GB2431455A

GB2431455A - Fire extinguisher valve

Info

Publication number: GB2431455A
Application number: GB0620933A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Gordon Jones; David George Sexton; Anthony John Watts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-22
Filing date: 2006-10-20
Publication date: 2007-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-20
Also published as: GB0521608D0; GB0620933D0; GB2431455B

Abstract

A fluid container 1 has an opening 2 controlled by a fluid release valve 3. The valve comprises a sleeve 4 and a slider body 5 contained therein which is adapted to move axially from a closed position to an open position. A fluid inlet 6 is provided in a side of the sleeve 4 and a fluid outlet 7 is provided at a first end 8 of the sleeve. A fluid passage 9 extends through the slider body 5 from a side 10 to a first end 11 thereof. In the closed position the slider body 5 overlies the fluid inlet 6 and closes it, and in the open position the fluid passage 9 is aligned with the fluid inlet 6 so that the fluid passage 9 connects the fluid inlet 6 to the fluid outlet 7.

Description

* 2431455 FLUID CONTAINER WITh FLUID RELEASE VALVE This invention relates

to a fluid container with a fluid release valve, for use particularly, but not exclusively, as a racing car fire extinguisher.

It is compulsory for racing cars such as Formula One and World Rally cars to carry internal fire extinguishers. These devices are arranged to operate automatically if a fire breaks out in the engine bay or the cock pit of the vehicle. Known devices comprise a rigid outer container carrying a collapsible bladder inside it. The bladder contains a fire dampening fluid, and it has an opening sealed with a burst disk. The devices are triggered by the input of a propellant gas into the outer container, which increases the pressure around the bladder to such an extent that the burst disk ruptures and the fire dampening fluid is expelled at high pressure.

However, it is possible for the temperature around the fire extinguisher to reach such a level in use, that the fire dampening fluid increases to a pressure high enough to inadvertently ruptures the burst disk.

The engine bays and cockpits of racing cars are extreme environments which can be subject to high temperatures and considerable G forces in use. Therefore, any automatic fire extinguisher must be able to easily withstand such external factors without malfunctioning.

In addition, in the event of a fire it is very important for the fire extinguisher to operate reliably as lives can be in real danger in a racing car fire, in particular in the aftermath of a high speed accident. Therefore, it is desirable to use a simple and robust construction with a smaller potential for failures.

The present invention is intended to provide a novel approach.

Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention a fluid container comprises an opening controlled by a fluid release valve, in which the fluid release valve comprises a sleeve and a slider body contained therein which is adapted to move axially from a closed position to an open position, in which a fluid inlet is provided in a side of the sleeve and a fluid outlet is provided at a first end of the sleeve, in which a fluid passage extends through the slider body from a side to a first end thereof, in which in the closed position the slider body overlies the fluid inlet and closes it, and in which in the open position the fluid passage is aligned with the fluid inlet such that the fluid passage connects the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet.

Thus, the fluid container of the present invention is provided with a simple but robust fluid release valve which only requires the axial movement of a slider in a sleeve to open it. In addition, this construction will not open inadvertently if a fluid in the container reaches a high pressure, for example if it is subjected to high temperatures.

In a preferred construction the sleeve can comprise a pressure chamber at a second end, which has a pressure fluid inlet at a top. A second end of the slider body can be disposed in the pressure chamber, and introduction of a pressure fluid, with which the fluid container is used, into the pressure chamber can move the slider body from the closed position to the open position.

This is a very simple and expedient way to open the fluid release valve as it simply relies on the direct application of a pressure fluid to the second end of the slider body.

Clearly, if a fluid at a high pressure is applied to the second end of the slider body it will move to the open position very quickly. It is therefore necessary to provide a simple stop means at the end of the sleeve, which can be adapted to arrest the movement of the slider body in the open position after the pressure fluid is introduced into the pressure chamber.

In a preferred construction of the invention a pressure fluid outlet can be provided in a side of the sleeve at a bottom of the pressure chamber. In the closed position the slider body can overlie the pressure fluid outlet and close it, and in the open position the slider body can be disposed beyond the pressure fluid outlet, so it is open. With this construction the pressure fluid can exit the pressure chamber when the slider body has been moved to the open position, which prevents a high pressure being applied continuously to the slider body and the sleeve, and in particular to the stop means holding the slider body in the open position.

