WO2005091238A2

WO2005091238A2 - Fire preventing or extinguishing system for an appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2005091238A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2005/000055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacobus Petrus Francois Du Plessis
Original assignee: Du Plessis Jacobus Petrus Fran
Priority date: 2004-03-23
Filing date: 2005-03-18
Publication date: 2005-09-29
Also published as: ZA200607942B; WO2005091238A3

Abstract

A fire extinguishing or preventing system 10 which has sensing means 12 and extinguishing means 14. The sensing means 12 is configured to sense a fire in an appliance 8, or an impending situation in an appliance 8 which could result in a fire. The extinguishing means 14 is arranged in communication with the sensing means 12 which extinguishing means 14 is configured to alter the sensed situation, upon sensing of an impending situation by the sensing means 12, in an attempt to extinguish the fire or to pre-emptively prevent a fire from igniting. The invention further provides for an appliance fitted with such a system 10.

Description

FIRE PREVENTING OR EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM FOR AN APPLIANCE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This Invention relates to a fire preventing or extinguishing system for an appliance which finds particular application in the automotive, electrical and/or mining industry. This Invention also includes an appliance fitted with such a system.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The damage caused by fire can be catastrophic. Numerous people die annually as a result of fire, for instance after a motor vehicle accident, where the occupants are trapped or unconscious in a vehicle when a fire ignites. This invention seeks to ameliorate such potentially dangerous situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In this specification, an appliance is understood to refer to any object applied as a means to an end, i.e. any form of utilitarian device or apparatus, and therefore includes an automobile, a household appliance, a piece of machinery, mining equipment, and/or the like. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a fire preventing system for an appliance which includes sensing means for sensing an impending situation in an appliance which could result in a fire; and extinguishing means arranged in communication with the sensing means which extinguishing means is configured to attempt to pre-emptively prevent a fire from igniting upon sensing of an impending situation by the sensing means. It is to be appreciated that the impending situation will typically include any situation which could result in a fire, e.g. the heating of components of the appliance, a malfunction in the appliance, impact on the appliance, electrical malfunction, presence of inflammable materials, and/or the like.

It is further to be appreciated that the extinguishing means includes any means able to prevent a fire from igniting, as well as means able to extinguish an existing fire. The sensing means may include a smoke sensor to sense smoke in the appliance. It is to be appreciated that a presence of smoke does not necessarily mean that a fire has ignited. The sensing means may include an impact sensor configured to sense an impact with the appliance, e.g. an automobile accident. The sensing means may include a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of portions of the appliance, e.g. the wheel drum of a truck, the engine compartment of a vehicle, an electrical transformer, and/or the like. The sensing means may include an inflammable material sensor configured to sense the presence of inflammable materials, e.g. a sensor for sensing the presence of inflammable fuels, or the like. The sensing means may include a plurality of sensors which separately measure a different portion of the appliance for an impending situation.

The extinguishing means may include a container charged with a flame retardant substance, e.g. foam, a liquid, a gas, or the like. Accordingly, the extinguishing means may attempt to prevent a fire from igniting by discharging the flame retardant substance from the container. The extinguishing means may only discharge the flame retardant substance at a portion where an impending situation is sensed by the sensing means. The flame retardant substance may be configured to adhere to a portion of the appliance where the substance is discharged. It is to be appreciated that the extinguishing means generally attempts to prevent a fire in an anticipatory manner to preclude a fire from igniting, i.e. a precautionary measure.

The extinguishing means may attempt to prevent a fire from igniting by being configured to discharge a flame retardant substance at a portion of the appliance where an impending situation is sensed. Similarly, the extinguishing means may attempt to prevent a possible fire from spreading by being configured to preemptively discharge a flame retardant substance at a portion of the appliance remote from a portion where an impending situation is sensed.

Furthermore, the extinguishing means may attempt to prevent a fire from igniting by being configured to alter a working condition or characteristic of the appliance which characteristic influences the impending situation. The characteristic may include an electrical supply, a working condition, a fuel supply, cooling a certain portion of the appliance, and/or the like.

The fire preventing system may include dispersion means configured to disperse the flame retardant substance over a portion of the appliance where an impending situation is sensed. Accordingly, the extinguishing means may be located remote from the sensing means. The dispersion means may include at least one nozzle for discharging the flame retardant substance at the portion where an impending situation is sensed. The dispersion means may include a dividing means configured to divide the flame retardant substance, in use, between a plurality of nozzles, e.g. a manifold, or the like. The fire preventing system may include an alerting means configured to alert if the sensing means senses an impending situation. The extinguishing means may be configured to automatically discharge the flame retardant substance from the container upon the sensing means sensing an impending situation. The extinguishing means may be configured to be manually activated to discharge the flame retardant substance from the container.

