MULTI-REGION FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM AND REGION BLOCKING DEVICE
20240001184 · 2024-01-04
Inventors
Cpc classification
A62C35/023
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A62C3/002
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A62C3/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A62C35/02
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A62C37/40
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
The invention relates to a multi-area fire extinguishing system, having a control system, a number of fluid control lines that are configured to transmit a control pressure as a function of control commands of the control system, and a number of fluid-actuated area valves that are each in fluid communication with the control lines, wherein the area valves are configured to be actuated as a function of the received control commands. The invention proposes, in particular, a fluid-actuated area blocking apparatus which is operatively coupled to the fluid control lines and to the area valves and which is configured such that, when one or more area valves are actuated, said area blocking apparatus opens up those area valves and blocks all other area valves. The invention furthermore relates to a controller for a multi-area fire extinguishing system, to an area blocking apparatus for a fire extinguishing system, and to the use of same.
Claims
1. A multi-area fire extinguishing system, comprising: a control system, a number of fluid control lines that are configured to transmit a control pressure as a function of control commands of the control system, a number of fluid-actuated area valves that are each in fluid communication with the control lines, wherein the area valves are configured to be actuated as a function of received control commands, and a fluid-actuated area blocking apparatus which is operatively coupled to the fluid control lines and to the area valves and which is configured such that, when one or more area valves are actuated, said area blocking apparatus opens up those area valves and blocks all other area valves.
2. The fire extinguishing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid control lines are operatively coupled to a fluidic controller that is in signal communication with the control system such as to receive control commands for combating a fire, wherein the controller is configured to actuate one or more of the area valves as a function of the received control commands, using the control pressure.
3. The fire extinguishing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the area blocking apparatus has a number of internal flow paths by which the control lines and the area valves are connectable in fluid communication, and is actuatable by the control pressure to block and/or open up the flow paths.
4. The fire extinguishing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the area blocking apparatus has a number of fluid inlets and a number of fluid outlets in fluid communication with the fluid inlets, and wherein the fluid inlets are operatively coupled to the fluid controller and the fluid outlets are connected to a respective one of the area valves, wherein the area blocking apparatus is configured such that, whenever control pressure prevails at a fluid inlet, said area blocking apparatus transmits the control pressure from the respective fluid inlet to the fluid outlet and at the same time fluid-tightly separates all other fluid outlets from the fluid inlets.
5. The fire extinguishing system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the area blocking apparatus has, for each area valve, a respective shut-off element that can be moved into a shut-off position to block the flow path, and wherein the shut-off elements are operatively coupled such that those flow paths which are respectively assigned to an actuated area valve are opened up by the respective shut-off element, and at the same time all other shut-off elements assume the shut-off position to block the other flow paths.
6. The fire extinguishing system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the shut-off elements are actuated by differential pressure control and each have a first active surface and a second, spaced-apart active surface, wherein the shut-off elements move into the shut-off position when a greater pressure acts on the second active surface than on the first active surface.
7. The fire extinguishing system as claimed in claim 6, wherein control pressure acts on both the first active surface and the second active surface if control pressure to actuate the area valve prevails at the respective fluid inlet, wherein the second active surfaces are in fluid communication with one another such that control pressure simultaneously acts on all other second active surfaces, such that that flow path is opened up by the respective shut-off element which is assigned to the actuated area valve, and at the same time all other shut-off elements assume the shut-off position to block the other flow paths.
8. The fire extinguishing system as claimed in claim 7, wherein ambient pressure acts on both the first active surface and the second active surface if control pressure to actuate one of the area valves is absent from the respective fluid inlet.
9. The fire extinguishing system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flow path upstream of the shut-off element has in each case one branch channel, and the second active surfaces are in fluid communication by means of the branch channels.
10. The fire extinguishing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein a non-return valve that is configured to prevent a flow from the branch channel in the direction of the fluid inlet is arranged in each of the branch channels.
11. The fire extinguishing system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the area blocking apparatus has a number of non-return elements that are configured to each subject the first active surface to a restoring force acting counter to the shut-off direction, such that the shut-off element must overcome the restoring force to move into the shut-off position.
12. The fire extinguishing system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the area blocking apparatus has multiple interconnectable blocking modules, and an area valve is assigned to each blocking module of the blocking modules, wherein each of the blocking modules, has a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and, arranged between fluid inlet and fluid outlet, a shut-off element for selectively blocking a flow path assigned to the respective area valve.
13. The fire extinguishing system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fire extinguishing system furthermore has fluid-actuated alarm means, and the area blocking apparatus has, for each flow path, an alarm channel for fluid communication between the fluid controller and the alarm means.
