Patent Application
20170021211
This present invention relates to ambient mist technology. In particular, the present invention relates to tools that employ ambient mist technology in combating fire, smoke and airborne pollutants.
Fire destroys lives, homes, memories and property costing millions of dollars in damages and personal hardship. Conventional nozzles used in firefighting tools require a high-pressure water source and copious amounts of water. Furthermore, the high pressure of water used in these nozzles often causes extensive structural and water damage to remaining property and possessions.
Furthermore, these high-pressure nozzles often create a back draft during the course of use. As means of mitigating the damaging effect of high-pressure water nozzles, mist-generating nozzles have been used as an alternative means to fight fires.
Conventional mist nozzles are made of stainless steel that are primarily used in grocery stores to spray cold water mist-over fresh vegetables. However, these are quite expensive. Other conventional nozzles include nozzles used for oil furnaces. However, these rust quickly when used with water.
The present nozzles with this invention are custom-milled and preferably made from anodized aluminum, and more preferably, made from brass that is quite rugged and durable. The mist head of the present invention will withstand high temperatures caused by fires, without sustaining any damage.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,740 discloses a mist generating nozzle that has a cylindrical bearing member in which a plurality of distribution slots are formed. A cylindrical sleeve member is concentrically disposed about the bearing member, with an annular chamber defined there between. The sleeve member has a plurality of orifices communicating with the annular chamber and which extend transversely with respect to the radius of the sleeve member for imparting rotational motion to the sleeve member in response to the discharge of water through the orifices. The centrifugal force acting on the water discharged through the orifices particulates the water droplets into a fine mist or fog, in a substantially spiral pattern around the nozzle. This particular design requires a high-pressure water input, and releases water at a high pressure rate of up to 100 gallons per minute (gpm). Therefore, a relatively high volume of water is consumed, while damage from high-pressure output still occurs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,894 discloses a firefighting nozzle forming a generally sphere-like water spray pattern. The nozzle includes a coupler for coupling the nozzle to a water delivery hose. The nozzle also includes a plurality of rings for forming a spray-like pattern.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,716 discloses a fog-producing firefighting tool that has a nozzle which includes a plurality of apertures oriented so that when pressurized fluid flows through each aperture, the liquid impacts at an angle of 90 degrees with another stream of liquid to atomize the liquid and create the fog. Moreover, the firefighting tool consists of a plurality of members that are coupled with locking devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,909 discloses a portable fire extinguishing nozzle arrangement that has a nozzle head provided with fire extinguishing nozzles that may be connected to a supply pipe. A plurality of the nozzles are mutually spaced apart at the front side of the nozzle head. The head contains valve combinations which allow for the nozzles to be selectively supplied with fluid.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,136 discloses a fire-fighting tool that incorporates a twist-lock mechanism whereby various nozzles can be interchanged. The fluid aperture angles can be configured to produce a mist in various directions. A key feature is the water streams that exit through the apertures, impinge on the other streams emanating from other apertures.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,941 issued to Barry A. Stevens a Chimney Fire Snuffer. This device is a cylindrical body terminating in a bottom tapered end. An opening is provided in the top end for a connection to a garden hose coupling. Extending from the opening downwardly is a longitudinal bore supplied with water from the hose. The water from the bore is supplied through laterally extending bores to a plurality of small nozzles secured therein. The water is then discharged out of the nozzles in a fine flow. The fire within the chimney is put out by gravity drop of the metal snuffer body downwardly, through the chimney from its upper end.
Steven's snuffing device appears to have built in features that would present problems in costs, manufacturing and actual effective use in snuffling chimney fires. It is noted that a secondary hose coupling is required to connect the snuffer to a coupling on the end of a garden hose.
There are eight discharge nozzles installed in the main cylindrical body. In light of considerable in fighting chimney fires the applicant respectfully submits that it appears that there are too many nozzles installed in the body of the snuffer. There is no screening means used to filter out dirt particles in the water before reaching the nozzle orifice. The bottom cone is a separate unit that is drilled for a threaded connection to the main body which is likewise drilled and threaded to the bottom. A threaded plug is used to join the cone to the body. This requires a gravity drop to put out fires.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,560 issued to John A Boyd titled Chute Sanitizer and Fire Extinguisher. This device includes a cylindrical body tapered at the bottom end. Spray nozzles are recessed in the body for access to a source of water or chemicals. A water hose is connected to the body and also used to lower and raise the device in a trash chute usually found in apartment buildings.
