1. The method enables rapid fire detection and is started, or suction particle detection system 100 is put into operation, by turning on suction device 230 in particular by means of computing unit 130. As a result, in a first step A, a test fluid flow 211 is generated along pipe and/or hose line 210. The atmosphere, in particular air, contained in monitored areas i is removed from the monitored areas i in the form of a respective amount of test fluid via suction openings 220 opening into monitored areas i, and transported towards suction device 230. As part of test fluid flow 211, in a second step B, the amounts of test fluid removed, pass through all further detector modules 320 that are arranged downstream.
[0082] In a third step C, either scattered light that is scattered at scattering and/or smoke particles contained in test fluid flow 211 and/or in respective monitored area i or, alternatively, when using transmitted light detectors as local detector modules 320, transmitted light passing through the scattering and/or or smoke particles, is captured by local flow-through detector modules 320, and, in a fourth step D, the captured scattered light and/or transmitted light in each case is transmitted through at least one light guide 310, in accordance with FIG. 1 through the at least one first optical fiber 311, to a central analysis device 110. The respective signal strength s.sub.i of the scattered light and/or transmitted light signals originating from the local detector modules 320 assigned to the respective monitored areas i is measured in central analysis device 110. It is advantageous for this purpose to convert the transmitted scattered light and/or transmitted light into a current and/or voltage signal by means of a light receiver 111, in particular by means of an LWL detector module, which signal can then be digitally processed by computing unit 130 of central analysis device 110.
[0083] In order to detect a fire and/or a fire emergence, the respective signal strengths s.sub.i are evaluated by computing unit 130 in a fifth step E. To this end, computing unit 130 checks each signal strength s.sub.i captured by a local detector module 320 to determine whether an alarm threshold AS.sub.i stored for this local detector module 320 individually is exceeded (see FIG. 8 “fire pattern”). In the event that captured signal strength s.sub.i of at least one of local detector modules 320 exceeds the value of the associated alarm threshold AS.sub.i (=Y), a fire and/or a fire emergence is detected, and can advantageously be signaled in a sixth step F. In the event that captured signal strength s.sub.i of none of local detector modules 320 exceeds the value of associated alarm threshold AS.sub.i (=N; see FIG. 7 “fresh air signal”), but also, optionally, after a fire and/or a fire emergence alarm, the method is continued, steps A to E being carried out continuously. When using local detector modules 320 designed as transmitted light detectors, the detection is correspondingly reversed in the event that the captured signal strength s.sub.i of at least one of local detector modules 320 falls below the value of associated alarm threshold AS.sub.i.
[0084] In addition to detecting, in fifth step E, localizing the fire and/or the fire emergence may be performed by assigning the captured scattered light signal (or transmitted light signal), whose signal strength s.sub.i exceeds (or falls below) associated alarm threshold AS.sub.i, to associated local detector module 320 and consequently to the monitored area i in which the scattering and/or smoke particles are present. For this purpose, suction openings 220 assigned to individual monitored areas i are expediently connected in series along pipe and/or hose line 210, as a result of which the dilution of test fluid flow 211 increases in the direction of suction device 230. Dilution ratios V.sub.i resulting therefrom for respective monitored areas i or at assigned, local detector module 320 are stored as a data set or data model on storage unit 131 of computing unit 130, and can be correlated or matched with the captured signal strengths s.sub.i for localizing the fire and/or the fire emergence. Then, in sixth step F, upon detection of a fire and/or a fire hazard, expediently the location of the fire and/or the fire hazard is signaled based on the assigned local detector module 320 or monitored area i before the method continuously continues at step A.
[0085] A flow chart of a second exemplary variant of a method according to the invention for detecting and/or localizing a fire and/or a fire emergence, wherein, in the step E, additionally a plausibility check 400 is carried out, is apparent from FIG. 12. Steps A, B and C are carried out according to the first exemplary variant. In fourth step D, the respective signal strength s.sub.i of the scattered light and/or transmitted light signals originating from the associated monitored areas i is measured and additionally stored in storage unit 131 of computing unit 130. To this end, a time course of signal strengths s.sub.i is created over a previously set period of time by storing t-12 to t measured values of the captured signal strengths s.sub.i at periodically recurring points in time. As part of plausibility check 400, the measurement data profiles determined in this way are compared with data sets or data models stored in storage unit 131, for example in the form of detection patterns, which map time courses of signal strengths s.sub.i over points in time t-12 to t that are typical for the respective case. In the following, three possible steps of a plausibility check 400 are explained in more detail by way of example.
[0086] If a comparison of the course of the captured signal strengths s.sub.i with a stored fresh air signal 410, carried out by computing unit 130, provides a sufficient match (=Y), the plausibility check 400 can be concluded and the method can be continued continuously with first step A. If the comparison carried out does not provide a sufficient match (=N), plausibility check 400 is continued.
[0087] To this end, computing unit 130 can check the presence of a (short-term) false variable 430 by comparing the course of the captured signal strengths s.sub.i with a correspondingly stored detection pattern for a false variable 430. If the test result is positive (=Y), a message 431 about the presence of a false variable 430 can be output, and the method is continuously continued with first step A. If the check for the presence of a false variable 430 turns out negative (=N), plausibility check 400 is continued.
