Having Frangible Extinguishant Holder Patents (Class 169/58)
  • Patent number: 10300316
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method to mitigate the consequences of an unconfined or partially confined vapor cloud explosion due to the accidental release of a flammable gas in an open area, wherein: means capable to release a flame acceleration suppression product are dispersed in said area, a signal is generated by a detector of said flammable gas release, or by an operator, or by an approaching flame or by the explosion itself, or by any combination thereof, said signal activates the release of the flame acceleration suppression product in said area and in a sufficient amount to transform the flammable cloud into a mixture of flammable product, air and said flame acceleration suppression product to prevent flame accelerations in an unconfined vapor cloud explosion but to let the flammable product burn in case of ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy
    Inventor: Leopold Hoorelbeke
  • Publication number: 20140305666
    Abstract: A method and device for suppressing an electrical fire within an electrical wire carrying conduit. The device is a flexible receptacle containing an admixture of super absorbent polymer and water having substantially superior fire suppression and extinguishing properties that does not provide an electrically conductive environment. The receptacle is drawn though a conduit either before or after wires have been placed in the conduit, and the filled with the admixture. A sleeve may be placed over the receptacle to prevent breaching of the receptacle during installation. Once the receptacle and admixture is positioned within the conduit, should arcing or a buildup of heat occur, the receptacle will rupture and the admixture will cover the specific area. These particular properties and ratios of the admixture will enable electrical fires to be extinguished more rapidly and not flare back up. The admixture further encapsulates noxious and toxic gases associated with electrical fires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Peter Cordani
  • Publication number: 20140231107
    Abstract: An automatic fire-extinguishing and fire-fighting device for an electric automobile, comprising a powder bottle (2), a bottle head valve (4) connected to the lower part of the powder bottle (2), and a gas bottle (5) connected to the lower part of the bottle head valve (4); the powder bottle (2) is connected to the bottle head valve (4) via a truncated-cone-shaped connecting piece (7); a central gas outlet (9) is disposed along an axis; three lateral gas outlets (10) are uniformly distributed on a side surface; an angle of 100 degrees is formed between the lateral gas outlets (10) and the central axis of the powder bottle (2). The automatic fire-extinguishing and fire-fighting device for an electric automobile separates the powder bottle from the gas bottle, improving device safety and stability; the connection structure enables the gas and powder to be fully mixed, thus achieving better fire-extinguishing and fire-fighting effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: XI'AN XINZHU FIRE & RESCUE EQUIPMENT LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Huru Wang, Lei Wang, Jie Yan
  • Publication number: 20140202720
    Abstract: A method and device for suppressing an electrical fire within an electrical wire carrying conduit. The device is a flexible receptacle containing an admixture of super absorbent polymer and water having substantially superior fire suppression and extinguishing properties that does not provide an electrically conductive environment. The receptacle is drawn though a conduit either before or after wires have been placed in the conduit, and the filled with the admixture. A sleeve may be placed over the receptacle to prevent breaching of the receptacle during installation. Once the receptacle and admixture is positioned within the conduit, should arcing or a buildup of heat occur, the receptacle will rupture and the admixture will cover the specific area. These particular properties and ratios of the admixture will enable electrical fires to be extinguished more rapidly and not flare back up. The admixture further encapsulates noxious and toxic gases associated with electrical fires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GelTech Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Cordani
  • Patent number: 8746356
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler for a fire protection system. The preferred dry sprinkler has a metallic disc annulus positionable within a passageway to skew a central axis of a face of the metallic disc annulus with respect to a longitudinal axis of the dry sprinkler so that an expected minimum flow rate based on a rated discharge coefficient is provided. The dry sprinkler operates to provide an expected flow rate over a range of start pressures. The expected flow rate is based on a K-factor rating. The dry sprinkler provides an acceptable level of fluid flow rate from the expected flow rate based on the K-factor for a range of start pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Manuel R. Silva, Jr., Thomas E. Archibald, James W. Mears, Donald B. Pounder, Yoram Ringer
  • Patent number: 8733465
