Fire sensor, fire detection system, fire suppression system, and combinations thereof

• US 20070044979A1
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Popp, James, Benjamin, Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 7,810,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 169/60
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/08 in aircraft A62C3/0207 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 31/22 specially adapted for piercing walls, heaped materials, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/44 only the sensor being in the danger zone
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0014 for sensing the radiation from gases, flames
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0066 for hot spots detection
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/025 Interfacing a pyrometer to an external device or network; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/48 Thermography; Techniques using wholly visual means

Abstract

A combination fire detection and fire suppression system may include a fire detection system configured to detect an undesirably high temperature associated with an area. The fire detection system may include a temperature sensor including a temperature sensor array and a fire alerting system associated with the temperature sensor. The fire alerting system may be configured to receive information from the temperature sensor and generate a warning signal based on an undesirably high temperature associated with the area. The fire detection system may include a fire control panel configured to receive the warning signal. The system may also include a fire suppression system including a fire suppressant delivery system configured to provide at least one fire suppressant agent to the area associated with the undesirably high temperature.

Claims

1. A combination fire detection and fire suppression system, the system comprising:

a fire detection system configured to detect an undesirably high temperature associated with an area, the fire detection system comprising

a temperature sensor comprising a temperature sensor array configured to receive temperature information associated with the area,

a fire alerting system associated with the temperature sensor, the fire alerting system being configured to receive information from the temperature sensor and generate a warning signal based on an undesirably high temperature associated with the area, and

a fire control panel associated with the fire alerting system, the fire control panel being configured to receive the warning signal; and

a fire suppression system comprising a fire suppressant delivery system configured to provide at least one fire suppressant agent to the area associated with the undesirably high temperature.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor array comprises a plurality of temperature sensing devices configured to monitor the temperature information associated with the area.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the temperature sensor array comprises a base, wherein the plurality of temperature sensing devices is associated with the base.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the plurality of temperature sensing devices is associated with the base such that at least one of the temperature sensing devices is oriented at an angle with respect to the base that differs from an angle with respect to the base at which at least one other temperature sensing device is oriented with respect to the base.

5. The combination of claim 3, wherein the plurality of temperature sensing devices is oriented with respect to the base such that at least one of the temperature sensing devices monitors a portion of the area that at least another of the temperature sensing devices does not monitor.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein each of the temperature sensing devices monitors a portion of the area.

7. The combination of claim 2, wherein the temperature sensing devices are configured to detect infrared radiation.

8. The combination of claim 2, wherein the temperature sensing devices comprise thermopiles.

9. The combination of claim 3, wherein the base defines a plurality of apertures configured to receive at least one temperature sensing device.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the apertures are configured such that each of the temperature sensing devices is aimed so that each temperature sensing device receives temperature information from at least a portion of the area different from another of the temperature sensing devices.

11. The combination of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor comprises at least four temperature sensing devices.

12. The combination of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor comprises at least 36 temperature sensing devices.

13. The combination of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a device for determining the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the temperature sensor.

14. The combination of claim 3, wherein at least one of the temperature sensing devices is associated with the base at angle with respect to an axis orthogonal to the base, wherein the angle ranges from about 1 degree to about 60 degrees.

15. The combination of claim 14, wherein the angle ranges from about 4 degrees to about 27 degrees.

16. The combination of claim 3, wherein the base is formed of aluminum.

17. The combination of claim 1, wherein the fire alerting system comprises a computer.

18. The combination of claim 2, wherein the fire alerting system is configured to monitor the temperature information received from each of the plurality of temperature sensing devices.

19. The combination of claim 1, wherein the fire alerting system is configured to compare temperature information received from the temperature sensor to a reference temperature and determine whether there is an undesirably high temperature associated with the area.

20. The combination of claim 1, wherein the fire alerting system is configured to compare temperature information received from the temperature sensor to a reference temperature and determine whether there is a fault with the temperature sensor.

21. The combination of claim 1, wherein the fire alerting system comprises a fire alerting computer, wherein the fire alerting computer is configured to be programmed to identify a location and type of cargo unit associated with the area.

22. The combination of claim 1, further comprising the at least one fire suppressant agent, wherein the at least one fire suppressant agent comprises at least one of a nitrogen-aerated foam and an argon-aerated foam.

23. The combination of claim 1, wherein the fire suppressant delivery system comprises a first container containing a surfactant and a second container containing a gas.

24. The combination of claim 23, wherein the surfactant comprises at least one material configured to generate a foam agent when mixed with the gas.

25. The combination of claim 23, wherein the gas comprises a non-oxygen carrying gas.

26. The combination of claim 23, wherein the gas comprises at least one of argon and nitrogen.

27. The combination of claim 23, wherein the first container comprises a corrosion-resistant container.

28. The combination of claim 23, wherein the second container comprises a pressure vessel.

29. The combination of claim 28, wherein the pressure vessel comprises aluminum-spun carbon fiber.

30. The combination of claim 23, wherein the fire suppressant delivery system is configured to provide flow communication between-the first and second containers and the area.

