Fire suppression system for a structure or a vehicle

Abstract

An automatic fire suppression system for use in extinguishing residential fires or engine compartment fires in a vehicle. The automatic fire suppression system in mountable on a ceiling or under a hood of the vehicle or above the vehicle's engine if located elsewhere. The automatic fire suppression system retains an extinguishing agent in an extinguishing agent reservoir. A detection component for detecting heat or smoke triggers the release of the extinguishing agent according to a preset heat level or smoke condition. Once released, the extinguishing agent is dispensed onto the fire by through a plurality of orifices in a distribution component to effectively suppress the fire.

Claims

1. An automatic fire suppression system comprising: an extinguishing agent reservoir comprising a bladder for retaining at least one extinguishing agent and a closable opening for releasing the at least one extinguishing agent; a distribution component comprising a plurality of orifices, wherein each of the plurality of orifices comprises an individual nozzle for dispensing the at least one extinguishing agent; and a detection component for detecting heat or smoke, the detection component comprising a heat sensor configured to trigger the release of the at least one extinguishing agent at a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit and a combination ionizing photoelectric smoke detector configured to trigger the release of the at least one extinguishing agent upon detecting smoke; and a mounting component for magnetically or adhesively attaching the automatic fire suppression system to a surface; and wherein the detection component further comprises a control element electrically connectable to a battery and a residential electrical power source; and wherein the at least one extinguishing agent is a compressed gas and is effective to suppress flammable liquid fires and fires involving energized electrical equipment; and wherein the automatic fire suppression system is mountable within an engine compartment of a vehicle and to a ceiling within a building.

2. An automatic vehicle engine compartment fire suppression system comprising: an extinguishing agent reservoir comprising a closable opening for retaining at least one extinguishing agent; a non-solid compressed gas propellant operatively connected to the extinguishing agent reservoir; a distribution component comprising a plurality of orifices, wherein each of the plurality of orifices comprises an individual nozzles for dispensing the at least one extinguishing agent comprising a plurality of orifices; and a detection component comprising a rate-of rise heat sensor for triggering the release of the at least one extinguishing agent upon an extreme rise in temperature, a fixed temperature heat sensor for triggering the release of the at least one extinguishing agent at 225 degrees Fahrenheit, and a combination ionizing photoelectric smoke detector for triggering the release of the at least one extinguishing agent upon detecting smoke; a magnetic mounting component for attaching the automatic vehicle engine compartment fire suppression system to an underside of a hood of a vehicle; and an alarm for alerting the vehicle's occupants; and wherein the least one extinguishing agent is effective to suppress Class A fires, flammable liquid fires and fires involving energized electrical equipment; and wherein the detection component further comprises a control element in electrical communication with a power source for releasing the propellant and activating the alarm.

3. The automatic fire suppression system of claim 2, wherein the extinguishing agent reservoir comprises a rupture disc.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an automatic fire suppression system for suppressing a vehicle fire installed on an underside of a hood of the vehicle in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the automatic fire suppression system in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the automatic fire suppression system in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a mounting component of the automatic fire suppression system the in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates an overhead view of an extinguishing agent reservoir and a detection component of the automatic fire suppression system in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates an overhead view of the extinguishing agent reservoir and the detection component of the automatic fire suppression system in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(7) FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the automatic fire suppression system installed on the underside of the hood of the vehicle actively discharging an extinguishing agent in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(8) FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the automatic fire suppression system installed in a house in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

(10) The present invention discloses a unique fire extinguishing system capable of immediately detecting and extinguishing a residential fire or an engine fire in a vehicle before the fire consumes the residence or the vehicle and injures the occupants. The fire extinguishing system typically installs on a ceiling or a wall in a house or underneath the vehicle hood and mounts via a secure fastener system, such as, but not limited to a mounting bracket assembly, a secure fastener system, or a kit. The fire extinguishing system includes smoke and heat sensors configured to detect raised temperatures and excessive levels of smoke, triggering the system to dispense the extinguishing chemicals. The extinguishing agent may be a single or a combined chemical formula utilized for completely eradicating a fire quickly and effectively before more damage occurs to the house or the vehicle and puts passengers in further danger.

(11) The fire extinguishing system is a mountable device used to dispense fire extinguishing material in the event of a house fire or an engine fire. The device may be rectangular, square, circular, or any geometric shape with an interior volume used to store combined chemicals capable of immediately putting out a fire. The device may be equipped with a heat sensor and a smoke sensor configured to detect raised temperatures and excessive levels of smoke. Once a sensor is triggered, the device can open to dispense the combined chemicals. The combined chemicals are intended to dampen the fire and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the house or the vehicle. The extinguishing system could be installed in a home, office, or other indoor area for fire prevention tactics. The exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary depending on application and manufacturing requirements.

(12) Referring initially to FIG. 1, an automatic fire suppression system 100 is attached to a vehicle 10. The automatic fire suppression system 100 is mounted to an underside of a hood 12 of the vehicle 10. The automatic fire suppression system 100 is mounted so as to protect an engine 14 located in an engine compartment 16 of the vehicle 10 in the event of a fire. The automatic fire suppression system 100 is also mountable above the vehicle's engine if located elsewhere. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the automatic fire suppression system 100 may be mounted to ceiling or wall of a residential or commercial indoor location as desired.

