GB366704A - Improvements in or relating to the extinction and/or prevention of fires on aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

366,704. Fire-extinguishing apparatus. BLAKEBOROUGH, R. A. and DENNE, R. A., Woodhouse Works, Brighouse, Yorkshire. Jan. 22, 1931, Nos. 2225 and 13457. [Class 47 (ii).] A fire-extinguisher comprises a collapsable container which, in use, is ruptured or pierced and is then collapsed by applied pressure to eject its contents. As shown, a casing a is subdivided by a perforated partition a<3>. A container e, of thin lead, for example, is placed in one end of the casing, and that end is closed by a cap a<2> provided with a sealing capsule f. The mouth of the container is reinforced by a ring e<1> and is soldered to the casing. The chamber b at the other end of the casing is charged with a fluid pressure medium through a valve c. The cap a<2> carries a tubular member g in which a spring-pressed hollow pierced h is restrained by a latch lever j. The latter is held in restraining position by a cartridge k adapted to be fired electrically. The piercer is connected to a pipe line by means, such as a coiled tube m, allowing movement of the piercer. In use, firing of the cartridge allows the piercer to rupture the capsule f. The pressure in chamber b then acts to collapse the container e. The cartridge may consist of a glass vessel or a two-part telescopic device housing an explosive charge. In a modification, the piercer is restrained by a catch on a spring adapted to be moved aside by explosion of the cartridge. In another modification, the member g is replaced by a cap provided with a nozzle and a hand-operated piercer. In another modification, the chamber b is connected to a suitable source of compressed fluid. In another modification, Fig. 4, the chamber b houses a combustible cartridge p adapted to be ignited electrically. The collapsable container e is closed at both ends, and the outer end is formed with a skirt and a flange c<3> nipped between the cap a<2> and a packing ring s. The cartridge is arranged first to burn quickly, to force the container e against a fixed piercer h<4>, and then to burn at a slow uniform rate, to generate pressure for collapsing the container. Where an extinguishing medium of a very volatile nature is employed, the container may be provided with a protective casing designed to resist deformation of the container by abnormal internal pressures, but to permit access to the container of the applied collapsing pressure.