DK2883577T3

DK2883577T3 - Additive module for fire extinguisher and fire extinguisher equipped with such a module

Info

Publication number: DK2883577T3
Application number: DK14188348.8T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Bouaza Mesli; Michel Lahouati
Original assignee: Eurofeu Soc Anonyme
Priority date: 2013-12-13
Filing date: 2014-10-09
Publication date: 2016-06-20
Also published as: EP2883577A1; WO2015086937A1; FR3014697A1; CN105980016A; FR3014697B1; ES2574532T3; EP2883577B1; HRP20160586T1; CN105980016B

Description

The invention relates to an additive module for an extinguisher and an extinguisher which is provided with such a module

Fire extinguishers, whether they have permanent pressure or auxiliary pressure, substantially contain water, propelled by a pressurised inert gas. In order to improve the extinguishing qualities, it is known to add to the water an additive, for example, a fluorinated additive. The volume of this additive is generally between 1% and 6% of the volume of water.

In extinguishers with permanent pressure, the additive is mixed with water before being pressurised. The periodic maintenance of the extinguisher involves the replacement of the mixture of water and additive in order to comply with regulations for protection of the environment.

In other extinguishers with permanent pressure, according to documents FR 2 933 622 and FR 2 971 426, the additive is preserved inside the reservoir of the extinguisher, and it is mixed with the water of the reservoir only when the extinguisher is activated. In this manner, when the extinguisher is maintained, the water and the additive are processed separately. It is only after the extinguisher has been used that the reservoir has to be cleaned in order to comply with the rules for protection of the environment since it has been in contact with the additive.

The same problem is encountered with extinguishers with auxiliary pressure, in accordance with document FR 2 722 416, in which the additive is accommodated in a tube, below the cartridge of compressed gas, the mixture being produced when the extinguisher is pressurised.

In all the cases known from the prior art, the arrangement of the additive inside the reservoir of the extinguisher has disadvantages. First of all, the outlet valve of the extinguisher is provided for the water and the foaming mixture of the water and the additive may bring about turbulence or require that the geometry of the valve be modified. Then, the lifespan of the additive (between 3 and 5 years) requires that it be periodically replaced with the extinguisher being disassembled. Finally, after the extinguisher has been emptied, in the case of use, the cleaning of the reservoir must be carried out in order to comply with the rules for protection of the environment.

In order to prevent these disadvantages, it is known from documents DE 10 2005 031 451 or TW M 357 295 to arrange an additive container close to the sprayer, that is to say, at the end of the needle which connects the reservoir to the sprayer. This arrangement makes the storage of the extinguisher complex and makes the sprayer which has to be handled by the operator heavier.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an additive module for an extinguisher which does not have the above disadvantages and which is suitable for both extinguishers with permanent pressure and extinguishers with auxiliary pressure and which can be adapted to extinguishers which are already in service and which are provided to function without additive .

Another object of the invention is to provide an additive module for an extinguisher whose use and maintenance are particularly simple.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extinguisher which is provided with an additive module external with respect to the reservoir of the extinguisher.

The present invention relates to an additive module for an extinguisher which comprises a reservoir and an extinguisher head with an outlet which is able to receive a needle with a sprayer, the module comprising a body which is able to contain the additive, a cylindrical sleeve, which is fixedly joined to the body, and means for fixing, on the one hand, the sleeve to the outlet of the extinguisher head and, on the other hand, the needle to the sleeve, characterised in that the body which is able to contain the additive comprises two channels which open inside the sleeve.

Advantageously, the two channels are arranged in the plane of symmetry of the extinguisher and are located with the first one near the outlet of the extinguisher head and the second one near the needle.

Advantageously, the first channel is longer than the second channel.

Advantageously, the two channels each comprise a stopper at the end thereof located inside the body.

Advantageously, the body which is able to contain the additive is closed by a cover which has a shape which corresponds to the outer shape of the upper portion of the reservoir.

Advantageously, the fixing means are accommodated inside the sleeve .

Advantageously, the fixing means comprise: - a tube which is coaxial with the sleeve and which has an inner collar for abutment against the outlet of the extinguisher head and an outer collar for retaining the sleeve against the outlet of the extinguisher head, - a socket-head screw for fixing the tube to the outlet of the extinguisher head in abutment with the inner collar of the tube, and - a needle connector which is fixed in the outer collar of the tube and which is able to receive the needle.

Advantageously, the tube comprises two orifices opposite the two channels which open inside the sleeve.

Preferably, the tube is overmoulded in the sleeve.

The present invention further relates to an extinguisher which is characterised in that it comprises an additive module as described above.

