ES2637785B1 - CAPSULE FOR FIRE PROTECTION AND PROCEDURE FOR CREATING A SAFETY STRIP - Google Patents

Abstract

Fire protection capsule, comprising a container (1) and an activator (2) attached to the container (1), the activator (2) comprises a valve (3), a diffuser (4) to disperse the extinguishing agent by means of a plurality of openings (13) and a thermal sensor (5); the thermal sensor (5) comprises a concave surface (17) and a set of fins (16) to capture air currents and directed to the valve (3); The valve (3) comprises a body (6), a cylinder (10) inside the body (6) and a thermal actuator (9) configured to lose its mechanical characteristics by an increase in temperature by releasing the cylinder (10) by opening the valve (3). It is also the object of the invention to create a security strip (36) by placing and opening two capsules, each capsule with its fingerprint (32) and an overlap zone (35) between fingerprints (32).

Description

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CAPSULE FOR FIRE PROTECTION AND PROCEDURE FOR CREATING A SAFETY STRIP

DESCRIPTION

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a fire capsule that disperses an extinguishing product in a controlled manner over its environment, moisturizing it and reducing the intensity of a fire that could affect it. The capsule has an activation mechanism without electrical and / or electronic elements, so that its duration in an adverse environment, such as the field, is high, and that it can be installed in terrestrial and in an air environment interchangeably, in addition to The aforementioned capsule of the invention also lacks pyrotechnic means for expanding the extinguishing agent, making it a totally safe device.

The capsule object of the invention is applicable in the fire prevention and extinguishing industry, more specifically forest fires.

Technical problem to solve and background of the invention

Forest fires are one of the biggest problems affecting today's society, causing significant personal, material and environmental damage. Due to both climate change and the increase in urban forest interface areas where the urban area is prioritized over forestry, its incidence is expected to be aggravated.

There are multiple tools included in forest fire prevention and extinction activities that are aimed at minimizing the number of fires as well as reducing their effects. There are large devices for extinguishing forest fires, but further development of prevention measures is necessary, which allows extinction resources to work more safely and effectively.

One of the main protection and prevention measures used today is the creation of barriers to the passage of fire. These barriers are mainly executed by creating areas where the amount of fuel available to burn is reduced, with the aim of creating strips of land to reduce or stop the progress of the fire. Currently, two methodologies to create these infrastructures stand out, such as the elimination of fuel (such as a firewall area) or the creation of a wet line that prevents or limits the combustion of vegetation.

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These actions have a series of limitations that hinder their execution or limit their effectiveness. On the one hand, traditional firewalls, executed to create discontinuities in the forest mass, imply a high environmental impact, especially landscape, by subtracting surrounding vegetation, in addition to certain environmental regulations that may limit their execution, both spatially and temporarily. In the same way, it is often complex to be able to obtain the availability of the land for its execution. On the other hand, these infrastructures require a lot of time for their execution and continuous maintenance.

Regarding the creation of wet lines, there are different forms of execution, such as by air means during the tasks of extinction, by pumper trucks, used in both prevention and extinction work or through the existence of a network of hydrants / sprinklers that Let you generate this wet strip. These systems, which can be used in combination with a fuel disposal, have their limitations.

Another problem, especially associated with the use of aerial means, is the irregular distribution of the retardant on the vegetation, which determines its effectiveness, as well as the inconveniences of application of the retarding products, mainly related to corrosion aspects. In the case of hydrant networks or cannons, they have a high installation cost, high energy requirements and little flexibility if they are fixed installation.

Another way to create defense lines, used only in extinction, is through the use of explosion extinguishers (as disclosed in document ES 2 026 393 A6), although their use was limited by the risks associated with their use and collection.

Document ES 2 414 304 A1 is also known which discloses a self-protection system against forest fires in an urban forest interface, where a plurality of system provisions for protecting an urban area or individual buildings are disclosed by creating a protection zone around of the area to protect.

Description of the invention

The invention described discloses a fire protection capsule, comprising a container where at least one extinguishing agent, a gas, is located

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tablet and an activator attached to the container.

