BG4214U1 - Automatic cooling and fire-extinguishing system - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatic cooling and fire-extinguishing system is designed to be disposed in the protected facility and comprises a substance carrier made of a polymeric material in the form of a three-dimensional body, wherein the carrier comprises a pressurized enclosed substance and the carrier is adapted spontaneously to form a nozzle allowing the release of the medium, whereby the medium (2) is designed, as a cooling substance with fire-extinguishing effects, what is more the system is equipped with a sensor(s) (4) to monitor and evaluate the thermodynamic state of the medium (2) inside the carrier (1) or on its surface, or to release the medium (2) from the carrier (1) having a basic shape and to perform active intervention against the source of an undesirable change in temperature occurring inside the protected facility. Additionally, the system is fitted with a detector(s) (5) for monitoring, evaluation, and control of the thermal processes inside the protected facility with the possibility of feedback-based adjustments allowing the protected facility to be disconnected from the power supply unit, thus minimizing any negative thermal effect that starts developing inside it or the possibility of secondary ignition occurrence.

Description

(54) AUTOMATIC COOLING AND FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM

Area of the utility model

The utility model refers to a system that monitors and suppresses unwanted thermal effects in an engineering and technological facility, hereinafter referred to as a protected facility, which is capable of extinguishing fires that may occur inside such protected facilities.

Antecedent state of the utility model

Undesirable thermal effects can occur in many elements of the protected facility. The negative impact of such effects can lead to a progressive loss of functionality or destruction of the relevant facility, and in extreme cases a fire can break out. Multiple processes, such as unwanted chemical reactions, electrical short circuits, overheating of the system, occurrence of an electric arc, self-ignition of working fluids, etc. may be behind the aforementioned effects.

The prior art offers, on the one hand, a variety of solutions that cool the protected facility, depending on its temperature, with ventilation systems (i.e. prevention) and, on the other hand, solutions that are exclusively designed to suppress a fire that has already erupted (ie extinguished).

Among the well-known solutions are fire-fighting elements belonging to the category of self-extinguishing systems, providing fire protection of spaces, in particular of drive units of motor vehicles, electrical control panels, kitchen appliances, etc.

With known self-extinguishing systems of multiple constructions, in a closed container, hose, etc., the extinguishing agent under pressure is limited. Due to fire or elevated temperature, the tightness of such vessel, hose, etc. falls and the extinguishing agent is released to extinguish the fire. Alternatively, the extinguishing agent is distributed in the risk area of the protected facility through an integrated nozzle system.

Patent publication US 5040610 discloses a solution that includes a container made of a polymeric material with a lockable opening for charging fire extinguishing agent and a pressure valve in the container. If the container is exposed to flame or high temperature, its integrity is broken in a predetermined place and the released substance suppresses the fire. In this case, the fire element is equipped with a cover, which can have different shapes and can be used in the premises of buildings.

Among other known solutions is that consisting of a closed hose, at least partially flexible, made of polyamide, the two ends of which are closed by immovable pressed plugs. The hose is filled with fire extinguishing agent under pressure. The hose may be fitted with a mechanical pressure gauge for the extinguishing agent to provide a visual check for its presence. As a result of a fire, when the temperature around the hose exceeds 120°C, the tightness of the hose is broken, the fire extinguishing agent is released and the fire is extinguished. The fire extinguishing agent used has no side effects on the extinguished space or living organisms.

Known self-extinguishing systems, however, have some disadvantages and limitations associated with their use for fire protection.

For hose-type self-extinguishing elements with fixed push-in plugs, the tightness of the hose cannot be guaranteed, as the hose can become kinked during the process of pushing the plug with a potential uncontrolled release of extinguishing agent. In addition, these elements become effective only after the temperature in the location where the fire prevention element is located exceeds 120°C, when the fire may have caused extensive damage and spread in an uncontrollable manner.

Another limitation present in the known self-extinguishing elements in the form of a hose is based on the minimum length of 400 mm, the element of such a length being unable to protect in particular small spaces in electrical control panels and process equipment. for which also the value of the diameter of such elements, amounting to 18 mm, exceeds the value of the spatial restrictions for the protected facility.

