EP0077602A2 - Appareil mécanique pour la décharge d'un agent extincteur - Google Patents

Appareil mécanique pour la décharge d'un agent extincteur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0077602A2
EP0077602A2 EP82303503A EP82303503A EP0077602A2 EP 0077602 A2 EP0077602 A2 EP 0077602A2 EP 82303503 A EP82303503 A EP 82303503A EP 82303503 A EP82303503 A EP 82303503A EP 0077602 A2 EP0077602 A2 EP 0077602A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mechanical
electrical
mechanical energy
storing
generator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP82303503A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0077602A3 (fr
Inventor
Daniel L. Straley
John S. Shema
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fike Metal Products Corp
Original Assignee
Fike Metal Products Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fike Metal Products Corp filed Critical Fike Metal Products Corp
Publication of EP0077602A2 publication Critical patent/EP0077602A2/fr
Publication of EP0077602A3 publication Critical patent/EP0077602A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C35/00—Permanently-installed equipment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C37/00—Control of fire-fighting equipment
    • A62C37/36—Control of fire-fighting equipment an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device

Definitions

  • This invention relates to fire suppressant devices that employ electrically fired initiators. More particularly, it is concerned with a fire suppressant device in which a mechanical initiating signal can be transferred via mechanical linkage from a remote station to a mechanical-electrical actuator in order to generate an electrical signal for firing an electrically fired initiator.
  • fire suppressant apparatus that include electrically fired initiators have required an independent source of electrical energy, and electrical conducting wires connecting the initiator, the source of electrical energy, and a remote actuating station.
  • previous systems have proven generally satisfactory in operation, such systems are dependent on the integrity of the electrical conducting wire, and of the independent source of electrical energy.
  • Such dependence on the integrity of electrical systems is considered by some marine engineers to be an undesirable trait for fire suppressant apparatus designed for shipboard use.
  • an electrically fired detonation initiator in conjunction with a frangible seal is considered to be a superior system from the standpoint of instantaneous release of fire suppressant.
  • a fire suppressant apparatus including a frangible seal and an electrically fired initiator that is not dependent on an external source of electrical energy, and reduces to a minimum the requirement for electrical conducting wire, would be a decided advantage.
  • the apparatus hereof includes a frangible seal and electrically fired initiator, but is independent of external electrical energy sources, and reduces to a minimum the requirement for electrical conducting wires.
  • the fire suppressant apparatus in accordance with. t he present invention broadly includes a hermetically sealed fire suppressant substance container, an electrically fired initiator for selectively rupturing the seal of the container, a mechanical-electrical actuator for generating an electrical signal sufficient to fire the initiator, a remote release station, and a mechanical linkage connecting the release station and the mechanical-electrical actuator.
  • the mechanical-electrical . actuator is located adjacent to the suppressant container and in close proximity to the electrically fired initiator.
  • the mechanical linkage includes a cable and pulley assembly
  • the mechanical-electrical actuator includes a selectively rotatable pulley, a gear assembly operatively connected to the pulley, a spring for storing the mechanical energy derived from the rotation of the pulley and gear assembly, and a direct current generator for converting mechancial energy stored by the spring to electrical energy.
  • a fire suppressant apparatus 10 in accordance with the invention broadly includes a hazard suppressant container 12 including an electrically fired initiator 14, a mechanical-electrical actuator 16, a remote operating station 18 and a mechanical linkage 20 connecting the station 18 and the actuator 16.
  • the container 12 is conventional and has an externally threaded, tubular outlet 22.
  • An internally threaded outlet extension 24 is threaded onto outlet 22.
  • An annular mating washer 26 is interposed between the tubular outlet 22 and the outlet extension 24.
  • the end 28 of outlet 22 is sealed by a transversely extending rupturable metallic burst element or membrane 30.
  • Membrane 30 is a relatively thin, frangible diaphragm characterized by the quality of being resistant to rupture until a predetermined pressure is exceeded, but will undergo rupture upon application of a force above the pressure for which it was designed.
  • Membrane 30 is further distinguished by the circular, concave-convex, dome-shaped configuration of the central portion thereof.
  • the membrane is positioned over end 28 of outlet 22 with its concave face directed towards the container 12.
  • the outlet extension 24 includes a bell-shaped suppressant distributor head 32.
  • the initiator 14 includes a detonator 34, a detonator-receiving receptacle 36 and connection wires 38.
  • the initiator 14 is threadably received within the outlet extension 24 such that one end 40 of the detonator 36 is in adjacent or abutting relationship with the convex face 42 of the membrane 30.
