Method and apparatus for distributing fire suppressant
First Claim
1. A fire suppressing system, comprising:
- at least one suppressant source;
at least one control valve in communication with said at least one suppressant source; and
at least one distributor in communication with said at least one control valve;
wherein said at least one control valve defines first, second, and third apertures therein, and is movable between at least three of first, second, third positions, and fourth positions, such that in said first position, said first and third apertures are in communication;
in said second position, said second and third apertures are in communication; and
in said third position, said first, second, and third apertures are in communication;
in said fourth position, said first and second apertures are in communication such that depending upon said positions of said control valves, said suppressing system directs suppressant from said at least one suppressant source to any combination of said distributors.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fire suppressing system having at least one suppressant source, at least two control valves in communication with the suppressant source, and at least two distributors, each distributor being in communication with one of the control valves. The control valves are movable between at least three of first, second, third, and fourth positions. In the first position, the first and third apertures are in communication; in the second position, the second and third apertures are in communication; in the third position, the first, second, and third apertures are in communication; in the fourth position, the first and second apertures are in communication. The control valves may be movable to all four positions. Functionally, in the first position, each of the control valves passes suppressant therethrough, but does not pass suppressant to its distributor. In the second position, each of the control valves does not pass suppressant therethrough, but passes suppressant to its distributor. In the third position, each of the control valves passes suppressant therethrough, and passes suppressant to its distributor. In the fourth position, each of the control valves does not pass suppressant therethrough, and does not pass suppressant to its distributor. Depending upon the positions of the control valves, the suppressing system directs suppressant from the suppressant source to any one or more of the distributors. The control valves may be three-way through T directional ball valves. The system may also include further control valves at some or all other T-junctions.
13 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A fire suppressing system, comprising:
-
at least one suppressant source;
at least one control valve in communication with said at least one suppressant source; and
at least one distributor in communication with said at least one control valve;
wherein said at least one control valve defines first, second, and third apertures therein, and is movable between at least three of first, second, third positions, and fourth positions, such that in said first position, said first and third apertures are in communication;
in said second position, said second and third apertures are in communication; and
in said third position, said first, second, and third apertures are in communication;
in said fourth position, said first and second apertures are in communication such that depending upon said positions of said control valves, said suppressing system directs suppressant from said at least one suppressant source to any combination of said distributors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A fire suppressing system, comprising:
-
at least one suppressant source;
at least one control valve in communication with said at least one suppressant source; and
at least one distributor, each distributor being in communication with one of said control valves;
wherein said at least one control valve are movable between at least three of first, second, third, and fourth positions, such that in said first position, said at least one control valve passes suppressant therethrough, but does not pass suppressant to said distributor in communication therewith;
in said second position, said at least one control valves does not pass suppressant therethrough, but passes suppressant to said distributor in communication therewith;
in said third position, said at least one control valve passes suppressant therethrough, and passes suppressant to said distributor in communication therewith;
in said fourth position, said at least one control valve does not pass suppressant therethrough, and does not pass suppressant to said distributor in communication therewith;
such that depending upon said positions of said control valves, said suppressing system directs suppressant from said at least one suppressant source to any combination of said distributors. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
15. A fire suppressant system comprising:
-
at least one suppressant source;
at least one distributor, each of said at least one distributor being in communication with at least one of said at least one suppressant source;
at least one control valve disposed at a T-junction disposed between said at least one suppressant source and said at least one distributor, wherein said at least one control valve defines first, second, and third apertures therein, and is movable between at least three of first, second, third, and fourth positions, such that in said first position, said first and third apertures are in communication;
in said second position, said second and third apertures are in communication; and
in said third position, said first, second, and third apertures are in communication in said fourth position, said first and second apertures are in communication.
-
-
20. A method for distributing fire suppressant, comprising the steps of
arranging at least one control valve in communication with at least one suppressant source; -
arranging said at least one control valve in communication with a distributor;
wherein said at least one control valve is movable between at least three of first, second, third, and fourth positions, such that in said first position, said at least one control valve passes suppressant therethrough, but does not pass suppressant to said outlet in communication therewith;
in said second position, said at least one control valve does not pass suppressant therethrough, but passes suppressant to said outlet in communication therewith;
in said third position, said at least one control valve passes suppressant therethrough, and passes suppressant to said outlet in communication therewith;
in said fourth position, said at least one control valve does not pass suppressant therethrough, and does not pass suppressant to said distributor in communication therewith; and
adjusting said positions of said control valves, so as to direct suppressant from said at least one suppressant source to any combination of said distributors.
-
Specification