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will be appreciated from the following description given with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectioned view in a plane of symmetry of an extinguisher which is provided with an additive module according to an embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 is an exploded view of the extinguisher head and the additive module according to an embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3 is a sectioned view in the plane of symmetry of the extinguisher head and the additive module according to the invention, in an operational position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the head of an extinguisher which is provided with the additive module according to the invention, in an operational position, before the needle is assembled.

In Figure 1, an extinguisher 1 of conventional type, with pressurised water, comprises a reservoir 2 and an extinguisher head 3. This extinguisher head 3 which is fixed to the neck of the reservoir 2 comprises a transport handle 4, a plunger tube 5 and a lever 6 for controlling the control valve of the outlet for pressurised liquid 7, in this instance water. The extinguisher head 3 has a tapped outlet 8 on which the needle 9 which terminates with a sprayer 10 is normally fixed.

According to the invention, an additive module 11 is arranged between the outlet 8 of the extinguisher head 3 and the needle 9. The additive module 11 comprises a body 12 which is capable of containing the additive 13, a cylindrical sleeve 14 which is fixedly joined to the body 12, and means 15, 16, 17 for fixing the sleeve 14 to the outlet 8 of the extinguisher head 3 and the needle 9 to the sleeve 14. The fixing means comprise a tube 15, a socket-head screw 16 and a connector 17.

The tube 15 is coaxial with the sleeve 14 and it slides in the sleeve 14. At the end thereof close to the outlet 8 of the extinguisher head 3, the tube 15 has an inner collar 18 which is intended to cooperate with the socket-head screw 16 in order to ensure the abutment of the tube 15 with the outlet 8 of the extinguisher head 3. Advantageously, a sealing joint 19 is arranged between the outlet 8 and the inner collar 18. The socket-head screw 16 is fixed in a thread of the outlet 8 using an Allen key which is introduced into the tube 15. The screw 16 comprises an axial bore which has substantially the same diameter as the outlet 8 in order to allow passage of pressurised water when the extinguisher operates.

At the other end thereof, the tube 15 has an outer collar 20 which has a dual function. On the one hand, it cooperates with an inner shoulder of the sleeve 14 in order to ensure that the sleeve 14 is retained against the extinguisher head 3. On the other hand, it comprises a thread in order to receive the connector 17 in which the proximal end of the needle 9 will be screwed. In this manner, using fixing means which are composed of three elements, the tube 15, the socket-head screw 16 and the needle connector 17, the interposition of the module 11 is ensured with, on the one hand, the fixing thereof to the extinguisher head 3 and, on the other hand, the fixing of the needle 9 to the module 11.

The body 12 of the module 11 is substantially accommodated between the sleeve 14 and the upper portion of the reservoir 2 which is generally in the form of an ellipsoid. The body 12 is hollow in order to contain the additive 13 whose volume corresponds to approximately from 1 to 6% of the volume of water of the extinguisher. The shape of the body 12 is rounded so as not to extend laterally beyond the reservoir, and the base of the body 12 is closed by a cover 21 which is held, for example, by means of screws 22. The shape of the cover 21 corresponds to the outer shape of the upper portion of the reservoir 2.

In the plane of symmetry of the extinguisher 1 and the additive module 11, the body 12 comprises two channels 23, 24 in order to ensure the progressive flow of the additive to the needle 9 when the extinguisher 1 is operational.

Advantageously, the first channel 23 is arranged close to the outlet 8 of the extinguisher head 3 and the second channel 24 is arranged close to the needle 9. The two channels 23, 24 open inside the sleeve 14.

Opposite the two channels 23, 24, the tube 15 comprises two orifices 25, 26 in order to ensure communication between the body 12 and the sleeve 14. Advantageously, the first channel 23 is longer than the second channel 24. Inside the body 12, each of the channels 23, 24 is provided with a stopper 27, 28, respectively. These stoppers 27, 28 are positioned before the body 12 is filled with the additive 13, and they prevent the additive 13 from flowing towards the sleeve 14 during the transport of the extinguisher 1 and until the extinguisher is used.

The installation of the additive module 11 and the operation of the extinguisher are carried out in the manner described below.

In the empty module 11, the stoppers 27 and 28 are positioned at the inner ends of the channels 23 and 24, respectively. with the module 11 inverted, the additive 13 is poured into the module 11. The cover 21 is positioned, with a sealing joint being interposed, and fixed in position using the screws 22. The module 11 is placed upright and the tube 15 is inserted into the sleeve 14 with the orifices 25, 26 thereof opposite the channels 23, 24, respectively. According to a specific embodiment, the tube 15 is overmoulded in the sleeve 14 .

The socket-head screw 16 is placed at the end of an Allen key and introduced into the tube 15 until it is in abutment with the inner collar 18.

