Pyrotechnic valve

• US 10,265,558 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2016
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kidde Graviner Limited (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Kidde Graviner Limited (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Smith, Paul D., Dunster, Robert G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Viet
• Application Number:
  US15/099,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20160303409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 169 26, 169 77, 169 28, 169 12, 169 19, 169 84, 137 6813, 137 6822, 137 6823
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 13/003 Extinguishers with spraying and projection of extinguishing agents by pressurised gas
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 13/006 for the propulsion of extinguishing powder
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 13/62 with a single permanently pressurised container
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 13/64 the extinguishing material being released by means of a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/08 Containers destroyed or opened by bursting charge
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/13 with a finite supply of extinguishing material
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/46 Construction of the actuator

Abstract

There is provided a valve for controlling the release of fire suppressant from a pressurized container, said valve comprising a diaphragm configured to perforate upon action of a shockwave directed onto the surface of said diaphragm, a pyrotechnic charge arranged and adapted to combust to produce combustion products that form a shockwave directed onto the surface of said diaphragm, and a device encasing said pyrotechnic charge. The device comprises a hollow, elongate channel located over said pyrotechnic charge and directed at the center of said diaphragm so as to focus or direct said combustion products onto the center of said diaphragm. The elongate channel has a length that is at least 1.5 times its smallest width.

Claims

1. A valve configured to plug and seal a pressurized container and for controlling the release of fire suppressant therefrom, said valve comprising:

a diaphragm configured to perforate upon action of a shockwave directed onto a surface of said diaphragm;

a pyrotechnic charge arranged and adapted to combust to produce combustion products that form a shockwave directed onto the surface of said diaphragm;

a device encasing said pyrotechnic charge and comprising a hollow, elongate channel located over said pyrotechnic charge and directed at a center of said diaphragm so as to focus or direct said combustion products onto the center of said diaphragm; and

a passage for fire suppressant to travel through, wherein said passage extends from a valve inlet to a valve outlet, wherein upon perforation of said diaphragm fire suppressant travels through said passage from said valve inlet to said valve outlet, and said diaphragm, pyrotechnic charge and device are all located within said passage;

wherein said elongate channel has a length that is at least 1.5 times its smallest width;

wherein said diaphragm comprises a plurality of score lines that define portions of said diaphragm that will tear open upon action of a shockwave directed onto the surface of the diaphragm; and

wherein said device comprises a hollow tube comprising the elongate channel and having an outlet end located at an end of the elongate channel located towards the diaphragm and away from the pyrotechnic charge, wherein the outlet end of the hollow tube is chamfered to prevent one of said portions of said diaphragm touching said tube upon opening.

2. A valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device is a single piece comprising a lower portion comprising a first diameter and holding the pyrotechnic charge, and an upper portion comprising said elongate channel, wherein said elongate channel comprises a second diameter, and the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter.

3. A valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diaphragm is configured to perforate such that portions of said diaphragm open outward and towards said pyrotechnic charge.

4. A valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pyrotechnic charge comprises a cap or cover enclosing a combustible material, wherein said cap or cover is separate to said device encasing said pyrotechnic charge.

5. A valve as claimed in claim 4, wherein said device is configured to stay intact upon activation of said pyrotechnic charge.

6. A valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device is metallic or ceramic.

7. A valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said combustion products comprise primarily gaseous matter.

8. A valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said combustion products do not comprise solid fragments of said pyrotechnic charge.

9. A valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diaphragm is located a distance from said pyrotechnic charge, wherein said distance is sufficient to allow portions of said diaphragm to open at least 45 degrees upon perforation thereof.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a pressurized chamber having fire suppressant therein and having an outlet;

a valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve seals said outlet of said chamber so as to control the release of fire suppressant therefrom, wherein said valve inlet seals against the outlet of the pressurized chamber.