SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTRACTION OF SMOKE FROM ROAD TUNNELS
The invention concerns a smoke extraction module (1), a smoke extraction system (20) and a method for using such a system which enables extracting of smoke (6) from tunnels, in particular large road tunnels. The module comprises a duct (2) for transportation of smoke, a suspension means (10) which is at least indirectly connected to the duct, thereby enabling suspended convection between the duct and the tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling (4) and a detachment mechanism (5), which, when activated, is arranged to detach the duct from the suspension means such that a displacement of the duct is enabled.
The present invention relates to a module, a system and a method for extraction of smoke from tunnels, in particular smoke developing inside long road tunnels due to motoring accidents.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ARTAccidents in tunnels are more dangerous than in the open air. An explosion or fire may cause considerable damage, and hazardous substances cannot be removed quickly. Smoke causes poor visibility, lack of oxygen rapidly occurs and there may be panic. The below table from the handbook of tunnel fire safety of 2005 (Alan Beard & Richard Carrel) lists some of the tunnel fatalities in recent years, hence providing an insight into the tragic consequences of tunnel fire.
As a result, the serious hazards related to smoke development in road tunnels have been an issue of debates for decades, and numerous solutions have been proposed trying to reduce the consequences in case of smoke inducing accidents. Examples may be found in publications DE 3117147 A1, DE 19825420 A1, DE 102004027761 A1, EP 1544408 A1, EP 1398461, KR 101088341 B, DE 102007040237 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,079 and DE 7524273 U all disclose solutions where tunnels have been equipped with a closed extraction channel or duct connected to one or more ventilation means. As explained in DE 3117146 A1 enables use of smoke sensors situated along the tunnel guidance of smoke from the source of the smoke into a nearby closable hole of the extraction duct. The extracted smoke may be conveyed to the outside either vertically or longitudinally.
However, there are still many tunnels worldwide that have no or insufficient systems for smoke extractions, some of these being of considerable length, for example over 1000 meters. To install a solution based on the prior art solutions mentioned above, i.e. to install a dedicated extraction duct having closable openings, often requires a considerable amount of cost and manpower.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an assembly that enables effective smoke extraction at or near the smoke source and which may be installed into existing and new tunnels in an easier and more cost favourable manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is set forth and characterized in the main claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention.
In particular, the invention concerns a smoke extraction module smoke extraction module, a smoke extraction system and a method for using such a system which enables extracting of smoke from tunnels, in particular large road tunnels. The module comprises a duct for transportation of smoke, a suspension means which is at least indirectly connected to the duct, thereby enabling suspended connection between the duct and the tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling and a detachment mechanism, which, when activated, is arranged to detach the duct from the suspension means such that a displacement of the duct is enabled. The displacement of the duct is preferably a pure longitudinal displacement. Hereinafter a tunnel shall be interpreted as comprising any cavities where a fire outbreak is considered to represent a danger for life and health for living objects and/or considered to represent a risk of causing serious material damages. Examples are road tunnels, train tunnels, mines, etc.
In a preferred embodiment the duct remains suspended to the tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling after detachment.
In another preferred embodiment the detachment mechanism comprises an activator such as a relay configured to receive signals from a smoke detector situated inside the tunnel and configured to actuate the detachment of the duct by for example the activation of one or more coils.
In another preferred embodiment the detachment mechanism further comprises a smoke detector for detection of smoke inside the tunnel. In an alternative embodiment the smoke detector is a remote smoke detector transmitting signals to the receiver.
In another preferred embodiment the detachment mechanism further comprises fastening means such as a locking bolt, while the module also comprises one or more retaining means. The suspension means and the retaining means may advantageously be releasably interconnected by the fastening means. Furthermore, the suspension means and the retaining means may be pivotably interconnected, for example by the use of a hinge.
In another preferred embodiment the detachment mechanism comprising an activator configured to receive signals from a smoke detector situated inside the tunnel as well as one or more elongated objects such as a rod, a wire, a cable or similar, extending between the fastening means and the activator.
In another preferred embodiment the suspension means comprises one or more first hangers while the retaining means comprises one or more second hangers, wherein the first and second hangers are attached to the tunnel wall or ceiling during use. In this embodiment the second hanger may be attached to the module such that the duct remains suspended in the tunnel wall or ceiling after detachment. The attachment may be directly on the duct itself or on the retaining means
The invention also concerns a smoke extraction system for extracting smoke from tunnels. The system comprises a plurality of smoke extraction modules in accordance with the features disclosed above which are mutually arranged in an end-to-end fashion to form a channel extending along the tunnel during use. The system also comprises an evacuation system arranged at one or both longitudinal ends of the channel for extraction of smoke.
In a preferred embodiment the displacement of the duct within the system causes a longitudinal misalignment relative to adjacent ducts.
In addition to the module and the system mentioned above the invention also concerns a method for displacing a smoke extraction module arranged within a smoke extraction system comprising a plurality of modules arranged in an end-to-end fashion to form a channel extending along the tunnel, where each module comprises a duct for transportation of smoke and a suspension means suspending the duct from the tunnel wall. The method comprises the following steps:
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- a) detecting a level of smoke exceeding a predetermined level by means of a smoke detector and
- b) actuating a detachment mechanism detaching the duct from the suspension means, thereby causing a longitudinal misalignment of the duct relative to adjacent ducts.
