FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

Abstract

A fire suppression system comprising a polymer housing and an internal channel arranged to communicate a fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet. The fluid outlet is in the form of at least one aperture extending through a portion of the polymer housing into said channel.

Claims

1. A fire suppression nozzle, said nozzle comprising a housing containing a channel arranged to communicate a fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet, said channel comprising a closure member operable to move between a first position where the channel is obstructed such that fluid cannot be communicated to the fluid outlet and a second position where fluid can be communicated to the fluid outlet, and wherein the fluid outlet is in the form of at least one aperture extending through a portion of the housing into said channel, wherein the closure member is prevented from moving from the first to the second position by a heat sensitive member, wherein the nozzle is provided with an opening adjacent to the heat sensitive member such that in use the heat sensitive member is exposed to a room, and wherein the opening is configured to provide a passage for hot gas to pass through the nozzle from a side of the nozzle facing toward the room to a side of the nozzle facing away from the room.

2. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat sensitive member is a bulb adapted to fracture at a predetermined temperature.

3. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure member is a plunger arranged within the channel and further comprising a peripheral seal arranged to contact the inner surface of the channel.

4. A nozzle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the seal is seated within a circumferentially extending recess formed around said plunger.

5. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure member has a first end in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and an opposing end adapted to engage with a first end of a heat sensitive member.

6. A nozzle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the nozzle is provided with an abutment portion against which a second end of a heat sensitive member can abut.

7. A nozzle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the abutment portion is releasable from the nozzle to allow for assembly/replacement of the heat sensitive member.

8. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a threaded portion arrangement to receive a coupling for fluid communication into the nozzle.

9. A nozzle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the threaded portion is an internal thread formed within a portion of the housing.

10. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises a first side arranged to receive a fluid supply and a second opposing side comprising the at least one aperture.

11. A nozzle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one aperture extends from an outer surface of the second side through the housing and intersects with the channel.

12. A nozzle as claimed in claim 10, wherein each aperture is divided into a first portion with a first radius and a second portion with a second radius greater than the first.

13. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one aperture is formed as a single centrally located aperture surrounded by a plurality of apertures.

14. A nozzle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the plurality of apertures are equally spaced with respect to the centrally located aperture.

15. A nozzle as claimed in claim 13 wherein the centrally located aperture intersects the channel perpendicularly to the inner surface of the channel and said plurality of apertures intersect the channel at an angle with respect to the inner surface of the channel.

16. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a seal surrounding said closure member is positioned on a first side of the at least one aperture when the closure member is in said first position and on a second side of the at least one aperture when the closure member is in the second position.

17. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a rim extending around the housing and arranged in use for coupling the nozzle to a wall or ceiling.

18. A nozzle as claimed in claim 17, wherein the rim comprises a polymer and is integral with the housing.

19. A nozzle as claimed in claim 17, wherein the rim is in the form of a disc surrounding and integral with said housing.

20. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1 further comprising coupling means arranged to connect the nozzle to a ceiling or wall.

21. A fire suppression nozzle comprising a fluid inlet, fluid channel and fluid outlet, wherein the fluid outlet is in the form of a group of apertures formed through a portion of the nozzle and intersecting with a portion of said channel, said nozzle further comprising a closure member located within said channel and operable to fluidly connect the inlet with the group of apertures, wherein the closure member is prevented from moving by a heat sensitive member, wherein the nozzle is provided with an opening adjacent to the heat sensitive member such that in use the heat sensitive member is exposed to a room, and wherein the opening is configured to provide a passage for hot gas to pass through the nozzle from a side of the nozzle facing toward the room to a side of the nozzle facing away from the room.

22. A nozzle as claimed in claim 21 wherein the group comprises at least one aperture intersecting the channel at 90 degrees to its elongate axis and at least one aperture intersecting the channel at an angle of less than 90 degrees to its elongate axis.

23. A nozzle as claimed in claim 21 wherein the fire suppression nozzle comprises a polymer fire suppression nozzle and wherein the polymer comprises a fire retardant additive.

24. A fire suppression system comprising a plurality of distributed nozzles or apparatuses according to claim 21.

25. A fire suppression system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the plurality of distributed nozzles or apparatuses are fluidly connected to a water source by means of fire retardant flexible pipes.

26. A method of manufacturing a fire suppression nozzle or apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the nozzle housing is injection molded.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the at least one aperture is drilled through the polymer into the channel.

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fire suppression nozzle comprises a polymer fire suppression nozzle.