The composition of the fire-extinguishing agent used in the elements of the prior art in the form of a hose is intended to extinguish a fire in closed or semi-closed spaces, and in the event of initiation by heat exceeding 120°C or by fire, the fire-extinguishing agent is released from the hose through a nozzle formed by the mutual thermodynamic action of the hose and the extinguishing agent. During this process, the thermal properties of the hose change and the pressure of the extinguishing agent increases, which leads to the bending of the hose at the place of its greatest load and to the spontaneous formation of a nozzle from which the extinguishing agent is released into the protected space for a very short time and the fire is extinguished. This process is irreversible, since after the release of the extinguishing agent, the self-extinguishing element becomes non-functional and must be replaced. Until the element is replaced, the protected facility is not protected by this system against repeated self-ignition or other fire, and even the operator or the control systems have no information about the initiation or interruption of the system's operation due to its failure.

Self-extinguishing systems of the prior art are designed exclusively to extinguish fires with the disadvantages described above.

In addition, there are solutions with auxiliary elements, such as systems that include fire extinguishing agent distribution systems. Such distribution systems include pre-installed nozzles and the extinguishing agent is released from a reservoir, usually a vessel under pressure from a valve that can be controlled by an electrical signal sent by a fire alarm detector. On the other hand, this means that such systems must be permanently connected to the electrical power supply unit and be characterized by different response times.

Technical nature of the utility model

The aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art are eliminated by the automatic cooling and fire extinguishing system, hereinafter referred to as the ACFES system, which is designed to be located inside a protected facility and which consists of a three-dimensional polymer carrier that includes a pressurized substance.

The carrier of the substance is adapted to the necessary breaking of the hermeticity under certain conditions. The nature of the ACFES system is based on the fact that a suitable combination of a three-dimensional polymeric carrier with a basic shape and composition of a mixture of matter has led to the invention of a system utilizing the cooling effect of the matter, while the matter retains its quenching effects under thermal distortion, which immediately turns into fire. The substance used is based on chemical fire-extinguishing agents characterized by the fact that their temperature when released from the carrier is negative, i.e. below 0°C, below the freezing point.

The substance with the above-mentioned properties is hereinafter referred to as the substance. The three-dimensional polymer carrier with a basic shape is hereinafter referred to as the carrier.

Below is a description of the principle of the ACFES system for monitoring, evaluating and controlling the thermal process in the protected facility.

The ACFES system includes sensor(s) to monitor and evaluate the thermodynamic state of the substance. In a preferred embodiment, a pressure sensor is used. The pressure sensor(s) is (are) located either directly in the substance (internal sensor) or in direct contact with the medium (external sensor). The ACFES system is also connected to the detector(s) for monitoring, evaluating and controlling the thermal processes in the protected facility.

The increased temperature in the monitored space of the protected facility will cause increased pressure of the substance being detected. The output of the sensor can be used to directly eliminate the causes of the temperature increase. Alternatively, it can be processed as a signal in electronic fire alarm and detection systems or control units.

The increased temperature causes a change in the physical parameters of the carrier and the substance, when in the critical phase the integrity of the carrier is broken at the place of maximum heat load and the space of the protected facility at risk is cooled or possibly extinguished by the substance released from the emergency nozzle, formed spontaneously in the medium.

Directing the intervention to the place of maximum heat load allows to achieve the maximum effect while minimizing the consequences of the negative heat effect that has started to develop.

Based on the preferred selection of materials for the carrier and the substance in combination with their spatial location and setting the initial thermodynamic conditions, the initiation temperature is modeled at which the process in the protected facility subject to monitoring is considered critical and at which the formation of the emergency a nozzle to release the substance is desirable. Thanks to the aforementioned prerequisites, the ACFES system can be effective from 30°C upwards. The protected facility in different applications has different critical temperature values for which appropriate ACFES system parameters are modeled based on a combination of the aforementioned parameters.