It will be appreciated that the invention can be a fluid container of any type, however in the most expedient embodiment of the invention the fluid container can comprise an outer container and an inner container disposed therein. The inner container can be adapted to be collapsed by a pressure fluid, with which the fluid container is used, in order to force a subject fluid contained therein in use out of the fluid container. The inner container can comprise a subject fluid outlet connected to the fluid inlet of the fluid release valve, and the outer container can comprise a pressure fluid inlet connected to the pressure fluid outlet of the fluid release valve.

Thus, the same pressure fluid can be used to open the fluid release valve and force the subject fluid out of the container. The pressure fluid is applied to the second end of the valve body to open the fluid release valve, then it enters the outer container and forces the subject fluid out of the now open fluid release valve.

This arrangement has one key advantage over the known in vehicle fire extinguishers described above, and that is that the subject fluid is forced out of the container in a more regular manner. With the known constructions the subject fluid is highly compressed inside the container before being suddenly released at high pressure. This results in a very aggressive performance. However, with the present invention the fluid release valve is opened first, then the pressure is applied to the inner container in a comparatively gradual manner. This means that the speed with which the subject fluid exists the container increases steadily, and there is no initial explosion of fluid.

Preferably first flange means can be provided on an inner surface of the sleeve, which are adapted to prevent the slider body from moving from the closed position to the open position until a pre-determined axial force is applied. As described above, racing cars are subject to considerable Gforces in use, and it is important that such loadings do not force the slider body to move inadvertently. Thus, the first flange means keeps the slider body in the closed position in use, until the much higher axial force of the pressure fluid is applied to its second end.

The slider body can be designed not to rotate on its axis in use, but in order to prevent such movement causing a problem, the fluid passage can comprise a circumferential section extending around the slider body, at least one radial section extending from the circumferential section into the slider body, and an axial section extending from the at least one radial section along the slider body to the first end thereof. Thus, in the open position the circumferential section can be aligned with the fluid inlet so the subject fluid can flood around the whole of the slider body and enter the one or more radial sections. The device can be designed such that one of the one or more radial sections are preferably aligned with the fluid inlet in the open position, for the most expedient performance. In a preferred construction the fluid passage can comprise two radial sections arranged at 180 degrees to one another.

In a preferred construction the sleeve and the slider body can be cylindrical. In order to provide adequate seals between the various parts of the fluid release valve a first 0-ring seal can be provided between the sleeve and the slider body at a point on the slider body between the pressure fluid outlet and the fluid passage; a second 0- ring seal can be provided between the sleeve and the slider body at a point on the slider body which is disposed between the fluid passage and the fluid inlet when the slider body is in the closed position; and a third 0-ring seal can be provided between the sleeve and the slider body at a point on the slider body between the fluid inlet and the first end of the slider body when the slider body is in both the closed position and the open position.

The first flange means can comprise a ridge formed in the sleeve, which is positioned such that the first 0-ring seal abuts against it when the slider body is in the closed position. The ridge can therefore prevent axial movement of the slider body until it is subjected to sufficient lateral forces to compress the first 0-ring seal enough to move past. The size of the ridge, and the particular resilience of the first 0- ring seal, can be chosen such that lateral forces likely to be experienced in non- emergency situations are insufficient to compress the first 0-ring seal enough for it to move past the ridge, but such that the lateral forces applied by the pressure fluid are sufficient to compress the first 0-ring seat enough for it to move past the ridge.

A nozzle can be provided in the first end of the sleeve, and an inner end of the nozzle can be the stop means referred to above.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the fluid container can be further provided with a pressure fluid container connected to the pressure fluid inlet on the fluid release valve. A breakable seal means can be provided between the pressure fluid container and the pressure fluid inlet, and a trigger means can be provided to break the breakable seal.

The trigger means can be any known system, however in a preferred arrangement the breakable seal can comprise a metal panel and the trigger means can comprise a bolt which is adapted to be fired through the panel. A known firing mechanism can be used to fire the bolt through the panel.

