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Fire protection apparatus, systems, and methods for addressing a fire with a mist are provided. More particularly, the invention provides systems and their method of design which provide a water mist to address and preferably suppress a fire. The invention further provides systems and methods for to

Fire protection apparatus, systems, and methods for addressing a fire with a mist are provided. More particularly, the invention provides systems and their method of design which provide a water mist to address and preferably suppress a fire. The invention further provides systems and methods for total flooding volume protection of a space to address a fire, preferably control, suppress, and more preferably extinguish a fire. The invention further provides atomizing devices for use in such systems and methods.

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1. An atomizer for fire protection using a first fluid and a second fluid, the atomizer comprising: a base,a cover coupled to the base andan internal fluid defining assembly disposed along a longitudinal axis between the base and the cover, the base at a proximal end of the atomizer including a firs

1. An atomizer for fire protection using a first fluid and a second fluid, the atomizer comprising: a base,a cover coupled to the base andan internal fluid defining assembly disposed along a longitudinal axis between the base and the cover, the base at a proximal end of the atomizer including a first inlet for receipt of the first fluid and a second inlet for receipt of the second fluid, and the cover defining an outlet at a distal end of the atomizer for discharging the first and second fluid, the fluid defining assembly keeping the first and second fluids isolated from one another from the proximal to the distal end of the atomizer, the assembly including an outer funnel having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of the outer funnel defining a first fluid flow passageway in communication with the first inlet, the first fluid passage having a divergent-convergent internal geometry and the outer surface defining a continuous curved profile along the longitudinal axis that converges to a first fluid outlet, the first fluid passage the inner surface of the outer funnel defining a second passageway in communication with the second inlet, the assembly including an inner plug member disposed within the passageway and having an outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the outer funnel to define at least a portion of a second fluid flow passageway therebetween extending axially to the outlet, the second fluid flow passageway diverging in the proximal to distal direction to define a discharge orifice for the second fluid in communication with the outlet. 2. The atomizer of claim 1, Wherein the space between the outer surface of the inner plug member and the inner surface of the outer funnel is constant along its length. 3. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the second fluid flow passageway is frustoconical having a proximal end and a distal end. 4. A mist generating apparatus having a longitudinal axis, the apparatus comprising: a first fluid passage having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet;the first fluid passage having a divergent-convergent internal geometry and an outer surface defining a continuous curved profile along the longitudinal axis that converges to the first fluid outlet; anda second fluid passage having a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet;wherein the first fluid passage surrounds the second fluid passage, and the first and second fluid outlets are oriented relative to one another such that they have an angle of incidence between 5 and 30 degrees; andthe second fluid passage having a throat portion located between the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet, the throat portion having a smaller cross sectional area than that of either the second fluid inlet or second fluid outlet. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the area ratio between the throat portion and the second fluid outlet is between 2:3 and 1:4. 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first fluid passage is located radially outward from the second fluid passage. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first and second fluid passages are coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. 8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first fluid passage further comprises an intermediate portion located between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet, the intermediate portion having a cross sectional area which is larger than that of either the first fluid inlet or the first fluid outlet. 9. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a first fluid supply channel having a first end adapted to be connected to a supply of a first fluid and a second end connected to the first fluid inlet anda second fluid supply channel having a first end adapted to be connected to a supply of a second fluid and a second end connected to the second fluid inlet;wherein the first and second supply channels are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a base member that contains the first and second fluid supply channels. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a funnel member and an elongate plug member, wherein the funnel member has a bore and is adapted to coaxially locate upon the base member such that the bore communicates with the second fluid supply channel, and wherein the plug member is adapted to be attached to the base member such that a portion of the plug lies within the bore and the second fluid passage is defined between the funnel and the plug. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a cover member which encloses the base member, the funnel member and the plug member such that the first fluid passage is defined between an outer surface of the funnel and an inner surface of the cover member. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the cover member has a first end adapted to coaxially locate upon the base member and be attached thereto, and a second end having an outlet adapted to communicate with the first and second fluid outlets. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second end of the cover includes an axially projecting lip portion, the lip portion defining an aperture in communication with the first and second fluid outlets. 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plug member has a first end which attaches to the base member and a second end which defines the second fluid passage, wherein the second end has an end face which is concave. 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the funnel member includes a radially projecting flange portion, wherein the flange portion is sandwiched between the base member and the cover member to maintain the axial position of the funnel member relative to the base member. 17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is adapted such that the axial position of the cover member may be adjusted relative to the base. 18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plug member may be threaded onto the base such that the axial position of the plug member may be adjusted relative to the base and the funnel. 