Patent Grant
12311208
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of fire suppression. More specifically the present disclosure relates to the field of battery and/or chemical fire suppression systems and methods aboard vehicles including aircraft.
The use of lithium-ion batteries as power sources for portable electronics, including personal electronic devices (e.g., laptop computers, tablets, phones, etc.) continues to increase. Electronic device malfunction due to lithium-ion battery malfunction has resulted in fires, sometimes due to the over-heating of the lithium-ion batteries used to power portable electronic devices.
While the outbreak of a fire in any setting is cause for concern, the occurrence of a fire in a vehicle passenger cabin is of particular concern. Fire control systems aboard vehicles, including, for example, passenger aircraft exist are required and regulated. For example, current FAA regulations call for the use of non-flammable liquids to combat and neutralize battery-generated heat in the case of a battery fire (typically classified as chemical fires). Applying large amounts of water to prevent battery fire re-ignition is most desirable, but the additional weight realized by equipping passenger aircraft with auxiliary extinguishers and auxiliary fire suppression systems can significantly impact an aircraft's overall weight, thus impacting the operational efficiency, cost, and other factors in the aviation field.
According to present aspects, a system is disclosed for extinguishing a cabin fire in a vehicle cabin, such as an aircraft cabin, with the system including at least one water supply, with the at least one water supply in communication with a water supply first line. Further, the system includes a water delivery station, with the water delivery station in communication with the water supply first line, and with the water delivery station including a first water delivery outlet in communication with the water supply first line, with the first water delivery outlet configured to deliver a first water flow from the first water delivery outlet at a first water flow pressure. The water delivery station further includes a second water delivery outlet in communication with the water supply first line, with the second water delivery outlet configured to deliver a second water flow from the second water delivery outlet at a second water flow pressure, wherein the second water flow pressure exceeds the first water flow pressure.
In another aspect, the first water flow pressure equals a pressure ranging from about 10 to about 40 psig.
In another aspect, the first water flow pressure equals a pressure ranging from about 30 to about 40 psig.
In another aspect, the second water flow pressure equals a pressure ranging from about 100 to about 150 psig.
In another aspect, the system further includes a dispenser, with the dispenser configured to mate with the second water delivery outlet.
In another aspect, the at least one of the second water delivery outlet and the dispenser comprise a pressure-increasing device.
In another aspect, the system further includes at least one pressure-increasing device in communication with the water supply first line.
In another aspect, the system further includes at least one pressure-increasing device in communication with the water supply first line, wherein the at least one pressure-increasing device includes at least one pump.
In another aspect, the system further includes a plurality of water delivery stations, with the plurality of water delivery stations in communication with the water supply first line.
In another aspect, the system further comprises a water supply second line, with the water supply second line in communication with at least one water supply, and with the water supply second line further in communication with the second water delivery outlet.
In another aspect, at least one water supply is contained within an existing vehicle water tank.
In another aspect, the pressure-increasing device comprises a venturi valve.
In a further aspect, the pressure-increasing device is in communication with an air source.
In another aspect, the system further includes at least one pump in communication with the water supply second line.
According to further aspects, a vehicle is disclosed, with the vehicle including a fire suppression system for delivering water, with the system including at least one water supply, with the at least one water supply in communication with a water supply first line. The system further includes at least one pressure increasing device (e.g., a pump, etc.) in communication with the at least one water supply and the water supply first line. Further, the system includes a water delivery station, with the water delivery station in communication with the water supply first line, and with the water delivery station including a first water delivery outlet in communication with the water supply line, with the first water delivery outlet configured to dispense a first water flow at a first water flow pressure ranging from about 10 to about 40 psig. The water delivery station further includes a second water delivery outlet in communication with the water supply first line, with the second water delivery outlet configured to dispense a second water flow at a second water flow pressure ranging from about 100 to about 150 psig. The system further includes a dispenser configured to mate with the second water delivery outlet, and wherein the dispenser is configured to dispense water from the water supply to a target zone in a vehicle cabin.
In another aspect, the vehicle includes at least one of an aircraft, a rotorcraft; a terrestrial vehicle, and a waterborne vehicle.
