Patent Application
20240001187
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to fire suppression systems, and more specifically to actuators for fire suppression systems.
Some fire mitigation methods, such as the discharge of a fire suppression agent for example, generally occurs through the use of an intermediary device coupled to a detection device. An example of such an intermediary device is a mechanical panel. Intermediary devices are generally included due to the difficulty associated with installing an actuator with direct cable operation for pressurized cylinder of fire suppression agent. Opening or closing of such an actuator during setup while the cable tension is being set may result in an unintentional release of fire suppression agent.
According to an embodiment, an actuation mechanism for use in a fire suppression system includes a housing and a plunger operably coupled to and movable relative to the housing. A tension member is operably coupled to the plunger and applies a tension to the plunger in a first direction. A force generating component is operably coupled to the plunger. A stopper is movably coupled to the housing and is operable in combination with the force generating component to apply a force on the plunger in a second direction.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the force applied by the force generating component opposes the tension applied to the plunger by the tension member.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the stopper is coupled to the housing via at least one fastener.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the stopper is coupled to the housing via at least one magnet.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the force applied to the plunger by the force generating component is dependent on a position of the stopper relative to the housing.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the stopper is configured to restrict movement of the force generating component relative to the housing in the first direction.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the force generating component is a coil spring.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the force generating component is one of a pneumatic and hydraulic fluid.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the plunger has a flange and interference between the flange and the housing is configured to restrict movement of the plunger relative to the housing in the first direction.
According to an embodiment, a fire suppression system includes a tension member, a valve movable between a closed position and an open position to discharge fire suppression agent from a pressurized canister, and an actuation mechanism directly coupled to the tension member. The actuation mechanism is operable to transform the valve to the open position in response to a loss of tension in the tension member.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising a heat sensor operably coupled to the tension member, wherein activation of the heat sensor is configured to remove tension from the tension member.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising a manual pull station operably coupled to the tension member, wherein activation of the manual pull station is configured to remove tension from the tension member.
According to an embodiment, a method of operating an actuation mechanism includes connecting a tension member having tension applied thereto to a first end of a plunger, the plunger being operably coupled to a housing, adjusting a position of a stopper relative to the housing, and applying a force to the plunger via a force generating component, wherein the force opposes the tension of the tension member.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments adjusting the position of the stopper alters the force applied to the plunger via the force generating component.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising removing the tension from the tension member and moving the plunger relative to the housing to activate a fire suppression system.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments moving the plunger relative to the housing to activate the fire suppression system further comprises restricting movement of the force generating component via the stopper.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments moving the plunger relative to the housing to activate the fire suppression system further comprises opening a valve to release a fire suppression agent.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments removing the tension from the tension member occurs in response to activation of a detector operably coupled to the tension member.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments removing the tension from the tension member occurs in response to activation of a manual pull station operably coupled to the tension member.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
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.
With reference now to
The source of fire suppression agent 24 is arranged in fluid communication with the nozzles 22 via an agent delivery path defined by a delivery piping system 26. In the event of a fire, the fire suppression agent is allowed to flow through the delivery piping system 26 to the one or more spray nozzles 22 for release directly onto an adjacent cooking hazard area 14 of the one or more cooking appliances 10.
Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the fire suppression agent can be selected from materials such as water, dry chemical agent, wet chemical agent, or the like. Further, the source of fire suppression agent 24 may additionally contain a gas propellant for facilitating the movement of the fire suppression agent through the delivery piping system 26. However, embodiments where the propellant is stored separately from the fire suppression agent are also contemplated herein.
In an embodiment, the fire suppression system 20 is actuated in response to a fire sensing device (illustrated schematically at 28), such as a smoke detector or a heat sensor, for example. In response to heat or smoke exceeding an allowable limit, a control box C will direct a signal to an actuator 30 to open a valve 32 to allow the fire suppression agent to flow from the source 24 to the nozzles 22. For example, in an embodiment the fire sensing device is a heat sensor including an activator bulb. When a fire is present, the increased heat resulting from the flames will cause the activator bulb to break, thereby releasing the tension on the cable connecting the fire sensing device to the control box C. Alternatively, or in addition, the fire suppression system 20 may include a manual activation system 34, also referred to herein as a manual pull station, configured to actuate the control box C to activate the valve 32 to initiate operation of the fire suppression system 20.
With reference now to
The actuation mechanism 40 includes a plunger or piston 44. Although the plunger 44 is shown as having a generally cylindrical configuration, embodiments where the plunger 44 has another shape are also contemplated herein. In an embodiment, an opening or slot 46 for receiving the tension member 42 is formed adjacent to a first end 48 of the plunger 44. However, it should be understood that the tension member 42 is connectable to the plunger 44 in any suitable manner and at any suitable location. Accordingly, the tension of the tension member 42 is configured to apply a force to the plunger 44 in a first direction indicated by arrow A in the FIGS.