[0088] A comparison of the course of the captured signal strengths s.sub.i with a correspondingly stored fire pattern 420 can also be part of the plausibility check. If the course of the captured signal strengths si deviates from fire pattern 420 to be expected (=N), the method is continued continuously at first step A. If, on the other hand, a (sufficient) match with fire pattern 420 to be expected is found, a fire and/or a fire emergence together with monitored area i from which the scattering and/or smoke particles originate are signaled in step F.
[0089] Both the steps of plausibility check 400 described and their sequence are each exemplary. All steps are optional and, as required, can be included in the method sequence or supplemented and/or replaced by additional steps. For example, as part of the plausibility check 400, the amounts of test fluid respectively removed from the one or more monitored areas i can be redundantly captured by the central scattered light detector module 112, and the data set determined by means of central scattered light detector module 112 can be compared with the data sets originating from local detector modules 320.
[0090] A third exemplary method sequence is shown in the flow chart of FIG. 13, in which suction particle detection system 100 is supplied with a test aerosol containing test particles for maintenance and checking of full operability. To initiate the program sequence, suction particle detection system 100 is started up in a service mode and suction device 230 is switched on to generate test fluid flow 211. The test aerosol is introduced into one or more monitored areas i, removed as a component of the amounts of test fluid via suction openings 220, and passes local detector modules 320 in test fluid flow 211 (steps A, B). In doing so, local detector modules 320 capture scattered light scattered at the test particles or transmitted light passing through the test particles, which is transmitted to central analysis device 110 and measured there (steps C and D). Measured signal strength s.sub.i is recorded for a specified period of time, and the recorded profiles are subjected to a sequence of a plausibility check 400 provided for the test aerosol.
[0091] In this case, computing unit 130 compares the temporal profiles of the signal strengths s.sub.i transmitted by local detector modules 320 with a test pattern 440 that is typical of the test aerosol and is stored in storage unit 131. If a test pattern 440 and thus the introduction of the test aerosol in fluid line system 200 is detected (=Y), plausibility check 400 is continued, in case of a negative result (=N), the method is continued from first step A.
[0092] Following the detection of the test aerosol, computing unit 130 checks for contamination of one or more suction openings 220 by comparing the time courses of the signal strengths s.sub.i transmitted by local detector modules 320 with a contamination pattern 450. An exemplary contamination pattern 450, in which suction openings 222 and 223 assigned to second monitored area 2 and third monitored area 3 are clogged and/or contaminated, is plotted in FIG. 10 by way of example, and has already been explained above in the associated paragraph of the description. If no contamination and/or clogging is detected on the basis of the comparison carried out (=N), a corresponding message “clean” 451 is output and the method or the program sequence can be ended. If, on the other hand, contamination and/or clogging is detected (=Y), the associated monitored area i is localized in fifth step E in accordance with the second exemplary method sequence according to FIG. 12. In sixth method step F, the contamination and/or clogging is signaled together with the associated monitored area i before the method or the program sequence is ended.
[0093] Finally, FIG. 14 shows a schematic overview of plausibility check 400, which involves, on the one hand, the data sets 401 measured with local detector modules 320, data set 402 measured with central scattered light detector module 112 and, on the other hand, data sets or data models 403 based on the geometric and fluidic characteristics of fluid line system 200, in particular dilution ratios Vi, which are stored in storage unit 131.
[0094] Based on a comparison of the measured values with the stored values, as part of plausibility check 400, a fresh air signal 410, a fire pattern 420, a false variable 430, a test pattern 440 and/or a contamination pattern 450, for example, can be detected and their cause can be localized. The pattern detection can be carried out with known image detection methods such as CNN (convolutional neural network).
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0095] 100 suction particle detection system [0096] 110 central analysis device [0097] 111 light receiver [0098] 112 central scattered light detector module, in particular RAS detector module [0099] 113 light source [0100] 120 housing [0101] 130 computing unit, in particular processor [0102] 131 storage unit [0103] 200 fluid line system [0104] 210 pipe and/or hose line [0105] 211 test fluid flow [0106] 220 suction opening [0107] 221 suction openings of the first monitored area [0108] 222 suction openings of the second monitored area [0109] 223 suction openings of the third monitored area [0110] 224 suction openings of the fourth monitored area [0111] 230 suction device [0112] 300 light guiding system [0113] 310 light guide [0114] 311 first optical fiber [0115] 312 second optical fiber [0116] 313 first fiber end [0117] 314 second fiber end [0118] 315 first polarizing filter [0119] 316 second polarizing filter [0120] 320 local detector module [0121] 321 local detector module of the first monitored area [0122] 322 local detector module of the second monitored area [0123] 323 local detector module of the third monitored area [0124] 324 local detector module of the fourth monitored area [0125] 330 absorber [0126] 400 plausibility check [0127] 401 measured data set, local detector module [0128] 402 measured data set, central scattered light detector module [0129] 403 stored data sets or data models [0130] 410 fresh air signal [0131] 420 fire pattern [0132] 430 false variable [0133] 431 message false variable [0134] 440 test pattern [0135] 450 contamination pattern [0136] 451 message “clean” [0137] i=1 . . . x monitored area [0138] AS.sub.i alarm threshold [0139] s.sub.i signal strength [0140] s.sub.i′ captured signal strength [0141] t point in time [0142] V.sub.i dilution ratio [0143] N no [0144] Y yes [0145] A first step [0146] B second step [0147] C third step [0148] D fourth step [0149] E fifth step [0150] F sixth step