32. A nozzle as claimed in claim 31 wherein the polymer comprises a fire retardant additive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following figures in which:

[0048] FIG. 1 is a cross-section through a polymer nozzle in a closed position according to an invention described herein;

[0049] FIG. 2 is a cross-section through the polymer nozzle in an open according to an invention described herein;

[0050] FIG. 3 is a front view of the room or space facing side of the polymer nozzle;

[0051] FIG. 4 is a back view of the ceiling facing side of the polymer nozzle;

[0052] FIG. 5 is an angled back view of the ceiling facing side of the polymer nozzle;

[0053] FIG. 6 is a cross-section through an alternative polymer nozzle arrangement in a closed position;

[0054] FIG. 7 is a schematic of a fire suppression system incorporating a polymer fire suppression nozzle; and

[0055] FIG. 8 is a cross-section of a modified version of the polymer nozzle depicted in FIGS. 1 to 5 in a closed position according to an invention described herein;

[0056] FIG. 9 is a cross-section through the modified polymer nozzle in an open position according to an invention described herein;

[0057] FIG. 10 is a front view of the room or space facing side of the modified polymer nozzle; and

[0058] FIG. 11 is a side view of the modified polymer nozzle with an end of a bulb retaining screw visible.

[0059] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood however that the drawings and detailed description attached hereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed but rather the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through a polymer fire suppression nozzle 10 according to an invention described herein.

[0061] The fire suppression nozzle device is formed of a single piece injection moulded housing 20. The housing contains a piston or plunger 30 located inside a water channel 26 of the housing 20; an end piece 60 which slots into the housing 20 and which defines an end of the water channel 26; a heat frangible bulb 40 located between the end piece 60 and the plunger 30. An adapter or coupling 50 is connected to the top end of the water channel 26.

[0062] The base of the housing 20 is defined by a general flat circular plate 24 (although any suitable shape may be used depending on the application). The main body 22 of the housing 20 and the raised split-ring 21 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is located on this plate 24. Flanges 29 are located at the split portions of the split ring 21 and in-use these flanges can be engaged with a spring mounting system 70.

[0063] The main body 22 includes the water channel 26 through which water may be communicated. At the upper end of this water channel internally threaded connection 27 is provided. This is integral with the injection moulded material. Using this internally threaded connection 27 the coupling 50 can be connected to the water channel 26. Advantageously a push-fit coupling may be used to facilitate installation.

[0064] At the centre of the plate 24 the mist generating apertures are positioned. Specifically the apertures are a plurality of integrated micro-outlets. The term integrated is intended to mean that the apertures are integral with the injection moulded body or housing i.e. they are machined or manufactured into the plastic material.

[0065] These micro-outlets include a central vertical micro-outlet 23 and a surrounding plurality of further micro-outlets 25 angled with respect to the central micro-outlet. These micro-outlets are in fluid communication with the water channel 26 i.e. the outlets extend through the housing material and intersect with the water channel 26 by penetrated the side wall of the channel.

[0066] Any suitable configuration or distribution of micro or other mist generating outlets may be used depending on the application. For example, the outlets may be distributed to provide a very narrow mist pattern, for example for use in a kitchen application or the like.

[0067] The housing is also provided with an opening or air channel 28 which passes through the plate 24 such that the frangible bulb 40 is, at least in part, exposed when the fire suppression device 10 is viewed from below (as shown in FIG. 3). Thus, a side portion of the heat sensitive bulb is exposed to the room or space into which the system is installed. The bulb is secured at a first end by a plunger 30 (described below) and at an opposing end by the end piece 60.

[0068] A closure member is located within the channel and is arranged to seal the channel in a first position to the right in FIG. 1 or to permit water/fluid to flow through the apparatus by movement towards the left in FIG. 1. The closure member may conveniently be a plastic cylinder and plunger much the same as a syringe, for example.

[0069] The plunger 30 is located inside the water channel 26 which has a circular cross-section. The plunger is formed of a main body 32 and an O-ring 34 seal located within a circumferential recess. The plunger may itself be injection moulded to further reduce weight and improve simplicity and reliability.

[0070] The O-ring 34 is located around the main body such the water in one section of the water channel 26 is unable to pass into the section of the water channel 26 on the opposing side of the O-ring seal.

[0071] The relationship between the O-ring position, the plunger main body 32 and the end piece 60 is such that in a ‘primed’ or ‘ready’ state (see FIG. 1) the O-ring seal is located to the right or upstream of the apertures 23, 25 i.e. the seal prevents water passing through the apertures and out of the device. This is achieved by a biasing of the plunger against the heat frangible bulb 40 which prevents movement of the plunger and thus movement of the seal over and past the apertures 23, 25. Water pressure inside the channel 26 creates the biasing force.

