CA1216833A - Valve for fire suppression - Google Patents
Valve for fire suppressionInfo
- Publication number
- CA1216833A CA1216833A CA000442456A CA442456A CA1216833A CA 1216833 A CA1216833 A CA 1216833A CA 000442456 A CA000442456 A CA 000442456A CA 442456 A CA442456 A CA 442456A CA 1216833 A CA1216833 A CA 1216833A
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- valve
- latch
- bore
- release
- fingers
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Abstract
VALVE FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
VALVE FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The invention contemplates a quick-opening valve for release of pressurized gas to suppress a hydrocarbon or the like fire and/or explosion. A
piston or poppet-valve member is retained by mechanical-latch mechanism in its readiness condition, normally closing off pressurized liquified suppressant gas against release for fast discharge via a discharge port. Latch release is via short low-friction, low-inertia direct action which is independent of the pressure differential across the valve member.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
VALVE FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The invention contemplates a quick-opening valve for release of pressurized gas to suppress a hydrocarbon or the like fire and/or explosion. A
piston or poppet-valve member is retained by mechanical-latch mechanism in its readiness condition, normally closing off pressurized liquified suppressant gas against release for fast discharge via a discharge port. Latch release is via short low-friction, low-inertia direct action which is independent of the pressure differential across the valve member.
Description
:~LZl~i~333 VALVE FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to quick-opening valve mechanism for release of pressurized gas to suppress a fast-developing fire or explosion, as from ignition of a hydrocarbon or the like fuel.
The inner volume o~ a military tank is illustra-tive of an environment that is prone to disastrous consequences in the event of a hydrocarbon fire, as when a fuel tank has been ruptured by an armor-piercing shell. Detector devices exist with capability of generating an electrical-signal output at onset of fire, ana the means exists for liquified storage of suppressant gas under pressure, for discharge to suppress the fire in response to the detector signal output. Eow-ever, valve mechanism for responding to the detectorsignal and for releasing the suppressant gas has been far from reliable, to the extent that the release of suppressant gas may or may not be in time to avert 19 disastrous consequences.
i833 It is believed that one reason for unreliability of such present valve mechanisms is that controlled operation of the valve member Erom normally closed to full-open position has relied upon pressure-responsive means including one or more pilot-operated stages, for example, a solenoid-operated pilot valve, which releases pressure fluid to control valve-member displacement. Such arrangements involve displacements, multiple seals, and mechanical friction which make it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain consistent performance, as to speed of valve opening, and as to time delay until valve opening, for a given valve, and from one to the next valve in a given produc-tion lot.
Other devices have sought entirely to eliminate valve action, by employing a frangible diaphragm to maintain normal closure of a pressurized suppressant gas supply, with release and discharge by reason of an explosive cap which is fired to break the diaphragm. But such devices are difficult to clean, for recharge purposes, and they are not safe, in that they may be a~cidentally operated in the event of nearby radio trans-missions.
SUMMARY OF THE: INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an im-proved valve of the character indicated, providing consistent high-speed response to the electrical-output signal of a detector device.
The invention provides a quick-opening valve for release of gas to suppress a hydrocarbon or the like fire, com-prising an elongate body with a central bore characterized by a chamber cavity and a cylindrical valve-member land at an up-stream end, a discharge port communicating with the chamber :B
"` :1216i~33 cavity, a cylindrical valve member deriving resiliently sealed support from said land, an inlet port at said upstream end in communication with said bore at said land and adapted for remov-able attachment of a pressure-charged container of liquified suppressant gas, with the gas continuously loading said valve member for displacement from a first position of closure engage-ment with said land to a second position in axial offset from said land, means including a stem for providing valve-member support on the axis of said bore throughout valve-member dis-placement from one to the other of said positions, mechanical-latch means positively retaining said valve-member and stem against pressure-loaded displacement from said first position, said latch means providing body-referenced restraint against such displacement at angularly spaced locations symmetrical about the axis of said bore, and electrically responsive latch-release means including an axially shiftable cylindrical actuating ele-ment guided by the axis of said bore and simultaneously operable to release said latch means at all said angularly spaced positions. In one embodiment, electrical response to the detector-output signal is via a solenoid on the valve-displace-ment axis, and in another embodiment electrical response is via an explosive squib on the valve-displacement axis. In both cases, the construction optionally provides for manual operation of the latch-release mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
-The invention will be illustratively described in de-tail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a simplified view in elevation of a fire-suppressing valve of the invention, in assembled relation to a charge bottle for containment of liquified-suppressant gas under pressure;
21~33 Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the valve of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a bottom view, as seen beneath the view of Fig. 2;
Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views, respectively taken at 4-4 and 5-S of Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2, to show another embodiment.
