Abstract: A fire suppression system is provided including at least one nozzle configured to expel a fire suppression agent into a space. A storage container includes a fire suppression agent and a first pressurized gas at least partially dissolved within the fire suppression agent. At least one canister contains a second pressurized gas. A piping system is configured to fluidly couple the at least one canister to the storage container and to fluidly couple the storage container to the at least one nozzle. When the fire suppression system is inactive, the fire suppression agent within the storage container is pressurized to a storage pressure. The storage pressure is greater than a vapor pressure of the fire suppression agent such that first pressurized gas dissolves into the fire suppression agent. When the fire suppression system is active, propellant pressure in the piping system exceeds the storage pressure of the fire suppression agent.

Abstract: A water seat is provided for use in a fire suppression sprinkler. The water seat is movable between an inactive position and an active position. The water seat includes a generally polygonal guiding surface in limited contact with the sprinkler. The water seat is slidable relative to the sprinkler when corrosion residue is present within the sprinkler. A sealing surface is positioned adjacent the polygonal guiding surface and forms a line contact seal at an interface with the sprinkler when the water seat is in an active position. The water seat also includes a guiding portion adjacent the sealing surface and opposite the polygonal guiding surface. The combination of the guiding surface and the guiding portion maintain a generally parallel orientation of the water seat relative to the sprinkler when the water seat moves from an inactive position to an active position.

Abstract: A dispensing valve apparatus and method for rapidly dispensing fluid from a fluid reservoir of a pressure vessel include a piston translatable within a cavity that closes a discharge passage opening the cavity when positioned in a first position and opens the discharge passage to fluid flow from the fluid reservoir when positioned in a second position. The piston may be rapidly repositioned from its position to its second position by venting a cavity disposed between the piston and an actuator cap by selectively opening a check valve to vent the pressure within the cavity to the discharge passage.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing composition is provided that is suitable for use as a fire extinguishing agent in fire suppression, particularly in off-road vehicles exposed to low ambient temperature environments. The fire extinguishing composition includes an aqueous solution of potassium formate. In an embodiment, the fire extinguishing composition includes an aqueous solution of potassium formate and an aqueous film forming foam. In an embodiment, the fire extinguishing composition is an aqueous solution including an aqueous film forming foam, potassium formate and potassium acetate in water.

Abstract: A dispensing valve apparatus and method for rapidly dispensing fluid from a fluid reservoir of a pressure vessel include a piston translatable within a cavity that closes a discharge passage opening the cavity when positioned in a first position and opens the discharge passage to fluid flow from the fluid reservoir when positioned in a second position. The piston may be rapidly repositioned from its position to its second position by venting a cavity disposed between the piston and an actuator cap by selectively opening a check valve to vent the pressure within the cavity to the discharge passage.

Abstract: An ignition control and method are provided for overseeing an ignition process on a fuel-fired appliance having a fuel burner, a fuel flow control valve, an ignition source, and a flame detection device. A primary processor initiates the ignition process, monitors the flame status signal and terminates the ignition process in the presence of a flame status signal indicating no flame after a specified period of time following the initiation of the ignition process. A secondary processor monitors the flame status signal independently of the primary processor and terminates the ignition process in the event that the primary processor fails to terminate the ignition process in the presence of a flame status signal indicating no flame after a specified period of time following the initiation of the ignition process. The primary and secondary processors may each have the functional capability to monitor the operation of the other.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing composition is provided that is suitable for use as a fire extinguishing agent in fire suppression, particularly in off-road vehicles exposed to low ambient temperature environments. The fire extinguishing composition includes an aqueous solution of potassium formate. In an embodiment, the fire extinguishing composition includes an aqueous solution of potassium formate and an aqueous film forming foam. In an embodiment, the fire extinguishing composition is an aqueous solution including an aqueous film forming foam, potassium formate and potassium acetate in water.

