Fire Extinguishing Device for Installation in an Area and for Fighting Fires in Multiple Sectors of the Area and a Fire Extinguishing System Comprising Same

Abstract

The invention concerns a fire extinguishing device (1; 1) for installation in a room (200) and for fighting fires in a plurality of sectors of the room, comprising a housing (7) having an extinguishing fluid inlet (3), wherein the housing has a plurality of extinguishing fluid outlets (5a-f) connected fluidically to the extinguishing fluid inlet.

According to the invention it is proposed that the extinguishing fluid outlets (5a-f) are adapted to discharge an extinguishing fluid along a respective individual extinguishing fluid trajectory (101a-f), are oriented fixedly on the housing in such a way that the extinguishing fluid trajectories from the extinguishing fluid outlets cover respectively different sectors (203a-f) of the room, and associated with the extinguishing fluid outlets is a respective control member (17a-f) for selectively opening or closing the connection between the extinguishing fluid inlet and the extinguishing fluid outlet.

Claims

1. A fire extinguishing device (1; 1) for installation in a room (200) and for fighting fires in a plurality of sectors of the room, comprising a housing (7) having an extinguishing fluid inlet (3), wherein the housing has a plurality of extinguishing fluid outlets (5a-f) fluidically connected to the extinguishing fluid inlet, wherein the extinguishing fluid outlets (5a-f) are adapted to discharge an extinguishing fluid along a respective individual extinguishing fluid trajectory (101a-f), are oriented fixedly on the housing in such a way that the extinguishing fluid trajectories from the extinguishing fluid outlets cover respectively different sectors (203a-f) of the room, and associated with the extinguishing fluid outlets is a respective control member (17a-f) for selectively opening or closing the connection between extinguishing fluid inlet and extinguishing fluid outlet.

2. A fire extinguishing device (1; 1) as set forth in claim 1 wherein the control members (17a-f) are adapted for individual, preferably stepless, control of the pressure of the extinguishing fluid discharged through the extinguishing fluid outlets (5a-f).

3. A fire extinguishing device (1) as set forth in claim 1 including at least one sensor device (9) for localization that or those sectors (203a-f) of the room (200), that have a source of fire (201) and for producing localization information in respect of those sectors.

4. A fire extinguishing device (1) as set forth in claim 1 including a data interface for actuation of the control members (17a-f) by means of an external electronic control device (111).

5. A fire extinguishing device (1) as set forth in claim 3 including an electronic control device (11) which is connected in signal-conducting relationship to the at least one sensor device (9) on the one hand and the control members (17a-f) on the other hand, wherein the at least one sensor device (9) is adapted to communicate the localization information to the electronic control device (11).

6. A fire extinguishing device (1) as set forth in claim 5 wherein the electronic control device (11) is adapted on the basis of the localization information to identify one or more of the extinguishing fluid outlets (5a-f) whose respective extinguishing fluid trajectory (101a-f) covers a located sector (203a-f), and to open the identified extinguishing fluid outlet or outlets (5a-f).

7. A fire extinguishing device (1) as set forth in claim 6 wherein the electronic control device (11) is adapted on the basis of the received localization information to track the extinguishing process, in addition to the identified extinguishing fluid outlet or outlets (5a-f) to open one or more further, in particular respectively adjacent, extinguishing fluid outlets, and to close one, several or all extinguishing fluid outlets.

8. A fire extinguishing device (1) as set forth in claim 7 wherein the control members (17a-f) each have a respective throttle (19a-f) in the form of an aperture means for adjusting the pressure of the issuing extinguishing fluid.

9. A fire extinguishing device (1) as set forth in claim 8 wherein the throttles (19a-f) are in the form of replaceable elements.

10. A fire extinguishing device (1) as set forth in claim 8 wherein the throttles (19a-f) each have a respective adjusting means for changing the throttle width.

11. A fire extinguishing device (1) as set forth in claim 1 wherein the control members (5a-f) are each of a respective discharge cross-section adapted for discharge of an extinguishing fluid pattern which enlarges in the direction of the extinguishing fluid trajectory.

12. A fire extinguishing device (1) as set forth in claim 1 wherein all extinguishing fluid outlets (5a-f) are oriented in mutually divergent relationship.