31. The combination of claim 30, wherein the fire suppressant delivery system comprises at least one manifold in flow communication with the first and second containers and a nozzle in flow communication with the at least one manifold.

32. The combination of claim 31, wherein the nozzle is configured to discharge fire suppressant agent generated by mixing the surfactant and the gas.

33. The combination of claim 31, further comprising an extension device associated with the nozzle, wherein the extension device is configured to move the nozzle.

34. The combination of claim 33, wherein the extension device comprises a motor-driven scissors device.

35. The combination of claim 33, wherein the extension device comprises a pneumatically-operated linear actuator.

36. The combination of claim 31, wherein the nozzle comprises a tip configured to penetrate a barrier such that the nozzle can discharge fire suppressant agent into an area behind the barrier.

37. The combination of claim 36, further comprising an extension device associated with the nozzle, wherein the tip is configured to penetrate the barrier as the extension device moves the nozzle such that the nozzle can discharge fire suppressant agent behind the barrier.

38. The combination of claim 30, wherein the fire suppressant delivery system comprises a mixing area configured to be in flow communication with a supply of the surfactant and a supply of the gas.

39. The combination of claim 38, wherein the fire suppressant delivery system comprises at least one manifold in flow communication with the first and second containers and a nozzle, wherein the mixing area is located between the first and second containers and the at least one manifold.

40. The combination of claim 38, wherein the fire suppressant delivery system comprises at least two manifolds in flow communication with the first and second containers and a nozzle in flow communication with the at least two manifolds, wherein the at least two manifolds comprises two manifolds each configured to convey one of the surfactant and the gas to the mixing area, and wherein the mixing area is located in the nozzle.

41. The combination of claim 1, wherein the fire control panel is configured to display at least one of a fire warning alert, a high temperature alert, a cargo type associated with an alert, system status information, and location and temperature information associated with a cargo fire.

42. A system for protecting cargo, the system comprising:

the combination of claim 1;

and

at least one cargo unit.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the at least one cargo unit comprises at least one of a cargo container and a cargo pallet.

44. The system of claim 42, wherein the area comprises an upper surface of the at least one cargo unit.

45. The system of claim 42, wherein the temperature sensor is located above the at least one cargo unit.

46. The system of claim 42, wherein the at least one cargo unit comprises a plurality of cargo units and the temperature sensor comprises a plurality of temperature sensors, wherein each of the plurality of temperature sensors is located above a respective one of the cargo units.

47. The system of claim 42, wherein the at least one cargo unit comprises at least one cargo container and at least one cargo pallet.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein at least a first temperature sensor is located above the at least one cargo container and at least one second temperature sensor is located above the at least one cargo pallet, wherein the first temperature sensor comprises fewer temperature sensing devices than the second temperature sensor.

49. The system of claim 42, wherein the fire suppression system comprises a fire suppressant delivery device configured to deliver fire suppressant to the area associated with the undesirably high temperature.

50. The system of claim 42, wherein the fire suppressant delivery device comprises a nozzle and an extension device configured to move the nozzle.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the nozzle comprises a piercing tip configured to penetrate an upper surface of the at least one cargo unit and provide fire suppressant material to an interior of the at least one cargo unit.

52. The system of claim 42, wherein the fire alerting system comprises a-fire alerting computer, wherein the fire alerting computer is configured to be programmed to identify a location and type of cargo unit.

53. A fire detection system configured to detect an undesirably high temperature associated with an area, the fire detection system comprising:

a temperature sensor comprising a temperature sensor array configured to receive temperature information associated with an area;

a fire alerting system associated with the temperature sensor, the fire altering system being configured to receive information from the temperature sensor and generate a warning signal based on an undesirably high temperature associated with the area; and

a fire control panel associated with the fire alerting system, the fire control panel being configured to receive the warning signal.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the temperature sensor array comprises a plurality of temperature sensing devices configured to monitor the temperature information associated with the area.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the temperature sensor array comprises a base, wherein the plurality of temperature sensing devices is associated with the base.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the plurality of temperature sensing devices is associated with the base such that at least one of the temperature sensing devices is oriented at an angle with respect to the base that differs from an angle with respect to the base at which at least one other temperature sensing device is oriented with respect to the base.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein the plurality of temperature sensing devices is oriented with respect to the base such that at least one of the temperature sensing devices monitors a portion of the area that at least another of the temperature sensing devices does not monitor.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein each of the temperature sensing devices monitors a portion of the area.

59. The system of claim 54, wherein the temperature sensing devices are configured to detect infrared radiation.

60. The system of claim 54, wherein the temperature sensing devices comprise thermopiles.

61. The system of claim 55, wherein the base defines a plurality of apertures configured to receive at least one temperature sensing device.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the apertures are configured such that each of the temperature sensing devices is aimed so that each temperature sensing device receives temperature information from at least a portion of the area different from another of the temperature sensing devices.

63. The system of claim 53, wherein the temperature sensor comprises at least four temperature sensing devices.

64. The system of claim 53, wherein the temperature sensor comprises at least 36 temperature sensing devices.

65. The system of claim 53, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a device for determining the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the temperature sensor.

