Abstract: A fire suppression agent suitable for suppressing a lithium battery fire includes a bicarbonate powder and exfoliated vermiculite particles blended with the bicarbonate powder.

Abstract: There is provided a valve for controlling the release of fire suppressant from a pressurized container, said valve comprising a diaphragm configured to perforate upon action of a shockwave directed onto the surface of said diaphragm, a pyrotechnic charge arranged and adapted to combust to produce combustion products that form a shockwave directed onto the surface of said diaphragm, and a device encasing said pyrotechnic charge. The device comprises a hollow, elongate channel located over said pyrotechnic charge and directed at the center of said diaphragm so as to focus or direct said combustion products onto the center of said diaphragm. The elongate channel has a length that is at least 1.5 times its smallest width.

Abstract: A frangible plug for use in a valve mechanism, the frangible plug including a first section having a first end and an opposing second section having a second end and a cylindrical sidewall extending between the first and second ends. Also including means for applying a force on the cylindrical sidewall of the frangible plug such that the first section fractures from the opposing second section, and wherein the means for applying a force on said cylindrical sidewall extends circumferentially around the outer circumference of the sidewall.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing apparatus includes a structure defining a first chamber containing an electrically operable explosive device. The apparatus also has a piezoelectric cell capable of producing an electrical output in response to the impact upon the piezoelectric cell. The apparatus also has a container of nonflammable pressurized fluid in contact with the structure, and a mechanical detection mechanism with a thermal sensor for producing a mechanical force at an established temperature. The mechanical force produced by the mechanical detection mechanism is applied to the piezoelectric cell to produce the electrical output that actuates the electrically operable explosive device.

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 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: There is provided a valve for controlling the release of fire suppressant from a pressurised container, said valve comprising a diaphragm configured to perforate upon action of a shockwave directed onto the surface of said diaphragm, a pyrotechnic charge arranged and adapted to combust to produce combustion products that form a shockwave directed onto the surface of said diaphragm, and a device encasing said pyrotechnic charge. The device comprises a hollow, elongate channel located over said pyrotechnic charge and directed at the centre of said diaphragm so as to focus or direct said combustion products onto the centre of said diaphragm. The elongate channel has a length that is at least 1.5 times its smallest width.

Abstract: An automatic fire extinguishing system includes a canister having a central axis, an outlet port disposed on the canister, a dip tube disposed in the canister about the central axis and in partial fluid communication with the canister and coupled to the outlet port, a propellant gas mixture of CO2 and N2 disposed within the canister and a gaseous fire suppression agent disposed in the canister.

Abstract: A frangible plug for use in a valve mechanism, the frangible plug including a first section having a first end and an opposing second section having a second end and a cylindrical sidewall extending between the first and second ends. Also including means for applying a force on the cylindrical sidewall of the frangible plug such that the first section fractures from the opposing second section, and wherein the means for applying a force on said cylindrical sidewall extends circumferentially around the outer circumference of the sidewall.

Abstract: An automatic fire extinguishing system includes a canister having a central axis, an outlet port disposed on the canister, a dip tube disposed in the canister about the central axis and in partial fluid communication with the canister and coupled to the outlet port, a propellant gas mixture disposed within the canister; and a gaseous fire suppression agent disposed in the canister, wherein a diameter of the outlet port is sized relative to a pressure of the propellant gas mixture.

Abstract: An automatic fire extinguishing system includes a canister having a central axis, an outlet port disposed on the canister, a dip tube having dip tube side holes and inlet openings, and disposed in the canister about the central axis and in partial fluid communication with the canister and coupled to the outlet port, a propellant gas mixture disposed within the canister and a gaseous fire suppression agent disposed in the canister.

Abstract: A valve mechanism is herein described that utilizes 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: An automatic fire extinguishing system includes a canister having a central axis, an outlet port disposed on the canister, a dip tube disposed in the canister about the central axis and in partial fluid communication with the canister and coupled to the outlet port, a propellant gas mixture disposed within the canister, a gaseous fire suppression agent disposed in the canister and a dry powder fire suppression agent disposed in the canister.

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 two-phase liquid/inert gas flow inerting fire suppression system is provided having improved liquid fire suppressant distribution within the inert gas flow. The system includes a flow distribution network having a first pipe interconnected with a second pipe at a flow splitting tee. A liquid flow redistribution device is disposed in the first pipe upstream with respect to fluid flow of the flow splitting tee.

Abstract: A nozzle for a fire suppression system has a bonnet and a deflector base. An inlet port extends through the bonnet along the axis of symmetry of the bonnet. The inlet port receives an outlet end of a fire suppression delivery pipe to mount the bonnet to the pipe. The bonnet has a frustoconical surface which extends radially outward and downward from the inlet port. The deflector base is secured to and co-axially aligned with the bonnet at a predetermined distance to create a flow passageway therebetween. The flow passageway imparts a down angle to a suppressant flow discharging from the nozzle to better disperse the suppressant within the fire zone. A discharge port at the circumferential edge of the bonnet and deflector base constricts the suppressant flow to atomize the droplets of liquid suppressant discharged into the fire zone.

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 self-regulating valve controls the flow of high pressure gas discharging from a gas cylinder in a fire suppression system in response to a detection of a fire within a protected space by a two-step process which reduces the pressure rise within the protected space upon release of the fire suppression gas into the protected space.

Abstract: A fire suppression system is disclosed that includes a suppressant source system configured to hold fire suppressant. In one example, the fire suppressant is an inert gas. A temperature sensor is arranged in a suppression area and is configured to detect an undesired temperature or temperature increase in the suppression area. A suppression system is in communication with the temperature sensor and in fluid communication with the suppressant source system. The suppression system is configured to selectively release the fire suppressant to the suppression area at initial and subsequent rates. The initial rate is greater than the subsequent rate. The subsequent rate is configured to displace a volume from the suppression area through the leakage system in response to the undesired temperature.

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.