In another aspect, the water supply is an existing vehicle water supply.
In a further aspect, the system further comprises a water supply second line in communication with the at least one water supply, with the water supply second line further in communication with the water delivery station, with the water supply second line further in communication with the second water delivery outlet.
According to another aspect, a method is disclosed, with the method including installing a water delivery station into a vehicle, with the water delivery station including a first water delivery outlet, with the first water delivery outlet in communication with at least one of a water supply first line and a water supply second line. The method further includes engaging the water delivery station in communication with at least one of a water supply first line and a water supply second line. The water delivery station further includes a second water delivery outlet, with the second water delivery outlet configured to mate with a dispenser, and with the second water delivery outlet in communication with at least one of a water supply first line and a water supply second line, and wherein the first water delivery outlet is configured to deliver a first water flow from the water delivery station at a first water flow pressure value, and the second water delivery outlet is configured to deliver a second water flow from the water delivery station at a second water flow pressure value, with the second water flow pressure value greater than the first water flow pressure value.
In another aspect, the first water flow pressure value ranges from about 10 to about 40 psig, and the second water flow pressure ranges from about 100 to about 150 psig.
In another aspect, the first water flow pressure value ranges from about 30 psig to about 40 psig.
In a further aspect, the dispenser is removable from the second water delivery outlet.
According to another aspect, a method for suppressing a fire in a vehicle cabin is disclosed, with the method including directing water from a vehicle water supply to a water delivery station, with the water delivery station including a first water delivery outlet configured to deliver a first water flow from the first water delivery outlet at a first water flow pressure, and with the first water delivery outlet in communication with the vehicle water supply, and a second water delivery outlet configured to deliver a second water flow from the second water delivery outlet at a second water flow pressure, with the second water delivery outlet in communication with the vehicle water supply, and with the second water delivery outlet configured to mate with a dispenser. The method further includes connecting the dispenser to the second water delivery outlet, releasing the second water flow from the dispenser, and wherein the second water flow pressure is greater than the first water flow pressure.
In another aspect, before the step of releasing the second water flow, the method further includes directing an amount of water from the vehicle water supply to the second water delivery outlet.
In another aspect, the first water flow pressure ranges from about 10 to about 40 psig, and the second water flow pressure ranges from about 100 to about 150 psig.
In a further aspect, the dispenser includes a nozzle assembly, with the nozzle assembly further including a hose.
In a further aspect, the vehicle water supply is located proximate to the water delivery station.
In another aspect, the vehicle water supply delivered to the second water delivery outlet includes an auxiliary water supply located proximate to the water delivery station.
In another aspect, a system for extinguishing a cabin fire in a vehicle cabin is disclosed, with the system including an auxiliary water supply, with the auxiliary water supply in communication with an auxiliary supply line. Further, the system includes a water delivery station, with the water delivery station in communication with the auxiliary water supply line, and with the water delivery station including a first water delivery outlet configured to deliver a first water flow from the first water delivery outlet at a first water flow pressure. The water delivery station further includes a second water delivery outlet, with the second water delivery outlet configured to deliver a second water flow at a second water flow pressure, wherein the second water flow pressure is greater than the first water flow pressure.
In another aspect, the system includes a main water supply in communication with the first water delivery outlet.
In a further aspect, the first water delivery outlet and the second water delivery outlet are in communication with the auxiliary water supply line.
In a further aspect, the first water delivery outlet is in communication with a main water supply line, and the second water delivery outlet is in communication with the auxiliary water supply line
In a further aspect, the auxiliary water supply is located remotely from the water delivery station.
In another aspect, the water delivery station includes the auxiliary water supply.
In another aspect, the system further includes a removeable dispenser, with the removeable dispenser configured to mate with the second water delivery outlet.
In another aspect, the system further includes a pressure-increasing device, said pressure-increasing device in communication with the auxiliary water supply.
In another aspect, the water delivery station further includes a pressure-increasing device, said pressure-increasing device in communication with the auxiliary water supply.
