Its a Ultraviolet spectrum detector that detects signatures that are unique to arcs and combustion. Infrared heat signatures aren't the trigger. Some of the later generation ones have both UV and Infrared to crosscheck each other, but the key trigger is UV light from combustion.


 These same detectors are used in chemical plants as fire detectors, and the older ones can be falsely triggered by welders arcs. I took a bath once in my younger days when a welder's arc set off the fire suppression/deluge system in the unit in which we were working.

Dave

On 8/2/2012 8:34 AM, Chris Barber wrote:

Also, it was impressive how it's response focused on flame and not just heat, however, do we know how it responds to a glowing exhaust?

Sent from my iPhone 4

On Aug 2, 2012, at 7:16 AM, "Mark Steitle" <msteitle@gmail.com> wrote:

Years ago there was an engine fire in a 20B pusher (Velocity??) that was due to a burst oil cooler.  He actually blew up two coolers (same make/model), then switched to a certified engine.  I don't recall his name, but he was alerted to the fire by ATC.

Mark S.

On Wed, Aug 1, 2012 at 9:48 PM, John Slade <jslade@canardaviation.com> wrote:

Thanks for caring, Chris.
No. Not me.
I've never heard of the guy - Don Black???
I wonder what caused the fire. Oil or fuel leak?
Regards
John

On 8/1/2012 9:29 PM, Chris Barber wrote:

When I first heard I fears it was John Slade but have been assured it was not. No less tragic tho. I heard it was his sixth flight from a couple of sources. Someone posted the registered name but I did not immeadeatly recognize it. I had one fear it was me. Not me yet yikes. 

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On Aug 1, 2012, at 7:49 PM, "Kelly Troyer" <keltro@gmail.com> wrote:

   

On Tue, Jul 31, 2012 at 7:11 PM, Mark Steitle <msteitle@gmail.com> wrote:

Chris, 

Yes, that was me that brought and demonstrated the IR fire detector.  I had it mounted in a metal project box on the hot side of my engine, but it failed shortly thereafter.  My guess is the UVtron photo tube failed.  Replacement sensors were $28/ea at the time, so it has been sitting on the shelf waiting for some time to mess with it again.  

Since I experimented with the first one, the design has been upgraded and the old model is no longer available.  You can purchase the whole kit for $89 at  http://www.acroname.com/robotics/parts/R345-UVTRON-PKG.html .  Just mount it in a robust box with a hole facing the engine and wire it to 12 - 24 volts.  You'll want to put an LED on the panel to warn you in case of fire.  

Mark S.

On Tue, Jul 31, 2012 at 1:51 PM, Chris Barber <cbarber@texasattorney.net> wrote:

Several years ago at the rotary get together in Pecan Gove south of Ft Worth, Texas a flame detector was demonstrated. Does anyone remember this and have any info on it?  The demo was impressive and I would hope/think the technology has improved and is available.

With the recent fire in a turbo rosary canard a few days ago it got me comptemplating such matters again. Especially in a pusher.

Thanks.

Chris Barber
Houston
Velocity 13b Turbo
Phase One Testing.

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Chris,

  Who had a fire with their Turbo/Rotary Canard ??..............Part of our little group ??.............

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Kelly Troyer