Boyd's device is a sanitizer extinguisher that has a spray chamber which is surrounded by walls and cover which forces the fluids to pass through the spray chamber out through the spray nozzles. Located physically below the spray chamber is a fire extinguisher that is supported by brackets and connected swivel arms. Fire Extinguisher is maintained in the position by arms which are attached to the bracket via hinges. A fusible link is shown between arms and maintains these arms in positions until such time as fusible link has been melted, a condition which will occur when an intense heat is present in close proximity to fusible link.
The sanitizing chamber is bounded on its top by its divider, its bottom by floor and its sides. The side portion is threadabily attached to water chamber side and spray chamber. The sanitizing fluid chamber has two filling pipes which pass through water chamber cover and divider to permit fluids to be placed into sanitizing fluid chamber as well as allow air to fill the void caused by any fluids being removed from the chamber. The center of the sanitizing fluid chamber has a pipe section which passes through divider and is secured by a nut. The applicant respectfully submits that Boyd's device is too complicated for the use in a chimney fire.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,801 issued to Grewell discloses a fire extinguisher that has an elongated manifold for discharging fire in a chimney. The extinguisher is surrounded by a protective cage. The extinguisher comprises a bore, which is connected externally to a standard water supply line. The bore connects internally to a series of lateral channels, each of which connects to a small mist nozzle. The manifold has a pointed end, which penetrates ignited creosote at the base of the chimney.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,559,974 issued to Berry Walter discloses Oxygen lances having a high resistance to deterioration and multi-piece nozzle heads therefor having a high resistance to deterioration Oxygen lances as is well known are utilized for injecting oxygen into open hearth furnaces and also basic oxygen furnaces. There is no evidence this is a fire fighting device. This invention requires oxygen to put out furnace fires not water for chimney fires.
As noted, many of the prior art devices are complex, requiring a plurality of parts, either within the head, or as part of the overall assembly. Additionally, many of these prior art devices require water output from the mist nozzles to intersect, and thus, form water droplets.
6
a—left side view,
6b—top view,
6c—right side view and
6d—bottom view of a Chimney Sprinkler of the present invention.
7
a—left side view, 7b—top view, 7c—right side view, 7d—bottom view of an Ambient Mist Sprinkler with 4 heads of the present invention.
8
a—view of elbow, 8b—side view of valve body, 8c—right view of valve body, 8d—plunger 8e—bottom view
of an Ambient Mist Sprinkler Head heat sensitive valve of the present invention.
9
a—left side view, 9b—top view, 9c—right side view, 9d—bottom view
of an Ambient Mist Sprinkler with 2 heads of the present invention.
10
a—left side view, 10b—top view, 10c—right side view, 10d—bottom view
of a Firefighting Sprinkler Tool with 5 heads of the present invention.
The following is given by way of illustration only and is not considered limitative of this invention. Please note that additional variations are possible without departing from the scope thereof.
An ambient mist head (10) used in a firefighting tool is shown in
As seen in
A firefighting tool (100) that uses the ambient mist head (10) of
The wand (110) and handle (120) are milled and made of a lightweight material which is fireproof, and does not become excessively hot. In one test, the firefighting tool was placed in 1200° F. heat, with no damage sustained by the tool. The handle and wand are preferably made of anodized aluminum. The tool can be easily and quickly assembled by attaching the wand (110) to the mist head (10). This equipment can be installed as a fixed system or used as a piece of lightweight, portable firefighting equipment.
The firefighting tool (100) can be attached to a portable pressurized water source (not shown) using a conventional hose or supply line (not shown). At a fire, the valve (130) is turned on so that water fills the tool (100), and enters the ambient mist head (10), building up pressure. As the pressure increases, the nozzle tips (25, 30) atomize the water into a fine mist, which puts out the fire. Once the fire is extinguished, the valve (130) is turned off.
