# US 11,439,854 B2 · Common array mounting bottles engineered for reuse > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,854 B2 - Document ID: US11439854B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/679,606 - Filed: 2017-08-17 - Published: 2019-02-21 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-17 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Eric B. Gilbert; Bennett Keith Olson; Timothy LeRoy Skilton; Robert Steven Wright - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439854B2 ## CPC - A62C 35/02: with containers for delivering the extinguishing substance - A62C 3/08: in aircraft {(A62C3/0207 takes precedence)} - A62C 35/58: Pipe-line systems - A62C 37/04: {with electrically-controlled release} - B64D 45/00: Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for - B64D 2045/009: {Fire detection or protection; Erosion protection, e.g. from airborne particles} - A62C: FIRE-FIGHTING (fire-extinguishing compositions, use of chemical substances in extinguishing fires A62D1/00; spraying, applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces in general B05; alarm arrangements G08B, e.g. fire alarms actuated by smoke or gases G08B17/10) - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT ## Abstract A fire extinguisher system. The system includes a first fire extinguisher containing a first agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the first fire extinguisher having a first discharge port for discharging the first agent therethrough, and a first actuator for actuating the first discharge port. The system also includes a second, similar fire extinguisher. The system also includes a valve coupled to the first discharge port via a first line and coupled to the second discharge port via a second line, wherein the valve is configured to release the first agent and the second agent into a third line. The system also includes a controller connected to the first actuator and the second actuator, the controller configured to activate the first actuator and the second actuator in a predetermined sequence. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fire extinguisher system in an engine of an aircraft comprising: a first fire extinguisher containing a first agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the first fire extinguisher mounted in the engine and having: a first discharge port for discharging the first agent therethrough; and a first actuator for actuating the first discharge port; a second fire extinguisher containing a second agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the second fire extinguisher mounted in the engine and having: a second discharge port for discharging the second agent therethrough; and a second actuator for actuating the second discharge port; a valve: coupled to the first discharge port via a first line; and coupled to the second discharge port via a second line, wherein the valve is configured to release the first agent and the second agent into a third line; a check valve coupled to the third line; a fourth line coupled to the check valve; an additional line coupled to the check valve, wherein the check valve prevents a discharge arriving at the check valve from the additional line from entering the third line and releases the discharge into the fourth line; and a controller connected to the first actuator and the second actuator, wherein the controller is configured to activate the first actuator and the second actuator in a predetermined sequence, wherein the first fire extinguisher and the second fire extinguisher are mounted in the engine in a line, wherein the first fire extinguisher and the second fire extinguisher comprise a first extinguisher set, wherein the third line connects to a joining fitting that connects to a common line that terminates at a discharge zone, and wherein the fire extinguisher system further comprises: a second extinguisher set comprising: a third fire extinguisher containing a third agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the third fire extinguisher having a third discharge port for discharging the third agent therethrough, and a third actuator for actuating the third discharge port; a fourth fire extinguisher containing a fourth agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the fourth fire extinguisher having a fourth discharge port for discharging the fourth agent therethrough and a fourth actuator for actuating the fourth discharge port; and wherein the controller is further connected to the third actuator and the fourth actuator, the controller configured to activate the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator in a second predetermined sequence. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fire extinguisher system of claim 1, wherein the fourth line terminates at a discharge zone. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fire extinguisher system of claim 1, wherein the first actuator comprises a first squib, the second actuator comprises a second squib, the third actuator comprises a third squib, and the fourth actuator comprises a fourth squib. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The fire extinguisher system of claim 3, wherein the first squib, the second squib, the third squib, and the fourth squib are electrically connected to a single battery. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The fire extinguisher system of claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to provide a continuity signal that the controller monitors to detect an electrical disconnect between the controller and any of the first fire extinguisher, the second fire extinguisher, the third fire extinguisher, and the fourth fire extinguisher. ### Claim 6 A fire extinguisher system in an engine of an aircraft comprising: a first fire extinguisher containing a first agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the first fire extinguisher mounted in the engine and having: a first discharge port for discharging the first agent therethrough; and a first actuator for actuating the first discharge port; a second fire extinguisher containing a second agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the second fire extinguisher mounted in the engine and having: a second discharge port for discharging the second agent therethrough; and a second actuator for actuating the second discharge port; a valve: coupled to the first discharge port via a first line; and coupled to the second discharge port via a second line, wherein the valve is configured to release the first agent and the second agent into a third line; a check valve coupled to the third line; a fourth line coupled to the check valve; an additional line coupled to the check valve, wherein the check valve prevents a discharge arriving at the check valve from the additional line from entering the third line and releases the discharge into the fourth line; and a controller connected to the first actuator and the second actuator, wherein the controller is configured to activate the first actuator and the second actuator in a predetermined sequence, wherein the first fire extinguisher and the second fire extinguisher are mounted in the engine in a line, wherein the first fire extinguisher and the second fire extinguisher comprise a first extinguisher set, wherein the third line connects to a joining fitting that connects to a common line that terminates at a discharge zone, and wherein the fire extinguisher system further comprises: a second extinguisher set comprising: a third fire extinguisher containing a third agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the third fire extinguisher having a third discharge port for discharging the third agent therethrough, and a third actuator for actuating the third discharge port; a fourth fire extinguisher containing a fourth agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the fourth fire extinguisher having a fourth discharge port for discharging the fourth agent therethrough and a fourth actuator for actuating the fourth discharge port; and wherein the controller is further connected to the third actuator and the fourth actuator, the controller configured to activate the third actuator, and the fourth actuator simultaneously. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The fire extinguisher system of claim 6, wherein the fourth line terminates at a discharge zone. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The fire extinguisher system of claim 6, wherein the first actuator comprises a first squib, the second actuator comprises a second squib, the third actuator comprises a third squib, and the fourth actuator comprises a fourth squib. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The fire extinguisher system of claim 8, wherein the first squib, the second squib, the third squib, and the fourth squib are electrically connected to a single battery. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fire extinguisher system of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to provide a continuity signal that the controller monitors to detect an electrical disconnect between the controller and any of the first fire extinguisher, the second fire extinguisher, the third fire extinguisher, and the fourth fire extinguisher. ### Claim 11 A fire extinguisher system in an engine of an aircraft comprising: a first fire extinguisher containing a first agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the first fire extinguisher mounted in the engine and having: a first discharge port for discharging the first agent therethrough; and a first actuator for actuating the first discharge port; a second fire extinguisher containing a second agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the second fire extinguisher mounted in the engine and having: a second discharge port for discharging the second agent therethrough; and a second actuator for actuating the second discharge port; a valve: coupled to the first discharge port via a first line; and coupled to the second discharge port via a second line, wherein the valve is configured to release the first agent and the second agent into a third line; a check valve coupled to the third line; a fourth line coupled to the check valve; an additional line coupled to the check valve, wherein the check valve prevents a discharge arriving at the check valve from the additional line from entering the third line and releases the discharge into the fourth line; and a controller connected to the first actuator and the second actuator, wherein the controller is configured to activate the first actuator and the second actuator simultaneously, wherein the first fire extinguisher and the second fire extinguisher are mounted in the engine in a line, wherein the first fire extinguisher and the second fire extinguisher comprise a first extinguisher set, wherein the third line connects to a joining fitting that connects to a common line that terminates at a discharge zone, and wherein the fire extinguisher system further comprises: a second extinguisher set comprising: a third fire extinguisher containing a third agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the third fire extinguisher having a third discharge port for discharging the third agent therethrough, and a third actuator for actuating the third discharge port; a fourth fire extinguisher containing a fourth agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the fourth fire extinguisher having a fourth discharge port for discharging the fourth agent therethrough and a fourth actuator for actuating the fourth discharge port; and wherein the controller is further connected to the third actuator and the fourth actuator, the controller configured to activate the third actuator, and the fourth actuator in a predetermined sequence. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The fire extinguisher system of claim 11, wherein the fourth line terminates at a discharge zone. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The fire extinguisher system of claim 11, wherein the first actuator comprises a first squib, the second actuator comprises a second squib, the third actuator comprises a third squib, and the fourth actuator comprises a fourth squib. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The fire extinguisher system of claim 13, wherein the first squib, the second squib, the third squib, and the fourth squib are electrically connected to a single battery. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The fire extinguisher system of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to provide a continuity signal that the controller monitors to detect an electrical disconnect between the controller and any of the first fire extinguisher, the second fire extinguisher, the third fire extinguisher, and the fourth fire extinguisher. ### Claim 16 A fire extinguisher system in an engine of an aircraft comprising: a first fire extinguisher containing a first agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the first fire extinguisher mounted in the engine and having: a first discharge port for discharging the first agent therethrough; and a first actuator for actuating the first discharge port; a second fire extinguisher containing a second agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the second fire extinguisher mounted in the engine and having: a second discharge port for discharging the second agent therethrough; and a second actuator for actuating the second discharge port; a valve: coupled to the first discharge port via a first line; and coupled to the second discharge port via a second line, wherein the valve is configured to release the first agent and the second agent into a third line; a check valve coupled to the third line; a fourth line coupled to the check valve; an additional line coupled to the check valve, wherein the check valve prevents a discharge arriving at the check valve from the additional line from entering the third line and releases the discharge into the fourth line; and a controller connected to the first actuator and the second actuator, wherein the controller is configured to activate the first actuator and the second actuator simultaneously, wherein the first fire extinguisher and the second fire extinguisher are mounted in the engine in a line, wherein the first fire extinguisher and the second fire extinguisher comprise a first extinguisher set, wherein the third line connects to a joining fitting that connects to a common line that terminates at a discharge zone, and wherein the fire extinguisher system further comprises: a second extinguisher set comprising: a third fire extinguisher containing a third agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the third fire extinguisher having a third discharge port for discharging the third agent therethrough, and a third actuator for actuating the third discharge port; a fourth fire extinguisher containing a fourth agent that is suitable for extinguishing fire, the fourth fire extinguisher having a fourth discharge port for discharging the fourth agent therethrough and a fourth actuator for actuating the fourth discharge port; and wherein the controller is further connected to the third actuator and the fourth actuator, the controller configured to activate the third actuator, and the fourth actuator simultaneously. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The fire extinguisher system of claim 16, wherein the fourth line terminates at a discharge zone. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The fire extinguisher system of claim 16, wherein the first actuator comprises a first squib, the second actuator comprises a second squib, the third actuator comprises a third squib, and the fourth actuator comprises a fourth squib. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The fire extinguisher system of claim 18, wherein the first squib, the second squib, the third squib, and the fourth squib are electrically connected to a single battery. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The fire extinguisher system of claim 19, wherein the controller is further configured to provide a continuity signal that the controller monitors to detect an electrical disconnect between the controller and any of the first fire extinguisher, the second fire extinguisher, the third fire extinguisher, and the fourth fire extinguisher.