Abstract: A thermal event detection and notification system detects a thermal event, a control unit receives information from, the information being indicative of the detected thermal event. The control unit determines, based on the information received, a location of said thermal event.

Abstract: A pneumatic sensing apparatus for use in an overheat or fire alarm system includes a sensor tube containing a pressurized gas in communication with a pressure sensor configured to sense a temperature variation based on changes of the pressurized gas. A pressure switch is coupled to the pressure sensor. The pressure switch includes a signal transducer configured to provide an output indicative of an overheat or fire alarm condition.

Abstract: A method for preventing chaffing between a linear detector cable and a protective outer sheath including the steps of preparing an elongated polymer tube having a predetermined length and outer diameter, wrapping heat resistant tape having a given width around a distal end portion of the tube to locally enlarge the outer diameter of the tube, and inserting a proximal end portion of the tube into an open end of a metallic protective sheath having a predetermined inner diameter that is slightly greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the tube, so that the heat resistant tape wrapped around the distal end portion of the tube abuts against the end of the sheath to acts as a stop surface.

Abstract: A pneumatic detection system and a method of forming the pneumatic detection system are described. The system includes a sealed tube, a refrigerant disposed within the sealed tube, and a switch configured to be activated based on a specified pressure being reached within the sealed tube.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a fire suppression system includes a high rate discharge system and a low rate discharge system. The low rate discharge system may comprise components that are capable of varying mass flow of a fire suppression agent in term of the ambient conditions of the aircraft structure. In this regard, the low rate discharge system may comprise a valve that is configured to sense at least one of the ambient pressure and ambient temperature of an aircraft structure.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a fire extinguisher actuator assembly for a fire extinguisher is provided. The fire extinguisher includes a fire extinguisher reservoir and a burst disc that forms a discharge barrier between the fire extinguisher reservoir and a discharge head to retain a pressurized fire extinguishing agent within the fire extinguisher reservoir. The fire extinguisher actuator assembly includes a cutter shuttle assembly having a cutter coupled to a shuttle body. The cutter shuttle assembly is detained within the fire extinguisher proximate the burst disc and biased to form a pressure equalization region between the shuttle body and the burst disc. The fire extinguisher actuator assembly also includes an activation device having a piercing member operable to pierce the burst disc and release pressure from the pressure equalization region, thereby driving the cutter through the burst disc to release the pressurized fire extinguishing agent through the discharge head.

Abstract: A fire suppression system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a high pressure inert gas source configured to provide a first inert gas output and a low pressure inert gas source configured to provide a second inert gas output. A distribution network is connected with the high pressure inert gas source and the low pressure inert gas source to distribute the first inert gas output and the second inert gas output throughout a confined space. A volume reduction system is positioned within the confined space and includes a seal member. The seal member is selectively deployable between a first position and a second position to isolate a first volume of the confined space from a second volume of the confined space and reduce an amount of the first inert gas output and the second inert gas output required to respond to a fire threat within the confined space.

Abstract: An embodiment of a cable assembly includes a cable including at least a shielded conductor, a mating connector mounted to a first assembly end, and an elongated strain relief grommet disposed longitudinally between the cable and the mating connector. The strain relief grommet includes a grommet body formed from a compressible material. The body includes a first grommet end portion disposed proximate to the mating connector, and a second grommet end portion disposed distal to the mating connector.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a fire extinguisher includes a fire extinguisher reservoir and a fire extinguisher outlet burst disc that forms a discharge barrier between the fire extinguisher reservoir and a discharge head to retain a pressurized fire extinguishing agent at an internal fire extinguisher pressure within the fire extinguisher reservoir. A cutter is detained within the fire extinguisher proximate the fire extinguisher outlet burst disc. An interior container within the fire extinguisher reservoir has a container pressure and is sealed with a container burst disc. An activation device having a piercing member is operable to pierce the container burst disc and diffuse the container pressure to create a pressure differential relative to the internal fire extinguisher pressure at the cutter, thereby driving the cutter through the fire extinguisher outlet burst disc to release the pressurized fire extinguishing agent through the discharge head.

