Abstract: A method of detecting a cell venting event in a battery pack includes determining a rate of increase of the concentration of a gas in the battery pack with respect to time, and providing an indication that the determined rate of increase of the concentration of the gas has exceeded a first preset rate of increase threshold value.

Abstract: A fire suppression system includes a detector, a controller, and an emergency entry point. The battery pack includes an inlet, a plurality of battery modules housing battery cells, and an outlet. The detector senses a condition indicative of a fire event caused by a battery cell breaking down and produces a signal representing the condition. The controller is electronically connected to the detector. The controller determines a fire event is occurring in the battery pack based on the signal representing the sensed condition. The emergency entry point is fluidly connected to the battery pack inlet. The emergency entry point is connectable to an emergency fire suppressant source. The emergency fire suppressant flows through the emergency entry point and through the battery pack when the emergency fire suppressant source is connected to the emergency entry point.

Abstract: A fire suppression system for a battery pack includes a controller, an inlet line, an outlet line, a detector, a first pressure vessel with a first valve, and a second pressure vessel with a second valve. The pack includes: an inlet, battery modules housing battery cells, and an outlet. The inlet line connects to the pack inlet and the outlet line connects to the outlet. The detector senses a condition indicative of a fire event caused by a battery cell breaking and produces a signal. The controller, connected to the detector, determines a fire event is occurring based on the signal. The first vessel and the second vessel connect to the inlet line. A first suppressant flows from the first vessel into the pack when the controller opens the first valve. A second suppressant flows from the second vessel into the pack when the controller opens the second valve.

Abstract: A system for detecting gas leakage and/or a fire event within a battery pack includes a battery pack, a controller, a gas detector, and an infrared detector. The battery pack comprises a plurality of cells which may be subject to a gas leakage or a fire. The gas detector is configured to read a concentration value of one or more gases. The infrared detector is configured to read a level of infrared radiation. The gas detector and the infrared detector are configured to transmit alarm level signals to a controller. The controller is configured to output a first or second alarm level in response to the concentration value of gas. The controller is configured to output a third alarm level in response to the level of infrared radiation. Emergency response procedures may be implemented based on the level of gas leakage or infrared radiation within the battery pack indicated.

Abstract: A fire suppressant for cooling a battery pack includes a pressurized mixture of a dry chemical and carbon dioxide. The dry chemical is an inorganic particulate chemical. The dry chemical particles are small enough to be carried by a flow of depressurizing carbon dioxide. A mass of the dry chemical is between 5% and 50% of a mass of the carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide, when depressurized, vaporizes and cools the dry chemical and the battery pack. The dry chemical can adhere to the battery pack when the mixture is depressurized. An amount of the fire suppressant used to cool the battery pack is equal to or greater than an inerting volume of fire suppressant for the battery pack.

Abstract: A fire suppressant for cooling a battery cell in a battery pack includes a pressurized mixture of an organic compound and carbon dioxide. The organic compound is 1,1,1,2,2,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pentanone. A ratio of a mass of the organic compound to a mass of the carbon dioxide is between 1:4 and 4:1. The mixture is pressurized above a vapor pressure of the carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide, when depressurized, evaporates and cools the organic compound and the battery cell. The mixture, when depressurized, flows through the battery cell. An amount of the fire suppressant flowed through the battery pack is equal to or greater than an inerting volume of fire suppressant for the battery pack.

Abstract: A system for detecting gas leakage within a battery pack includes a battery pack, a controller, and a detector. The battery pack comprises a plurality of cells which may be subject to a gas leakage. The detector is configured to sense a concentration value of one or more gases. The detector is further configured to generate a return signal indicative of no alarm, a first alarm level, or a second alarm level. The detector is electrically connected to the controller and is configured to transmit the return signal to the controller. The controller is configured to output a first alarm level or a second alarm level in response to the return signal. Emergency response procedures may be implemented based on the level of gas leakage within the battery pack indicated.

Abstract: An adapter for a fire extinguisher includes a cylinder which has an internal volume for storage of an extinguishing agent and a neck through which the internal volume may be accessed, a release valve, and a dip tube. The adapter defines a first flow path through the adapter for the extinguishing agent during introduction or charging of the extinguishing agent into the internal volume of the cylinder. The adapter at least partially defines or accommodates a second flow path for the extinguishing agent through the adapter during discharging of the fire extinguisher of which the adapter is part. The first and second flow paths are different.

Abstract: A building is constructed from a plurality of rectangular wall sections secured to one another. At least some wall sections are formed of an upper and a lower beam, vertical studs extending between the upper and lower beams and a wall panel secured to the beams and to the studs. In the invention, each beam is formed of an elongate metal sheet folded through a right angle about at least one longitudinally extending line to define at least a horizontal first plate, and a vertical second. A plurality of separately formed sheet metal brackets are secured to at least one of the plates of the folded metal sheet at preset distances from one another along the length of the beam and secured to the ends of the studs.