In another aspect, the pressure-increasing device includes at least one of a pump, a venturi valve, and an air source.
In a further aspect, the system includes a plurality of water delivery stations.
In another aspect, the auxiliary water supply is in communication with a plurality of water delivery stations.
In another aspect, the water delivery station includes at least one of a galley water delivery station and a lavatory water delivery station.
In another aspect, a vehicle including a system for extinguishing a cabin fire in a vehicle cabin is disclosed, with the system including an auxiliary water supply, with the auxiliary water supply in communication with an auxiliary supply line. Further, the system includes a water delivery station, with the water delivery station including a first water delivery outlet configured to deliver a first water flow from the first water delivery outlet at a first water flow pressure. The water delivery station further includes a second water delivery outlet in communication with the auxiliary water supply, with the second water delivery outlet configured to dispense a second water flow at a second water flow pressure, wherein the second water flow pressure exceeds the first water flow pressure.
In a further aspect, the vehicle includes at least one of an aircraft, a rotorcraft; a terrestrial vehicle, and a waterborne vehicle.
According to another aspect, a system for extinguishing a fire in a vehicle cabin is disclosed, with the system including a water delivery station, with the water delivery station in communication with an auxiliary water supply, and with the water delivery station further in communication with a main water supply. The water delivery station includes a first water delivery outlet in communication with the main water supply, and with the first water delivery outlet configured to deliver a first water flow from the first water delivery outlet at a first water flow pressure. The water delivery station further includes a second water delivery outlet in communication with the auxiliary water supply, with the second water delivery outlet configured to deliver a second water flow from the second water delivery outlet at a second water flow pressure. The second water delivery outlet is configured to mate with a dispenser, and wherein the second water flow pressure is greater than the first water flow pressure.
According to another aspect, a method for suppressing a fire in a vehicle cabin is disclosed, with the method including accessing a water delivery station, with the water delivery station including an auxiliary water supply line, and with the water delivery station further including a first water delivery outlet configured to deliver a first water flow from the first water delivery outlet at a first water flow pressure. The water delivery station further includes a second water delivery outlet in communication with the auxiliary water supply line, with the second water delivery outlet configured to deliver a second water flow at a second water flow pressure, wherein the second water flow pressure is greater than the first water flow pressure. The method further includes engaging a dispenser (that can be a removable dispenser) with the second water delivery outlet and delivering a second water flow from the second water delivery station at the second water flow pressure.
In another aspect, after engaging the removable dispenser with the second water delivery system, the method further includes increasing a first water flow pressure value to a second water flow pressure value.
In another aspect, the first water flow pressure ranges from about 10 to about 40 psig. and the second water flow pressure ranges from about 100 to about 150 psig.
In a further aspect, the first water delivery outlet is in communication with a main water supply, and the second water delivery outlet is in communication with an auxiliary water supply.
In another aspect, at least one of the first water delivery outlet and the second water delivery outlet is in communication with an auxiliary water supply.
According to a further aspect, a system for extinguishing a fire in a vehicle cabin is disclosed, with the system including at least one of a first water supply and a second water supply, with the first water supply in communication with a water supply first line and the second water supply in communication with a water supply second line. The system further includes a water delivery station in communication with at least one of the water supply first line and the water supply second line. The water delivery station further includes a first water delivery outlet in communication with at least one of the water supply first line and the water supply second line, and a second water delivery outlet in communication with at least one of the water supply first line and the water supply second line, with the first water delivery outlet configured to deliver a first water flow at a first water flow pressure and with the second water delivery outlet in configured to deliver a second water flow at a second water flow pressure, with the second water flow pressure greater than the first water flow pressure. The system further includes a dispenser in communication with the second delivery outlet, with the dispenser configured to deliver a water-based fire retardant to a target zone in a vehicle cabin.
In another aspect, the dispenser includes at least one sprinkler.
In another aspect, the dispenser includes a reservoir.
In a further aspect, at least one of the dispenser and the reservoir is in communication with a fire-retardant precursor supply.
In another aspect, the reservoir is configured to receive at least one of the first water flow and the second water flow.
