Abstract: A high speed valve has a valve body having a flow passage therethrough, and a poppet disposed within the valve body. The poppet is movable between a first position in which the poppet blocks the flow passage and a second position, and the poppet has a piston connected to a stem at a proximal end of the stem. The valve also has a rotating lever release mechanism adjacent a distal end of the stem.

Abstract: A valve actuation mechanism for a high rate discharge valve has a collet with fingers adjacent a valve member that provides restraint against displacement of the valve member at angularly spaced locations symmetrical about the axis of the valve member. Each collet finger has at least one projection adjacent a first end. The valve actuation mechanism also has a collet sleeve release mechanism with a main body portion having a first end and a second end. The main body portion contains an aperture with at least one land portion that secures each projection of the collet fingers. The main body portion also has an actuation pad at the second end, as well as a hinge mechanism for allowing rotational movement of the main body portion connected to the first end of the main body portion, and an actuation device that contacts the actuation pad.

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 suppression system includes a divert valve downstream of a fire suppressant source. The divert valve is selectively movable between an initial first position which communicates extinguishing agent into a first distribution network and a second position which communicates extinguishing agent into a second distribution network.

Abstract: A fire suppression system includes a container for supplying a fire suppression agent into a compartment to be protected. The container communicates with a flow line leading to the compartment. A control controls the fire suppression system, and a valve on the flow line delivers a variable pressure to the flow line from the container. Further, a system is disclosed and claimed wherein a single gas supply communicates through a manifold to each of a plurality of compartments. In addition, a system is disclosed and claimed wherein a primary gas supply container switches to secondary gas supply containers once a pressure within the primary gas supply container drops below a predetermined amount.

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 valve release mechanism has an actuator, a ring, a plurality of ball bearings, and a retainer. The retainer is positioned adjacent an inner diameter of the ring and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes therein. Each circumferentially spaced hole receives one of the plurality of ball bearings, which are movable therein. The ring has channels and lands along its inner diameter that allow the ball bearings to move varying distances relative to the retainer. The lands contact the ball bearings when the ring is in a first position and the channels receive the ball bearings when the ring is in a second position. The poppet has a groove that is vertically aligned with circumferentially spaced holes in the retainer when the poppet is in a first closed position. The ball bearings are pressed into the groove in the poppet by the lands of the ring. The resulting interference of the ball bearings with poppet locks the poppet in the first closed position.

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: An extinguisher for minimizing fires includes a container for holding an extinguishing fluid, a propellant disposed within the container for expelling the fluid from the container if desired, and a nozzle for directing the fluid towards a fire. The nozzle has an input for receiving the fluid from the container and an outlet for directing the fluid towards the fire. The nozzle includes an expansion chamber disposed between the input and the outlet of the nozzle. The nozzle outlet has a restrictor for restricting flow of the fluid from the expansion chamber.

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 fire extinguishing system includes a first data bus having respectively first power and command leads. The system has multiple zones, each of which may include one or more detectors, and/or one or more suppressors and activation devices. The first data bus is directly connected and common to the detectors, suppressors and activation devices. A controller is connected to the multiple zones via the first data bus. A fire activation module includes the actuation device. First and second power leads are connected to the actuation device. A capacitor is connected to the actuation device and the power leads. The capacitor is configured to store electricity from the power leads and discharge the electricity to the actuation device during a suppression event. A wiring harness provides a zone identification element in communication with a connector and configured to provide a zone location assignment to the connector.

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: A combined smoke detector and lighting unit includes a smoke detector sensor mounted to a housing, a light source mounted to the housing, and an electrical interface mounted to the housing. The electrical interface is in electrical communication with the smoke detector and the light source.

Abstract: A measurement system for a dry powder agent includes a sensor system which includes at least one sensor head at least partially within a powder calibration column and a control system in communication with the sensor system.

Abstract: A smoke detector comprises a first housing to face an area in which to detect smoke, a second housing secured to the first housing, electronics to detect smoke within the area, and a flameproof barrier positioned between the first and second housings.

Abstract: A sensor head for a dry powder agent according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing defined along an axis along which light is communicated, the housing defines a multiple of apertures transverse to the axis and in communication with a measurement volume along the axis. Each of the multiple of apertures defines a longitudinal length along the axis which is less than a lateral length defined around the axis. A minor is within the housing to reflect the light through the measurement volume.

Abstract: A sensor head for a dry powder agent according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing defined along an axis along which light is communicated, the housing defines a multiple of apertures transverse to the axis, the multiple of apertures in communication with a measurement volume along the axis. A mirror is within the housing to reflect the light through the measurement volume.

Abstract: An overheat event location module for use with an existing overheat detection system in an aircraft. The module is non-intrusively connected to the overheat detection system, yet senses currents in the system. The module, by way of the sensed currents is able to distinguish true overheat events from false events (normally created in a test mode) and normal non-overheat conditions. The module is able to respond to the occurrence of an overheat event by measuring the currents in the sensing cable loop, then using the measured currents to produce an estimate of the position in the loop at which the overheat event occurred. Conveniently the module records both the fact of the event and its location, such that subsequent maintenance actions are facilitated.

Abstract: A fire suppression valve for use with a cannister of fire suppression material. The valve has a housing with a central connection for attachment to the cannister and communicating with a central chamber. The central chamber has a relatively smaller outlet port on one side and diametrically opposite thereto a concentric and relatively larger piston port. A two-stage piston operates inside the central chamber to control access to the outlet port. In the closed position, the pressure of the fire suppression material serves to bias the two-stage piston toward the open position. The two-stage piston is oriented along an axis that is angled with respect to the orientation of the central connection, to thereby minimize the amount of vertical space required by the valve maximize cannister size for a given space limitation.

Abstract: A fire suppression valve for use with a cannister of fire suppression material. The valve has a safety shuttle valve located in a discharge port for preventing unintended discharge of fire suppression material in the absence of connection to a discharge hose. The shuttle valve has an actuating surface and a body portion with shuttle ports. An outside end of the body portion projects into an outlet connection sized to receive the discharge hose. When the hose is connected, it abuts the outside end to support the shuttle valve in an open position. When the hose is removed, the shuttle valve is free to slide to a closed position, in which the actuating surface substantially blocks the discharge port. Accordingly, when the valve is triggered without an attached hose, the pressurized suppression material pushes against the actuating surface to move the shuttle valve to the closed position.