EP1878471A1

EP1878471A1 - Fire protection system

Info

Publication number: EP1878471A1
Application number: EP06117174A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gerardus Johannes Antonius Wilhelmus Kommers
Original assignee: Gerardus Johannes Antonius Wilhelmus Kommers
Current assignee: Komvoort Innovatie BV
Priority date: 2006-07-13
Filing date: 2006-07-13
Publication date: 2008-01-16

Abstract

Fire protection system with a modular construction with a separate container (1) and a separate activating device (2; 32). The container is filled with a fire extinguishant (11) and has a detonating material (9) and is covered by a seal (5; 35). In use, the separate container and separate activating device are connected such that the activating device (2; 32) can generate an activating energy to cause the detonating material (9) to detonate and release the fire extinguishant (11).

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of fire protection systems having a container filled with a fire extinguishant and containing a detonating material. When this fire protection system is, e.g., placed in a fire the detonating material detonates and ruptures the container, thus releasing the extinguishant in the fire.

Background of the invention

Fire protection systems of this kind are known in the art, e.g., from EP-A-0390384 and EP-A-0483901 .

Summary of the invention

The invention is defined by the features of claim 1. Embodiments are claimed in depending claims.
So, the invention provides a separate sealed container with the fire extinguishant and a separate activating device that can be stocked separately. By providing a separate sealed container containing the fire extinguishant that can be kept sealed during stocking and transport and thus be kept away from the activating device, the fire protection system according to the invention is very safe and prevents inadvertent explosions to a great extent. Only when the separate activating device is connected to the container of the fire protection system, the fire protection system is activated and may easily explode to extinguish a fire.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be explained in detail with reference to some drawings that are only intended to show embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope. The scope of the invention is defined in the annexed claims and by its technical equivalents.
The drawings show:

Figure 1 shows separate components of a fire protection system in accordance with a first embodiment;
Figures 2a and 2b show embodiments of a cover used with the fire protection system of figure 1;
Figures 3-6 show several embodiments of fire protection systems in accordance with the first embodiment;
Figures 7 and show implementations of a fire protection system according to a second embodiment;
Figure 9 shows a fuse winded like a streamer;
Figure 10 shows how several fire protection systems can be mutually connected by a fuse.