19. A mist generating apparatus having a longitudinal axis, the apparatus comprising: a first fluid passage having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet;the first fluid passage having a divergent-convergent internal geometry and an outer surface defining a continuous curved profile along, the longitudinal axis that converges to the first fluid outlet, anda second fluid passage having a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet;wherein the first fluid passage surrounds the second fluid passage, and the first and second fluid outlets are oriented relative to one another such that they have an angle of incidence of less than 90 degrees; andthe second fluid passage includes a throat portion located between the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet, the throat portion having a smaller cross sectional area than that of either the second fluid inlet or second fluid outlet such that the area ratio between the throat portion and the second fluid outlet is between 2:3 and 1:4. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first fluid passage is located radially outward from the second fluid passage. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first and second fluid passages are coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. 22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first fluid passage includes an intermediate portion located between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet, the intermediate portion having a cross sectional area which is larger than that of either the first fluid inlet or the first fluid outlet. 23. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: a first fluid supply channel having a first end adapted to be connected to a supply of a first fluid and a second end connected to the first fluid inlet; anda second fluid supply channel having a first end adapted to be connected to a supply of a second fluid and a second end connected to the second fluid inlet;wherein the first and second supply channels are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. 24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a base member that contains the first and second fluid supply channels. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a funnel member and an elongate plug member, wherein the funnel member has a bore and is adapted to coaxially locate upon the base member such that the bore communicates with the second fluid supply channel, and wherein the plug member is adapted to be attached to the base member such that a portion of the plug member lies within the bore and the second fluid passage is defined between the funnel member and the plug member. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a cover member which encloses the base member, the funnel member and the plug member such that the first fluid passage is defined between an outer surface of the funnel member and an inner surface of the cover member. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the cover member has a first end adapted to coaxially locate upon the base member and be attached thereto, and a second end having an outlet adapted to communicate with the first and second fluid outlets. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the second end of the cover member includes an axially projecting lip portion, the lip portion defining an aperture in communication with the first and second fluid outlets. 29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plug member has a first end which attaches to the base member and a second end which defines the second fluid passage, wherein the second end has an end face which is concave. 30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the funnel member includes a radially projecting flange portion, wherein the flange portion is sandwiched between the base member and the cover member to maintain the axial position of the funnel member relative to the base member. 31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the apparatus is adapted such that the axial position of the cover member may be adjusted relative to the base member. 32. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plug member may be threaded onto the base member such that the axial position of the plug member may be adjusted relative to the base member and the funnel member. 33. A mist generating device comprising: a first fluid passage having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet disposed about a longitudinal axis of the device; the first fluid passage having a divergent-convergent internal geometry and an outer surface defining a continuous curved profile along the longitudinal axis that converges to the first fluid outlet, and a second fluid passage having a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet through which a second fluid passes, the second fluid passage disposed about the longitudinal axis concentric with the first fluid passage, the second fluid passage defining an equivalent angle of expansion of between 1 and 40 degrees; wherein the second fluid passage includes a throat portion located between the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet, the throat portion having a smaller cross sectional area than that of either the second fluid inlet or second fluid outlet such that the area ratio between the throat portion and the second fluid outlet is between 5:7 and 2:11; and wherein the ratio of the cross sectional area of the first fluid outlet to the second fluid outlet is between 10:3 and 1:12. 34. The device of claim 33, wherein the cross sectional area of the second fluid outlet is between 4 and 7 times greater than that of the first fluid outlet. 35. The device of claim 33, wherein the first fluid passage surrounds the second fluid passage, and the first and second fluid outlets are oriented relative to one another such that they have an angle of incidence of less than 90 degrees. 36. The device of claim 35, wherein the first and second fluid outlets are oriented relative to one another such that they have an angle of incidence of between 5 and 30 degrees. 37. The device of claim 33, wherein the first fluid passage is located radially outward from the second fluid passage. 38. The device of claim 33, wherein the first fluid passage includes an intermediate portion located between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet, the intermediate portion having a cross sectional area which is larger than that of either the first fluid inlet or the first fluid outlet. 39. The device of claim 38, wherein the intermediate portion of the first fluid passage has a cross sectional area which is between 50 and 400 times greater than that of the first fluid outlet. 40. The device of claim 33, wherein the first fluid passage defines a smooth curving profile that converges toward the longitudinal axis such that a flow path decreases in a direction from the first fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet. 41. The device of claim 33, wherein the first fluid passage defines a total volume of between 119,000 cu. mm. (7.2 cu. in.) and 121,500 cu. mm. (7.4 cu. in.) and the second fluid passage defines a total volume of between 24,300 cu. mm. (1.5 cu. in.) and 25,500 cu. mm. (1.5 cu. in.). 42. The device of claim 33, further comprising: a first fluid supply channel having a first end adapted to be connected to a supply of a first fluid and a second end connected to the first fluid inlet; and second fluid and a second end connected to the second fluid inlet; wherein the first and second supply channels are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device. 43. The device of claim 33 further comprising a chamber in communication with the first and second fluid outlets for mixture of the liquid and gas discharge so as to form the mist. 44. The device of claim 33, wherein the cross sectional area of the throat portion of the second passage is between 20 cu. mm. (0.0012 cu, in.) and 35 cu. mm. (0.0021 cu. in.).