The present disclosure relates to fire extinguisher assemblies utilizing a constant blend ratio of fire suppressant agents during discharge and, more particularly, to fire extinguisher assemblies utilizing a constant blend ratio of a first fire suppressant agent (e.g., a low-boiling, high-volatility agent) and a second fire suppressant agent (e.g., a higher-boiling, lower-volatility agent) during discharge.
In general, when a mix of fire suppressant agents (e.g., agent 1 and agent 2) is discharged from certain fire extinguisher assemblies, the ratio of the two agents in the discharge can change during the discharge. This is because as the extinguisher assembly empties the pressure reduces, and the amount of agent 1 dissolved in agent 2 decreases. This can have the effect of changing the ratio of agent 1:agent 2 being discharged, which can affect the effectiveness of the fire suppressant from the fire extinguisher assembly and is therefore undesired.
Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of first suppressants and, in particular, to maintaining a constant blend of multiple fire suppressants during discharge.
The present disclosure provides for fire extinguisher assemblies utilizing a constant blend ratio of fire suppressant agents during discharge. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for fire extinguisher assemblies utilizing a constant blend ratio of a first fire suppressant agent (e.g., a low-boiling, high-volatility agent) and a second fire suppressant agent (e.g., a higher-boiling, lower-volatility agent) during discharge.
The present disclosure provides for a fire extinguisher assembly including a container housing a mixture of a first fire suppressant agent and a second fire suppressant agent; a reservoir in fluid communication with the container, the reservoir housing an additional amount of the first fire suppressant agent; wherein during discharge of the mixture of the first fire suppressant agent and the second fire suppressant agent from the container, a control member in fluid communication with the reservoir maintains the container at a constant pressure or provides a flow of the additional amount of the first fire suppressant agent from the reservoir to the container.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first fire suppressant agent is at least one of N2, Ar or CO2; and the second fire suppressant agent is at least one of a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), a fluoroketone (FK), a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO), a hydrochlorofluoroolefin (HCFO), a hydrobromofluoroolefin (HBFO), or fluoroiodocarbon (FIC).
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein a desired mixture of the first fire suppressant agent and the second fire suppressant agent is discharged through a discharge head and then through a metering device to a plurality of discharge nozzles positioned throughout an area.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein at least a portion of the first fire suppressant agent is dissolved in the second fire suppressant agent.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the reservoir is a pressurized external reservoir, the reservoir in fluid communication with the container via a conduit line.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein during discharge of the mixture of the first fire suppressant agent and the second fire suppressant agent from the container, a ratio of first fire suppressant agent to second fire suppressant agent remains constant at a desired ratio in the mixture during discharge.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the reservoir is a high-pressure cylinder.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the control member comprises a pressure regulator or comprises a valve and a metering device.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the reservoir is an internal reservoir positioned within the container.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the control member comprises a metering device on a conduit line, the conduit line in fluid communication with the internal reservoir and the container.
The present disclosure provides for a method for operating a fire extinguisher including providing a container housing a mixture of a first fire suppressant agent and a second fire suppressant agent; providing a reservoir in fluid communication with the container, the reservoir housing an additional amount of the first fire suppressant agent; and discharging the mixture of the first fire suppressant agent and the second fire suppressant agent from the container; wherein during discharge of the mixture of the first fire suppressant agent and the second fire suppressant agent from the container, a control member in fluid communication with the reservoir maintains the container at a constant pressure or provides a flow of the additional amount of the first fire suppressant agent from the reservoir to the container.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first fire suppressant agent is at least one of N2, Ar or CO2; and the second fire suppressant agent is at least one of a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), a fluoroketone (FK), a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO), a hydrochlorofluoroolefin (HCFO), a hydrobromofluoroolefin (HBFO), or fluoroiodocarbon (FIC).
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein a desired mixture of the first fire suppressant agent and the second fire suppressant agent is discharged through a discharge head and then through a metering device to a plurality of discharge nozzles positioned throughout an area.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein at least a portion of the first fire suppressant agent is dissolved in the second fire suppressant agent.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the reservoir is a pressurized external reservoir, the reservoir in fluid communication with the container via a conduit line.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein during discharge of the mixture of the first fire suppressant agent and the second fire suppressant agent from the container, a ratio of first fire suppressant agent to second fire suppressant agent remains constant at a desired ratio in the mixture during discharge.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the reservoir is a high-pressure cylinder.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the control member comprises a pressure regulator or comprises a valve and a metering device.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the reservoir is an internal reservoir positioned within the container.
