EXTINGUISHING DEVICE FOR FITTING ON THE HOUSING OF AN ELECTRICAL UNIT, ON A MONUMENT IN THE CABIN OF AN AIRCRAFT OR IN A CAVITY IN THE STRUCTURE OF AN AIRCRAFT

Abstract

An extinguishing device for an electrical unit on an aircraft cabin monument or in an aircraft structure cavity, a combination of a holder and an extinguishing device and systems formed by extinguishing devices and a control unit and by combinations of an extinguishing device and a holder and a control unit. The extinguishing device has a base element for a holder. An extinguishing agent container has a casing and holds an extinguishing agent. A triggering device is connected to the extinguishing agent container to act in response to receiving a triggering signal wherein an extinguishing agent is released into the extinguishing device surrounding area. A data transmission device has a data store with an identifier unique to the extinguishing device and connected to the triggering device, the data transmission device for sending a warning signal via a network to a control unit in response to the triggering device receiving the triggering signal.

Claims

1. An extinguishing device for fitting on a housing of an electrical unit, on a monument in aircraft cabin or in a cavity in a structure of an aircraft, the extinguishing device comprising: a base element for being held in a holder which is configured to be fastened on the housing of the electrical unit, on the monument in the aircraft cabin, or in the cavity in the structure of the aircraft; an extinguishing agent container comprising a closed casing and configured to hold an extinguishing agent, provided on the base element; a triggering device connected to the extinguishing agent container and configured to act on the casing of the extinguishing agent container in response to receiving a triggering signal such that an extinguishing agent held therein is released into a surrounding area of the extinguishing device; and a data transmission device mounted on the base element, and having a data store in which an identifier unique to the extinguishing device is stored and connected to the triggering device for transmitting signals; wherein the data transmission device is configured to send a warning signal via a network to a control unit in response to the triggering device receiving the triggering signal, wherein the warning signal contains the identifier.

2. The extinguishing device according to claim 1, with a monitoring device connected to the triggering device for transmitting the triggering signal to the triggering device and configured to monitor a parameter of the surrounding area; wherein the monitoring device is configured to transmit a triggering signal to the triggering device if the monitored parameter of the surrounding area lies outside a prescribed range.

3. The extinguishing device according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring device is mounted on the base element.

4. The extinguishing device according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring device is away from the base element.

5. The extinguishing device according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring device is configured to detect temperature in the surrounding area of the monitoring device and to transmit the triggering signal to the triggering device whenever the temperature exceeds a threshold value.

6. The extinguishing device according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring device is configured to detect pressure in the surrounding area of the monitoring device and to transmit the triggering signal to the triggering device whenever the pressure exceeds a threshold value.

7. The extinguishing device according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring device is configured to detect a concentration of smoke fumes in the surrounding area of the monitoring device and to transmit the triggering signal to the triggering device whenever the concentration of the smoke fumes exceeds a threshold value.

8. The extinguishing device according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring device is configured to detect absorption of light along an optical path and to transmit the triggering signal to the triggering device whenever the absorption exceeds a threshold value.

9. The extinguishing device according to claim 1, wherein the triggering device has a heating resistor, which is arranged inside the extinguishing agent container; and wherein the triggering device is configured such that the triggering signal causes a current through the heating resistor with a current intensity such that the casing of the extinguishing agent container bursts.

10. The extinguishing device according to claim 1, wherein the triggering device has a closure element in the casing of the extinguishing agent container and is inserted in an opening in the casing; wherein an electrical conductor is between a rim of the opening and the closure element; and wherein the triggering device is configured such that the triggering signal causes a current through the electrical conductor with a current intensity such that the closure element is removed from the opening.

11. The extinguishing device according to claim 1, wherein the triggering device has an arrangement of nano valves in the casing of the extinguishing agent container; wherein the arrangement of nano valves is connected to the triggering device via a signal connection; wherein the triggering device is configured such that the triggering signal causes a control signal which is directed via the signal connection to the arrangement of nano valves; and wherein the arrangement of nano valves is configured such that the control signal directed via the signal connection to the arrangement of nano valves causes the nano valves to open.

12. The extinguishing device according to claim 11, wherein the triggering device has an arrangement of nano valves in the casing of the extinguishing agent container; wherein the triggering device is configured such that the triggering signal causes a current through the arrangement of nano valves with a current intensity such that the nano valves open.

13. The extinguishing device according to claim 1, wherein the triggering device has a switch; wherein the triggering device is configured such that reception of the triggering signal causes the switch to be switched over from an inactive position into a triggering position; and wherein the data transmission device is configured to detect a position of the switch and to emit the warning signal only when the switch is in the triggering position.