The firefighting tool (10) can operate effectively with low or ambient water pressure. In one experimental test, the firefighting tool was shown to operate effectively using water at a pressure of about 60 psi, although the tool will primarily operate at conventional water pressures of 100 psi-120 psi.
The mist produced by the firefighting tool does not blow the fire as conventional nozzles do. While not being limited to any particular theory, it is thought that the mist particles extinguish fire by greatly reducing access to surrounding oxygen; i.e. the low-pressure mist smothers the fire. Furthermore, there is no back draft produced by the firefighting tool.
The firefighting tool that uses the ambient mist head of the present invention contains, controls and extinguishes fire, in conditions from the earlier incipient fire start to larger, free burning fires. It can be used to fight fires originating from (but not limited to) materials such as paper or wood, flammable liquids, up to and including live electrical equipment. The firefighting tool is able to extinguish fires from low volumes to large volumes. In particular, it is effective in fighting fires that are Class A, B and C.
A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in
According to
The mist head (150) is attached directly to a hose line (not shown) in order to a form a chimney tool that can be used to extinguish chimney fires. The chimney tool preferably has no handle, and is directly attached to a hose line. The chimney tool further includes a water stoppage device located upstream from the mist head (150); this device is used to stop the inflow of water. When there is a fire, the stoppage device is opened, thereby allowing water to enter the body (160). As the pressure in the body (160) builds up, the nozzle tip (165) atomize the water into a fine mist, which extinguishes the fire. The chimney tool is used by lowering the device down a chimney while water is supplied, thereby creating an ambient mist as the chimney tool is lowered. The ambient mist extinguishes the fire quickly with little or no water damage caused to the flute. Once the fire is extinguished, the system will need to be turned off, drained and reset.
The ambient mist head (200) shown in
In
The sprinkler system further includes a water stoppage device located upstream from the mist head (200); this device is used to stop the inflow of water. When there is a fire, the stoppage device is opened, thereby allowing water to enter the body (220). As the pressure in the body (220) builds up, the nozzle tips (225) atomize the water into a fine mist, which extinguishes the fire. Once the fire is extinguished, the system will need to be turned off, drained and reset.
When the sprinkler tool is activated, a fine mist is produced from the four nozzle tips, which quickly extinguishes the fire. Unlike conventional sprinkler systems, the mist does not cause extensive water damage to the surrounding. A sprinkler of the present invention extinguishes normal combustibles, electrical fires, flammable liquids and gases, with minimal damage. The sprinkler system of the present invention extinguishes Class A, B and C fires.
Furthermore, the sprinkler tool can be placed at any height (e.g. ceiling, floor, or in between the ceiling and floor). It can also be placed in a corner, with nozzle tips of the mist head pointing away from the walls. As such, it can operate on a fire from any angle of a room.
The activation of the sprinkler tool can be accomplished by a number of standard activation means. Each of these activation means can be installed onto existing sprinkler systems; i.e. each activation means can retrofit onto existing sprinkler systems.
In a front view of the closed position, as shown in
This system does not require gravity to work; it can therefore be installed at any angle required. When the stopper (72) comes to its resting place, it will seal off the hole in the bulb cap (82), stopping unwanted leaks. The pipe downstream from the stopper is to be offset to allow the connecting rod (74) to travel its full range of motion. The water can now rush in to the mist head (90), thereby activating a fine mist. After the fire has been suppressed, the device can be reset by pushing the stopper (72) back in place and installing a new frangible bulb (76) in the bulb cap (82).
Another activation means is a butterfly device. A design that incorporates the butterfly device is independent of the number or style of heads further downstream from the device.
The butterfly device uses a circular plate with a grommet, preferably made of rubber, to stay the flow of water. The plate rotates around an offset bar so that when it is released, it will spin to the heavier side. The device is held closed by a lever on the outside of the housing resting on a standard frangible bulb. The frangible bulb is held in place by a sleeve and is resting on a small bar. When there is a fire, the frangible bulb breaks. This will allow the circular plate to move freely. Water pressure will be greater on the larger side of the circular plate and force the plate to spin around the bar. As water starts flowing, the circular plate will stop in a position parallel to the flow of water.
