Abstract: The invention is a fire suppression system. A first dispensing assembly 22 is adapted to provide a flow of liquid fire suppression chemical at a constant pressure to a first outlet port 24. A first valve assembly 26 is coupled to the first outlet port 24 and is adapted to control the flow of the liquid chemical as a function of the temperature thereof to a second outlet port 34. A second valve assembly 32 is coupled to the second outlet port 34 of the first valve assembly 26 and is adapted to meter the liquid chemical as a function of the inlet pressure level and selected flowrates and to cause the liquid chemical to partially vaporize, forming a liquid/vapor phase, first mixture. A second dispensing means 44 is provided which is adapted to deliver a second mixture composed of water and foaming agent at a constant pressure.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a system for extinguishing fires which consists in first maintaining a supply of liquid fire extinguishing medium in a tank under a pressure cushion of expellant material; the medium is delivered upon detection of a hazard by opening a normally closed valve in a delivery line connected to the tank; this operation triggers a sequential operation of a plurality of groups of expellant containers which causes additional expellant material to be delivered to the tank to maintain therein a given pressure so as to effect quick and total evacuation of the fire extinguishing medium from the tank to the hazard.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fire extinguisher comprising a low-pressure tank (1) for the fire-inhibiting liquid (40) and a high-pressure tank (23) for spray propellant gas, situated in the low-pressure tank, where upon opening the high-pressure tank, the propellant expels the fire-inhibiting liquid, which is discharged through a nozzle (44). In order to permit fighting fires effectively from a greater distance than hitherto, in this fire extinguisher a pressure regulating valve (13) is arranged between the outlet of the spray propellant gas container (23) and the liquid reservoir of the low-pressure tank (1), which valve maintains the pressure of the propellant gas prevailing in the low-pressure tank after triggering and expelling fire-inhibiting liquid (40) through nozzle (44) at a preset level.

Abstract: An explosion suppression system disposed externally of a structure that encloses a protected zone. The system includes a source of pressurized explosion suppressant, a pressure detector, a release mechanism for releasing the suppressant through a discharge port opening into the protected zone in response to detection of a pressure wave by the detector, and tubulation providing fluid communication between the detector and the protected zone. An inclined portion of the tubulation terminates with an intake port and comprises both vertical and horizontal components of substantial magnitude.

Abstract: A fire-suppressant mechanism especially designed for suppressing near-expive fires or slow growth fires in military vehicles. The mechanism includes a thick-walled bottle or container partially or wholly filled with liquid fire-suppressant, such as Halon 1301. A chemical gas-generating cartridge is located at one end of the container for substantially instantaneously generating a very high gaseous pressure within the container, thereby very rapidly expelling the liquid suppressant from the container onto an emergent fireball.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fire extinguisher which comprises vessels (1, 18)filled with a fire extinguishing solution, an actuating element that breaks the vessels to eject the solution due to the occurance of fire. The actuating element is retracted against the force of a spring by a holder which is locked by a set screw (41) for exerting a pressure thereto through a heat fusible element (42) for fire detection so that the heat fusible element (42) is placed perpetually under compression. Since the heat fusible element (42) is normally subjected to compression, the element is less liable to deterioration with time.

Abstract: A self-recocking actuation device. One possible use for it is in conjunction with a pneumatic fire protection system. This invention employs the process known as occlusion to store large amounts of gas in a small volume. Metal hydrides in a chamber are used to store hydrogen in the disclosed preferred embodiment. Upon the application of heat--from a heat source like a resistance heater--the charged metal hydride releases its hydrogen (H.sub.2) in a chamber having only one exit opening which empties into a sealed bellows. This bellows contacts a piston located in another chamber wherein a biased resetting spring is provided to normally maintain the piston in contact with the bellows. As the pressure from the H.sub.2 gas builds up, it overcomes the biased spring to move it and the piston along with an associated pin or other actuator.

Abstract: Suppression apparatus comprises a plurality of pressurized containers of fire extinguishing material arranged in the troop and/or engine compartment of an armored vehicle, the containers having pressure sensors which provide output indications of their operability and their discharge. In rapid response to an alarm indication and to the output indications, logic circuitry initially selects at least one container indicated to be operable, actuates this container to discharge its extinguishing material and, in the absence of an ouput indication of its discharge, actuates an additional container for discharge of extinguishing material therefrom.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing apparatus and method of extinguishing a fire employing same are provided for an engine compartment of an engine drive vehicle in which the vehicle has an engine and a cooling system therefor employing a cooling liquid under pressure and the fire extinguishing apparatus comprises a system operatively connected to the cooling system for employing the cooling liquid under pressure and automatically spraying the cooling liquid in the compartment in response to a fire therein.

Abstract: The discharge apparatus is used in conjunction with a fire suppression system and includes a plurality of gas cartridges communicating with one or more fire extinguishing tanks. The discharge apparatus includes a first cylinder-piston device which upon activation punctures a diaphragm of a gas cartridge. Gas released from the first gas cartridge pressurizes a related fire extinguishing tanks to cause extinguishing chemicals to be discharged. A small portion of the gas released from the first gas cartridge is responsible for the activation of a second cylinder-piston device associated with a second gas cartridge to cause the release of gas. The gas released from the second gas cartridge pressurizes a related fire extinguishing tank to cause extinguishing chemical to be discharged.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fire suppression mechanism for a military tracked vehicle. The mechanism includes a number of relatively small cylindrical pressure vessels, each having a floating piston that separates the respective cylinder into 2 chambers. Vaporizable liquid fire suppressant material (such as C Br F.sub.3) occupies one chamber; an inert pressurized gas such as nitrogen occupies the other chamber. An electrically-controlled valve at one end of each cylinder can be remotely triggered open to enable fire suppressant vapor to be discharged from the cylinder under the driving force provided by the pressure of the inert gas; the floating piston shifts along the cylinder as the vapor is discharged from the cylinder toward the developing fireball within the vehicle. Each cylinder is oriented in a horizontal prone position at a central point in the vehicle.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing apparatus particularly but not exclusively for protecting large areas comprising a reservoir for a fire extinguishing fluid under pressure connected by a normally closed differential valve to a plastics tube which traverses the area to be protected, the tube being filled with air and/or an inert gas under pressure and being adapted to burst when exposed to a predetermined temperature, bursting of the tube and the consequent sudden decrease in pressure in the tube causing opening of the valve to allow the extinguishing fluid to flow from the reservoir along the tube to the region of the burst.

