GB2170103A - Fire extinguisher - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic fire extinguisher apparatus comprising an outer housing or tank 113 having a suitable fire fighting fluid contained therein, an inner housing apparatus 114 secured within the outer housing and having a pressure fluid contained therein, a sprinkler head 120 secured to the inner housing apparatus 114 and extending outwardly from the outer housing 113 for response to excessive ambient temperatures to automatically release the pressure fluid of the inner housing 114 into the interior of the outer housing 113 whereby the fire fighting fluid may be released through the sprinkler head 120 for extinguishing the fire causing the excessive ambient temperature. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fire extinguisher This invention relates to improvements in fire protection apparatus and particularly to automatic fire protection apparatus for the home, business or the like and/or normally isolated or unattended areas where there is danger of fire.

There has long been a need for a practical and inexpensive automatic fire extinguishing means for homes, business and the like, and presently available devices are generally of limited effectiveness and very expensive, such devices are shown in the De Rouville U.S. Patent No. 3,638,733 issued February 1, 1972 and entitled "Heat Operated Fire Extinguisher". It is shown that automatic fire protection usually consists of a steel or aluminum pressurized cylinder supplied with an automatic heat sensitive device of some nature and has to maintain a high pressure. Again, in the Mark Balmes U.S. Patent No.

3,547,201, issued December 1970 and entitled "Fire Extinguisher", we can see an automatic head device very complex in nature and a cylinder requiring steel or like construction thus requiring the high cost of a high pressure cylinder. The Harold Wainess U.S. Patent No. 2,786,537 issued March 26, 1957 and entitled "Self Energizing Fire Extinguisher" is conforming to all trends in prior art and is also using a pressurized cylinder and heat sensitive device with a fuseable link thus maintaining that a constant pressure be maintained at all times. The Zehr U.S. Patent No. 4,006,780 issued February 5, 1977 and entitled "Rupturing Head for Fire Extinguisher" shows an automatic heat sensitive device less than simple in nature and again requires for the use of a pressurized cylinder and in the D.W. Hartzell U.S.Patent No.2,581,324 issued January 1,1952 and entitled "Automatic Fire Extinguisher" we see the requirement of a pressurized cylinder adding to the cost of a fire fighting device. As far back as the J.M.

Miller U.S. Patent No. 398,463 patented on February 26, 1889 and entitled "Fire Extinguisher" we see the use of a pressurized cylinder requiring a high constant pressure. Again in the G.A. Neumann U.S.

Patent No. 3,273,652 issued September 1966 and entitled "Fire Extinguisher" we have a pressurized cylinder requiring steel or like construction coupled together with an automatic heat sensitive fusible sprinkler head device. Many of the patent cited as prior art are of a more complicated nature and limit their understanding to those experienced in the field of fire protection as in the De Palma U.S. Patent No.

3,776,311, issued December 4,1973 and entitled "Temperature Responsive Automatic Fire Extinguisher" and again in the Lamond U.S. Patent No.

4,088,192 issued May 9, 1978 and entitled "Heat Activated Plunger" we find a trend to use a pressurized cylinder and a more complex than possibly needed heat sensitive device for expelling a fire fighting substance to fire to extinguish it. The Kaneko U.S. Patent No. 3,961,669 issued June 8, 1976 and entitled "Automobile Fire Fighting Apparatus" shows a need for specialized fire protection which is ofter not subjected to the home, small business or the like due to the cost and nature of the fire fighting means. The Gow U.S. Patent No.

4,011,911 issued March 1977 and entitled "Portable Fire Extinguisher" shows a fire fighting apparatus which is odd looking in nature and requires many working parts and again is pressurized and the container must be constructed of a steel or the like material adding to the cost of device and the Pappas U.S. Patent No. 4,170,189 issued October 9, 1979 and entitled "Sensor Element and Assembly for Thermally Responsive Apparatus" shows us a very complicated and unappealing automaticfirefighting apparatus thus showing a widespread need for a simple and inexpensive means of automatic fire protection.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an effective and inexpensive automatic heat sensi tire fire extinguisherwhich would allow for automatic fire control in the some, office or the like.

The invention provides a fire extinguisher comprising an outer housing having a suitable fire fighting fluid sealingly contained therein, inner housing means secured to the outer housing and having a fluid under pressure sealingly contained therein, sprinkler head means secured to the inner housing means and extending outwardly from the outer housing, the sprinkler head means being responsive to excessive ambient temperature for automatically releasing the pressurized fluid from the inner housing into the interior of the outer housing whereby the fire fighting fluid may be released through the sprinkler head means for extinguishing any fire causing the excessive ambient temperature.

