Patents Assigned to Amrona AG
  • Patent number: 8727031
    Abstract: Described herein are an inerting method as well as an inerting system (1) for preventing and/or extinguishing fire, wherein a gas separation system (3, 4) is provided to set and/or maintain a predefinable oxygen content, which is reduced compared to normal ambient air, in the spatial atmosphere of an enclosed room (2), said system separating off at least a portion of the oxygen contained in an initial nitrogen/oxygen gas mixture and thereby provide a nitrogenated gas mixture at the outlet (4a) of the gas separation system (3, 4). In order to achieve the setting and maintaining of a predefined inerting level with the lowest possible expenditure of energy, the description herein provides for a control device (5) designed to control the gas separation system (3, 4) such that the residual oxygen content of the nitrogenated gas mixture is changed as a function of the oxygen content prevailing at that moment in the spatial atmosphere of the enclosed room (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Amrona AG
    Inventors: Anselm Eberlein, Peter Uwe Kersten
  • Patent number: 8602119
    Abstract: The invention relates to a preventing and extinguishing fires in enclosed spaces in which the internal air atmosphere is not permitted to exceed a predefined temperature value. In order not to have to increase the cooling capacity of an air conditioning system when inert gas is added to the internal air atmosphere to set or maintain a specific inertization level within an enclosed space, a system for the regulated discharging of inert gas into same is provided. The system includes a container for the provision and storage of the inert gas in liquified form, and a vaporizer connected to the container for vaporizing at least a portion of the inert gas and discharging same into the internal air atmosphere of the enclosed space. The vaporizer thereby directly or indirectly extracts the heat energy needed to vaporize the liquid inert gas from the internal air atmosphere of the enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Amrona AG
    Inventor: Ernst-Werner Wagner
  • Patent number: 8517116
    Abstract: An inertization method for preventing fire or explosion in a first enclosed protected area by lowering the oxygen content in the protected area to a base inertization level relative-to the ambient air. With the objective of eliminating any danger to people or processes within the protected area, the method according to the invention provides for measuring the oxygen content in the protected area, comparing it to a threshold (maximum inertization level), and in the event it falls below the threshold (maximum inertization level), introducing fresh air into the protected area(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Amrona AG
    Inventor: Ernst Werner Wagner
  • Patent number: 8505614
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measure for minimizing an undesired passage of fluid from a first sector (1) to a second sector (2) separated by a non-fluid-tight separation (3), wherein a first pressure (P1-1) prevails in the first sector (1) and a lower second pressure (P2-1) than the first pressure (P1-1) prevails in the second sector (2). An intermediate chamber (4) which separates the two sectors (1, 2) from one another is arranged at the separation (3). A conveyor mechanism (5) is further provided which is designed to convey fluid from the intermediate chamber (4) to the first sector (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Amrona AG
    Inventor: Michael Kind
  • Patent number: 8256525
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inerting method for reducing a risk of fire outbreak in an enclosed space as well as a device therefor. A continuous inerting of the enclosed space to spatially-separated zones of the enclosed space is performed as necessary without needing structural separations. At least one inert gas having a gas density (?Gas) which differs from the mean gas density (?Gas) of the ambient atmosphere of the space is introduced into the enclosed space such that a gas stratification including a first gas layer (A) and a second gas layer (B) forms in the enclosed space, wherein the oxygen content in the first gas layer (A) corresponds substantially to the oxygen content of the ambient atmosphere, and wherein the oxygen content in the second gas layer (B) corresponds to a specific, definable oxygen content which is lower than the oxygen content of the ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Amrona AG
    Inventor: Ernst-Werner Wagner
  • Publication number: 20120145417
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inerting method as well as an inerting system (1) to set and/or maintain a reduced oxygen content in an enclosed room (2), wherein a gas separation system (3.1, 4.1; 3.2, 4.2; 3.3, 4.3) is provided which separates off at least a portion of the oxygen from an initial gas mixture provided in a mixing chamber (6) and by so doing, provides a nitrogen-enriched gas mixture. In order to optimize the operation of the inerting system (1), the invention provides for a portion of the air to be withdrawn from the enclosed room (2) and admixed with fresh air in the mixing chamber (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Amrona AG
    Inventors: Eberlein Anselm, Peter Uwe Kersten
  • Publication number: 20120090860
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measure for minimizing an undesired passage of fluid from a first sector (1) to a second sector (2) separated by a non-fluid-tight separation (3), wherein a first pressure (P1-1) prevails in the first sector (1) and a lower second pressure (P2-1) than the first pressure (P1-1) prevails in the second sector (2). An intermediate chamber (4) which separates the two sectors (1, 2) from one another is arranged at the separation (3). A conveyor mechanism (5) is further provided which is designed to convey fluid from the intermediate chamber (4) to the first sector (1) in order to generate a lower pressure in the intermediate chamber (4) than the first pressure (P1-1) prevailing in the first sector (1), wherein the pressure (P4-1) generated in the intermediate chamber (4) is just as high or higher than the second pressure (P2-1) prevailing in the second sector (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: AMRONA AG