    Abstract: A device for suppressing fires generated by lithium-ion batteries exhibiting thermal runaway. The device can include a thermally insulating enclosure for housing one or more battery cells. A fluid delivery system having a heat/temperature sensitive tube passes through each enclosure and contains an agent capable of extinguishing fires. When the cell or battery starts to undergo thermal runaway, the increase in temperature or the eruption of open flame causes the fluid delivery system to rupture inside the enclosure. The agent leaks out of the rupture and is transported into the enclosure and onto the malfunctioning cell or battery. Any fire is suppressed and the cell or battery is cooled down by the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: LITHFIRE-X, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Grattan Flood, Ronald Michael Butler
  • Publication number: 20140138106
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher system comprising a conduit and at least one storage, with at least one valve connected to the at least one storage responsive to a heat event within the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Edward Dolton
  • Patent number: 8602118
    Abstract: A fire sprinkler of the preferred embodiments includes a frame, a trigger, and a deflector. The frame defines a duct to exhaust the flow of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance, and includes a fastener to fasten the frame to a supply line. The trigger blocks the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance through the duct during a first mode, and permits the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance during a second mode. The deflector redirects the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance into a coverage area. The deflector also at least partially shields the trigger from the dispersal of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance from an adjacent fire sprinkler and prevents a failure of the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffrey Pigeon
  • Publication number: 20130220650
    Abstract: A fire protection device for small electrical devices provided with a housing. The fire protection device includes a bursting capsule featuring a hollow space that is completely enclosed and delimited by a vessel wall, wherein a liquid is disposed in the hollow space. The liquid breaks the vessel wall at a predetermined trigger temperature due to thermal expansion thereby causing the bursting capsule to rupture. When the vessel wall ruptures and releases the liquid it has a fire preventing effect and/or a fire extinguishing effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: JOB LIZENZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: JOB LIZENZ GMBH & CO. KG
  • Patent number: 8439123
    Abstract: A device for protecting flammable fluid reservoirs, or the regions in immediate proximity thereof, from the hazards due to impact and reservoir rupture, and subsequent potential of fire, corrosion or other damage or injury due to contact with reactive fluids. Such impacts may arise from collisions, such as encountered in transportation systems, or structural or thermal failure and/or rupture of components and systems, or separation of system components. Such a device may be formed as a close-fitting shroud over such components, or surrounding fittings and junctions of mating components in such systems, or mounted near the location of such components in the direction of impact or failure. Such a device may have a pattern of pre-scored lines to facilitate break-up of the device upon impact or thermal stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Firetrace USA, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Bennett
  • Patent number: 8172001
    Abstract: A pendent residential fire prevention sprinkler has a frame structure extending from the sprinkler body, and a system for blocking an outlet to prevent fluid from passing through the outlet until occurrence of a predetermined condition and for unblocking the outlet in response to occurrence of the condition. A deflector is supported by the frame structure at a predetermined distance from the outlet, at a position to be impinged upon by the fluid leaving the outlet. The deflector has a central portion and a peripheral portion, and slots formed in the periphery, defining tines therebetween. The slots include a first plurality of slots, each of which extends inward from the deflector periphery with a uniform width, a second plurality of slots, each of which has a first portion and a second portion between the deflector periphery and the slot's closed end, where the first portion has a width that varies at different points, while the second portion has a uniform width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Tow, Oliver S. Pahila, Charles R. Watson
  • Patent number: 8074725
    Abstract: A pendent type residential fire sprinkler is described. The residential fire sprinkler has a body with a K-factor of at least 6 passage coupled to a deflector assembly that distributes fluid flowing through the passage over a coverage area to perform in accordance with Underwriters Laboratory Standard 1626 (October 2003) for listing by Underwriters Laboratory Incorporated so that the body and a heat responsive trigger disposed between the passage and the deflector assembly of the sprinkler can be installed in accordance with the 2002 Edition of National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R. Various aspects of the residential fire sprinkler, including a method of protecting a residential dwelling unit are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Rogers, Mark E. Fesseden, Manuel R. Silva, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8024849
    Abstract: The fire extinguisher of the present invention includes a container housing a fire inhibiting material which may automatically discharge its fire inhibiting contents in response to a fire. In one exemplary embodiment, the fire inhibiting material is pressurized within the container and the container is structured and arranged to discharge its fire inhibiting contents in a predetermined direction. Also, a method is provided for constructing a container for holding fire inhibiting contents under pressure and a method and apparatus for effectively and efficiently filling and pressurizing the container with fire inhibiting material, forming a container structured and arranged to expel the fire inhibiting material contained therein in a predefined direction in response to a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventor: James E. Geyer
  • Patent number: 7905296
    Abstract: A hazard control system according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a housing configured to contain a control material and deliver the control material to neutralize a hazard in response to a trigger event. In one embodiment, the control material is an extinguishant for retarding fire. The housing contains the extinguishant and includes at least one surface configured to rupture in response to a trigger event, such as an impact. The housing may also include a surface configured to substantially mate with a surface of a vehicle, such as a fuel tank surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Firetrace USA LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Bennett
  • Patent number: 7658231
    Abstract: A pendent type residential fire sprinkler is described. The residential fire sprinkler has a body with a K-factor of at least 6 passage coupled to a deflector assembly that distributes fluid flowing through the passage over a coverage area to perform in accordance with Underwriters Laboratory Standard 1626 (October 2003) for listing by Underwriters Laboratory Incorporated so that the body and a heat responsive trigger disposed between the passage and the deflector assembly of the sprinkler can be installed in accordance with the 2002 Edition of National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R. Various aspects of the residential fire sprinkler, including a method of protecting a residential dwelling unit are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Rogers, Mark E. Fesseden, Manuel R. Silva, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7455119
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The distribution system includes a composite reservoir containing pressure-configurable orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Patent number: 7395868
    Abstract: An apparatus for blocking a medium flow passage in a spray head has a blocking element in the passage that, when unbroken, blocks the passage of medium from a first side having a first pressure to a second side having a second pressure. A supporting element is on that side of the blocking element where the pressure is lower, the supporting element being movable between a first position where the supporting element supports the blocking element so that it cannot be ruptured and a second position where the supporting element does not so support the blocking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Marioff Corporation Oy
    Inventors: Goran Sundholm, Harry Metzger
  • Patent number: 7385480
    Abstract: An apparatus for fighting a fire comprises a suspendible container having a perforated lower surface each of whose perforations is closed by a heat-sensitive membrane rupturable at an elevated temperature. The container contains a fire retardant material which is released upon rupture of the membrane. The apparatus further includes an electric heater adjacent to the membrane and a smoke detector controlling the heater such that upon the detection of smoke, the heater is switched on to rupture the membrane. A second embodiment has at least one further heat-sensitive membrane embedded in the fire retardant material above the first membrane such that a respective layer of fire retardant material lies above each membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: Peter J. Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 7341113
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus and a method for fire suppression including the utilization of an explosive composition layered between a fire suppressant panel such as, for example, a powder panel and another fixed structure such as, for example, a fuel tank dry bay wall. Upon impact or other means of detonation the explosive composition effects the rupture of a large number of frangible cells in the panel, dispersing the fire suppressant substance, thereby extinguishing or preventing fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Stephen Fallis, Joseph A. Manchor, Gary W Meyers
  • Patent number: 7281544
    Abstract: Valves for controlling the release of a substance, include a housing having an inlet for connection to a source of the substance, an outlet, and a passage extending therebetween. The passage is enclosed by a ceramic disc and means are provided to apply an electrical pulse to the disc to break the disc and so connect the inlet to the outlet. The methods include containing the substance in a container, connecting the container to a valve; and applying an electrical pulse to the disc to break the disc and connect the inlet to the outlet. The valves and methods are particularly suited, but not limited, to the control of substances such as pressurised fire extinguishing media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Kidde IP Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Bocquart
  • Patent number: 7201234
    Abstract: A pendent type residential fire sprinkler is described. The residential fire sprinkler has a body with a K-factor of at least 6 passage coupled to a deflector assembly that distributes fluid flowing through the passage over a coverage area to perform in accordance with Underwriters Laboratory Standard 1626 (October 2003) for listing by Underwriters Laboratory Incorporated so that the body and a heat responsive trigger disposed between the passage and the deflector assembly of the sprinkler can be installed in accordance with the 2002 Edition of National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R. Various aspects of the residential fire sprinkler, including a method of protecting a residential dwelling unit are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Rogers, Mark E. Fesseden, Manuel R. Silva, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7147061
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing kit includes a self-contained wall mountable fire-extinguishing device having a base plate with an upstanding igniter and a depending non-projectile thermal actuator. The base plate is surrounded by a hollow frangible hull, which in turn is supported by another base plate, which also supports from below a distal end portion of the depending non-projectile thermal actuator. The hollow frangible hull is loaded with a sufficient amount of a dispersible dry fire-fighting chemical agent to facilitate extinguishing a small-localized fire when dispersed by the isotropic explosive force of the igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventors: Neil Tsutaoka, Pio Jimenez
  • Patent number: 7121354
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing device and associated methods. The device is adapted to be positioned in proximity to a fire and operable in response to heat output by the fire. The device includes a first reservoir, containing a fluid, adapted to receive the heat from the fire and thereby exert a pressure and a second reservoir, communicating with the first reservoir, containing a fire fighting material. The device further includes a pressure-sensitive membrane, forming a pressure-sensitive barrier between the first reservoir and the second reservoir, adapted to rupture upon a predetermined pressure being attained in the first reservoir and thereby releasing a steam into the second reservoir. The steam expels the fire fighting material onto the fire. Additionally disclosed are methods for using the device to control and extinguish fires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: FOI Group, LLC
    Inventor: David Murray Munson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7121353
    Abstract: An airborne vehicle (1, 2, 10) which is equipped with an extinguishant container (12) for mist extinguishing is specified for efficient firefighting. A detonator (18) which is located on the extinguishant container (12) can be detonated via a fuze (19). The detonator (18) is attached to the airborne vehicle (1, 2, 10) such that, on firing the extinguishant which is contained in the extinguishant container (12) produces an extinguishant mist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Setzer
  • Patent number: 7090029
    Abstract: A firefighting bomblet includes a container having rigid supportive walls that together define a faceted-sphere shape, a cavity disposed inside the container and defined by the walls, and an opening in one of the walls for filling the cavity with a fire retardant. The bomblet can further include a weak seam formed in one of the walls, the weak seam being adapted to be more easily ruptured than the remainder of the walls. A method for aerial firefighting includes the step of dropping at least one of the containers enclosing a fire retardant from an aircraft over a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William W. Cleary, Myles A. Rohrlick
  • Patent number: 7036603
    Abstract: A fast response, upright sprinkler head includes a body having a central orifice through which fire extinguishing fluid is expelled through an outlet end. A yoke, attached to the exterior surface of the sprinkler body, extends beyond the outlet end of the sprinkler body and is connected at its apex to a deflector. A fusible trigger assembly is coupled to the yoke and the outlet end of the sprinkler head. The deflector is formed with a planar member having a skirt depending therefrom and an annular ledge extending horizontally from the skirt. The skirt depends from the planar member in an outward direction at a pre-selected angle from the vertical, and is formed with a plurality of through-holes. The fast response upright sprinkler head is configured to have a K value of at least 13.5, while the fusible trigger assembly has a fusing temperature between approximately 155° F. and 175° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Thomas, Thomas G. Deegan, Scott T. Franson, Michael J. Bosma, Delwin G. Dornbos
  • Patent number: 7032681
    Abstract: With a device for extinguishing a fire, with extinguishing nozzles (10) arranged in areas of a structure, and of a building or a ship in particular, said extinguishing nozzles being connected in each case to a connection end (7a) of a supply line (7) filled with extinguishing fluid, said supply line connecting the extinguishing nozzles (10) to an extinguishing fluid supply device, which in the event of a fire imposes on the supply line (7) extinguishing fluid under pressure, simple and economical means allow for a reliable response, in that a bursting disk (33) is arranged in the area of the connection end (7a) of the supply line (7), which bursts at the attaining of a predetermined bursting pressure of the extinguishing fluid in the supply line (7), so that extinguishing fluid flows unimpeded into the extinguishing nozzle (10), and in which the supply line (7) in the position of rest is filled with extinguishing fluid at a pressure of rest which is lower than the bursting pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: FOGTEC Brandschutz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dirk K. Sprakel
  • Patent number: 6948567
    Abstract: A fire protection device for holding a fire extinguishing agent. The device is made from a dual-face enclosure coupled to one another through internal ribs, and is configured such that a single chamber defined by the faces and ribs is configured to contain all of the agent. The coupling between the ribs and the two panel faces promotes transfer of an energy source, such as ballistic impact, explosion or excessive temperature, to the front face to promote cracking and subsequent shattering of the front face in a brittle manner. This opening up of the front face releases the fire extinguishing agent in a thorough and well-dispersed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Skyward, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Cyphers, John P. Haas, Scott A. Frederick, Doug Hoy, Gary Cunagin
  • Patent number: 6907940
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fast response fluid flow control valve/nozzle that combines the technology used to rupture the frangible discs found in pressurized container-based fire protection/suppression systems with that found in fixed pipe spray/sprinkler systems. The apparatus' design projects a small, localized pressure wave at the underside of a frangible disc that is sufficient to rupture the disc in a very rapid manner. The present invention generally comprises an assembly of six primary components; a chamber base, a jet core threaded into the chamber base, a commercially-available rupture/frangible disc assembly, a disc retention ring, a nozzle port threaded onto the chamber base to hold the retention ring and rupture disc against the jet core and to tie the components together as a unitized assembly, and a pressure cartridge actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ahlers
  • Patent number: 6860333
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for releasing material. The system includes a container arranged to hold a material to be released. The container has a first seal and a second seal that are arranged to open when a release is desired. Piping is configured to release the material and the piping has at least one tube connected to the reservoir through the first seal. A pressure source is connected to the reservoir through the second seal. A pressure release is configured to release pressure from the piping when release of the material is desired. The seals may include burst disks that open upon a release of pressure in the piping. Materials that can be released by the system include fire suppressant materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Trevor M. Laib, David P. Ashby
  • Patent number: 6810966
    Abstract: An extinguisher includes a compressed-gas generator for fighting fire and incipient explosions, and the extinguisher includes at least one rupture diaphragm having a rupture joint, in order to seal the extinguishing-agent vessel. In its center, the rupture diaphragm has a planar surface or a depression, which causes the rupture joint to simultaneously open at its entire circumference, in order for the extinguishing agent to escape in an axially symmetric manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Bayern-Chemie GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Bauer, Joachim Sans, Steffen Schilling
  • Publication number: 20040134672
    Abstract: A better structure of fire-fighting bomb which refers on the moment of producing huge amounts of gases on explosion by the gunpowder room on shooting the bomb, by utilizing the pressure of huge gases to better the operation of said fire-fighting bomb which increases the mutual reaction time of chemical reactants in the internal space of the bomb to complete the reaction and elevate the efficiency of inhibiting combustion substances produced by chemical reactions such as the liquid containing huge amounts of carbon dioxide bubble; wherein when the bomb hits the target, the inhibiting combustion substance produced by the bomb is sprayed out to the target fire source to achieve the purpose of extinction of fire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Wen-Tuno Tsao
  • Patent number: 6725941
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing and fire retarding method is provided comprising the step of confining a fire extinguishing and fire retarding agent in slurry, liquid or gaseous form within a shell wherein the shell comprises such an agent in solid form. An agent such as ice water, or liquid carbon dioxide is useful when employing the shell as “non-lethal” device. The solid shell is sublimable and will burst upon impact or upon exposure to the environmental conditions at the target site to release the contents of the shell as well as the fragments of the shell onto the target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventors: Paul Edwards, Gregory Ruebusch
  • Patent number: 6669111
    Abstract: A removable protector for protecting a thermally responsive member of a sprinkler head includes first and second shields each having protective surfaces. The protective surfaces are positioned to protect portions of the thermally responsive members that are exposed to potential contact with objects that are external to the sprinkler head. Each of the shields has a receiving end which slides over the sprinkler head during attachment of the protector. Each of the shields also has a connecting end attached to a cross member which connects the two shields and which provides an appropriate amount of spacing between the shields to permit clearance for accommodating various sprinkler head components when the protector is attached to the sprinkler head. A releasable fastener attaches the protector to the sprinkler head and secures the major protective surfaces of the first and second shields proximate the exposed portion of the thermally responsive member of the sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Polymer Molding, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris A. Vinson, Thomas E. Dorich
  • Patent number: 6585054
    Abstract: A fast response, upright sprinkler head includes a body having a central orifice through which fire extinguishing fluid is expelled through an outlet end. A yoke, attached to the exterior surface of the sprinkler body, extends beyond the outlet end of the sprinkler body and is connected at its apex to a deflector. A fusible trigger assembly is coupled to the yoke and the outlet end of the sprinkler head. The deflector is formed with a planar member having a skirt depending therefrom and an annular ledge extending horizontally from the skirt. The skirt depends from the planar member in an outward direction at a pre-selected angle from the vertical, and is formed with a plurality of through-holes. The fast response upright sprinkler head is configured to have a K value of at least 13.5, while the fusible trigger assembly has a fusing temperature between approximately 155° F. and 175° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Thomas, Thomas G. Deegan, Scott T. Franson, Michael J. Bosma, Delwin G. Dornbos
  • Patent number: 6572948
    Abstract: A fire stopping device includes a containment shell with a heat rupturable element and an intumescent filler material arranged in the containment shell. The containment shell is formed of a fire resistant material capable of containing the intumescent material after the rupturable element fails. In addition, the heat rupturable element is designed to fail at a force which is lower than the intumescent filler material expansion force. In this manner, when the intumescent filler material reaches its activation temperature, it expands with a force greater than the strength of the rupture element, thereby causing the rupture element to fail. Thus, expansion of the intumescent filler material takes place in a controlled manner via the rupture element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Michael G. Dykhoff
  • Publication number: 20030000712
    Abstract: A vacuum dry sprinkler system includes a sprinkler head formed with a body having a central orifice through which fire extinguishing fluid is expelled through an outlet end. A yoke, attached to the exterior surface of the sprinkler body, extends beyond the outlet end of the sprinkler body and is connected at its apex to a deflector. A thermally sensitive trigger member is coupled to the yoke and the outlet end of the sprinkler head. The sprinkler body carries an expulsion assembly which includes an expulsion member and a thrust member. In response to a fire, the expulsion member of the expulsion assembly overcomes the vacuum force and expels the sealing assembly out of the outlet end of the sprinkler body, while the thrust member laterally thrusts the sealing member out of the water trajectory path, and thus, prevents the sealing assembly from reseating on the outlet of the sprinkler head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Scott T. Franson
  • Patent number: 6382582