In a further aspect, the reservoir is configured to combine at least one of the first water flow and the second water flow with the fire-retardant precursor to form the water-based fire retardant.
In another aspect, the reservoir includes the fire-retardant precursor.
In another aspect, the fire-retardant precursor includes a foaming agent that can be a foaming agent concentrate.
In a further aspect, the dispenser includes a dispenser inlet, with the dispenser inlet configured to mate with the second water delivery outlet.
In another aspect, the dispenser is configured to engage with and disengage from the second water delivery outlet.
In a further aspect, at least one of the dispenser and the second water delivery outlet includes a sensor, with the sensor including or with the sensor in communication with a transmitter, with the transmitter configured to transmit a signal when the dispenser is engaged with the second water delivery outlet.
In another aspect, the system includes a pressure-increasing device, with the pressure-increasing device further including or in communication with a receiver, with the receiver configured to receive a signal from the transmitter.
According to another aspect, a method for suppressing a fire in a vehicle cabin is disclosed, with the method including directing water from at least one water supply to a water delivery station, with the delivery station including a first water delivery outlet in communication with at least one of the water supply first line and the water supply second line, and a second water delivery outlet in communication with at least one of the water supply first line and the water supply second line, with the first water delivery outlet configured to deliver a first water flow at a first water flow pressure and with the second water delivery outlet configured to deliver a second water flow at a second water flow pressure, with the second water flow pressure exceeding the first water flow pressure. The method further includes connecting a dispenser to the second water delivery outlet, with the dispenser in communication with a fire-retardant precursor, and releasing a water-based fire-retardant from the dispenser.
In another aspect, after placing the dispenser in communication with the second water delivery outlet, the method further includes directing a water flow to the second water delivery outlet, combining the water flow with a fire-retardant precursor, forming a water-based fire-retardant, and releasing the water-based fire retardant from the dispenser.
In another aspect, the water supply includes a main vehicle water supply, and the method further includes directing an amount of water from the main vehicle water supply to the second water delivery outlet.
In a further aspect, the water supply includes an auxiliary water supply, and the method further includes directing an amount of water from the auxiliary water supply to the second water delivery outlet.
In a further aspect, at least one of the dispenser and the second water delivery outlet includes a sensor, with the sensor including or with the sensor in communication with a transmitter, with the transmitter configured to transmit a signal when the dispenser is engaged with the second water delivery outlet, and after connecting the dispenser to the second delivery outlet, the method further including transmitting a signal from the sensor to a receiver located in or otherwise in communication with a pressure-increasing device, and increasing pressure in the water supply line to a pressure ranging from about 100 to about 150 psig.
The features, functions and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various aspects or may be combined in yet other aspects, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and the drawings.
Having thus described variations of the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
Present aspects are directed to fire suppression apparatuses, systems, and methods that can use pre-exiting water supplies in vehicles and pre-existing water delivery stations, or “monuments” as fire suppressants, especially for the purpose of dousing a chemical fire more effectively by addressing the need to dissipate the heat generated by a battery fire such that the battery does not re-ignite.
Vehicle cabins, including, for example, passenger aircraft cabins, are equipped with a plurality of water delivery stations, typically located in the galleys and in the lavatories. Such water delivery stations direct water from a water supply (e.g. one or more water tanks) that can typically hold a supply of potable water, and that can range in tank capacity (e.g., volume capacity, etc.) from, for example, ranging from about 100 to about 250 gallons of water, depending on the size of the aircraft, etc. While the water stored and dispensed (equivalently referred to herein as “delivered”) onboard is potable, modern travelers typically drink bottled water. As a result, the onboard water is largely used for toilet flushing functions and for handwashing, resulting in a significant amount of water remaining in the water tanks of aircraft after a given flight (sometimes as much as one-third to one-half of the water tank capacity going “unused”).