This system does not require gravity to work, so can be installed at any angle required. After the fire has been suppressed, the device can be reset by turning the lever back to its closed position and inserting a new frangible bulb into the sleeve.
Another activation means is a slider device; this design is independent of the number or style of heads further downstream from the device.
The slider device uses a plate, preferably rubberized, to stay the flow of water. The housing of the slider is to be made out of a high heat resistant material. A standard frangible bulb is held in place by a collar at the end of the slider and another collar built into the housing. In its closed position the slider device will be held closed by the frangible bulb. In the closed position the frangible bulb is kept dry and open to the heat.
When there is a fire, the frangible bulb breaks. The spring will provide the initial force to move the slider. As water starts flowing, the angled tail of the slider will assist in moving the slider into its open position. The housing will guide the slider perpendicular to the water flow. In its open position, the tail of the slider will seal the housing, stopping unwanted leaks.
This system does not require gravity to work, so can be installed at any angle required. After the fire has been suppressed, the device can be reset by opening the housing from the end, forcing the slider back into its closed position and installing a new frangible bulb between the collars.
A chimney fire extinguishing tool comprising an ambient mist sprinkler head (300) is used to put out chimney fires, the mist head (300) of the present invention produces an ambient mist output at a lower rate of 8 gpm.
In yet another aspect of the present invention is it does not require gravity to work as it can be used at any angle.
The mist produced by the device of the present invention can remove smoke particles, carcinogens and other airborne pollutants.
The mist nozzles (310) are engineered and milled so as to provide a mist when in use with water.
A Sprinkler as shown in
a) a head body (300), made of brass or anodized aluminum having an inlet for a water source at a first extremity;
b) four mist nozzles (310) each made of brass or anodized aluminum and a non-rotational fluid stream exits from each mist nozzle and
c) within the said cavity a water filter (320); and
d) The body consists of a brass or anodized aluminum with 4 cross holes (330) and a longitudinal hole (340) which intersects with the cross holes (330) which water flows through it. Then exits via the 4 mist nozzles (310). The diameter of the thread for the supply line is ¾ inch (350) NPT. The remaining dimensions are as follows, the body length (360) is 2 inches approx . . . with 90 degrees in between each of the 4 nozzle (310) tips around the circumference of the body.
e) The body length (360) is 2 inches, the body diameter (370) is 2½ inches and there is 90 degrees between each of the 4 nozzle (310) tips. Below the ¾ inch NPT thread is also a cavity to accommodate a water filter (320). This system does not require gravity to work, so can be installed at any angle required.
Ambient Mist Sprinkler (4 Head with Heat Sensitive Valve)
An 8 PSI Ambient Mist Sprinkler
a) a head body (380), made of brass or anodized aluminum having an inlet for a water source at a first extremity;
b) four mist nozzles (440) each made of brass or anodized aluminum and fluid mist exits from each mist nozzle and
c) within the said cavity a water filter (400); and
d) The body consists of a brass or anodized aluminum with 4 cross holes (410) at 45 degree angle and a longitudinal hole (420) which intersects with the cross holes (410) which water flows through it. Then exits via the 4 mist nozzles (440). The diameter of the thread for the supply line is ½ inch male NPT.
The remaining dimensions are as follows, the body length (430) is 2.06 inches approx. including the ½ npt thread on end . . . with 90 degrees in between each of the 4 nozzle tips (440) around the circumference of the body and each hole aimed at 45 deg. from the axis of the ½″ npt mounting thread.
e) the body diameter (450) is 1.5 inches. Inside the ½ inch NPT thread is also a cavity to accommodate a water filter (400).
This system does not require gravity to work, so can be installed at any angle required. After the fire has been suppressed the device can be reset. This can be retrofitted into any existing system.
