US20060243460A1 - Fire extinguisher - Google Patents
Fire extinguisher Download PDFInfo
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- US20060243460A1 US20060243460A1 US11/380,258 US38025806A US2006243460A1 US 20060243460 A1 US20060243460 A1 US 20060243460A1 US 38025806 A US38025806 A US 38025806A US 2006243460 A1 US2006243460 A1 US 2006243460A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- wall
- fitting
- tube
- fire extinguisher
- fire
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C31/00—Delivery of fire-extinguishing material
- A62C31/02—Nozzles specially adapted for fire-extinguishing
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
- A62C3/07—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places in vehicles, e.g. in road vehicles
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49808—Shaping container end to encapsulate material
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49863—Assembling or joining with prestressing of part
- Y10T29/49865—Assembling or joining with prestressing of part by temperature differential [e.g., shrink fit]
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49879—Spaced wall tube or receptacle
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49906—Metal deforming with nonmetallic bonding
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49908—Joining by deforming
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49908—Joining by deforming
- Y10T29/49909—Securing cup or tube between axially extending concentric annuli
- Y10T29/49913—Securing cup or tube between axially extending concentric annuli by constricting outer annulus
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49908—Joining by deforming
- Y10T29/49925—Inward deformation of aperture or hollow body wall
- Y10T29/49927—Hollow body is axially joined cup or tube
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49908—Joining by deforming
- Y10T29/49925—Inward deformation of aperture or hollow body wall
- Y10T29/49934—Inward deformation of aperture or hollow body wall by axially applying force
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49947—Assembling or joining by applying separate fastener
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/4998—Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material
- Y10T29/49993—Filling of opening
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for extinguishing fires as well as to methods and materials used to construct the fire extinguishing apparatus.
- Fire extinguishers generally operate to extinguish a fire by ejecting a fire inhibiting substance onto the fire. Fire extinguishers that automatically discharge a fire inhibiting substance in response to detection of a fire are useful in many circumstances. For example, should a fire break out in an area that is not readily accessible, a fire extinguisher that functions to discharge its fire inhibiting substance on the fire automatically in response to detection of the fire is very useful.
- One such automatic fire extinguisher is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,776, the entire disclosure of which is hereby explicitly incorporated by reference herein.
- the fire extinguisher of the present invention includes a container housing a fire inhibiting material which may automatically discharge its fire inhibiting contents in response to a fire.
- the fire inhibiting material is pressurized within the container and the container is structured and arranged to discharge its fire inhibiting contents in a predetermined direction.
- a method is provided for constructing a container for holding fire inhibiting contents under pressure and a method and apparatus for effectively and efficiently filling and pressurizing the container with fire inhibiting material, forming a container structured and arranged to expel the fire inhibiting material contained therein in a predefined direction in response to a fire.
- the present fire extinguisher can automatically discharge when the temperature around the fire extinguisher rises above a predetermined point, allowing for the fire extinguisher to quench a fire without the need for human intervention.
- the fire extinguisher may be constructed to discharge its contents in a predetermined direction, protecting the most vital areas of a given structure, such as the tires or engine of a motor vehicle.
- the present invention provides a fire extinguisher, including: a container including a wall having a first thickness and defining an interior cavity, and a discharge window formed as a substantial area of the wall, the discharge window having a second thickness which is less than the first thickness; and a quantity of fire inhibiting substance contained within the interior cavity, the fire inhibiting substance expandable at an elevated temperature to discharge through the discharge window along a focused direction substantially defined by the discharge window.
- the present invention provides a fire extinguisher, including: a container including a wall defining an interior cavity; a first fitting having an exterior surface including a groove, the first fitting received at least partially within an open first end of the container with at least a portion of the wall pressed into the groove; and a quantity of fire inhibiting substance contained within the tube, the fire inhibiting substance expandable at an elevated temperature to discharge from the container.
- the present invention provides a method of sealing a container, including the steps of: providing a container having a wall defining an interior cavity, and a fitting having an exterior surface including at least one groove; positioning the fitting within an open end of the container at least partially within the interior cavity; deforming the wall to press at least a portion of the wall into the groove.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary fire extinguisher made in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tube which forms a part of the fire extinguisher illustrated in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the tube illustrated in FIG. 2 taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a collar used to secure a fitting to an end of the tube forming a part of the fire extinguisher illustrated in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the collar illustrated in FIG. 4 taken along line 5 - 5 of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 is a longitudinal fragmentary sectional view of the fire extinguisher illustrated in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a fitting and associated pressure gauge for indicating the internal pressure of the fire extinguisher of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the fitting illustrated in FIG. 7 ;
- FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a fitting and associated valve and pressure switch, also illustrating a filling apparatus of the present invention useful to position fire inhibiting material within the fire extinguisher of FIG. 1 and to pressurize the same;
- FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the fitting illustrated in FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a pressure switch connector used to connect a pressure switch to a fitting closing an end of a fire extinguisher of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a shaping device for milling a tube which forms a part of the fire extinguisher in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 13 is a sectional view of an actuation device and tube guide forming a part of the shaping device illustrated in FIG. 12 ;
- FIG. 14 is a sectional view illustrating a tube guide and actuation device in operable position to allow for milling a tube which forms a part of the fire extinguisher in FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 15-17 are fragmentary sectional views illustrating progressive steps in a process of crimping a tube to a fitting to form an enclosure for a fire inhibiting substance
- FIGS. 18-20 are perspective views of a tube filling apparatus of the present invention.
- FIGS. 21 and 22 are partial sectional views of a fire extinguisher and valve body used to fill the fire extinguisher with a fire inhibiting substance and pressurize the same.
- Fire extinguisher 20 forms an enclosure which may contain a fire inhibiting substance 28 , shown in FIG. 6 .
- a fire inhibiting substance 28 expands, increasing the pressure within fire extinguisher 20 .
- the pressure inside fire extinguisher 20 is high enough to cause tube 22 to burst and expel the fire inhibiting substance 28 through discharge window 30 , as described in detail below.
- fire extinguisher 20 includes tube 22 having opposite ends 24 , 26 .
- Tube 22 cooperates with opposite ends 24 , 26 to form an enclosure containing a fire inhibiting substance 28 , shown in FIG. 6 .
- Fire inhibiting substance 28 is, in one exemplary embodiment, a gelled halocarbon and dry chemical suspension marketed under the name ENVIROGEL by Powsus, Inc., 1178 Wisteria Drive, Malvern, Pa. 19355, ENVIROGEL is a trademark of Powsus, Inc. 1178 Wisteria Drive, Malvern, Pa. 19355.
- ENVIROGEL is a trademark of Powsus, Inc. 1178 Wisteria Drive, Malvern, Pa. 19355.
- One exemplary composition of ENVIROGEL is made of up of 40% by weight gelled ammonium polyphosphate and 60% by weight HFC-236fa.
- tube 22 includes discharge window 30 .
- tube wall 32 of tube 22 includes an area of decreased thickness forming discharge window 30 , which defines an outer perimeter and covers a substantial area. In one embodiment, the outer perimeter has a substantially rectangular shape.
- discharge window 30 defines a focused direction for discharge of fire inhibiting substance 28 . Owing to the decreased wall thickness of discharge window 30 , fire inhibiting substance 28 will be most readily released from fire extinguisher 20 through discharge window 30 , as further described hereinbelow. In use, discharge window 30 of fire extinguisher 20 provides a focused direction for the release of fire inhibiting substance 28 , shown in FIG. 6 , therefrom.
- fire inhibiting substance 28 is placed under pressure in fire extinguisher 20 .
- the walls of tube 22 are resistant to the pressure contained within tube 22 at temperatures below 120° F.
- the pressure contained within tube 22 is approximately 100 psi.
- fire inhibiting substance 28 expands placing additional internal pressure on the walls of tube 22 causing tube 22 to burst and expel fire inhibiting substance 28 contained therein.
- discharge window 30 has a smaller wall thickness than the remainder of tube 22 , tube 22 is more likely to burst at discharge window 30 and fire inhibiting substance 28 is most readily discharged from tube 22 through discharge window 30 along a focused direction as defined above.
- fire extinguisher 20 includes tube 22 and opposite ends 24 , 26 .
- tube 22 is formed of nylon.
- tube 22 is formed of ASCENDTM 67 B high viscosity nylon, available, e.g., from Solutia Inc., 575 Maryvill Centre Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63166.
- tube 22 is formed of a nylon resin, such as DuPont Zytel® nylon resin, available from E.I duPont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, Del.
- Opposite ends 24 , 26 each include a fitting 36 , 34 , respectively, positioned within tube 22 as well as collars 38 surrounding at least portions of tube 22 and fittings 34 , 36 . Collars 38 crimp the ends of tube 22 to fittings 34 , 36 to create a sealed enclosure for fire inhibiting substance 28 .
- fire inhibiting substance 28 occupies approximately 95% of the enclosure created by tube 22 , fittings 34 , 36 and collars 38 .
- the remaining space of the enclosure is, in one exemplary embodiment, filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen.
- the materials contained within fire extinguisher 20 may be pressurized to about 100 psi.