In the framework of the monitoring, evaluation and management of thermally sensitive processes inside the facility protected from negative thermal effects, a substance based on chemical fire-extinguishing agents is used, characterized by the fact that their temperature when released from the carrier is negative, i.e. .below 0°C, below the freezing point. The use of this cooling feature, while maintaining the fire-extinguishing ability of the substance, eliminates additional temperature rise, thereby providing the time necessary to resolve the critical situation. The released substance is neither harmful to human health nor affects the functionality of the protected facility.

A possible deployment of several ACFES systems at different initiation temperatures will allow a multi-stage response, i.e. multiple cooling or multiple firefighting intervention. The possible deployment of multiple ACFES systems consolidates the effect and reliability of protecting the space of the protected facility.

Therefore, the aforementioned application of the ACFES system can minimize any far-reaching property damage or damage to health or even life that would otherwise be detected. As for the individual functionalities of the ACFES system, several levels can be indicated in the case of combinations and applications mentioned above - starting with the least complex scheme providing a simple one-time fire extinguishing action with accompanying indication or intervention in the protected facility, to the structure allowing for repeated actions and active interventions. In specific applications of the ACFES system, control based on feedback of the thermodynamic states of the substance is used through an element for optimization of initiation depending on changes in environmental parameters - control of the initiation temperature.

Due to its size variability, the ACFES system, designed according to the utility model, is widely applicable to protect the protected facility against thermal destruction or fire, namely starting from a larger facility to very confined spaces, such as electrical installation boxes, cable connectors harnesses, electrical control panels, confined spaces of powertrains, fuel supply systems, etc. The ACFES system is designed to eliminate any unwanted leakage of the substance, its effects are very reliable and can also be used for protected life-saving equipment or for equipment used in other hazardous environments. Even in the event of a power outage or loss of power to the protected facility, the ACFES system remains functional as at least an emergency passive fire suppression system. The system can be initiated at lower temperatures than known fire extinguishing systems, allowing earlier intervention and damage removal at the very beginning of the thermal destruction of the system.

In the case of simple applications, the ACFES system is defined in passive system mode. With more complex mechanisms, such as implementing feedback elements depending on environmental parameters, etc., the ACFES system is defined in an active system mode.

Passive fire extinguishing mode - in this case, the ACFES system is designed to extinguish a fire that has broken out very quickly and the thermal distortion of the protected facility cannot be eliminated only by the cooling function of the system. In the case of the passive system option, it is recommended to use a pressure sensor designed as a pressure switch, which allows the operator or the output system to be notified of the initiation or inoperability of the ACFES system and the necessary intervention, such as additional fire extinguishing, replacement of expended or damaged element of the ACFES system, etc.

In addition, the active solution method also includes monitoring the environmental state of the protected facility, evaluating its current parameters that may affect the performance of the ACFES system, and when necessary, it optimizes the initiation process, for example by more early initiation of the ACFES system compared to the settings of the thermodynamic parameters of the ACFES system, namely using an additional element influencing the thermodynamic conditions in the ACFES system in favor of the required initiation.

The active system also allows for earlier warning of the occurrence of unwanted thermal effects, which helps to prevent overheating of the system, propagation of distortion and destruction effects, to eliminate fire by early warning to the operator or by shutting down the protected facility, object of monitoring, from the power blocks or by preventing a secondary side effect.

In another preferred embodiment, the ACFES system is integrated into the systems disconnecting the protected facility from the power supply unit, or the sensors of the ACFES system are part of a high-performance semiconductor device.

In another preferred embodiment, the carrier is in mechanical contact with the external sensor serving as an element disconnecting the power unit from the protected facility in case of thermodynamic changes in the substance and the carrier.

In another preferred embodiment, the ACFES system is connected in systems designed to manage the protected facility.

In another preferred embodiment, the ACFES system is connected to the fire alarm and detection systems of the protected facility.

In another preferred embodiment, the transmission of signals between the ACFES system and the control system or the fire alarm and detection system of the protected facility is wireless.

The ACFES system is also designed without holes and the integrity of the media is achieved by sealing, welding or bonding, or possibly with single or multiple holes fitted with plugs. In a preferred embodiment, the plugs closing the openings are made of polymeric material and are glued to or welded into the carrier, thereby eliminating leakage at the junction. One plug of the carrier is equipped with a sensor for the thermodynamic state of the ACFES system, which is thus in direct contact with the substance - the internal sensor.