The activator comprises a valve, a diffuser configured to direct the dispersion of the extinguishing agent through a plurality of openings and a thermal sensor.

The thermal collector of the capsule object of the invention comprises a concave surface to capture an ascending air stream and direct it to the valve, and a set of fins to capture horizontal air currents and direct them to the valve.

In addition, the valve is configured to open by a temperature rise and for the capsule object of the invention to automatically disperse the extinguishing agent from the container.

The valve of the capsule object of the invention comprises a body with a chamber with an upper stop, a cylinder in the body chamber, a heat sensitive thermal actuator attached to the cylinder in the body chamber, where the thermal actuator is configured to lose its mechanical characteristics by an increase in temperature.

In another embodiment of the fire protection capsule object of the invention, the valve comprises a body with a chamber with an upper stop, a cylinder inside the body, a thermal actuator and a ring around the thermal actuator, is configured to, in a movement of removal of the ring from the body, break the thermal actuator and release the cylinder to open the valve.

The valve of the fire protection capsule object of the invention comprises a plurality of outputs for communicating the chamber with the diffuser openings.

The fire protection capsule comprises a plurality of diffusion nozzles corresponding to the plurality of diffuser openings configured to modify at least one outlet angle of the extinguishing agent.

In the fire protection capsule the diffuser comprises a plurality of grooves configured to accommodate the set of fins of the thermal collector.

The diffuser of the fire protection capsule comprises at least one flange to be fixed in a valve housing ensuring the orientation of the diffuser.

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In one embodiment of the protection capsule the diffuser and the thermal sensor are a single piece.

The fire protection capsule object of the invention comprises a unidirectional valve between the valve and the container, so that the unidirectional valve together with a filling channel located in the cylinder are configured to allow an entry and prevent an exit of air into the container.

The fire protection capsule container comprises a hollow body and a tube inside, such that the tube connects the bottom of the container with the valve.

In the fire protection capsule object of the invention the thermal actuator is configured as a glass thermal bulb that houses the heat sensitive liquid.

The fire protection capsule object of the invention comprises a plurality of o-rings to seal all the joints between the capsule components.

Finally, the fire protection capsule object of the invention, according to the use to be made of it, this is according to where it is to be placed, it comprises an element to choose between:

- at least one element of hitch in vegetation,

- at least one leg to support the capsule on the floor,

- at least one handle, and

- combination of the above.

The object of the invention is also a method of creating a safety strip with at least two fire protection capsules according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps:

- place at least two fire protection capsules, such that each capsule, when opened, generates a trace of extinguishing agent

- open at least two fire protection capsules, so that a footprint of extinguishing agent corresponding to the sum of the footprints of each capsule is generated with a zone of overlap between tracks.

Description of the figures

To complete the description and in order to help a better understanding of the

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characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is attached, as an integral part thereof, of a set of drawings where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a view of an embodiment of the capsule for hanging on vegetation with the activator separated from the exploding container.

Figure 2 is a view of the activator of the capsule object of the invention of the embodiment of Figure 1 separating the valve, the sensor and the cylinder with the thermal actuator separated from the valve.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the activator used by the capsule according to the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a view of an embodiment of the capsule to be placed on the ground with the activator separated from the exploding container.

Figure 5 is a view of the activator of the capsule object of the invention of the embodiment of Figure 4 separating the valve, the sensor and the cylinder with the thermal actuator separated from the valve.

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the activator used by the capsule according to the embodiment of Figure 4.

Figure 7 shows a sectional view of the capsule object of the invention showing the inside of the container, several parts of the activator, regardless of whether it is to be placed on the ground or on vegetation, the valve being in the open position.

Figure 8 shows an overall view of the capsule object of the invention.

Figure 9 shows a view of the capsule object of the invention with a parachute incorporated into the container for use from an air means or with launchers, launchers such as those described according to ES 2 326 013 B1.

Figure 10 shows a plan representation of a heat scheme where through lines it is shown how a thermal collector captures and directs the interior of the

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heat generated in a fire.