- fitting 34 includes annular grooves 40 .
- fitting 36 similarly includes annular grooves 48 .
- the ends of tube 22 are heated until the material forming tube wall 32 is flowable.
- the heated tube ends are thereafter positioned over fittings 34 , 36 .
- Collars 38 are thereafter positioned over the ends of tube 22 and the associated fittings 34 , 36 , capturing wall 32 between the exterior of fittings 34 , 36 and collars 38 , and causing the flowable material of tube wall 32 to occupy annular grooves 40 , 48 .
- the process for constructing fire extinguisher 20 including opposite ends 24 , 26 is described in greater detail hereinbelow.
- pressure gauge 42 is connected to fitting 34 and is in fluid communication with the interior of fire extinguisher 20 .
- pressure gauge 42 includes threaded boss 44 sized to threadingly engage threaded internal bore 46 of fitting 34 . Threaded internal bore 46 of fitting 34 allows pressure gauge 42 to fluidly communicate with the interior of fire extinguisher 20 so that pressure gauge 42 is operable to measure and display the internal pressure of fire extinguisher 20 .
- Fitting 36 is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 9 , and 10 and includes annular grooves 48 similar to annular grooves 40 of fitting 34 .
- material of tube wall 32 flows into and occupies annular grooves 48 of fitting 36 in the final construct of fire extinguisher 20 , as discussed above.
- fitting 36 includes internal aperture 50 having threaded sections 52 , 54 .
- threaded section 52 of internal aperture 50 is sized to accommodate valve 56 threadedly engaged therein.
- Valve 56 includes O-ring 58 positioned about the exterior thereof. O-ring 58 facilitates sealing between the exterior of valve 56 and internal aperture 50 of fitting 36 .
- Valve 56 includes valve stem 60 having valve cover 62 connected to one end thereof.
- Valve cover 62 includes O-ring 64 operably positioned about the periphery thereof to facilitate sealing of valve cover 62 with valve seat 66 .
- FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing valve 56 prior to being secured within threaded section 52 of internal aperture 50 .
- Valve 56 is illustrated in its closed position in FIG. 9 .
- Flange 68 is connected to the end of valve stem 60 opposite valve cover 62 .
- valve 56 includes support 70 .
- Spring 72 is positioned about valve stem 60 intermediate flange 68 and support 70 and acts to bias valve 56 into its closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 9 .
- Valve 56 includes a generally cylindrical body terminating at one end in valve seat 66 , shown in FIG. 6 , and having an opening at the other end.
- the end of the cylindrical body of valve 56 opposite valve seat 66 includes support 70 extending therefrom. Actuation of flange 68 towards support 70 against the bias of spring 72 acts to open valve 56 and allow fluid flow through valve 56 and thereafter past valve seat 66 .
- pressure switch connector 74 is threadedly engaged in threaded section 54 of internal aperture 50 of fitting 36 .
- Pressure switch connector 74 includes flange 76 which, in construction, abuts shoulder 78 of fitting 36 to facilitate making a seal therebetween.
- connector 74 includes central detent 80 .
- Central detent 80 has an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of flange 68 of valve 56 , so that with pressure switch connecter 74 threadedly engaged with fitting 36 , as illustrated in FIG. 6 , flange 68 is positioned within central detent 80 of connector 74 .
- connector 74 includes internal threaded bore 82 in fluid communication with fluid passage 84 .
- flange 68 of valve 56 is positioned within central detent 80 of connector 74 and connector 74 forces flange 68 to move against the biasing force of spring 72 toward support 70 to unseat valve cover 62 from valve seat 66 .
- fluid contained within tube 22 can flow through valve 56 and fluid passage 84 .
- pressure switch 86 is threadedly engaged in internal threaded bore 82 of connector 74 .
- pressure switch 86 is in fluid communication with the contents of tube 22 through fluid passage 84 and valve 56 , and is operable to provide a signal to a computational device indicative of whether the pressure in tube 22 drops below a predetermined value.
- a computational device that activates a visual indication device, such as a light bulb, mounted in the dashboard of the vehicle to provide a visual signal to the driver that the pressure in tube 22 is low.
- pressure gauge 42 and pressure switch 86 may not be desired.
- fittings 34 , 36 will have plugs operably associated therewith to prevent fluid flow from passing through the internal bores of fittings 34 , 36 .
- fittings 34 , 36 may be formed as solid plugs, i.e., without internal bores 46 , 50 , respectively.
- fire extinguisher 20 is positioned such that discharge window 30 opens toward a particular area at potential risk for fire.
- certain military vehicles are sometimes susceptible to having small combustible devices, such as “Molotov cocktails,” detonated within their wheel wells in an attempt to render the vehicle inoperable.
- fire extinguisher 20 can be positioned with discharge window 30 pointed downwardly away from the vehicle's wheel well and toward the vehicle's tire.
- shaping device 90 is utilized to form discharge window 30 in tube 22 .
- shaping device 90 is utilized to mill discharge window 30 in tubular stock material utilized to create tube 22 of fire extinguisher 20 .
- raw tubing used to form tube 22 has a wall thickness of 0.065 inches and shaping device 90 is utilized to mill off 0.010 inches of wall material to create discharge window 30 , shown in FIG. 1 .
- Discharge window 30 defines an outer perimeter and covers a substantial area of the outer surface of tube 22 , which can constitute as little as 5%, 10% or 15% of the surface area of the outer surface of tube 22 excluding ends 24 , 26 and as much as 40%, 45%, or 50% of the surface area of the outer surface of tube 22 excluding ends 24 , 26 .
- tube 22 measures 8 inches long and 11 ⁇ 2 inches in diameter and includes a discharge window constituting 11.6 percent of total surface area of the outside of the tube.
- tube 22 measuring 27 inches long and 11 ⁇ 2 inches in diameter is formed to include a discharge window constituting 16.8 percent of the total surface area of the outside of the tube.
- Shaping device 90 includes tube guide 92 and tool 94 .
- Tool 94 includes radiused cutting surface 96 having a radius of curvature substantially matching the radius of the raw tube material used to form tube 22 of fire extinguisher 20 , shown in FIG. 1 .
- tube guide 92 includes elongate aperture 100 formed throughout its length. Elongate aperture 100 has an inner diameter just slightly larger than the outer diameter of the stock material utilized to form tube 22 of fire extinguisher 20 , shown in FIG. 1 .
- tube guide 92 includes tool cutout 102 formed in a wall thereof. Specifically, tool cutout 102 is formed as a slot in the wall of tube guide 92 facing tool 94 . Tool cutout 102 intersects elongate aperture 100 of tube guide 92 to provide an access through which tool 94 contacts tube 22 as shown in FIG. 14 .
- shaping device 90 includes pneumatic cylinder 104 including pneumatic piston 106 .
- Pneumatic piston 106 is threadedly engaged with rod 108 .
- rod 108 is a brass rod.
- Rod 108 occupies rod channel 110 in tube guide 92 .
- Rod channel 110 intersects elongate aperture 100 of tube guide 92 so that rod 108 can be positioned in abutting relationship with tube 22 as shown in FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 13 illustrates pneumatic piston 106 in a withdrawn position. Consequently, rod 108 is also in a withdrawn position. In its withdrawn position, rod 108 does not apply a significant normal force to tube 22 and, therefore, does not significantly impede progress of tube 22 through tube guide 92 .
- FIG. 14 illustrates pneumatic piston 106 actuated to position rod 108 in abutting relationship with tube 22 .
- rod 108 applies a normal force to tube 22 to thereby frictionally resist movement of tube 22 through tube guide 92 and to insure that tube 22 is flush with the portion of the interior wall of tube guide 92 formed by elongate aperture 100 which is closest to tool 94 .
- tool 94 can be operably positioned against tube 22 to effect milling thereof as illustrated in FIG. 14 .
- air source 144 is utilized to provide a stream of air directed to tool 94 during the milling process. It has been found that the provision of a stream of air during milling facilitates creation of discharge window 30 by removing debris, such as shavings, that could interfere with the milling process. Additionally, the use of a stream of air cools tool 94 during the milling process.
- rod 108 The normal force applied by rod 108 to tube 22 is sufficient to position tube 22 in the position illustrated in FIG. 14 for milling, as described above, but also creates a small enough frictional resistance to passage of tube 22 through elongate aperture 100 so that tube 22 may be longitudinally displaced through elongate aperture 100 to effect milling of discharge window 30 , shown in FIG. 1 .
- rod 108 if formed of brass to prevent scarring of tube 22 as it passes through elongate aperture 100 during the milling process. Other relatively soft materials may be used to form rod 108 to prevent scarring.
- tube 22 may be advanced through elongate aperture 100 , in contact with rod 108 , either by a mechanical controller, not shown, or by the application of force from the operator of shaping device 90 .
- Shaping device 90 further includes actuation device 112 .
- Actuation device 112 moves relative to the remaining structure of shaping device 90 to position tube 22 into engagement with tool 94 as illustrated in FIG. 14 and out of engagement with tool 94 as illustrated in FIG. 13 .