14. The extinguishing device according to claim 1, wherein first contacts are provided on the base element, for interacting with first contacts on the holder, wherein the first contacts on the base element are connected to the data transmission device and/or the monitoring device and/or the triggering device in order to supply them with an electrical voltage.

15. The extinguishing device according to claim 1, wherein at least one second contact is provided on the base element, for interacting with at least one second contact on the holder, wherein the at least one second contact on the base element is connected to the data transmission device, in order to emit the warning signal via the at least one second contact.

16. A combination of an extinguishing device according to claim 1 and a holder, wherein the holder is configured to be fastened on the housing of the electrical unit, on the monument in the aircraft cabin, or in the cavity in the structure of the aircraft; and wherein the holder is configured such that the extinguishing device and the holder can be releasably connected to one another.

17. The combination according to claim 16, wherein first contacts are on the base element, for interacting with first contacts on the holder, wherein the first contacts on the base element are connected to the data transmission device and/or the monitoring device and/or the triggering device to supply them with an electrical voltage; and wherein first contacts are on the holder such that the first contacts on the holder lie against the first contacts on the base element when the extinguishing device is connected to the holder.

18. The combination according to claim 16, wherein first contacts are on the base element, for interacting with first contacts on the holder, wherein the first contacts on the base element are connected to the data transmission device and/or the monitoring device and/or the triggering device to supply them with an electrical voltage; and wherein at least one second contact is on the holder such that the at least one second contact on the holder lies against the at least one second contact on the base element when the extinguishing device is connected to the holder.

19. A system comprising a multiplicity of extinguishing devices according to claim 1 and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to receive a warning signal emitted by the data transmission device of one of the extinguishing devices; and wherein the control unit is configured to evaluate the warning signal and output the identifier.

20. A system comprising a multiplicity of combinations according to claim 16 and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to receive a warning signal emitted by the data transmission device of one of the extinguishing devices of the combinations; and wherein the control unit is configured to evaluate the warning signal and output the identifier.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The disclosure herein is explained below on the basis of a drawing, which merely shows preferred exemplary embodiments and in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the disclosure herein comprising combinations of extinguishing devices according to the disclosure herein and holders and also a control unit;

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a first exemplary embodiment of an extinguishing agent container with part of a triggering device;

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a second exemplary embodiment of an extinguishing agent container with part of a triggering device;

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a second exemplary embodiment of an extinguishing agent container with part of a triggering device; and

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the setup of an exemplary embodiment of part of a monitoring device of an extinguishing device according to the disclosure herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the disclosure herein comprising a multiplicity of combinations of an embodiment of an extinguishing device 1 and a holder 3 and also a control unit 5.

[0047] The embodiment of an extinguishing device 1 according to the disclosure herein has a base element 7, which is only schematically represented in FIG. 1 and which is designed to be fitted, preferably releasably, on the holder 5. Provided for this purpose on the base element 7 may be latching elements (not shown), which engage with counter latching elements on the holder 3. The base element 7 may be formed as a housing in which the further components of the extinguishing device 1 are held, but also as a support that is not closed.

[0048] Also provided on the base element 7 of the extinguishing device 1 is an extinguishing agent container 9, which has a closed casing 11 and is designed for holding an extinguishing agent. In a preferred embodiment, the extinguishing agent container 9 may be designed in one piece with the base element 7 in such a way that the casing 11 is an integral part of the base element 7. However, it is also possible, as schematically represented in FIG. 1, that the casing 11 of the extinguishing agent container 9 is formed as a component that is separate from the base element 7 but mounted on it.

[0049] The extinguishing agent container 9 has a holding volume 13, which is enclosed by the casing 11 and is formed for the purpose of holding an extinguishing agent, for example in the form of nitrogen or 3M® Novec® 1230 (Non Halon). In particular, the holding volume 13 may be provided with an extinguishing agent which is of such a nature that it displaces the oxygen present in the surrounding area of the extinguishing device 1 when it is released through an opening in the casing 11. This removes the basis for a fire in the surrounding area. In addition, the extinguishing agent may also have a cooling effect. The two aforementioned examples of extinguishing agents are linked by the advantage that they do not damage electrical components when they come into contact with them.

[0050] The extinguishing device 1 according to the disclosure herein also has a triggering device 15, which is connected to the extinguishing agent container 9 and is designed to act on the casing 11 of the extinguishing agent container 9 in response to receiving a triggering signal in such a way that extinguishing agent that is held in the holding volume 13 is released into the surrounding area of the extinguishing device 1. In the exemplary embodiment schematically represented in FIG. 1, the triggering device 15 is directly fitted on the casing 11 of the extinguishing agent container 9. However, it is also possible that the triggering device 15 or at least part of it is provided in the holding volume 13 of the extinguishing agent container 9.