Abstract: A building is constructed from a plurality of rectangular wall sections secured to one another. At least some wail sections are formed of an upper and a lower beam, vertical studs extending between the upper and lower beams and a wall panel secured to the beams and to the studs. In the invention, each beam is formed of an elongate metal sheet folded through a right angle about at least one longitudinally extending line to define at least a horizontal first plate, and a vertical second. A plurality of separately formed sheet metal brackets are secured to at least one of the plates of the folded metal sheet at preset distances from one another along the length of the beam and secured to the ends of the studs.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapid discharge of one or more fire extinguishing agent(s). The apparatus includes a sealed container forming an interior volume in communication with a rapidly opening valve assembly. The interior volume contains fire extinguishing agent(s), super-pressurised by a gas such as nitrogen. A portion of the nitrogen is dissolved into the fire extinguishing agent(s). When an incident is detected which requires the discharge of the fire extinguishing agent(s) the valve is opened. Opening the valve causes rapid dissolution of the nitrogen from the fire extinguishing agent(s), forming a two-phase mixture (like a foam or mousse) which substantially fills the volume and causing the discharge of fire extinguishing agent(s) from the valve assembly.

Abstract: A system for discharging inert gas for extinguishing or suppressing a fire is disclosed. A fluid discharge control arrangement is positioned in a fluid flow path between a pressurised gas supply 10A,10B,10C and the target fire suppression zone 20. The fluid discharge control arrangement reduces the pressure in the fluid flow path downstream thereof. This may allow the downstream pipework to be selected to withstand a lower pressure than in a conventional system in which the fluid discharge control device was not provided, thereby reducing costs. The fluid discharge control device may comprise a first valve 30 and first restrictor 26 in the first flow path 22 and a second valve 32 and a second restrictor 28 provided in the second flow path 24. Fluid from the containers 10A,10B,10C flows initially through flow path 24 and restrictor 26. Subsequently flow path 22 may be closed by optional valve 30, and flow path 24 is opened by valve 32. Fluid flow then passes through restrictor 28.

Abstract: A system for discharging inert gas for extinguishing or suppressing a fire is disclosed. A fluid discharge control arrangement is positioned in a fluid flow path between a pressurised gas supply 10A,10B,10C and the target fire suppression zone 20. The fluid discharge control arrangement reduces the pressure in the fluid flow path downstream thereof. This may allow the downstream pipework to be selected to withstand a lower pressure than in a conventional system in which the fluid discharge control device was not provided, thereby reducing costs. The fluid discharge control device may comprise a first valve 30 and first restrictor 26 in the first flow path 22 and a second valve 32 and a second restrictor 28 provided in the second flow path 24. Fluid from the containers 10A,10B,10C flows initially through flow path 24 and restrictor 26. Subsequently flow path 22 may be closed by optional valve 30, and flow path 24 is opened by valve 32. Fluid flow then passes through restrictor 28.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing or explosion suppression device comprises a chamber and a nozzle. The nozzle defines a discharge pathway from the chamber. The chamber has an inlet for pressure-driven introduction of a liquid into the chamber. The chamber is shaped so that a gas contained in the chamber before the introduction of the liquid is entrained into the liquid during the pressure driven introduction of the liquid such that a mixture of the liquid and the gas is discharged through the nozzle to create a mist for extinguishing a fire or suppression of an explosion. After the gas has been discharged from the chamber, the nozzle produces a spray having a core of larger liquid droplets with the core being surrounded by smaller liquid droplets.

Abstract: Apparatus 11 for rapid discharge of one or more fire extinguishing agent(s) comprises a sealed container 13 forming an interior volume 15 in communication with a rapidly opening valve assembly 17. The interior volume contains fire extinguishing agent(s), super-pressurised by a gas such as nitrogen. A portion of the nitrogen is dissolved into the fire extinguishing agent(s). When an incident is detected which requires the discharge of the fire extinguishing agent(s) the valve 17 is opened. Opening the valve 17 causes rapid dissolution of the nitrogen from the fire extinguishing agent(s), forming a two-phase mixture (like a foam or mousse) which substantially fills the volume 15 and causing the discharge of fire extinguishing agent(s) from the valve assembly 17.

Abstract: A fire and explosion suppression system comprises a source (5) of high pressure water which is fed to a misting nozzle (13) at one input of a mixing unit (6), and a source (14) of high pressure inert gas, such as nitrogen, which is fed along a pipe (20) to another input of the mixing unit (6). Inside the mixing unit (6), water mist, in the form of an atomised mist of very small droplet size is mixed with the pressurised gas and exits the mixing unit (6) at high pressure and high velocity along a pipe (22) and is thence discharged through spreaders (26, 28). The source (5) of the water is pressurised by a feed (30) from the source of pressurised inert gas. The mass flow rate of the water will therefore reduce as the pressure of the gas decays. This tends to maintain the ratio of the mass flow rate of the water to the mass flow rate of the gas constant. This is found to produce and maintain an advantageous distribution of droplet size in the discharged unit.

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. 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. In the third position, each of the control valves passes suppressant therethrough, and passes suppressant to its distributor. In the fourth position, each of the control valves does not pass suppressant therethrough and does not pass suppressant to its distributor.

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.