While fire extinguishers are mandated and carried onboard passenger aircraft, presently disclosed systems have the ability to discharge significant quantities of water to douse certain types of fires requiring a dissipation of continuing heat (such as, for example, battery fires that can originate in passengers' personal electronics, etc.) without adding the weight of additional fire suppression equipment to an aircraft. Accordingly, present aspects seek to modify existing (also equivalently referred to herein as “pre-existing”) onboard water delivery systems, (with the water delivery systems including water supply or supplies, plumbing, and water delivery station components), to enable the use of a fire suppressant resource that is typically already present in a passenger aircraft; namely, water alone, or water in combination with a further fire suppressant or fire-retardant compound.
According to present aspects, water delivery stations on passenger aircraft (referred to equivalently herein as “monuments”) act as centralized outlets for the delivery of water for water-related uses. Such water related uses include, for example, lavatory flushing and lavatory washing, and various uses relating to rinsing, washing, food and drink preparation, etc. that typically occurs in a passenger aircraft galley. Accordingly, a passenger aircraft can include a plurality of water delivery stations located throughout the aircraft, with the total number of water delivery stations ranging from 2 to 10, or more, depending upon the size of the aircraft.
Return flows of “spent” water used in vehicle lavatories and galleys can return from the water delivery stations to a return or “holding” tank (not shown in
As further shown in
According to present aspects, existing water sources (e.g., water sources held in existing water supplies of the types shown in
The existing vehicle water delivery system plumbing shown in
According to further present aspects, to achieve the additional pressure needed, the existing water delivery system can be modified by incorporating additional pumps, or by implementing pumps able to provide variable pressures, for example, on demand, to the system (including pressures ranging from, for example, about 100 to about 150 psig), and/or by incorporating pressure-increasing components in the water delivery system such as, for example venturi valves, or tubing of varying internal diameters that produces a Venturi effect, or by providing an air pressure source available onboard an aircraft as, for example, bleed air, etc.
According to present aspects, pressure-increasing components can be incorporated at points along the water delivery system, including at the water delivery station, and the pressure-increasing components can be in communication with a separate water delivery station outlet that can be dedicated to the fire suppression “mode”. Water delivery stations and dispenser that can be in communication with or that can themselves incorporate pressure-increasing components are shown in
According to further aspects, the increased water flow pressure used for fire suppression can be achieved by the placement of additional pumps into the existing water delivery system, or by triggering existing pumps that can be modified to deliver variable pressure to an existing water supply line (
According to further aspects, the water delivery systems used to deliver water to the water delivery stations for fire suppression purposes (and at the required, significantly elevated water pressure ranges), achieve, for example, a water pressure increase (above existing water delivery system water pressures) ranging from a water pressure increase (e.g., a water pressure differential from the existing water pressure) of from about 60 to about 140 psig., or more.
As shown in
As further shown in
Though not shown in
As shown in
As shown in the inset in
Connectors including the types shown as connectors 72a, 72b, 72c are selected to provide external and internal features to facilitate the delivery of a high-pressure water flow from the water delivery station second outlet, for example, to assist in fire suppression. For example, the high-pressure water delivery outlets can comprise internal features to contribute to, or be solely responsible for, achieving a predetermined water flow high-pressure output that is significantly higher than the pressure of the water flow that is typically dispensed from the water delivery station for lavatory and galley functions, and that typically ranges from about 10 to about 40 psig., and that preferably ranges from about 30 to about 40 psig. That is, the high-pressure water delivery outlets can comprise internal features to contribute to, or be solely responsible for, achieving a predetermined water flow high-pressure output ranging from about 100 to about 150 psig.
To accomplish the pressure increase, according to present aspects, high-pressure water delivery outlets can comprise venturi valves, and/or other pressure-increasing features that can convert an incoming water flow (delivered to the water delivery station second outlet by a water line in the water delivery system) having a first pressure to an outgoing water flow exiting the water delivery station second outlet having a second pressure that is significantly higher than the first pressure, and that ranges, for example, from about 100 to about 150 psig. Further, the high-pressure water delivery station second outlet that is selected can include external outlet features designed to easily and quickly “mate” with a dispenser to form a “quick-release” arrangement between the dispenser and water delivery second outlet. For example, such external outlet features can include flanges, recesses, etc. of a predetermined dimension and/or geometry designed to satisfy the mating requirement of a dispenser selected to engage the high-pressure water delivery second outlet.
