IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0920360
(2001-08-01)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Schoenrock, John J.
- Meltzer, Jonathan S.
- Rausch, David
- Senecal, Joseph A.
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
16 인용 특허 :
6 |
초록
▼
An atomizing nozzle and fixed clean agent fire suppression system. The system stores gas fire suppressant in a liquefied state separate from propellant gas. Upon demand, the propellant charges the gas fire suppressant to provide a piston flow system that pushes the gas fire suppressant in the liquid
An atomizing nozzle and fixed clean agent fire suppression system. The system stores gas fire suppressant in a liquefied state separate from propellant gas. Upon demand, the propellant charges the gas fire suppressant to provide a piston flow system that pushes the gas fire suppressant in the liquid state through a pipe network to the protected area of a building. The system includes a plurality of atomizing nozzles for atomizing the gas fire suppressant where it more easily vaporizes. Each atomizing nozzle comprises a nozzle body and a deflector body secured together in fixed relation. A conical flow passage is formed between the nozzle body and deflector body. The conical flow passage extends radially outward to a circumferential outlet slot that spreads the liquid clean agent out into a thin liquid conical fan that breaks up into droplets and atomizes quickly.
대표청구항
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1. A fire suppression system for a structure, the structure including a floor, a ceiling, and a plurality of walls vertically between the floor and the ceiling, the system comprising:a supply of a volatile liquefied-gas fire suppressant having a vapor pressure sufficient to form a gaseous mixture wi
1. A fire suppression system for a structure, the structure including a floor, a ceiling, and a plurality of walls vertically between the floor and the ceiling, the system comprising:a supply of a volatile liquefied-gas fire suppressant having a vapor pressure sufficient to form a gaseous mixture with air that does not support combustion for extinguishing fires;a pipe network connected to the compressed liquefied-gas fire suppressant, the pipe network adapted to extend horizontally through at least one of the ceiling and walls of the structure, the pipe network including a plurality of outlet ports;a plurality of atomizing nozzles mounted to the outlet ports, each of the atomizing nozzles comprising a nozzle body and a deflector body secured together in fixed relation, the nozzle body including an inlet port through the nozzle body connected to one of the outlet ports of the pipe network, a conical flow passage defined between the deflector body and nozzle body, the conical flow passage extending radially outwardly from the inlet port to a circumferential outlet slot, the circumferential outlet slot defined between the nozzle body and the deflector body and extending at least partially around the nozzle. 2. The fire suppression system of claim 1 wherein the deflector body includes a plurality of mounting bosses at spaced angular positions around the axis inserted into formed holes in the nozzle body, further comprising fasteners threaded into the bosses securing the nozzle body and deflector body together. 3. The fire suppression system of claim 1 wherein a first plurality of the atomizing nozzles are arranged proximate the walls and a second plurality of the atomizing nozzles are displaced away from the walls, the circumferential outlet slot of first plurality extending about on half of the way around the axis, the circumferential outlet slot of second plurality extending substantially all of the way around the axis. 4. The fire suppression system of claim 1 wherein the conical flow passage and circumferential outlet slot is configured to spray at a vertical downward trajectory angle of between about 45° and about 90° relative to the vertical axis. 5. The fire suppression system of claim 1 wherein the outlet slot has an axial thickness of between about 0.03 inches and about 0.50 inches. 6. The fire suppression system of claim 1 wherein the agent tank of the gas fire suppressant comprises at least one compressed gas from the following classes: hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, hydraclorofluorocarbons, halogenated ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, ethers, and esters. 7. The fire suppression system of claim 6 wherein the agent tank of the gas fire suppressant comprises at least one of the following liquefied compressed gases: 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane. 8. The fire suppression system of claim 7 wherein gas fire suppressant is stored at a low pressure of between 0.4 psig and 100 psig at room temperature, 25° C., further comprising means for pushing the gas fire suppressant through the pipe network and the atomizing nozzles. 9. The fire suppression system of claim 1 wherein the outlet slot is defined between parallel edges of the nozzle body and the deflector body, wherein the nozzle is adapted to spray a fan of liquid of a substantially uniform thickness. 