As described above, the invention can be a fluid container containing any fluid which needs to be contained then dispensed, however in a preferred embodiment the fluid container can be a fire extinguisher, which is adapted to be fitted to a vehicle. The fire extinguisher can be further provided with fire detecting means, and the trigger means can be adapted to operate when the fire detecting means detects a fire. Such an arrangement is already known and used with existing racing car fire extinguishers.

The invention also includes the fluid release valve itself, which could be retro- fitted to an existing fluid container.

Therefore, according to a second aspect of the present invention a fluid release valve is adapted for use with a fluid container as described above.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a fluid container according to the present invention in a first in use arrangement Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the fluid container as shown in Figure 1 in a second in use arrangement; and, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a component of the fluid container as shown in Figure 1.

As Shown in Figure 1 a fluid container, in the form of fire extinguisher 1, comprises an opening 2 controlled by a fluid release valve 3. The fluid release valve 3 comprises a sleeve 4 and a slider body 5 contained therein, which is adapted to move axially from a closed position, as shown in Figure 1, to an open position, as shown in Figure 2. A fluid inlet 6 is provided in a side of the sleeve 4 and a fluid outlet 7 is provided at a first end 8 of the sleeve 4. A fluid passage 9 extends through the slider body 5 from a side 10 to a first end 11 thereof. As explained further below, in the closed position the slider body 5 overlies the fluid inlet 6 and closes it, and in the open position the fluid passage 9 is aligned with the fluid inlet 6 such that the fluid passage 9 connects the fluid inlet 6 to the fluid outlet 7.

The sleeve 4 further comprises a pressure chamber 12 at a second end 13, which has a pressure fluid inlet 14 at a top. A second end 15 of the slider body 5 is disposed in the pressure chamber 12, and as explained further below, introduction of a pressure fluid, with which the fire extinguisher 1 is used, into the pressure chamber 12 moves the slider body 5 from the closed position to the open position.

A pressure fluid outlet 16 is provided in a side of the sleeve 4 at a bottom of the pressure chamber 12. In the closed position, as shown in Figure 1, the slider body 5 overlies the pressure fluid outlet 16 and close it, and in the open position, as shown in Figure 2, the slider body 5 is disposed beyond the pressure fluid outlet 16, so it is open.

The fire extinguisher 1 comprises an outer container, in the form of metal canister 17, and an inner container disposed therein, in the form of collapsible bladder 18. As explained further below, the bladder 18 is adapted to be collapsed by a pressure fluid introduced into the canister 17. The bladder comprises an outlet 19, which is connected to the fluid inlet 6, and the canister 17 comprises a pressure fluid inlet 20, which is connected to the pressure fluid outlet 16 of the fluid release valve 3.

The top of the canister 17 comprises a flat section 21 which is annular, although that is not shown in the Figures. In addition, the sleeve 4 has an annular base section 22 which fits onto the flat section 21 of the canister 17. A number of slots (not visible) are provided in both the base section 22 and the flat section 21 which allow the base section 22 to be secured to the flat section 21 with bolts.

The canister 17 has a central opening 2 in the centre of the flat section 21, and the sleeve 4 has a downwardly depending section 23 which passes through the opening 2 and into the canister 17.

The bladder 18 has a neck 24 which extends out of the opening 2, and is disposed between the flat section 21 and the base section 22 such that it is held securely in position. The base section 22 has an annular trough 25 (seen most clearly in Figure 3) in its underside in which the neck 24 of the bladder 18 is arranged. The neck 24 of the bladder 18 is provided with an aperture 26 which aligns with the pressure fluid outlet 16 and the pressure fluid inlet 20 so it does not block them.

A dip tube 27 is mounted in the downwardly depending section 23, and extends into the bladder 18. The dip tube 27 is provided with elongate apertures 28 in its sides. The bladder contains fire dampening fluid 29.

Referring to Figure 3, which shows the fluid release valve 3 in greater detail, three 0-ring seals are provided between the sleeve 4 and the slider body 5, which perform a number of functions. The slider body 5 is provided with three circumferential troughs, 30, 31 and 32, and first, second and third 0-ring seals 33, 34, and 35 are disposed within them, and bear against the sleeve 4.

