- Author
- Yalof, S.
- Title
- Fibercell Overheat Hazard Detection System. Technical Report. January 1966-January 1967.
- Coporate
- Whittaker Corp., San Diego, CA
- Sponsor
- Air Force Aero Propulsion Lab., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
- Report
- AFAPL-TR-67-62, February 1967, 43 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- fire detection systems | electrical power | construction methods
- Identifiers
- fibercell (electrochemical cell in the form of a fiber); thermal hazard sensor (THS); theory of fibercell operation; fibercell manufacturing; fibercell system engineering
- Abstract
- The purpose of this program was the development of an airborne overheat hazard detection system, utilizing Narmco's proprietary power-generating Fibercell concept as the sensor. Such a sensor was required to have a detection capability in the primary temperature range from 300 deg F to 1000 deg F, plus the capacity to withstand transient temperatures in excess of these limits. The Fibercell concept is the subject of a patent disclosure, Serial No. 475,022, filed with the US Patent office on 26 July 1965 under the title "Thermal Cell." In general, Fibercell consists of a ceramic electrolyte electrochemical cell in the shape of a fiber, which is dependent on its temperature for electrical power output. Since the electrolyte resistivity is logaraithmically related to temperature, the cell poer output lessens rapidly with decreasing temperature. Below a particular temperature (determined by ceramic electrolyte composition) the cell is effectively disconnected from the alarm system - a behavior that lends itself to long service life of the cell. To improve power output, reliability, and response time, various combinations of materials and construction methods were employed with resulting improvement in performance. With utilization of more energetic electrodes, and other means discussed in this report, potentially greater efficiency can be achieved.