13. A fire extinguishing device (1) as set forth in claim 1 comprising three or more extinguishing fluid outlets (5a, b, c), wherein two or more first extinguishing fluid outlets (5a) are oriented in mutually parallel relationship and one or more second extinguishing fluid outlets (5b) are oriented in mutually parallel relationship but in divergent relationship with the first extinguishing fluid outlets (5a).

14. A fire extinguishing device (1) as set forth in claim 1 comprising a pressure regulator (15) which is fluidically interposed between the extinguishing fluid inlet and the extinguishing outlets and which is adapted to increase or reduce, selectively, the extinguishing fluid pressure at the inlet side.

15. A fire extinguishing device (1) as set forth in claim 3 wherein the at least one sensor device (9) is arranged in a separate housing in spaced relationship with the housing (7) of the fire extinguishing device.

16. A fire extinguishing device as set forth in claim 1 comprising fixing means for installation of the housing on an object, a wall or a ceiling of a room.

17. A fire extinguishing system comprising an extinguishing fluid supply (100), at least one fire extinguishing device (1) fluidically connected to the extinguishing fluid supply, wherein the fire extinguishing device is in accordance with claim 1.

18. A fire extinguishing system as set forth in claim 17 wherein the extinguishing fluid supply (100) is a water supply installed in a building, or is in the form of a pressurized extinguishing fluid supply or is in the form of a pressure-less container connected to a separately provided pressurized propellant container and the extinguishing agent of which can be expelled by means of the propellant.

Description

[0027] The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter by means of preferred embodiments by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

[0028] FIG. 1a shows a diagrammatic view of a fire extinguishing system according to a first embodiment,

[0029] FIG. 1b shows a diagrammatic view of a fire extinguishing system according to a second embodiment,

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of a fire extinguishing device for a fire extinguishing system as shown in FIG. 1a,

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a fire extinguishing device according to a further embodiment, and

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic view of a fire extinguishing system according to a third embodiment.

[0033] The fire extinguishing system shown in FIG. 1a is provided for monitoring a room 200. The fire extinguishing system has a fire extinguishing device 1. The fire extinguishing device 1 has an extinguishing fluid inlet 3, by way of which extinguishing fluid passes from an extinguishing fluid supply 100 into a housing 7. The housing 7 has a plurality of extinguishing fluid outlets 5a-f. The extinguishing fluid outlets 5a-f are all oriented in mutually divergent relationship and the orientation of the extinguishing fluid outlets 5a-f is such that associated with each extinguishing fluid outlet 5a-f is an extinguishing fluid trajectory or group of extinguishing fluid trajectories 101a-f which each cover mutually different sectors 203a-f of their own. The sectors 203a-f partially overlap each other, see the hatched regions. Fire sources in the hatched regions are consequently reached by mean of different extinguishing fluid outlets.

[0034] The extinguishing fluid outlets 5a-f have respective control members (see FIG. 2) adapted to receive control commands from an electronic control device 11. The electronic control device 11 is connected in signal-conducting relationship to a sensor device 9 which can include one or more sensors. The sensor device 9 is adapted to monitor the room 200 for the presence of a fire source 201. After the fire source 201 has been detected by the sensor device 9 the fire source is characterized in the form of localization information (x; y; z;).sub.f and the localization information is transmitted to the electronic control device. The electronic control device is adapted on the basis of the received localization information to actuate that extinguishing fluid outlet or those extinguishing fluid outlets 5a-f, with whose extinguishing fluid trajectory 100a-f that sector or those sectors in which the identified fire source 201 is disposed is or are covered.

[0035] Preferably the electronic control device 11 together with the sensor device 9 is adapted to continuously monitor the development of the fire source. Thus it is possible also to continuously monitor extinguishing success and, if success does not occur or upon a displacement of the fire source 201 into one or more further sectors 203a-f, it is possible to track the fire source 201 in accurately target relationship by additionally activating one or more further extinguishing fluid outlets 5a-f. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a the fire source 201 is disposed in a first sector 203a. The sensor device 9 identifies that sector 203a, characterizes it by means of localization information (x; y; z;).sub.f, appropriately communicates with the electronic control device 11 which then opens at least the extinguishing fluid outlet 5a. Preferably, depending on the strength and time progression in development of the fire source 201, the electronic control device opens one or more further extinguishing fluid outlets. They could be for example firstly those extinguishing fluid outlets which cover sectors overlapping with the sector 203a which has already been identified, like for example the sector 203e or the sector 203d. That would correspondingly involve the extinguishing fluid outlets 5e, 5d.