Referring initially to Fig. 1, the invention is shown in application to a valve 10 having an upwardly projecting threaded inlet-port formation 11 via which a bottle 12 is mounted, in inverted condition, in readiness for rapid discharge (via an outlet port, not visible in Fig. 1) of pressurized liquified suppressant gas. Illustratively, the suppressant-liquid contents will be to a level suggested at 13, and the liquid may be a freon-based Dupont product known as Halon 1301.
This suppressant is stored as a liquid, under pressure of a propellant gas such as nitrogen, and it rapidly proceeds to its gaseous state, upon discharge. A gauge 14 is externally viewable/ to indicate the pressuri~ed state of bottle contents. As will be explained below, the valve 10 is solenoid-actuated for discharge of bottle contents. And manual-override mechanism, includ-ing a bellcrank 15, link 16 and crank 17, is available for optional discharge of bottle 12. A removable lock-out pin 18 prevents inadvertent actuation of crank 17~
and pin 18 is shown with flexible cable connection 19 to described structure, to avoid loss of pin 18, once it is removed from locking relation to crank 17.
12~333 Referring now to Figs. 2 to 5, the valve of Fig. 1 is seen to comprise a body 21 having an elongate bore on a vertical axis 22, upon which inlet 11 is centered. The bore is characterized by an enlarged generally central chamber cavity 23 which communicates laterally with a large discharge port 24 of oval section. Between inlet 11 and cavity 23, a smooth cylindrical land 25 receives and supports a cylindrical piston-valve member or poppet 26, and separate elastomeric O-rings in two spaced circumferential grooves of valve member 26 establish redundant sealing of pressurized suppressant fluid from chamber 23 when member 26 is in its normally closed upper position, as shown. Beneath chamber 23, the bore on axis 22 is counterbored to provide locating shoulders for a flanged bushing 27 and for the flanged base of an annular snubber 28 of elasto-meric material. The annular base ring of a collet 29 locates at a shoulder in bushing 27 and provides radial-piloting support for an elongate cylindrical surface of a valve-member stem 30, shown integrally formed with valve member 26 and longitudinally bored to minimize inertial lag in the pressure-response of valve member 26. _ Body 21 is effectively extended by a cupped end-housing member 31, bolted thereto and defining a cavity for containment and coaxial location of a solenoid winding 32 and a generally toroidal core associated therewith. This core is of magnetic flux-conducting material of high permeability; the 1216~33 core is seen to comprise inner and outer concentric annular legs 33-34 integrally connected by an upper radially extending annular leg 35 and concentrically fitted at 36 to a counterbore in the bottom face of body 21. The toroidal flux path of the solenoid is completed via short air gaps between lower ends of legs 33-34 and an annular armature plate 37, which derives axially slidable support from a sleeve-like.
armature stem 38, piloting on the cylindrical bore of the inner core leg 33. The reduced lower end of stem 30 pilots on a central bore 39 in the bottom-closure wall of end housing 31.
To retain the mechanically latched valve-closed position shown in Fig. 2, stem 30 is locally reduced at 40 to define a radially short but circumferentially continuous shoulder, having preferably a slope ~ in the order of 13 to a strictly radial plane, for cam pur-poses which will become clear; and collet 29 is characterized by an angularly distributed plurality of e}ongate collet fingers 41. Each collet finger 41 has an enlarged lower end 42 which will be understood to be radially displaceable by reason of compliant flexibility along the length of each finger 41. Inner contouring of each collet end 42 is characterized by a heel of slope o~ and engaged to the stem shoulder (adjacent reduction 40) when the collet end 42 is radially inwardly confined. A short sleeve 43, which is slidable on the bore of inner core leg 33, is shown positioned to provide such confinement, thereby pre-venting high pressure on the upstream side of valve ~Z~6833 member 26 from driving member 26 out of the normallyclosed position shown. A first coil spring 44, com-pressed between bushing 27 and a slidable ring 45 is retained in compressed condition by ring (45) abutment with radially outward shoulder portions of all collet ends 42; and sleeve 43 is poised for axially upward driving abutment with ring 45, relieving the same from shoulder abutment with collet ends 42, upon solenoid actuation. A second coil spring 46 is compressed between a shoulder of armature stem 38 and the lower finger ends of the collet, to assure against inadver-tent opening of the valve in response to mechanical shock.
Solenoid actuation will be understood to involve excitation of winding 32 upon development of an output signal by an explosion detector, not shown in detail but here suggested at 47 to one side of the exhaust port 24 (Fig. 3). Solenoid winding excitation causes armature plate 37 to close gaps to core legs 33-34, thus driving sleeve stem 38 to upwardly displace sleeve 43 with respect to collet ends 42. By reason of this displacement, upper and lower lands in the bore of sleève 43 are no longer positioned to retain collet ends 42 in radially inward confinement, so that collet ends 42 may radially outwardly shift in quick response to axially downward gas-pressurized force on valve member 26 taided by outward cam7 action via the engaged slopes c~), thus freeing valve member 26 for gas-powered descent and impact with snubber 28. The valve is immediate-ly opened and depressant gas discharged laterally via port 24.
