System and method for suppressing fires

• US 20040089460A1
• Filed: 11/01/2002
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: N2 Global, SIA
• Original Assignee: N2 Towers Inc.
• Inventors: Richardson, Adam Tartar
• Granted Patent: US 7,028,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 169/77
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 5/006 Extinguishants produced by combustion

Abstract

A method and apparatus for suppressing a fire utilizing non-azide solid gas propellant generation to produce and transport a suitable gas for suppressing a fire in a normally occupied area. The nitrogen gas produced by the solid propellant gas generation is optionally treated to remove undesirable elements such as water and/or carbon dioxide from the product gas prior to the delivery of the product gas to the protected hazard area.

Claims

1. A method of suppressing fires in a space comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a first fire suppressing gas mixture from at least one non-azide solid propellant chemical, the first fire suppressing gas mixture comprising nitrogen and at least one of moisture and carbon dioxide,

(b) filtering at least a percentage of said at least one of moisture and carbon dioxide from the first fire suppressing gas mixture to produce a second fire suppressing gas mixture; and

(c) delivering the second fire suppressing gas mixture into the space.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first gas is nitrogen.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second gas comprises water vapor.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the third gas is CO2

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein substantially all of the second gas is filtered from the first fire suppressing gas mixture in step (b).

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of reducing the temperature of the second fire suppressing gas mixture.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solid propellant chemical is azide free.

6. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the predetermined time ranges from about one to five minutes.

9. An apparatus for suppressing fires in a normally occupied enclosed space comprising:

(a) a sensor for detecting a fire;

(b) a control / releasing panel;

(c) a solid inert gas generator for generating and delivering a fire suppressing gas mixture to the enclosed space upon receiving a signal from the sensor and panel; and

(d) an inert gas discharge diffuser to direct the fire suppressing gas mixture at said fire.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the fire suppressing gas mixture includes nitrogen.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the fire suppressing gas mixture includes at least one of water vapor and carbon dioxide.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the fire suppressing gas mixture comprises at least two gases and the apparatus further comprises at least one filter for filtering at least a portion of at least one of the gases from the fire suppression gas mixture, prior to the delivery thereof to the enclosed space.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the filter is adapted to filter substantially all of the at least one of the gases from the first suppressing gas mixture.

14. A gas generator for generating and delivering a fire suppressing gas mixture to an enclosed space, comprising:

a tower;

a pre-packed non-azide solid propellant canister disposed within said tower;

a pyrotechnic device for igniting said solid propellant canister and thereby generating said fire suppressing gas mixture; and

a discharge diffuser for directing the fire suppressing gas mixture within said enclosed space.

15. The gas generator as claimed in claim 14, further comprising at least one filter for filtering at least a portion of one gas from said fire suppressing gas mixture.

16. The gas generator as claimed in claim 14, further comprising at least one screen for reducing the temperature of said fire suppressing gas mixture.

17. The gas generator as claimed in claim 14, wherein said discharge diffuser includes a 180°

directional cap.

18. The gas generator as claimed in claim 14, wherein said discharge diffuser includes a 360°

directional cap.

19. The gas generator as claimed in claim 14, wherein said discharge diffuser includes a perforated cap.

20. The gas generator as claimed in claim 14, wherein said discharge diffuser includes a 90°

directional cap.