Abstract: A testing device for testing infrared OFDs is provided. The testing device may comprise a body, an infrared source, a controller and a user input. The infrared source may be housed with the body. The controller may be operatively coupled to the infrared source. The controller may also be integral to the infrared source. The user input may be operatively coupled to at least one of the controller and the infrared source. The testing device may be configured to produce infrared emissions to simulate flaming fire.

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 fire suppression system includes a volume reduction system having a seal member. The seal member is selectively deployable between a first position and a second position to seal an opening in a confined space.

Abstract: An exemplary suppressant actuator assembly includes a release member movable from a first position that restricts flow of a suppressant to a second position that permits flow of a suppressant. A biasing member moves from a more-biased position to a less-biased position to move the release member from the first position to the second position. A solenoid is activated to permit movement of the biasing member.

Abstract: A fire suppression system includes a high pressure inert gas source that is configured to provide a first inert gas output and a low pressure inert gas source that is configured to provide a second inert gas output. A distribution network is connected with the high and low pressure inert gas sources to distribute the first and second inert gas outputs. A controller is operatively connected with at least the distribution network to control how the respective first and second inert gas outputs are distributed.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a pressure vessel is disclosed that includes a valve housing operatively associated with an outlet of the pressure vessel, a frangible hermetic disc sealing the outlet of the pressure vessel, and a poppet valve mounted for movement within the valve housing between a first position supporting the frangible hermetic disc within the outlet of the pressure vessel and a second position spaced apart from the frangible hermetic disc to permit the frangible disc to burst under pressure and permit the egress of pressurized material from the pressure vessel through the outlet.

Abstract: A pneumatic pressure detector switch is disclosed that includes a retainer assembly adapted to communicate with a source of pressure, a deformable diaphragm supported within the retainer assembly and movable in response to changes in pressure communicated to the retainer assembly, a fault contact element supported by the retainer assembly adjacent a first side surface of the diaphragm, and an alarm contact element supported by the retainer assembly adjacent a second side surface of the diaphragm.

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: A method of suppressing a fire includes the steps of dispensing a first inert gas in a suppression area at an initial rate, detecting an undesired temperature in the suppression area, dispensing a second inert gas at a subsequent rate in the suppression area in response to the undesired temperature and displacing a volume from the suppression area with the inert gas to achieve a temperature below the undesired temperature.

Abstract: A threaded interface includes a male threaded body and a female threaded body. The male threaded body includes a threaded section with external threads and a seal section with a plurality of o-rings seated circumferentially around the threaded body. The female threaded body includes a threaded section with internal threads and a seal section. The seal section of the female threaded body sealingly engages the o-rings of the seal section of the mail threaded body. A pressure vessel and a pressure vessel assembly for an automatic fire extinguishing system incorporating the threaded interface are also disclosed.

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 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 fire detection system for an aircraft, freight transportation vehicle or freight storage facility comprises one or more RFID tags associated with one or more items of freight being transported or stored. The RFID tag is configured to detect a condition indicative of a fire in or in the vicinity the item of freight, for example a temperature rise or generation of smoke. One or more RFID readers are arranged to read the RFID tags. The RFID reader is connected to or forms part of a control system, the RFID reader or the control determining whether the RFID tag has detected a fire.

Abstract: A hydride assembling system includes a first spool configured to support a sensor tube assembly comprising a wire disposed within a sensor tube. Also included is a hydrogen inlet fluidly coupled to the first spool for providing hydrogen from a hydrogen plenum. Further included is a second spool configured to receive the sensor tube assembly as the sensor tube assembly is fed from the first spool. Yet further included is a heated section at a temperature above an ambient temperature and configured to heat the sensor tube assembly as the sensor tube assembly is fed through the heated section.

Abstract: An integrated switch to indicate pressure changes in an environment includes a housing with a cavity between a first retainer portion and a second retainer portion, a first diaphragm held in the cavity of the housing to indicate fault conditions, and a second diaphragm held in the cavity of the housing to indicate alarm conditions.

Abstract: A thermal event detection and notification system comprising sensing means for detecting a thermal event, a control unit comprising means for receiving information from the sensing means, the information being indicative of the detected thermal event, and means for determining, based on said information received, a location of said thermal event, and further comprising means responsive to information received from said control unit regarding said location, for providing an indication of the location of the detected thermal event, wherein said indication means is configured to provide said indication of the thermal event location at said thermal event location.

Abstract: A valve mechanism comprising a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port and a passageway extending therebetween, and a flow blocking element provided in the passageway to block flow of a substance between said inlet and outlet ports, and means for breaking said flow blocking element to thereby permit said substance to flow in a flow direction from said inlet port to said outlet port.

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 valve mechanism is herein described that utilises 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 valve actuation mechanism has a plurality of links. Each link has a proximal end and distal end, and the links are disposed adjacent a valve member. The actuation mechanism also has at least one roller connected to the distal ends of at least two links. The roller contacts a surface of the valve member. In addition, at least one pivot for each link is present in the valve, wherein each pivot is positioned on the proximal end of each of the plurality of links.