~21~i~333 It has been generally indicated that externalmechanism 15-16-17 provides a manually or otherwise actuated release of the latch action between sleeve 43 and collet ends 42. More specifically, end housing 31 is shown to integrally include side arms 50-51 for pinned support (at 52) of bellcrank 15 therebetween, as well as integral lugs or trunions 53-54 for pinned support (at 55) of crank 17 therebetween. A compressed spring 56 constantly urges crank 17 to the position shown in Fig. 2, the same being limited by a tail stop 57 on crank 17. A transverse hole 58 in crank 17, laterally outward of spring 56, provides access for reception of the locking pin 18 described in connection with Fig. 1. In Figs. 3 and 4, crank 17 is seen to have diametrically opposite lugs 59-59' ti.e., diametrically opposed with respect to axis 22 of valve action and symmetry. Preloaded pin means 60-60' carried by the respective lugs 59-59' align with flanged slide pins 61-61' in guide bores of housing 31, for symmetrical upward application of displacement orce to armature plate 37, thereby enabling direct release o~ the latched relation at 42-43. By selection of suitable resilient action in O-r-ings seated beneath flan~es of pins 61-61', pins 61-61' are normally poised in slight clearance relation with armature plate 37, as can ~e seen in Fig. 4.
To complete the description of the valve of Figs. 2 to 5, suitable fittings include a fill valve at 62 to enable refilling and recharging of bottle 12. Also, a safety blow-out disc 63 is fitted to body 21 and will be understood to be exposed to pressure within the inlet region 11 upstream from the closed position of valve member 26.
:~Z1~33 Fig. 6 illustrates another embodiment wherein an electrically ignited explosive squib 65 provides the direct actuation for release of mechanical latch mechanism which otherwise locks a valve member or poppet 66 in its normally closed position. In Fig.
6, some of the parts are as described in connection with Figs. 2 to 5 and have therefore been given the same reference numbers. Briefly, the latch action in Fig. 6 derives from three concentrically fitted sleeves 67-68-69 which are slidable with respect to each other on the valve axis 22. The intermediate one (68) of these sleeves is fixed to the valve body 21', being flange-mounted and bolted at 70 to the lower end of body 21'. The other two sleeves are respectively tied to or are part of the valve member 66 and of a squib-driven slide 71. As shown, valve member 66 is suf-ficiently elongate (due to sleeve portion 67 integrally formed therewith) to derive large-bore piloting support in the valve-body region beneath chamber cavity 23, enabling valve-open engagement with a snubber ring 72, at the region of mounting intermediate sleeve 68 to the bottom face of body 21'. Valve member 66 is further characterized by an upstanding stem 73 which pilots in a boss 74 supported by radial struts 75 within inlet port 11.
To achieve latch action, the fixed intermediate sleeve 68 has an angularly spaced plurality of ball-retaining pockets, at one axial location. Balls 76 in these pockets are received in either a circumferential groove 77 in the bore of sleeve 67 or a circumferential lZl~ 33 groove 78 in the outer surface of sleeve 69; and, in the valve-closed relation shown in Fig. 6 r slide 71 and its sleeve portion 69 are so positioned that the groove 78 thereof is just below and therefore does not register with balls 76 or with groove 77.
Therefore, in the valve-closed position shownr balls 76 cannot be inwardly driven beyond their radial abutment with the cylindrical outer surface of sleeve portion 69 r and tnis condition holds no matter what elevated gas pressure may exist at the inlet side of valve member 66. ~owever r when the detector-output signal develops, to fire squib 65 via its electrical leads 79, the plunger 80 of squib 65 is driven into upward displacing contact with slide 71 r easily over-riding a stabilizing spring 81 and placing groove 78in such register with balls 76 that gas-pressure on valve member 66 can be immediately operative to shift balls 76 into groove 78 and thereby allow swift gas-powered descent of valve member 66 to its full-open position. As in the case of Figs. 2 to 5 r the embodi-ment of Fig. 6 additionally provides for manual or other direct actuation o~ latch-release sleeve 69 via slide pins 61, as suggested by dashed lines, pins 61 will be seen to be in contact with the flange 82 of the cylindrical slide 83 in which squib 55 is mounted and in which the squib-propelled plunger 80 is guided.
The normal action of spring 81 is to downwardly urge slides 71-83 into abutment with pins 61 and, as long as crank 17 remans unactuated, the down position of slides 71-83 is ultimately determined by tail stop 57 of crank 17.
