초록 ▼

A fire suppression system includes a high pressure inert gas source that is configured to provide a first inert gas output and a low pressure inert gas source that is configured to provide a second inert gas output. A distribution network is connected with the high and low pressure inert gas sources

A fire suppression system includes a high pressure inert gas source that is configured to provide a first inert gas output and a low pressure inert gas source that is configured to provide a second inert gas output. A distribution network is connected with the high and low pressure inert gas sources to distribute the first and second inert gas outputs. A controller is operatively connected with at least the distribution network to control how the respective first and second inert gas outputs are distributed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fire suppression system, comprising: a high pressure inert gas source configured to provide a first inert gas output, the high pressure inert gas source including a plurality of storage tanks connected to a manifold;a low pressure inert gas source, relative to the high pressure inert gas source

1. A fire suppression system, comprising: a high pressure inert gas source configured to provide a first inert gas output, the high pressure inert gas source including a plurality of storage tanks connected to a manifold;a low pressure inert gas source, relative to the high pressure inert gas source, configured to provide a second inert gas output;a distribution network connected with the high and low pressure inert gas sources to distribute the first and second inert gas outputs, wherein the manifold includes a single, exclusive outlet connected with the distribution network; anda controller operatively connected with at least the distribution network to control how the respective first and second inert gas outputs are distributed in response to a fire threat signal, wherein each of the plurality of storage tanks includes a valve in communication with the controller to control pressurized inert gas flow from the respective storage tank into the manifold. 2. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to initially release the first inert gas output in response to a fire threat to reduce an oxygen concentration of the fire threat below a predetermined threshold of 12% and subsequently release the second inert gas outlet once the oxygen concentration is below 12%. 3. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 1, wherein the low pressure inert gas source is an inert gas generator configured to convert input air to nitrogen enriched air as the second inert gas output. 4. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to select, from a plurality of input air sources, which input air source the inert gas generator receives the input air from. 5. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 1, wherein the distribution network includes a plurality of flow valves in communication with the controller. 6. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 1, further including at least one oxygen sensor in communication with the controller. 7. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 1, wherein the distribution network includes inert gas outlets located at different compartments. 8. A fire suppression system, comprising: a pressurized inert gas source configured to provide a first inert gas output, wherein the pressurized inert gas source includes a plurality of storage tanks and a manifold connected to the plurality of storage tanks;an inert gas generator configured to provide a second inert gas output;a distribution network connected with the pressurized inert gas source and the inert gas generator to distribute the first and second inert gas outputs, wherein the manifold includes a single, exclusive outlet connected with the distribution network; anda controller operatively connected with at least the distribution network to control how the respective first and second inert gas outputs are distributed in response to a fire threat signal, wherein each of the plurality of storage tanks includes a valve in communication with the controller to control pressurized inert gas flow from the respective storage tank into the manifold. 9. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 8, wherein the distribution network includes a plurality of flow valves and a flow regulator located at the pressurized inert gas source to control the respective first and second inert gas outputs. 10. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 8, wherein the distribution network includes a fail-open valve. 11. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to change how the first and second inert gas outputs are distributed in response to a malfunction of a valve in the distribution network. 12. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to initially release the first inert gas output in response to the fire threat to reduce an oxygen concentration of the fire threat below 12% and subsequently release the second inert gas outlet once the oxygen concentration is below 12%. 13. A method for use with a fire suppression system that includes a high pressure inert gas source configured to provide a first inert gas output, wherein the pressurized inert gas source includes a plurality of storage tanks, a low pressure inert gas source, relative to the high pressure inert gas source, configured to provide a second inert gas output, a distribution network connected with the high and low pressure inert gas sources to distribute the first and second inert gas outputs, and a controller operatively connected with at least the distribution network to control how the respective first and second inert gas outputs are distributed in response to a fire threat signal, the method comprising: sequentially releasing pressurized gas from the plurality of storage tanks to provide the first inert gas output from the high pressure inert gas source in response to the fire threat signal to reduce an oxygen concentration within a given volume zone that receives the first inert gas output below a predetermined threshold; andsubsequently releasing the second inert gas output from the low pressure inert gas source to facilitate maintaining the oxygen concentration below the predetermined threshold. 14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein subsequently releasing the second inert gas output includes redirecting the second inert gas output from another destination in the distribution network to the fire threat. 15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein sequentially releasing the plurality of storage tanks includes initially releasing fewer than all of the plurality of storage tanks of the high pressure inert gas source. 16. The method as recited in claim 13, further including adjusting an oxygen concentration of the second inert gas output released from the low pressure inert gas source in response to a detected oxygen concentration in the given volume zone. 17. The method as recited in claim 13, further including releasing the first inert gas output from the high pressure inert gas source to thereby cool a volume of a volume zone to which the first inert gas output is directed. 18. The method as recited in claim 13, further including sealing a cargo bay volume, to which the first inert gas output is directed, from a bilge volume prior to releasing the first inert gas output. 19. The method as recited in claim 13, further including controlling at least one of a flow rate of the second inert gas output and an oxygen concentration of the second inert gas output based on a flight cycle. 20. The method as recited in claim 13, further including determining a future time for maintenance on a storage tank of the high pressure inert gas source based on tank pressure feedback from the storage tank and a flight cycle of an aircraft on which the high pressure inert gas source is installed. 21. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein releasing the first inert gas output and subsequently releasing the second inert gas output is conducted under predetermined test conditions in response to triggering the fire threat signal to test the fire suppression system. 22. The method as recited in claim 13, further including establishing a flow of at least one of the first inert gas output and the second inert gas output in conjunction with providing an overboard valve of the volume zone such that a pressure within the volume zone is below an over pressure that unseals a cargo bay liner of the volume zone. 23. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the controller is operable to change how the first and second inert gas outputs are distributed to the volume zone in response to a malfunction in the distribution network. 24. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to release pulses of the first inert gas output from the high pressure inert gas source. 25. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to selectively release fewer than all of the plurality of storage tanks. 26. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of storage tanks includes a pressure and temperature transducer in communication with the controller. 27. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to selectively release fewer than all of the plurality of the storage tanks. 28. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of storage tanks includes a pressure and temperature transducer in communication with the controller. 29. The fire suppression system as recited in claim 8, wherein the distribution network includes a fail-open valve that is biased toward an open position. 30. The method as recited in claim 13, further including sealing a cargo bay volume, to which the first inert gas output is directed, from a bilge volume prior to releasing the first inert gas output, wherein the bilge volume is below a vented floor in the cargo bay, the vented floor including seal members in communication with the controller. 31. A fire suppression system, comprising: a high pressure inert gas source configured to provide a first inert gas output;a low pressure inert gas source, relative to the high pressure inert gas source, configured to provide a second inert gas output, wherein the low pressure inert gas source is an inert gas generator;a distribution network connected with the high and low pressure inert gas sources to distribute the first and second inert gas outputs; anda controller operatively connected with at least the distribution network to control how the respective first and second inert gas outputs are distributed in response to a fire threat signal, wherein the controller is configured to select, from a plurality of input air sources, which input air source the inert gas generator receives the input air from to provide the second inert gas output. 32. A fire suppression system, comprising: a pressurized inert gas source configured to provide a first inert gas output;an inert gas generator configured to provide a second inert gas output;a distribution network connected with the pressurized inert gas source and the inert gas generator to distribute the first and second inert gas outputs; anda controller operatively connected with at least the distribution network to control how the respective first and second inert gas outputs are distributed in response to a fire threat signal, wherein the controller is configured to change how the first and second inert gas outputs are distributed in response to a malfunction of a valve in the distribution network.