EP0027310B1 - Fire extinguishing system - Google Patents

Fire extinguishing system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0027310B1
EP0027310B1 EP19800302929 EP80302929A EP0027310B1 EP 0027310 B1 EP0027310 B1 EP 0027310B1 EP 19800302929 EP19800302929 EP 19800302929 EP 80302929 A EP80302929 A EP 80302929A EP 0027310 B1 EP0027310 B1 EP 0027310B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lever
rod end
cylinder
actuator
fire extinguishing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19800302929
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0027310A2 (en
EP0027310A3 (en
Inventor
David M. Fee
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Caterpillar Inc
Original Assignee
Caterpillar Tractor Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Caterpillar Tractor Co filed Critical Caterpillar Tractor Co
Publication of EP0027310A2 publication Critical patent/EP0027310A2/en
Publication of EP0027310A3 publication Critical patent/EP0027310A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0027310B1 publication Critical patent/EP0027310B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C37/00—Control of fire-fighting equipment
    • A62C37/36—Control of fire-fighting equipment an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device
    • A62C37/46—Construction of the actuator
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
    • A62C3/07—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places in vehicles, e.g. in road vehicles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C35/00—Permanently-installed equipment
    • A62C35/02—Permanently-installed equipment with containers for delivering the extinguishing substance
    • A62C35/11—Permanently-installed equipment with containers for delivering the extinguishing substance controlled by a signal from the danger zone
    • A62C35/13—Permanently-installed equipment with containers for delivering the extinguishing substance controlled by a signal from the danger zone with a finite supply of extinguishing material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C37/00—Control of fire-fighting equipment
    • A62C37/36—Control of fire-fighting equipment an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device
    • A62C37/44—Control of fire-fighting equipment an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device only the sensor being in the danger zone