12~ 33 ~ he disclosed embodimen~s of the invention will be seen to meet all sta-ted objects. It is the pressurized-gas charge which alone opens the main valve. The latch to retain the main valve in closed position is purely mechanical and it is symmetrically applied about the axis of the valve. Further, the release of latch action is a direct mechanical action, again operative with symmetry about the valve axis, and this is so whether latch release is electrically or mechani-cally triggered. Finally, the main valve and its stem are well guarded against the side thrust of valve discharge, so that stem and valve action are free and perform with repeated reliability.
While the invention has been described for preferred embodiments, it will be understood that modification may be made without departing from 18 the scope of the invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to quick-opening valve mechanism for release of pressurized gas to suppress a fast-developing fire or explosion, as from ignition of a hydrocarbon or the like fuel.
The inner volume o~ a military tank is illustra-tive of an environment that is prone to disastrous consequences in the event of a hydrocarbon fire, as when a fuel tank has been ruptured by an armor-piercing shell. Detector devices exist with capability of generating an electrical-signal output at onset of fire, ana the means exists for liquified storage of suppressant gas under pressure, for discharge to suppress the fire in response to the detector signal output. Eow-ever, valve mechanism for responding to the detectorsignal and for releasing the suppressant gas has been far from reliable, to the extent that the release of suppressant gas may or may not be in time to avert 19 disastrous consequences.
i833 It is believed that one reason for unreliability of such present valve mechanisms is that controlled operation of the valve member Erom normally closed to full-open position has relied upon pressure-responsive means including one or more pilot-operated stages, for example, a solenoid-operated pilot valve, which releases pressure fluid to control valve-member displacement. Such arrangements involve displacements, multiple seals, and mechanical friction which make it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain consistent performance, as to speed of valve opening, and as to time delay until valve opening, for a given valve, and from one to the next valve in a given produc-tion lot.
Other devices have sought entirely to eliminate valve action, by employing a frangible diaphragm to maintain normal closure of a pressurized suppressant gas supply, with release and discharge by reason of an explosive cap which is fired to break the diaphragm. But such devices are difficult to clean, for recharge purposes, and they are not safe, in that they may be a~cidentally operated in the event of nearby radio trans-missions.
SUMMARY OF THE: INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an im-proved valve of the character indicated, providing consistent high-speed response to the electrical-output signal of a detector device.
The invention provides a quick-opening valve for release of gas to suppress a hydrocarbon or the like fire, com-prising an elongate body with a central bore characterized by a chamber cavity and a cylindrical valve-member land at an up-stream end, a discharge port communicating with the chamber :B
"` :1216i~33 cavity, a cylindrical valve member deriving resiliently sealed support from said land, an inlet port at said upstream end in communication with said bore at said land and adapted for remov-able attachment of a pressure-charged container of liquified suppressant gas, with the gas continuously loading said valve member for displacement from a first position of closure engage-ment with said land to a second position in axial offset from said land, means including a stem for providing valve-member support on the axis of said bore throughout valve-member dis-placement from one to the other of said positions, mechanical-latch means positively retaining said valve-member and stem against pressure-loaded displacement from said first position, said latch means providing body-referenced restraint against such displacement at angularly spaced locations symmetrical about the axis of said bore, and electrically responsive latch-release means including an axially shiftable cylindrical actuating ele-ment guided by the axis of said bore and simultaneously operable to release said latch means at all said angularly spaced positions. In one embodiment, electrical response to the detector-output signal is via a solenoid on the valve-displace-ment axis, and in another embodiment electrical response is via an explosive squib on the valve-displacement axis. In both cases, the construction optionally provides for manual operation of the latch-release mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
-The invention will be illustratively described in de-tail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a simplified view in elevation of a fire-suppressing valve of the invention, in assembled relation to a charge bottle for containment of liquified-suppressant gas under pressure;
21~33 Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the valve of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a bottom view, as seen beneath the view of Fig. 2;
Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views, respectively taken at 4-4 and 5-S of Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2, to show another embodiment.
Referring initially to Fig. 1, the invention is shown in application to a valve 10 having an upwardly projecting threaded inlet-port formation 11 via which a bottle 12 is mounted, in inverted condition, in readiness for rapid discharge (via an outlet port, not visible in Fig. 1) of pressurized liquified suppressant gas. Illustratively, the suppressant-liquid contents will be to a level suggested at 13, and the liquid may be a freon-based Dupont product known as Halon 1301.
This suppressant is stored as a liquid, under pressure of a propellant gas such as nitrogen, and it rapidly proceeds to its gaseous state, upon discharge. A gauge 14 is externally viewable/ to indicate the pressuri~ed state of bottle contents. As will be explained below, the valve 10 is solenoid-actuated for discharge of bottle contents. And manual-override mechanism, includ-ing a bellcrank 15, link 16 and crank 17, is available for optional discharge of bottle 12. A removable lock-out pin 18 prevents inadvertent actuation of crank 17~
and pin 18 is shown with flexible cable connection 19 to described structure, to avoid loss of pin 18, once it is removed from locking relation to crank 17.