As is clear from Figure 3, the first 0-ring seal 33 is disposed between the pressure fluid outlet 16 and the fluid passage 9. As such it provides a fluid seal between the pressure chamber 12 and the fluid passage 9, which ensures no inadvertent ingress of pressure fluid into the fluid passage 9 in use.

The second 0-ring seal 34 is disposed between the fluid passage 9 and the fluid inlet 6, when the slider body 5 is in the closed position, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. As such, the second 0-ring seal 34 provides a fluid seal between the fluid inlet 6 and the fluid passage 9, which ensures no ingress of the fire dampening fluid 29 into the fluid passage 9 in the closed position. Due to its location between the pressure chamber 12 and the fluid inlet 6, the second 0-ring seal 34 also ensures no inadvertent ingress of pressure fluid into the bladder 18, should the first 0-ring seal 33 fail.

The third 0-ring seal 35 is disposed between the fluid inlet 6 and the first end 11 of the slider body 5, when the slider body 5 is in both the closed position and the open position. As such it provides a fluid seal between the fluid inlet 6 and the fluid outlet 7, which ensures no escape of the fire dampening fluid 29 from the fluid release valve 3 when the slider body 5 is in the closed position.

When the slider body 5 Es moved into the second position, as shown in Figure 2, the first 0-ring seal 33 retains its function of sealing off the pressure chamber 12 and the fluid passage 9 from each other. It prevents the pressure fluid from interfering with the flow of the fire dampening fluid 29 from the fire extinguisher 1, and prevents the fire dampening fluid 29 from escaping in the wrong direction.

However, the second and third 0-ring seals 34 and 35 become essentially superfluous when the slider body 5 is in the open position.

First 0-ring seal 33 has one further important function. Referring back to Figure 3, a ridge 36 is formed in the sleeve 4, and the first 0-ring seal 33 abuts against it when the slider body 5 is in the closed position as shown. As such, the slider body 5 cannot move from the closed position to the open position until sufficient axial force is applied to compress the first 0-ring seal 33 enough to move over the ridge 36. The size of the ridge 36, and the particular resilience of the first 0- ring seal 33, are chosen such that lateral forces likely to be experienced in non- emergency situations are insufficient to compress the first 0-ring seal 33 enough for it move past the ridge 36, but such that the lateral forces applied by the application of the pressure fluid are sufficient to compress the first 0-ring seal 33 enough for it to move past the ridge 36.

The fluid passage 9 comprises a circumferential section 37extending around the slider body 5, two opposed radial sections 38 and 39 extending from the circumferential section 37 into the slider body 5, and an axial section 40 extending from the radial sections 38 and 39 to the first end 11 of the slider body 5. The slider body 5 is rotationally arranged such that the radial section 38 is directionally aligned with the fluid inlet 6. As such, when the fluid passage 9 is aligned with the fluid inlet 6 in the open position as shown in Figure 2, the fire dampening fluid 29 can pass directly into the fluid passage 9. It is possible that the slider body 5 will rotate in use, but the provision of the circumferential section 37 ensures that whatever rotational position the slider body 5 assumes in the open position, there will always be a fluid passage between the fluid inlet 6 and the fluid outlet 7.

Referring bask to Figures 1 and 2, screwed into either end of the sleeve 4 are nozzle housings 41 and 42. The nozzle housings have inwardly extending sections 43 and 44 respectively, which define the scope of movement of the slider body 5. In particular, the slider body 5 abuts against the inwardly extending section 44 in the closed position, as shown in Figure 1, and abuts against the inwardly extending section 43 in the open position as shown in Figure 2.

As such, the inwardly extending section 43 comprises the stop means of the invention which arrests the movement of the slider body 5 in use, and holds it in the open position.

Hosing 45 and 46 is mounted in the nozzle housings 41 and 42 respectively.

The hosing 45 leads to outlet nozzles (not shown) arranged at particular chosen locations in the racing car. The hosing 46 is connected to a pressure fluid container (not shown) which contains the pressure fluid required to operate the fluid release valve 3.