[0036] The extinguishing device 1 further has a shut-off member 13, by means of which the fluidic communication between the extinguishing fluid inlet 3 and the extinguishing fluid outlet 5a-f can be centrally closed or opened. Preferably the shut-off member is connected in signal-conducting relationship to the electronic control device 11 and is adapted to receive control commands in regard to opening and closing of the shut-off member 13 from the electronic control device 11.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment the shut-off member 13 is arranged downstream of the extinguishing fluid inlet. Alternatively it is equally preferred for the shut-off member 13 to be arranged upstream of the extinguishing fluid inlet, outside the housing 7 on the side towards the extinguishing fluid supply.

[0038] Preferably the fire extinguishing device 1 further has a pressure regulator 15. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1a the pressure regulator 15 is arranged downstream of the extinguishing fluid inlet 3. Alternatively it is equally preferred for the pressure regulator 15 to be arranged upstream of the extinguishing fluid inlet 3, particularly preferably in the direction towards the extinguishing fluid supply 100. In that way, and by virtue of the arrangement of the shut-off member 13 in the direction towards the extinguishing fluid supply 100, central control of the flow of fluid for the fire extinguishing device and all extinguishing fluid outlets 5a-f implemented therein is guaranteed. As can also be seen from the example in FIG. 4 that has advantages in regard to control of a plurality of housings 7 in an alternative embodiment.

[0039] In those embodiments in which the shut-off member 13 and the pressure regulator 15 are arranged externally upstream the extinguishing fluid inlet is to be located directly at the main body of the housing 7, see the indicated reference 3.

[0040] The electronic control device 11 is preferably integrated in the housing 7 or is arranged in the form of a dedicated unit externally on the housing 7. The electronic control device 11 is interpreted as an internal control device. Preferably the electronic control device 11 is connected in signal-conducting relationship to a fire alarm and/or extinguishing control center 300.

[0041] FIG. 1b shows a further diagrammatic view of a fire extinguishing system. The fire extinguishing system of FIG. 1b is structurally similar in many parts to the fire extinguishing system of FIG. 1a, and for that reason reference is directed to the foregoing description in relation to the identical references. Unlike the view in FIG. 1a however the fire extinguishing system of FIG. 1b provides that the electronic control device is in the form of an external control device 111 which is not part of the fire extinguishing device 1. The external electronic control device 111 is either connected in signal-conducting relationship to a fire alarm and/or extinguishing control center 300, or, as indicated by reference 301, it is integrated into a fire alarm and/or extinguishing control center 301. The sensor device 9, in accordance with the definition of FIG. 1b, is also no longer an intrinsic component of the fire extinguishing device 1, but an independent external functional unit. That redistribution of the system components has particular advantages in terms of using not just one fire extinguishing device 1 but a plurality of fire extinguishing devices 1 with a plurality of housings 7 (see FIG. 4).

[0042] The fire extinguishing device 1 shown in FIG. 1a is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2. The fire extinguishing device 1 has fixing means 8 with which the housing 7 of the fire extinguishing device 1 can be mounted to a wall or ceiling of the room 200.

[0043] The pressure regulator 15 and the shut-off member 13 are disposed outside the housing 7, just like the electronic control unit 11 and the sensor device 9.

[0044] The extinguishing fluid outlets 5a-f (the extinguishing fluid outlets 5a, 5b and 5e are shown by way of example in the section plane) each have a control member 17a-f adapted to selectively open or close the respective extinguishing fluid outlet 5a-f. For that purpose the control members 17a-f are preferably connected in signal-conducting relationship to the electronic control device 11 and have suitable signal receiving connections for receiving control commands. As part of the control members 17a-f, the extinguishing fluid outlets 5a-f preferably also have a respective throttle 19a-f with which the extinguishing fluid pressure of the issuing extinguishing fluid can be manipulated. Preferably the throttles 19a-f are in the form of aperture means. The opening size of the aperture means or the throttle width of the throttles 19a-f is preferably controllable in specifically targeted fashion, particularly preferably individually, by means of the electronic control device. For that purpose the throttles 19a-f are connected in signal-conducting relationship to the electronic control device 11 and have respective suitable signal receiving means for receiving the control commands.