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a fire extinguishing system of the type that may be manually activated by manual application of force or remotely activated by a remotely generated signal such as a pressure signal.
  • a vessel for containing the-fire extinguishing material and provided, at its outlet, with a flow control device such as a valve, a piercable diaphragm, or both for normally closing the vessel to maintain the fire extinguishing material therein but operable to release the extinguishing material when needed.
  • a flow control device such as a valve, a piercable diaphragm, or both for normally closing the vessel to maintain the fire extinguishing material therein but operable to release the extinguishing material when needed.
  • Various means have been employed to direct fire extinguishing material leaving the outlet to the area to be protected.
  • Sensors are employed in the area to be protected to control actuation of the flow control device and in the general vicinity of the area to be protected, there is typically employed a manual actuator for the flow control which can have a manual force applied thereto by a person in the vicinity of the area to be protected upon the observance of a fire therein.
  • Such a system has been employed in a vehicle, and specifically, in the engine compartment therein.
  • the flow control of the system is activated in response to movement of a linkage which in turn is operated by a pneumatic cylinder in response to a pneumatic pressure signal generated by a sensing system.
  • a cable extending from the linkage which may be pulled upon the observance of a fire to activate the system.
  • US-A-2,972,466 discloses a fire extinguishing system including a vessel for receipt of a fire extinguishing material and having an outlet, a flow control device normally closing the outlet to maintain fire extinguishing material in the vessel until needed, a fluid pressure operated cylinder for operating the device in response to a remotely generated fluid pressure signal, and a manual actuator for operating the device in response to manual activation by manual, mechanical movement; the cylinder having a double rod ended piston assembly with one rod end connected to the device, the cylinder having an inlet for receipt of pressure fluid to drive the one rod end in one direction to operate the device, and the manual actuator being a movable handle coupled to the other rod end of the piston assembly and manually operable to drive the one rod end in the one direction to operate the device.
  • a system is hereinafter referred to as of the kind described.
  • the practical system described in that specification is very complex, expensive and space-consuming and unacceptably so for an environment such as the engine compartment of a vehicle.
  • US-A-2,333,130 discloses a fire extinguishing system with a flow control device which may be operated manually or by fluid pressure via a system of levers but the arrangement is also unacceptably complex and no simple fluid pressure operated cylinder is utilised.
  • a fire extinguishing system of the kind described is characterised in that the flow control device has at one end an actuator which is normally held depressed within the one end to close the outlet by abutment with a first lever, which is pivotable relatively to the device, the first lever being held in a normal position to hold the actuator depressed by engagement with a second lever, which is also pivotable relatively to the device; and in that the cylinder extends alongside the device with the one rod end extending adjacent to the one end of the device and carrying a member which cooperates with the second lever; whereby movement of the one rod end in the one direction causes the second lever to pivot and enables the first lever to pivot away from its normal position and hence release the actuator.
  • the system eliminates cable binding and adjustment problems, and, when used in a vehicle is little affected by vibration.
  • a system made according to the present invention may be made of smaller size than a comparably rated system made according to the prior art and with less expense.
  • the illustrated system includes a pressure vessel 10 having an upper, outlet end 12.
  • the outlet end 12 is closed by a flow control device in the form of a conventional valve 14 which is provided with a pressure gauge 16 in the usual fashion to thereby allow a determination of whether the vessel 10 is overcharged; undercharged or properly charged.
  • the valve 14 includes an actuator 18 which, when held in the position illustrated, will cause the valve 14 to be closed to contain the fire extinguishing material within the vessel 10.
  • the actuator 18 When the actuator 18 is permitted to pivot in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, the valve 14 will open to release fire extinguishing material to be directed to the area to be protected by means (not shown).
  • a linkage for actuating the valve 14 including a lever 20 having a blocking surface 22 bearing against the actuator 18 to normally maintain the same in a position corresponding to a closed valve condition.
  • the lever 20 is pivotally mounted at 24 to a bracket 26 extending from the valve 14 and at its end opposite the pivot 24, mounts a pin 28.
  • the linkage includes a second lever 30 which is pivotally mounted to the valve 14 by a pivot pin 32 and which includes an elongate slot 34 receiving the pin 28.
  • a pivot pin 32 which includes an elongate slot 34 receiving the pin 28.
  • the lever 30 When the lever 30 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 3, pivotal movement of the lever 20 is prevented by engagement of the pin 28 within the slot 34.
  • the slot 34 will open to release the pin 28 and allow the lever 20 to pivot in a clockwise direction thereby releasing the actuator 18 to cause the valve 14 to ppen.
  • the pneumatic cylinder 36 is a double rod ended cylinder; that is, it includes a single interior piston (not shown) connected to a piston rod having ends extending from both ends of the cylinder 36 as illustrated at 38 and 40.
  • the end of the cylinder 36 adjacent the rod end 40 is provided with an inlet port 42 which may receive a pressure signal on a line 44 from a suitable remote actuator or sensor 46 disposed in the area to be protected e.g. in the cab of a vehicle. When such a signal is received, the rod ends 38 and 40 move to the left as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • the rod end 40 is threaded as at 47 and mounts a downwardly extending yoke 48 provided with a horizontally opening groove 50.
  • An end 52 of the lever 30 is received in the groove 50 and as can be appreciated from Figs. 2 and 3, upon actuation of the cylinder 36 by a pressure signal, the lever 30 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 to actuate the system.
  • a coil spring 54 is abutted between the right-hand end of the cylinder 36 and the yoke 48 to bias the rod ends 38 and 40 in a direction opposite the direction of movement required for activation.
  • the rod end 38 is likewise threaded as at 60 to threadably receive a cylindrically shaped cross member 62 in an adjustable fashion during assembly. After assembly and suitable adjustment, the cross member 62 will be affixed against movement as, for example, by staking or the use of a suitable adhesive.
  • An upstanding bracket 64 is mounted on the left-hand end of the cylinder 36 and a manual actuator 66 is pivoted thereto by means of a pivot pin 68.
  • the manual actuator 66 is in the form of a bell crank having a graspable end 70 to which a manual force may be applied to manually activate the system as will be seen.
  • the other end of the bell crank is bifurcated as at 72 to extend on both sides of the rod end 38 at a location between the cross member 62 and the left end of the cylinder 36.
  • both the bracket 64 and the upper part of the bifurcated end 72 of the activator 66 are provided with aligned apertures for receipt of a conventional arming pin 74.
  • the sides of the bifurcated end 72 shown at 76 are preferably slightly rounded so as to prevent any binding between the bifurcated end 72 and the cross member 62 during movement from the position illustrated in Fig. 2 in solid lines to the dotted line position.
  • a fire extinguishing system made according to the present invention mitigates the possibility of binding in manual actuation portions of such systems through the unique use of a double rod ended cylinder such as the cylinder 36 and a coupling of a manual actuator such as the actuator 66 to one end thereof, while providing for activation of a lever or linkage mechanism in the system by the other end of the cylinder 36.
  • An extremely compact structure is provided and one which is economical as well. Because there are no loose parts in the actuating system, such as cables or the like, the system is ideally suited for use in environments where vibration is common as, for example, in connection with vehicles. Because there are no loose parts to vibrate, dependable actuation of the system can be had in all instances.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
EP19800302929 1979-10-15 1980-08-22 Fire extinguishing system Expired EP0027310B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1979/000845 WO1981000966A1 (en) 1979-10-15 1979-10-15 Fire extinguishing system having a linkage for operating a valve
WOPCT/US79/00845 1979-10-15