Detailed description of embodiments

The present invention relates to a fire protection system with a modular structure, i.e., it comprises a separate container with a fire extinguishant and a detonating material, and a separate activating device. Both the separate container and the separate activating device can be stocked and transported remote from one another to prevent accidents with the detonating material. Only after being brought to the location where the fire protection system is to be installed, the two separate units, i.e. container and activating device, are connected to one another to provide the fire protection system with its capacity to extinguish or prevent fires.
It is observed that the term "fire protection system" refers both to systems arranged to extinguish fires and smouldering fires, and systems arranged to prevent fires.
The present invention can be constructed in different embodiments. Two embodiments will be explained. However, the invention is not restricted to these two embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a fire protection system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The fire protection system comprises a container 1. The container 1 may be of any suitable material like anti static plastic. The container 1 may have any suitable shape like a ball or a tube and may have any desired cross section shape, e.g., circular rectangular or hexagonal. The container 1 may have any suitable wall thickness that may depend on the intended application (small fires or large fires). The container 1 is filled with a fire extinguishant 11. The fire extinguishant 11 may be any one of the different extinguishing products available in the market, like liquid like water, or a foam like material. Other materials may be a gel or a powder. The shape of the container 1 will be such as to spread the fire extinguishant as good as possible in use, as will be explained in more detail below. Of course, the shape may also depend on design considerations such as to give the fire protection system a nice appearance.
In the embodiment shown in figure 1, the container 1 comprises a detonator tube 7 that may be located along a central axis of the container 1. The tube 7may be made of a synthetic material. The tube 7 comprises a detonating material 9. The amount and composition of detonating material 9 depends on the application.
The container 1 is sealed with a seal 5. The seal 5 may be a membrane like member and may, e.g., made of plastic, paper or any other available product suitable for this function.
As shown, the container 1 has a first, outward directed rim 3.
Figure 1 shows a separate activating device 2. In the embodiment of figure 1, the activating device 2 comprises a cover 13 provided with a pen like member 15. The cover 13 comprises a second, inward directed rim 17. In an embodiment, shown in figure 2a, the pen like member 15 is hollow and accommodates a fuse 14. In an alternative embodiment, shown in figure 2b, the pen like member 15 is hollow and accommodates an activating filament 16 made of a suitable metal. In more general terms, the pen like member 15 accommodates an activating energy guiding member 14, 16 arranged to guide activating energy to the detonating material 9 in order to detonate it. Under some circumstances, the pen like member 15 and the activating energy guiding member can be one and the same member. The pen like member 15 is preferably made of a synthetic material. Instead of pen like member 15, any piercing device arranged to pierce through the seal 5 may be applied.
As will be explained below with reference to figures 3-6, in use the cover 13 will be connected to the container 1 while the pen like member 15 will perforate the seal 5 and be accommodated by detonator tube 7 and contacting partly detonating material 9, and while the second, inward direct rim 17 snaps over the first outward directed rim 3. The pen like member 15 will be pushed into detonating material 9 such that the activating member, e.g. the fuse 14 or activating filament 16 (figures 2a, 2b), contacts the detonating material 9 such as to guide activating energy, e.g. in the form of heat or a flame to the detonating material 9. The activating energy may also be electrical, e.g. in the form of a spark.
Although a snapping fit may be preferred, the present invention does not exclude other connections between the activating device 2 and the container 1, like a screw connection or a welding connection.
Figure 3 shows a first implementation of a fire protection system in accordance with the first embodiment as shown in figure 1. Figure 3 shows how cover 13 is connected to the container 1 by pushing the pen like member 15 through the seal 5 such that its lower portion is surrounded by detonating material 9. In this embodiment, the pen like member 15 accommodates fuse 14. In the situation shown in figure 3, the fuse 14 contacts the detonating material 9. The fuse 14 is connected to a net 10. The net 10 is at least partly made of fuse material, e.g. fuses arranged in a longitudinal direction. So, alternatively, the fuse 14 may be a portion of net 10. The net 10 comprises preferably elastic wires extending in a radial direction such that it can be pulled over the container 1 in a tight-fit way. The net 10 is long enough to extend from the upper side of the container 1 to the bottom side of the container 1. The net 10 may have a rope or rubber band 12 at a bottom side to close the net 10 when pulled over the container 1. Of course, in case the net 10 comprises elastic wires the net 10 is already tight to the container 1 and such a rope or rubber is not necessary.
The fuses of net 10 are preferably arranged such that, in use, on average every area of the container 1 smaller than 25% or less is covered with at least one fuse. Even more preferred is an embodiment in which on average every area of the container 1 below 10% is covered with at least one fuse.
In use, the fire protection system of figure 3 operates in the following way. In use, the fire protection system will be oriented as shown in figure 3. If a fire breaks out below the fire protection system the net 10 will catch fire. Since it is made of fuse material it will guide the fire to the fuse 14 in no time. The fuse 14 will guide the fire to the detonating material 9 which will explode. The explosion causes the tube 7 to explode too such that the container 1 ruptures and the fire extinguishant is spread over the fire. The fire protection system can be designed such that, if the fire extinguishant is a liquid, the liquid atomizes. The atomized liquid, thus, provides a very efficient fire protection system. The microscopic small particles set free by the explosion, first of all, provide a strong cooling force. Moreover, when touching the fire the microscopic small particles will evaporate into steam which will, during a short period of time, close off the fire from oxygen in the surrounding air. This will have a second fire extinguishing effect.