10. The fire suppression system of claim 9 wherein the conical flow passage converges radially outwardly toward the parallel edges of the nozzle body and the deflector body. 11. A method of suppressing a fire in a structure, comprising:storing a supply of a volatile liquefied-gas fire suppressant having a boiling point below room temperature, 25° C.;receiving a demand to suppress the fire;communicating the gas fire suppressant through a pipe network upon receipt of the demand to suppress the fire; andatomizing the gas fire suppressant communicated through the pipe network in the structure to vaporize the gas fire supp ressant to a gaseous state, the atomizing step comprising spraying the gas fire suppressant in a liquid state radially outwardly relative to an axis in a thin liquid conical fan sufficiently thin such that the gas fire suppressant atomizes sufficiently to vaporize the sprayed gas fire suppressant to a gaseous state without substantial liquid contact with the structure. 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising initially deflecting the Thin liquid conical fun to a trajectory of between about 45° and about 90° relative to the axis. 13. The method of claim 11 further comprising constricting the thin liquid conical fan to between about 0.03 inches and about 0.50 inches. 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the thin liquid conical fan is constricted to a uniform thickness. 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the gas fire suppressant is sprayed radially outwardly all the way around the axis such that the thin liquid conical fan extends 360° around the axis. 16. The method of claim 11 wherein the gas fire suppressant is sprayed about one half the way around the axis such that the thin liquid conical fan extends about 180° around the axis. 17. The method of claim 11 wherein the structure includes a floor and a ceiling and a plurality of walls vertically between the floor and the ceiling, further comprising discharging the gas fire suppressant proximate the ceiling for atomization. 18. The method of claim 11 wherein the gas fire suppressant comprises at least one compressed gas from the following classes: hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, hydroclorofluorocarbons, halogenated ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, ethers, and esters. 19. The fire suppression system of claim 18 where the gas fire suppressant comprises at least one of the following liquefied compressed gases: 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, and 1,1,1,3,3.3-hexafluoropropane. 20. A fire suppression system for a structure, comprising:an agent tank containing a gas fire suppressant in a liquefied state;a propellant tank in fluid series with the agent tank, the propellant tank storing a gas propellant separate from the gas fire suppressant adapted to propel the gas fire suppressant;a plurality of nozzles arranged in the structure in spaced relation;a pipe network for communicating the gas fire suppressant to the nozzles; anda valve controlling fluid flow through the pipe network, the valve having an open state communicating the gas fire suppressant through the pipe network and a closed state preventing flow of the gas fire suppressant trough the pipe network;wherein the nozzles comprise a nozzle body and a deflector body secured together in fixed relation, the nozzle body including an inlet port through the nozzle body along an axis and a conical flow surface extending radially outwardly from the inlet port, the deflector body including a conical deflector surface in spaced fixed relation to the conical flow surface wherein a conical flow passaee is defined between the conical flow surface and the conical deflector body surface, the conical flow passage extending radially outward to a circumferential outlet slot, the nozzles adapted to atomize the gas fire suppressant discharged from the circumferential outlet slot. 21. The fire suppression system of claim 20 wherein the conical deflector surface extends radially inwardly to form an apex coaxial with the inlet port. 22. The fire suppression system of claim 20 wherein the deflector body includes a plurality of mounting bosses at spaced angular positions around the axis inserted into formed holes in the nozzle body, further comprising fasteners threaded into the bosses securing the nozzle body and deflector body together. 23. The fire suppression system of claim 20 wherein the structure includes a floor, a ceiling, and a plurality of walls vertically between the floor and the ceiling, the nozzles being arranged in spaced locations across the ceiling with the conical flow surface and conical deflector surface a ngling downwardly toward the circumferential outlet slot, wherein a first plurality of the nozzles are arranged proximate the walls and a second plurality of the nozzles are displaced away from the walls, the circumferential outlet slot of first plurality extending about on half of the way around the axis, the circumferential outlet slot of second plurality extending substantially all of the way around the axis. 24. The fire suppression system of claim 20 wherein the agent tank contains at least one compressed liquefied-gas from the following classes: hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, hydroclorofluorocarbons, halogenated ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, ethers, and esters. 25. The fire suppression system of claim 24 wherein the agent tank of the gas fire suppressant comprises at least one of the following liquefied compressed gases: 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane. 26. The fire suppression system of claim 20 wherein the gas propellant is stored at a high pressure in excess of 300 psig at room temperature, 25° C. 27. The fire suppression system of claim 20 wherein the gas propellant produces a piston flow system when the valve is open with the gas propellant entering the agent tank to push the compressed liquefied-gas suppressant through the pipe network without substantial mixing of the gas propellant with the compressed liquefied-gas suppressant such that the compressed liquefied-gas suppressant is pushed through the pipe network in a substantially pure state and as a single phase liquid. 