The fire extinguisher is automatically actuated substantially immediately when a fire starts, thus quickly extinguishing the blaze to minimize damage and reduce the chance for the loss of life. The device is preferably placed in the high hazzard areas of the home, office or the like, so that fires most likely to occur will be within the protected areas and soon extinguished The fire protection device may be easily installed and requires only the use of a screw driver or the like for installation thereof. The fire protection device may also increase the value of the property while acting as a twenty four hour watch guard over the protected areas of the home, office or the like. An important acheivement of the extinguisher of the invention is to provide an inexpensive alternativeto fire protection which is a growing need since many lives are lost through fires each year.The fire protection device can comprise a container which does not have to maintain a high internal pressure which may be activated in seconds just as any pressurized container or more expensive device would act and with remarkable results in fighting or extinguishing a fire.With the extinguisher of the invention installed in such high hazzard areas as furnace closets, utility rooms, kitchens, attics, garages and the like and providing for the simple nature of invention, many lives may be saved each year.

The device is maintained with ease and usually requires a safety check only at extended time intervals for detection of any leakage or the like. The device may sit dormant for long periods of time or until the presence of a fire raising the ambient temperature sufficiently to activate the fire extinguishing device. It may also be desirable to provide an audible alarm such as providing for a reed orwhistle to be incorporated in the device. The invention is simple and effective in detecting and extinguishing fires at their source so as to extinguish fires quickly and immediately without undue time lapse and may constructed inexpensively so as to be presented at a very economical price to those seeking fire protection.

The invention will be described further, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevational view with a portion cut away showing internal structures of a first fire extinguisher apparatus embodying this invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing parts of the fire extinguisher apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of internal apparatus parts of the fire extinguisher of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of a second extinguisher conforming to the invention; Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the extinguisher of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a view in the direction of arrow Vl in Figure 7; Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view of a part of a third extinguisher conforming to the invention; and Figure 8 is a view showing the third extinguisher in a typical use situation.

Referring to Figures 1,2 and 3 of the drawings in detail, reference character 5 generally indicates an automatic fire extinguisher adapted to be installed in a home, office, or the like, and preferably in the proximity of high fire hazzard areas therein, but not limited thereto. The apparatus 5 comprises a container 10 preferably having one closed end 16 provided with a central port or opening 12 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. A reduced diameter internally threaded open ended neck portion 18 is provided at the opposite end of the container 10. The container 10 as shown herein is preferably cylindrical in configuration and is preferably of a rigid construction and may be constructed from a suitable nylon, plastic or the like material.The container 10 encases or houses a quantity of a suitable liquid fire fighting substance, such as CaH, lightwater or the like, retained therein in a manner as will be hereinafter set forth.

A plurality of radially outwardly extending circumferentially spaced tabs 14 may be secured to the outer periphery of the container 10 in the proximity of the closed end 16 thereof in any suitable manner (not shown). A hanger means 30, preferably of a rigid construction, is provided with at least one slot andlor aperture 32 for facilitating mounting of the device 5 on a ceiling or other support structure (not shown). The hanger means 30 is preferably comprised of a U-shaped strap 34 spanning the width or diameter of the closed end 16 of the container 10.

The strap 34 may be provided with open ended slots 36 at each end thereof for receiving the tabs 14 therein.

A suitable pressure relief safety device 20 is disposed in the port 12 in the proximity of the mounting means 30. The safety device 20 may be a safety valve or pop valve of any suitable or well known type and which is commercially available for relieving pressure. The device 20 may be constructed from a suitable plastic, rubber, or the like, material 22 so as to pop-off or extend axially outwardly with respect to the container 10 in the event of a malfunction or accident such as might occur upon an internal leakage within the container 10 as will be hereinaftersetforth.

An apparatus generally indicated at 45 is internally disposed within the container 10, as particularly shown in detail in Figure 3. The appartus 45 comprises a substantially cylindrical cage or sleeve 50 having openings 52 provided therein for stored pressure to be evenly displaced when the device 5 is actuated. The opposite ends 54 of the cage 50 are preferably substantially identical and each is provided with internal threads for threaded engagement with a cap means 40.The cap means 40 may be provided with one or more recesses or holes 42 on the outer face thereof for facilitating the use of a suitable tool (not shown) for adjustment and engag- ing of the cap 40 with the cage 50.A guide sleeve 49 may be centered on the inner surface or face of the cap 40 and extends axially outwardly therefrom to facilitate placement of a punch 46 on the inner face of the cap 40. The punch 46 is preferably a hardened and sharpened point set in the cap means 40 so as to remain in permanent engagement therewith and within the guide sleeve 49. A suitable seal means 44, preferably of a yieldable or flexible constructure which may remain pliable and soft through periods of time, may be placed between the guide sleeve 49 and the cap means 40.