Further, internal features in the dispensers (not shown) can regulate or otherwise contribute to water flow pressure increases by including, for example, a venturi valve in the dispensers 82a, 82b and/or in the nozzles 84, 88. In addition, varying the internal diameters along the length of the dispenser hose 86 can cause or contribute to a Venturi effect, etc. According to further aspects, the hose 86 can be an expanding hose of the type having a storage length that is significantly shorter (e.g., to facilitate storage, etc.) than a deployed length during use when a water flow passes through the hose. The selected hose length will be a length required, for example, by safety or other operational regulations, and that further can be of a length such that a predetermined passenger seating area that is a certain distance from a water delivery station can be “covered” for purposes of extinguishing a fire, with predetermined overlap of passenger seating areas achieved. That is, according to present aspects, dispensers comprising hoses, for example, from two or more water delivery stations can reach a predetermined passenger seat, allowing for flexibility throughout the presently disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods.
The nozzle 84 shown in dispenser 82a can attach to or detach from the hose outlet 86b by a mating configuration, that can be a threading arrangement, a quick release mating arrangement, or by another mating arrangement that can facilitate attachment and detachment. As shown in
As shown in
According to further aspects, water delivery systems are presently disclosed that can also include a discrete water supply that is separate from the existing water supply, or that can augment or replace a water supply shown in any of
According to present aspects, total weight considerations and weight distribution considerations are taken into account in the design of various vehicles designed to carry large water supplies, including, for example, passenger aircraft. That is, present aspects recognize that additional overall weight of added water delivery system components, including the addition of auxiliary or replacement water tanks will not observe a net weight increase for the vehicle. According to present aspects, recognizing that the largest weight involved in a water delivery system can be the water itself, by distributing a plurality of water tanks having a smaller tank capacity as compared to the large volume capacity of a centralized water supply tank or tanks, and then locating the smaller capacity water supply tank or tanks proximate to a water delivery station, several economies as to weight can be achieved. Such weight economies include obviating the need for additional pumps, or requiring only pumps of a reduced size, obviating several components in the water distribution system including valves, filters, etc. According to present aspects, the total amount of water carried by a passenger vehicle can remain, for example, in the range of from about 120 to about 240 gallons of water or more, although according to present aspects, the entirety of the water supply can be decentralized such that the plurality of water supplies (e.g., the water tanks) located more proximate to the water delivery stations can require a capacity of, for example, about 10 to about 30 gallons in each water tank. According to further present aspects, the smaller capacity water supply tanks can require a thinner tank wall thickness, and can further be made from materials that are lighter in weight, since the forces on the tank walls in the smaller capacity tanks are less than the forces impacting the walls of the significantly larger, centralized, large-capacity (e.g., about 120 to about 240 gallon) water supply tanks.
According to further aspects, the dedicated water supplies shown in
According to further aspects, a need for a high-pressure condition can be sensed via remote sensors, with such sensors able to detect conditions including, for example, a sudden heat increase in a target zone in, for example, an aircraft cabin, or the development or presence of smoke in a target zone in, for example, an aircraft cabin, etc. The sensors can transmit a signal to: 1) a receiver incorporated into or in communication with (but located remotely from) the water delivery station; or 2) pressure-increasing devices within the water delivery station (e.g., pumps, etc.) to quickly build the pressure in the system to a pressure required to provide a higher pressured water flow for fire suppression, in substantially real time (“substantially real time” being a duration of time equal to a duration of time of less than a few seconds, etc.), and substantially on demand.
According to further aspects, the dispenser can remain engaged with the water delivery station with the dispenser in a stowed condition and contained in an easily accessible storage space in the water delivery station. Further, if regulations allow, the small capacity water supplies can be maintained in a pressurized state, such that, when a dispenser is in place and engaged with the water delivery station second outlet, and a higher pressure water flow is desired, the water delivery station can immediately dispense a water flow having a pressure ranging, for example, from about 100 to about 150 psig. for the purpose of, for example, fire suppression.