The pressure fluid container (not shown) has a triggering system and a control system (also not shown) which are known. The pressure fluid container has a breakable seal, which is broken in use by a fired bolt. The control system fires the bolt if associated thermometers and/or fire or smoke detectors indicate that a fire has broken out in the vehicle. The pressure fluid used is compressed C02.

Therefore, in use the canister 17 is fitted to a racing car at a suitable location, and the outlet nozzles, the pressure fluid container, its control system and the associated fire detecting equipment are all also suitably located therein. The bladder 28 is filled with fire dampening fluid 29 prior to use, and the fluid release valve is arranged in the closed position shown in Figure 1.

The racing car can then be used as normal. During such use, the fluid release valve 3 will be subjected to various G-forces. A racing car endures significant G-forces when accelerating, braking and when cornering. It is important that if a loading is placed on the slider body 5 which urges it to move from the closed position to the open position, that this does not occur. The slider body 5 does not move from the closed position to the open position because the first 0-ring seal 33 cannot bypass the ridge 36. Forces far greater than those which are endured by a racing car in use are required to force the first 0-ring seal 33 to move past the ridge 36.

It is possible that the fire extinguisher 1 may be subjected to high temperatures in use. Under such conditions, the pressure of the fire dampening fluid 29 may rise. However, as the slider body 5 is laterally arranged in relation to the fluid inlet 6, any such pressures have no effect, and most importantly do not lead to the fluid release valve 3 opening.

In the event of a fire being detected, the following sequence occurs. The pressure fluid is released from the pressure fluid container (not shown) and enters the pressure chamber 12 via the pressure fluid inlet 14, as indicated by arrow A. The force applied to the second end 15 of the slider body 5 is high enough to force the first 0-ring seal 33 to move over the ridge 36, and the slider body 5 moves very quickly from the closed position shown in Figure 1 to the open position shown in Figure 2. The inwardly extending portion 43 of nozzle housing 41 arrests the movement of the slider body 5 in the open position.

As soon as the pressure fluid outlet 16 is open the pressure fluid passes into the outer container 17, as indicated by arrow B, and begins to compress the bladder 18, as indicated by arrows C. As the fluid passage 9 is now aligned with the fluid inlet 6, the fire dampening fluid 29 is forced from the bladder 18, as indicated by arrow 0, then through the fluid inlet 6, as indicated by arrow E, and on through the fluid passage 9 and the fluid outlet 7, as indicated by arrow F. It then enters the hosing 45, from where it is dispensed against the fire.

As the fluid release valve 3 is in the open position as soon as the pressure fluid enters the outer container 17, the fire dampening fluid 29 is forced out of the bladder 18 in a gradually way from a low rate up to a high rate. As such, the speed with which the fire dampening fluid 29 exists the fire extinguisher 1 increases steadily, and there is no initial explosion of fluid, as there is with known systems.

The dip tube 27 ensures that no fire dampening fluid 29 becomes trapped in the bladder 18 when it collapses. The bladder 18 collapses around the dip tube 27, and the fire dampening fluid 29 passes through the apertures 28 in the dip tube 27 and up into the fluid inlet 6.

As the pressure fluid can escape from the pressure chamber 12 as soon as the pressure fluid outlet 16 is open, there is no continuous application of high pressure to the slider body 5, and in particular to the nozzle housing 41 which arrests its movement. This ensures that no continuous high pressures are applied to the fluid release valve 3 which might lead to a failure.

The slider body 5 is still held in the open position by the passage of the pressure fluid through the pressure chamber 12, and it cannot slide back into the closed position.

As referred to above, the 0-ring seals 33, 34 and 35 act to seal the different fluids from each other and prevent any mixing which might lead to a failure.

The invention also includes the fluid release valve in isolation, and fluid release valve 3 shown in Figure 3 provided support for this invention.

Thus a simple, robust and expedient fluid release valve is provided for a racing car fire extinguisher, which alleviates the problems associated with known systems. In addition, the same pressure fluid is used to open the fluid release valve and force the fire dampening fluid out of the fire extinguisher.

Claims

Claims.