[0051] The triggering device 15 is designed in such a way that, when a triggering signal which is generated by a monitoring device 17, 17′, still to be described in detail below, that is either likewise fitted on the base element or provided away from it is received, the closed casing 11 of the extinguishing agent container 9 is opened.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, this may happen by the casing 11 being at least partially destroyed. It is however also possible that, when it receives the triggering signal, the triggering device 15 causes an opening in the casing 11 to be exposed. Preferred exemplary embodiments of the triggering device 15 are shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and are explained below:

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of a triggering device 15 has a heating resistor 19, which is arranged inside, that is to say in the holding volume 13, of the extinguishing agent container 9. The triggering device 15 is also designed in such a way that the triggering signal causes a current which is passed through the heating resistor 19 via contacts 21. In this case, the current intensity of the current through the heating resistor 19 is chosen such that the casing 11 of the extinguishing agent container 9 bursts, and as a result the extinguishing agent is released. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the casing 11 is also surrounded by a wire cage 22, in order to prevent fragments of the casing 11 from getting into the surrounding area of the extinguishing device 1.

[0054] In the alternative embodiment of a triggering device 15 that is shown in FIG. 3, it has a closure element 23, which is arranged in the casing 11 of the extinguishing agent container 9 and is inserted in an opening 25 in the casing 11. Provided between the rim of the opening 25 and the closure element 23 is an electrical conductor 27, to which a current can be applied via the contacts 21 when the switch 29 has been brought into the triggering position shown in FIG. 3, which takes place by a triggering signal generated by the monitoring device 17, 17′.

[0055] The current intensity of the current then flowing through the electrical conductor 27 is chosen such that the closure element 23 is released from the opening 25. Extinguishing agent in the extinguishing agent container 9 can leave into the surrounding area through the opening 25 then exposed.

[0056] The switch 29 may also assume an inactive position, in which the contacts 21 are not connected to one another via the conductor 27. The switch 29 is preferably also designed such that, after switching over from the inactive position (which is also monitored) into the triggering position shown in FIG. 3, the switch 29 stays in the triggering position even when the triggering signal is no longer present. As a result, the switch 29 can be used in an easy way to trigger a warning signal permanently, as also described in detail below, even when the triggering signal is no longer present. Furthermore, the switch 29 can then be used to additionally activate an optical indicating device (not shown) such as an LED, by which it can be easily seen from the extinguishing device 1 itself that it has been triggered. Such a switch 29 which, after switching over into the triggering position, stays in the triggering position irrespective of the further presence of the triggering signal may also be used in the way described in the case of other embodiments of a triggering device described in connection with FIG. 3.

[0057] In a further alternative embodiment of a triggering device 15, which is shown in FIG. 4, an arrangement of nano valves 31 is provided in the casing 11 of the extinguishing agent container 9. The triggering device 15 is designed in such a way that the switch 29 is switched by the triggering signal into the triggering position shown in FIG. 4, whereby a current is passed through the conductor 27 via the contacts 21, and thereby through the arrangement of nano valves 31. The current intensity is in this case chosen such that the nano valves open and consequently the extinguishing agent is released from the holding volume 13. Also in the case of this exemplary embodiment, the switch 29 is designed in the way already described in connection with FIG. 3, so that it is used for the purpose of permanently activating an optical indicating device (not shown) on the base element 7 when a triggering signal has been received by the triggering device 15. This embodiment is however only one specific embodiment of the more general concept that the triggering device 15 generally generates a control signal which is passed to the arrangement of nano valves 31 via a signal connection and causes the nano valves 31 to open.

[0058] As also shown in FIG. 1, the extinguishing device 1 has a monitoring device 17, 17′, which is connected to the triggering device 15 for transmitting a triggering signal to the triggering device 15. The monitoring device 17, 17′ may be mounted directly on the base element 7, as is shown in FIG. 1 for the monitoring device 17. However, it is also possible that a monitoring device 17′ is provided away from the base element 7 with the extinguishing agent container 9.

[0059] In any event, the monitoring device 17, 17′ is designed to monitor a parameter of the surrounding area from which it can be deduced whether there is a fire in the surrounding area or at least the outbreak of a fire is very likely. If the monitored parameter of the surrounding area in question lies outside a prescribed range, the monitoring device 17, 17′ transmits a triggering signal to the triggering device 15, which as described above causes the extinguishing agent to be released from the extinguishing agent container 9 into the surrounding area.

