On demand, non-halon, fire extinguishing systems
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorBenjamin D. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and process for on-demand generation of inert, non-flammable gases and water vapor to decrease the available atmospheric oxygen in the ullage of a hydrocarbon fuel storage tank to a level that will not support combustion of the hydrocarbon fuel, is disclosed. One, or more, of a variety of non-Halon, fire suppressor charges are selectively contained in one or more gas generating cartridges. The gas generating cartridge(s), when activated, cause release of these charges to promote rapid chemical reactions and supply inert, non-flammable gases and water vapor to the tank ullage. Activation is accomplished in aircraft by, either pilot action or, by pressure and temperature sensors contained within the hydrocarbon fuel tank.
Claims4
A fire extinguishing system including:
- a non-halon fire suppressor charge formulated to produce complete conversion of the starting materials to fire suppressing gases N.sub.2, CO.sub.2, CO and water vapor in a quantity sufficient to decrease the available atmospheric oxygen in the hydrocarbon fuel tank to such an extent that the burning of hydrocarbon fuel can not be sustained within the tank;
- said non-halon fire suppressor charge being selected from the group consisting of:
- (A) H.sub.2 NNH.sub.3 NO.sub.3 and 1,1-(5'-tetrazolyl ) -guanyltetrazene hydrate in a molar ratio of from 10:1 to 14:1, and
- (B) NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 and 1,1-(5'-tetrazolyl)-guanyltetrazene hydrate in a molar ratio of from 5:1 to 7:1.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.