1. A fluid container comprising an opening controlled by a fluid release valve, in which the fluid release valve comprises a sleeve and a slider body contained therein which is adapted to move axially from a closed position to an open position, in which a fluid inlet is provided in a side of the sleeve and a fluid outlet is provided at a first end of the sleeve, in which a fluid passage extends through the slider body from a side to a first end thereof, in which in the closed position the slider body overlies the fluid inlet and closes it, and in which in the open position the fluid passage is aligned with the fluid inlet such that the fluid passage connects the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet.

2. A fluid container as claimed in Claim 1 in which the sleeve comprises a pressure chamber at a second end, which pressure chamber comprises a pressure fluid inlet at a top, in which a second end of the slider body is disposed in the pressure chamber and in which introduction of a pressure fluid, with which the fluid container is used, into the pressure chamber moves the slider body from the closed position to the open position.

3. A fluid container as claimed in Claim 2 in which a stop means is provided inside the sleeve, which stop means is adapted to arrest the movement of the slider body in the open position after said pressure fluid is introduced into the pressure chamber.

4. A fluid container as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 in which a pressure fluid outlet is provided in a side of the sleeve at a bottom of the pressure chamber, in which in the closed position the slider body overlies the pressure fluid outlet and closes it, and in which in the open position the slider body is disposed beyond the pressure fluid outlet, and it is open.

5. A fluid container as claimed in Claim 4 in which the fluid container comprises an outer container and an inner container disposed therein, in which the inner container is adapted to be collapsed by a pressure fluid, with which the fluid container is used, in order to force a subject fluid contained therein in use out of the fluid container, in which the inner container comprises a subject fluid outlet connected to the fluid inlet of the fluid release valve, and in which the outer container comprises a pressure fluid inlet connected to the pressure fluid outlet of the fluid release valve.

6. A fluid container as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which first flange means are provided on an inner surface of the sleeve, which first flange means are adapted to prevent the slider body from moving from the closed position to the open position until a pre-determined axial force is applied to the slider body.

7. A fluid container as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the fluid passage comprises a circumferential section extending around the slider body, at least one radial section extending from the circumferential section into the slider body and an axial section extending from the at least one radial section along the slider body to the first end thereof.

8. A fluid container as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the sleeve and the slider body are cylindrical.

9. A fluid container as claimed in Claim 8 when dependent on any of Claims 4 to 7, in which a first 0-ring seal is provided between the sleeve and the slider body at a point on the slider body between the pressure fluid outlet and the fluid passage.

10. A fluid container as claimed in Claim 9 in which a second 0-ring seal is provided between the sleeve and the slider body at a point on the slider body which is disposed between the fluid passage and the fluid inlet when the slider body is in the closed position.

11. A fluid container as claimed in Claim 10 in which a third 0-ring seal is provided between the sleeve and the slider body at a point on the slider body between the fluid inlet and the first end of the slider body when the slider body is in both the closed position and the open position.

12. A fluid container as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 11 in which the first flange means comprises a ridge formed in the sleeve, which ridge is positioned such that the first 0-ring seal abuts against it when the slider body is in the closed position.

13. A fluid container as claimed in Claim 7 in which the fluid passage comprises two radial sections arranged at 180 degrees to one another.

14. A fluid container as claimed in Claim 3 in which the stop means comprises a nozzle connected to the first end of the sleeve.

15. A fluid container as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 14 in which the fluid container is further provided with a pressure fluid container connected to the pressure fluid inlet on the fluid release valve, and in which a breakable seal means is provided between the pressure fluid container and the pressure fluid inlet.

16. A fluid container as claimed in Claim 15 in which the fluid container is provided with a trigger means adapted to break the breakable seal.

17. A fluid container as claimed in Claim 16 in which the breakable seal comprises a panel and the trigger means comprises a bolt which is adapted to be fired through the panel.

18. A fluid container as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the fluid container is a fire extinguisher.

19. A fluid container as claimed in Claim 18 in which the fire extinguisher is adapted to be fitted to a vehicle, in which the fire extinguisher is further provided with fire detecting means, and in which the trigger means is adapted to operate when the fire detecting means detects a fire.

20. A fluid container substantially as described herein and as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

21. A fluid release valve adapted for use with a fluid container as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 20.

22. A fluid release valve substantially as described herein and as shown in Figure 3.