In addition to one or more of the features described, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the control member comprises a metering device on a conduit line, the conduit line in fluid communication with the internal reservoir and the container.
The above described and other features are exemplified by the following figures and detailed description.
Any combination or permutation of embodiments is envisioned. Additional features, functions and applications of the disclosed assemblies, systems and methods of the present disclosure will be apparent from the description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the appended figures. All references listed in this disclosure are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike.
Features and aspects of embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which elements are not necessarily depicted to scale.
Example embodiments of the present disclosure are further described with reference to the appended figures. It is to be noted that the various features, steps, and combinations of features/steps described below and illustrated in the figures can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the scope of the present disclosure. To assist those of ordinary skill in the art in making and using the disclosed assemblies, systems and methods, reference is made to the appended figures, wherein:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
The example embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative of fire extinguisher assemblies, and systems of the present disclosure and methods/techniques thereof. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, details disclosed herein with reference to example fire extinguisher assemblies and associated processes/techniques of fabrication/assembly and use are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and use the assemblies/systems and/or alternative assemblies/systems of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure provides fire extinguisher assemblies utilizing a constant blend ratio of fire suppressant agents during discharge. More particularly, the present disclosure provides fire extinguisher assemblies utilizing a constant blend ratio of a first fire suppressant agent (e.g., a low-boiling, high-volatility agent) and a second fire suppressant agent (e.g., a higher-boiling, lower-volatility agent) during discharge.
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It has been discovered that under a given set of conditions, some of the first fire suppressant agent 14 will dissolve in the second fire suppressant agent 16 according to its solubility parameters. As shown in
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The pressure regulator 28 can be operated and configured to keep the pressure of headspace 15 of tank 12 constant during discharge of assembly 100. As shown in
In general, assembly 100 of
Alternatively to assembly 100 and as shown in
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The valve 32 and/or metering device 34 can be operated and configured to keep the flow of the first agent from the pressurized reservoir constant during discharge of assembly 200. As shown in
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The metering device 34 can be operated and configured to keep the flow of the first agent from the pressurized reservoir 326 constant during discharge of assembly 300. As shown in
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As such, the embodiments shown in
There are many benefits of the assemblies 100, 200, 300, systems and methods of the present disclosure. Embodiments disclosed herein than can help maintain a desired blend ratio of agents 14, 16 in the discharged liquid phase of a fire suppressant having at least two agents (14, 16) from assembly 100, 200, 300. The disclosed assemblies 100, 200, 300 can allow for improved fire extinguishing efficiency and also improved pressure/temperature characteristics (of agents 14, 16).
By effectively using an additional cylinder 26, 326 to include some of first agent 14, it can be possible to employ higher fill ratios of the agent blend 14, 16 in the tank 12 of extinguisher 100, 200 without compromising discharge efficiency.
A constant head pressure can be maintained during discharge of assembly 100, 200, 300, and thus flow characteristics such as mass flow rate, spray angle, and spray penetration will be consistent throughout discharge of assembly 100, 200, 300.
While particular embodiments have been described, alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents that are or may be presently unforeseen may arise to applicants or others skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims as filed and as they may be amended are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents.
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application.
The ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other (e.g., ranges of “up to 25 wt. %, or, more specifically, 5 wt. % to 20 wt. %”, is inclusive of the endpoints and all intermediate values of the ranges of “5 wt. % to 25 wt. %,” etc.). “Combinations” is inclusive of blends, mixtures, alloys, reaction products, and the like. The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. “Or” means “and/or” unless clearly stated otherwise. Reference throughout the specification to “some embodiments”, “an embodiment”, and so forth, means that a particular element described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment described herein, and may or may not be present in other embodiments. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in the various embodiments. A “combination thereof” is open and includes any combination comprising at least one of the listed components or properties optionally together with a like or equivalent component or property not listed.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this application belongs. All cited patents, patent applications, and other references are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. However, if a term in the present application contradicts or conflicts with a term in the incorporated reference, the term from the present application takes precedence over the conflicting term from the incorporated reference.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
Although the assemblies, systems and methods of the present disclosure have been described with reference to example embodiments thereof, the present disclosure is not limited to such example embodiments and/or implementations. Rather, the assemblies, systems and methods of the present disclosure are susceptible to many implementations and applications, as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art from the disclosure hereof. The present disclosure expressly encompasses such modifications, enhancements and/or variations of the disclosed embodiments. Since many changes could be made in the above construction and many widely different embodiments of this disclosure could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the drawings and specification shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additional modifications, changes, and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63/344,275 filed May 20, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63344275 | May 2022 | US |