Particle detection system and related methods

Abstract

A particle detector, e.g. a smoke detector is described. In one form the detector includes a detection chamber and radiation source emitting a single beam of radiation. The detector also includes a radiation receiving system and an imaging system arranged to receive radiation from a common region of interest. Methods and systems for analysing the output of a particle detector are also disclosed.

1 . A method for determining the presence of particulate material, produced by at least one given source of particles, within an air sample, on the basis of scattered light received by a plurality of sensors in a smoke detection chamber, the method comprising:
 comparing scattered light received by the plurality of sensors at a plurality of scattering angles and/or polarizations and a single particle scattering parameter to a representative data for a plurality known types of particle; and   determining that particles of at least one of said known types is present in the stream of particles on the basis of said comparison;   determining a level of particles present in the stream of particles from the given source of particles using the type or types of particles determined to be present.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method is adapted to determine the presence of particulate material produced by an overheating wire or wires. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method is adapted to determine the presence of particulate material produced by a diesel engine and vented to the atmosphere in exhaust emissions. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method is adapted to determine the level of particles produced by the given source. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the level is determined relative to a total level of particles detected. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method is performed using a particle detector. 
     
     
         7 . A system for analysing the output of a particle detection system the system including:
 a data processing system configured to receive at least scattering data representing scattered light received by the particle detection system and indicating the presence of particles under analysis by the particle detection system;   said data processing system being configured to process:
 said received data; 
 data of a plurality known types of particle; and 
 data representing the composition of particulate matter caused by at least one given source of particles; 
   to generate an output representing a level of particles detected from said source by the particle detection system.   
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the data processing system receives data representing light received at a plurality of scattering angles and/or polarizations and scattered light data from which a single particle scattering parameter can be determined. 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said data representing light received at a plurality of scattering angles and/or polarizations is derived from different light receiving components, than the data from which the single particle scattering parameter(s) can be determined. 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in any one of  claim 7 , wherein the data processing system is adapted to perform data processing steps forming part of a method as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the data processing system is located remotely from the particle detection system. 
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the data processing system is adapted to be connected to plurality of particle detection systems to thereby enable analysis of the output of each of the systems.