    Inventor: Michael Kind
  • Patent number: 8079421
    Abstract: A method and device for preventing fire and for extinguishing fire in an enclosed space in which a permanent negative pressure is set, includes fresh air being supplied in a regulated manner to the compartment atmosphere as supply air and exhaust air being discharged from the compartment atmosphere in a regulated manner, and wherein should a fire occur or to prevent a fire, an extinguishing agent which is gaseous under normal conditions is supplied to the compartment atmosphere as the supply air. In order to achieve a relieving of pressure without changing the set negative pressure, or upon a sudden flooding of the space with the gaseous extinguishing agent, the total volume flow of fresh air and/or extinguishing agent supplied to the compartment atmosphere as supply air is at all times less than or equal to the volume flow of the exhaust air discharged from the compartment atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Amrona AG
    Inventor: Ernst-Werner Wagner
  • Publication number: 20110253396
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inert gas fire-extinguishing system for reducing the risk of and extinguishing fires in a protected room. So as to have the inerting of the protected room ensue according to different variable sequences of events, the inert gas fire-extinguishing system includes a pressure-reducing device having at least two parallel branches, wherein each parallel branch has a pressure-reducing mechanism. Each parallel branch is connectable to a high-pressure collecting line and a low-pressure extinguishing line via a controllable valve, whereby each pressure-reducing mechanism is designed to reduce a high input pressure to a low output pressure according to a known pressure-reducing characteristic curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: AMRONA AG
    Inventors: Thomas Claessen, Ernst-Werner Wagner
  • Publication number: 20110087467
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a device and a computer program for planning an aspirative fire detection system having a detector module and a pipe system. In order to be able to plan an aspirative fire detection system in an easily-realized yet effective manner, the invention provides for planning the detector module with the aid of a planning table and planning the pipe system with the aid of a pipe planning table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: AMRONA AG
    Inventor: Oliver Linden
  • Patent number: 7908904
    Abstract: This method makes it possible, with highest possible precision and without any major expense, to determine the air tightness of an enclosed space. Specifically, it introduces a method which, on demand and in effective yet easy-to-implement fashion, permits at any time the updated determination of the existing air tightness of the enclosed space without requiring a complex test series. To that effect, the first step according to the method is to define a concentration gradient between the internal air atmosphere of an enclosed space and the ambient air atmosphere by setting the physical concentration of at least one constituent component of the space-internal air atmosphere, in particular of oxygen, at a value that differs from the physical concentration value of that minimum of one corresponding component in the ambient air atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Amrona AG
    Inventor: Ernst Werner Wagner
  • Patent number: 7857068
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inertization device for establishing and maintaining a presettable inertization level in a protective room. The inertization device has an inert gas system for providing inert gas, a supply pipe system connected to the inert gas system for supplying the inert gas to the protective room, and an inert gas system control unit for controlling the inert gas system. The rate the inert gas rate is provided determines a level of inertization inside the protective room. In order for the inert gas rate supplied to the protective room to be appropriately controlled, even in the event of a disruption in the control of the inert gas system or in the event of a failure of the inert gas system control unit, a safety device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Amrona AG
    Inventor: Ernst-Werner Wagner
  • Patent number: 7854270
    Abstract: In the event of a failure of a fire prevention or extinguishing system, an inertization method reduces the fire risk in an enclosed protected area, where the oxygen content in the area can be maintained on a control concentration that lies below an operating concentration for a certain time period, so that the emergency operation phase is sufficiently long to prevent the ignition and/or re-ignition of combustible materials therein. The control concentration is maintained for an emergency operation period by a redundant secondary source. Alternatively, the control concentration and the operating concentration, while forming a safety margin, can be lowered so far below the design concentration that in the event of a primary source failure, the growth curve of the oxygen content reaches a limit concentration determined for the area in a predefined period, which is sufficiently long to continue to prevent the ignition and/or re-ignition of the combustible materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Amrona AG (CH)
    Inventor: Ernst-Werner Wagner
  • Patent number: 7796047
    Abstract: An apparatus for fire detection in an electrical equipment rack includes a suction pipe system which communicates with the rack monitored through at least one suction opening and through which a representative air sample is drawn from the rack, an early fire detection module having at least one detector unit for detecting at least one fire parameter in the air sample extracted through the suction pipe system, and a controller for issuing an early fire detection signal in response to the result detected with the at least one detector unit. The early fire detection module is configured as a rackmount to be inserted into the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Amrona AG