  • the mechanical-electrical actuator 16 is connected to the fire suppressant container 12, adjacent to the detonator receptacle 36.
  • the actuator 16 includes a rotatable, cantilever- mounted pulley 44, a gear assembly 46 operatively connected to the pulley 44, a drive spring 48 and a direct current generator 50.
  • a ball and detent assembly 52 comprising a spring biased ball 54 mounted on the housing 56 of the actuator 16 and a machined recess 58 on the face of the pulley 44, is positioned to hold the pulley 44 in a rest position.
  • the gear assembly 46 includes a driving gear 60 (see Fig. 3) and a smaller driven gear 62.
  • Driven gear 62 is mounted on the armature 64 of the generator 50, whereas pulley 44 and gear 60 are mounted for rotation about a fixed shaft 66.
  • the drive spring 48 is a coil spring, and is received within an enclosure 68 that projects from the generator housing 50.
  • the internal end 70 of the drive spring 48 is operably connected to the armature 64 of the generator 50, and the external end 72 of the spring 48 is secured to the enclosure 68.
  • the circumferential edge 74 of the driving gear 60 includes an untoothed gap or notch 76.
  • the circumference of the driving gear 60 is preferably equal to or greater than about one and one quarter inches.
  • the gear ratio of the driving gear to the driven gear is preferably from about 5:1 to about 10:1.
  • the mechanical linkage 20 includes a cable assembly 78 and a plurality of corner pulleys 80.
  • the cable asscmbly 78 includes a cable 82 shiftably received in a cable carrying conduit 84.
  • the actuator end of cable 82 extends through a suitable gasketed elbow fitting 86 into housing 56 and is operatively connected to pulley 44.
  • the opposite end of cable 82 extends through an apertured plate 88 affixed to bulkhead 90 and is coupled to an end fitting 92; the latter is secured to a handle 94 as best seen in Fig. 2.
  • a brass sleeve (not shown) may advantageously be crimped on the cable 82, and positioned on the cable 82 so as to abut the outer surface of the actuator housing 56 when the cable 82 is fully wound on the pulley 44.
  • fire suppressant apparatus 10 of the present invention may be interconnected with a conventional, automatic, hazard-sensing electronic firing mechanism 100 by wires 102.
  • the wires 102 are received within the actuator housing 56 through fluid tight gasket 104.
  • wires 38, 96 are completely enclosed within the actuator housing 56 and receptacle 36.
  • the container 12 can be mounted by mounts 106 to a bulkhead 108 of the space to be protected, such as an engine room 110 of a ship 112 having an engine 114.
  • the operator releases fire suppressant substance (not shown) from the container 12 by manually grasping the handle 94 and pulling the handle 94 away from its rest position abutting the plate 88, and thereby shifting the cable 82 within the conduit 84. Shifting of the cable 82 in turn rotates the pulley 44 and the driving gear 60 in a counterclockwise rotation as depicted in Fig. 3. Rotation of the driving gear 60 rotates the driven gear 62 and the . drive coil spring 48 is thereby tensioned and stores a quantum of mechanical energy derived from rotation of the gear assembly 46.
  • Rotation of the gears 60, 62 proceeds as described until the gear 60 reaches a point (almost at the end of a full 360° revolution thereof) when gear 62 clears the peripheral teeth of the gear 60 and enters the notch 76. At this point the gear 62 and thereby armature 64 are free to rotate independently of gear 60, and rapidly do so under the influence of the tensioned drive spring 48. Such rotation of the armature 64 converts the stored mechanical energy into electrical energy and creates an electrical signal having the characteristics necessary to fire the detonator 34.
  • Figure 4 depicts a typical waveform generated by the actuator 16.
  • the waveform includes a rapidly rising leading edge 116, a generally level, intermediate portion 118, and a gradually descending, parabolic trailing edge 120.
  • the cable 82 will not be wrapped around the pulley 44 once the handle 94 has been shifted and the actuator 16 thereby operated.
  • the actuator 16 will not be operable until the cable 82 is manually rewound around the pulley 44.
  • the handle 94 will remain in a shifted position until the cable 82 is rewound,-and will serve as a "tell-tale" sign that the fire suppressant has been discharged from the container 12.
  • the voltage generated by the generator 50 will rapidly rise to a level of about 36 volts and will maintain that voltage for a time span of two to three seconds.
  • a conventional initiator 14, such as the Elll DuPont initiator requires 500 milliamps applied for 2 milliseconds to fire. Since the resistance of the Elll initiator is about 1 ohm, those skilled in the art will realize that the actuator 16 provides a signal over 30 times greater than that required to fire an initiator, and for a period of time well in excess of that required for initiation. Thus it will be seen that the electrical signal provided by the actuator 16 is more than ample to insure consistent, predictable firing of the initiator 14, and one actuator 16 can be used to fire a plurality of initiators 14 if desired.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
EP82303503A 1981-10-19 1982-07-02 Appareil mécanique pour la décharge d'un agent extincteur Withdrawn EP0077602A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US31271781A 1981-10-19 1981-10-19
US312717 1981-10-19