The fire preventing system may be configured to be retrofitted to an appliance. Otherwise, the fire preventing system may be incorporated into an appliance during manufacture of said appliance.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an appliance which includes sensing means for sensing a fire in said appliance; and extinguishing means arranged in communication with the sensing means which extinguishing means is configured to extinguish the sensed fire.

The appliance may include an automobile. The appliance may include an aeroplane. The appliance may include a household appliance. The appliance may include mining machinery. The appliance may include electrical equipment.

The sensing means may include a smoke sensor to sense smoke in the appliance. It is to be appreciated a presence of smoke does not necessarily mean that a fire has ignited. The sensing means may include a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of portions of the appliance, e.g. the wheel drum of a truck, the engine compartment of a vehicle, an electrical transformer, and/or the like. The sensing means may be configured to sense different portions of the appliance for a fire. The extinguishing means may include a container charged with a flame retardant substance, e.g. foam, a liquid, a gas, or the like. Accordingly, the extinguishing means may attempt to extinguish .the fire by being configured to discharge the flame retardant substance from the container. The extinguishing means may only discharge the flame retardant substance at a portion of the appliance where a fire is sensed by the sensing means. The flame retardant substance may be configured to adhere to a portion of the appliance where the substance is discharged.

The extinguishing means may attempt to extinguish a fire by being configured to discharge a flame retardant substance at a portion of the appliance where a fire is sensed. Similarly, the extinguishing means may attempt to prevent a sensed fire from spreading by being configured to preemptively discharge a flame retardant substance at a portion of the appliance remote from where a fire is sensed.

The extinguishing means may attempt to extinguish a sensed fire by being configured to alter a characteristic of the appliance at a portion remote from where the fire is sensed, which characteristic influences the fire. The characteristic may include an electric supply, a working condition, a fuel supply, and/or the like. The extinguishing means may include dispersion means configured to disperse the flame retardant substance over a portion of the appliance where the fire is sensed. Accordingly, the extinguishing means may be located remote from the sensing means. The dispersion means may include at least one nozzle for discharging the flame retardant substance at the portion where the fire is sensed. The dispersion means may include a dividing means configured to divide the flame retardant substance, in use, between a plurality of nozzles.

The extinguishing means may include an alerting means configured to alert if the sensing means senses a fire in said appliance. The extinguishing means may be configured to automatically discharge the flame retardant substance from the container upon the sensing means sensing a fire. The extinguishing means may be configured to be manually activated to discharge the flame retardant substance from the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a fire extinguishing or preventing system, in accordance with the invention, installed in an engine compartment of a motorcar; Figure 2 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of a fire extinguishing or preventing system installed a motorcar; Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a fire extinguishing or preventing system installed in a truck; and Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a fire extinguishing of preventing system installed in an oven.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a fire extinguishing or preventing system for an appliance, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. In the accompanying drawings, the two aspects of this invention are described together for the sake of brevity, i.e. the preventing system and the appliance including fire sensing and extinguishing means are exemplified in concurrent examples which are in no way intended to subtract from the scope of the invention.

Accordingly, reference is collectively made to a fire extinguishing or preventing system 10, which refers to a fire preventive system and an appliance as fitted with the fire sensing and extinguishing means. Referring now to the drawings, the fire extinguishing or preventing system

10 has sensing means 12 which senses a fire in an appliance 8, or an impending situation in an appliance 8 which could result in a fire. The system 10 also includes extinguishing means 14 arranged in communication with the sensing means 12 which extinguishing means 14 is configured to alter the sensed situation, upon sensing of an impending situation by the sensing means 12, in an attempt to extinguish the fire or to pre-emptively prevent a fire from igniting.

It is to be appreciated that the sensing means 12 typically differs between the fire extinguishing and fire preventing systems.

Accordingly, the sensing means 12 can be a smoke sensor to sense smoke in the appliance, an impact sensor configured to sense an impact with the appliance, a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of portions of the appliance, an inflammable material sensor configured to sense the presence of inflammable materials, or the like.

In this embodiment, the extinguishing means 14 is a container 16 charged with a flame retardant substance, e.g. foam, a liquid, a gas, or the like. The extinguishing means 14 alters the sensed situation by discharging the flame retardant substance from the container 14, via the dispersion means 18, to the portion where the sensing means 12 senses a fire or an impending situation.

The extinguishing means 14 further attempts to prevent a fire from igniting or extinguish a sensed fire by being configured to discharge a flame retardant substance at a portion of the appliance 8 where an impending situation or a fire is sensed. Similarly, in a further embodiment, the extinguishing means 14 may also attempt to prevent a possible fire from spreading by being configured to preemptively discharge a flame retardant substance at a portion of the appliance remote from a portion where an impending situation is sensed.