According to present aspects, when both a main, or existing, larger vehicle water supply and at least one “smaller” capacity water supply are present in the vehicle, the “smaller” capacity water supply can be referred to equivalently herein as an “auxiliary” water supply. For present purposes, the terms “smaller capacity water supply” and “auxiliary water supply” are equivalent terms and are referred to equivalently herein. According to present aspects, such smaller capacity water supplies (that can be auxiliary water supplies) can be incorporated into or otherwise integrated into or integral with the water delivery stations, or can be located in a location that is in closer proximity to the water delivery stations as compared to the distances between the location of the main vehicle water supply and a water delivery station.
In instances, where an auxiliary supply is integrated into the water delivery station, the length and weight of the water supply line from the auxiliary water supply to the water delivery station outlets can be significantly minimized. Further, in instances, where a smaller capacity water supply is integrated into a water delivery station, pressure-increasing mechanisms in communication with the smaller capacity water supply and smaller capacity water supply line can more efficiently deliver pressure increases to a contained water supply, and to a released water flow. According to present aspects, pressure-increasing devices can be, for example, one or more pumps (equivalently referred to herein as “compressors”), physical adaptations made to a water supply line or to a dispenser (and/or additional valves or other devices incorporated into water supply lines or to a dispenser) that create a Venturi effect, air sources in communication with the water supply or water supply line, etc. Air sources that can pressurize the presently described water delivery systems can include, for example, compressed air generated by a compressor, compressed air delivered from a pressurized cannister, air delivered from an aircraft engine, bleed air, etc., such that air is delivered to the present systems, for example, via an air delivery pathway.
Present aspects also contemplate placement of auxiliary water supplies outside of, and therefore not integral with, but proximate to water delivery stations. In such configurations, an auxiliary water supply can be located in a vehicle cabin, beneath the floor of a vehicle cabin structure, above the ceiling of a vehicle cabin structure, etc., and/or close enough to the location of an associated water delivery structure, such that the water delivery lines from an auxiliary water supply can connect to and otherwise be in communication with an associated water delivery station. According to present aspects, the water delivery line can comprise a predetermined length that is, for example, significantly less than the length of a main water supply line from a vehicle main water supply (e.g., a main water tank) to a water delivery station. According to present aspects, consideration of the length of a particular water delivery line can be factored into the required power and size of a pressure-increasing device used to place the auxiliary water supply under pressure for the purpose of providing a higher-pressured water flow for fire suppression, with the higher pressured water flow having a water flow pressure ranging, for example, from about 100 psig. to about 150 psig.
The pump 104 as shown in
According to present aspects, while present systems and methods can use pressurized water (pressurized to an increased pressure from the “typical”, lower water pressure normally exiting from vehicle water station, for example in aircraft cabins) from the disclosed water delivery station(s) as the sole fire retardant (e.g., water alone being a fire retardant), to effectively suppress and extinguish a cabin fire on a vehicle, further present aspects contemplate the addition of a material to the water flow to form a water-based fire-retardant mixture, with the fire-retardant mixture released from the dispenser, on demand, when the dispenser is engaged with the water delivery station outlet.
According to further aspects, water-based fire-retardants can include materials such as, for example, flocculants (“flocculants” defined herein as compounds that can help other particles agglomerate), foaming agents, and other materials that, when water is added, can form water-based fire retardant mixtures. Foaming agents can include foam concentrates that, when mixed with water, form a foam solution. Foam concentrates useful according to present aspects, can include those foam concentrates having a mixing rate of, for example, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, etc. For example, a foam concentrate having a stated mixing rate of 1% would require 99 gallons of water and 1 gallon of foam concentrate. Fire-retardant foams and foam concentrates are known and available, for example, from Chemguard Specialty Chemicals and Equip., Mansfield, TX. Suitable foams can have an expansion ratio ranging, for example, from between about 2:1 to about 200:1, or greater.
