US2577744A - Fire extinguishing system - Google Patents

Description

1951 D. G. FAUST FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 8, 1949 INVENTOR. fiefierz 61 [Qus/ A TTORNEY Dec. 11, 1951 FAUST 2,577,744

FIRE; EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 8, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 W W 1 W" 2 V IN VEN TOR.

pefierz 475 BY ATTORNEY Dec. 11, 1951 FAUST 2,577,744

FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 8, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

e er/ a [124,57 BY ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 11, 1951 FIRE EXTINGUISHING S YSTEM Delbert G. Faust, Caldwell, N. J., assignor to specialties Development Corporation, Belleville, N. J., a corporation of'New Jersey 7 Application January 8, 1949, Serial No. 69,972

(01, ce-l2) 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to fire extinguishing systems and more particularly to such systems' utilizing a plurality of cartridges containing a fire extinguishing agent adapted to be directed to a fire hazard in a compartment by remotely controlled pressure providing means.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fire extinguishing system which is simple in construction, effective in operation, and is readily adaptable for selectively protecting one or more fire hazards located in the same or difare located adjacent the hazards to be protected,

thus simplifying the problem of distributing the agent. r 1 --A further object isto provide a system wherein the fire extinguishing agent is stored in readily chargeable removably mounted cartridges, thus simplifying inspectionand maintenance of the system.

. Other and further objects of the invention will beobvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to.-herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

' In accordance with the invention, these objects may be generally accomplished by providing a system comprising one or more readily chargeable ;fire extinguishing agent containing car.- tridges'in or adjacent the compartment in which there :is a fire hazard, means associated with one endof the cartridges arranged for directing the-agent towards the hazard, pressure providing means associated with the other end of the cartridges adapted to expel the agent, and means at the exterior of the compartment for controlling thexjpressure providing means. The cartridges preferablyare removably mounted and are in the form of atubular casing having closures at its ends, including displaceable or rupturable means, such as sealing discs or the like forconfining the charge, which, have the directing and pressure providing means operatively associated therewith. The cartridges maybe discharged by a combustible or explosive powder fired by means actuated at a;remote location or may be discharged by a source of fiuid pressure medium released by means controlled from a remote location.

In the drawings: I

- Figure Lisa schematicview of an airplane fire extinguishing systemillustrating an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the system is adapted for electrical operation.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the fire extinguishing agent containing cartridges used in connection with the system shown in Figure 1. I '.',Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3. 3 on Figure 2. I

Figure lis a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly, in elevation, of another form of discharge directing means adapted to be connectedto theoutlet endof the cartridge.

Figure 5. isya schematic view 01; an a rplane fire extinguishingjsystem illustrating another embodiment ofthe presentinvention, wherein the systemis adapted for fluid pressure medium operation, Y 7 H I Figure ,6 is, a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly n longitudinal section, of the pressure medium inlet en d of one of the cartridges used connection with the system shown in Figure 5. v i

Referring to the drawings in detail and more particularly'to Figure 1 thereof, there is shown a fireextinguishing system applied to a compartment such as a nacelle' ii! of an airplane. The nacelle generally has three zones which require independent fire protection against the hazard therein. Usually, these zones comprise a forward zone ll, known as the power section, in which the engine is located; an intermediate'zone [2, known as the accessory section, in which the carburetor, oil pump and other engine accessories arelocated; and a rear zone It, in which the wheelwell, wing defroster or other miscellaneous apparatus to be protected against fire are located. A fire wall l5 preferably separates the intermediate zone from the rear zone. While the system in accordance with the present invention is particularly. adapted for airplane 3 nacelle protection, it is in no way limited to such exploitation, the nacelle being an example of one of the many uses of the system for protecting a compartment or several contiguous zones in a compartment.