    Inventors: Ernst Werner Wagner, Carsten Heller
  • Publication number: 20100155088
    Abstract: Described herein are an inerting method as well as an inerting system (1) for preventing and/or extinguishing fire, wherein a gas separation system (3, 4) is provided to set and/or maintain a predefinable oxygen content, which is reduced compared to normal ambient air, in the spatial atmosphere of an enclosed room (2), said system separating off at least a portion of the oxygen contained in an initial nitrogen/oxygen gas mixture and thereby provide a nitrogenated gas mixture at the outlet (4a) of the gas separation system (3, 4). In order to achieve the setting and maintaining of a predefined inerting level with the lowest possible expenditure of energy, the description herein provides for a control device (5) designed to control the gas separation system (3, 4) such that the residual oxygen content of the nitrogenated gas mixture is changed as a function of the oxygen content prevailing at that moment in the spatial atmosphere of the enclosed room (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Amrona AG
    Inventors: Anselm Eberlein, Peter Uwe Kersten
  • Patent number: 7726410
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inertization process for decreasing a risk of fire and for extinguishing fires in a protected room, wherein an oxygen concentration in the protected room is first lowered to a specific base inertization level, and wherein the oxygen concentration in the protected room is maintained at the base inertization level. In the event of a fire, additional inert gas is introduced based upon the extent of the fire in the protected room to further decrease from the base inertization level to a first lowered level. The oxygen concentration is maintained at the first lowered level for a first preset time interval, and further decreased from the first lowered level to a full inertization level, if the fire has not yet been extinguished once the first preset time interval has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Amrona AG
    Inventor: Ernst-Werner Wagner
  • Patent number: 7717776
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the controlled feeding of added air into a permanently inertized room in which a predefined inertization level is or must be set and maintained within a certain control range provide for the volume flow rate at which an inert gas is fed into the room atmosphere to attain a value that is adequate for maintaining the predefined inertization level in the room atmosphere that will minimize fire risk. In addition, provisions are made whereby at all times just enough fresh air is injected into the room atmosphere as is necessary to remove from the room atmosphere that proportional concentration of hazardous substances that has not already been removed, via a corresponding return-air exhaust system as a result of the injection of inert gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Amrona AG
    Inventors: Ernst Werner Wagner, Dieter Lietz, Marcus Thiem
  • Patent number: 7673694
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inertization device for establishing and maintaining an inertization level in a protective room. The inertization device has a controllable inert gas system for providing inert gas, a first supply pipe system connected to the inert gas system and the protective room to supply the inert gas to the protective room, and a control unit to control the inert gas system such that a presettable inertization level is established and maintained inside the protective room. In order to raise the inertization level inside the protective room rapidly to an accessibility level without requiring major structural measures, a valve controlled by the control unit is connected to the inert gas system and the first supply pipe system to supply the exhaust air prepared by the inert gas system as fresh air to the protective room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Amrona AG
    Inventors: Ernst-Werner Wagner, Peter Clauss
  • Publication number: 20100012334
    Abstract: An inertization method for preventing fire or explosion in an enclosed protected area in which the oxygen content in the protected area is lowered relative to the ambient air. With the objective of enabling effective protection against fire even given gas emissions from solids or liquids within the protected area, when inflammable substances and/or gases are present in the enclosed protected area (for example hydrocarbons), the method according to the invention provides for regulating the oxygen content in the closed protected area as a function of the concentration of said inflammable gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Amrona AG
    Inventor: Ernst-Werner Wagner
  • Publication number: 20090294116
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measure for minimizing an undesired passage of fluid from a first sector (1) to a second sector (2) separated by a non-fluid-tight separation (3), wherein a first pressure (P1-1) prevails in the first sector (1) and a lower second pressure (P2-1) than the first pressure (P1-1) prevails in the second sector (2). An intermediate chamber (4) which separates the two sectors (1, 2) from one another is arranged at the separation (3). A conveyor mechanism (5) is further provided which is designed to convey fluid from the intermediate chamber (4) to the first sector (1) in order to generate a lower pressure in the intermediate chamber (4) than the first pressure (P1-1) prevailing in the first sector (1), wherein the pressure (P4-1) generated in the intermediate chamber (4) is just as high or higher than the second pressure (P2-1) prevailing in the second sector (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: AMRONA AG
    Inventor: Michael Kind