A second, opposite end 50 of the plunger 44 may include a radially outwardly extending flange 52 such that a diameter of the flange 52 is greater than a diameter of the adjacent portion of the plunger 44 extending between the first and second ends 48, 52. As will be described in more detail below, the flange 52 is intended to cooperate with another component of the actuation mechanism 40 to limit or restrict movement of the plunger 44 in the direction of the tension applied thereto by the tension member 42.
The actuation mechanism 40 additionally includes a housing or body 54 having through hole 56 formed therein. A diameter of the through hole 56 may be substantially uniform over the axial length of the housing (between a first end 58 and a second end 60 thereof) or alternatively, may vary. For example, in the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the FIGS., the diameter of the portion of the through hole 56 located adjacent to the second end 60 of the housing 54 may be enlarged to receive the flange 52 of the plunger 44 therein. In an embodiment, the through hole 56 is sized such that the entire flange 52 is receivable within the housing 54. Further, when arranged within the through hole 56, the end 50 of the plunger 44, may but need not be substantially flush with the end 60 of the housing 54. However, interference between a surface 53 of the flange 52 and an adjacent surface 55 of the housing 54 located within the through hole 56 restricts movement of the plunger 44 relative to the housing 54 in the first direction, in response to the tension of the tension member 42.
As shown, the actuation mechanism 40 additionally includes a stopper 62 movable relative to the housing 54. In an embodiment, the stopper 62 is positioned at and complementary to an adjacent end of the housing 54. In an embodiment, shown in
When the stopper 62 is located adjacent the end of the housing 54, a through hole 64 may be formed in the stopper 62 in axial alignment with the through hole 56 of the housing 54. In such embodiments, the plunger 44 is configured to extend through the through hole 64 such that the connection between the tension member 42 and the plunger 44 is disposed adjacent to a first side 63 of the stopper 62 and the housing 54 is disposed adjacent to a second, opposite side 65 of the stopper 62. As shown, the diameter of the through hole 64 formed in the stopper 62 may, but need not, be smaller than the diameter of the through hole 56 formed in the housing 54.
The stopper 62 is selectively movable relative to the housing 54, and therefore may be connected to the housing 54 in any suitable manner or via any suitable coupling mechanism. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment of
In another embodiment, best shown in
It should be understood that any suitable fastener or mechanism for moving and/or affixing the stopper 62 relative to the housing 54 is within the scope of the disclosure. For example, in an embodiment, at least one of the housing 54 and the stopper 62 has one or more magnets connected thereto. In such embodiments, the other of the housing 54 and the stopper 62 is formed from or includes a magnetic material, such that the interaction between the magnetic field of the one or more magnets and the magnetic material functions as a fastener to restrict movement of the stopper 62 relative to the housing 54.
The actuation mechanism 40 additionally includes a force generating component 72 operably coupled to the plunger 44. The force generating component 72 is configured to apply a force to the plunger 44, indicated by arrow B, in a second direction, opposite the tension of the tension member 42. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiments, the force generating component 72 is a biasing mechanism, such as a coil spring for example. As shown, the biasing mechanism 72 is arranged within the through hole 56 of the housing 54 such that at least a portion the plunger 44 extends through the biasing mechanism 72. A first end 74 of the biasing mechanism 72 may be configured to abut a portion of the stopper 62 and a second, opposite end 76 of the biasing mechanism 72 is seated against the flange 52 of the plunger 44. As a result, the position of the stopper 62 can be adjusted to control the force of the force generating component acting on the plunger 44, such as the compressive force of the biasing mechanism for example.
To set the actuation mechanism 40, the stopper 62 is moved relative to the housing 54, such as towards and into contact with the housing 54 for example. This movement opposes the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 72, thereby compressing the biasing mechanism 72. When the tension applied by the tension member 42 to the plunger 44 is removed, the stopper 62 is restricted from moving relative to the housing 54, such as by the fasteners 66 for example. The interaction between the stopper 62 and the force generating component 72 restricts movement of the force generating component 72 in the first direction. As a result, the force of the biasing mechanism 72 biases the plunger 44 outwardly from the housing 54, such as into engagement with a switch to transform a valve, such as valve 32 for example, from a closed position to an open position. Although the actuation mechanism 40 is described with respect to operation of the valve 32 and the release of suppression agent, embodiments where the actuation mechanism 40 is operable to perform another task, such as to shut off the fuel or gas associated with the cooking appliance 10 are also contemplated herein.
It should be understood that embodiments including another force generating component are also within the scope of the disclosure. For example, in embodiments where the stopper 62 is sealed to the housing 54, the pressure generated by compression of a fluid, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic fluid for example, may be used to oppose the tension in the tension member 42 and to move the plunger 44 in response to a loss of tension in the tension member 42.
An actuation mechanism 40 as described herein allows the fire suppression system to be easily and directly actuated in response to the release of tension from the tension member 42. As a result, the complexity and additional cost associated with conventional intermediary components may be eliminated. Further, the actuation mechanism 40 minimizes the risk of unintentional actuation when setting the plunger 44.
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 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.
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.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63/356,770, filed Jun. 29, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63356770 | Jun 2022 | US |