Figure 11 shows an elevation of a heat scheme where through lines it is shown how a thermal collector captures and directs the heat generated in a fire into it.

Figure 12 shows the trace of the extinguishing product generated by a capsule object of the invention when activated.

Figure 13 shows the footprint generated by a plurality of capsules that is the sum of their independent footprints.

The different numerical references that are reflected in the figures correspond to the following elements:

1. container,

2. activator,

3. valve,

4. diffuser,

5. thermal collector,

6. body,

7. camera,

8. upper bumper,

9. thermal actuator,

10. cylinder,

11. filling channel,

12. ring,

13. plurality of openings,

14. diffusion mouths,

15. plurality of outputs,

16. set of fins,

17. concave surface,

18. tabs,

19. recesses,

20. slots,

21. one way valve,

22. tube,

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23. O-ring,

24. neck,

25. threaded,

26. flat gasket,

27. adjustment piece,

28. vegetation hitch element,

29. legs,

30. handle,

31. pin,

32. footprint,

33. lug,

34. parachute,

35. overlap zone. Y

36. protection strip

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

As already indicated, and as can be seen in the figures, the object of the invention is a fire capsule comprising a container (1) that houses at least one extinguishing agent, compressed gas and an activator (2) to activate the release of the extinguishing agent with characteristics of durability and stability that until now did not exist, and that lacks explosive elements for said release, being a totally safe system.

The activator (2) of the capsule object of the invention comprises a valve (3), a diffuser (4) and a thermal sensor (5).

The valve (3), in the preferred embodiment of the invention, comprises a body (6) with an inner chamber (7) with an upper stop (8), where a thermal actuator (9) is located that houses a liquid sensitive to the heat inside and a cylinder (10) attached to the thermal actuator (9), such that in the closed position, the thermal actuator (9) is in contact with the upper stop

(8), and such that the thermal actuator (9) is configured to be broken by a temperature rise that affects the heat sensitive liquid, and when the thermal actuator is broken

(9) the cylinder (10) is released, which moves inside the chamber (7) until the cylinder

(10) contact the upper stop (8) of the chamber (7), allowing the extinguishing agent to exit the container (1) and dispersing said extinguishing agent through the diffuser (4).

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The cylinder (10) of the valve (3) has a filling channel (11) which is a through hole along the cylinder itself (10) that allows, by connecting the capsule to a pressure line, to pressurize the capsule object of the invention introducing air through said filling channel (11).

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the thermal actuator (9) is a glass thermal bulb that houses the heat sensitive liquid, so that this thermal actuator (9) has a high compressive strength and a calibrated breaking temperature . At the moment when the temperature in the vicinity of the thermal actuator (9) rises, the heat-sensitive fluid begins its expansion until the rupture of the bulb occurs by shearing, at which time the cylinder (10) is free, it travels inside the chamber (7) and the opening of the valve (3) and the dispersion of the extinguishing agent occurs.

Although the preferred embodiment of the thermal actuator (9) is the bulb, said thermal actuator (9) can be any device or part that loses its mechanical characteristics due to temperature, for example a plastic cylinder that modifies temperature action its plasticity module and is broken by the pressure of the cylinder pressure (10).

The capsule object of the invention has an alternative embodiment in which the activation is manual, to perform that manual activation the valve (3) comprises a ring (12) around the thermal actuator (9) configured so that in an extraction movement of the ring (12), break the thermal actuator (9) and release the cylinder (10) to open the valve (3) manually.

There are two embodiments of the activator (2):

- a first embodiment in which the diffuser (4) is an independent part of the thermal sensor (5), and

- a second embodiment in which the diffuser (4) forms a unit piece with the thermal sensor (5).

The diffuser (4), in the two embodiments of the invention, comprises a plurality of openings (13) for dispersion of the extinguishing agent. Furthermore, with a view to correctly directing the dispersion of the extinguishing agent, in correspondence with the plurality of openings (13) of the diffuser (4), the capsule object of the invention has a plurality of

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diffusion mouths (14) placed in said openings (13).

In addition, the valve (3) comprises a plurality of outlets (15) located in the perimeter of the chamber (7), to communicate the chamber (7) with the openings (13) of the diffuser (4) and, when the valve (3 ) it is open to allow the exit of the extinguishing agent from the container (1), so that the exit of the extinguishing agent from the container (1) is produced only by the plurality of outlets (15) of the perimeter of the chamber (7).

To ensure that, in case of fire, the heat generated by the fire is directed towards the thermal actuator (9), the activator (2) has the thermal sensor (5) which is an element designed to capture and direct the currents of air towards the thermal actuator (9) of the valve (3), thus the thermal sensor (5) comprises a set of fins (16) to capture horizontal air currents and a concave surface (17) to capture a current of rising air (see figures 10 and 11).

In the embodiment in which the diffuser (1) is an independent part of the thermal sensor (5), said diffuser (4) comprises a plurality of grooves (20) configured to accommodate the set of fins (16) of the thermal sensor ( 5) and thus fix the thermal sensor (5) on the diffuser (4).

To ensure the correct orientation of the thermal sensor (5) on the valve (3), the diffuser (4) has at least one flange (18) that has its corresponding housing (19) on the valve (3).

The activator (2) comprises a unidirectional valve (21) located between the valve (3) and the container (1) configured to allow air to enter the container (1) and prevent its exit, that unidirectional valve (21) allows, collaborating with the filling channel (11) of the cylinder (10) pressurizing the capsule object of the invention by introducing air through said filling channel (11), and even using this filling channel (11) to fill the container (1) With the extinguishing agent.

The container (1) of the capsule object of the invention houses inside it an extinguishing agent and compressed gas.

The container (1) comprises a tube (22) comprising a mouth at the end of the tube (22) located in correspondence with the bottom of the container (1), so that when

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produces the opening of the valve (3) the exit of the extinguishing agent occurs and not of the compressed gas, therefore the tube (22) is necessary when the capsule object of the invention is used in soil, however when the capsule object of The invention is used aerially, said tube (22) is not necessary.

The spray angle of the extinguishing agent is defined by the orientation of the diffusion mouth (14) with respect to the diffuser (4), so, depending on the type of diffuser that is placed in the capsule, a diffusion mouth ( 14) more or less inclined.

In order to ensure that all the joints between the different elements of the activator (2) are sealed, the activator (2) comprises a plurality of o-rings (23).

The container (1), to facilitate fixing the activator (2) on the container (1), comprises a neck (24) which in turn comprises a thread (25) so that the valve (3) of the activator (2) ) it is threaded to the neck (24) and to seal the aforementioned union between the activator (2) and the container (1) a flat gasket (26) and an adjustment piece (27) that is inserted into the neck (24) are used ) and fits the valve (3).

Finally, since there are two ways of placing the capsule object of the invention, an aerial one, located hooked or hanging on vegetation (or other element) and another, resting on the ground, the capsule object of the invention can comprise a hooking element. in vegetation (28) in the form of a ring or the like, and to place the capsule on the ground and that it is stable, it can also comprise legs (29) fixed to the container (1). In addition to transporting from one site to another, the capsule object of the invention comprises a handle (30) attached to the container (1) through a lug (33) located in the container (1), so that the handle ( 30) can be removed from the container (1) by means of a pin (31) inserted in the lug (33).

The capsule object of the invention, by placing and orienting the diffusion nozzles (14) on the diffuser (4), allows optimizing the spray form of the extinguishing agent on fire, and creating barriers and screens to protect specific areas of fire . In the capsule object of the invention according to the number of diffusion mouths (14) and the angles associated therewith, when activated, each capsule generates a certain footprint (32) of product on the ground, and to create a protective barrier the different capsules are arranged and a fingerprint (32) is generated which is the sum of the fingerprints (32) of each capsule. That is, by placing a plurality of capsules as defined.

before, it is possible to create a zone or a strip of protection (36) around an area that one wishes to protect, since it is possible that the fingerprints (32) of some capsules are added to the prints (32) of other capsules, with overlap zones (35) between fingerprints (32) thus creating the said protection zone or strip (36).

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Likewise, the device object of the invention can be used remotely, since it allows its use by remote launching with launchers such as those referred to in ES2326013B1, or throwing it from the air for which it incorporates a parachute (34) that allows reducing its drop.

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The invention should not be limited to the embodiments described herein. Experts in the field can develop other embodiments in view of the description made here. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims (14)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 1. - Fire protection capsule, comprising a container (1) where at least one extinguishing agent, a compressed gas and an activator (2) attached to the container (1) are located, characterized in that: - the activator (2) comprises: - a valve (3), - a diffuser (4) configured to direct the dispersion of the extinguishing agent through a plurality of openings (13), - a thermal sensor (5), - the thermal sensor (5) comprises: - a concave surface (17) to capture an ascending air stream and direct it to the valve (3), and - a set of fins (16) to capture horizontal air currents and direct them to the valve (3), where the valve (3) is configured to open by a temperature rise and to disperse the extinguishing agent from the container (1). 2. - Fire protection capsule according to claim 1 characterized in that the valve (3) comprises: - a body (6) with a camera (7) with an upper stop (8), - a cylinder (10) in the chamber (7) of the body (6), - a heat-sensitive thermal actuator (9), attached to the cylinder (10), in the chamber (7) of the body (6), where the thermal actuator (9) is configured to lose its mechanical characteristics due to an increase in temperature. 3. - Fire protection capsule according to claim 1 characterized in that the valve (3) comprises: - a body (6) with a camera (7) with an upper stop (8), - a cylinder (10) inside the body (6), - a thermal actuator (9), and - a ring (12) around the thermal actuator, where the ring (12) is configured to, in an extraction movement of the ring (12) with respect to the body (6), break the thermal actuator (9) and release the cylinder (10) to open the valve (3). 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 4. Fire protection capsule according to the preceding claims characterized by the valve (3) comprises a plurality of outlets (15) for communicating the chamber (7) with the openings (13) of the diffuser (4). 5. - Fire protection capsule according to claim 4 characterized in that it comprises a plurality of diffusion nozzles (14) in correspondence with the plurality of openings (13) of the diffuser (4) configured to modify at least one outlet angle of the fire extinguishing agent. 6. Fire protection capsule according to the preceding claims characterized in that the diffuser (4) comprises a plurality of grooves (20) configured to accommodate the set of fins (16) of the thermal sensor (5). 7. Fire protection capsule according to claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the diffuser (4) and the thermal sensor (5) are a single piece. 8.-Fire protection capsule according to the preceding claims characterized in that the diffuser (4) comprises at least one flange (18) to be fixed in a housing (19) of the valve (3). 9. - Fire protection capsule according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a unidirectional valve (21) between the valve (3) and the container (1), so that the unidirectional valve (21) together with a channel Filling (11) located in the cylinder (10) are configured to allow an entry and prevent an exit of air and / or extinguishing agent in the container (1). 10. - Fire protection capsule according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the container (1) comprises a hollow body and a tube (22) inside, such that the tube (22) connects the lower part of the container ( 1) with the valve (3). 11. - Fire protection capsule according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the thermal actuator (9) is configured by a glass thermal bulb that houses a heat sensitive liquid. 10 fifteen twenty 12. - Fire protection capsule according to the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a plurality of o-rings (23) for sealing all the joints between the capsule components. 13. - Fire protection capsule according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises an element to choose between: - at least one element of hitch in vegetation (28), - at least one leg (29) to support the capsule on the floor, - at least one handle (30), - a parachute (34), and - combination of the above. 14. - Procedure for creating a safety strip (36) with at least two fire protection capsules according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the steps: - placing at least two fire protection capsules, such that each capsule, when opened, generates a fingerprint (32) of extinguishing agent, - open at least two fire protection capsules, so that a fingerprint (32) of extinguishing agent is generated corresponding to the sum of the fingerprints (32) of each capsule with an overlap zone (35) between fingerprints (32) .