In order to provide the atomized liquid with a desired velocity direction, the wall of the container 1 may be provided with one or more weaker locations that rupture first after the explosion of the detonating material 9. Also the tube 15 may be designed such as to stimulate an explosive force in certain directions, e.g., by providing the tube 15 with predetermined weaker locations.
The net 10 shown in figure 3 may be substituted by one or more fuses that may be wrapped around the container 1. However, the net 10 has great advantages: since the net 10 effectively surrounds the container 1 entirely, it will substantially always catch fire and guide the fire to the fuse 4, causing the detonating material 9 to explode. The space between the wires of the net 10 will be chosen small enough to prevent the fire from melting the container 1 such that it can break or rupture before the explosion occurs. Such a break or rupture would prevent the fire protection system from a proper operation since the fire extinguishant would have gone before the explosion occurs.
Instead of a net 10, a curtain like member may be used.
Figure 4 shows a further implementation of the first embodiment in which like reference numbers refer to the same components as in earlier figures. In the embodiment of figure 4, the pen like member 15 accommodates an activating filament 6 as shown in figure 2b. In figure 4, a smoke detector 19 is provided that is attached to the cover 13. The smoke detector 19 is connected to the activating filament 16. The smoke detector 19 may have its own power supply, e.g. a battery, or be connected to an external power supply.
In use, the embodiment of figure 4 operates as follows. If there is a fire this may cause smoke. There may be other causes of smoke like a smouldering fire without flames. The smoke detector 19 detects the smoke and heats the activating filament 16. The activating filament 16 transports the heat to the detonating material 9 such that the detonating material explodes. After the explosion, the fire protection system of figure 4 operates in the same way as the one of figure 3.
Figure 5 shows a further embodiment in which like reference numbers refer to the same components as in earlier figures. In the embodiment of figure 5, like in the embodiment of figure 4, the pen like member 15 accommodates an activating filament 6 as shown in figure 2b. In figure 5, a heat sensor 23 is provided that is attached to the cover 13. The heat sensor 23 may have an internal power supply like a battery, or a an external power supply. The heat sensor 23 is arranged to sense heat of the ambient atmosphere and to heat the activating filament 16 when the ambient temperature rises above a predetermined temperature level. The filament 16 will transport the heat to the detonating material 9 which will then explode. After its explosion, the fire protection system of figure 5 operates in the same way as the one of figures 3 and 4.
Figure 6 shows a still further embodiment in which like reference numbers refer to the same components as in earlier figures. In the embodiment of figure 6, like in the embodiments of figures 4 and 5, the pen like member 15 accommodates an activating filament 6 as shown in figure 2b. In figure 6, a receiver 27 is attached to the cover 13 and is connected to the activating filament 16. The receiver 27 may have its own internal power supply, like a battery, or an external power supply. The receiver is arranged to receive a radio signal from a remote unit (not shown). Such a remote unit may be located in an emergency center operated by operators. An operator, by using a suitable transmitter (not shown), may send an emergency signal to the receiver 27. Upon receipt of the emergency signal, the receiver 27 will heat the activating element. The activating device will transport the heat to the detonating material 9 which will then explode. After its explosion, the fire protection system of figure 6 operates in the same way as the one of figures 3, 4 and 5.
Figures 7 and 8 show implementations of a second embodiment of the invention. In both figures, like reference signs refer to the same components as in earlier figures.
Figures 7 and 8 show an alternative activating device 32. The alternative activating device 32 comprise cover 13 and a heat generating device 19; 23; 27; 39. Moreover, in figures 7 and 8, the detonating material 9 is accommodated in a separate housing 36 that can be snap-fitted into the body 1. At an upper side extending from the body 1, the housing 36 is covered with a vacuum-tight seal 35. Fuse 14 extends from the detonating material 9 towards the seal 35 such that it engages seal 35 at a lower side.
Activating device 32 comprises an inward directed rim 37 such that it can make a snap-fit connection with housing 36. When in the snap-fit connection with the housing 36, the heat generating device 19; 23; 27; 39 engages the seal 35.
In the implementation of figure 7, the heat generating device may either one of the smoke detector 19, the heat sensor 23 and the receiver 27, as explained with reference to figures 4, 5, and 6, respectively. In use, when activated by smoke, heat, and a received signal respectively, the heat generating device activates and generates heat that is transported to the fuse 14 via seal 35. The seal 35 may, possibly, bum away. The fuse 14 guides the heat to the detonating material 9 which then explodes and causes the extinguishant 11 to be released, as explained earlier.
In the implementation of figure 8, the heat generating device is is heat conductive unit 39 connected to net 10. In case of fire, the net 10, that is made of fuse material, will catch fire and the heat thus produced will be guided to the heat conductive unit 39 which, on its turn, guides the heat to the seal 35. Via the seal, the fuse 14 is heated and the detonating material 9 will explode as explained with reference to figure 7. Again, the extinguishant 11 will be released.
Figure 9 shows that the activating device may comprise cover 13 and a fuse 38 winded as a stream
Figure 10 shows that several fire protection systems in accordance with the invention may be connected by such a fuse 38. Preferably, the length of such a fuse 38 is so short that each of the fire protection systems is within the active area of a neighboring fire protection system such that no area below the combined fire protection systems is uncovered.
It is observed that different features of different implementations of the two embodiments explained above can be combined, if required.
Moreover, it is observed that the internal pressure of the container 1 may be equal to the environmental pressure which gives commercial advantages.

Claims

Fire protection system based on a modular construction comprising a separate container (1) filled with a fire extinguishant (11), the container (1) having a housing (7; 36) containing a detonating material (9), the container (1) being covered by a seal (5), the fire protection system also comprising a separate activating device (2; 32), the activating device (2; 32) and the container (1) being arranged to be connected to one another in use such that the activating device (2; 32) can generate an activating energy to cause the detonating material (9) to detonate and release the fire extinguishant (11).
Fire protection system according to claim 1, wherein the activating device (2) comprises a cover (13) with a piercing device (15) with an activating energy guiding member (14; 16), the cover (13) being designed to cover the seal (5) and the piercing device (15) being designed to be pushed through said seal (5) such that the activating energy guiding member (14; 16) can cause the detonating material to detonate.
Fire protection system according to claim 1, wherein the housing (37) comprises a heat guiding component (14) extending from said detonating material (9) to a first side of said seal (35), and said activating device (2; 32) is designed to engage a second side of said seal (35) opposing said first side of said seal (35).
Fire protection system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the activating device (2; 32) is arranged to be snap-fit to the container (1).
Fire protection system according to claim 4, wherein said container has a body (1) containg said fire extinguishant (11) and said housing (36) is snap-fit to said body (1) and extends from said body, said seal (35) sealing said housing (36), said activating device (32) being designed to form a snap-fit connection with said housing (36).
Fire protection system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fire extinguishant is at least one of a liquid, a foam, a gel and a powder.
Fire protection system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the activating energy guiding member is either a fuse (14) or a filament (16).
Fire protection system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the activating device comprises at least one of a further fuse wrapped around the container (1), a net (10) arranged around the container (1), and a curtain like member around the container (1).
Fire protection system according to claim 8, wherein the activating device is said net (10) which is at least partly made of a fuse material.
Fire protection system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the activating device comprises a smoke detector (19) arranged to detect smoke and, in case of detecting smoke, to generate said activating energy.
Fire protection system according to any of the claims 1-10, wherein the activating device comprises a heat sensor (23) arranged to detect heat and, in case of detecting heat, to generate said activating energy.
Fire protection system according to claim 8, wherein the activating device comprises a receiver (27) arranged to receive a signal and, in case of receiving said signal, to generate said activating energy.
A plurality of fire protection systems according to any of the preceding claims mutually connected by fuses (38) such that when one of the fire protection systems is activated its neighboring fire protection systems will also be activated.
Fire protection system comprising a container (1) filled with a fire extinguishant (11), the container (1) having a housing (7; 36) containing a detonating material (9), the fire protection system also comprising an activating device (2; 32), the activating device (2; 32) and the container (1) being arranged such that the activating device (2; 32) can generate an activating energy to cause the detonating material (9) to detonate and release the fire extinguishant (11), wherein the activating device comprises a net (10) surrounding the container (1) and comprising one or more fuses.
Fire protection system according to claim 14, wherein the net (10) is arranged such that, on average, each area of said container (1) covered by a fuse is less than 25%, more preferably less than 10%.