The fire extinguishing system comprises one or more fire extinguishing agent containing cartridges is, described in detail hereinafter, removably mounted in or adjacent each of the zones I I, I2 and I4 and positioned to discharge the fire extinguishing agent in a direction most effective to protect the fire hazard in the respective zones. As illustrated herein, two such cartridges ;arejprovided in each zone, by way of example, and these cartridges are of the type wherein a charge of a pressure producing substance, such as gunpowder or the like, is adapted to be ignited by 'electricall y heating a resistance element.

Preferably, ignition of the pressure producing substance is controlled from'aremotelocation such as a central control panel i1, generally indicated by the broken lines, located-inthe pilotis or engineers quarters of the airplane. If desired, the cartridges for the respective zones maybe operated selectively or simultaneously at the will ofthe-operatonand, to accomplish this, an electrical circuit is provided which rcomprlisesasource of electrical energy such-as a :battery l9., sets of wires 20 connectingthe cartridges IfOI' each zone in parallel for conducting energy from the source to each :of-the heating elements, :and aswit'ch 2| for each set located on the control panel :I l.

It will be understood, withoutiurther illustration or detailed description, that the pressuregproducing substancecould be-i gnited by-raipercussion cap or the like which could be detonated by 1a firing pin associated with asolenoid or a spring operatedtrigger mechanism arranged in and-under the control of the electrical -=circuit. :It is also contemplated that the firing ipin rcould he operated remotely by a fluid pressure energized piston, and that the trigger -mechanism .-could be operated remotely by a pull c'ablei'the supply 'of =fiuid pressure medium and #the "operation (of the-pull cable being controlled from the control panelll.

In Figure 2, a cartridge |-6 is shown which constructed; and arranged to=iacilitate charging and removable mounting thereof. 'This cartridge contains *afire extinguishing powder or liquid and comprises -a tubular -'casi;ng 2 6 --hav'-ing -'an inlet opening 21 at one end and an outlet opening 29 at the opposite=end, and-c1osures-'30-and-3 l for the "respective openings, --'incl-uding arupturable discs '32 for confining the charge in the casing. if desired, the discs 32 may beomitted by prepackaging the charge in a container shasped for by a slot 651 and has a central bore 5 9. halves of this member are connected to thescreyv rin 5i, a dm e 0m y po t o a t end walls-taking the place-of the discs-32.

The closure 30, as shown, maybe asap-like element comprising an upper internally threaded sleeve "portion 34 for receiving'and attaching the inlet end'portionof the casing'ifi, an inwardly extending shoulder -35-cooperating --with the inlet end of the casing to secure the disc 32 therebetween, a central bore "36 for the reception "of pressure providing means -37 "in fluid 'flow "communication with the inlet opening *2 1, 'herein 'shown 'by way of example as an elec'tricallyignited powder containing cartridge element, and 'a lower outwardly extending flange "39 adapted for removable securement to a base member- 40 or'the like on the structure 4| of the craft-"by means of a flanged screw collar 42.

The cartridge element -31 hajs an electrical -re- 4 sistance element therein, such as a bridge wire 44 supported by leg wires 45 connected to connectors 4G, and is supported in the upper portion of the bore 35 by a plug 4! of insulating material secured in the bore and having electrically conductive sleeves 49 therein for receiving the connectors 45, thus facilitating assembly and removal of the cartridge element 31 with respect to the closure 30.

In order to facilitate connection of the Wires 26 to the cartridge element, a recess 50 is formed in the base member 40 in which a plug 5i of insulating materiallris secured ghaving connector 52 mounted thereon in electrical connection with the Wires 20 and inserted into the sleeves 49.

It will be noted that the construction just described facilitates rapid removal and replacement of the casing and the cartridge element 31, and thecharging of the casing 2 6.

