Automatic Identification Building Automation Design & Simulation Digital Factory Electrical & Control Panels Embedded Automation Factory Automation Fieldbus Networks Fluid Power, Valves & Pumps HMI & Operator Interfaces Industrial Communications Industrial Computers Industrial I/O Machine Control Machine Safety Machine Tools, CNC & DNC Manufacturing Intelligence Material Handling Motion Control, Motors & Drives OPC Packaging Plant Engineering & Maintenance PLCopen Power & Energy Process Control Process Instruments Process Safety Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Robots & Robot Controllers SCADA & RTU Security Sensors Systems Integration Test, Measurement & LIMS Vision Wireless Connectivity
Top 10 Articles of 2009 Free Subscription Submit Product & News Releases Today's News Headlines News By Company News By Month e-Newsletter Archives
Featured Suppliers Automation Product Manufacturers Systems Integrators, Service Providers & Consultants Machine & Equipment Manufacturers
Search all Products Featured Products Products by Category Products By Manufacturer Request Product Catalogs Submit Products
Add Event Hannover Messe 2010
2008 Salary Survey Results Post a Job Search for Jobs Subscriber Login Employer Login Testimonials Recruiting Services Contract Services Employer Resources Job Seeker Resources
Techie Lounge Poll Questions & Surveys Multimedia Library White Papers Training & Seminars Application Tools Complimentary Reference Guides Complimentary Evaluation Software Industry Web Sites Free Subscriptions to Trade Publications
LinkedIn Group Facebook Group Twitter
Bookstore Online Training Courses Supplier Listings Automation.com Logo Items


 

Fieldbus Networks Portal: Products, News, Articles, Events & Resources

General Monitors adds HART to FL4000 Flame Detector
 
Go to company's web site

General Monitors adds HART to FL4000 Flame Detector
LAKE FOREST, CA — April 23, 2007 - The Multi-Spectral Infrared (MSIR) FL4000 Flame Detector from General Monitors is now available with HART® communications. The FL4000, with its MSIR sensor that incorporates neural network technology (NNT), provides highly reliable flame monitoring with false alarm immunity, wide field of view (FOV) and the long range.

HART is a field-proven instrumentation communications protocol that is easy-to-use and provides reliable two-way digital communication without disturbing the integrity of the 4-20mA analog signal. HART communications permit remote process variable interrogation, cyclical access to process data, parameter setting and diagnostics. Unlike other technologies, HART provides a unique communication solution that is backward compatible with the installed base of instrumentation in use today.

Tthe FL4000 Flame Detector gives process and plant engineers a powerful new tool in protecting people, equipment and facilities from dangerous hydrocarbon flame sources. It provides exceptional performance and reliability while minimizing operational costs associated with false alarms.

Designed with an exceptionally reliable NNT flame discrimination algorithm, the FL4000 detector is highly immune to false alarms while at the same time offering extended range (up to 230 feet) and wide field-of-view (FOV) characteristics (100° at 50 feet). For example, the FL4000 MSIR flame detector provides false alarm immunity to arc welding as close as 5-15 feet. Other features include built-in COPM (Continuous Optical Path Monitoring), a self-testing feature designed to check the optical path integrity of the detector elements and the related electronic circuitry once every two minutes. Serial ports allow up to 128 units (247 using repeaters) to be linked up to a host computer using either HART or MODBUS communications.

The advanced FL4000 combines an optical MSIR sensor array with NNT processing. NNT is based on artificial neural networks (ANN), which are mathematical models of neurons in the human brain that correlate given signal patterns with target flame conditions. The optical IR sensor array and the neural network function together as an adaptive and intuitive decision-making mechanism. The resulting flame detector provides the industry’s most reliable discrimination between actual flames and costly false alarm sources.

The MSIR sensor array in the FL4000 allows the detector to sample different IR spectral areas to detect a flame. Each sensor’s analog signal is sampled and then converted into digital format for initial signal pre-processing to extract time and frequency information. The time and frequency information are used by the FL4000’s proprietary neural network classification algorithm to identify if input IR signals are emitted from a flame or non-flame source. The flame or non-flame decision is then reported as an output via LEDs, relays and MODBUS.

Because of its accurate and reliable flame detection scheme, the FL4000 sets a new standard for performance, reliability, safety and value. Furthermore, the FL4000’s ability to differentiate spectral radiation emitted by actual flames from that emitted by background ambient radiation is exceptional. This differentiation is extremely crucial, as failure to do so results in either undetected fires, or more commonly, nuisance false alarms.

About General Monitors
Founded in 1961, General Monitors is a leading-edge manufacturer of combustible gas, toxic gas and flame detection monitoring products of the highest quality. The company has been third-party certified to ISO 9001:2000 requirements. Corporate headquarters in Lake Forest, California comprise a modern engineering design center, R&D, manufacturing, sales and service complex. A facility in Galway, Ireland supports the EU with engineering design, R&D and manufacturing. Sales and service offices are maintained in Houston, Texas, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
 
Go to company's web site