A heat sensitive valve (390) mechanism, wherein contains a stainless steel plunger (460) (illustration 8a-8e prohibiting the flow of water until temperatures rise to a point causing valve (390) to open up allowing water to flow through to the sprinkler head (380)).
a) a body (390), made of brass or anodized aluminum having an inlet for a water source at a first extremity;
b) a side elbow (470), made of brass or anodized aluminum to attach sprinkler head (380) to (illustration 8a)
c) contained within the body (390) is a stainless steel plunger (460) creating a seal to prohibit water flow (illustration 8d)
The dimensions of the body are, overall length (500) is 3.60″×1.5″ dia. (510), a ½″ male NPT thread to tap into ceiling water lines for extinguishing fires, a through hole to accommodate a plunger (460), a bracket (520) on the end to hold the heat sensitive glass bulb (490), and an exit hole (530) on the side of body (390) for the elbow (470) to thread into for allowing water to exit.
The elbow (470) is made of brass or anodized aluminum, is attached to side of the body (390) and has the sprinkler head (380) attached to other end to permit the desired mist water dispersal. In the end of the elbow (470) is a ½″ female NPT thread to allow the sprinkler head to be attached by.
The stainless steel plunger (460) is made of SS to prevent any corrosion and not become seized. This is the mechanical device that blocks or permits the flow of water out to the sprinkler head (380). The heat sensitive glass bulb (490) rests on end of this plunger (460) till it breaks letting the plunger (460) move, permitting water to bypass.
A 3 PSI Ambient mist sprinkler comprising an ambient mist head (380) (Illustration 9a-9d) which can be retrofitted in any system including but not limited to sprinkler system in ships, Planes, boats or on the Mean Jean wand. The options are unlimited. Attaches to a piping (Portable wand or retrofitted systems) that is a water stoppage device located upstream/above
said mist head, wherein said ambient mist head consists of;
a) a head body (380), made of brass or anodized aluminum having an inlet for a water source at a first extremity;
b) two mist nozzles (440) each made of brass or anodized aluminum and fluid mist exits from each mist nozzle (440) and
c) within the said cavity a water filter (400); and
d) The body consists of a brass or anodized aluminum with 2 cross holes (410) at 45 degree angle and a longitudinal (420) hole which intersects with the cross (410) holes which water flows through it. The water then exits via the 2 mist (440) nozzles. The diameter of the thread for the supply line is ½ inch male NPT. The remaining dimensions are as follows, the body length is 2.06 (430) inches approx. including the ½ npt thread on end . . . with 180 degrees in between each of the 2 nozzle tips (440) around the circumference of the body and each hole aimed at 45 deg. from the axis of the ½″ npt mounting thread.
e) the body diameter (450) is 1.5 inches. The tips are located half way across the face of the 45 deg. chamfer on the body.
Inside the ½ inch NPT thread is also a cavity to accommodate a water filter (400).
This system does not require gravity to work, so can be installed at any angle required. This can be retrofitted into any existing system or used with the Mean Jean Wand.
An 12 PSI Ambient mist sprinkler head (540) (Illustration 10a-10d) attached to a hand held wand, wherein said ambient mist head (540) consists of;
a) a head body (540), made of brass or anodized aluminum having an inlet for a water source at a first extremity;
b) 5 mist nozzles (550) each made of brass or anodized aluminum and fluid mist exits from each mist nozzle (550) and
c) within the said cavity a water filter (560); and
The body (540) consists of a brass or anodized aluminum with a longitudinal (570) hole which intersects with the cross (580) holes which water flows through it. The water then exits via the 5 mist nozzles (550). There is one tip (550) on leading end of head (540) and 4 other tips (550) around circumference of body (540) equally spaced around the body (540) in 90 degree increments and at 45 degree angle to axis of part The size of the thread for the supply line is ¾″ female NPT. The remaining dimensions are as follows, the body overall length is 2.75 (590) inches×1.5″ (600) dia., 90 degrees in between each of the 4 nozzle tips (550) around the circumference of the body (540).
Inside the ¾ inch NPT thread is also a cavity to accommodate a water filter (560). This system does not require gravity to work, so can be used at any angle required.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,679,002 | Sep 2009 | CA | national |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61229021 | Jul 2009 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13387416 | Jan 2012 | US |
| Child | 14856288 | US |
