FIRE PROTECTION AND SUPPRESSION APPARATUS, MATERIALS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

Fire protection and suppression apparatus, materials, systems and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In fire extinguishing applications, a convergent-divergent nozzle is incorporated into a pyrotechnic aerosol generator to improve the discharge characteristics when combined with air induction, reduced quantity of cooling media, and re-shaped agent/combustion chamber for longer discharge duration. In fire extinguishing applications, aerosol extinguishing agent in sheets, panels or other forms can be placed inside an enclosure that may have a fire. Once initiated, the aerosol extinguishing material will burn to create and directly disperse the aerosol particulate that can extinguish the fire. Initiation of the aerosol agent can be by flames or heat from an unwanted fire. Alternative methods of initiation include electric initiators that are signaled by automatic fire detection systems, electric manual methods, or mechanical/thermal initiators.

Claims

1. A fire suppression system, comprising at least one of: an aerosol material disposed on, or in physical proximity to, a potential fire hazard; wherein the aerosol material is configured to be actuated by at least one of exposure to at least one of heat or flame, an initiator operably coupled to the aerosol material to facilitate actuation of the aerosol fire suppression substance; wherein the aerosol material is in the form of at least one of: a flexible sheet impregnated with an aerosol fire suppression substance, a rigid sheet, impregnated with an aerosol fire suppression substance, a coating applied to a surface on, or in physical proximity to, the potential fire hazard; a three-dimensional solid having a shape in the form of at least one of a cylinder, a pyramid, a prism, a rectangular parallelepiped, a sphere, an irregular shell, a combination thereof; and one of hollow, solid-through, solid but porous throughout; a combination thereof; a pyrotechnic generator, which upon actuation, produces fire suppression agent, the pyrotechnic generator including a combustion chamber having an outlet and at least one convergent-divergent nozzle coupled directly to the outlet of the combustion chamber, the nozzle disposed so as to direct the fire suppression agent at the potential fire hazard.

2. A fire suppression system comprising: an aerosol material disposed on, or in physical proximity to, a potential fire hazard; wherein the aerosol material is configured to be actuated by exposure to at least one of heat or flame; wherein the aerosol material is in the form of at least one of: a body of material impregnated with an aerosol fire suppression substance; a coating applied to a surface on, or in physical proximity to, the potential fire hazard.

3. The fire suppression system according to claim 2, wherein the body of material is one of flexible, rigid, a combination thereof; and has a shape that is one of a cylinder, a pyramid, a prism, a rectangular parallelepiped, a sphere, an irregular shell, a combination thereof; and is one of hollow, solid-through, solid but porous throughout; a combination thereof.

4. The fire suppression system according to claim 2, wherein the aerosol fire suppression substance comprises at least one of potassium nitrate; potassium carbonate; epoxies or organic resins; dicyandiamide (DCDA); magnesium.

5. The fire suppression system according to claim 2, wherein the aerosol material further comprises: a plurality of layers of aerosol fire suppression substance.

6. The fire suppression system according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of layers comprises at least two layers, and further wherein the aerosol fire suppression substance of a first layer is different from an aerosol fire suppression substance of a second layer.

7. The fire suppression system of claim 2, further comprising: an initiator operably coupled to the aerosol material to facilitate actuation of the aerosol fire suppression substance.

8. The fire suppression system of claim 7, further comprising: a fire detector operably coupled to the initiator, to actuate the initiator, upon detection of at least one of heat in excess of a predetermined temperature, flame, combustion products in excess of a predetermined concentration, combustion products having at least predetermined constituent.

9. The fire suppression system of claim 7, further comprising: a control apparatus coupled to the initiator and the aerosol material.

10. The fire suppression system of claim 9, wherein the control apparatus comprises a manual actuator to enable the initiator to be selectively actuated by a person.

11. The fire suppression system according to claim 9, further comprising: a fire detector operably coupled to the initiator, and the control apparatus, to actuate the initiator, upon detection of at least one of heat in excess of a predetermined temperature, flame, combustion products in excess of a predetermined concentration, combustion products having at least predetermined constituent.

12. The fire suppression system according to claim 9, wherein the fire hazard comprises at least one of a device and a process system, and the control apparatus is coupled to a monitoring apparatus that monitors operation of the device.

13. A fire suppression apparatus comprising: a pyrotechnic generator, which upon actuation, produces fire suppression agent, the pyrotechnic generator including a combustion chamber having an outlet; and at least one convergent-divergent nozzle coupled directly to the outlet of the combustion chamber.

14. The fire suppression apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising: an air induction shell coupled to the pyrotechnic generator and surrounding the at least one convergent-divergent nozzle, the air induction shell having at least one aperture therein, through which surrounding environmental air is educted and entrained in a discharge flow emanating from the at least one convergent-divergent nozzle.