Abstract: A mechanical time delay apparatus for creating a time delay between a pneumatic inlet for connection to a source of pressurized gas and a pneumatic outlet includes a primary pneumatic flow path from the inlet to the outlet. A movable gate is associated with the primary pneumatic flow path and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The gate is urged by a biasing force to the closed position. In the closed position, the gate is disposed to block a flow of gas through the primary pneumatic flow path. In the open position, the gate permits such flow. The time delay apparatus further includes an accumulation chamber in communication with the gate for a gas pressure within the accumulation chamber to urge the gate against the biasing force to the open position when the gas pressure exceeds a threshold pressure. A secondary pneumatic flow path extends the inlet to the accumulation chamber.

Abstract: A device and method for locking out an explosion suppressor that includes a discharge valve with a load end and a discharge end. The load end and the discharge end define a discharge path therethrough. The discharge valve includes a side opening transverse of the discharge path. A storage container is connected to the discharge valve at the load end. The storage container delivers a pressurized fluid to the discharge valve through the load end when the system is in a discharge mode. A lockout member is removably insertable into the side opening. The lockout member mechanically blocks the discharge path, whereby the lockout member prevents inadvertent fluid discharge through the discharge end of the discharge path. The presence of the lockout member is monitored by a magnetic switch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing fluid including a pressure vessel at a first pressure and a reservoir at a second pressure. The reservoir communicates with the pressure vessel via a first aperture and with an environment at a third pressure via a second aperture. A reservoir vent having open and closed positions, that when opened the reservoir vents to a fourth pressure, and when closed the reservoir does not vent. A piston moveably disposed within the reservoir, and defines an aperture therethrough. A first burst seal disposed in the first aperture seals the pressure vessel from the reservoir, and engaged with the piston to be moveable therewith. A second burst seal disposed in the second aperture seals the reservoir from the environment. When the reservoir vents to the fourth pressure, the piston ruptures the second seal, and a first and third pressure difference ruptures the first seal.

Abstract: A device and method for locking out an explosion suppressor that includes a discharge valve with a load end and a discharge end. The load end and the discharge end define a discharge path therethrough. The discharge valve includes a side opening transverse of the discharge path. A storage container is connected to the discharge valve at the load end. The storage container delivers a pressurized fluid to the discharge valve through the load end when the system is in a discharge mode. A lockout member is removably insertable into the side opening. The lockout member mechanically blocks the discharge path, whereby the lockout member prevents inadvertent fluid discharge through the discharge end of the discharge path. The presence of the lockout member is monitored by a magnetic switch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing fluid including a pressure vessel at a first pressure and a reservoir at a second pressure. The reservoir communicates with the pressure vessel via a first aperture and with an environment at a third pressure via a second aperture. A reservoir vent having open and closed positions, that when opened the reservoir vents to a fourth pressure, and when closed the reservoir does not vent. A piston moveably disposed within the reservoir, and defines an aperture therethrough. A first burst seal disposed in the first aperture seals the pressure vessel from the reservoir, and engaged with the piston to be moveable therewith. A second burst seal disposed in the second aperture seals the reservoir from the environment. When the reservoir vents to the fourth pressure, the piston ruptures the second seal, and a first and third pressure difference ruptures the first seal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapid fluid venting that includes a burst seal disposed in a venting aperture. The burst seal seals the venting aperture so that fluid flow therethrough is not enabled. A piston defining at least one piston aperture therethrough, the piston being movably disposed proximate the burst seal. At least one actuator, actuatable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The actuator is engaged with the piston such that when the actuator actuates from the first configuration to the second configuration, the actuator impels the piston so that the piston ruptures the burst seal. With the burst seal ruptured, the piston aperture and the venting aperture are in communication so as to enable fluid flow through the venting aperture and the piston aperture.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle for a fire suppression system, having a nozzle body and a deflector body secured together. A flow passage defined between the deflector body and nozzle body extends radially outwardly from an inlet port to a circumferential outlet slot, the outlet slot being defined between the nozzle body and deflector body and extending at least partially around the. Vanes are disposed in the flow passage, and are arranged so as to impart to fluid flowing through said flow passage a tangential velocity component relative to the axis of the flow passage. The vanes may be arranged such that the tangential velocity component is sufficient to impart to gas in the area a rotational motion about the axis. The vanes may be removable, and may be retrofitted to existing nozzles. The nozzles also may be removable, and may be retrofitted to existing fire suppression systems.