12~333 Referring now to Figs. 2 to 5, the valve of Fig. 1 is seen to comprise a body 21 having an elongate bore on a vertical axis 22, upon which inlet 11 is centered. The bore is characterized by an enlarged generally central chamber cavity 23 which communicates laterally with a large discharge port 24 of oval section. Between inlet 11 and cavity 23, a smooth cylindrical land 25 receives and supports a cylindrical piston-valve member or poppet 26, and separate elastomeric O-rings in two spaced circumferential grooves of valve member 26 establish redundant sealing of pressurized suppressant fluid from chamber 23 when member 26 is in its normally closed upper position, as shown. Beneath chamber 23, the bore on axis 22 is counterbored to provide locating shoulders for a flanged bushing 27 and for the flanged base of an annular snubber 28 of elasto-meric material. The annular base ring of a collet 29 locates at a shoulder in bushing 27 and provides radial-piloting support for an elongate cylindrical surface of a valve-member stem 30, shown integrally formed with valve member 26 and longitudinally bored to minimize inertial lag in the pressure-response of valve member 26. _ Body 21 is effectively extended by a cupped end-housing member 31, bolted thereto and defining a cavity for containment and coaxial location of a solenoid winding 32 and a generally toroidal core associated therewith. This core is of magnetic flux-conducting material of high permeability; the 1216~33 core is seen to comprise inner and outer concentric annular legs 33-34 integrally connected by an upper radially extending annular leg 35 and concentrically fitted at 36 to a counterbore in the bottom face of body 21. The toroidal flux path of the solenoid is completed via short air gaps between lower ends of legs 33-34 and an annular armature plate 37, which derives axially slidable support from a sleeve-like.
armature stem 38, piloting on the cylindrical bore of the inner core leg 33. The reduced lower end of stem 30 pilots on a central bore 39 in the bottom-closure wall of end housing 31.
To retain the mechanically latched valve-closed position shown in Fig. 2, stem 30 is locally reduced at 40 to define a radially short but circumferentially continuous shoulder, having preferably a slope ~ in the order of 13 to a strictly radial plane, for cam pur-poses which will become clear; and collet 29 is characterized by an angularly distributed plurality of e}ongate collet fingers 41. Each collet finger 41 has an enlarged lower end 42 which will be understood to be radially displaceable by reason of compliant flexibility along the length of each finger 41. Inner contouring of each collet end 42 is characterized by a heel of slope o~ and engaged to the stem shoulder (adjacent reduction 40) when the collet end 42 is radially inwardly confined. A short sleeve 43, which is slidable on the bore of inner core leg 33, is shown positioned to provide such confinement, thereby pre-venting high pressure on the upstream side of valve ~Z~6833 member 26 from driving member 26 out of the normallyclosed position shown. A first coil spring 44, com-pressed between bushing 27 and a slidable ring 45 is retained in compressed condition by ring (45) abutment with radially outward shoulder portions of all collet ends 42; and sleeve 43 is poised for axially upward driving abutment with ring 45, relieving the same from shoulder abutment with collet ends 42, upon solenoid actuation. A second coil spring 46 is compressed between a shoulder of armature stem 38 and the lower finger ends of the collet, to assure against inadver-tent opening of the valve in response to mechanical shock.
Solenoid actuation will be understood to involve excitation of winding 32 upon development of an output signal by an explosion detector, not shown in detail but here suggested at 47 to one side of the exhaust port 24 (Fig. 3). Solenoid winding excitation causes armature plate 37 to close gaps to core legs 33-34, thus driving sleeve stem 38 to upwardly displace sleeve 43 with respect to collet ends 42. By reason of this displacement, upper and lower lands in the bore of sleève 43 are no longer positioned to retain collet ends 42 in radially inward confinement, so that collet ends 42 may radially outwardly shift in quick response to axially downward gas-pressurized force on valve member 26 taided by outward cam7 action via the engaged slopes c~), thus freeing valve member 26 for gas-powered descent and impact with snubber 28. The valve is immediate-ly opened and depressant gas discharged laterally via port 24.