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0077602A2 true EP0077602A2 (fr) 1983-04-27
EP0077602A3 EP0077602A3 (fr) 1983-12-14

Family

ID=23212692

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82303503A Withdrawn EP0077602A3 (fr) 1981-10-19 1982-07-02 Appareil mécanique pour la décharge d'un agent extincteur

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0077602A3 (fr)
JP (1) JPS5872900A (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2216076A1 (fr) * 2007-03-02 2010-08-11 Ansul, LLC Système de lutte contre l'incendie et système d'alarme d'urgence

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR451547A (fr) * 1912-12-06 1913-04-21 Xavier Flury Mise en marche automatique pour moteurs à explosion
GB1545776A (en) * 1976-05-11 1979-05-16 Edwards Ltd C Fire extinguishing devices
DE2828789A1 (de) * 1978-06-30 1980-01-03 Grescha Ges Grefe & Scharf Ausloeseeinrichtung fuer die rauchklappenbetaetigung einer rauchabzugsanlage

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2216076A1 (fr) * 2007-03-02 2010-08-11 Ansul, LLC Système de lutte contre l'incendie et système d'alarme d'urgence
AU2008223154B2 (en) * 2007-03-02 2014-04-24 Tyco Fire Products Lp Fire suppression system and emergency annunciation system
US9352176B2 (en) 2007-03-02 2016-05-31 Tyco Fire Products Lp Fire suppression system and emergency annunciation system
US10398916B2 (en) 2007-03-02 2019-09-03 Tyco Fire Products Lp Fire suppression system and emergency annunciation system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0077602A3 (fr) 1983-12-14
JPS5872900A (ja) 1983-04-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US1933694A (en) Electrically controlled actuating device
US3986560A (en) Fire protection means
US3093808A (en) Air-dropped miniature sonobuoy
US4037538A (en) Device for firing an electric detonator
US2593432A (en) Automatically operated radio buoy
US8037823B2 (en) Networked pyrotechnic actuator incorporating high-pressure bellows
US4482333A (en) Automatic inflation system
EP0077602A2 (fr) Appareil mécanique pour la décharge d'un agent extincteur
US3552495A (en) Fire extinguisher
US3211097A (en) Pyrogen squib
US4306127A (en) Corrosion sensor
US3482484A (en) Cutting tool
US3780752A (en) Explosively actuated valve
US3267672A (en) Gas generating device with initiator insulating means
US3926137A (en) Deep ocean parachute release
US4498491A (en) Thermo-electric valve
US3964390A (en) Bursting disc assembly
US4207626A (en) Acoustic decoy and jammer
US5396845A (en) Modular fuze
US6423440B1 (en) Closed battery and closing member
US5068162A (en) Reserve activated electrochemical cell
US3518941A (en) Acoustic mine firing control system
US4187779A (en) Marine mine
US3384262A (en) Detonator assembly for rupture disc having explosive strips thereon
US3699893A (en) Ignition band and cover assembly

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN

18W Application withdrawn

Withdrawal date: 19840717

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: STRALEY DANIEL L.

Inventor name: SHEMA, JOHN S.