Abstract: A simple, inexpensive container that may be a canister similar to an aerosol spray can is fixedly or pivotally mounted in inverted fashion above a cooking burner. The canister contains a particulate fire suppressant material and has a closable, downwardly-facing opening directed at the burner. A fusible or meltable material maintains a cap that covers the opening in the closed condition at all times except when a flame results from ignition of fat in a pan on the cooking burner. Upon reaching a temperature of 220 degrees F. or above, the fusible material quickly melts, enabling the cap to open, and the fire suppressant material cascades by gravity into the pan and fat, causing it to be extinguished in a matter of seconds. The cap may be guided on a member having a stop at its lower end to capture the cap and prevent it from splashing into the fat upon ejection. Alternatively, the cap may be hinged to the container and be held in place at the hinge once the container is opened.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing device to reduce or extinguish a fire in a specific localized area such as a room or a hallway within a burning building. A base with a disbursement container fixed to the base is provided to hold an explosive charge and a volume of fire extinguishing agent. When the explosive charge is detonated, the extinguishing agent is forced out of the disbursement container in an upward direction to subsequently shower down upon a fire in the vicinity of the detonated fire extinguishing device to at least in part extinguish the fire in the localized area.

Abstract: An actuating unit for a sprinkler in automatic fire extinguishing systems; the actuating unit contains an explosive liquid which ensures short triggering times with good overall usability, in which the explosive liquid is or contains a substance derived from a halogen-free or halogenated hydrocarbon in such a way that, in its structural formula: a) I) at least one CH.sub.2 group is replaced by oxygen (O), sulphur (S), sulphinyl (SO.sub.2) or ii) at least one CH group is replaced by nitrogen, b) there are no hydrogen atoms directly bonded to oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur, and c) iii) there are at least two oxygen atoms with two single bonds, or iii) there are at least two carbonyl groups, or iv) there is at least one oxidized sulphur atom (so or SO.sub.2), or v) at least one nitrogen atom is characteristic for amide, imine or nitrile.

Abstract: A fire suppression or explosion protection system is having a manual actuator for an electrically responsive initiator or gas-generating cartridge activator. The manually operated actuator (10) for triggering the electrically responsive initiator (26) or gas-generating cartridge activator (17) includes a shaft (46), for generating a current for delivery to the initiator (26) or cartridge activator (17) when the shaft (46) is rotated; a manually moveable handle (38) shiftable between first and second positions at any desired speed; and structure (40) operably coupling the handle (38) with the shaft (46) for rotating the shaft (46) at a selected speed when the handle (38) is shifted between the first and second positions regardless of the speed at which the handle (38) is shifted for generating a current pulse of a selected magnitude for triggering the initiator (26) or gas-generating cartridge activator (17).

Abstract: An actuator for performing a function at a predetermined temperature includes an actuator assembly with a resiliently expandable element and a device for liberating hydrogen gas into a sealed system formed in part by the element. When the hydrogen gas pressure in the system becomes sufficiently high, the element expands to perform the function. The resiliently expandable element is a piston or a bellows and the device for liberating hydrogen gas is a hydride sensor assembly.

Abstract: A range hood positioned above a cooking range employs a continuous heat sensor system which includes twisted wires which are separated from one another by an insulator which is formed of a material which melts at a predetermined temperature. The wires carry a supervisory current which also flows through an actuator, which may be an electrified system for cutting a tension wire. An indicator lamp, such as an LED, which may have a series resistor associated therewith, limits the current through the actuator to a level below the activation threshold of the actuator.

Abstract: A self contained smoke actuated fire extinguishing flooding system is comprised of: a dual battery powered source, a smoke detecting device, a spring load plunger actuated valve, audio alarm, and a built-in test system which utilizes a blended halogenated fire extinguishing agent that is intended for use in enclosures for electronic, electrical, and others.

Abstract: An improved fire suppression system control. The control system has circuy which reacts to a break in the circuit caused by catastrophic events in a rapid fashion.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing system, particularly, but not exclusively, for use in extinguishing chimney fires. The system comprises a container having a pressurized fire extinguishing product therein. A release nozzle is installed in the chimney flue and has a conduit connecting it to a pressure release valve associated with the container. The valve is operated by a piston member which is connected by a wire cable to a fusible element which melts when the flue attains a predetermined temperature. A tension adjusting device is associated with the wire cable to adjust the tension in the cable and the position of a piston head relative to a trigger element associated with the pressure release valve.

Abstract: A fire suppression and control system for a commercial cooking unit having a conventional chemical fire retardant discharge system has a flexible fire curtain supported by a hood and adapted to enclose the cooking unit from the room between the hood and the floor. A housing for storing the curtain in folded condition is positioned on the hood and includes a release mechanism for releasing the curtain from the housing when a fire occurs. A heat-responsive control for discharge of the fire-resistant chemical is coupled to the release mechanism for the curtain to release the curtain at the time the fire-retardant chemical is delivered to the cooking unit. The fire-retardant chemical is preferably a Halon 1211 gas. The release mechanism includes an electromagnetic coupling which is connected through an electrical circuit to a switch at a mechanical actuator for the valve in the chemical fire-retardant delivery system.