Method, system and sprinkler head for fire protection

• US 20080000649A1
• Filed: 06/08/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fire Quench Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Fire Quench Pty Limited
• Inventors: Guirguis, Rasem, Vasilev, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US11/811,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20080000649A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 169/60
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/0214 for buildings or installations in fire storms
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/0271 Detection of area conflagration fires fire alarms for forest fires G08B17/005
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/0292 by spraying extinguishants directly into the fire A62C3/0242 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 31/05 with two or more outlets
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/36 an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0072 using sprayed or atomised water

Abstract

A method for protecting property against fire comprises the steps of: causing a water delivery system to drench at least a portion of the property in response to detection of a fire, detecting arrival of a fire front in proximity of the property (730), and causing the water delivery system to deliver a mist in close proximity to the property in response to detection of the fire front (740). A sprinkler head and a fire protection system for performing the above method are also described.

Claims

1. An automated method for protecting property against fire, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a remotely activated fire detection signal at said property;

causing a liquid delivery system to drench at least a portion of said property in response to receipt of said remotely activated fire detection signal;

detecting arrival of a fire front in proximity of said property; and

causing said liquid delivery system to deliver a mist in close proximity to said property in response to detection of said fire front.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said fire detection signal is a radio frequency signal.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said drenching causes substantial wetting of at least one surface of said property.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said drenching comprises delivery of liquid droplets of Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) in the range 2,000 to 3,000 microns.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein arrival of said fire front is automatically detected when ambient temperature in proximity of said property reaches a specified level.

6. A method according to, claim 1, wherein said mist comprises delivery of liquid droplets of Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) in the range 100 to 400 microns.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein arrival of said fire front is automatically detected when infrared radiation in proximity of said property reaches a specified level.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said property comprises property selected from the group consisting of:

a structure;

a building;

a vehicle; and

a crop.

23. A method according to claim 1, wherein said fire detection signal is transmitted by a remote control centre.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein said fire detection signal is generated at said remote control centre based on data received from a satellite system.

9. A sprinkler head for use in a fire protection system, said sprinkler head comprising:

coupling means for coupling said sprinkler head to a means for supplying liquid;

a plurality of drenching nozzles for delivering relatively larger droplets of liquid supplied to said sprinkler head via said coupling means;

a plurality of misting nozzles for delivering relatively smaller droplets of liquid supplied to said sprinkler head via said coupling means; and

a selecting means for selectively controlling delivery of liquid via said plurality of misting nozzles.

10. A sprinkler head according to claim 9, wherein said selecting means operates said plurality of misting nozzles based on a pressure of liquid supplied to said sprinkler head.

11. A sprinkler head according to claim 10, wherein:

said drenching nozzles are fluidly coupled to a drenching chamber and said misting nozzles are fluidly coupled to a misting chamber; and

said selecting means comprises a needle valve adapted to control liquid flow into said misting chamber.

12. A sprinkler head according to claim 11, wherein said needle valve is spring-loaded.

13. A sprinkler head according to claim 11, wherein said needle valve enables or prevents liquid flow into said misting chamber.

14. A sprinkler head according to claim 9, wherein said plurality of drenching nozzles are adapted to deliver liquid droplets of Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) in the range 2,000 to 3,000 microns.

15. A sprinkler head according to claim 9, wherein said plurality of misting nozzles are adapted to deliver liquid droplets of Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) in the range 100 to 400 microns.

20. A fire protection system according to claim 16, wherein said plurality of sprinkler heads comprise sprinkler heads according to any one of claims 10 to 15.

16. A fire protection system, comprising:

a radio frequency unit for receiving a fire detection signal;

one or more sensors for detecting environmental parameters;

is a plurality of sprinkler heads for delivering liquid, each of said sprinkler heads comprising;

coupling means for coupling said sprinkler head to a means for supplying liquid;

a plurality of drenching nozzles for delivering relatively larger droplets of liquid supplied to said sprinkler bead via said coupling means;

a plurality of misting nozzles for delivering relatively smaller droplets of liquid supplied to said sprinkler head via said coupling means; and

a selecting means for selectively controlling delivery of liquid via said plurality of misting nozzles,

an electronic controller coupled to said radio frequency unit and said one or more sensors, said electronic controller adapted to;

activate delivery of liquid via said plurality of drenching nozzles in response to receipt of a fire detection signal via said radio frequency unit; and

activate delivery of liquid via said plurality of misting nozzles in response to detection of arrival of a fire front by said one or more sensors.

17. A fire protection system according to claim 16, wherein said radio frequency unit comprises a GSM modem.

18. A fire protection system according to claim 16, wherein said one or more sensors comprise sensors selected from the group of sensors consisting of:

an inked sensor;

a temperature sensor;

a humidity sensor;

an air pressure sensor; and

a wind speed sensor.

19. A fire protection system according to claim 16, further comprising a pump for electrically coupling to said electronic controller and fluidly coupling to said plurality of sprinkler heads and a supply of liquid;

and

wherein said electronic controller is adapted to cause liquid to be delivered to said sprinkler heads at a first pressure in response to receipt of a fire detection signal via said radio frequency unit and at a second pressure in response to detection of arrival of a fire front by said one or more sensors, said second pressure higher than said first pressure.

21. A fire protection system according to claim 16, wherein said fire detection signal is transmitted by a remote control centre.

22. A fire protection system according to claim 21, wherein said fire detection signal is generated at said remote control centre based on data received from a satellite system.

25. An automated method for protecting property against fire, said method comprising the steps of:

causing a liquid delivery system to drench at least a portion of said property in response to detection of a fire;

detecting arrival of a fire front in proximity of said property; and

causing said liquid delivery system to deliver a mist in close proximity to said property in response to detection of said fire front.

26. A fire protection system, comprising:

one or more sensors for detecting environmental parameters;

a plurality of sprinkler heads for delivering liquid, each of said sprinkler heads comprising;

coupling means for coupling said sprinkler head to a means for supplying liquid;

a plurality of drenching nozzles for delivering relatively larger droplets of liquid supplied to said sprinkler head via said coupling means;

a plurality of misting nozzles for delivering relatively smaller droplets of liquid supplied to said sprinkler head via said coupling means; and

a selecting means for selectively controlling delivery of liquid via said plurality of misting nozzles,

an electronic controller coupled to said one or more sensors, said electronic controller adapted to;

activate delivery of liquid via said plurality of drenching nozzles in response to detection of a fire; and

activate delivery of liquid via said plurality of misting nozzles in response to detection of arrival of a fire front by said one or more sensors.