[0072] The coupling 50 has a main body 52, a push-fit connector 54, water channel 56 and an externally threaded connection 58. The externally threaded connection 58 is located at one end of the water channel 56 and is engaged with the internally threaded connection 27 of the housing 20. Thus a water-tight connection is formed with the chosen coupling. The coupling may be selected according to the application or the chosen pipe coupling arrangement.

[0073] The water channel 56 is located in such a manner that water can be freely communicated to the water channel 26 of the housing 20. A push-fit connector 54 may for example be provided such that a secure connection with flexible plastic tubing can be made as described below with reference to FIG. 7.

[0074] FIG. 3 is a view from underneath the nozzle showing the distribution of apertures 23, 25 and the opening 28 exposing the bulb 40. This is how the nozzle might appear in-situ when installed in a ceiling.

[0075] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the nozzle arrangement of FIG. 1 with like reference numerals referring to the same integers.

[0076] Viewed from above the opening 28 around the bulb 40 can be seen. This side of the apparatus is inserted through (for example) a hole in a plasterboard ceiling 90 and secured to the plasterboard. The opening 28 exposes the bulb to the room environment beneath the nozzle and further provides a passage for any hot gas to pass through the nozzle.

[0077] Exposing the bulb in this way i.e. arranging the bulb in a horizontal position improves the exposure of the bulb to the room environment beneath the nozzle arrangement. This improves the sensitivity of the nozzle because there is nothing between the bulb and the fire as is the case with conventional fire sprinkler systems.

[0078] Returning to FIG. 1, the polymer nozzle is ‘primed’ or made ready for use as follows.

[0079] First, the selected bulb is located between the end of the plunger and the removable end piece 60. The end piece is moved into position and the bulb is secured in a recess formed in said end piece. The opposing end of the bulb is secured in a recess in the plunger main body 32. Pressurised water fills the channel 26 and biases the plunger against the end piece 32 putting the bulb into compression. The length of the bulb is such that the O-ring seal is located at a first position to the right of the aperture group 23, 25. Thus, pressured water is prevented from passing to the apertures.

[0080] A fire may then start in the room or space beneath the nozzle. The temperature in the room rises and hot gas begins to reach the ceiling and passes through the opening 28 surrounding the bulb.

[0081] At a predetermined temperature (selected according to the bulb type) the bulb breaks and the resistance that had previously prevented movement of the plunger in the channel is removed. This causes the pressurised water to force the plunger 30 to the end of the water channel 26 such that the end of the plunger 30 will abut with the piece 60 (see FIG. 2).

[0082] In this position, the O-ring 32 has now moved over and past the apertures 23, 25 and water can be freely communicated from the water channel 26 to the micro-outlets 23, 25.

[0083] The water is forced out through the micro outlets 23, 25 and is micronized creating a fine mist that is ejected into the room suppressing the fire beneath the polymer nozzle 10. Depending on the selected nozzle arrangement different mist patterns or intensities can be generated.

[0084] FIG. 6 shows a different embodiment of a polymer nozzle 15 according to an invention described herein. In this arrangement the bulb is in a conventional orientation i.e. in a vertical orientation. FIG. 6 shows the nozzle in a primed state.

[0085] As with the first embodiment described above the nozzle body or housing 20 is injection moulded plastic and comprises a water channel 26. In FIG. 6 the plunger arrangement and end piece are in a vertical configuration. The apertures 25 are similarly arranged to penetrate the polymer body and intersect with the water channel 26. In a primed state the O-ring seal 34 is positioned up-stream or above the aperture 25 to prevent water being discharged from the device.

[0086] The principle of operation of the arrangement in FIG. 6 is fundamentally the same. The bulb prevents movement of the plunger within the device until the bulb has broken. Water pressure in the water channel causes the plunger to move down exposing the apertures 25 and generating mist from the apertures 25.

[0087] It will be appreciated that the perimeter of the polymer nozzle may be provided with a plurality of apertures so as to create a circumferential mist pattern around the nozzle.

[0088] FIG. 7 shows a fire suppression device 210 (as described above) integrated as part of a fire suppression system 200.

[0089] A plurality of injection moulded or additive manufactured (3D printed) nozzle assemblies 10/15 are distributed around a room or space to which the fires suppression system is to be applied.

[0090] Each polymer nozzle 10/15 is coupled to flexible tubing located within the ceiling space above, for example, the ceiling plasterboard. For example a matrix of polymer nozzle may be provided across a room at 4 m×4 m intervals.

[0091] The flexible tubing may for example be manufactured from UL94 V0 rated fire retardant semi-rigid Nylon with an inner diameter of 4.6 mm and an outer diameter of 9.6 mm.