In a preferred embodiment the method also comprises the step of transmitting signals from the smoke detector to an activator between step a) and step b), where said activator is configured to actuate the displacement mechanism.
All method steps may advantageously be controlled by the use of a common control unit.
Details of two different detachment mechanisms 5 detaching the fire module 1 from the adjacent modules will now be described.
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- a smoke guiding channel composed of five modules 1,1′,
- vacuum pump 21,21′ arranged at each end of the channel to pump out smoke 6,
- a detachment mechanism 5 fixed at both ends of each module 1,1′ to selectively displace one or more corresponding ducts 2,2′,
- smoke detectors 9 arranged along the entire length of the channel and
- a control unit 35 controlling the operation parameters of the vacuum pumps 21,21′, the transmission signals of the smoke detectors 9 and the activation of the locking relays 34 situated within the detachment mechanisms 5.
With the particular setup any module 1 may be detached from the adjacent modules 1′. For example, if the smoke detectors 9 labeled ii and iv detect smoke 6 indicating one or more fire outbreaks, signals will be sent initiating the activation of the one or more detachment mechanisms 5 connected to the modules 2′ situated immediately above the activated smoke detector(s) 9. Hence, in
In the preceding description, various aspects of the module, system and method according to the invention have been described with reference to the illustrative embodiment. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, systems and configurations were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the apparatus and its workings. However, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and variations of the illustrative embodiment, as well as other embodiments of the apparatus, which are apparent to persons skilled in the art to which the disclosed subject matter pertains, are deemed to lie within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. A smoke extraction module for use in a smoke extraction system comprising a plurality of smoke extraction modules enabling extracting of smoke from tunnels, the module comprising:
- a duct for transportation of smoke; and
- a suspension means being at least indirectly connected to the duct enabling suspended connection between the duct and the tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling;
- characterized in that the module further comprises:
- a detachment mechanism, which, when activated, is arranged to detach a portion of the duct from the suspension means such that, during use in the smoke extraction system, the portion of the duct is displaced relative to adjacent portions.
17. A smoke extraction module in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that displacement of the duct portion corresponds to a longitudinal misalignment relative to adjacent ducts.
18. The module in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that the duct remains suspended to the tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling after detachment of the duct portion.
19. The module in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that the detachment mechanism comprises:
- an activator configured to receive signals from a smoke detector situated inside the tunnel, the activator being configured to actuate the detachment of the portion.
20. The module in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that the detachment mechanism further comprises a smoke detector for detection of smoke inside the tunnel.
21. The module in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that the detachment mechanism further comprises:
- fastening means; and
- that the module further comprises a retaining means, wherein the suspension means and the retaining means are releasably interconnected by the fastening means.
22. The module in accordance with claim 21, characterized in that the suspension means and the retaining means are pivotably interconnected.
23. The module in accordance with claim 21, characterized in that the detachment mechanism comprising:
- an activator configured to receive signals from a smoke detector situated inside the tunnel; and
- an elongated object extending between the fastening means and the activator.
24. The module in accordance with claim 21, characterized in that the suspension means comprises a first hanger and the retaining means comprises a second hanger, wherein the first and second hangers are attached to the tunnel wall or ceiling during use.
25. The module in accordance with claim 24, characterized in that the second hanger is attached to the module such that the duct remains suspended in the tunnel wall or ceiling after detachment.
26. A smoke extraction system for extracting smoke from tunnels comprising:
- a duct having a plurality of smoke extraction modules mutually arranged in an end-to-end fashion to form a channel extending along the tunnel during use having an evacuation system at at least one longitudinal end of the channel for extraction of smoke.
27. The system in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that the displacement of the duct causes a longitudinal misalignment of a smoke extraction module relative to adjacent smoke extraction modules.
28. Method for displacing a smoke extraction module arranged within a smoke extraction system comprising a plurality of smoke extraction modules arranged in an end-to-end fashion to form a duct extending along the tunnel, where each smoke extraction module comprises a portion of the duct for transportation of smoke and a suspension means suspending the duct from the tunnel wall, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:
- a) detecting a level of smoke exceeding a predetermined level by means of a smoke detector; and
- b) actuating a detachment mechanism detaching a smoke extraction module of the duct from the suspension means, thereby causing a longitudinal misalignment of the smoke extraction module relative to adjacent modules.
29. Method in accordance with claim 28, characterized by transmitting signals from the smoke detector to an activator between step a) and step b), said activator being configured to actuate the detachment mechanism.
30. Method in accordance with claim 28, characterized in evacuating smoke from both ends of the duct upon detecting smoke exceeding said predetermined level.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 5, 2014
Publication Date: Oct 20, 2016
Applicant: Tunnel Air Systems AS (Borre)
Inventor: Rune Storrøsæter (Nøtterøy)
Application Number: 15/102,190