15. The fire suppression apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising: at least one cooling medium disposed downstream from an outlet of the at least one convergent-divergent nozzle.

16. The fire suppression apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising: a screen disposed downstream from an outlet of the at least one convergent-divergent nozzle.

17. The fire suppression apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least one convergent-divergent nozzle further comprises a plurality of convergent-divergent nozzles.

18. The fire suppression apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the convergent-divergent nozzles are disposed in a direction parallel to an axis of a discharge outlet of the pyrotechnic generator and project their collective discharges in a substantially axial direction, substantially parallel to one another.

19. The fire suppression apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the convergent-divergent nozzles are disposed circumferentially about an axis of a discharge outlet of the pyrotechnic generator and extend radially outwardly therefrom, and project their respective discharges radially relative to the axis.

20. The fire suppression apparatus according to claim 13, wherein at least one convergent-divergent nozzle is disposed in a direction parallel to an axis of a discharge outlet of the pyrotechnic generator and projects its discharge in a substantially axial direction, substantially parallel to one another, and at least one convergent-divergent nozzle is disposed so that it extends radially outwardly from an axis of the discharge outlet, and projects its discharge radially relative to the axis.

21. The fire suppression apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the convergent-divergent nozzles are disposed in at least one of a direction parallel to an axis of a discharge outlet of the pyrotechnic generator and project their collective discharges in a substantially axial direction, substantially parallel to one another, and circumferentially about an axis of a discharge outlet of the pyrotechnic generator and extend radially outwardly therefrom, and project their respective discharges radially relative to the axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a simplified side sectional view of a pyrotechnic generator according to a known configuration.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a simplified side sectional view of a fire suppression apparatus comprising a pyrotechnic generator provided with a convergent-divergent nozzle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a simplified side sectional view of a fire suppression apparatus comprising a pyrotechnic generator with convergent-divergent nozzle, further including air eduction structural features, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a simplified side sectional view of a fire suppression apparatus comprising a pyrotechnic generator with convergent-divergent nozzle, further including cooling media and screens, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a simplified side sectional view of a fire suppression apparatus comprising a pyrotechnic generator with a plurality of convergent-divergent nozzles, further including air eduction, cooling media and screens, wherein the nozzles are arranged in a parallel, axial discharge configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a simplified side sectional view of a fire suppression apparatus comprising a pyrotechnic generator with a plurality of radially-disposed convergent-divergent nozzles, with air eduction, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a simplified side sectional view of a fire suppression apparatus comprising a pyrotechnic generator with an elongated generator/nozzle axial discharge configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a simplified axial sectional view of the fire suppression apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 7.

[0041] FIG. 9 is graph demonstrating various performance characteristics for convergent-divergent nozzles.

[0042] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a representative enclosure in which a potential fire hazard is disposed.

[0043] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of an aerosol product according to an embodiment of the invention, shown disposed on the fire hazard illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0044] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrating alternative placement of aerosol product.

[0045] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrating deployment of the aerosol product in combination with detection and actuation systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and described in detail herein, specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment(s) illustrated.

[0047] The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed in reference to the numerals provided therein to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. It is noted that the inventors can be their own lexicographers. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors' intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.

[0048] The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above.

[0049] Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112˜6. Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description of the Invention or claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112˜6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112˜6 are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for” and the specific function (e.g., “means for roasting”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for . . . ” or “step for . . . ” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventor not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112˜6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112˜6 are invoked to define the claimed inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the illustrated embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the invention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.

[0050] In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and apparatus are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, apparatus and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. Thus, the full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.

[0051] Various aspects of the present invention may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware or software components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results.