~21~i~333 It has been generally indicated that externalmechanism 15-16-17 provides a manually or otherwise actuated release of the latch action between sleeve 43 and collet ends 42. More specifically, end housing 31 is shown to integrally include side arms 50-51 for pinned support (at 52) of bellcrank 15 therebetween, as well as integral lugs or trunions 53-54 for pinned support (at 55) of crank 17 therebetween. A compressed spring 56 constantly urges crank 17 to the position shown in Fig. 2, the same being limited by a tail stop 57 on crank 17. A transverse hole 58 in crank 17, laterally outward of spring 56, provides access for reception of the locking pin 18 described in connection with Fig. 1. In Figs. 3 and 4, crank 17 is seen to have diametrically opposite lugs 59-59' ti.e., diametrically opposed with respect to axis 22 of valve action and symmetry. Preloaded pin means 60-60' carried by the respective lugs 59-59' align with flanged slide pins 61-61' in guide bores of housing 31, for symmetrical upward application of displacement orce to armature plate 37, thereby enabling direct release o~ the latched relation at 42-43. By selection of suitable resilient action in O-r-ings seated beneath flan~es of pins 61-61', pins 61-61' are normally poised in slight clearance relation with armature plate 37, as can ~e seen in Fig. 4.
To complete the description of the valve of Figs. 2 to 5, suitable fittings include a fill valve at 62 to enable refilling and recharging of bottle 12. Also, a safety blow-out disc 63 is fitted to body 21 and will be understood to be exposed to pressure within the inlet region 11 upstream from the closed position of valve member 26.
:~Z1~33 Fig. 6 illustrates another embodiment wherein an electrically ignited explosive squib 65 provides the direct actuation for release of mechanical latch mechanism which otherwise locks a valve member or poppet 66 in its normally closed position. In Fig.
6, some of the parts are as described in connection with Figs. 2 to 5 and have therefore been given the same reference numbers. Briefly, the latch action in Fig. 6 derives from three concentrically fitted sleeves 67-68-69 which are slidable with respect to each other on the valve axis 22. The intermediate one (68) of these sleeves is fixed to the valve body 21', being flange-mounted and bolted at 70 to the lower end of body 21'. The other two sleeves are respectively tied to or are part of the valve member 66 and of a squib-driven slide 71. As shown, valve member 66 is suf-ficiently elongate (due to sleeve portion 67 integrally formed therewith) to derive large-bore piloting support in the valve-body region beneath chamber cavity 23, enabling valve-open engagement with a snubber ring 72, at the region of mounting intermediate sleeve 68 to the bottom face of body 21'. Valve member 66 is further characterized by an upstanding stem 73 which pilots in a boss 74 supported by radial struts 75 within inlet port 11.
To achieve latch action, the fixed intermediate sleeve 68 has an angularly spaced plurality of ball-retaining pockets, at one axial location. Balls 76 in these pockets are received in either a circumferential groove 77 in the bore of sleeve 67 or a circumferential lZl~ 33 groove 78 in the outer surface of sleeve 69; and, in the valve-closed relation shown in Fig. 6 r slide 71 and its sleeve portion 69 are so positioned that the groove 78 thereof is just below and therefore does not register with balls 76 or with groove 77.
Therefore, in the valve-closed position shownr balls 76 cannot be inwardly driven beyond their radial abutment with the cylindrical outer surface of sleeve portion 69 r and tnis condition holds no matter what elevated gas pressure may exist at the inlet side of valve member 66. ~owever r when the detector-output signal develops, to fire squib 65 via its electrical leads 79, the plunger 80 of squib 65 is driven into upward displacing contact with slide 71 r easily over-riding a stabilizing spring 81 and placing groove 78in such register with balls 76 that gas-pressure on valve member 66 can be immediately operative to shift balls 76 into groove 78 and thereby allow swift gas-powered descent of valve member 66 to its full-open position. As in the case of Figs. 2 to 5 r the embodi-ment of Fig. 6 additionally provides for manual or other direct actuation o~ latch-release sleeve 69 via slide pins 61, as suggested by dashed lines, pins 61 will be seen to be in contact with the flange 82 of the cylindrical slide 83 in which squib 55 is mounted and in which the squib-propelled plunger 80 is guided.
The normal action of spring 81 is to downwardly urge slides 71-83 into abutment with pins 61 and, as long as crank 17 remans unactuated, the down position of slides 71-83 is ultimately determined by tail stop 57 of crank 17.
12~ 33 ~ he disclosed embodimen~s of the invention will be seen to meet all sta-ted objects. It is the pressurized-gas charge which alone opens the main valve. The latch to retain the main valve in closed position is purely mechanical and it is symmetrically applied about the axis of the valve. Further, the release of latch action is a direct mechanical action, again operative with symmetry about the valve axis, and this is so whether latch release is electrically or mechani-cally triggered. Finally, the main valve and its stem are well guarded against the side thrust of valve discharge, so that stem and valve action are free and perform with repeated reliability.
While the invention has been described for preferred embodiments, it will be understood that modification may be made without departing from 18 the scope of the invention.
