| 20130027211 | SMOKE DETECTOR - The smoke detector comprises a housing provided with one or more openings for the passage of smoke particles into an interior of the housing. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed in the interior of the housing and generate an electric field by application of an electrical potential therebetween. A detection chamber is defined between the first electrode and the second electrode, the detection chamber comprising an ionisation zone for the generation of charged particles by ionisation of air in the vicinity of the second electrode and a drift zone for the movement of charged particles towards the first electrode. A measurement device measures an electrical parameter representative of the electrical current generated between the first electrode and the second electrode by the charged particles. The electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode is maintained at a first electrical potential level which is less than and in the vicinity of an electrical potential threshold level at which at corona phenomenon is generated such that in the absence of smoke no corona phenomenon is generated in the vicinity of the second electrode and in the presence of smoke a corona phenomenon is generated in the vicinity of the second electrode. | 01-31-2013 |
