FIRE SUPPRESSION APPARATUS

Abstract

A fire suppression apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is of a type used particularly in fire suppression systems of vehicles and comprises a container in the form of a pressure cylinder having a discharge valve and, inside the cylinder, a tubular discharge conduit. The cylinder is shown in its operable configuration, arranged on its side, and the discharge tube includes a first portion, close to the valve, that extends substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and in this example is substantially central with respect to the cylinder. The tube also includes a second portion that extends downwardly from the substantially axial first portion towards the lowest part of the sidewall of the cylinder and a third portion that is again substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, but close to the sidewall of the cylinder, at an insert portion.

Claims

1. A fire suppression apparatus comprising a container for containing a discharge gas under pressure and a fire suppressant agent, a discharge valve and a discharge conduit for conveying gas and agent to the valve in use, wherein the apparatus comprises an agent disturbing portion which is arranged in use to promote the entrainment of agent in the flow of discharge gas during a discharge operation.

2. A fire suppression apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fire suppressant agent is in powder form.

3. A fire suppression apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the agent disturbing portion comprises one or more apertures in the conduit.

4. A fire suppression apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the disturbing portion comprises an end aperture in the conduit and one or more side apertures in the conduit.

5. A fire suppression apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the disturbing portion comprises a venturi-effect portion.

6. A fire suppression apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the disturbing portion comprises a vortex generating portion of the conduit.

7. A fire suppression apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge conduit comprises a discharge tube.

8. A fire suppression apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge conduit includes at least one part that extends substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the container, and preferably includes at least one other portion that deviates from parallel with a longitudinal axis of the container.

9. A fire suppression apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the deviating portion of the conduit is arranged to extend towards a lower side of the container as mounted in use.

10. A fire suppression apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container is a cylinder.

11. A fire suppression apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge valve is operable in one or more ways to discharge gas and agent including one or more of mechanical, pneumatic and/or electrical actuation.

12. A method of improving the discharge efficiency of an agent-based fire suppression apparatus, the method comprising disturbing the agent in a cylinder of the suppression apparatus so that the agent becomes entrained in a discharge gas during a discharge operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic, longitudinal sectional view of a fire suppression apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is schematic, transverse sectional view of the fire suppression apparatus taken along line X-X′ of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of area A of FIG. 2; and

[0020] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of area B of FIG. 1; and

[0021] FIG. 5 is a detailed sectional view of part of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, this shows generally at 100 a fire suppression apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fire suppression apparatus is of a type used particularly in fire suppression systems of vehicles and comprises a container in the form of a pressure cylinder 120 having a discharge valve 130 and, inside the cylinder, a tubular discharge conduit 140. The cylinder 120 is shown in its operable configuration, arranged on its side, and the discharge tube includes a first portion 140a, close to the valve 130, that extends substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and in this example is substantially central with respect to the cylinder. The tube also includes a second portion 140b that extends downwardly from the substantially axial first portion 140a towards the lowest part of the sidewall of the cylinder and a third portion 140c that is again substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, but close to the sidewall of the cylinder, at an insert portion 140d.

[0023] In use, the cylinder 120 contains a propellant gas, such as Nitrogen at a pressure of 24 bar (for example). The cylinder also contains a fire-suppressant agent, such as monoammonium phosphate in powder form (not shown).

[0024] FIGS. 3 and 4 show, respectively, in more detail, the areas A and B of FIGS. 2 and 1 respectively. The insert portion 140d includes an axial end aperture 142 which narrows in a tapered portion 144 to a short inner tube 146, of a smaller diameter than the conduit 140 itself. The insert portion also features a slot 150, which exposes the inner tube 146 to the interior of the cylinder 120. The inner tube 146 is parallel to the cylinder wall 120. The slot 150 is parallel to the inner tube 146 and cylinder wall 120.

[0025] FIG. 5 shows in more detail the insert portion 140d.

[0026] The shape and juxtaposition of the apertures 142 and 150 are so as to create a venturi portion of the conduit 140. During operation of the suppression apparatus, the effect of this on the pressurized propellant gas is to create a vortex in the cylinder which disturbs a remnant volume of powder agent lying against the bottom of the cylinder. When the powder is disturbed in this way it is much more likely to become entrained in the gas as the gas is released from the cylinder. Further to this, the venturi effect causes a suction effect on the slot 150.

[0027] As a result, the quantity of powder agent remaining in the cylinder at a point when the cylinder is no longer usable is considerably lessened. This means that more powder from each charging of the cylinder can be used, leading to a reduction in the frequency of the refilling operations and a consequent saving in cost.

[0028] Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features referred to herein, and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.