Abstract: Disclosed is a fire suppression system, a valve for the system, and a movable valve member for the valve. The system includes a reservoir for a fire suppressant material. The reservoir has an outlet, at least one nozzle from which the suppressant is delivered, and a valve governing passage of the suppressant to the nozzles. The valve includes a movable valve member and first and second valve seats cooperating therewith. The valve member is movable from a first position seated with respect to the first valve seat preventing communication between the reservoir and the nozzles, to a second position seated with respect to the second valve seat permitting suppressant flow from the reservoir to the nozzles and preventing suppressant flow to an actuator operatively associated with the valve to selectively cause movement of the valve member from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A propulsion device for an agent, such as an extinguishing or cooling agent, contained in a cavity has at least a cap and a port configured to open above a calibrated pressure inside the cavity. A pressure generator is fastened to the cap and triggers the propulsion of the agent. The pressure generator has at least two containers, each having an exit ending inside the cavity and releasing a propulsion gas. At least one container is pressurized with an inert-type gas, such as helium, suited for minimal temperature fluctuations induced inside the cavity during a relief of pressure of the gas from at least one of the containers. When the gas expands it is the direct mechanical propellant of the agent.

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 extinction device comprises a reservoir (2) of extinguishing agent and means for generating a pressurized gas (30) such that the gas generated (16) may enter the reservoir (2) when the extinguishing agent (4) is to be ejected onto a fire zone. The device of the invention comprises furthermore a refractory separating element (40) between the extinguishing agent (4) and the pressurizing gas generated (16), in order to avoid heat exchanges between them and to optimise the ejection of the extinguishing agent (4).

Abstract: The method is for continuously producing compressed-air foam, notably for fire fighting or for decontamining, by supplying both compressed air and a mixture of water and at least a foaming agent to a foaming chamber (5) outputting foam to a nozzle (9) via a pipe (8). The mixture of foam agent and water and the compressed air are each continuously supplied to the foaming chamber (5) at a constant pressure and at a constant volume flow rate, e.g. by means of pressure regulators (1, 2) and of flow rate regulators (3, 4). The foam pressure is regulated at the outlet of the foaming chamber (5) for maintaining the foam mixing pressure in the foaming chamber constant, preferably by a self-operating valve (6). The foaming chamber can advantageously be of a static type comprising sieves.

Abstract: A fire extinction device includes a reservoir of extinguishing agent and device for generating a pressurized gas such that the gas generated may enter the reservoir when the extinguishing agent is to be ejected onto a fire zone. The extinction device also includes a refractory separating element between the extinguishing agent and the pressurizing gas generated, in order to avoid heat exchanges between the extinguishing agent and the gas and to optimize the ejection of the extinguishing agent.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing device comprises an extinguishing agent tank and pressurised gas generation means such that the generated gas can enter into the tank when the extinguishing agent is to be ejected on a fire area. The device according to the invention also comprises means of regulating the pressure inside the extinguishing agent tank: thus, the pressure inside the tank remains controlled with time, with a profile predetermined by the user as a function of regulatory parameters and criteria, in order to optimise the action of the extinguishing agent and the necessary quantity.

Abstract: A method for activating a sprinkler system comprises maintaining a liquid extinguishant in system pipes under a standby pressure that is less than the operating pressure, determining an arrangement of the sprinklers that will control a fire, and opening the sprinkler system valve in response to a drop in pressure in each of the pipes to which at least one of the sprinklers of the arrangement is connected. An alternate method comprises providing a bypass around the system valve, and opening the system valve in response to (1) a predetermined flow of liquid extinguishant through the bypass and (2) a drop in pressure in the sprinkler system below a predetermined pressure. In a variation of the alternate method, the system valve is opened in response only to a predetermined flow of liquid extinguishant through the bypass.

Abstract: A fire-suppression system for use in an aircraft having at least one cargo compartment is disclosed. Methods of suppressing a fire in the cargo compartment are also disclosed. The fire-suppression system, under one aspect of the present invention, can include at least one fire-suppressant vessel, at least one discharge conduit coupled to the at least one fire-suppressant vessel, and a valve arrangement coupled to the fire-suppressant vessel and the discharge conduit. The valve arrangement can have a first setting to discharge a fire suppressant at a first discharge rate after activation of the fire-suppression system, a second setting to discharge the fire-suppressant at a second discharge rate less than the first discharge rate, and a third setting to discharge the fire-suppressant at a third discharge rate greater than the second discharge rate during descent of the aircraft.