14. The fire extinguishing system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: one or more fire parameter detectors that are arranged in a respective area of an object for monitoring, wherein the control system is in signal communication with the one or more fire parameter detectors, a number of extinguishing agent vessels, a pipeline network connected to the number of extinguishing agent vessels for transporting the extinguishing agent, wherein the pipeline network comprises the number of area valves, and a control pressure source including a pressurized gas vessel, which is connected to a fluidic controller.
15. A fluidic controller for a multi-area fire extinguishing system as claimed in claim 1, comprising: a first interface for signal communication with a control system in order to receive, from the control system, control commands for combating a fire, and a second, fluidic, interface for fluid communication with a number of fluid control lines that transmit a control pressure, and a third, fluidic, interface for outputting the control pressure to actuate a number of fluid-actuated area valves, wherein the fluid controller is configured to, as a function of the control commands received from the control system via the first interface, transmit the control pressure to the third interface to actuate one or more of the area valves, and wherein the fluid controller has a fluid-actuated area blocking apparatus which is operatively coupled at one side to the third interface and at the other side to the area valves and which is configured such that, when one or more area valves are actuated by the third interface, said area blocking apparatus opens up those area valves and blocks all other area valves.
16. An area blocking apparatus for a multi-area fire extinguishing system as claimed in claim 1, comprising: a first, fluidic, interface for fluid communication with a number of fluid-conducting control lines which each transmit a control pressure to actuate a number of fluid-actuated area valves, and a second, fluidic, interface for fluid communication with the area valves, wherein the area blocking apparatus has a number of internal flow paths which extend from the first to the second interface and by means of which the control lines and the area valves are in fluid communication, and said area blocking apparatus is configured to block and/or open up the flow paths by way of the control pressure such that, when one or more area valves are actuated, those area valves are opened up and all other area valves are blocked.
17. (canceled)
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0060] The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the appended figures and on the basis of a preferred exemplary embodiment. In the figures:
[0061]
[0062]
[0063]
[0064]
[0065]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0066]
[0067] The controller 1 is connected in signal-conducting fashion via a (first) signal interface 12 to the control system 103 in order to receive control commands for combating a fire. The signal interface 12 may be wireless or wired. The fire extinguishing system 100 preferably has at least one fire parameter detector 101, preferably at least one fire parameter detector 101 per extinguishing area. The fire extinguishing system 100 furthermore has at least one manual triggering device 102, particularly preferably at least one manual triggering device 102 per extinguishing area, connected in signal-conducting fashion to the control system 103, and also has a control pressure source 105. A number of control lines 13, in the present example multiple control lines 13, extend from the control pressure source 105 to the area valves 111. The fluidic controller 1 is coupled into the control lines 13. Said fluidic controller is in fluid communication with the control pressure source 105 via a (second) fluidic interface 10 in the form of an entrance 25. The controller 1 furthermore has a (third) interface 14 for transmitting the control pressure in the direction of the area valves 111. Although not illustrated in the figure, multiple fire parameter detectors 101 may also be structurally combined to form a multi-sensor unit.
[0068] The blocking apparatus 5 is in fluid communication with control lines 13 in each case by means of a number of fluid inlets 19 of a (first) interface 16. The control lines 13 are connected to a fluidic controller 1. At an outlet side, the blocking apparatus 5 has a (second) interface 18 at which the control lines receive the control pressure again and transmit same to the area valves 111. An area valve 111 is assigned to in each case one area, which is to be monitored by the multi-area fire extinguishing system 100, of an object or building, and is actuated by means of the blocking apparatus 5.
[0069] At a (fourth) fluidic interface 20, the fluidic controller 1 is connected by way of fluidic exits 17 to a battery of extinguishing agent vessels 107, or to fluid-actuated valves at the extinguishing agent vessels 107. The extinguishing agent vessels 107 are furthermore fluidically connected by way of a pipeline network 109 to the area valves 111.
[0070] The fire extinguishing system 100 furthermore preferably has a number of alarm means 113, which are likewise actuated by the fluidic controller 1 by way of control pressure and are assigned to in each case one of the area valves 111. Alternatively or in addition, alarm means actuated electrically by means of the control system 103 may also be provided.