- tube 22 is moved relative to tool 94 which remains stationary.
- tube 22 could remain stationary, with tool 94 being moved into and out of position to mill tube 22 .
- both tube 22 and tool 94 could be moved to position tube 22 and tool 94 to allow for milling of tube 22 and to move one or both of tube 22 and tool 94 out of position whereby tool 94 cannot effect milling of tube 22 .
- shaping device 90 includes bed 114 with walls 116 extending upwardly therefrom. Upwardly extending walls 116 may be part of a clamping mechanism utilized to clamp items to bed 114 of shaping device 90 . Upwardly extending walls 116 may further be formed as stationary walls extending upwardly from bed 114 . As illustrated in FIGS. 12-14 , actuation device 112 is positioned intermediate upwardly extending walls 116 . Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 , rod 118 is secured to each of upwardly extending walls 116 . As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 , pneumatic piston 120 is fixably secured to rod 118 . Pneumatic piston 120 is operably positioned within pneumatic cylinder 122 for reciprocation therein.
- Pneumatic cylinder 122 is formed in cylinder housing 124 .
- Cylinder housing 124 is positioned above bed 114 with a slight spacing therebetween. The spacing between cylinder housing 124 and bed 114 allows cylinder housing 124 to reciprocate between upwardly extending walls 116 as will be further described hereinbelow. With rod 118 secured to upwardly extending walls 116 and cylinder housing 124 free to move therebetween, actuation of actuation device 112 causes movement of cylinder housing 124 along rod 118 .
- Pneumatic piston 120 is sealed against pneumatic cylinder 122 in a conventional manner. Pneumatic piston 120 separates pneumatic cylinder 122 into two chambers 126 , 128 . To actuate actuation device 112 so that tube 22 is brought into operative contact with tool 94 as illustrated in FIG. 14 , compressed air is introduced into chamber 126 to cause cylinder housing 124 to achieve the position illustrated in FIG. 14 .
- chamber 128 will include a resilient member positioned between pneumatic piston 120 and wall 130 of cylinder housing 124 so that cylinder housing 124 normally maintains the unactuated position illustrated in FIG. 13 .
- airlines 132 shown in FIG. 12 , can be fluidly connected one each to chambers 126 , 128 .
- airlines 132 are utilized to introduce compressed air alternatively into one of chambers 126 , 128 , depending upon whether the operator of shaping device 90 wishes to position tool 94 in operative contact with tube 22 . Specifically, introduction of compressed air into chamber 126 will position tool 94 in operative engagement with tube 22 as illustrated in FIG. 14 . Similarly, introduction of compressed air into chamber 128 will cause actuation of actuation device 112 into the position illustrated in FIG. 13 , in which tool 94 is positioned a distance from tube 22 .
- shaping device 90 is initially positioned as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 , i.e., with tool 94 positioned a distance from tube guide 92 .
- Tube 22 is then positioned within elongate aperture 100 of tube guide 92 . Because discharge window 30 , shown in FIG. 1 , does not run the entire length of tube 22 , tube 22 is advanced through elongate aperture 100 until the end of tube 22 passes tool cutout 102 by a predetermined distance. In one embodiment, that predetermined distance is defined by the distance between wall 134 of tube guide 92 and tool cutout 102 . In this embodiment, tube 22 is advanced, as described above, until its end is flush with wall 134 .
- pneumatic cylinder 104 is actuated to bring rod 108 into frictional engagement with tube 22 as described in detail above.
- Actuation device 112 is then actuated by introducing compressed air into chamber 126 , shown in FIG. 14 , of pneumatic cylinder 122 until actuation device 112 achieves the position illustrated in FIG. 14 , with tool 94 operatively contacting tube 22 .
- actuation device 112 positioned as illustrated in FIG. 14 , tube 22 is advanced through tube guide 92 at a sufficient pace to allow tool 94 to mill discharge window 30 into tube 22 , shown in FIG. 1 .
- discharge window 30 does not run the entire length of tube 22 . Therefore, milling is stopped before tube 22 is completely advanced through tube guide 92 .
- tube 22 is inserted through elongate aperture 100 at surface 136 of guide tool 92 .
- tube 22 can also be inserted through elongate aperture 100 beginning at surface 134 of tool guide 92 .
- the distance between the trailing end of tube 22 , the trailing end of tube 22 being determined relative to the tube's advancement through tube guide 92 , and the predetermined end of discharge window 30 proximate the trailing end of tube 22 is the same as the distance from tool cutout 102 to trailing wall 136 of tube guide 92 .
- a tube cutter may be positioned adjacent trailing wall 136 of tube guide 92 to allow for cutting a continuous feed of tube stock into tubes 22 of desired length.
- fire extinguisher 20 includes tube 22 and opposite ends 24 , 26 .
- Opposite ends 24 , 26 each include a fitting 36 , 34 , respectively, positioned within tube 22 as well as collars 38 surrounding a portion of tube 22 and fittings 34 , 36 .
- the process of forming opposite ends 24 , 26 will now be described in detail with specific reference to end 26 .
- construction of end 26 begins by heating the end of tube 22 which will be placed over fitting 34 as illustrated in FIGS. 15-17 . Specifically, the end of tube 22 is heated until the material forming tube wall 32 is flowable.
- a heated basin is filled with sand and is thereafter raised to a temperature sufficient to heat tube 22 until the material of tube wall 32 is flowable.
- the basin is heated to 250° F.
- the basin can be heated to temperatures as low as 210° F., 215° F., 220° F., or 225° F. and as high as 260° F., 265° F., 270° F., or 275° F.
- the necessary heating temperature and time of heating are related and different combinations of time and temperature may be utilized to heat the end of tube 22 until the material forming tube wall 32 is flowable.
- fitting 34 After heating the end of tube 22 until the material formed in tube 22 is flowable, the heated tube end is positioned over fitting 34 , as illustrated in FIG. 15 .
- fitting 34 includes a first outer diameter D 1 slightly smaller than the inner diameter of tube 22 .
- First outer diameter D 1 terminates at shoulder 138 .
- Shoulder 138 forms a stop for tube 22 . That is, when end 26 of tube 22 is positioned over fitting 34 , progress of tube 22 over fitting 34 is restricted when the end 26 of tube 22 abuts shoulder 138 .
- Collar 38 is thereafter slid over end 26 of tube 22 in the direction of arrow A, shown in FIG. 16 , until it is positioned over fitting 34 , as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 .
- collar 38 could be slid over end 26 in the direction of arrow B, shown in FIG. 16 .
- Collar 38 is sized to provide a tight fit over end 26 of tube 22 and apply a radially inward force, as illustrated in FIG. 17 .
- collar 38 includes bevel 39 , as illustrated in FIG. 5 , to facilitate placement of collar 38 over end 26 of tube 22 .
- the radially inward force supplied by collar 38 causes tube wall 32 , which is heated into a flowable condition, to press and flow into annular grooves 40 in fitting 34 and thereby create a robust seal between fitting 34 and tube 22 .
- material of tube wall 32 will naturally expand beyond shoulder 138 , as illustrated in FIG. 17 .
- expansion area 140 is formed between fitting 34 and collar 38 .
- Expansion area 140 is sufficiently sized to accommodate expansion of tube wall 32 during the positioning of fitting 34 over end 26 of tube 22 .
- fitting 36 at the other end 24 of tube 22 includes annular grooves 48 similar to annular grooves 40 formed in fitting 34 . Further, fitting 36 includes shoulder 142 similar to shoulder 138 of fitting 34 . Fitting 36 is sized similar to fitting 34 to allow for positioning of fitting 36 over end 24 of tube 22 in the same way described above with respect to fitting 34 and end 26 of tube 22 .
- tube filling apparatus 150 is utilized to fill fire extinguisher 20 with fire inhibiting substance 28 , shown in FIG. 6 .
- Tube filling apparatus 150 includes valve body 152 connected to pneumatic cylinder 154 .
- Tube filling apparatus 150 further includes clamp 156 for holding fire extinguisher 20 during the process of filling the same with fire inhibiting substance 28 .
- Valve body 152 is connected to a source of fire inhibiting substance 28 , as well as a source of pressurized inert gas, and is used to fill fire extinguisher 20 with fire inhibiting substance and pressurize the same with a quantity of inert gas.
- clamp 156 includes brace 158 secured to frame 160 .
- brace 158 includes internal bore 162 . Internal bore 162 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of tube 22 .
- fire extinguisher 20 is first positioned within internal bore 162 of brace 158 as illustrated in FIG. 19 . In this position, collar 38 abuts front face 164 of brace 158 .
- removable brace block 166 is positioned as illustrated in FIG. 20 and clamped against brace 158 .
- lever 168 is actuated from the position shown in FIG. 19 to the position shown in FIG. 20 . Actuation of lever 168 in this way pushes clamp rod 171 against removable brace block 166 to clamp removable brace block 166 against brace 158 .
- Removable brace block 166 includes circular cutout 170 , shown in FIG. 19 . Circular cutout 170 includes a radius of curvature slightly larger than the radius of the exterior of tube 22 .