Furthermore, the extinguishing means 14 may attempt to prevent a fire from igniting or extinguish a fire by being configured to alter a characteristic of the appliance at a portion remote from where the impending situation or fire is sensed, which characteristic influences the impending situation. The characteristic can include an electrical supply, a working condition, a fuel supply, and/or the like.

In this embodiment of the invention, the system 10 also includes dispersion means 18 configured to disperse the flame retardant substance over a portion of the appliance 8 where the fire or the impending situation is sensed. The dispersion means 18 includes a plurality of nozzles 20 for discharging the flame retardant substance at the portion of the engine compartment 8 where the fire or the impending situation is sensed. The dispersion means 18 also includes a dividing means 22 configured to divide the flame retardant substance, in use, between the plurality of nozzles 20. The dispersion means is typically a manifold, or the like.

In use, the system 10 will detect a fire, or an impending situation which may lead to a fire, in the engine compartment 8. When such a situation is detected by the sensing means 12, the extinguishing means 14 will discharge the flame retardant substance contained in the container 16. The dispersion means 18, comprised of the dividing means 22 and the nozzles 20, then ejects the flame retardant substance from the container 16 over the engine compartment 8. The flame retardant substance should extinguish any flames present or reduce the chance of a fire starting. It is further to be appreciated that the nozzles 20 may, in a further embodiment, be placed inside a cabin of a vehicle so as to protect any occupants of the vehicle from fire. Figure 2 shows an embodiment where the system 10 includes an alerting means 24 configured to alert a driver of a vehicle if the sensing means 12 senses a fire or an impending situation. The alerting means 24 is typically installed in an operator's console of the motorcar, i.e. the dashboard, or the like. Alternatively, the alerting means 24 may be incorporated into an existing electronic monitoring system monitoring the functioning of the motorcar. In this embodiment of the invention, the extinguishing means 14 automatically discharges the flame retardant substance from the container 16 upon the sensing means 12 sensing a fire or an impending situation. Alternatively, the extinguishing means 14 may be manually activated to discharge the flame retardant substance from the container 16. A user of the motorcar is then afforded an opportunity to activate the system 10 or not, depending on the circumstances.

The system 10 finds particular application in motorcars, where a fire after a motorcar accident can result in the death of trapped and/or unconscious occupants.

Figure 3 shows the system 10 installed in a truck 6. The sensing means 12 is configured to sense the condition of the wheel drums 5 of the truck 6. Under severe braking conditions, especially in downhill situations, the wheel drums 5 of the truck 6 can become dangerously hot as a result of friction between the drums 5 and brake shoes of the truck 6. Instances occur where the brake system of a truck fails completely, or the truck 6 catches fire as a result thereof.

The sensing means 12 will typically sense the temperature of the brake drums 5. The extinguishing means 14 will automatically discharge the flame retardant substance from the container 16 if the sensing means 12 senses a dangerous situation. It is to be appreciated that the dispersion means 18 includes a plurality of nozzles 20 positioned to discharge the flame retardant substance at the wheel drums 5 of the truck 6. In this embodiment, the system 10 also typically includes the alerting means 24 to inform a driver of the truck about the safety conditions of the truck.

The system 10 as installed in the truck 6 is typically configured to allow the individual brake drums, wheels, or the like, to be sprayed with flame retardant substance. For example, the alerting means 24 may indicate that a certain wheel is becoming dangerously hot. The driver is then able to administer the flame retardant substance to that specific wheel to prevent the wheel from igniting until the driver can reach a safe location to stop, or the like.

It is to be appreciated that the system 10 may be used to protect any part of an appliance, e.g. the passenger compartment of an automobile, or the like. The system 10 further finds particular application in the mining industry for protecting mining equipment, as well as the electrical industry for protecting generating and distribution appliances, e.g. transformers, generators, and/or the like. Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the invention where the system 10 is installed in an oven 4. Similarly, the system 10 has the sensing means 12, the extinguishing means 14, and the dispersion means 18. If the sensing means 12 senses a fire or an impending situation, the dispersion system 18 will discharge the flame retardant substance from the container 16 in an attempt to extinguish a fire or to prevent a fire from starting. The sensing means 12 may be a gas sensor when the system 10 is used in a gas stove.

It is further to be appreciated that the system 10 may be used protect any type of appliance, e.g. a motorcar, a truck, a boat, an aircraft, machinery, mining equipment, electrical equipment, and/or the like.

In a further example, the system 10 may be installed in an aircraft where the sensing means 12 is an impact sensor which is configured to detect a foreign object entering a turbine engine of the aircraft. If such an impact is detected, the extinguishing means 14 will automatically discharge the flame retardant substance in an attempt to extinguish any flames and to prevent any fires from igniting.