28. The fire suppression system of claim 27 further comprising a propellant valve in fluid series between the agent tank and the propellant tank, the propellant valve having a closed position preventing propellant from flowing into the agent tank and an open position permitting propellant to flow into the agent tank. 29. The fire suppression system of claim 28 wherein said valve is pressure responsive to the propellant valve. 30. The fire suppression system of claim 28 further comprising a check valve having a closed state preventing fluid flow from the agent tank to the propellant tank, the check valve having an open state for allowing gas propellant into the agent tank. 31. The fire suppression system of claim 27 further comprising restriction means in fluid series between the propellant tank and the agent tank for selectively setting a flow rate of gas fire suppressant in the liquefied state through the pipe network. 32. A fire suppression system for a structure, comprising:an agent tank containing a gas fire suppressant in a liquefied state;a propellant tank in fluid series with the agent tank, the propellant tank storing a gas propellant separate from the gas fire suppressant adapted to propel the gas fire suppressant;a plurality of nozzles arranged in the structure in spaced relation;a pipe network for communicating the gas fire suppressant to the nozzles; anda valve controlling fluid flow through the pipe network the valve having an open state communicating the gas fire suppressant through the pipe network and a closed state preventing flow of the gas fire suppressant through the pipe network;wherein the structure includes a floor, a ceiling, and a plurality of walls vertically between the floor and the ceiling, the nozzles being arranged in spaced locations on the ceiling, and wherein the nozzles include an circumferential outlet slot extending radially about a vertical axis. 33. The fire suppression system of claim 32 wherein the circumferential outlet slot is configured to spray at a vertical downward trajectory angle of between about 45° and about 90° relative to the vertical axis. 34. The fire suppression system of claim 33 wherein the propellant tank of gas propellant comprises at least one of the following compressed gases: carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon. 35. A The fire suppression system of claim 32 wherein the outlet slot has a vertical thickness of between about 0.03 inche s and about 0.50 inches. 36. The fire suppression system of claim 32 wherein the nozzles atomize the gas fire suppressant discharged in the liquefied state from the circumferential outlet slot when the valves are valve is open substantially without liquid contact of the gas fire suppressant with the walls, floor or ceiling. 37. A retrofit system for a Halon fire suppressant system including a pipe network previously employed for Halon fire suppressant, the pipe network having a pre-selected size configured to carry Halon fire suppressant at a predetermined flow rate, the retrofit system comprising:an agent tank containing a gas fire suppressant in a liquefied state;a propellant tank in fluid series with the agent tank, the propellant tank storing a gas propellant separate from the gas fire suppressant adapted to propel the gas fire suppressant;a plurality of nozzles arranged in the structure in spaced relation, wherein the nozzles comprise a nozzle body and a deflector body secured together in fixed relation, the nozzle body including an inlet port through the nozzle body along an axis and a conical flow surface extending radially outwardly from the inlet port, the deflector body including a conical deflector surface in spaced fixed relation to the conical flow surface wherein a conical flow passage is defined between the conical flow surface and the conical deflector body surface, the conical flow passage extending radially outward to a circumferential outlet slot, the nozzles adapted to atomize the gas fire suppressant discharged from the circumferential outlet slota valve controlling fluid flow through the pipe network, the valve having an open state communicating the gas fire suppressant through the pipe network and a closed state preventing flow of the gas fire suppressant through the pine network;wherein the gas propellant produces a piston flow system when the valve is open with the gas propellant entering the agent tank to push the compressed liquefied-gas suppressant through the pipe network without substantial mixing of the gas propellant with the compressed liquefied-gas suppressant such that the compressed liquefied-gas suppressant is pushed through the pipe network in a substantially mire state and as a single phase liquid;the piston flow system delivering the compressed liquefied-gas suppressant substantially equal to the predetermined flow rate. 38. A method of suppressing a fire in a structure, comprising:storing a first supply of a gas fire suppressant in a liquefied state;storing a second supply of gas propellant in a compressed state separate from the first supply and in series with the first supply;receiving a demand to suppress the fire;charging the first supply of the gas fire suppressant with the propellant;communicating the gas fire suppressant through a pipe network upon receipt of a demand to suppress the fire; andatomizing the gas fire suppressant communicated through the pipe network in the structure to cause the gas fire suppressant to assume a gaseous state;wherein the step of atomizing comprises spraying the gas fire suppressant in a liquid state radially outwardly relative to an axis in a thin liquid conical fan sufficiently chin such that the gas fire suppressant atomizes sufficiently to vaporize the sprayed gas fire suppressant to a gaseous state without substantial liquid contact with the structure. 