- valve body 152 can be moved into position to fill fire extinguisher 20 with fire inhibiting substance 28 and pressurize the same with an inert gas.
- valve body 152 is secured to pneumatic piston 174 .
- Pneumatic piston 174 is operatively connected to pneumatic cylinder 154 and is reciprocal relative thereto. Specifically, pneumatic piston 174 can be moved from a retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 21 , to an extended position, as illustrated in FIG. 22 .
- Valve body 152 is maintained in the retracted position illustrated in FIG. 21 while fire extinguisher 20 is operably positioned within clamp 156 in the manner described above. With fire extinguisher 20 positioned within clamp 156 as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 20 , valve body 152 can be actuated into the extended position illustrated in FIG. 22 . As illustrated in FIGS.
- valve body 152 includes actuation plunger 176 extending therefrom.
- Valve body 152 further includes fill boss 178 extending therefrom.
- Fill boss 178 includes a plurality of fill apertures 180 .
- fill apertures 180 provide access to fluid passages 182 , 184 .
- Fluid passage 184 is operatively connected to a source of fire inhibiting substance 28 as well as a source of inert gas.
- valve body 152 includes a pair of fittings 186 , 188 connected thereto and in fluid communication with fluid passage 184 .
- Fittings 186 , 188 include fluid entrances 190 , 192 , respectively.
- Fittings 186 , 188 further include valves, not shown, operable to place fluid entrances 190 , 192 into and out of fluid communication with fluid passage 184 . These valves are actuated by levers 194 , 196 .
- valve body 152 is moved into engagement with fitting 36 by actuating pneumatic piston 174 into its extended position, as illustrated in FIG. 22 .
- valve body 152 presses against O-ring 198 to create a seal between valve body 152 and fitting 36 .
- actuation plunger 176 contacts flange 68 of valve 56 and moves flange 68 against the biasing force of spring 72 to unseat valve cover 62 from valve seat 66 and place fill apertures 180 in fluid communication with the interior of fire extinguisher 20 .
- tube filling apparatus 150 positioned as illustrated in FIG. 22 , fire extinguisher 20 can be filled with fire inhibiting substance and pressurized with an inert gas.
- lever 194 can be actuated to place the valve contained within fitting 186 in the open position.
- fluid entrance 190 is in fluid communication with a source of fire inhibiting substance.
- fire inhibiting substance will flow through fluid entrance 190 , fitting 186 , fluid passages 184 , 182 , each of which terminates in an aperture 180 , and valve 56 until it fills the interior of fire extinguisher 20 .
- Lever 194 is maintained in the open position until the interior of fire extinguisher 20 is sufficiently filled with fire inhibiting substance.
- fire extinguisher 20 is approximately 95% filled with fire inhibiting substance.
- lever 194 is actuated to place the valve contained within fitting 186 in its closed position and discontinue filling fire extinguisher 20 with fire inhibiting substance.
- lever 196 is actuated to place the valve within fitting 188 in its open position to allow a source of pressurized inert gas fluidly connected to fluid entrance 192 to flow through fluid entrance 192 , fitting 188 , fluid passages 184 , 182 , each of which terminates in an aperture 180 , and valve 56 to fill the space remaining in fire extinguisher 20 with inert gas and place the contents of fire extinguisher 20 under pressure.
- the contents of fire extinguisher 20 are pressurized to 100 psi.
- pressure gauge 42 is operably positioned on end 26 of tube 22 of fire extinguisher 20 opposite fitting 36 , as illustrated in FIG. 6 .
- pressure gauge 42 can be utilized to read the pressure within fire extinguisher 20 until sufficient pressure is achieved.
- lever 196 can be utilized to close the valve contained within fitting 188 to discontinue adding pressurized inert gas to the interior of fire extinguisher 20 .
- pneumatic piston 174 can be actuated to the retracted position illustrated in FIG. 21 .
- Pressure switch 86 and pressure switch connector 74 can now be operatively secured to fitting 36 as illustrated in FIG. 6 and further described above. Fire extinguisher 20 is now ready for use.
- a curved or otherwise nonlinear tubular structure may be utilized.
- a tube may include a number of bends to facilitate placement in a desired location.
Abstract
The fire extinguisher of the present invention includes a container housing a fire inhibiting material which may automatically discharge its fire inhibiting contents in response to a fire. In one exemplary embodiment, the fire inhibiting material is pressurized within the container and the container is structured and arranged to discharge its fire inhibiting contents in a predetermined direction. Also, a method is provided for constructing a container for holding fire inhibiting contents under pressure and a method and apparatus for effectively and efficiently filling and pressurizing the container with fire inhibiting material, forming a container structured and arranged to expel the fire inhibiting material contained therein in a predefined direction in response to a fire.
Description
- This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/675,329 entitled FIRE EXTINGUISHER filed on Apr. 27, 2005, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to an apparatus for extinguishing fires as well as to methods and materials used to construct the fire extinguishing apparatus.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Fire extinguishers generally operate to extinguish a fire by ejecting a fire inhibiting substance onto the fire. Fire extinguishers that automatically discharge a fire inhibiting substance in response to detection of a fire are useful in many circumstances. For example, should a fire break out in an area that is not readily accessible, a fire extinguisher that functions to discharge its fire inhibiting substance on the fire automatically in response to detection of the fire is very useful. One such automatic fire extinguisher is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,776, the entire disclosure of which is hereby explicitly incorporated by reference herein.
- In the case of an automatic fire extinguisher, it is most useful to provide an extinguisher positioned and constructed to directly apply its fire inhibiting contents to the fire.
- The fire extinguisher of the present invention includes a container housing a fire inhibiting material which may automatically discharge its fire inhibiting contents in response to a fire. In one exemplary embodiment, the fire inhibiting material is pressurized within the container and the container is structured and arranged to discharge its fire inhibiting contents in a predetermined direction. Also, a method is provided for constructing a container for holding fire inhibiting contents under pressure and a method and apparatus for effectively and efficiently filling and pressurizing the container with fire inhibiting material, forming a container structured and arranged to expel the fire inhibiting material contained therein in a predefined direction in response to a fire.
- Advantageously, the present fire extinguisher can automatically discharge when the temperature around the fire extinguisher rises above a predetermined point, allowing for the fire extinguisher to quench a fire without the need for human intervention. Additionally, the fire extinguisher may be constructed to discharge its contents in a predetermined direction, protecting the most vital areas of a given structure, such as the tires or engine of a motor vehicle.
- In one form thereof, the present invention provides a fire extinguisher, including: a container including a wall having a first thickness and defining an interior cavity, and a discharge window formed as a substantial area of the wall, the discharge window having a second thickness which is less than the first thickness; and a quantity of fire inhibiting substance contained within the interior cavity, the fire inhibiting substance expandable at an elevated temperature to discharge through the discharge window along a focused direction substantially defined by the discharge window.
- In another form thereof, the present invention provides a fire extinguisher, including: a container including a wall defining an interior cavity; a first fitting having an exterior surface including a groove, the first fitting received at least partially within an open first end of the container with at least a portion of the wall pressed into the groove; and a quantity of fire inhibiting substance contained within the tube, the fire inhibiting substance expandable at an elevated temperature to discharge from the container.
- In another form thereof, the present invention provides a method of sealing a container, including the steps of: providing a container having a wall defining an interior cavity, and a fitting having an exterior surface including at least one groove; positioning the fitting within an open end of the container at least partially within the interior cavity; deforming the wall to press at least a portion of the wall into the groove.
- The above mentioned and other features of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary fire extinguisher made in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tube which forms a part of the fire extinguisher illustrated inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the tube illustrated inFIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a collar used to secure a fitting to an end of the tube forming a part of the fire extinguisher illustrated inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the collar illustrated inFIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal fragmentary sectional view of the fire extinguisher illustrated inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a fitting and associated pressure gauge for indicating the internal pressure of the fire extinguisher ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the fitting illustrated inFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a fitting and associated valve and pressure switch, also illustrating a filling apparatus of the present invention useful to position fire inhibiting material within the fire extinguisher ofFIG. 1 and to pressurize the same; -
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the fitting illustrated inFIG. 9 , -
FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a pressure switch connector used to connect a pressure switch to a fitting closing an end of a fire extinguisher ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a shaping device for milling a tube which forms a part of the fire extinguisher inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 13 is a sectional view of an actuation device and tube guide forming a part of the shaping device illustrated inFIG. 12 ; -
FIG. 14 is a sectional view illustrating a tube guide and actuation device in operable position to allow for milling a tube which forms a part of the fire extinguisher inFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 15-17 are fragmentary sectional views illustrating progressive steps in a process of crimping a tube to a fitting to form an enclosure for a fire inhibiting substance; -
FIGS. 18-20 are perspective views of a tube filling apparatus of the present invention; and -
FIGS. 21 and 22 are partial sectional views of a fire extinguisher and valve body used to fill the fire extinguisher with a fire inhibiting substance and pressurize the same. - Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
- The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings.