[0045] The extinguishing fluid outlets 5a-f have an outlet geometry with a spread angle .sub.a-f (shown at .sub.a, .sub.b and .sub.e) that opens in the direction of the extinguishing fluid trajectories 101a-f. The angles .sub.a-f can be identical to each other or can be of different magnitudes, depending on the requirements involved with the room 200 and the sectors 203a-f to be covered.

[0046] In the view in FIG. 2 all extinguishing fluid outlets 5a-f are oriented in mutually divergent relationship so that the extinguishing fluid trajectories 101a-f discharged thereby do not extend parallel to each other.

[0047] The electronic control device 11, the sensor devices 9, the shut-off member 13 and the pressure regulator 15 are optional components which, in an arrangement as shown in FIG. 1a, are associated with the fire extinguishing device 1. In the case of systems which require an external electronic control device, the electronic control device 11 would accordingly be replaced at any event by an external electronic control device 111, and also the components sensor device 9, shut-off member 13 and pressure regulator 15 would sometimes be associated with the fire extinguishing system but not the individual fire extinguishing device 1, which also predestines a use of the fire extinguishing device 1 for systems like for example as shown in FIG. 1b and FIG. 4.

[0048] As a development of this embodiment FIG. 3 shows an alternative geometry of a fire extinguishing device 1. In the FIG. 3 view not all extinguishing fluid outlets are oriented in mutually divergent relationship. A number of first extinguishing fluid outlets 5a are oriented in mutually parallel relationship. Equally a number of second extinguishing fluid outlets 5b are oriented in mutually parallel relationship. Furthermore a number of third extinguishing fluid outlets 5c are arranged in mutually parallel relationship. Depending on the respective spatial configuration of the housing 7 of the fire extinguishing device 1 the housing 7 has one or more number of further extinguishing fluid outlets which are not shown here for the purposes of simple explanation.

[0049] The first extinguishing fluid outlets 5a are oriented divergently relative to the second and third extinguishing fluid outlets 5b, c so that the extinguishing fluid trajectory 101a is not oriented parallel to the extinguishing fluid trajectories 101b and 101c. The same respectively applies in similar fashion to the second and third extinguishing fluid outlets 5b, c. In regard to the further technical details attention is directed to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

[0050] While FIGS. 1a, b respectively show a fire extinguishing system having a singular fire extinguishing device 1 FIG. 4 shows an alternative preferred embodiment in which a plurality of fire extinguishing devices 1 are installed in the room 200. The fire extinguishing devices 1 each have a shut-off member 13. The fire extinguishing devices 1 and the shut-off members 13 are connected in signal-conducting relationship to an external electronic control device 111 similarly to the actuating arrangement shown in FIGS. 1a, b, in particular with reference to FIG. 1b. The central external electronic control device 111 is further connected in signal-conducting relationship to a first, second and third sensor device 9a, b, c positioned at various locations in the room 200. The fire extinguishing system of FIG. 4 further has an extinguishing fluid supply 100 with a central pressure regulator 15, by way of which the extinguishing fluid supply for the fire extinguishing devices 1 is controlled. Otherwise actuation of the extinguishing fluid outlets 5 is effected substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the previous Figures and preferred embodiments. The fire extinguishing devices 1 can alternatively also be fire extinguishing devices 1 as shown in FIG. 3.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0051] 1 fire extinguishing device [0052] 3 extinguishing fluid inlet [0053] 5(a-f) extinguishing fluid outlet [0054] 7, 7 housing [0055] 8 fixing means [0056] 9 sensor device [0057] 11, 111 electronic control device [0058] 13 shut-off member [0059] 15 pressure regulator [0060] 17(a-f) control member for opening or closing the extinguishing fluid outlet 5 [0061] 19(a-f) throttle [0062] 100 extinguishing fluid supply [0063] 101(a-f) extinguishing fluid trajectory [0064] 200 room [0065] 201 source of the fire [0066] 203(a-f) sector [0067] 300 fire alarm and/or extinguishing control center [0068] 301 extinguishing control center [0069] (x; y; z;).sub.f localization data [0070] .sub.a-f spread angle