- Author
- Tapphorn, R. M. | Kays, R. | Porter, A.
- Title
- Infrared-Fiber-Optic Fire Sensor Developments: Role of Measurement Uncertainty in Evaluation of Background Limited Range.
- Coporate
- Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co., Las Cruces, NM National Aeronautics and Space Admin., Las Cruces, NM
- Report
- Paper 89-0054,
- Book or Conf
- ISA Services Inc. Instrumentation Symposium, 35th International. Instrumentation in the Aerospace Industry, Proceedings of the ISAAerospace Instrumentaion Symposium, Vol. 35. May 1-4, 1989, ISA Services, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, Orlando, FL, 553-565 p., 1989
- Keywords
- fiber optics | sensors | spacecraft | flame research | fire protection | black body | flame radiation | false alarms | incandescent lamps | measurement uncertainties | uncertainty
- Identifiers
- signal processing; extreme probability theory; background limited range; distributed infrared fiber-sensors; fire sensor test; flame radiation test
- Abstract
- Fire-detector systems based on distributed infrared fiber-sensors have been investigated for potential applicatios in the aerospace industry. Responsivities to blackbody and flame radiations were measured with various design configurations of an infrared fiber-optic sensor. Signal processing techniques were also investigated, and the results show significant differences in the fire-sensor performance depending on the design configuration. Measurement uncertainties were used to determine the background-limited ranges for the various fire-sensor concepts, and the probability of producing false alarms caused by fluctuations in the background signals were determined using extreme probability theory. The results of the research show that infrared fiber-optic fire sensors are feasible for application on manned spacecraft; however, additional development work will be required to eliminate false alarms caused by high temperature objects such as incandescent lamps.