-
Fire extinguisher 20, as depicted inFIG. 1 and described in detail below, forms an enclosure which may contain afire inhibiting substance 28, shown inFIG. 6 . As the temperature aroundfire extinguisher 20 increases,fire inhibiting substance 28 expands, increasing the pressure withinfire extinguisher 20. When the temperature aroundfire extinguisher 20 reaches a set point, the pressure insidefire extinguisher 20 is high enough to causetube 22 to burst and expel thefire inhibiting substance 28 throughdischarge window 30, as described in detail below. - Referring to
FIG. 1 ,fire extinguisher 20 includestube 22 havingopposite ends 24, 26.Tube 22 cooperates withopposite ends 24, 26 to form an enclosure containing afire inhibiting substance 28, shown inFIG. 6 .Fire inhibiting substance 28 is, in one exemplary embodiment, a gelled halocarbon and dry chemical suspension marketed under the name ENVIROGEL by Powsus, Inc., 1178 Wisteria Drive, Malvern, Pa. 19355, ENVIROGEL is a trademark of Powsus, Inc. 1178 Wisteria Drive, Malvern, Pa. 19355. One exemplary composition of ENVIROGEL is made of up of 40% by weight gelled ammonium polyphosphate and 60% by weight HFC-236fa. Other exemplary fire inhibiting substances are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,833,874; 5,466,386; 5,909,776; and 6,736,989, each assigned to Powsus, Inc., the entire disclosures of which are hereby explicitly incorporated by reference herein. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 1-3 and 6,tube 22 includesdischarge window 30. Referring toFIG. 3 ,tube wall 32 oftube 22 includes an area of decreased thickness formingdischarge window 30, which defines an outer perimeter and covers a substantial area. In one embodiment, the outer perimeter has a substantially rectangular shape. Additionally,discharge window 30 defines a focused direction for discharge offire inhibiting substance 28. Owing to the decreased wall thickness ofdischarge window 30,fire inhibiting substance 28 will be most readily released fromfire extinguisher 20 throughdischarge window 30, as further described hereinbelow. In use,discharge window 30 offire extinguisher 20 provides a focused direction for the release offire inhibiting substance 28, shown inFIG. 6 , therefrom. - As described in detail below,
fire inhibiting substance 28 is placed under pressure infire extinguisher 20. In one exemplary embodiment, the walls oftube 22 are resistant to the pressure contained withintube 22 at temperatures below 120° F. In one exemplary embodiment, the pressure contained withintube 22 is approximately 100 psi. Whentube 22 is heated above 120° F.,fire inhibiting substance 28 expands placing additional internal pressure on the walls oftube 22 causingtube 22 to burst and expelfire inhibiting substance 28 contained therein. Becausedischarge window 30 has a smaller wall thickness than the remainder oftube 22,tube 22 is more likely to burst atdischarge window 30 andfire inhibiting substance 28 is most readily discharged fromtube 22 throughdischarge window 30 along a focused direction as defined above. - Fire Extinguisher Structure
- Referring to
FIGS. 1-11 , the structure offire extinguisher 20 will now be described in detail. Referring toFIG. 6 ,fire extinguisher 20 includestube 22 and opposite ends 24, 26. In one exemplary embodiment,tube 22 is formed of nylon. In a further embodiment,tube 22 is formed of ASCEND™ 67B high viscosity nylon, available, e.g., from Solutia Inc., 575 Maryvill Centre Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63166. In another embodiment,tube 22 is formed of a nylon resin, such as DuPont Zytel® nylon resin, available from E.I duPont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, Del. 19880, and, in particular, Zytel® 45HSB NC010 nylon resin. Zytel® is a registered trademark of E.I duPont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, Del. 19880. Opposite ends 24, 26 each include a fitting 36, 34, respectively, positioned withintube 22 as well ascollars 38 surrounding at least portions oftube 22 andfittings Collars 38 crimp the ends oftube 22 tofittings fire inhibiting substance 28. In one exemplary embodiment,fire inhibiting substance 28 occupies approximately 95% of the enclosure created bytube 22,fittings collars 38. The remaining space of the enclosure is, in one exemplary embodiment, filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen. As further described hereinbelow, the materials contained withinfire extinguisher 20 may be pressurized to about 100 psi. - Referring to
FIGS. 6-8 , fitting 34 includesannular grooves 40. Referring toFIGS. 6, 9 and 10, fitting 36 similarly includesannular grooves 48. During the process of constructingfire extinguisher 20, further described hereinbelow, the ends oftube 22 are heated until the material formingtube wall 32 is flowable. The heated tube ends are thereafter positioned overfittings Collars 38 are thereafter positioned over the ends oftube 22 and the associatedfittings wall 32 between the exterior offittings collars 38, and causing the flowable material oftube wall 32 to occupyannular grooves fire extinguisher 20, including opposite ends 24, 26 is described in greater detail hereinbelow. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 6 ,pressure gauge 42 is connected to fitting 34 and is in fluid communication with the interior offire extinguisher 20. In the embodiment illustrated,pressure gauge 42 includes threadedboss 44 sized to threadingly engage threadedinternal bore 46 of fitting 34. Threaded internal bore 46 of fitting 34 allowspressure gauge 42 to fluidly communicate with the interior offire extinguisher 20 so thatpressure gauge 42 is operable to measure and display the internal pressure offire extinguisher 20. - Fitting 36 is illustrated in
FIGS. 6, 9 , and 10 and includesannular grooves 48 similar toannular grooves 40 of fitting 34. As illustrated inFIG. 6 , material oftube wall 32 flows into and occupiesannular grooves 48 of fitting 36 in the final construct offire extinguisher 20, as discussed above. As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 10 , fitting 36 includesinternal aperture 50 having threadedsections FIGS. 6, 9 , and 10, threadedsection 52 ofinternal aperture 50 is sized to accommodate valve 56 threadedly engaged therein. Valve 56 includes O-ring 58 positioned about the exterior thereof. O-ring 58 facilitates sealing between the exterior of valve 56 andinternal aperture 50 of fitting 36. Valve 56 includesvalve stem 60 having valve cover 62 connected to one end thereof. Valve cover 62 includes O-ring 64 operably positioned about the periphery thereof to facilitate sealing of valve cover 62 with valve seat 66. -
FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing valve 56 prior to being secured within threadedsection 52 ofinternal aperture 50. Valve 56 is illustrated in its closed position inFIG. 9 .Flange 68 is connected to the end of valve stem 60 opposite valve cover 62. As illustrated inFIG. 9 , valve 56 includessupport 70.Spring 72 is positioned about valve stem 60intermediate flange 68 andsupport 70 and acts to bias valve 56 into its closed position, as illustrated inFIG. 9 . Valve 56 includes a generally cylindrical body terminating at one end in valve seat 66, shown inFIG. 6 , and having an opening at the other end. The end of the cylindrical body of valve 56 opposite valve seat 66 includessupport 70 extending therefrom. Actuation offlange 68 towardssupport 70 against the bias ofspring 72 acts to open valve 56 and allow fluid flow through valve 56 and thereafter past valve seat 66. - Referring still to
FIGS. 6 and 9 ,pressure switch connector 74 is threadedly engaged in threadedsection 54 ofinternal aperture 50 of fitting 36.Pressure switch connector 74 includesflange 76 which, in construction, abutsshoulder 78 of fitting 36 to facilitate making a seal therebetween. As illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 11 ,connector 74 includescentral detent 80.Central detent 80 has an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter offlange 68 of valve 56, so that withpressure switch connecter 74 threadedly engaged withfitting 36, as illustrated inFIG. 6 ,flange 68 is positioned withincentral detent 80 ofconnector 74. - As illustrated in
FIG. 6 ,connector 74 includes internal threaded bore 82 in fluid communication withfluid passage 84. As illustrated inFIG. 6 , withconnector 74 threadedly engaged withfitting 36,flange 68 of valve 56 is positioned withincentral detent 80 ofconnector 74 andconnector 74 forces flange 68 to move against the biasing force ofspring 72 towardsupport 70 to unseat valve cover 62 from valve seat 66. In this position, fluid contained withintube 22 can flow through valve 56 andfluid passage 84. Referring toFIGS. 6 and 9 ,pressure switch 86 is threadedly engaged in internal threaded bore 82 ofconnector 74. With the construct shown inFIG. 6 ,pressure switch 86 is in fluid communication with the contents oftube 22 throughfluid passage 84 and valve 56, and is operable to provide a signal to a computational device indicative of whether the pressure intube 22 drops below a predetermined value. For example, in a vehicle the pressure switch may signal a computational device that activates a visual indication device, such as a light bulb, mounted in the dashboard of the vehicle to provide a visual signal to the driver that the pressure intube 22 is low. In certain embodiments,pressure gauge 42 and pressure switch 86 may not be desired. In these embodiments,fittings fittings pressure gauge 42 and pressure switch 86 are not desired,fittings internal bores - In use,