[0052] Various representative implementations of the present invention may be applied to any system involving pyrotechnics-based fire suppression. Thus, while there are disclosed improved apparatus, systems, and methods for effectuating the generation and dispersion of pyrotechnically-generated fire suppression substances, it will be understood that references in the following disclosure to systems and apparatus are also applicable to other fire suppression apparatuses and methods, which utilize related structures for the processes recited. Similarly, references to methods are also applicable of systems and apparatus, which perform the processes in the operation of the recited apparatus. It will be appreciated that numerous changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims, including but not limited to combinations of elements or structures of the various illustrated embodiments. For example, while specific materials and/or methods of manufacture of the apparatuses described herein may be discussed, it is understood that one having ordinary skill in the art may select different materials and/or methods of manufacture, as desired or necessary to meet the requirements of a particular application, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a simplified side sectional view of a pyrotechnic aerosol generator 10, according to a known configuration. The fire suppression agent discharge is slowed due to the cooling media and screens. The initial agent vapor cools to a liquid as it encounters the cooling media and drips out of the generator after the generator finishes its burn. Due to thermal shock, the hot vapor inside the generator frequently fractures the cooling media which is then spit out as very hot cracked material causing damage. It is believed that generator 10 is typically employed in a fire suppression system, wherein a cooling media is disposed between the generator 10 and an ultimate dispersion nozzle.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a simplified side sectional view of a fire suppression apparatus 20, having a pyrotechnic generator 22 with a convergent-divergent (“C-D”) nozzle 24, according to an embodiment of the invention. It is to be noted that the products of combustion from the pyrotechnic generator are conducted directly into the C-D nozzle 24, without any intervening cooling media or other structures. In general, convergent-divergent nozzles are known to provide: increased momentum to the discharge; cooler discharge; and lower pressures. This is because energy of the temperature and pressure is converted into momentum. Improvements in reducing “slag”, cooling the discharge, increasing the momentum and duration of the discharge are believed to result from added features and design changes that take advantage of the results of using a convergent-divergent nozzle with the generator.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a simplified side sectional view of a fire suppression apparatus 30, according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a pyrotechnic generator 32, having a C-D nozzle 34 coupled directly to the exit therefrom. Operatively coupled to pyrotechnic generator 30, and surrounding C-D nozzle 34 is a shell or duct 36 having a plurality of inlets 38 disposed therein. During operation of generator 32, environmental air is drawn through inlets 38 and entrained in the flow of the combustion products exiting C-D nozzle 34. The increased momentum of the discharge with the convergent-divergent nozzle allows the induction of exterior air to further cool the discharge. In addition to improved cooling of the discharging agent, it is believed this will result results in a lowering of any requirement for solid (or other) cooling media which, in turn, reduces the creation of slag, and offers less flow resistance to the discharge of the fire suppression agent.

[0056] FIG. 4 is a simplified side sectional view of a fire suppression apparatus 40, according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a pyrotechnic generator 42, coupled directly to a C-D nozzle 44. Disposed immediately downstream of the outlet of C-D nozzle 44 is cooling media 46 and screen 48. It is believed that the advantageous effects of nozzle 44 enables the use of less robust cooling media and/or screens, thus lowering the cost and materials requirements of apparatus 40, while maintaining a satisfactory fire suppression performance. The convergent-divergent nozzle is still compatible with the solid cooling media and screens to provide further cooling and prevent flame ejection. Less cooling media would be required and the thermal shock to the cooling media would be less so the “slag” would be reduced significantly.

[0057] FIG. 5 is a simplified side sectional view of fire suppression apparatus 50, according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a pyrotechnic generator 51, and a plurality of C-D nozzles 54 coupled directly to the combustion chamber of generator 51. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, nozzles 52 are arranged to have their respective discharges project in substantially parallel directions. Apparatus 50 further optionally includes shell 54 and apertures 56 for air induction, as previously described, and further optionally includes, as desired or necessary for the needs of a particular installation, cooling media 58 and/or screens 59.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a simplified side sectional view of fire suppression apparatus 60, according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a pyrotechnic generator 62, and a plurality of radially-disposed C-D nozzles 64 coupled directly to the combustion chamber of generator 62. Air induction may be provided in the form of a circular plate 66, having apertures 68 disposed therein. Alternatively, plate 66 and aperture 68 may both be annular in nature. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, cooling media or screens are not shown, but in alternative variations, such structures may be provided if needed, wherein the cooling media or screens would be arranged as a hoop or annular structure surrounding the periphery of the nozzle section. In a still further embodiment, not pictured, nozzles may be arranged in combinations of axial or radial arrangements, or even spherical.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a simplified side sectional view of fire suppression apparatus 70, having an elongated pyrotechnic generator 72 and C-D nozzle 74. FIG. 8 is a simplified axial sectional view of apparatus 70. To optimize the discharge for best mixing in the room, the increased momentum can be combined with a longer/narrower chamber to give a much longer burn time. By providing such a configuration, the burn duration of the generator can be extended for a comparable volume of reactant(s).

[0060] FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating various performance characteristics of C-D nozzles generally.

[0061] FIG. 10-13 discuss an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein a pyrotechnic aerosol fire suppression agent, which may be released through exposure to heat and/or flame, is provided in the form of a body of material that is impregnated with the pyrotechnic aerosol agent, in an embodiment, in the form of sheets. Such sheets may be strategically placed on or in the vicinity of a potential fire hazard. The aerosol agent panels (sheets, coatings, etc.) would be especially suitable when there is limited space for other aerosol extinguishing systems or when there are significant obstructions to the distribution of the agent. Alternatively, the aerosol agent sheet or coating may be provided as a supplement to a pyrotechnic fire suppression agent dispersed via nozzle, as described with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9. Although the material having fire suppression agents impregnated therein is described and illustrated herein as being in the form of sheets, other geometric configurations are also possible and considered to be within the scope of this invention. Such alternative configurations of the body of impregnated material may include, but are not limited to: one of flexible, rigid, a combination thereof; and a shape that is one of a cylinder, a pyramid, a prism, a rectangular parallelepiped (such as a brick-shaped block or cube), a sphere, an irregular shell, a combination thereof; and one of hollow, solid-through, solid but porous throughout; a combination thereof.