39. The method of claim 38 further comprising initially deflecting the thin liquid conical trajectory of between about 45° and about 90° relative to the axis. 40. The method of claim 39 further comprising constricting the thin liquid conical fan to between about 0.03 inches and about 0.50 inches. 41. The method of claim 38 wherein the gas fire suppressant is sprayed radially outwardly all the way around the axis such that the thin liquid conical fan extends 360° around the axis. 42. The method of claim 38 wherein the gas fire suppressant is sprayed about one half the way around the axis such that the thin liquid conical fan extends about 180° around the axis. 43. The method of claim 38 wherein the structure includes a floor and a ceiling and a plurality of walls vertically between the floor and the ceiling, further comprising discharging the gas fire suppressant from the ceiling for atomization. 44. The method of claim 38 wherein the gas fire suppressant is charged to a pressure of between 100 psig and 600 psig by the gas propellant. 45. The method of claim 38 further comprising pushing the gas fire suppressant with the gas propellant through the pipe network while substantially preventing gas propellant from being mixed with the gas fire suppressant such that the gas fire suppressant maintains a substantially complete liquid state while being communicated through the pipe network. 46. The method of claim 38 further comprising controlling flow between the first and second supplies with a propellant valve, the propellant valve having an open state for pressurizing the gas fire suppressant in the liquefied state and a closed position for preventing mixing of the first and second supplies. 47. The method of claim 38 further comprising selectively controlling the flow rate of gas fire suppressant through the pipe network with a restriction between the first and second supplies. 48. A method of retrofitting a fixed clean agent lire suppression system in a structure, the structure including a ceiling, a floor and a plurality of walls extending vertically between the floor and the ceiling, the fire suppression system comprising a pipe network for delivering a clean agent fire suppressant, the pipe network including an input end adapted to receive clean agent material and an output end comprising a plurality of outlet ports adapted to deliver clean agent material into the structure, the method comprising:connecting a supply of a gas fire suppressant to the input end but keeping the gas fire suppressant from flowing through the pipe network until a demand to suppress a fire exists, the gas fire suppressant being in a liquefied state;arranging a supply of gas propellant in series with the supply of the gas fire suppressant; separating the gas fire suppressant and the gas propellant with a valve having a closed state, the valve having an open state to allow gas propellant to charge the gas fire suppressant;mounting a plurality of atomizing nozzles to the outlet ports of the pipe networkselecting a configuration of each atomizing nozzle to comprise a nozzle body and a deflector body secured together in fixed relation, the nozzle body including an inlet port through the nozzle body connected to one of the outlet ports of the pipe network, a conical flow passage defined between the deflector body and nozzle body, the conical flow passage extending radially outwardly from the inlet port to a circumferential outlet slot the circumferential outlet slot defined between the nozzle body aid the deflector body and extending at least partially around the nozzle. 49. The method of claim 48 further comprising selecting a configuration of the atomizing nozzle to include a vertical downward trajectory angle of between about 45° and about 90°, and a size of the outlet slot with a vertical thickness of between about 0.03 inches and about 0.50 inches. 50. The method of claim 48, further comprising:arranging a first plurality of the nozzles in close proximity to the walls, the circumferential outlet slot of the first plurality extending about one half the way around the nozzle; andarranging a second plurality of the nozzles away from the walls, the circumferential outlet slot of the first plurality extending substantially all of the way around the nozzle. 51. The method of claim 48 selecting a gas fire suppressant from at least one class comprising the following classes: hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and hydroclorofluorocarbons, halogenated ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, ethers, and esters. 