No minimum spatial dimensions are specified for the construction of the carrier, when the carrier is in the form of a hose, neither its diameter nor its length are specified, where necessary, the minimum length of the hose starts from 10 mm and the internal diameter from 3 mm.

In a further preferred embodiment, the ACFES system with the carrier in the form of a hose or other basic form made of a transparent material includes an element allowing a visual indication of the presence of a substance that is present in the substance and has a specific density lower than the specific density of the substance, for example a light colored ball inside the carrier.

Explanation of the attached figures

The utility model is further explained in the attached figures where:

- Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the principle of monitoring and suppression of unwanted thermal effects in the protected facility;

- Figure 2 shows a schematic drawing of part of the ACFES system in the form of a hose;

- Figure 3a and 3b show schematic drawings of the ACFES system used in electrical control panels;

- Figure 4 shows a schematic drawing of part of the ACFES system for the protection of circuit breakers and contacts in the form of a capsule;

- Figure 5 shows a schematic drawing of part of the ACFES system for the protection of cable harness connectors in the form of a cartridge;

- Figure 6 shows a schematic drawing of the locking element section of the ACFES system for the protection of battery systems.

Examples of implementation of the utility model

Explanation of the principle

Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of the principle of operation of the ACFES system for controlling the thermal process in the protected facility subject to monitoring. Carrier 1 includes substance 2 with cooling and fire extinguishing effects. Substance 2 is enclosed in carrier 1 under pressure. In the carrier 1, a nozzle 3 is shown, created by a thermodynamic effect to release the substance 2 into the space of the protected facility. The ACFES system is equipped with internal sensor(s) 4a or external sensor(s) 4b or both - to monitor and evaluate the thermodynamic state of substance 2 with changing temperature and with indication of substance release 2. In a preferred embodiment, this ACFES system is connected to detector(s) 5 for monitoring, evaluation and control of thermal processes in the space of the protected facility. The output of the sensors is used to directly eliminate the causes of temperature rise or is further processed in the form of a signal in electronic fire alarm and detection systems or in control units. In specific applications of the ACFES system, a feedback-based control of the thermodynamic states of the substance 2 is used, by processing signals from sensors 4 and detectors 5, as provided in the block diagram of Figure 1, depending on parameter changes in the environment - control of the initiation temperature through an additional element 8 affecting the thermodynamic conditions in the ACFES system in favor of the necessary initiation. The carrier 1 can be either of one piece (monolithic) or with holes provided with plugs 6. In a preferred embodiment, the ACFES system includes the element 7 allowing a visual indication of the presence of the substance 2, such as the ball 7 with a lower value of specific density compared to that of substance 2 inside carrier 1.

Among the most preferred applications of the ACFES system are those using the signals of the sensors 4 and detectors 5 for processing in electronic indication systems or units. The ACFES system also works as an autonomous system with an independent function without connection to other control or regulation systems, used to directly eliminate the causes of temperature rise or for further processing in electronic indication systems or control units.

The ACFES system allows a quick indication of its functionality. It is characterized by resistance to disturbances caused by electric fields generated by engineering and technological equipment. Induced automatic shutdown of power units, such as fuel, gas, electricity, etc., will be permanent, reconnection, without removing the cause of the failure of the facility, should be eliminated. On initiation, the ACFES system requires replacement, for the protection needs of the protected facility, it is a one-time system and manual intervention by a trained person is required to reconnect the power units.

Example 1

Figure 2 shows the ACFES system consisting of the carrier 1 in the form of a hose, which is provided at one end with the plug 6a and at the other end with the plug 6b, which are made of polymeric material and which are either glued or welded to the carrier 1. Plug 6a includes the mounted charging valve 11 for filling the medium I with the substance under pressure 2. In addition, the plug 6a includes the mounted sensor 4a in the form of a pressure switch to directly eliminate the causes of temperature rise, alternatively, its signal can to be further processed in electronic fire alarm and detection systems or control units. The ACFES system may include the indicator element 7 for a visual indication of the presence of the substance 2, it refers to an element with a lower value of specific density than the specific density of the substance 2, it is mounted in the carrier 1.