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0027310A2 EP0027310A2 (en) 1981-04-22
EP0027310A3 EP0027310A3 (en) 1981-10-28
EP0027310B1 true EP0027310B1 (en) 1984-01-25

Family

ID=22147738

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19800302929 Expired EP0027310B1 (en) 1979-10-15 1980-08-22 Fire extinguishing system

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0027310B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS56501313A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
MX (1) MX151063A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
WO (1) WO1981000966A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT202100020645A1 (it) * 2021-07-30 2023-01-30 Domenico Piatti Dispositivo che si installa tra la maniglia e la leva di azionamento di un estintore manuale portatile di incendio pressurizzato e lo trasforma in un impianto automatico di spegnimento e/o raffreddamento a scarica variabile e regolabile.

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2333130A (en) * 1941-09-20 1943-11-02 Specialties Dev Corp Control device
US2972466A (en) * 1957-08-09 1961-02-21 Fyr Fyter Co Discharge head
US3276699A (en) * 1964-06-26 1966-10-04 Niagara Frontier Service Device for dispensing pressurized material
US3316974A (en) * 1965-06-18 1967-05-02 Roger R Cholin Internal cable discharge device
DE1930641C3 (de) * 1969-06-18 1979-07-12 Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen Einrichtung zur Fahrortermittlung für Schienenfahrzeuge
US3737140A (en) * 1971-09-07 1973-06-05 Ellis Corp Dual controlled valve assembly
BE792037A (fr) * 1971-11-29 1973-03-16 Hallarydsverken Ab Perfectionnements a des valves
US3768567A (en) * 1971-12-14 1973-10-30 G Weise Automatic remote control discharge system for portable fire extinguishers
US4043353A (en) * 1976-08-02 1977-08-23 Westinghouse Air Brake Company Manually, pneumatically, or electrically operable drain valve device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT202100020645A1 (it) * 2021-07-30 2023-01-30 Domenico Piatti Dispositivo che si installa tra la maniglia e la leva di azionamento di un estintore manuale portatile di incendio pressurizzato e lo trasforma in un impianto automatico di spegnimento e/o raffreddamento a scarica variabile e regolabile.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1981000966A1 (en) 1981-04-16
EP0027310A2 (en) 1981-04-22
EP0027310A3 (en) 1981-10-28
JPS56501313A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1981-09-17
MX151063A (es) 1984-09-19

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