[0060] Therefore at least one such parameter of the surrounding area associated with the outbreak of a fire in the surrounding area of the extinguishing device 1 if it changes is monitored by the monitoring device 17, 17′. This may be for example the temperature, pressure or else light absorption by the atmosphere in the surrounding area of the extinguishing device 1. In particular, the monitoring device 17, 17′ may be designed [0061] to detect the temperature in the surrounding area of the monitoring device 17, 17′ and to transmit the triggering signal to the triggering device 15 whenever the temperature exceeds a threshold value, and/or [0062] to detect the pressure in the surrounding area of the monitoring device 17, 17′ and to transmit the triggering signal to the triggering device 15 whenever the pressure exceeds a threshold value, and/or [0063] to detect the concentration of smoke fumes in the surrounding area of the monitoring device 17, 17′ and to transmit the triggering signal to the triggering device 15 whenever the concentration of the smoke fumes exceeds a threshold value, and/or [0064] the monitoring device 17, 17′, as it is schematically represented in FIG. 5, is formed in such a way as to detect the absorption of light along an optical path 35 by an arrangement of diodes 37 and a reflector 39, wherein the triggering signal is transmitted to the triggering device 15 whenever the absorption exceeds a threshold value.

[0065] Finally, the extinguishing device 1 according to the disclosure herein has a data transmission device 41, which is mounted on the base element 7 and has a data store 43 in which an identifier unique to the extinguishing device 1 is stored. The data transmission device 41 is connected to the triggering device 15 for transmitting signals and is designed to send a warning signal via a network to the control unit 5 in response to the triggering device 15 receiving the triggering signal. In this case, the warning signal contains the identifier, so that the control unit 5 to which the warning signal is sent outputs at which position, for example in an aircraft that is provided with a multiplicity of extinguishing devices 1 together with holders 3, the discharging of extinguishing agent has taken place. On this basis, a multiplicity of further measures can then be initiated, in particular the generation of an alarm, including the position of the possible fire. It may be in this case that the identifier stored in the data store 43 contains information about the position at which the extinguishing device 1 is fitted. It is equally also possible that the data store 43 only contains a unique identification in the form of a code unique to the extinguishing device 1 and that the control unit 5 is provided with a further data store 45, in which a table that contains the matching of the codes to the positions of the extinguishing devices 1 is stored.

[0066] Finally, in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown here, first contacts 47 are provided on the base element 7, for interacting with first contacts 49 on the holder 3, when the extinguishing device is connected to the holder 3. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the first contacts 47 on the base element 7 are connected to the data transmission device, the monitoring device 17 and the triggering device 15 in order to supply them with an electrical voltage. It is however possible that the extinguishing device 1 has along with the previously described energy supply an energy store, for example in the form of a battery or some other type of energy store, for example a capacitor (“Super Cap”), in order to ensure the function of the extinguishing device 1 even when the energy supply via the first contacts 47, 49 fails. The extinguishing device can therefore be supplied both via the first contacts 47, 49 and via an internal, preferably rechargeable battery. Furthermore, for a wire-bound transmission of the warning signal to the control unit 5, a second contact 51 is provided on the base element 7, for interacting with a second contact 53 on the holder 3, wherein the second contact 51 on the base element 7 is connected to the data transmission device 41. Even if a wire-bound transmission of the warning signal is described here, it is possible alternatively or in parallel with this also to transfer the warning signal to the control unit 5 in a wireless manner.

[0067] With the previously described exemplary embodiment of a system comprising combinations of extinguishing devices 1 and holders 3 and also a control unit 5, standardized extinguishing devices 1 can be used irrespective of the position at which they are to be used. Furthermore, when they are triggered, the extinguishing devices 1 transmit a warning signal that allows their position to be deduced. This enables the control unit 5 to output a signal, for example an alarm or just an indication, which contains information about the position of a possible fire. In the case of the extinguishing devices 1 according to the disclosure herein, it is specifically avoided that they have to be individually adapted to the position at which they are used, for example in an aircraft. Rather, standardized extinguishing devices 1 can be used.

[0068] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a”, “an” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0069] 1 Extinguishing device [0070] 3 Holder [0071] 5 Control unit [0072] 7 Base element [0073] 5 [0074] 9 Extinguishing agent container [0075] 11 Casing [0076] 13 Holding volume [0077] 15 Triggering device [0078] 17, 17′ Monitoring device [0079] 19 Heating resistor [0080] 21 Contacts [0081] 22 Wire cage [0082] 23 Closure element [0083] 25 Opening [0084] 27 Electrical conductor [0085] 29 Switch [0086] 31 Nano valves [0087] 33 Monitoring device [0088] 35 Optical path [0089] 37 Diodes [0090] 39 Reflector [0091] 41 Data transmission device [0092] 43 Data store [0093] 45 Data store [0094] 47 First contacts [0095] 49 First contacts—holder [0096] 51 Second contact [0097] 53 Second contact—holder