fire extinguisher 20 is positioned such thatdischarge window 30 opens toward a particular area at potential risk for fire. For example, certain military vehicles are sometimes susceptible to having small combustible devices, such as “Molotov cocktails,” detonated within their wheel wells in an attempt to render the vehicle inoperable. In these circumstances,fire extinguisher 20 can be positioned withdischarge window 30 pointed downwardly away from the vehicle's wheel well and toward the vehicle's tire. With this configuration, if a combustible device is exploded within the wheel well of the vehicle, the sudden rise in temperature will causetube 22 to soften and rupture against the force of its expanding, pressurized contents, thereby dispensingfire inhibiting substance 28 within the wheel well and extinguishing the fire. - Method and Apparatus for Forming
Discharge Window 30 inTube 22 - Referring to
FIG. 12 , shapingdevice 90 is utilized to formdischarge window 30 intube 22. Specifically, shapingdevice 90 is utilized tomill discharge window 30 in tubular stock material utilized to createtube 22 offire extinguisher 20. In one exemplary embodiment, raw tubing used to formtube 22 has a wall thickness of 0.065 inches and shapingdevice 90 is utilized to mill off 0.010 inches of wall material to createdischarge window 30, shown inFIG. 1 .Discharge window 30 defines an outer perimeter and covers a substantial area of the outer surface oftube 22, which can constitute as little as 5%, 10% or 15% of the surface area of the outer surface oftube 22 excluding ends 24, 26 and as much as 40%, 45%, or 50% of the surface area of the outer surface oftube 22 excluding ends 24, 26. In one embodiment,tube 22 measures 8 inches long and 1½ inches in diameter and includes a discharge window constituting 11.6 percent of total surface area of the outside of the tube. In another embodiment,tube 22 measuring 27 inches long and 1½ inches in diameter is formed to include a discharge window constituting 16.8 percent of the total surface area of the outside of the tube. Shapingdevice 90 includestube guide 92 andtool 94.Tool 94 includes radiused cuttingsurface 96 having a radius of curvature substantially matching the radius of the raw tube material used to formtube 22 offire extinguisher 20, shown inFIG. 1 . - As illustrated in
FIGS. 12-14 ,tool 94 is operatively connected to chuck 98.Chuck 98 is operably connected to a motor utilized to rotatechuck 98 as is well known in the art.Tube guide 92 includeselongate aperture 100 formed throughout its length.Elongate aperture 100 has an inner diameter just slightly larger than the outer diameter of the stock material utilized to formtube 22 offire extinguisher 20, shown inFIG. 1 . As illustrated inFIGS. 12-14 ,tube guide 92 includestool cutout 102 formed in a wall thereof. Specifically,tool cutout 102 is formed as a slot in the wall oftube guide 92 facingtool 94.Tool cutout 102 intersectselongate aperture 100 oftube guide 92 to provide an access through whichtool 94contacts tube 22 as shown inFIG. 14 . - Referring to
FIGS. 13 and 14 , shapingdevice 90 includespneumatic cylinder 104 includingpneumatic piston 106.Pneumatic piston 106 is threadedly engaged withrod 108. In one exemplary embodiment,rod 108 is a brass rod.Rod 108 occupiesrod channel 110 intube guide 92.Rod channel 110 intersectselongate aperture 100 oftube guide 92 so thatrod 108 can be positioned in abutting relationship withtube 22 as shown inFIG. 14 . -
Pneumatic cylinder 104 is utilized to movepneumatic piston 106 and, consequently,rod 108 to facilitate milling oftube 22.FIG. 13 illustratespneumatic piston 106 in a withdrawn position. Consequently,rod 108 is also in a withdrawn position. In its withdrawn position,rod 108 does not apply a significant normal force totube 22 and, therefore, does not significantly impede progress oftube 22 throughtube guide 92.FIG. 14 illustratespneumatic piston 106 actuated to positionrod 108 in abutting relationship withtube 22. In this position,rod 108 applies a normal force totube 22 to thereby frictionally resist movement oftube 22 throughtube guide 92 and to insure thattube 22 is flush with the portion of the interior wall oftube guide 92 formed byelongate aperture 100 which is closest totool 94. Withtube 22 flush with this interior wall oftube guide 92,tool 94 can be operably positioned againsttube 22 to effect milling thereof as illustrated inFIG. 14 . In one exemplary embodiment,air source 144 is utilized to provide a stream of air directed totool 94 during the milling process. It has been found that the provision of a stream of air during milling facilitates creation ofdischarge window 30 by removing debris, such as shavings, that could interfere with the milling process. Additionally, the use of a stream of air coolstool 94 during the milling process. - The normal force applied by
rod 108 totube 22 is sufficient to positiontube 22 in the position illustrated inFIG. 14 for milling, as described above, but also creates a small enough frictional resistance to passage oftube 22 throughelongate aperture 100 so thattube 22 may be longitudinally displaced throughelongate aperture 100 to effect milling ofdischarge window 30, shown inFIG. 1 . In one exemplary embodiment,rod 108 if formed of brass to prevent scarring oftube 22 as it passes throughelongate aperture 100 during the milling process. Other relatively soft materials may be used to formrod 108 to prevent scarring. In one embodiment,tube 22 may be advanced throughelongate aperture 100, in contact withrod 108, either by a mechanical controller, not shown, or by the application of force from the operator of shapingdevice 90. - Shaping
device 90 further includesactuation device 112.Actuation device 112 moves relative to the remaining structure of shapingdevice 90 to positiontube 22 into engagement withtool 94 as illustrated inFIG. 14 and out of engagement withtool 94 as illustrated inFIG. 13 . In this exemplary embodiment,tube 22 is moved relative totool 94 which remains stationary. In further embodiments of the present invention,tube 22 could remain stationary, withtool 94 being moved into and out of position tomill tube 22. Further, bothtube 22 andtool 94 could be moved toposition tube 22 andtool 94 to allow for milling oftube 22 and to move one or both oftube 22 andtool 94 out of position wherebytool 94 cannot effect milling oftube 22. - Referring to
FIGS. 12-14 , shapingdevice 90 includesbed 114 withwalls 116 extending upwardly therefrom. Upwardly extendingwalls 116 may be part of a clamping mechanism utilized to clamp items tobed 114 of shapingdevice 90. Upwardly extendingwalls 116 may further be formed as stationary walls extending upwardly frombed 114. As illustrated inFIGS. 12-14 ,actuation device 112 is positioned intermediate upwardly extendingwalls 116. Referring toFIGS. 13 and 14 ,rod 118 is secured to each of upwardly extendingwalls 116. As illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14 ,pneumatic piston 120 is fixably secured torod 118.Pneumatic piston 120 is operably positioned withinpneumatic cylinder 122 for reciprocation therein.Pneumatic cylinder 122 is formed incylinder housing 124.Cylinder housing 124 is positioned abovebed 114 with a slight spacing therebetween. The spacing betweencylinder housing 124 andbed 114 allowscylinder housing 124 to reciprocate between upwardly extendingwalls 116 as will be further described hereinbelow. Withrod 118 secured to upwardly extendingwalls 116 andcylinder housing 124 free to move therebetween, actuation ofactuation device 112 causes movement ofcylinder housing 124 alongrod 118. -
Pneumatic piston 120 is sealed againstpneumatic cylinder 122 in a conventional manner.Pneumatic piston 120 separatespneumatic cylinder 122 into twochambers actuation device 112 so thattube 22 is brought into operative contact withtool 94 as illustrated inFIG. 14 , compressed air is introduced intochamber 126 to causecylinder housing 124 to achieve the position illustrated inFIG. 14 . In certain embodiments,chamber 128 will include a resilient member positioned betweenpneumatic piston 120 andwall 130 ofcylinder housing 124 so thatcylinder housing 124 normally maintains the unactuated position illustrated inFIG. 13 . In alternative embodiments,airlines 132, shown inFIG. 12 , can be fluidly connected one each tochambers airlines 132 are utilized to introduce compressed air alternatively into one ofchambers device 90 wishes to positiontool 94 in operative contact withtube 22. Specifically, introduction of compressed air intochamber 126 will positiontool 94 in operative engagement withtube 22 as illustrated inFIG. 14 . Similarly, introduction of compressed air intochamber 128 will cause actuation ofactuation device 112 into the position illustrated inFIG. 13 , in whichtool 94 is positioned a distance fromtube 22. - In use, shaping
device 90 is initially positioned as illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13 , i.e., withtool 94 positioned a distance fromtube guide 92.Tube 22 is then positioned withinelongate aperture 100 oftube guide 92. Becausedischarge window 30, shown inFIG. 1 , does not run the entire length oftube 22,tube 22 is advanced throughelongate aperture 100 until the end oftube 22passes tool cutout 102 by a predetermined distance. In one embodiment, that predetermined distance is defined by the distance betweenwall 134 oftube guide 92 andtool cutout 102. In this embodiment,tube 22 is advanced, as described above, until its end is flush withwall 134. Withtube 22 in this position,pneumatic cylinder 104 is actuated to bringrod 108 into frictional engagement withtube 22 as described in detail above.Actuation device 112 is then actuated by introducing compressed air intochamber 126, shown inFIG. 14 , ofpneumatic cylinder 122 untilactuation device 112 achieves the position illustrated inFIG. 14 , withtool 94 operatively contactingtube 22. Withactuation device 112 positioned as illustrated inFIG. 14 ,tube 22 is advanced throughtube guide 92 at a sufficient pace to allowtool 94 to milldischarge window 30 intotube 22, shown inFIG. 1 . - As described above and shown in the drawings accompanying this description,