Example 2

Figure 3a shows an example of the implementation of the ACFES system for the protection of electrical control panels in the case that they are located on a DIN box directly in the electrical control panel, where it consists of the carrier 1 in the form of a circuit breaker, where the substance under pressure 2 is limited, the substance state sensor 4a is located inside the substance 2, the output signal of which is used, depending on the application decision, for direct removal of the causes of temperature rise or for further processing in the form of a signal in electronic systems for indication in control units. The carrier 1 is adapted to form the nozzle 3 for releasing the substance 2.

Example 3

Figure 3b shows an example of the use of the ACFES system in the form of a grid for the protection of electrical control panels in the event that the ACFES system is located under the cover of the electrical control panel.

Example 4

Figure 4 shows an example of the ACFES system for protecting circuit-breakers and sockets against unwanted thermal effects, consisting of the carrier 1 in the form of a capsule, inside the carrier 1 is enclosed the pressurized substance 2, in which the internal sensor 4a or the external sensor 4b is located . The outputs of the sensors can be used to directly eliminate the causes of the temperature increase or further processed in the form of a signal in the electronic fire alarm and detection systems or in the control units.

Example 5

Figure 5 shows the ACFES system for the protection of cable harness connectors in the form of a cartridge and consists of the carrier 1 in which the substance under pressure 2 is enclosed and inside the substance 2 the sensor 4a is located, the output signal of which is additionally used depending on the application solution, and furthermore the carrier 1 is provided with a plug 12 which is adapted to be mounted in a cable connector, and inside it is located an opening with a plug 6a. The carrier 1 is adapted to form a nozzle for releasing the substance 2.

Example 6

Figure 6 shows an example of the ACFES system block element designed to protect battery systems. It consists of the carrier 1 in which the substance under pressure 2 is enclosed and inside the substance 2 the sensor 4a is located, the output signal of which is additionally used depending on the decision to implement it in the control system of the protected facility. The carrier(s) is adapted(s) to form a nozzle(s) for releasing the substance 2.

The number of elements, the size and shape of the system are adjusted according to the size of the protected battery system, where the individual elements are connected to each other in a technological way or work autonomously.

The solution of the ACFES system, according to the useful model, can be used to monitor and suppress unwanted thermal effects occurring in an engineering and technological facility, where the system uses, on the one hand, its ability to cool the protected facility and, on the other hand, the ability to extinguish a fire that may occur when the critical thermal load limits of the protected facility are exceeded or a fire for another reason. Applies to smaller as well as larger technological/electronic equipment such as sockets, switches, cables, electrical control panels, harness connectors and joints, battery systems, vehicle engines and other drive units, regardless of the type of power supply, control systems, central systems of information technology systems, etc.

Claims (1)

Automatic cooling and fire extinguishing system provided for placement in a protected facility, consisting of a carrier (1) of substance (2) made of polymeric material in the form of a regular three-dimensional body, where the substance (2) is enclosed in the carrier (1) under pressure and the carrier (1) is adapted to spontaneously form an opening - nozzle (3) - in the carrier (1) to release the extinguishing agent (2), thanks to the initiating temperature - the temperature of the protected device - affecting the carrier (1) of the substance (2), characterized in that the substance (2) is designed as a cooling mixture with fire-extinguishing effects or only as a mixture with fire-extinguishing effects, where the system is equipped with a passive internal sensor (4a) located inside the carrier (1) and / or an external sensor (4b) located outside the carrier (1) in contact with it, to monitor and evaluate the thermodynamic state of the substance (2) inside the carrier (1) or the leakage of the substance (2) from the carrier (1) and / or the system is equipped with at least one sensor (5) located in the area of the protected facility outside the substance (2) of the carrier (1) for assessment of thermal processes in the substance of the protected facility and / or the system is equipped with an additional element (8) located outside the protected facility to detect the actual temperature conditions in the vicinity of the protected area, whereby the system is activated as soon as the temperature of the protected facility reaches 30 ° C