[0062] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a representative enclosure 80 in which a potential fire hazard 82 is disposed. The hazard to be protected may comprise, for example, a containment, which may be substantially leak-proof, which may have minor leakage, and which represents a potential fire hazard. The fire hazard is in the enclosure. The class of fire can be Class A (ordinary combustibles), Class B (flammable liquids) or class C (electrical fires), including, but not limited to, fires with energetic materials, such as battery fires or fires initiated or maintained that involve other kinds of energetic materials—many of which are not as of the time of this writing readily classified in the traditional A, B or C classifications.

[0063] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of an aerosol product 84 according to an embodiment of the invention, shown disposed on the fire hazard 82 illustrated in FIG. 10. Aerosol agent, formed from sheets, panels or other shapes can be fitted within the enclosure 80. The amount of agent and placement is dependent on the volume, available space, leakage, obstructions. In high energy hazards, the unwanted fire would have enough energy, flames and/or heat to initiate the combustion of the aerosol agent. In this most simple arrangement, there is no requirement for fire detection and the actuation of the fire extinguishing capability is automatic. Typical materials that may be used in the make-up of an aerosol pellet (used in a pyrotechnical generator) or on an impregnated sheet include, but are not limited to one or more of the following: potassium nitrate; potassium carbonate; epoxies or organic resins; dicyandiamide (DCDA); magnesium. When configuring a pyrotechnical generator or impregnated sheet, various factors may be taken into consideration in determining the rate of production of the fire suppressing aerosol, including but not limited to: the specific chemical composition; the surface area of the sheet or the nozzle area and/or chamber volume in the case of a generator, shape and/or thickness of a sheet or panel; the use of inhibiting coatings (on the sheet, panel or generator pellets) such as a ceramic “paint.”

[0064] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrating alternative placement of aerosol product 84, or example as a plurality of layers 86, 88. More layers may be provided, if desired. The aerosol agent in the aerosol product 84 can be arranged to best suit the enclosure 80 and the fire hazard 82. Once initiated, all the aerosol agent will actuate because of the energy of the aerosol materials. Nearby aerosol agent will start to burn to produce the extinguishing agent even when the installed aerosol agent sheets/panels or forms are not in contact with each other. Alternatively, Further, the layers 86, 88 may be fabricated using different aerosol materials, such as might deploy at different temperatures, to suit the nature of the particular fire hazard 82 in question.

[0065] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrating deployment of the aerosol product 84 in combination with detection and actuation systems. In addition to being self-initiating when there is significant flame or energy from a fire, the aerosol agent materials can be initiated by adding fire detection 92 and electric initiators 94 for use when the fire is not expected to be of the energy required to initiate the aerosol burning, or when added reliability is desired. The fire detection can use smoke, heat, flame detectors and/or manual actuation stations 90.

[0066] In addition to, or as an alternative to, using a fire detection system to actuate the fire suppression aerosol generator or sheets, actuation could also be caused by a signal received from a process monitoring system (not illustrated) provided for monitoring equipment that could potentially catch fire. For example, if a battery compartment, e.g., in a vehicle, is being protected, in addition to a dedicated fire/smoke sensor configured to send a signal to a control apparatus, in addition the battery bank could have a monitoring system that might detect faults in the operation of the battery bank that could correspond to conditions likely to lead to ignition or explosion, but prior to the existence of actual detectable smoke or flame.

[0067] These panels, shapes or coatings 84 can be applied to the ceiling/top, walls and floor/bottom of an enclosure 80, such as a battery enclosure, to disperse the agent directly into the enclosure/room once the agent is ignited.

[0068] The agent combustion that creates the extinguishing aerosol can be initiated directly by the flames or high-heat of a fire. The agent combustion can also be initiated by various fire detection systems 90, 92, 94, employing heat, smoke or flame sensors, or manual actuation stations to electrically operate an initiator fitted to the aerosol agent. Other types of initiators would be thermally actuated or mechanical types that would use the temperature increase in the compartment or manual mechanical means to operate an initiator.

[0069] While the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are presently considered to be preferred, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims, and all changes and modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.

[0070] Although the invention has been described with reference to the above examples, it will be understood that many modifications and variations are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention shall not be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended and contemplated to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.