66. The system of claim 55, wherein at least one of the temperature sensing devices is associated with the base at angle with respect to an axis orthogonal to the base, wherein the angle ranges from about 1 degree to about 60 degrees.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the angle ranges from about 4 degrees to about 27 degrees.

68. The system of claim 55, wherein the base is formed of aluminum.

69. The system of claim 53, wherein the fire alerting system comprises a computer.

70. The system of claim 54, wherein the fire alerting system is configured to monitor the temperature information received from each of the plurality of temperature sensing devices.

71. The system of claim 53, wherein the fire alerting system is configured to compare temperature information received from the temperature sensor to a reference temperature and determine whether there is an undesirably high temperature associated with the area.

72. The system of claim 53, wherein the fire alerting system is configured to compare temperature information received from the temperature sensor to a reference temperature and determine whether there is a fault with the temperature sensor.

73. The system of claim 53, wherein the fire alerting system comprises a fire alerting computer, wherein the fire alerting computer is configured to be programmed to identify a location and type of cargo unit associated with the area.

74. A temperature sensor array configured to receive temperature information associated with an area, the temperature sensor array comprising:

a base, and

a plurality of temperature sensing devices associated with the base such that the temperature sensing devices are arranged to monitor the temperature of the area,

wherein at least one of the temperature sensing devices is oriented at an angle with respect to the base that differs from an angle with respect to the base at which at least one other temperature sensing device is oriented with respect to the base.

75. The temperature sensor of claim 74, wherein the temperature sensing devices are configured to detect infrared radiation.

76. The temperature sensor of claim 74, wherein the temperature sensing devices are thermopiles.

77. The temperature sensor of claim 74, wherein the base defines a plurality of apertures configured to receive at least one temperature sensing device.

78. The temperature sensor of claim 77, wherein the apertures are configured such that each of the temperature sensing devices is aimed so that each temperature sensing device receives temperature information from at least a portion of the area different from another temperature sensing device.

79. The temperature sensor of claim 74, wherein the temperature sensor comprises at least four temperature sensing devices.

80. The temperature sensor of claim 74, wherein the temperature sensing comprises at least 36 temperature sensing devices.

81. The temperature sensor of claim 74, further comprising a device for determining the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the temperature sensor.

82. The temperature sensor of claim 74, wherein at least one of the temperature sensing devices is associated with the base at angle with respect to an axis orthogonal to the base, wherein the angle ranges from about 1 degree to about 60 degrees.

83. The temperature sensor of claim 82, wherein the angle ranges from about 4 degrees to about 27 degrees.

84. A fire suppression system configured to at least one of reduce the temperature of an area experiencing an undesirably high temperature, suppress a fire associated with the area, and extinguish a fire associated with the area, the system comprising:

a fire suppressant delivery system configured to provide at least one fire suppressant agent to the area, the fire suppressant delivery system comprising

a first container containing a surfactant,

a second container containing a gas, and

at least one manifold in flow communication with the first and second containers;

a nozzle in flow communication with the at least one manifold, the nozzle being configured to discharge fire suppressant agent generated by mixing the surfactant and the gas; and

an extension device associated with the nozzle, the extension device being configured to move the nozzle.

85. The fire suppression system of claim 84, wherein the nozzle comprises a tip configured to penetrate a barrier such that the nozzle can discharge fire suppressant agent into an area behind the barrier.

86. The fire suppression system of claim 85, wherein the tip is configured to penetrate the barrier as the extension device extends the nozzle such that the nozzle can discharge fire suppressant agent behind the barrier.

87. The fire suppression system of claim 84, wherein the fire suppressant delivery system comprises a mixing area configured to be in flow communication with a supply of the surfactant and a supply of the gas.

88. The fire suppression system of claim 87, wherein the mixing area is located between the first and second containers and the at least one manifold.

89. The fire suppression system of claim 87, wherein the at least one manifold comprises two manifolds each configured to convey one of the surfactant and the gas to the mixing area, and wherein the mixing area is located in the nozzle.

90. The fire suppression system of claim 84, wherein the fire suppressant agent comprises at least one of a nitrogen-aerated foam and an argon-aerated foam.

91. The fire suppression system of claim 84, wherein the surfactant comprises at least one material configured to generate a foam agent when mixed with the gas.

92. The fire suppression system of claim 84, wherein the gas comprises a non-oxygen carrying gas.

93. The fire suppression system of claim 84, wherein the gas comprises at least one of argon and nitrogen.

94. The fire suppression system of claim 84, wherein the first container comprises a corrosion-resistant container.

95. The fire suppression system of claim 84, wherein the second container comprises a pressure vessel.

96. The fire suppression system of claim 95, wherein the pressure vessel comprises aluminum-spun carbon fiber.

97. The fire suppression system of claim 84, wherein the extension device comprises a motor-driven scissors device.

98. The fire suppression system of claim 84, wherein the extension device comprises a pneumatically-operated linear actuator.