A pressurized cylinder 70 is disposed within the cage 50 and is closed at one end 72 thereof and provided with a reduced diameter neck 74 at the opposite end thereof. A helical spring means 60 is disposed around the outer periphery of the guide 49 and the neck 74 of the cylinder 70 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. A sleeve 90 is provided with a first threaded portion 92 provided around the outer periphery of one end thereof for threaded engagement with the lower end of the cage 50 as viewed in the drawings. A second threaded portion 94 is provided around the outer periphery of the sleeve 90 in the proximity of the opposite end thereof for threaded engagement with the internal threads of the neck 18 of the container 10 for securing the cage 50 and pressurized container 70 within the interior of the container 10. The lower end of the sleeve 90, as viewed in the drawings, is also internally threaded as shown at 95 for threaded engagement with a threaded neck 98 of a suitable sprinkler head means 100. The sprinkler head means 100 may be of any suitable type, and includes a cage portion 104 supporting a plug 108 disposed therein.

An outlet sleeve 80 has one end thereof normally resting against the outer surface of the plug 108 and the opposite end 82 thereof in engagement with the closed lower end 72 of the container 70. The sleeve 80 is provided with a centrally disposed longitudinal ly extending internal passageway 83 in open communciation with a plurality of angularly disposed radially outwardly extending passageway 84 thus providing communication between the passageway 83 and the cage 50. The outer surface of the end 82 of the sleeve 80 is preferably of a configuration complementary to the configuration of the outer end 72 of the cylinder 70 for nesting the cylinder therein and holding the cylinder 70 in a normal position of engagement with the inner surface of the seal 44.

The punch 46 pierces the closed end of the neck 74 when the cylinder 70 is in engagement with the seal 44, and seals the punched opening as long as the cylinder is in this normal position. Of course, the spring means 60 constantly urges the cylinder 70 in a direction toward the outlet sleeve 80 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

Of course, it is preferable to provide a suitable seal means, such as an O-ring 110 between the sleeve 90 and the inner periphery of the neck 18 for precluding accidental loss of fluid therebetween. In addition, the sprinkler head 100 is normally provided with a deflector means 106 at the outer end thereof for uniform distribution of any fluid discharging from the apparatus 5 during actuation thereof. The pressurized container 70 is preferably charged with compressed air, carbon dioxide or some other inert gas.

In use, the apparatus 5 may be installed at substantially any desired location by the support bracket means 30 and in such a manner that the sprinkler head 100 is open to the area being monitored by the apparatus 5. The sprinkler head 100 normally includes a heat sensitive means 102 which melts or otherwise breaks upon sensing a preselected ambient temperature. The rupture of the heat sensitive means causes the plug means 108 to release the upward force holding the sleeve 80 against the cylinder 70, and the spring 60 moves the cylinder 70 away from the engagement with the seal 44. The pressurized fluid within the cylinder 70 is thus released into the interior of the cage 50 and from thence into the interior of the cylinder 10.The fire fighting material or fluid stored within the cylinder 10 is then forced out of the cylinder 10 through the passageways 84 and 83 and into the sprinkler head 100 for release into the area surrounding the apparatus 5. The deflector means 106 causes the escaping fire fighting material to be substantially evenly distributed throughout the area surrounding the apparatus 5 for automatically quickly and efficiently extinguishing any fire which may be present.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel automatic fire extinguishing apparatus comprising an outer housing containing a suitable fire fighting fluid and an inner housing containing a fluid under pressure. A sprinkler head means is secured to the internal housing and extends outwardly from the outer housing for sensing any ambient temperature which may exceed the desirable temperature levels. Activation of the sprinkler head means by an elevated ambient temperature automatically releases the pressurized fluid of the inner housing into the interior of the outer housing whereby the fire fighting fluid contained in the outer housing may be released through the sprinkler head for dousing or extinguishing of the fire.