Claims (23)
1. A quick-opening valve for release of gas to suppress a hydrocarbon or the like fire, comprising an elongate body with a central bore characterized by a chamber cavity and a cylindrical valve-member land at an upstream end, a discharge port communicating with the chamber cavity, a cylindrical valve member deriving resiliently sealed support from said land, an inlet port at said upstream end in communication with said bore at said land and adapted for removable attachment of a pressure-charged container of liquified suppressant gas, with the gas continuously loading said valve member for displacement from a first position of closure engagement with said land to a second position in axial offset from said land, means including a stem for providing valve-member support on the axis of said bore throughout valve-member displacement from one to the other of said positions, mechanical-latch means positively retaining said valve member and stem against pressure-loaded displacement from said first position, said latch means providing body-referenced restraint against such displacement at angularly spaced locations symmetrical about the axis of said bore, and electrically responsive latch-release means including an axially shiftable cylindrical actuating element guided by the axis of said bore and simultaneously operable to release said latch means at all said angularly spaced positions.
2. The valve of claim 1, in which said latch means comprises a collet having an annular base end surrounding said stem and clamped to said body, a plurality of radially compliant collet fingers in angularly spaced array around said stem and extending in one axial direction from said base end, said stem being characterized by a circumferentially continuous shoulder in axial register with said collet fingers when in said first position, said collet fingers each having a heel engaged to said shoulder when said fingers are in a first radially inwardly retained position, the cylindrical actuating element of said latch-release means being a sleeve internally charact-erized to retain said fingers in said first radially inward position when in a first of two axial positions and to free said fingers for radially outward displace-ment when in the second of said axial positions.
3. The valve of claim 2, in which said shoulder-to-heel engagement is via coacting sloped surfaces at an acute angle to the valve axis, the direction of inclination being to radially outwardly cam said fingers in response to gas pressure on the inlet side of said valve member.
4. The valve of claim 1, in which said latch means comprises three concentric cylindrical members in lapped relatively slidable array, the outer cylin-drical member being a sleeve having a circumferentially continuous groove in the bore thereof, the intermediate cylindrical member being a sleeve clamped to said body and having plural ball-retaining radial pockets at one axial location, the inner cylindrical member having a circumferentially continuous groove in its outer surface, and a ball in each pocket, said balls being of diameter to axially lock one of said grooved mem-bers to said intermediate member when the groove of the other grooved member is axially offset from said pockets and to axially lock the other of said grooved members to said intermediate member when the groove of said one grooved member is axially offset from said pockets, said latch-release means including a first of said grooved members, and the second of said grooved members being an axially fixed part of said valve member and stem.
5. The valve of claim 1, in which said latch-release means includes a solenoid mounted to said body in coaxial relation to said axis for operation of said actuating element.
6. The valve of claim 1, in which said latch-release means includes an explosive squib mounted to said body for operation of said actuating element.
7. The valve of claim 5, in which said latch-release means further comprises manually operable mechanical means for operation of said actuating element.
8. The valve of claim 6, in which said latch-release means further comprises manually operable mechanical means for operation of said actuating element.
9. The valve of claim 1, in which said valve member is a piston having a circumferentially continuous annular abutment surface near its outer diameter, an annular snubber ring of elastomeric material concentrically seated in said body on the bore axis and presenting an annular snubber abutment surface to the abutment surface of said piston.
10. A quick-opening valve for release of gas to suppress a hydrocarbon or the like fire, comprising an elongate body with a central bore characterized by a chamber cavity and a cylindri-cal valve-member land at an upstream end, a discharge port communicating with the chamber cavity, a cylindrical valve mem-ber deriving resiliently sealed support from said land, an inlet port at said upstream end in communication with said bore at said land and adapted for removable attachment of a pressure-charged container of liquified suppressant gas, with the gas continuously loading said valve member for displacement from a first position of closure engagement with said land to a second position in axial offset from said land, means including a stem for providing valve-member support on the axis of said bore throughout valve-member displacement from one to the other of said positions, mechanical-latch means positively retaining said valve-member and stem against pressure-loaded displacement from said first position, said latch means comprising a collet with fingers providing body-referenced restraint against such dis-placement at angularly spaced locations symmetrical about the axis of said bore, and electrically responsive latch-release means including an axially shiftable cylindrical actuating sleeve element surrounding said fingers and guided by the axis of said bore and simultaneously operable to release said latch means at all said angularly spaced positions, said sleeve ele-ment having a bore characterized by two axially spaced radially inwardly projecting cylindrical lands, and said fingers being characterized by two axially spaced radially outwardly projecting feet which radially abut said lands in the engaged condition of said latch means, said latch means being released upon sleeve displacement of said lands axially away from foot-to-land radial-abutting relation.
11. The valve of claim 10, in which said collet has an annular base end surrounding said stem and clamped to said body, said stem being characterized by a circumferentially continuous shoulder in axial register with said collet fingers when said valve member is in said first position, said collet fingers each having a heel engaged to said shoulder when said fingers are radially inwardly retained by said lands.