[0071] If a fire in one of the areas associated with the area valves 111 is detected by the fire parameter detector 101, or if the manual triggering device 102 is activated, these transmit a signal to the control system 103, which in turn evaluates the signal from the fire parameter detector 101 or from the manual triggering device 102. After this evaluation has been performed, control commands for combating a fire are provided by the control system 103 to the fluidic controller 1. The fluidic controller 1 fluidically actuates or controls a predefined number of extinguishing agent vessels 107, in particular by way of a control pressure, whereupon these extinguishing agent vessels 107 open and release extinguishing agent via the pipeline network 109. Additionally, as a function of the received control commands, the fluidic controller 1 fluidically actuates one or more of the area valves 111, in particular by way of a control pressure, in order to conduct the extinguishing agent that flows into the pipeline network 109 into the corresponding area. Preferably, the alarm means 113, for example klaxon(s), associated with the area valves 111 is or are then triggered and preferably likewise supplied with control pressure from the control pressure source 105 via a second flow path (cf.
[0072]
[0073] In the preferred exemplary embodiment shown in
[0074] The fluid inlets 19, of which a number n is provided, are operatively coupled by way of fluidic connections 31 to the respective control units 3.
[0075] The fire extinguishing system 100 furthermore has an area blocking apparatus 5. The area blocking apparatus 5 is fluidically connected, preferably coupled, to the control lines 13. The area blocking apparatus 5 has a fluid inlet 19 and a fluid outlet 21 for each of the area valves 111 (cf.
[0076] The area blocking apparatus 5 may be configured as a stand-alone unit or as a functional module of the fluid controller 1, if the latter is also designed as a consolidated control unit.
[0077] The area blocking apparatus 5 furthermore has a main element 27 that is formed from multiple interconnectable blocking modules 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, 29e. By way of example, five area blocking modules 29a-29e are provided in the exemplary embodiment in
[0078] In each case one fluid inlet 19 and one fluid outlet 21 is formed in each of the blocking modules 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, 29e. Each of the modules 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, 29e is couplable by means of a corresponding fluid-conducting connection 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e of a fluidic connecting assembly 31, wherein the fluid inlets 19 of the fluid controller 1 are connected by means of said fluidic connecting assembly 31 to the area blocking apparatus 5.
[0079] Whilst
[0080] As shown in the exemplary embodiment in
[0081] The functional modules 7, 9 are preferably reversibly detachably coupled, and fastened to the main control element 11, in fluid-tight fashion with respect to the surroundings by way of plug connectors.
[0082] As a further functional module, the fluidic controller 1 has a use/reserve switching module 35 which, in the switching position shown, has been switched such that the extinguishing agent vessels 107 are connected via the fluidic exits 17 of the fourth interface 20 to the fluidic controller 1. By switching over, it would be possible to connect a reserve for the extinguishing agent vessels 107 in fluid-conducting fashion to the fluidic exits 17.
[0083] As a further functional module, the fluidic controller 1 has an extinguishing agent release module 33 at the fourth interface 20. The extinguishing agent release module 33 has, for each of the fluidic exits 17, a release valve 34 that is actuated by the control pressure from the control pressure source 105, preferably after a delay owing to a delay valve 52.
[0084] At the side of the fluidic exits 22 at the third interface 14,
[0085] The control valve module 7 furthermore has multiple second flow paths 41 that are formed between a second fluidic entrance 25 and the fluid inlets 19 (cf.
[0086] The alarm means 113 are preferably connected by way of in each case one second fluidic exit 45 to the control unit 1.
[0087] The first control valve module 7 has a fourth flow path 51 that is in fluid communication with, by way of multiple non-return valves 49, to the first flow paths 39 downstream of the control valves 43. An undesired backflow is prevented by the non-return valves 49. Control pressure is transported via the fourth flow path 51 to the extinguishing agent release module 33.
[0088] Multiple flow channel columns, one for each fluidic exit 17, extend in the form of flow channels 55 through the flow control module 9 from the extinguishing agent release module 33. The flow channels 55 arranged in columns open into the shut-off elements 15, from where they are connectable in fluid-conducting fashion to flow channels 53 arranged in rows, depending on whether the respective shut-off element 15 is arranged in a shut-off position or in a release position.
[0089] The number of exits 17 in the flow control module 9 can be flexibly adapted to the number of extinguishing agent vessels 107 to be provided, whilst the number of exits 22 in the flow control module 9 can be adapted as desired to the number of area valves 111 for actuation.
[0090] The area blocking apparatus 5 shown in more detail in
[0091] The area blocking apparatus 5 comprises the blocking modules 29a, 29b, 29c. According to the invention, the area blocking apparatus 5 may be composed either of a single piece or of any desired number of blocking modules 29.
[0092] In the present exemplary embodiment, each of the blocking modules 29a, 29b, 29c has one fluid inlet 19 and one fluid outlet 21, which can be separated in fluid-tight fashion in order to shut off the flow path from the fluidic controller 1 to the area valves 111. For this purpose, the area blocking apparatus 5 (cf.