Flhe'closure 31,;as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is generally in the form of a screw ring 54 at tl e lowerportio n thereof for receiving and attaching the outlet end portion of the casing 26, and has an inwardly extending flange 55 cooperating with the outlet end of the casing to secure the disc therebetween. V

If desired, discharge :directing in eans ;may be associated with the closure and,;as shown, may be integrally combined therewith. Thisgrn ay he ac mplished .by pos tionin s a telet q above the ut e o enin :28, an inve ted .QQ E shaped member '55 which ,is -split diametrical y :Bhe

The eflect of this 7 construction; isto pernn'taxial flow of a portion ofrthephargefromthecasingi0 the ;vicinity of the ffire .while at the same {time causing lateral and slightl 'forwardzfiowpf the remam ne p ti f th char r o-;-p qv d. aim- -dial fan-shaped stream.

In Figure ia slmodified form {Of closure ,;a;nd discharge directing =means ;is illustrated "which comprises a cap :30 having a bore 5| in the end thereof, :a, nipple 62 :having one ;end threadedly secured into the bore, :fianged tubing 64 9f desirable length having one end secured to tkie other end :of the lnipplerbyia iflanged nut -65, and a discharge directing-tube '66 ,zconneeted to {the otherendof the tubingzfill. Thenut-65iacilitates rapid connection :and -:disconnection .of these parts. i

.The tube 66 preferably "is perforated, as indicated at 1, .to tfacilitateilateral discharge andrdis- .tributionzof charge of fire extinguishing;agent .andrrnay be openat itsyend opposite;theendcon- :nected :to-the :tubing 54. -'-Ihe;tube BB may-be in the formhofzashort cylinder, asshownjnvF-igure 4, or may be in the form ofgaring iiaras shown :in Figure 5, iorprotecting the'forwardzone ll of the inacelle.

Theicap 30' has .an internal shoulder all] un which is smounted-aabatfie zmemb'er 5H. :Aispacer ring i or :collar :1 2 iretains Vathe'baflle :member omits seat and engages therupturable Icliscito secure it to atheputlet -endpfthe casing 26 while spacing the disc-andvb'afile-member. -Upon rupture ofithezdisc, the baffle memb'er prevents largezfragmentseof the discifromipa'ssing into 2 the tubing; 64 ;and.zclogging the same, by causingssu'ch largeiragmentsato be torn into smaller Lfragments adapted zto {pass through therbaffile openings :and subsequently throug'h the tubing withouhdangerof obstructing the same.

Referring new to Figure 5, there :is shown is,

means.

' The system shown inFigureb'compris'es aperforated ring 69 in the forward zone I I serving as a discharge directing. means .and hereinafter; re-

ferred to as such, one or more discharge directing means 66 of the type described in connection with Figure 4 (only one being shown for simplicity), a cartridge It for each of the zones having its outlet end connected in fluid flow communication with the discharge directing means in the zone, and a fluid pressure medium conducting system including conduits 14, each connected to the inlet end of one of the cartridges.

The fluid pressure medium conducting system may further comprise a receptacle 15 for storing fluid medium under pressure, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen'or the like, a manifold 16 at a central control panel connected to the outlet of the receptacle and having each of the conduits 14 connected thereto, and a valve 11 for controlling the flow of medium from the outlet of the receptacle.

The system, as shown herein, is constructed and arranged for individual operation of the cartridges. This is accomplished by providing a valve 19 in each of the conduits 14 at the control panel for individually and selectively supplying pressure medium from the manifold 16 to the cartridge or cartridges to be discharged. The valve 11 of the receptacle may beconstructed and arranged for remote operation by a pull cable 82 having a handle 84 thereon located on the control panel.

While the cartridges l6 may be mounted in the zone to be protected, as shown herein, it will be understood that they may be coupled in the conduits 14 at any point thereof between the discharge directing means and the common connecting pipe 80. In some instances, it may be desirable to have access thereto for inspection and replacement without the necessity of entering the nacelle. For example, if the cartridges are at some convenient central location, as in the fuselage of the airplane, they may be inspected or replaced while the airplane is in flight.