12. The valve of claim 11, in which said shoulder-to-heel engagement is via coacting sloped surfaces at an acute angle to the valve axis, the direction of inclination being to radially outwardly cam said fingers in response to gas pressure on the inlet side of said valve member.
13. The valve of claim 10, in which said latch-release means includes a solenoid mounted to said body in coaxial rela-tion to said axis for operation of said actuating sleeve element.
14. The valve of claim 10, in which said latch-release means includes an explosive squib mounted to said body for operation of said actuating sleeve element.
15. The valve of claim 13, in which said latch-release means further comprises manually operable mechanical means for operation of said actuating sleeve element.
16. The valve of claim 14, in which said latch-release means further comprises manually operable mechanical means for operation of said actuating sleeve element.
17. The valve of claim 10, in which said valve member is a piston having a circumferentially continuous annular abutment surface near its outer diameter, an annular snubber ring of elastomeric material concentrically seated in said body on the bore axis and presenting an annular snubber abutment surface to the abutment surface of said piston.
18. The valve of claim 10, in which the axial spacing of said lands is at least as great as the axial extent of the feet which are displaceable into the space between lands for a release from latched retention of said first valve-member position.
19. A quick-acting valve having a body and a valve-member and stem movably guided by a bore of said body between valve-open and valve-closed positions, loading means carried by said body and continuously loading said valve-member and stem in the direction from one to the other of said positions, and mechanical-latch means positively retaining said valve-member and stem in said one position and against loaded displacement to said other position, said latch means comprising a collet with fingers providing body-referenced restraint against such displacement at angularly spaced locations symmetrical about the axis of said bore, and electrically responsive latch-release means including an axially shiftable cylindrical actuating sleeve element sur-rounding said fingers and guided by the axis of said bore and simultaneously operable to release said latch means at all said angularly spaced positions, said sleeve element having a bore characterized by two axially spaced radially inwardly projecting cylindrical lands, and said fingers being characterized by two axially spaced radially outwardly projecting feet which radially abut said lands in the engaged condition of said latch means, said latch means being released upon sleeve displacement of said lands axially away from foot-to-land radial-abutting relation.
20. A quick-opening valve for release of gas to suppress a hydrocarbon or the like fire, comprising an elongate body with a central bore characterized by a chamber cavity and a cylindri-cal valve-member land at an upstream end, a discharge port communicating with the chamber cavity, a cylindrical valve-member deriving resiliently sealed support from said land, an inlet port at said upstream end in communication with said bore at said land and adapted for removable attachment of a pressure-charged container of liquified suppressant gas, with the gas continuously loading said valve-member for displacement from a first position of closure engagement with said land to a second position in axial offset from said land, means including a stem for providing valve-member support on the axis of said bore throughout valve-member displacement from one to the other of said positions, mechanical-latch means positively retaining said valve-member and stem against pressure-loaded displacement from said first position, said latch means comprising a collet with fingers providing body-referenced restraint against such dis-placement at angularly spaced locations symmetrical about the axis of said bore, and latch-release means including an axially shiftable cylindrical actuating sleeve element surrounding said fingers and guided by the axis of said bore and simultaneously operable to release said latch means at all said angularly spaced positions, said sleeve element having a bore character-ized by two axially spaced radially inwardly projecting cylin-drical lands, and said fingers being characterized by two axially spaced radially outwardly projecting feet which radially abut said lands in the engaged condition of said latch means, said latch means being released upon sleeve displacement of said lands axially away from foot-to-land radial-abutting relation.
21. The valve of claim 20, in which said latch-release means comprises manually operable mechanical means for operation of said actuating sleeve element.
22. The valve of claim 20, in which said latch-release means comprises a solenoid mounted to said body for imparting an axial shift to said actuating sleeve element.
23. The valve of claim 20, in which said latch-release means comprises a squib mounted to said body for imparting an axial shift to said actuating sleeve element.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US44649982A | 1982-12-03 | 1982-12-03 | |
| US446,499 | 1982-12-03 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1216833A true CA1216833A (en) | 1987-01-20 |
Family
ID=23772822
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000442456A Expired CA1216833A (en) | 1982-12-03 | 1983-12-02 | Valve for fire suppression |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1216833A (en) |
| IN (1) | IN159106B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10352472B2 (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2019-07-16 | Kidde Technologies, Inc. | Valve arrangements and methods of actuating valves in valve arrangements |
-
1983
- 1983-12-02 CA CA000442456A patent/CA1216833A/en not_active Expired
- 1983-12-03 IN IN1484/CAL/83A patent/IN159106B/en unknown
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10352472B2 (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2019-07-16 | Kidde Technologies, Inc. | Valve arrangements and methods of actuating valves in valve arrangements |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2168783A (en) | 1984-06-07 |
| IN159106B (en) | 1987-03-21 |
| AU566051B2 (en) | 1987-10-08 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |