Back to results
US 11,766,579 B2Granted
Simultaneously discharging fire extinguisher
AssigneeKidde Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMark P. Fazzio, Harlan Hagge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aircraft fire suppression system includes a container filled with gases in both a liquefied state and a compressed gas state. The container includes a first tube positioned in the liquefied gas section configured to expel a regulated amount of liquefied gas into the fire suppression system. The container also includes a second tube positioned in the compressed gas section configured to expel a regulated amount of compressed gas into the fire suppression system.
Claims20
A fire suppression system for use on an aircraft, the fire suppression system comprising:
- a fire extinguishing container comprising:
- a body configured to store both a liquefied gas and a compressed gas under pressure;
- a first tube including a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first inlet is in fluidic communication with and terminates in the liquefied gas within the body;
- a second tube including a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second inlet extends above the liquified gas within the body and is in fluidic communication with the compressed gas within the body;
- a first volumetric flow regulator positioned partially within the first tube and partially within a discharge tube, wherein the first volumetric flow regulator is configured to control a flow rate of the liquefied gas flowing from the first tube directly into the discharge tube;
- and
- a second volumetric flow regulator positioned partially within the second tube and partially within the discharge tube, wherein the second volumetric flow regulator is configured to control a flow rate of the compressed gas flowing from the second tube directly into the discharge tube;
- and
- a controller communicatively coupled to the fire extinguishing container, wherein the controller is configured to activate the fire extinguishing container;
- wherein the first volumetric flow regulator and the second volumetric flow regulator are configured to discharge a specific amount of the liquefied gas and the compressed gas at a defined ratio such that liquified gas and the compressed gas mix into a gas mixture within the discharge tube as the liquefied gas and the compressed gas exit the body, wherein both the liquified gas and the compressed gas are used as fire suppression agents.
7 more elements
An aircraft fire suppression system comprising:
- a fire extinguishing container comprising:
- a body configured to store both a liquefied gas and a compressed gas under pressure;
- a first tube including a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first inlet is in fluidic communication with and terminates in the liquefied gas within the body;
- and
- a second tube including a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second inlet extends above the liquefied gas within the body and is in fluidic communication with the compressed gas within the body;
- wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are configured to mix the liquefied gas and the compressed gas as they exit the body;
- a controller electrically connected to the fire extinguishing container, wherein the controller is configured to activate the fire extinguishing container;
- a discharge tube fluidly connects the fire extinguishing container to a first discharge nozzle and fluidly connects the fire extinguishing container to a second discharge nozzle, wherein the first and second discharge nozzles are configured to expel a gas mixture to suppress a fire, wherein both the liquified gas and the compressed gas are used as fire suppression agents;
- and
- a first sensor positioned adjacent the first discharge nozzle and remote from the fire extinguishing container, and a second sensor positioned adjacent the second discharge nozzle and remote from the fire extinguishing container;
- wherein the first and second sensors are each electrically connected to the controller, wherein the first and second sensors are configured to detect a fire on an aircraft, and wherein the first sensor is positioned remote from the second sensor.
8 more elements
A method of operating an aircraft fire suppression system, the method comprising:
- detecting, by a sensor positioned adjacent a discharge nozzle, the presence of a fire within an aircraft;
- directing, by a controller in response to the sensor, a fire extinguishing container to discharge fire extinguishing agents, wherein the fire extinguishing agents include a liquified gas and a compressed gas stored under pressure in a body;
- discharging the liquefied gas stored within a body of the fire extinguishing container through a first tube, wherein the first tube includes a first inlet and a first outlet and the first inlet is in fluidic communication with and terminates in the liquefied gas within the body;
- controlling, by a first volumetric flow regulator, a flow rate of the liquefied gas flowing from the first tube;
- discharging the compressed gas stored within the body of the fire extinguishing container through a second tube, wherein the second tube includes a second inlet and a second outlet and the second inlet extends above the liquified gas within the body and is in fluidic communication with the compressed gas within the body;
- controlling, by a second volumetric flow regulator, a flow rate of the compressed gas flowing from the second tube;
- mixing, by the first volumetric flow regulator and the second volumetric flow regulator, the liquefied gas with the compressed gas at a defined ratio into a mixture within a discharge tube as they exit the body;
- flowing the mixture of liquefied gas and compressed gas through the discharge tube to a discharge nozzle positioned remote from the body;
- and
- discharging, by the discharge nozzle, the liquefied gas and compressed gas mixture to suppress the fire, wherein both the liquified gas and the compressed gas are used as fire suppression agents.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.