(13) As illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, the automatic fire suppression system 100 comprises housing 102. The housing 102 may be constructed from high grade plastic, aluminum, iron, metal alloy, or any other material that can withstand high heat. The housing 102 comprises a front side 104 and a back side 106. The front side 104 is positioned so as to face the engine 14, and the back side 106 is positioned against the underside of the hood 12 of the vehicle 10 when mounted. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the automatic fire suppression system 100 further comprises a mounting component 108. The mounting component 108 is positioned on the back side 106 of the housing 102 for attaching the automatic fire suppression system 100 to the vehicle 10. The mounting component 108 may be a mechanical bracket, a fastener, an adhesive, a magnetic attachment, a kit assembly, or the like. Alternatively, the back side 106 is positioned against the ceiling of a room with the front side 104 facing downward. The mounting component 108 then attaches the housing 102 to the ceiling.

(14) As illustrated in FIG. 3, the automatic fire suppression system 100 further comprises an extinguishing agent reservoir 110. The extinguishing agent reservoir 110 may be a bladder or a plastic container constructed to hold solids, liquids, or gasses under pressure and is located within the housing 102 and configured to retain at least one extinguishing agent. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the extinguishing agent reservoir 110 comprises a discharge mechanism 112. The discharge opening 112 may be a rupture disc 114 as illustrated in FIG. 6, a valve, a closable opening, or the like.

(15) The at least one extinguishing agent may be a mixture of different extinguishing agents or may be a single extinguishing agent. The at least one extinguishing agent may be retained in a solid, liquid, or gas state, and may be pressurized or unpressurized. The at least one extinguishing agent will be effective to suppress Class A, Class B and Class C fires. Class A fires are fires involving ordinary solid combustibles, Class B fires are fires involving both flammable liquids and gasses, and Class C fires are fires involving energized electrical equipment. Examples of acceptable extinguishing agents may include a compressed gas, such as carbon dioxide, argon, nitrogen, or combinations thereof; a solution with a surfactant, such as aqueous film forming foams, alcohol-resistant aqueous film forming foams, protein foams, or combinations thereof; a dry chemical, such as monoammonium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, ammonium sulfate, or combinations thereof.

(16) As illustrated in FIG. 6, the automatic fire suppression system 100 may further comprise a propellant 118 if the extinguishing agent is stored in a non-pressurized state. The propellant 118 is operatively connected to the extinguishing agent reservoir 110 and will pressurize the extinguishing agent reservoir 110 when triggered. Typically, the propellant 118 is a small compressed gas cylinder with enough pressure to pressurize the extinguishing agent reservoir 110 enough to expel the at least one extinguishing agent.

(17) As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the automatic fire suppression system 100 further comprises a distribution component 120. The distribution component 120 comprises a distribution housing 122 attachable to the front side 104 of the housing 102 of the automatic fire suppression system 100. The distribution component 120 comprises a plurality of orifices 124. The plurality of orifices 124 may be openings, holes, outlets, or individual nozzles located throughout the distribution housing 122 configured to provide suppression coverage throughout the room of the house or the engine compartment 16 of the vehicle 10. The distribution component 120 dispenses the at least one extinguishing agent when released from the extinguishing agent reservoir 110.

(18) As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the automatic fire suppression system 100 further comprises a detection component 126. The detection component 126 is configured to detect heat, smoke, or both and trigger the release of the at least one extinguishing agent. The detection component 126 comprises a heat detector 128. The heat detector 128 may be a fixed temperature heat sensor or detector or a rate-of-rise heat sensor or detector. The heat detector 128 is configured to trigger the release of the at least one extinguishing agent when it detects a temperature of about 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in a structure, and to trigger the release of the at least one extinguishing agent when it detects a temperature of about 225 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in a vehicle.

(19) The detection component 126 may further comprise a smoke detector 130. The smoke detector 130 may be an ionization smoke sensor or detector, a photoelectric smoke sensor or detector, or a combination thereof. The smoke detector 130 is configured to trigger the release of the at least one extinguishing agent when it detects smoke. As such, the at least one extinguishing agent is released from the extinguishing agent reservoir 110 into the distribution component 120 when the detection component detects an extreme rise in temperature, a high level of smoke, or a fire and triggers the release. The distribution component 120 then expels the at least one extinguishing agent onto the fire or higher as illustrated in FIG. 7.

(20) The detection component 126 may further comprise a control element 132, a power source 136, and a circuit 134. The control element 132 may be a central processing unit, and the power source 136 may be a battery, or a plug for connecting to a residential electrical system. The circuit 134 connects the control element 132, the battery 126, the heat detector 128, the smoke detector 130, and the propellent 118 if used. Alternatively, the heat detector 128 and the smoke detector 130 may be directly linked to the extinguishing agent reservoir 110 to control the release of the at least one extinguishing agent. The automatic fire suppression system 100 may further comprise an alarm 138 connected to the circuit 134 for alerting occupants of the activation of the automatic fire suppression system 100.

(21) What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.