[0092] The flexible tubing 80 is connected to the nozzle 10/15 by means of a push-fit coupling facilitating convenient installation, even in restricted spaces. Because of the low weight of the nozzles it has been established that conventional plasterboard is sufficiently strong to support the installation. Thus, overhead pipe and sprinkler support structures are not required. Furthermore, the flexible pipework can be conveniently supported or located on the plasterboard itself.

[0093] The flexible tubing connects each of the nozzles 10/15 to a pump or pressure vessel which in turn is connected to a conventional water supply or tank. The tubing may optionally include one or more non-return valves.

[0094] The system operates as follows:

[0095] A fire beneath one or more of the polymer nozzles 10/15 causes the respective bulb or bulbs to break. Pressure within the flexible tubing 80 begins to decrease as water is released from the respective water channels 26 to form a mist around the nozzle 10/15. The reduction in pressure is detected by a pressure sensor which in turn activates a pump to pressurise the system. Water is then forced through the plastic tubing to the nozzles which have been activated.

[0096] The inventors have identified that due to its adaptability such polymer fire suppression nozzles are particularly suitable for a wide variety of applications including: aircrafts; yachts; shipping; hazardous areas; server rooms; kitchens; medical; military; electrical cabinets; buses; residential homes/other domestic applications; production lines; waste processing/recycling plants and turbine halls.

[0097] FIGS. 8 to 11 show a modified version of the polymer nozzle 10 depicted in FIGS. 1 to 5 as modified polymer nozzle 110. FIG. 8 shows a cross-section through the modified polymer nozzle 110 in a closed position. FIG. 9 shows a cross-section through the modified polymer nozzle 110 in an open position. FIG. 10 shows a front view of the room or space facing side of the modified polymer nozzle 110. FIG. 11 shows a side view of the modified polymer nozzle 110 with an end of a bulb retaining screw 80 visible.

[0098] The construction and operation of polymer nozzle 110 is substantially similar to polymer nozzle 10 with like reference numerals referring to the same integers. Particular modifications and the advantages thereof will be discussed below.

[0099] As best seen in FIGS. 8, 9 and 11, end piece 60 of polymer nozzle 10, together with its corresponding slot in housing 20, has been replaced by a bulb retaining screw 80. The bulb retaining screw 80 has an externally threaded connection 84 which engages with the second internally threaded connection 29 located at the end of water channel 26. In the closed (primed) state shown in FIG. 8 the heat frangible bulb 40 is located between a recess in the main body 82 of the bulb retaining screw 80 and a recess in the main body 32 of the plunger 30.

[0100] During assembly, the heat frangible bulb 40 is inserted through the hole in the main body 22 of the housing 20 defined by the second internally threaded connection 29 and inserted into the recess in the plunger main body 32. The bulb 40 is secured by screwing the bulb retaining screw 80 into the second internally threaded connection 29. The bulb retaining screw 80 is screwed into place using an appropriate hex key in hex socket 86.

[0101] As depicted in FIG. 11 a small cut out is made in the plate 24 to allow for easy insertion of the bulb retaining screw 80. The hex socket 86 is also clearly visible in the figure. The use of the hex socket 86 allows for a fine degree of control of the pressure applied to the bulb 40. The type of screw used for the bulb retaining screw 80 may, for example, be a set screw or grub screw.

[0102] FIGS. 8 and 9 show the modified nozzle in a deactivated and activated state respectively i.e. in FIG. 9 the heat frangible bulb has broken allowing the plunger 32 to move horizontally into an open position.

[0103] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 the coupling 50 is modified such that a lower portion 59 of the externally threaded connection 58 extends into the water channel 26. Allowing the externally threaded connection 58 to extend into the water channel 26 provides an abutment for the plunger 30 in a deactivated position i.e. the plunger is pressed against the lower portion 59 by the heat frangible bulb 40. When heat activates the bulb 40 the plunger is moved as a result of water pressure away from the lower portion 59 so as to allow water to exit through the micro-outlets 23, 25. Such an arrangement helps to maintain the correct position of the plunger 30 during assembly and transport.

[0104] FIG. 10 shows an example of an optional alternate configuration of micro-outlets including a central vertical micro-outlet 23 and a plurality of further micro-outlets 25 angled with respect to the central micro-outlet 23.

[0105] FIGS. 8 and 9 show an example of an optional alternate configuration of the opening 28 where the opening passes through plate 24 but does not pass through the housing main body 22 above the bulb 40. Selection of the opening 28 configuration may help in setting the point at which the bulb 40 breaks by controlling the air flow around the bulb.