Auto-regulating aperture for fire extinguisher discharge
AssigneeKidde Technologies, Inc.
InventorMark P. Fazzio
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fire extinguisher discharge nozzle is provided and includes sidewalls and a biasing element. The sidewalls define an aperture through which a medium(s) is dischargeable and are adjustable between multiple first and multiple second positions associated with dilated and constricted conditions of the aperture, respectively. The biasing element is configured to bias the sidewalls toward assuming one of the multiple first or multiple second positions. The sidewalls are drivable toward assuming the other one of the multiple first or multiple second positions in opposition to bias applied by the biasing element in accordance with a characteristic of the medium(s).
Claims10
A fire protection system for suppressing fire in a propulsion bay, the fire protection system comprising:
- a tank;
- a fire extinguisher discharge nozzle disposed in the propulsion bay;
- and
- a distribution system fluidly coupling the tank and the fire extinguisher discharge nozzle such that the fire extinguisher discharge nozzle is receptive of a medium(s) from the tank,
- the fire extinguisher discharge nozzle comprising:
- a tubular member;
- sidewalls having first ends and second ends opposite the first ends, the second ends defining an aperture through which the medium(s) is dischargeable, the second ends of the sidewalls being adjustable relative to one another between multiple first and multiple second positions associated with dilated and constricted conditions of the aperture, respectively;
- a biasing element configured to bias the sidewalls toward assuming one of the multiple first or multiple second positions;
- and
- an actuating element comprising a driving mechanism interposed between a terminal end of the tubular member and the first ends of the sidewalls, the actuating element being configured to cause the driving mechanism to drive each of the second ends of the sidewalls relative to one another toward assuming the other one of the multiple first or multiple second positions in opposition to bias applied by the biasing element in accordance with a characteristic of the medium(s).
A fire protection system for suppressing fire in a propulsion bay, the fire protection system comprising:
- a tank;
- a fire extinguisher discharge nozzle disposed in the propulsion bay;
- and
- a distribution system fluidly coupling the tank and the fire extinguisher discharge nozzle such that the fire extinguisher discharge nozzle is receptive of a medium(s) from the tank,
- the fire extinguisher discharge nozzle comprising:
- a tubular member comprising a terminal end;
- sidewalls extending at first ends thereof from the terminal end of the tubular member and defining at second ends thereof, which are opposite the first ends thereof, an aperture through which the medium(s) is dischargeable, each of the sidewalls being pivotably adjustable about a connection between the terminal end of the tubular member and the first end thereof such that the second ends of the sidewalls move relative to one another between multiple first and multiple second positions associated with dilated and constricted conditions of the aperture, respectively;
- a biasing element configured to bias the sidewalls toward assuming one of the multiple first or multiple second positions;
- and
- an actuating element comprising a driving mechanism interposed between the terminal end of the tubular member and the first ends of the sidewalls, the actuating element being configured to drive each of the sidewalls to pivot about the corresponding connection between the terminal end of the tubular member and the corresponding first end such that each of the second ends of the sidewalls is driven relative to one another toward assuming the other one of the multiple first or multiple second positions in opposition to bias applied by the biasing element in accordance with a characteristic of the medium(s).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.