In a yet further example, the system 10 may be installed in electrical appliances with the sensing means 12 configured to sense electrical malfunction.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sensing means 12 includes a collection of sensors as described above. These sensors are arranged in electronic communication with a processor (not shown) which receives signals from the sensors. Upon a sensor sensing an impending situation, the processor will activate a valve of the container 16, or a valve in the dividing means 22, to distribute the flame retardant substance therein via the nozzles 20 so as to prevent a fire from starting. The valve is typically an electrically actuated solenoid, or the like.

In a further embodiment (not shown), the extinguishing means 14 is configured to discharge the container 16 at a portion of the appliance 8 which is remote from where the sensing means senses either the fire or the impending situation. For example, to help with extinguishing a fire, or the protecting of critical portions of the appliance 8.

It shall be understood that the example is provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.

The Inventor regards it as an advantage that the invention provides for a system which protects individual appliances from fire. The Inventor regards it as a further advantage that the invention provides for a means which pre-emptively attempts to prevent a fire from igniting. The Inventor regards it as a yet further advantage that the invention is able to be applied to different types of appliances. The Inventor regards it as a further advantage that, by providing an appliance with its own fire preventing system, damage caused to numerous appliances due to attempts to extinguish a room housing said appliances can be minimized.

Claims

1. A fire preventing system for an appliance which includes sensing means for sensing an impending situation in an appliance which could result in a fire; and extinguishing means arranged in communication with the sensing means which extinguishing means is configured to attempt to pre-emptively prevent a fire from igniting upon sensing of an impending situation by the sensing means.

2. A system as claimed claim 1 , wherein the sensing means includes a smoke sensor to sense smoke in a specific portion of the appliance.

3. A system as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the sensing means includes an impact sensor configured to sense an impact with the appliance.

4. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensing means includes a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of a specific portion of the appliance.

5. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensing means includes an inflammable material sensor configured to sense the presence of inflammable materials in a specific portion of the appliance.

6. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensing means is configured to sense different portions of the appliance for an impending situation.

7. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the extinguishing means attempts to prevent a fire from igniting by being configured to discharge a flame retardant substance at a portion of the appliance where an impending situation is sensed.

8. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the extinguishing means attempts to prevent a possible fire from spreading by being configured to preemptively discharge a flame retardant substance at a portion of the appliance remote from a portion where an impending situation is sensed.

9. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the extinguishing means attempts to prevent a fire from igniting by being configured to alter an operative condition of the appliance which condition influences the impending situation.

10. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the extinguishing means is configured to automatically attempt to prevent a fire from igniting upon the sensing means sensing an impending situation.

11. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the fire preventing system includes an alerting means configured to alert if the sensing means senses an impending situation.

12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the extinguishing means is configured to be manually activated to attempt to prevent a fire from igniting upon the alerting means alerting a user of an impending situation in the appliance.

13. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, which is configured to be retrofitted to an appliance.

14. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, which is incorporated into an appliance during manufacture of said appliance.

15. An appliance which includes sensing means for sensing a fire in said appliance; and extinguishing means arranged in communication with the sensing means which extinguishing means is configured to attempt to extinguish the sensed fire.

16. An appliance as claimed in claim 16, wherein the appliance is an automobile.

17. An appliance as claimed in claim 16, wherein the appliances is an aeroplane.

18. An appliance as claimed in claim 16, wherein the appliances is a household appliance.

19. An appliance as claimed in claim 16, wherein the appliance is electrical equipment.

20. An appliance as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the sensing means includes a smoke sensor to sense smoke in a specific portion of the appliance.

21. An appliance as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the sensing means includes a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of a specific portion of the appliance.

22. An appliance as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 21 , wherein the sensing means is configured to sense different portions of the appliance for a fire.

23. An appliance as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 22 wherein the extinguishing means attempts to extinguish a sensed fire by being configured to discharge a flame retardant substance at a portion of the appliance where the fire is sensed.

24. An appliance as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the extinguishing means attempts to prevent a sensed fire from spreading by being configured to preemptively discharge a flame retardant substance at a portion of the appliance remote from where a fire is sensed.

25. An appliance as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 24, wherein the extinguishing means attempts to extinguish a sensed fire by being configured to alter an operative condition of the appliance which condition influences the fire.

26. An appliance as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 25, wherein the extinguishing means is configured to automatically attempt to extinguish a fire upon the sensing means sensing a fire.

27. An appliance as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 26, wherein the extinguishing means includes an alerting means configured to alert if the sensing means senses a fire in said appliance.

28. An appliance as claimed in claim 27, wherein the extinguishing means is configured to be manually activated to attempt to extinguish a sensed fire upon the alerting means alerting a user of a fire in the appliance.

29. A fire preventing system for an appliance, according to the invention, or an appliance, according to the invention, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

30. A new fire preventing system for an appliance, or a new appliance, substantially as herein described.