The module 11 is substantially placed on the upper side of the reservoir 2, with the sleeve 14 in the axis of the outlet 8 of the extinguisher head 3. The sealing joint 19 is positioned. Using the Allen key, the socket-head screw 16 is screwed into the thread of the outlet 8 of the extinguisher head 3. The needle connector 17 is screwed into the thread of the outer collar 20 of the tube 15, and the needle 9 is screwed with the proximal end thereof in the needle connector 17.

The extinguisher 1 is then ready to operate. The operation of the extinguisher 1 is ensured by manoeuvring the valve control lever 6 in conventional manner. The liquid 7, which is in principle water, is expelled by the pressure in the reservoir 2; it rises in the plunger tube 5, passes into the extinguisher head 3 and passes into the tube 15 and the needle 9 as far as the sprayer 10 where it is directed towards the fire to be extinguished.

When the inner side of the tube 15 is pressurised, the two stoppers 27 and 28 are pushed back into the body 12. Pressurised liquid passes through the channel 23 and the additive 13 passes through the channel 24 and is mixed with the liquid 7 which is introduced into the needle 9. This additive which is added to the liquid 7 ensures the formation of a foam at the outlet of the sprayer 10.

The module 1 contains sufficient additive 13 and the diameters of the channels 23 and 24 are determined so that the creation of foam is ensured for the entire duration of the operation of the extinguisher. During the operation of the extinguisher, the liquid 7 fills the body 12 and is mixed with the additive 13 and the admixture is conveyed to the needle 9 and the sprayer 10.

When the extinguisher is operated, when the liquid 7 reaches the sprayer 10, a counter-pressure which rises as far as the tube 15 and the channels 23 and 24 is generated. This counterpressure ensures the expulsion of the stoppers 27 and 28 should they not have already been discharged in the body 12.

The additive module according to the invention has several advantages. First of all, it is simple to assemble on an extinguisher. It is suitable for extinguishers with pressurised water and for extinguishers with auxiliary pressure, whether these extinguishers are new or are already in service.

Since it is fixed to the head of the extinguisher, it does not substantially increase the spatial requirement of the extinguisher. Since it is outside the reservoir, the additive module can be controlled independently of the liquid of the extinguisher. In this manner, the maintenance is facilitated since the lifespan of the additive, 3 to 5 years, is less than that of the extinguisher itself (without the module). The replacement of the additive involves only a volume limited to from 1 to 6% of the volume of the reservoir, and the processing or the recycling of the expired additive is easier, less polluting and less costly.

Since it is completely separated from the water of the reservoir of the extinguisher, the additive retains its complete extinguishing efficiency and the foam at the outlet of the sprayer is of great quality.

Claims

A fire extinguisher additive module (1) comprising a reservoir (2) and a fire extinguisher head (3) with an outlet (8) suitable for receiving a spray tube (9) with atomizing nozzle (10), comprising a body (12) suitable for containing the additive (13), a cylindrical sleeve (14) interconnected with the body (12), and means for attaching, on the one hand, the sleeve (14) to the outlet (8) of the fire extinguisher head (3) and, on the other hand, the syringe tube (9) of the sleeve (14), characterized in that the body (12) suitable for containing the additive (13) comprises two channels (23). , 24), which open inside the sleeve (14).

Module according to claim 1, characterized in that the two channels (23, 24) are located 1 Symmetry plane of the fire extinguisher (1), one (23) being located near the outlet (8) of the fire extinguisher head (3) and the other (24) is located near the syringe tube (9).

Module according to claim 2, characterized in that the first channel (23) is longer than the second (24).

Module according to claim 2, characterized in that the two channels (23, 24) each comprise a plug (27, 28) at the end located within the body (12).

Module according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (12) suitable for containing the additive (13) is closed by a lid (21), the shape of which corresponds to the outer shape of the upper part of the reservoir ( 2).

Module according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means are located inside the sleeve (14).

Module according to claim 6, characterized in that the fastening means comprise: - a tube (15) coaxial with the sleeve (14) and having an inner support collar (18) on the outlet (8) of the fire extinguisher head (3) and an outer collar (20) for holding the sleeve (14) against the outlet (8) of the fire extinguisher head (3), - a screw (16) with an internal hexagon for attaching the tube (15) to the outlet (8) of the fire extinguisher head (3) with support against the inner collar (18) of the tube (15) and a connection piece (17) for the syringe tube, which is secured to the outer collar (20) of the tube (15) and suitable for receiving the syringe tube (9).

Module according to claim 7, characterized in that the pipe (15) comprises two openings (25, 26) next to the two channels (23, 24) which open inside the sleeve (14).

Module according to claim 7, characterized in that the pipe (15) is over-molded within the sleeve (14).

Fire extinguisher, characterized in that it comprises an additive module according to one of claims 1 to 9.