Refering now to Figures 4 and 5, a second preferred embodiment of fire extinguisher 112 of the invention comprises a short cylindrical container or tank 113 filled, in use, with a fire-combating liquid such as water. The tank 113 can be some 100mm deep and some 400mm in diameter. Centrally of the tank 1 13 there is sealingly united thereto an activator unit 114 which can be a moulding or casting of metal and/or plastics and include a reservoir 115 for a compressed gas to which connects a charging one-way valve 116 and a pressure gauge 117 and a valve member in the form of a plunger 118 which extends between a valve seat 119 on the reservoir 115 and a sprinkler/spray head 120.Plunger 118 carries a seal on its upper end (Figure 5) and at its lower end is braced against a stop such as a fusible or frangible element (not shown) in the spray head 120.

The stop is adapted to be removed or released in the event of fire and this allows the plunger to release the compressed gas from reservoir 115 to pressurize the contents of tank 113. Simultaneously the stop opens a fluid flow communication from the tank to the spray head and the tank contents are discharged under pressure in the form of a fire extinguishing or preventing spray.

The embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 is compact and unobtrusive and can be mounted on a ceiling (or wall) of a space to be protected and needs no wiring or power supply. The stop can be fusible or other temperature sensitive device, or a smoke sensing unit adapted to collapse, fuse, or otherwise change to both release the contents of the reservoir and open a fluid flow path from tank 113 to spray head 120.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 have a similar construction of extinguisher 121 having a flat rectangular tank 122 provided with an activator unit 123 at one corner thereof. This extinguisher 121 can be mounted above a ceiling 124 and a spray head 125 of the activator unit 123 can project wholly or partially through an aperture 126 in the ceiling. Operation of the extinguisher 121 is directly comparable with that of Figures 4 and 5, and it is even less obtrusive in its mounting.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein may be made within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (11)

1. A fire extinguisher comprising an outer housing having a suitable fire fighting fluid sealingly contained therein, inner housing means secured to the outer housing and having a fluid under pressure sealingly contained therein, sprinkler head means secured to the inner housing means and extending outwardly from the outer housing, the sprinkler head means being responsive to excessive ambienttem- perature for automatically releasing the pressurized fluid from the inner housing into the interior of the outer housing whereby the fire fighting fluid may be released through the sprinkler head means for extinguishing any fire causing the excessive ambient temperature.

2. An automatic fire extinguisher as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner housing means comprises cage means secured to the outer housing and sprinker head means, pressure cylinder means slidably disposed within the cage means, outlet sleeve means interposed between the pressurized cylinder means and the sprinkler head means for retaining the pressurized cylinder means in a normal sealing engagement with the cage means for precluding accidental discharge of pressurized fluid therefrom, the outlet sleeve means providing communication between the interior of the outer housing and the sprinkler head means and responsive to actuation of the sprinkler head means for releasing the sealing engagement of the pressurized cylinder means with the cage means for discharge of the pressurized fluid into the interior of the outer housing for forcing the fire fighting fluid outwardly through the sprinkler head means.

3. An automaticfire extinguisher as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cage means comprises a sleeve having at least one opening in the sidewall thereof for communication between the interior of the sleeve and the interior of the outer housing, and cap means secured to an outer end of the sleeve for receiving the pressurized cylinderthereagainst in the normal sealed position thereof.

4. An automatic fire extinguisher as claimed in claim 3 and including seal means interposed between the cap means for sealing of the pressurized cylinder means in the normal position thereof, and spring means cooperating between the cap means and pressurized cylinder means for moving the cylinder means away from the normal sealed en gagementwith the seal means upon activation of the sprinkler head means.

5. A fire extinguisher as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the outer housing is dimensionally less in depth than width to allow unobtrusive mounting of the unit.

6. An extinguisher as claimed in claim 5 wherein the depth of the outer housing is one third or less than the width of the outer housing.

7. A fire extinguisher comprising a container or tank for fire combating liquid, an activator unit integral with or sealed to the tank and including: a pressurisable reservoir for gas; an outlet from the reservoir to the interior of the tank; a downwardly directed liquid discharge head an an element normally serving simultaneously to block a flow path from the tank to the head and to maintain a valve member in a position in which it seals the outlet from the reservoir, the element being adapted in the event of fire or upon receipt of a fire initiated signal to undergo a change of condition to open the outlet from the reservoir to the tank and to open the flow path from the tank to the head.

8. An extinguisher as claimed in claim 7, wherein the element is a frangible or collapsible heat sensitive member.

9. An extinguisher as claimed in claim 7, wherein the element is connected to an actuator, powered or otherwise, connected to a fire-sensitive device.

10. An extinguisher as claimed in any preceding claim and mounted beneath or within a ceiling structure of a space.

11. An extinguisher substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.