discharge window 30 does not run the entire length oftube 22. Therefore, milling is stopped beforetube 22 is completely advanced throughtube guide 92. In one embodiment,tube 22 is inserted throughelongate aperture 100 atsurface 136 ofguide tool 92. However,tube 22 can also be inserted throughelongate aperture 100 beginning atsurface 134 oftool guide 92. In one embodiment, the distance between the trailing end oftube 22, the trailing end oftube 22 being determined relative to the tube's advancement throughtube guide 92, and the predetermined end ofdischarge window 30 proximate the trailing end oftube 22, is the same as the distance fromtool cutout 102 to trailingwall 136 oftube guide 92. With this in mind, milling is stopped when the trailing end oftube 22 is flush with trailingwall 136 oftube guide 92. Withtube 22 advanced until its trailing end is flush with trailingwall 136 oftube guide 92,actuation device 112 is moved into the position illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13 andtube 22 is removed fromtube guide 92. In one embodiment of the present invention, a tube cutter, not shown, may be positioned adjacent trailingwall 136 oftube guide 92 to allow for cutting a continuous feed of tube stock intotubes 22 of desired length. - Sealing of Fire Extinguisher Tube
- Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 6 ,fire extinguisher 20 includestube 22 and opposite ends 24, 26. Opposite ends 24, 26 each include a fitting 36, 34, respectively, positioned withintube 22 as well ascollars 38 surrounding a portion oftube 22 andfittings FIGS. 15-17 , construction of end 26 begins by heating the end oftube 22 which will be placed over fitting 34 as illustrated inFIGS. 15-17 . Specifically, the end oftube 22 is heated until the material formingtube wall 32 is flowable. In one exemplary embodiment, a heated basin is filled with sand and is thereafter raised to a temperature sufficient to heattube 22 until the material oftube wall 32 is flowable. In the exemplary embodiment described herein, the basin is heated to 250° F. The basin can be heated to temperatures as low as 210° F., 215° F., 220° F., or 225° F. and as high as 260° F., 265° F., 270° F., or 275° F. The necessary heating temperature and time of heating are related and different combinations of time and temperature may be utilized to heat the end oftube 22 until the material formingtube wall 32 is flowable. - After heating the end of
tube 22 until the material formed intube 22 is flowable, the heated tube end is positioned over fitting 34, as illustrated inFIG. 15 . As illustrated inFIG. 15 , fitting 34 includes a first outer diameter D1 slightly smaller than the inner diameter oftube 22. First outer diameter D1 terminates at shoulder 138. Shoulder 138 forms a stop fortube 22. That is, when end 26 oftube 22 is positioned over fitting 34, progress oftube 22 over fitting 34 is restricted when the end 26 oftube 22 abuts shoulder 138.Collar 38 is thereafter slid over end 26 oftube 22 in the direction of arrow A, shown inFIG. 16 , until it is positioned over fitting 34, as illustrated inFIGS. 16 and 17 . In another embodiment,collar 38 could be slid over end 26 in the direction of arrow B, shown inFIG. 16 .Collar 38 is sized to provide a tight fit over end 26 oftube 22 and apply a radially inward force, as illustrated inFIG. 17 . Furthermore,collar 38 includesbevel 39, as illustrated inFIG. 5 , to facilitate placement ofcollar 38 over end 26 oftube 22. The radially inward force supplied bycollar 38 causestube wall 32, which is heated into a flowable condition, to press and flow intoannular grooves 40 in fitting 34 and thereby create a robust seal betweenfitting 34 andtube 22. Ascollar 38 applies the aforementioned radially inward force, material oftube wall 32 will naturally expand beyond shoulder 138, as illustrated inFIG. 17 . To accommodate expansion oftube wall 32 during the positioning of fitting 34 over end 26 oftube 22 described hereinabove,expansion area 140 is formed between fitting 34 andcollar 38.Expansion area 140 is sufficiently sized to accommodate expansion oftube wall 32 during the positioning of fitting 34 over end 26 oftube 22. - Referring to
FIG. 10 , fitting 36 at theother end 24 oftube 22 includesannular grooves 48 similar toannular grooves 40 formed in fitting 34. Further, fitting 36 includesshoulder 142 similar to shoulder 138 of fitting 34. Fitting 36 is sized similar to fitting 34 to allow for positioning of fitting 36 overend 24 oftube 22 in the same way described above with respect to fitting 34 and end 26 oftube 22. - Method and Apparatus for Filling the Fire Extinguisher with a Quantity of Fire Inhibiting Substance
- Referring to
FIG. 18 ,tube filling apparatus 150 is utilized to fillfire extinguisher 20 withfire inhibiting substance 28, shown inFIG. 6 .Tube filling apparatus 150 includesvalve body 152 connected topneumatic cylinder 154.Tube filling apparatus 150 further includesclamp 156 for holdingfire extinguisher 20 during the process of filling the same withfire inhibiting substance 28.Valve body 152 is connected to a source offire inhibiting substance 28, as well as a source of pressurized inert gas, and is used to fillfire extinguisher 20 with fire inhibiting substance and pressurize the same with a quantity of inert gas. - Referring to
FIGS. 19 and 20 , the process of fillingfire extinguisher 20 withfire inhibiting substance 28, shown inFIG. 6 , and pressurizing the same with an inert gas begins by positioningfire extinguisher 20 withinclamp 156. As illustrated inFIG. 19 ,clamp 156 includesbrace 158 secured to frame 160. As illustrated inFIG. 20 ,brace 158 includes internal bore 162. Internal bore 162 is slightly larger than the outer diameter oftube 22. To clampfire extinguisher 20 in place,fire extinguisher 20 is first positioned within internal bore 162 ofbrace 158 as illustrated inFIG. 19 . In this position,collar 38 abutsfront face 164 ofbrace 158. Withfire extinguisher 20 positioned as illustrated inFIG. 19 ,removable brace block 166 is positioned as illustrated inFIG. 20 and clamped againstbrace 158. To clampremovable brace block 166 againstbrace 158,lever 168 is actuated from the position shown inFIG. 19 to the position shown inFIG. 20 . Actuation oflever 168 in this way pushes clamp rod 171 againstremovable brace block 166 to clampremovable brace block 166 againstbrace 158.Removable brace block 166 includescircular cutout 170, shown inFIG. 19 .Circular cutout 170 includes a radius of curvature slightly larger than the radius of the exterior oftube 22. Withremovable brace block 166 clamped againstbrace 158 as illustrated inFIG. 20 ,collar 38 abutsfront face 164 ofbrace 158 andfront face 172 ofremovable brace block 166. Withfire extinguisher 20 clamped in place as illustrated inFIG. 20 ,valve body 152 can be moved into position to fillfire extinguisher 20 withfire inhibiting substance 28 and pressurize the same with an inert gas. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 18, 21 , and 22,valve body 152 is secured topneumatic piston 174.Pneumatic piston 174 is operatively connected topneumatic cylinder 154 and is reciprocal relative thereto. Specifically,pneumatic piston 174 can be moved from a retracted position, as illustrated inFIG. 21 , to an extended position, as illustrated inFIG. 22 .Valve body 152 is maintained in the retracted position illustrated inFIG. 21 whilefire extinguisher 20 is operably positioned withinclamp 156 in the manner described above. Withfire extinguisher 20 positioned withinclamp 156 as illustrated inFIGS. 18 and 20 ,valve body 152 can be actuated into the extended position illustrated inFIG. 22 . As illustrated inFIGS. 21 and 22 ,pressure switch connector 74, shown inFIG. 6 , is not positioned within fitting 36 whenfire extinguisher 20 is filled, such thattube filling apparatus 150 has access to valve 56 to effect filling offire extinguisher 20. As illustrated inFIGS. 18-22 ,valve body 152 includesactuation plunger 176 extending therefrom.Valve body 152 further includesfill boss 178 extending therefrom.Fill boss 178 includes a plurality offill apertures 180. As illustrated inFIGS. 21 and 22 , fillapertures 180 provide access tofluid passages Fluid passage 184 is operatively connected to a source offire inhibiting substance 28 as well as a source of inert gas. - Referring to
FIGS. 18-22 ,valve body 152 includes a pair offittings fluid passage 184.Fittings fluid entrances Fittings fluid passage 184. These valves are actuated bylevers - To fill
fire extinguisher 20,valve body 152 is moved into engagement with fitting 36 by actuatingpneumatic piston 174 into its extended position, as illustrated inFIG. 22 . In the extended position illustrated inFIG. 22 ,valve body 152 presses against O-ring 198 to create a seal betweenvalve body 152 andfitting 36. Asvalve body 152 is moved into this position,actuation plunger 176 contacts flange 68 of valve 56 and movesflange 68 against the biasing force ofspring 72 to unseat valve cover 62 from valve seat 66 and place fillapertures 180 in fluid communication with the interior offire extinguisher 20. Withtube filling apparatus 150 positioned as illustrated inFIG. 22 ,fire extinguisher 20 can be filled with fire inhibiting substance and pressurized with an inert gas. - With