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a safety stand for a tree 18 having a main housing body 20 and attached thereto a secondary housing body 32. The main housing 20 is elliptically shaped having situated thereon illumination lights 26, LED lights 36 along with transparent picture sleeves 38. Also attached thereto is a mounting collar 28 with threaded screws 30 for receiving and holding a tree trunk along having an electrical outlet 34 disposed thereon. The main housing 20 also contains a CD player 24 along with a water reservoir 62 for watering the tree. Also contained on the main housing 20 is an extinguisher system having flame sensors 76 attached thereto in the form of decorative ornamental bulbs 12 placed throughout the tree. Vent holes 70 are provided in the bulbs 12 through which air can pass in the form of smoke so as to activate the sensors 76 and thereby having a bulb transmitter 78 send a signal to a means for an alarm 46 disposed in the main housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Norma Brown
  • Patent number: 6341616
    Abstract: A fluid pressure and heat sensitive valve connected with a flow line includes a collapsible pin, normally maintaining the valve closed, which collapses to open the valve in response to fluid pressure above a predetermined limit and includes a fusible plug which melts in the event of a fire, releasing the pin to allow fluid pressure to open the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventor: Julian S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6321768
    Abstract: A fluid pressure and heat sensitive flow control valve interposed in a flow line includes a collapsible pin, normally maintaining the valve open, which collapses to close the valve in response to fluid pressure above a predetermined limit and includes a fusible plug which melts in event of a fire, releasing the pin to allow fluid pressure to close the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Julian S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6164382
    Abstract: A device and a method for explosive quenching of fires are indicated, for example forest and area fires. The quenching device contains two flexible hoses (1, 2) disposed next to one another and transversely to the direction of risk (5), and closable at both ends, for accommodating quenching agents, and in each case an explosive (3, 4) in or on the hoses (1, 2) atomizes the quenching agent by its ignition to form a mist, which is applied to the fire. In order to achieve a directed ejection of the quenching agent in the direction of the area of risk, the pulse (I.sub.1) which emerges from the first hose (1) facing way from the area of risk is greater than the pulse (I2) emerging from the second hose (2) facing the area of risk. For differing hose diameters, dimensioning of the quantities of explosive in relation to the diameter of the associated hose is effected taking into account the density (of the quenching agent according to a formula according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Wagner Alarm - und Sicherungssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Schutte, Ernst Werner Wagner
  • Patent number: 6161624
    Abstract: A linear fire extinguisher system is described that includes a flexible, substantially closed plastic tube containing an extinguishant, the tube containing a multiplicity of selectively weakened pre-scored orifices at preselected spacing along the tube length, whereby sufficient heat from a fire contacting the tube will weaken and rupture the tube predictably and facilitate efficient discharge of the extinguishant directly onto the fire. The structure of the invention may include two coaxial inner and outer tubes, each tube containing extinguishant wherein the outer tube may initially rupture upon heating and discharge extinguishant onto the fire, the inner tube being available for rupture and discharge onto the fire upon re-ignition or if the discharge of the outer tube is insufficient to extinguish the fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Joseph M. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6105678
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing assembly is used in a ventilating duct which has an inner wall, an outer wall, and an insert hole that extends in a radial direction from the outer wall to the inner wall. The fire extinguishing assembly includes a mounting seat having an inner seat wall to be mounted on the outer wall of the duct to cover the insert hole, and an outer seat wall with an inner peripheral seat. The inner peripheral seat defines a through hole that extends to the inner seat wall, and an annular insert portion that extends from the inner seat wall and that is in fluid communication with the through hole. The insert portion can be inserted fittingly into the insert hole to establish fluid communication between the ventilating duct and the through hole. An elongate fire extinguishing body has a connecting end portion, a free end portion formed with a nozzle head that can be brought to pass through the insert portion to extend inwardly of the inner wall via the insert hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Shie Yu Machine Parts Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tien-Shou Tsai
  • Patent number: 6095252
