AUTOMOTIVE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM WITH BINARY FIRE SUPPRESSION AGENT

• US 20060231271A1
• Filed: 06/21/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Thompson, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,357,192 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 169/62
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/07 in vehicles, e.g. in road vehicles

Abstract

An onboard fire suppression system for an automotive vehicle includes a reservoir structured for mounting to a vehicle. A primary component of a binary fire suppression agent is contained within the reservoir. A secondary component of the binary fire suppression agent is contained within a secondary reservoir or component delivery system which is activated by a flow of the primary component such that the primary component and the secondary component will be combined before being discharged from a series of nozzles.

Claims

1. An onboard fire suppression system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a primary reservoir structured for mounting to a vehicle;

a propellant, operatively associated with the primary reservoir, for expelling fire suppressant agent from the reservoir;

a primary component of a binary fire suppression agent, with said primary component being contained within said primary reservoir; and

a distribution system for receiving the primary component expelled from said primary reservoir and for distributing the primary component in at least one location about a vehicle, with said distribution system comprising;

at least one feeder conduit attached to said primary reservoir;

a plurality of nozzles connected with said feeder conduit; and

a secondary component of said binary fire suppression agent, with said secondary component being contained within a secondary reservoir fluidically connected with said at least one feeder conduit such that passage of said primary component through said feeder conduit will cause said secondary component to be released such that said primary component and said secondary component are combined before being discharged from said plurality of nozzles.

2. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 1, wherein said primary component is a liquid, and said secondary component is a solid.

3. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 1, wherein said primary component is an aqueous based liquid, and said secondary component is a powder.

4. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 1, wherein said primary component comprises an aqueous based liquid, and said secondary component comprises potassium carbonate.

5. An onboard fire suppression system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a primary reservoir structured for mounting to a vehicle;

a propellant, operatively associated with the reservoir, for expelling fire suppressant agent from said primary reservoir;

a primary component of a binary fire suppression agent, with said primary component being contained within said primary reservoir;

a distribution system for receiving the primary component expelled from said primary reservoir and for distributing the primary component in at least one location about a vehicle, with said distribution system comprising at least one feeder conduit attached to said reservoir, and a plurality of nozzles connected with said feeder conduit; and

a component delivery system operatively connected with said distribution system, and containing a secondary component of said binary fire suppression agent, with said component delivery system being activated by a flow of said primary component through said distribution system, and with said component delivery system placing the secondary component into a stream of said primary component flowing within said distribution system.

6. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 5, wherein said component delivery system comprises a venturi tube housed within said at least one feeder conduit, with said venturi tube defining an annular storage chamber extending between said tube and the wall of said feeder conduit, with said annular storage chamber being filled with said secondary component and, with said venturi tube having a plurality of discharge orifices located at a throat section of said venturi tube, such that a flow of said primary component through said feeder conduit and said venturi tube will create a low fluid pressure at said venturi throat section, such that said secondary component will be drawn through said discharge orifices and aspirated into said flowing primary component.

7. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 6, wherein said secondary component comprises a powder.

8. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 6, wherein said secondary component comprises a liquid.

9. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 5, wherein said component delivery system comprises a cylindrical housing positioned within said at least one feeder conduit, with said cylindrical housing being filled with said secondary component, and with said cylindrical housing having a pressure-responsive piston located within an upstream end of said cylindrical housing, and at least one discharge orifice located within a downstream end of said cylindrical housing, such that a flow of said primary component through said feeder conduit will move said piston along said cylindrical housing, causing said secondary component to be expelled through said discharge orifice into said flowing primary component.

10. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 9, wherein said secondary component comprises a powder.

11. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 9, wherein said secondary component comprises a gelatinous material.

12. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 5, wherein said component delivery system comprises a cylindrical housing positioned within said at least one feeder conduit, with said cylindrical housing being filled with said secondary component, and with said cylindrical housing having a resiliently loaded piston located at an upstream end of said cylindrical housing, and a flow-responsive rotary shredder located at a downstream end of said cylindrical housing, such that a flow of said primary component through said feeder conduit will cause said shredder to rotate, such that as said secondary component will be forced into contact with said shredder, thereby disbursing the secondary component into said flowing primary component.

13. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 9, wherein said secondary component comprises a frangible solid.

14. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 12, wherein said secondary component comprises a gelatinous material.

15. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 5, wherein said component delivery system comprises a hollow, generally cylindrical plug formed from said secondary component, with said plug being housed within said at least one feeder conduit such that a flow of said primary component through said plug will cause said secondary component to be eroded and entrained in said flowing primary component.

16. An onboard fire suppression system according to claim 15, wherein said secondary component comprises potassium carbonate.