Abstract: A temperature sensing system comprises a conductive tube, a shape memory alloy (SMA) element, and a detector. The SMA element is disposed to create an electrical contact with the electrical tube when subjected to at least a critical temperature, and the detector is configured to identify an alarm condition when the conductive tube and the SMA element form a closed electrical circuit.

Abstract: A thermal sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a plurality of beads disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the beads defining bead cavities between each other. A method for manufacturing a thermal sensor includes disposing a plurality of beads on an inner electrode, dip coating the inner electrode with beads using a molten state changing material, and disposing an outer electrode over the inner electrode and beads after dip coating.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an electrical device includes receiving an operational condition of an electrical device, receiving a measurement indicative of a thermal parameter of the electrical device corresponding to the operational condition, and storing the measurement in memory in association with the operational condition. A system for monitoring electrical devices includes a processor communicative with a memory and the memory has instructions recorded thereon that, when read by the processor, cause the processor to execute the method.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems for improved relative location identification for overheat, short circuit, and open circuit events. The systems accomplish the improvements by utilizing any, or a combination, of implementing a novel calculation formula, determining and implementing an external offset value, and determining and implementing an internal offset value.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a fire suppression system with integral leak detection is provided. The fire suppression system may comprise a bottle, a pressure monitoring system, and a controller. The pressure monitoring system may include a bellows. The bellows may be in fluid communication with the volume defined by the bottle. The controller may be configured to monitor the bellows.

Abstract: An automatic fire extinguishing system includes a canister having a central axis, an outlet port disposed on the canister, a dip tube disposed in the canister about the central axis and in partial fluid communication with the canister and coupled to the outlet port, a propellant gas mixture of CO2 and N2 disposed within the canister and a gaseous fire suppression agent disposed in the canister.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a fire suppression system includes a high rate discharge system and a low rate discharge system. The low rate discharge system may comprise components that are capable of varying mass flow of a fire suppression agent in term of the ambient conditions of the aircraft structure. In this regard, the low rate discharge system may comprise a valve that is configured to sense at least one of the ambient pressure and ambient temperature of an aircraft structure.

Abstract: A pneumatic sensing apparatus for use in an overheat or fire alarm system comprising a sensing assembly that comprises a sensing means 51, 61, 71, containing a pressurized gas, coupled to a pressure sensor 52, 62, 72. The pressure sensor 52, 62, 72, is configured to produce a signal that is indicative of the gas pressure. The pressure sensor 52, 62, 72, comprises an optical pressure sensor and the signal comprises an optical signal.

Abstract: A temperature sensing system 10 comprises an optical waveguide 102, a shape memory alloy (SMA) element 106a, and an interrogator 12. The SMA element 106a is deformable as a function of temperature and at least partially surrounds the optical waveguide 102. The interrogator 12 is configured to detect distributed temperature along the optical waveguide 102 using spectroscopy and to detect strain in the optical waveguide 102 induced by deformation of the SMA element 106a to identify local hot spots along the optical waveguide 102.

Abstract: An automated fire protection system for a freighter such as an aircraft may include a single fire retardant source for a first deck and a second deck. The system may further include a plurality of sensors for detecting fire and a plurality of nozzles for dispersing the retardant, wherein each nozzle is paired with one of the plurality of sensors. Once a fire is detected by one of the sensors, the fire protection system may eject fire retardant through only one or more nozzles paired with the sensor that detected the fire. Because retardant may be accurately dispersed close to the detected fire location through less than the plurality of nozzles, an amount of on-board retardant may be decreased, thereby decreasing weight of the fire suppression system. In an embodiment, the fire retardant may only be discharged during the descent, further decreasing the weight of the fire system.

Abstract: An overheat sensor system is provided. A controller may create an aircraft temperature profile and may compare temperature sensor data to the profile. The system may provide an output indicating temperatures or fires.