Abstract: An aircraft has a fire suppression control system for a plurality of enclosures within the aircraft. The aircraft comprises a directional valve for each enclosure, sensors provided for each enclosure, for monitoring variables of the enclosure, one or more fire suppression agent bottles and a control unit for regulating the discharge of the fire suppression agent. The sensors are operatively linked by the control unit to a warning system in a cockpit of the aircraft.

Abstract: A directional valve for a fire suppression system comprises a valve member for controlling the discharge of fire suppression agent. The valve member comprises: a blocking portion to provide a closed setting for the fire suppression agent; a first orifice to provide a fully open setting for the fire suppression agent; and a second orifice to provide a restricted opening setting in which discharge of fire suppression agent is restricted. The valve member is configured so that during activation of the directional valve from a closed setting, the first orifice follows the blocking portion and precedes the second orifice in order to provide a fully open setting followed by a restricted opening setting.

Abstract: A fire suppression system for a plurality of enclosures in an aircraft comprises a plurality of bottles containing fire suppression agent, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor on each bottle for measuring temperature and pressure data of the bottle contents, an addressable bottle valve on each bottle and a control unit. The control unit is configured to analyse the temperature and pressure data for each bottle to determine adequacy of fire suppression agent content for extinguishing a fire in a particular enclosure of the aircraft. The control unit is further configured to control the bottle valves independently by using the bottle valves' addresses, in order to manage the release of fire suppression agent.

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 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: A pneumatic pressure detector comprises a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal and a deformable diaphragm configured to deform between first, second and third positions. When the diaphragm is in its first position, the first and second terminals are open. When the diaphragm is in its second position, the first terminal is open and the second terminal is closed. When the diaphragm is in its third position, the first and second terminals are both closed. The pneumatic pressure detector may be connected to a sensor tube.

Abstract: A valve mechanism is herein described that utilizes a frangible plug. The valve mechanism comprises a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port and a passageway extending therebetween. The valve mechanism comprises a frangible plug that is held within the valve body to block the passageway when the plug is intact. The plug comprises a predefined fracture plane and is configured to fracture across the predefined fracture plane upon application of an impact force.

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: A method of manufacturing an overheat or fire alarm detection system, comprises the steps of micromachining a pressure sensor and securing a sensor tube in fluid communication with the pressure sensor. The sensor tube may comprise a hollow tube containing a material that evolves gas upon heating. The micromachining step may comprise doping at least a portion of a first layer, forming a cavity at least partially within the doped portion and forming a deformable diaphragm over the cavity.

Abstract: A pneumatic pressure detector comprises a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal and a deformable diaphragm configured to deform between first, second and third positions. When the diaphragm is in its first position, the first and second terminals are open. When the diaphragm is in its second position, the first terminal is open and the second terminal is closed. When the diaphragm is in its third position, the first and second terminals are both closed. The pneumatic pressure detector may be connected to a sensor tube.

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 fire detection system includes a detection tube and a sensing device. The detection tube contains a sensing fluid having a first physical condition and a second physical condition. The sensing fluid is in the first physical condition below a temperature threshold, and is in the second physical condition above the temperature threshold. The sensing fluid is at least partially liquid in the first physical condition. The sensing device is movable to open in response to a transition of a portion of the sensing fluid from the first physical condition to the second physical condition.

Abstract: A fire suppression cylinder includes a valve at an outlet of a canister, and a control for the valve. The canister receives a liquid suppressor agent and a pressurized gas. A feature within a portion of the canister will receive the liquid suppressor agent. The feature increases the formation of gas bubbles within the liquid suppressor agent.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a metal oxide semiconductor (“MOS”) sensor with a gas-sensing surface normally having a first sensitivity to a first species of flammable gas and a second sensitivity to a second, different species of flammable gas. A selective sensitivity-enhancement layer is disposed on the gas-sensing surface such that the first sensitivity becomes increased and the second sensitivity remains substantially unchanged.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a metal oxide semiconductor sensor and a housing having an internal chamber in which the sensor is disposed. The housing includes at least one window for the ingress of a gas into the internal chamber from an atmosphere exterior to the housing. A gas-selective barrier is disposed across the at least one window.

Abstract: Prostate cancer comes in various forms and has proven difficult to treat. Provided herein are various methods and compositions for treating all forms of prostate cancers with dopa decarboxylase (DDC) inhibitors. These dopa decarboxylase inhibitors include carbidopa (?-Methyl-dopahydrazine), MFMD (?-monofluoromethyldopa), NSD-1015 (3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine), Methyldopa (L-?-Methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) or benserazide, and the inhibitors may be used in combination. DDC inhibitors may also be used to inhibit the progression of prostate cancer to androgen-independence and neuroendocrine prostate cancer.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing apparatus has a structure defining a first chamber containing an electrically operable explosive device, a piezoelectric cell capable of producing an electrical output in response to a mechanical force upon the piezoelectric cell electrically connected to the electrically operable explosive device, a container of fire suppressant in contact with the structure, and a mechanical mechanism adjacent the piezoelectric cell for producing the mechanical force on the piezoelectric cell. The mechanical force produced by the mechanical mechanism is applied to the piezoelectric cell to produce the electrical output that actuates the electrically operable explosive device.

Abstract: A fire suppression and warning system for an aircraft includes an inert gas delivery system, an inert gas indicator, an on-ground indicator, and a warning device. The inert gas delivery system delivers an inert gas output to an enclosed space on the aircraft. The inert gas indicator signals that the inert gas delivery system has delivered the inert gas output to the enclosed space. The on-ground indicator signals that the aircraft is located on the ground. The warning device actively warns that the inert gas output is present in the enclosed space in response to a signal from the inert gas indicator and a signal from the on-ground indicator.

Abstract: A method for fire suppression includes flowing a first inert gas output into an enclosed space at a high rate of discharge and flowing a second inert gas output into the enclosed space at a low rate of discharge. The method further includes metering an odorant into the second inert gas to provide an extended warning that inert gas is present in the enclosed space.

Abstract: A method for protecting a user in an enclosed environment includes providing an enclosed environment that holds cargo that has first odor; flowing a gas to the enclosed environment; and adding an odorant having a second odor to the gas, the first odor being distinctive from the second odor such that a presence of the second odorant provides a warning that the gas is present.