Abstract: An anchoring and fire extinguishing system for mobile homes and the like comprising a water filled container that has a shape which is complementary to the peripheral outer edge of the mobile home, such that the mobile home may be positioned on top of the filled water container and supported thereby. The interior of the water filled container is provided with a pressurizing means operable to maintain the pressure of the water at a sufficient level such that water may be communicated through suitable conduits to a plurality of sprinkling heads disposed within the interior of the mobile home to extinguish a fire therein.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher includes a pressure vessel containing an extinguishing agent and pressurized gas and a valve remotely operated by a manual control at the outlet end of the delivery hose for controlling the discharge of the extinguishing agent from the pressure vessel to the delivery hose. This discharge control valve is opened and closed by a pneumatic cylinder operated by pressurized gas from a valve pneumatically operated by a manually actuated valve mounted near the outlet end of the delivery hose.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing system that is of the gas dispersion type is provided, whereby a given supply cylinder, controlled by a cylinder valve, is piped to a plurality of directional or line valves for delivery to various locations. Sensing devices are also provided for controlling the line valves and cylinder valves as are manual valve operators. A particularly novel cylinder valve is provided, whereby once the valve is opened, venting of one side of the piston prevents closing prior to discharge of fluid from the cylinder.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing system for use especially on a floating roof tank includes an enclosure secured to the tank roof. The enclosure carries an agent tank, an expellant tank and an accumulator tank. The agent tank contains fire extinguishing agent. The expellant tank contains pressurized expellant fluid. An expellant conduit extends from the expellant tank to an inlet of the agent tank. A sprayer duct is connected to an outlet of the agent tank and is arranged along one protected zone of the roof rim. A control valve is disposed in the expellant conduit. A heat sensitive pilot conduit is disposed along the protected zone and fluidly connects the expellant conduit with the control valve so that pressure from the expellant tank maintains the control valve closed. If the pilot conduit ruptures, agent is discharged. A bypass conduit connects the expellant conduit with the sprayer duct.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing system for use especially on a floating roof tank includes an enclosure secured to the tank roof. The enclosure carries an agent tank, an expellant tank and an accumulator tank. The agent tank contains fire extinguishing agent and includes an expellant inlet and an agent outlet. The expellant tank contains pressurized expellant fluid. An expellant conduit extends from the expellant tank to the inlet of the agent tank. A sprayer duct is connected to the outlet of the agent tank and is arranged along one protected zone of the roof rim. A control valve is disposed in the expellant conduit. A flow control member is disposed in the expellant conduit upstream of the control valve for metering the rate of flow of expellant fluid. The accumulator communicates with the expellant conduit upstream of the control valve and downstream of the flow control member so that the accumulator is normally pressurized by the expellant tank.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher system using liquid-ballast tires of a vehicle, such as a tractor or log skidder. The tire has a fire retardant liquid, and it may be water, and it has several valves spaced therearound. A gas supply can be attached to one of the valves to force the liquid from the tire, and a hose can be attached to another one of the valves for directing the evacuating liquid from the tire and toward the fire.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a supply of fresh water during emergency situations when the normal fresh water source is interrupted and for generating a high volume of air-water foam for extinguishing fires. The emergency system is connected to the normal fresh water source at the place of installation and diverts the fresh water through a standby tank to continually replenish the tank with fresh water. In the event of fire, a regulated source of high pressure gas is supplied to the tank to expel the water at high pressure through a high expansion foam generator, the foam outlet of which communicates with the spaces of the building or other installation in which the system is installed. The standby tank of reserve water may be positioned above or below ground level according to alternate embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments are disclosed wherein a separate foam generating installation for extinguishing fires is adapted for use with one or more foam generators.

Abstract: A chemical fire extinguishing apparatus which includes a chemical storage chamber, chemical discharge conduct connected to the chamber for conveying and distributing the chemical, and a source of relatively high pressure gas connected to the chamber and communicating with the interior thereof to agitate and fluidize the extinguishing chemical by impingement of high pressure gas. Upon agitation and fluidization, gas is delivered then to the chamber at a lower pressure to entrain the chemical in a constant, relatively low pressure gas stream flowing from the chamber to the chemical discharge conduit.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing system includes a container of extinguishing agent and a valve for controlling the discharge of the extinguishing agent. The discharge control valve is opened and closed by a pneumatic cylinder operated by pressurized gas through a solenoid-actuated directional control valve. The solenoid of the directional control valve is coupled with a pneumatic timing relay actuated by a temperature sensor. With this arrangement, a pre-determined amount of extinghishing agent is discharged from the container and delivered to the hazard area and then the discharge shut-off. The discharge cycle is repeated, if necessary, until the fire is extinguished. The system is then automatically reset and ready to deliver further extinguishing agent on demand. The system also includes manual or automatic means for purging the delivery line downstream of the discharge control valve.