[0093]
[0094] As is in particular also shown in
[0095] As shown in
[0096] In each of the blocking modules 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, 29e, there is arranged a non-return valve 59 which is arranged in each case in the horizontal branch channel 62 of the blocking module 29b, outside the flow path between the fluid inlet 19 and the fluid outlet 21.
[0097] The fluid flowing into the fluid inlet 19 of the blocking module 29b is split up in the blocking module 29b such that a proportion of the inflowing fluid flows through the horizontal branch channel 62 in which the non-return valve 59 is arranged. The fluid flows through the branch channel 62 and the non-return valve 59 to the second active surface 57b of the shut-off element 57, and onward from there through the vertical branch channels 61 to the second active surfaces 57b of the other shut-off elements 57 in the area blocking apparatus 5. Here, the non-return valve 59 prevents a flow from the branch channel 62 in the direction of the fluid inlet 19. The remaining fluid flows onward through the flow path in the direction of the fluid outlet 21 in the blocking module 29b, past the first active surface 57a.
[0098] The fluid flowing past causes a pressure force to act on the second active surfaces 57a of each of the shut-off elements 57 in the direction of the shut-off position. An opposing force acts only on the first active surface 57a of the shut-off element 57 in the blocking module 29b. Only at the fluid inlet 19 of the corresponding blocking module 29b does a control pressure prevail in order to actuate the associated area valve 111. This control pressure at the fluid inlet 19 in turn causes at least a proportion of the fluid to flow through the flow path in the direction of the fluid outlet 21 and past the first active surface 57a of the corresponding shut-off element 57. The forces on the first active surface and on the second active surface are of equal magnitude and oppositely directed, because control pressure prevails on both sides, and the active surfaces 57a, 57b each have the same cross-sectional area. The forces acting on the active surfaces 57a and 57b in the blocking module 29b are thus equal, such that only the shut-off element 57 in the blocking module 29b remains in a position in which the fluid inlet 19 and the fluid outlet 21 are in fluid communication. The other shut-off elements 57 are moved, by the pressure force acting on the respective second active surface 57b, into the shut-off position in which they block the flow path between the fluidic controller 1 and the respective area valve 111.
[0099] As is also shown in
[0100] As can be seen in particular in
[0101] The functioning of the fire extinguishing system 100 will be discussed below on the basis of an example.
[0102] In the event of a fire, one or more fire parameter detectors 101 transmit an electrical signal to the control system 103 (cf.
[0103] The fluidic controller 1 then provides the control pressure and transmits the control pressure to the area blocking apparatus 5. Said area blocking apparatus has, for each area valve 111, a blocking module 29 with a fluid inlet 19 and a fluid outlet 21 (cf.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND DESIGNATIONS
[0104] 1 Fluidic controller [0105] 3 Control unit [0106] 5 Area blocking apparatus [0107] 7 Control valve module [0108] 9 Flow control module [0109] 10 (Second) fluidic interface, controller [0110] 11 Main control element [0111] 12 (First) signal interface, controller [0112] 13 Control line [0113] 14 (Third) fluidic interface, controller [0114] 15 Shut-off element [0115] 16 (First) fluidic interface, blocking apparatus [0116] 17 Fluidic exit (first) [0117] 18 (Second) fluidic interface, blocking apparatus [0118] 19 Fluid inlet, blocking apparatus [0119] 21 Fluid outlet, blocking apparatus [0120] 25 Fluidic entrance (second) [0121] 27 Main element (area blocking apparatus) [0122] 29a, b, c, d, e Blocking module [0123] 31, 31a, b, c, d, e Fluid-conducting connections [0124] 33 Extinguishing agent release module [0125] 34 Release valve [0126] 35 Use/reserve switching module [0127] 11 Main control element [0128] 39 Flow path [0129] 41 Flow path [0130] 43 Control valve [0131] 45 Fluidic exit (second) [0132] 47 Shut-off element (of control valve) [0133] 49 Control valve non-return element [0134] 51 Flow path [0135] 52 Delay valve [0136] 53 Flow channels [0137] 55 Flow channels [0138] 57 Shut-off element [0139] 58 Restoring element [0140] 59 Non-return valve [0141] 61 Vertical branch channel [0142] 62 Horizontal branch channel [0143] 63 Alarm channel [0144] 65 Closure plug [0145] 67 Closure piece [0146] 100 Multi-area fire extinguishing system [0147] 101 Fire parameter detector [0148] 103 Control system [0149] 105 Control pressure source [0150] 107 Extinguishing agent vessel [0151] 109 Pipeline network [0152] 111 Area valve [0153] 113 Alarm means [0154] 102 Manual triggering device [0155] m Number of fluid inlets [0156] n Number of first fluidic exits