Abstract: A fire suppression system for a plurality of enclosures in an aircraft comprises a plurality of bottles containing fire suppression agent, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor on each bottle for measuring temperature and pressure data of the bottle contents, an addressable bottle valve on each bottle and a control unit. The control unit is configured to analyze the temperature and pressure data for each bottle to determine adequacy of fire suppression agent content for extinguishing a fire in a particular enclosure of the aircraft. The control unit is further configured to control the bottle valves independently by using the bottle valves' addresses, in order to manage the release of fire suppression agent.

Abstract: A directional valve for a fire suppression system comprises a valve member for controlling the discharge of fire suppression agent. The valve member comprises: a blocking portion to provide a closed setting for the fire suppression agent; a first orifice to provide a fully open setting for the fire suppression agent; and a second orifice to provide a restricted opening setting in which discharge of fire suppression agent is restricted. The valve member is configured so that during activation of the directional valve from a closed setting, the first orifice follows the blocking portion and precedes the second orifice in order to provide a fully open setting followed by a restricted opening setting.

Abstract: An aircraft has a fire suppression control system for a plurality of enclosures within the aircraft. The aircraft comprises a directional valve for each enclosure, sensors provided for each enclosure, for monitoring variables of the enclosure, one or more fire suppression agent bottles and a control unit for regulating the discharge of the fire suppression agent. The sensors are operatively linked by the control unit to a warning system in a cockpit of the aircraft.

Abstract: A directional valve for a fire suppression system comprises a valve member for controlling the discharge of fire suppression agent. The valve member comprises: a blocking portion to provide a closed setting for the fire suppression agent; a first orifice to provide a fully open setting for the fire suppression agent; and a second orifice to provide a restricted opening setting in which discharge of fire suppression agent is restricted. The valve member is configured so that during activation of the directional valve from a closed setting, the first orifice follows the blocking portion and precedes the second orifice in order to provide a fully open setting followed by a restricted opening setting.

Abstract: A fire suppression system for a plurality of enclosures in an aircraft comprises a plurality of bottles containing fire suppression agent, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor on each bottle for measuring temperature and pressure data of the bottle contents, an addressable bottle valve on each bottle and a control unit. The control unit is configured to analyse the temperature and pressure data for each bottle to determine adequacy of fire suppression agent content for extinguishing a fire in a particular enclosure of the aircraft. The control unit is further configured to control the bottle valves independently by using the bottle valves' addresses, in order to manage the release of fire suppression agent.