52. The method of cla im 51 comprising selecting the gas fire suppressant from at least one of the following liquefied compressed gases: 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane. 53. A method of retrofitting a fixed clean agent fire suppression system in a structure, the structure including a ceiling, a floor and a plurality of walls extending vertically between the floor and the ceiling, the fire suppression system comprising a pipe network extending through the ceiling for delivering a clean agent fire suppressant, the pipe network including an input end connected to a supply of compressed liquefied-gas fire suppressant and an output end comprising a plurality of outlet ports adapted to deliver clean agent material into the structure, the method comprising:mounting a plurality of atomizing nozzles to the outlet ports of the pipe network, each atomizing nozzle comprising a nozzle body and a deflector body secured together in fixed relation, the nozzle body including an inlet port through the nozzle body connected to one of the outlet ports of the pipe network, a conical flow passage defined between the deflector body and nozzle body, the conical flow passage extending radially outwardly from the inlet port to a circumferential outlet slot, the circumferential outlet slot defined between the nozzle body and the deflector body and extending at least partially around the nozzle. 54. The method of claim 53 further comprising:arranging a first plurality of the nozzles in close proximity to the walls, the circumferential outlet slot of the first plurality extending about one half the way around the nozzle; andarranging a second plurality of the nozzles away from the walls, the circumferential outlet slot of the first plurality extending substantially all of the way around the nozzle. 55. The method of claim 53 further comprising selecting a configuration of the atomizing nozzle to include a vertical downward trajectory angle of between about 45° and about 90°, and a size of the outlet slot with a vertical thickness of between about 0.03 inches and about 0.50 inches. 56. A fire suppression system for a structure, the structure including floor, a ceiling, and a plurality of walls vertically between the floor and the ceiling, the lire suppression system comprising:an agent tank containing a gas fire suppressant in a compressed liquefied state;a propellant tank in fluid series with the agent tank, the propellant tank storing a gas propellant separate from the gas fire suppressant adapted to propel the gas fire suppressant;a propellant valve controlling fluid flow between the agent tank and the propellant tank, the propellant valve having an open state communicating gas propellant into the agent tank and a closed state preventing fluid communication between the agent tank and the propellant tank;a plurality of nozzles arranged in the structure in spaced relation across the ceiling, wherein the nozzles comprise a nozzle body and a deflector body secured together in fixed relation, the nozzle body including an inlet port through the nozzle body along an axis and a conical flow surface extending radially outwardly from the inlet port, the deflector body including a conical deflector surface in spaced fixed relation to the conical flow surface wherein a conical flow passage is defined between the conical flow surface and the conical deflector body surface, the conical flow passage extending radially outward to a circumferential outlet slot, the nozzles adapted to atomize the gas fire suppressant discharged from the circumferential outlet slot;a pipe network extending through the ceiling connecting the agent tank to the inlet parts of the nozzles; anda system valve controlling fluid flow through the pipe network, the system valve having an open state communicating the gas fire suppressant through the pipe network and a closed state preventing flow of the gas fire suppressant through the pipe network. 57. The fire suppression s ystem of claim 56 wherein a first plurality of the nozzles are arranged proximate the walls and a second plurality of the nozzles are displaced away from the walls, the circumferential outlet slot of first plurality extending about on half of the way around the axis, the circumferential outlet slot of second plurality extending substantially all of the way around the axis. 58. The fire suppression system of claim 56 wherein the circumferential outlet slot is configured to spray at a vertical downward trajectory angle of between about 45° and about 90° relative to the vertical axis, wherein the outlet slot has a vertical thickness of between about 0.03 inches and about 0.50 inches, wherein the outlet slot is defined between parallel edges of the nozzle body and the deflector body such that the nozzle is adapted to spray a fan of liquid of a substantially uniform thickness, and wherein the conical flow passage converges radially outwardly toward the parallel edges of the nozzle body and the deflector body. 59. The fire suppression system of claim 56 wherein the propellant tank of gas propellant comprises at least one of the following compressed gases: carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon; andwherein the agent tank of the contains at least one compressed liquefied-gas from the following classes: hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, hydroclorofluorocarbons, halogenated ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, ethers, and esters. 60. The fire suppression system of claim 59 wherein the agent tank of the gas fire suppressant comprises at least one of the following liquefied compressed gases: 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropalie, and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroprop&ie. 61. The fire suppression system of claim 56 further comprising a check valve in series with the propellant valve arranged to prevent gas fire suppressant from flowing to the propellant tank. 62. The fire suppression system of claim 61 further comprising restriction means in fluid series with the propellant valve for selectively setting a flow rate of gas fire suppressant in the compressed liquefied state through the pipe network.
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