    Abstract: A device for fighting fires in at least one cable or line run At least one pipe, which contains a fire-extinguishing agent under positive pressure, is laid in at least one cable or line run. The wall of this pipe is produced from a material whose melting point is chosen to be lower than the ignition point of the cable sheath of an adjacent cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerhard Draugelates
  • Patent number: 6056063
    Abstract: A thermo-controlled self-explosive fire extinguisher, which comprises a flat, rounded container having an outer thread around the periphery, a container holder having a bottom opening and an inner thread inside the bottom opening, and a fire extinguishing agent filled in the container. After installation of the container holder in a round hole on a board at the ceiling, the outer thread of the container is threaded into the inner thread inside the container holder and disposed substantially in flush with the ceiling. The fire extinguishing agent expands when hot, and the container body explodes when its inside pressure surpasses a predetermined level, causing the fire extinguishing agent to be spread out widely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Chien-Ming Hung
  • Patent number: 6021852
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing tree ornament is provided including a containment bulb for being hung on a tree. The containment bulb has contained therein a fire extinguishing material. Also included is a piercing mechanism for piercing the bulb upon the receipt of an activation signal. A smoke detector is adapted for transmitting the activation signal to the piercing means upon the detection of a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventors: Louis S. Barnett, Richard M. High
  • Patent number: 6012532
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for preventing, suppressing or mitigating explosions in a confined subterranean chamber, access opening, or entryway of an underground structure such as the manhole of sewers, service boxes, and mining tunnels. The method utilizes a flexible bladder filled with an inert gas or explosion suppressing agent, wherein the bladder is maintained in the chamber in an inflated condition and the volume of the inflated bladder occupies greater than 70% of the volume of the chamber to significantly reduce the amount of space in which an explosive fuel/air mixture may otherwise accumulate. The bladder is heat critical to disintegrate at a predetermined temperature and release a volume of the explosion suppressing agent or inert gas relative to the volume of the chamber which is sufficient to alter the ratio of the fuel/air mixture in the chamber to prevent, suppress or mitigate the explosive reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventors: Karl F. Kiefer, John H. Cohen, Gerard T. Pittard
  • Patent number: 5967238
    Abstract: A thermally responsive frangible bulb containing a liquid which when heated expands to burst the bulb. In use the bulb may be positioned between a support and a sprinkler outlet cap such that when the bulb bursts the sprinkler outlet is opened. The bulb is at least partially filled with at least one halogen derivative of an aromatic hydrocarbon containing two or more halogen substituents such as 1,3-dichlorobenzene, or an aliphatic amide such a formamide. Use of these liquids enables a wide range of operating temperatures and a quick response operating time to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventors: Jerome S. Pepi, Stephen James Nettleship, Brian Ernest Daly
  • Patent number: 5894892
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing bombs which includes the holding parts at both ends of the structure for holding a sealed glass container with fire extinguishing chemicals provided inside; the container is formed expanded in the central part to shape into a football-like body for increasing the spurting range in explosion. Furthermore, the fire extinguishing chemicals in the container is mingled with a number of beads containing also fire extinguishing chemicals for a second spurting of the chemicals by their bouncing and spattering when they fall on the ground, so as to enlarge the covering area and increase the effect of extinguishing a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Chien-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 5826664
    Abstract: The fire and explosion suppression system is mounted external to a tank and injects a suppressant medium into the tank via a preformed opening in the tank wall. The fire and explosion suppressant system includes a container for housing a suppressant medium which includes an opening removably connected to the predefined opening in a tank wall. The fire and explosion suppressant system also includes an actuator, such as a detonator, for activating the suppressant medium upon detection of a fire or explosion within the tank. The fire and explosion suppressant system further includes a reclosable valve for sealing the predefined opening in the tank wall. The valve includes a valve housing having at least one port and mounted over the opening in the tank wall. The valve further includes a piston disposed within the valve housing for sealing the tank wall opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Dallas Richardson