GB2205037A

GB2205037A - Fire-extenguishing device for electrical equipment having flammable components

Info

Publication number: GB2205037A
Application number: GB08809114A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Luigi Venturelli
Original assignee: Faini SpA
Current assignee: Faini SpA
Priority date: 1987-04-24
Filing date: 1988-04-18
Publication date: 1988-11-30
Also published as: FR2614209B3; DE3809754A1; ES2006865A6; FR2614209A1; GB8809114D0

Description

j 22 0 50 27 FIRE-EXTINGUISHING DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT HAVING

FLAMMABLE COMPONENTS The present invention relates to a device for providing protection against fire for equipment incorporating flammable components or components which are subjected to overheating.

In the construction of electrical equipment, which may or may not be for domestic use, such as washing machines, driers, dishwashers, refrigerators, etc., components made of flammable material or which can catch fire if they are accidentally overheated or if they remain under load for an extended period, are widely used. The risks of fire which may be initiated by the programmer device of a machine, by the motor, by resistances or electrical cables, or by faults or erroneous operations, which in addition to damaging the equipment can also cause a fire to spread to the surrounding environment, are thus increased.

It is an object of this invention to at least minimize these risks and to provide such equipment with a device which will act automatically to extinguish any source of fire as it breaks out.

According to the present invention there is provided a fire safety device for electrical equipment containing flammable components, such as washing machines, driers, dishwashers and refrigerators, which comprises at least one container containing a fire- extinguishing material which is designed to open automatically when flames are present and/or when the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold in order to deliver the fire-extinguishing substance directly or indirectly to the components to be protected, the said container being placed in the vicinity of the flammable components or having ducts which extend to these components.

In a first embodiment, the container for the fire-extinguishing material is honeycombed and has a perforated base, the perforations in the base being normally closed off by means of a film which melts or breaks at a specified temperature thus releasing the fire-extinguishing material.

In a second embodiment, the container is in the form of a pressurised cylinder and is provided with ducts which are normally closed but burst open at a specified temperature threshold.

The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a container for fire-extinguishing material which can be applied to a component of an item of equipment requiring protection; Fig. 2 shows the container of fire-extinguishing material mounted ready for use; Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section of the container in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 shows an item of equipment in the f arm of a washing machine incorporating another embodiment of the fire-extinguishing device, in diagrammatical form.

The device according to Fig. 1, 2 and 3 comprises at least one container 10 which is to be mounted in or in the proximity of the components which are most subjected to overheating and fire in an item of equipment requiring protection and contains a fire-extinguishing material or k - 3 extinguishing agent 11.

Container 10 for the fire-extinguishing material 11 is of the honeycomb type and may be mounted an the inside of the top 12, or an a side or an the tub or any other component of a washing machine, dishwasher, etc. Said container 10 has a plurality of honeycombs 13 provided with basal holes.14 which are closed at the outset by means of a labile covering or film 15 which is designed to self-destruct in the presence of a flame or at a temperature above a predetermined threshold value. Fire-extinguishing material 11 is placed in honeycombs 13 when the base of the holes 14 are closed, after which the honeycombs are closed off by means of a second film or by an upper sheet 16 which acts for example both is as a support and a means for application of the container to component 12 in question, see Fig. 2 The fire-extinguishing material may be of the type commonly used in extinguishers and is placed within the honeycombs in the free state, or alternatively encapsulated in microspheres.

In any event it remains held within the honecombs as long as the temperature of the environment in which it is located does not exceed the specified limit and the covering or film 15 remains whole.

On the other hand, as soon as overheating or flammability conditions which may give rise to a fire within the protected item of equipment arise, covering or film 15 self-destructs freeing holes 14 for distribution of the fire-extinguishing substance with the object of rapidly extinguishing the developing fire.

Container 10 is preferably of a honeycomb structure to ensure better and more reliable distribution of the fire- extinguishing material even if some of the holes are obstructed.

The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 uses at least one container 21 in the form of a pressurised cylinder which must be mounted on the interior of item of equipment 20 requiring protection, and contains a fireextinguishing substance of the type commonly used in extinguishers, and is provided with one or more normally closed distribution ducts 22.

These ducts 22 extend to the part or parts of the equipment which is subject to overheating or catching fire, such as electrical devices, resistances, motors, flammable components, etc. On the one hand the fireextinguishing material in container or cylinder 21 is at least slightly pressurised and on the other hand distribution ducts 22 are constructed of a mitterial which is designed to melt in order to break or open the tubes when they are enveloped in flames or when the temperature of their environment exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Thus, in this event, as scan as conditions of overheating or flammability which may give rise to a fire within the protected equipment arise, the tube or tubes 22 break and in opening automatically distribute the fire extinguishing material so as rapidly to extinguish the development of a possible fire.

i cl 1 J1

Claims

- 5 CLAIMS

1. A device for protecting electrical equipment containing flammable components, such as washing machines, driers, dishwashers and refrigerators, against fire, comprising at least one container containing fire-extinguishing material, said container being designed to open automatically when flames are present and/or when the temperature exceeds-a predetermined threshold value in order to deliver the fireextinguishing material directly or indirectly to the components to be protected, the said container being located in the vicinity of the flammable components or having ducts which extend to such components.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which each container is has honeycombs with holes in the base of each honeycomb space, and in which the base of such holes are closed by a covering or film which self-destructs at a predetermined temperature to open the holes and release the fire-extinguishing material.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the fire-extinguishing material is liquid and/or is contained within microspheres.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the container of fire-extinguishing material is provided with one or more distribution ducts which extend close to the flammable or overheatable parts and which are designed to break for immediate automatic delivery of the fireextLnguishing material when the temperature exceeds a.predetermined threshold value or when the ducts are enveloped in flames.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, in which the container of fireextinguishing material is pressurised and in which the duct or ducts are constructed of a material which is designed to melt at the threshold temperature considered J;!i- hazardous.

6. A device for protecting electrical equipment containing flammable components against fire,substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 Published 1988 at T' e Patent Office. State I-louse. 66 71 High Holborn, London WCIR 4TP. Further copies may be obtained from The Patent Office, Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington. Kent BR5 3RD- Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent. Con, 1.187.