Abstract: A nozzle has a body with a central cavity from which a plurality of fire extinguishant fluid outlets extend. The outlets extend non-radially with respect to the central axis of the cavity, i.e. at least a portion of each outlet is inclined with respect to any plane parallel to and passing through the central axis of the cavity which intersects the portion of the outlet. The extinguishant from the non-radial outlets is thrown towards the walls of the chamber, along the paths. The jets of the fluid induce a rotational movement within the ambient fluid (for example, air) already present in the chamber, thus creating a vortex or rotational movement of the fluid within the chamber. In another embodiment, the vortex or rotational movement is generated by a nozzle assembly of generally cruciform configuration with three or more discharge tubes having outlets formed therein for discharging extinguishant in equi-angularly-spaced directions.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle and fixed clean agent fire suppression system. The system stores gas fire suppressant in a liquefied state separate from propellant gas. Upon demand, the propellant charges the gas fire suppressant to provide a piston flow system that pushes the gas fire suppressant in the liquid state through a pipe network to the protected area of a building. The system includes a plurality of atomizing nozzles for atomizing the gas fire suppressant where it more easily vaporizes. Each atomizing nozzle comprises a nozzle body and a deflector body secured together in fixed relation. A conical flow passage is formed between the nozzle body and deflector body. The conical flow passage extends radially outward to a circumferential outlet slot that spreads the liquid clean agent out into a thin liquid conical fan that breaks up into droplets and atomizes quickly.

Abstract: An apparatus for explosion suppression. The apparatus includes a flange proximate a volume wherein explosions are to be suppressed, a burst seal affixed to the flange, and a spreader insert proximate the flange. The seal is made to burst when pressure is applied to it. The insert defines apertures therethrough that form the shape of at least one annulus. The apertures are aligned with the seal, so that suppressant supplied to the insert passes through the insert into the protected volume. The insert directs suppressant passed therethrough under pressure with an effective explosion suppressing spread of at least 90 degrees.

Abstract: A fire suppressing system having at least one suppressant source, at least two control valves in communication with the suppressant source, and at least two distributors, each distributor being in communication with one of the control valves. The control valves are movable between at least three of first, second, third, and fourth positions. In the first position, the first and third apertures are in communication; in the second position, the second and third apertures are in communication; in the third position, the first, second, and third apertures are in communication; in the fourth position, the first and second apertures are in communication. The control valves may be movable to all four positions. Functionally, in the first position, each of the control valves passes suppressant therethrough, but does not pass suppressant to its distributor. In the second position, each of the control valves does not pass suppressant therethrough, but passes suppressant to its distributor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for explosion suppression. The apparatus includes a flange proximate a volume wherein explosions are to be suppressed, a burst seal affixed to the flange, and a spreader insert proximate the flange. The seal is made to burst when pressure is applied to it. The insert defines apertures therethrough that form the shape of at least one annulus. The apertures are aligned with the seal, so that suppressant supplied to the insert passes through the insert into the protected volume. The insert directs suppressant passed therethrough under pressure with an effective explosion suppressing spread of at least 90 degrees.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle and fixed clean agent fire suppression system. The system stores gas fire suppressant in a liquefied state separate from propellant gas. Upon demand, the propellant charges the gas fire suppressant to provide a piston flow system that pushes the gas fire suppressant in the liquid state through a pipe network to the protected area of a building. The system includes a plurality of atomizing nozzles for atomizing the gas fire suppressant where it more easily vaporizes. Each atomizing nozzle comprises a nozzle body and a deflector body secured together in fixed relation. A conical flow passage is formed between the nozzle body and deflector body. The conical flow passage extends radially outward to a circumferential outlet slot that spreads the liquid clean agent out into a thin liquid conical fan that breaks up into droplets and atomizes quickly.