valve body 152 sealingly engaged with fitting 36 as illustrated inFIG. 22 ,lever 194 can be actuated to place the valve contained within fitting 186 in the open position. In this embodiment,fluid entrance 190 is in fluid communication with a source of fire inhibiting substance. With the valve contained within fitting 186 placed in its open position, fire inhibiting substance will flow throughfluid entrance 190, fitting 186,fluid passages aperture 180, and valve 56 until it fills the interior offire extinguisher 20.Lever 194 is maintained in the open position until the interior offire extinguisher 20 is sufficiently filled with fire inhibiting substance. In one exemplary embodiment,fire extinguisher 20 is approximately 95% filled with fire inhibiting substance. Thereafter,lever 194 is actuated to place the valve contained within fitting 186 in its closed position and discontinue fillingfire extinguisher 20 with fire inhibiting substance. Thereafter,lever 196 is actuated to place the valve within fitting 188 in its open position to allow a source of pressurized inert gas fluidly connected tofluid entrance 192 to flow throughfluid entrance 192, fitting 188,fluid passages aperture 180, and valve 56 to fill the space remaining infire extinguisher 20 with inert gas and place the contents offire extinguisher 20 under pressure. - In one exemplary embodiment, the contents of
fire extinguisher 20 are pressurized to 100 psi. In one exemplary embodiment,pressure gauge 42 is operably positioned on end 26 oftube 22 offire extinguisher 20 opposite fitting 36, as illustrated inFIG. 6 . In such an embodiment,pressure gauge 42 can be utilized to read the pressure withinfire extinguisher 20 until sufficient pressure is achieved. When sufficient pressure is achieved,lever 196 can be utilized to close the valve contained within fitting 188 to discontinue adding pressurized inert gas to the interior offire extinguisher 20. Withfire extinguisher 20 fully filled and pressurized,pneumatic piston 174 can be actuated to the retracted position illustrated inFIG. 21 . Movement ofpneumatic piston 174 from the extended position illustrated inFIG. 22 to the retracted position illustrated inFIG. 21 is effected very quickly. With this in mind,spring 72 quickly biases valve 56 into its closed position before more than a minimal amount of fire inhibiting substance and pressurized gas escapes the interior offire extinguisher 20. -
Pressure switch 86 andpressure switch connector 74 can now be operatively secured to fitting 36 as illustrated inFIG. 6 and further described above.Fire extinguisher 20 is now ready for use. - While the exemplary embodiment described above employs a single, straight tubular enclosure for the fire inhibiting substance, a curved or otherwise nonlinear tubular structure may be utilized. For example, a tube may include a number of bends to facilitate placement in a desired location.
- While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.
Claims (18)
1. A fire extinguisher, comprising:
a container including a wall having a first thickness and defining an interior cavity, and a discharge window formed as a substantial area of said wall, said discharge window having a second thickness which is less than said first thickness; and
a quantity of fire inhibiting substance contained within said interior cavity, said fire inhibiting substance expandable at an elevated temperature to discharge through said discharge window along a focused direction substantially defined by said discharge window.
2. The fire extinguisher of claim 1 , wherein said discharge window includes an outer perimeter having a substantially rectangular shape.
3. The fire extinguisher of claim 1 , wherein said wall is tubular in shape and includes first and second ends.
4. The fire extinguisher of claim 3 , including a fitting having an exterior surface including at least one groove, said fitting received within one of said first and second ends with at least a portion of said wall received within said groove.
5. The fire extinguisher of claim 4 , including a collar received over said wall and said fitting, said wall captured between said fitting exterior surface and said collar.
6. The fire extinguisher of claim 1 , further comprising:
a pair of fittings each having an exterior surface including a groove, said fittings respectively received at least partially within first and second open ends of said container with at least a portion of said wall pressed into said each of said grooves; and
a pair of collars respectively received over at least a portion of said wall and said fittings, at least portions of said wall captured between said fittings and said collars.
7. A fire extinguisher, comprising:
a container including a wall defining an interior cavity;
a first fitting having an exterior surface including a groove, said first fitting received at least partially within an open first end of said container with at least a portion of said wall pressed into said groove; and
a quantity of fire inhibiting substance contained within said tube, said fire inhibiting substance expandable at an elevated temperature to discharge from said container.
8. The fire extinguisher of claim 7 , wherein said container includes a discharge window formed within said wall, said fire inhibiting substance expandable at an elevated temperature to discharge through said discharge window along a focused direction substantially defined by said discharge window.
9. The fire extinguisher of claim 8 , wherein said discharge window is formed as a substantial area of said wall, said discharge window including a substantially rectangular outer perimeter.
10. The fire extinguisher of claim 7 , wherein said wall is tubular in shape and includes first and second ends.
11. The fire extinguisher of claim 7 , including a collar received over at least a portion of said wall and said fitting, a least a portion of said wall captured between said fitting exterior surface and said collar.
12. The fire extinguisher of claim 7 , further comprising:
a second fitting having an exterior surface including a groove, said second fitting received at least partially within an open second end of said container with at least a portion of said wall pressed into said groove; and
a pair of collars respectively received over at least portions of said wall and first and second fittings, at least portions of said wall respectively captured between said first and second fittings and said collars.
13. A method of sealing a container, comprising the steps of:
providing a container having a wall defining an interior cavity, and a fitting having an exterior surface including at least one groove;
positioning the fitting within an open end of the container at least partially within the interior cavity;
deforming the wall to press at least a portion of the wall into the groove.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the wall is tubular.
15. The method of claim 13 , comprising the additional step of fitting a collar over at least a portion of the wall and the fitting to capture at least a portion of the wall between the collar and the fitting.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein said deforming step further comprises deforming at least a portion of the wall into an expansion area of the fitting.
17. The method of claim 13 , comprising the additional step of filling the interior cavity with a quantity of fire inhibiting substance.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the container includes a discharge window formed as a substantial area of the wall, the discharge window having a reduced thickness relative to a remainder of the wall.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/380,258 US20060243460A1 (en) | 2005-04-27 | 2006-04-26 | Fire extinguisher |
US12/055,380 US8024849B2 (en) | 2005-04-27 | 2008-03-26 | Fire extinguisher |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US67532905P | 2005-04-27 | 2005-04-27 | |
US11/380,258 US20060243460A1 (en) | 2005-04-27 | 2006-04-26 | Fire extinguisher |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/055,380 Continuation US8024849B2 (en) | 2005-04-27 | 2008-03-26 | Fire extinguisher |
Publications (1)
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US20060243460A1 true US20060243460A1 (en) | 2006-11-02 |
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ID=37233325
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/380,258 Abandoned US20060243460A1 (en) | 2005-04-27 | 2006-04-26 | Fire extinguisher |
US12/055,380 Expired - Fee Related US8024849B2 (en) | 2005-04-27 | 2008-03-26 | Fire extinguisher |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/055,380 Expired - Fee Related US8024849B2 (en) | 2005-04-27 | 2008-03-26 | Fire extinguisher |
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US (2) | US20060243460A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2021028809A1 (en) * | 2019-08-09 | 2021-02-18 | Tyco Fire Products Lp | Fire suppression nozzles and systems |
US11612773B2 (en) | 2015-12-04 | 2023-03-28 | Tyco Fire Products Lp | Low pressure drop acoustic suppressor nozzle for fire protection inert gas discharge system |
US11857817B2 (en) | 2015-12-04 | 2024-01-02 | Tyco Fire Products Lp | Low pressure drop acoustic suppressor nozzle for inert gas discharge system |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20060243460A1 (en) * | 2005-04-27 | 2006-11-02 | Geyer James E Jr | Fire extinguisher |
US8869905B2 (en) * | 2010-09-27 | 2014-10-28 | Universal Delivery Devices, Inc. | Actuation mechanism for a fire extinguisher |
US10603530B2 (en) | 2017-07-16 | 2020-03-31 | Robert S. Thomas, III | Time delayed actuation mechanism for a fire extinguisher |
KR102612493B1 (en) * | 2020-12-01 | 2023-12-11 | 이학면 | Small space fire extinguisher |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11612773B2 (en) | 2015-12-04 | 2023-03-28 | Tyco Fire Products Lp | Low pressure drop acoustic suppressor nozzle for fire protection inert gas discharge system |
US11857817B2 (en) | 2015-12-04 | 2024-01-02 | Tyco Fire Products Lp | Low pressure drop acoustic suppressor nozzle for inert gas discharge system |
WO2021028809A1 (en) * | 2019-08-09 | 2021-02-18 | Tyco Fire Products Lp | Fire suppression nozzles and systems |
CN114599430A (en) * | 2019-08-09 | 2022-06-07 | 泰科消防产品有限合伙公司 | Fire suppression nozzle and system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US20080222875A1 (en) | 2008-09-18 |
US8024849B2 (en) | 2011-09-27 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |