Fire mist apparatus and system and method of use thereof

Abstract

Fire mist apparatus and method are provided including a fire mist dispensing head having at least one fluid outlet provided for dispensing a fluid on activation of the same in use. The apparatus further includes illumination capable of emitting light in use.

Claims

1. Fire mist apparatus, said apparatus including a housing with a cavity, detection means having an annular unit defining a ring-shaped detection chamber having an outside edge with an exterior edge and an inside edge with an interior edge provided on or associated with the apparatus, wherein the detection means includes an upper annular component, an intermediate annular component, and a lower annular component comprising inter-engaging connectors to allow the three components to be joined together, and wherein the intermediate annular component includes smoke sensors operable to detect pre-determined heat or temperature or an amount of smoke within the ring-shaped detection chamber defined between the exterior edge and the interior edge and has a plurality of fin members arranged circumferentially on said exterior edge of the ring-shaped detection chamber; and a fire mist dispensing head mounted in said cavity and having at least one fluid outlet means provided thereon for dispensing a fluid therefrom on activation of said apparatus in use, wherein the dispensing head can be moved between a non-activated position, wherein fluid mist is prevented from being dispensed via the dispensing head, and an activated position, wherein fluid mist can be dispensed from the head and the dispensing head is moved between the non-activated position and the activated position manually and/or automatically when the detection means detect said pre-determined heat or temperature or amount of smoke, and wherein said apparatus further includes illumination means within said cavity capable of emitting light therefrom in use, wherein the illumination means includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

2. Fire mist apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the illumination means are arranged so as to provide emergency lighting in a locality in which the apparatus is fitted in use and/or to provide a main or sole source of lighting in which the apparatus is fitted in use.

3. Fire mist apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a controller is provided to allow any or any combination of control of a colour of the illumination means, an illumination sequence of the illumination means, a time period or point of the illumination of the illumination means, how many of the illumination means are illuminated at any particular time or the brightness of the illumination means.

4. Fire mist apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes one or more other electrical components, and further comprising a power supply provided in or associated with the apparatus to power the illumination means and/or said one or more other electrical components provided with or associated with the apparatus.

5. Fire mist apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the power supply includes any or any combination of mains power supply, battery power supply, rechargeable battery power supply, water generator power supply and/or a generator power supply.

6. Fire mist apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said power supply includes a first power supply and a second power supply, the illumination are illuminated in a first colour, first combination of colours and/or first sequence of illumination when being supplied with power from the first power supply or in a first power supply condition, and the illumination means are illuminated in at least a second colour, second combination of colours and/or second sequence of illumination when being supplied with power from the second power supply or in a second power supply condition, the first power supply or condition being different to the second power supply or condition.

7. Fire mist apparatus according to claim 4 wherein an electrical transformer is provided on or associated with the apparatus to allow the voltage used to power the illumination means to be stepped up and/or down as required.

8. Fire mist apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the illumination means can be moved between a first illumination condition and at least a second illumination condition, or from an off or non-activated condition to an on or activated condition on activation of the dispensing head, on activation of a temperature activated bulb, via a switch, via a controller, on activation of motion detection sensor, or on activation of smoke sensor.

9. Fire mist apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a dimming switch or an electrical dimmer is provided on or associated with the apparatus, and/or a switch operating the illumination means to allow the brightness of illumination to be adjusted in use.

10. Fire mist apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes any or any combination of attachment connector for attaching the dispensing head to a surface of the housing either directly or indirectly, engagement coupler for engaging the housing to a suitable surface in use, or a securing fastener for securing the dispensing head to a fluid supply.

11. Fire mist apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the smoke sensors are provided for moving the dispensing head between the non-activated and the activated position and the smoke sensors are provided in or on the same housing as the illumination means and the fire mist dispensing head.

12. A fire mist apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fin members are provided around the entire circumference of the housing.

13. A fire mist apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the annular unit surrounds the mist dispensing head and the mist dispensing head protrudes through a central aperture of the housing and outwardly therefrom.

14. A fire mist apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper annular component, the intermediate annular component and the lower annular component enclose the ring-shaped detection chamber.

15. A fire mist apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the smoke sensors are housed within the ring-shaped detection chamber.

16. A method of using the fire mist apparatus according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1a-1c show a side view, a perspective view and an end view of a water mist dispensing head according to an embodiment of the present invention respectively;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of water mist dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of water mist dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of water mist dispensing apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and

(6) FIGS. 5a-5d show an exploded perspective view, an exploded side view, an assembled perspective view and a plan view from above of smoke detection means that can be incorporated into water mist dispensing apparatus and/or used independently of water mist dispensing apparatus respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) Referring to the figures, there is illustrated a fire water mist dispensing apparatus 1 adapted for mounting in a ceiling of a room in use. The apparatus comprises a housing 3 containing a water mist dispensing head 2, illumination means in the form of a plurality of LEDs 5, a reflector 7 and a printed circuit board 9 in contact with the LEDs 5.

(8) The dispensing head 2 includes a body portion 4 having a first end 6 provided with attachment means in the form of a screw threaded connector 8. The screw threaded connector 8 allows the head 2 to engage with complementary engagement means on a water supply pipe 11. An aperture is defined in housing 3 for passage of the water supply pipe 11 therethrough.

(9) The body portion 4 has a tapered neck portion 12 towards a second end 10. A plurality of water outlet apertures 14 are defined around the neck portion 12 and arranged to produce a water mist therefrom when a valve (not shown) provided internally of the body portion and associated with the water supply pipe 11 is moved from a non-actuated position to an actuated position. The provision of the fine mist water particles provides a greater surface area of water available to absorb heat in the locality and to put out a fire, thereby allowing a fire to be put out approximately 10 times faster than water deluge fire protection systems.

(10) Temperature detection means in the form of a bulb 16 is arranged at end 10 and supported between two support ends 18, 20 of a frame 22. A fluid is contained in bulb 16 which expands as the ambient temperature increases, thereby increasing the fluid pressure within the bulb. Once a pre-determined ambient temperature has been reached, such as for example a temperature that may be associated with a fire in the locality, the increase in fluid pressure causes the bulb to break, thereby allowing the valve contained within the body portion 4 to move from the non-actuated position to the actuated position. In the illustration, frame 22 includes three angled support members 24.

(11) In the illustrated example, the reflector 7 is substantially U-shaped having a base 26 and outwardly protruding side walls 28 that extend towards a front of the apparatus. An aperture is defined substantially centrally of the reflector 7 for the location of the dispensing head 2 therethrough. The dispensing head is typically attached to the reflector using attachment means in the form of a retaining ring (not shown). A plurality of apertures are defined in the reflector 7 surrounding the dispensing head to allow the plurality of LEDs 5 to at least partially protrude therethrough.

(12) The LEDs are provided on PCB 9 which is arranged adjacent a rear side of base 26 of reflector 7.

(13) A plurality of support posts 29 are provided in housing 3 at the rear of PCB 9 and reflector 7 to support the PCB 9 and reflector 7 in position within the housing.

(14) The housing 3 is retained within a ceiling surface using engagement means in the form of resilient biasing arms (not shown).

(15) The apparatus 1 is typically powered by a 240V mains power supply, shown by reference 30 in FIG. 3. Transforming means are associated with the apparatus 1 to step down the incoming voltage from 240V to 24V DC. This 24V DC supply is then split into two feeds; a first feed 34 sent to a battery charger 36 which trickle charges a battery pack 40, and a second feed 38 sent directly to light housing 3 to power the LEDs 5. Switching control means in the form of a dimming switch (not shown) are typically associated with the light housing so a user can adjust the voltage being supplied to the LEDs, thereby allowing a user to select a required level of brightness for the LEDs. In the event the mains power supply 30 fails, as may happen in the event of a fire, the battery pack 40, which is also connected to the LEDs 5 in the light housing 3 via voltage path 42, takes over powering the LEDs from the mains power supply. The light generated by the LEDs is typically moved from a white light to a green light in this condition to inform a user that the lighting is now being run from a battery pack. The battery pack can typically provide illumination of the LEDs for up to 15 hours, or until such time as the mains power supply is restored. On restoration of mains power, the LEDs typically return to emitting white light.

(16) A similar arrangement is shown in FIG. 4 but in this embodiment a DMX wall mounted controller 44 is provided in voltage feed path 38 to allow the colour and/or brightness of the LEDs to be selected and/or varied as required by a user.

(17) Referring to FIGS. 5a-5d, there is illustrated smoke detection means in the form of an annular unit 100 that can be fitted to the exterior of the water mist dispensing apparatus 1 in one embodiment, but which could also form part of a unit independent of the water mist element of the apparatus if required (but including the illumination means and other associated components).

(18) In the illustration the annular unit 100 includes three separate annular components; an upper annular component 102, an intermediate annular component 104, and a lower annular component 106. The intermediate component 104 typically includes the smoke sensors 108 and the electrical circuitry associated with the same. The upper and lower components 102, 106 typically enclose the unit and hold the unit together.

(19) Connection means comprising inter-engaging members in the form of male and female connectors 110 are provided to allow the three components to be joined together.

(20) The intermediate component 104 has a plurality of fin members 112 arranged circumferentially on an exterior edge to allow smoke to be drawn into the unit 100. The fin members 112 in this example are provided around the entire circumference. A plurality of smoke sensors 108 are arranged at spaced apart intervals on the intermediate component 104.

(21) The annular smoke detection unit 100 can be integrally formed or fitted to the mist dispensing apparatus 1. The mist dispensing head 2 is typically located through central aperture 114 of the annular unit 100 and protrudes outwardly therefrom.

(22) A combination of the smoke detection 100 and the mist dispensing apparatus 1 provides a single combined unit offering emergency lighting, main or sole lighting for a locality, smoke detection and fire suppression.