Various configurations for dispenser 120 are further contemplated according to present aspects, with the understanding that present aspects contemplate a dispenser that comprises an inlet for a pressurized water flow where the water flow is directed from the inlet into and out of an associated reservoir for the purpose of mixing a pressurized water flow with contents contained within the reservoir (to form a water-based fire-retardant mixture in the reservoir), followed by the release of a pressurized flow of water-based fire retardant from the dispenser.
The disclosed dispensers presented herein can be dispensers that engage the water delivery station outlets in a mating arrangement including, for example, quick attachment and quick release arrangements, with fittings or connectors on the dispenser and on the water delivery station outlet that mate together and that engage and then disengage such that the dispenser is removable from the water delivery station outlet. Such dispensers can be stowed when not in use.
According to further aspects, dispensers can further incorporate a dispenser assembly that can also be engageable with and disengageable from the water delivery outlets, with at least a portion of the dispenser assembly remaining in a fixed position that can be located remotely from (e.g., a predetermined distance from) the water delivery station, but that can be placed in communication with the water delivery station on demand, or that can remain in communication with the water delivery station.
For example, one type of dispenser can be a sprinkler or a plurality of sprinklers, located in a fixed position, for example, in a cabin ceiling, cabin wall, storage bin, etc. In this configuration, the sprinkler can include a dispenser outlet in the form of, for example, a sprinkler “head” that can be in an exposed or partially exposed orientation in a fixed location. In this configuration, the dispenser can include, and/or be in communication with, water lines (e.g., dispenser “feed” lines) that extend from the water delivery station to the dispenser outlet (e.g., the sprinkler head). When the need to dispense a water-based fire retardant from the system is identified (e.g., identified automatically or through the manual engagement of a switch, etc.), the system can be activated to release a water-based fire-retardant (e.g., water alone, or a water-based fire-retardant mixture) from the water delivery station outlet, through the dispenser feed line, with the water-based fire retardant directed into and out of the dispenser outlet (e.g., the sprinkler head).
When the water delivery station is partially or completely contained within, or is otherwise integral with, for example, a modular galley service unit, if the galley service unit is removed from a designated location during servicing, re-filling, etc., the dispenser (e.g., sprinkler and dispenser feed line) can be temporarily separated from and disengaged from the water delivery station outlet. When the modular galley service unit is re-installed (e.g., during pre-flight), the dispenser can once again be placed in communication with the water delivery station outlet.
The sprinklers can comprise a sensor (not shown in
Though not shown in
As with the dispenser shown in
Various configurations for dispensers 1304, 1404, and 1506 are further contemplated according to present aspects, with the understanding that present aspects contemplate a dispenser in the form of a sprinkler system that comprises an inlet for a pressurized water flow, where the water flow is directed from a pressurized water source that can be pressurized within or outside of a water delivery station to a pressure that is significantly higher than the main water delivery system in the vehicle.
As outlined in
As outlined in
The pressurization of the water flow in method 1600 can occur via pressure-increasing devices located integral with the water delivery station or can be pressure-increasing devices located remotely from, but in communication with, the auxiliary water supply. In addition, according to present aspects, the pressure-increasing devices can be devices included in the delivery systems for low pressure water flows, and that, in the case of pumps (e.g., compressors) can also operate at variable speeds or that can otherwise deliver, on demand, a higher pressure to the water lines responsible for directing a high pressure water flow from the high pressure water delivery station outlet (e.g., for fire suppression). As disclosed herein the pressure-increasing device can be a pump, a compressor, a container under pressure, and further can be an assembly or system for directing air pressure from an existing source of air pressure that can, for example, include bleed air, etc. The methods outlined in
The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other ways than those specifically set forth herein without departing from essential characteristics of the disclosure. The present aspects are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.
This U.S. Non-Provisional Application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/053,114 filed Jul. 17, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein, as if made a part of the present Application.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3134545 | Armond | May 1964 | A |
| 3977603 | Magee, Jr. | Aug 1976 | A |
| 3986523 | Pacht | Oct 1976 | A |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 0083485 | Jul 1983 | EP |
| 1283065 | Feb 2003 | EP |
| 9107208 | May 1991 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220016458 A1 | Jan 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63053114 | Jul 2020 | US |