Abstract: An automatic fire sprinkler having a variable orifice, the sprinkler having a variable orifice associated with the automatic fire sprinkler, and wherein the orifice is responsive to the water inlet pressure of the sprinkler.

Abstract: A method of detecting the actuation of a sprinkler involves sensing a first fluid pressure at a first flow cross section, in one of the sprinkler and a conduit in which the sprinkler is mounted, sensing a second fluid pressure at a second flow cross section, in the sprinkler, wherein said first flow cross section is larger than said second flow cross section, and comparing the fluid pressures sensed at the first and second flow cross sections in order to detect a change in the relation of the fluid pressures due to actuation of the sprinkler, and thereby detect actuation of the sprinkler. The fluid pressures are sensed by ports in the sprinkler, or by one port in the sprinkler and one port in the conduit, and at least one transducer connected to the ports, and output signals from the transducer are sent to a computer or other recording instrument.

Abstract: A deployable automatic foam fire suppressant system comprising a pump module having at least one pump coupled to a foam material source, the at least one pump comprising a pump suction component for the supply of water, and a supply module configured for coupling to the pump module, the supply module including at least one supply means having fluid conduit and at least one foam applicator. fluidly coupled to the pump module, wherein the pump module and the supply module are deployable and configured to be operated from a remote location.

Abstract: A fire-suppression system for use in an aircraft having at least one cargo compartment is disclosed. Methods of suppressing a fire in the cargo compartment are also disclosed. The fire-suppression system, under one aspect of the present invention, can include at least one fire-suppressant vessel, at least one discharge conduit coupled to the at least one fire-suppressant vessel, and a valve arrangement coupled to the fire-suppressant vessel and the discharge conduit. The valve arrangement can have a first setting to discharge a fire suppressant at a first discharge rate after activation of the fire-suppression system, a second setting to discharge the fire-suppressant at a second discharge rate less than the first discharge rate, and a third setting to discharge the fire-suppressant at a third discharge rate greater than the second discharge rate during descent of the aircraft.

Abstract: The automatic fire extinguishing method using liquefied CO2 to regulate the distribution of fire extinguishing agents characterised in that this method uses liquid CO2 as: an independent fire extinguishing agent or combined with other fire extinguishing agents to create new fire extinguishing agents which have strong effects and high efficiency; as a dynamic source producing pressure in the tank to push fire extinguishing agents into the fire area, and as a dynamic source of the entire fire extinguishing system and automating the process.

Abstract: A system that controls nitrogen pressure in the ullage of a power transformer that has its windings submerged in oil. The pressure is controlled in a narrow range of approximately 0.5 psi to approximately 2.0 psi. A nitrogen generator supplies the nitrogen to a reservoir from which it is distributed to the ullage as well as to accessories such as a load tap changer or a control box. A temperature regulator is provided for substation installations that are located in climates with wide ambient temperature variations to control the pressure of the generated nitrogen in an acceptable range.

Abstract: Apparatus for suppressing explosions comprises a reservoir containing hot pressurized water which is heated by a heater. On explosion conditions occurring in an enclosure a high speed differential pressure diaphragm is fractured to release a charge of hot pressurized water into the enclosure. When the water enters the enclosure portion it is converted into water droplets to suppress the flame front of a deflagration and a portion of the water flashes off as flash steam to reduce the oxygen concentration and suppress the explosion. A differential pressure diaphragm 40 comprises a pair of bursting diaphragms having a space therebetween which is maintained at a balance pressure. When explosion conditions occur the balance is disturbed and the diaphragms burst under the higher pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for suppressing explosions comprises a reservoir means containing hot pressurized water which is heated by a heating means. On explosion conditions occurring in an enclosure a high speed differential pressure diaphragm is fractured to release a charge of hot pressurised water into the enclosure. When the water enters the enclosure portion it is converted into water droplets to suppress the flame front of a deflagration and portion of the water flashes off as flash steam to reduce the oxygen concentration and suppress the explosion. A differential pressure diaphragm 40 comprises a pair of bursting diaphragms having a space therebetween which is maintained at a balance pressure. When explosion conditions occur the balance is disturbed and the diaphragms burst under the higher pressure.