Since the cartridges are relatively small in size and of a minimum weight, a number of spares for replacement can be carried conveniently or a quantity of fire extinguishing agent for recharging the cartridges or a, supply of prefabricated charge containing refill packages may be kept on hand.

In Figure 6, a cartridge I6 is illustrated as being removably secured to the craft by a U- shaped clip or strap 85, although it will be understood that any suitable supporting or mounting means which facilitate removal and replacement may be employed.

Only the inlet end of the cartridge [6' is shown, because the outlet end may be in accordance with the outlet end of the cartridges illustrated in either Figure 2 or Figure 4. The inlet end of the casing is provided with a closure associated with pressure providing means. Such closure may be a cap 30 screw threaded to the inlet end portion of the casing which has a bore 6| in the end thereof and an internal shoulder cooperating with the inlet end of the casing to secure a rupturable disc .32 therebetween. ,A' nipple 62 has:o'ne end thereof secured in the bore, and.

aconduit 14 formed with a flange 86 is secured to the other end of the nipple by means of a flanged nut 65, which facilitates rapid connection and disconnection for replacement and removal of the cartridge. H

In operation, upon actuation of the pressure providing means of either, the ignitible owder or. fluid. pressure medium-type, pressure is established at the inlet end of the cartridge casing, which effects rupture of the disc 32 or displacement of any other seal at the inlet end and subjects charge to a pressure which is effective to cause the charge to rupture the disc or displace the other seal at the outlet end of the cartridge casing, whereby the charge is expelled and conducted to the discharge directing means.

It will, therefore, be seen that the present invention provides simple, practical, lightweight fire extinguishing systems particularly adapted for airplanes or the like and other installations where weight and space are an important factor. As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the fire extinguishing systems are readily installed, can be adapted for operation in a great variety of sequences and combinations under the influence of manual, automatic or semi-automatic controls, and can be readily recharged even while the craft is in motion. The latter feature greatly increases the fire protection which the systems afford because the systems can be operated more than once to extinguish several fires or a series of fires while the craft is away from its base.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of theparts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.

I claim:

1. Fire extinguishing means for a compartment comprising discharge means arranged for directing a fire extinguishing agent into the compartment; a source of pressure medium; a cartridge including a tubular casing for storing a charge of fire extinguishing agent having an opening at each end thereof, displaceable means for said openings for normally confining the charge in said casing, and apertured closure means secured to said casingfor retaining said charge confining means; conduit means for establishing fluid flow 'communication between said source and one of said closure means; conduit means for establishing fluid flow communication between' said other closure means and said discharge means; and coupling means for respectively connecting said conduit means and saidclosure means constructed and arranged to facilitate removal and replacement of said cartridge between said conduit means.

2. Fire extinguishing means for a compartment comprising discharge means arranged for directing a fire extinguishing agent into the compartment; a source of pressure medium; a cartridge including a tubular casing for storing a charge of fire extinguishing agent having an opening at each end thereof, a rupturable disc for each of said openings for normally confining the charge in said casing, and an apertured closure cap removably secured to each end of said casing for retaining said discs; a conduit for establishing fluid flow communication between.

said source and one or said caps; a seeond con- REFERENCES CITED 7 (hi-it for establishing fiu-id :fiow communication charge means and coupling means for respec file of this :patent:

tively cormecting saidconduits with :ohe apertures 55 UNITED STATES PATENTS or said caps constructed and arranged to fa'c'ili- Number Name Date tate removal and replacement of said eartridge 1211130363 Boui1'1on Sept. 20, 3193.8

between said conduits. 2,373,819 Eaton Apr. 17, 1945 23. 'Fire extinguishing means accordingto 2,383,048 'Eckert a Aug.21,.1945

claim 2, wherein baffle means are positioned be- :10 -2,1 I!I;082 'Mapesn Mar. 11, 19457 *tweenone of said discs and the aperture :ofsaid 32,450,569 Thompson an .0ct. 5, .1948

ea'p connected with said discharge means.

DELBERT -G. FAUST.

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