Compressed Gas Foam System

• US 20110127051A1
• Filed: 11/23/2010
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James D. Guse
• Original Assignee: James D. Guse
• Inventors: Guse, James D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,613,325 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 169/46
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 5/02 of foam
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/3111 Devices specially adapted for generating foam, e.g. air foam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2499 Mixture condition maintaining or sensing

Abstract

A compressed gas foam system is provided. The compressed gas foam system includes one or more optional fluid pumps, one or more mixing devices, one or more optional foam systems; one or more optional gas compressors, and a system controller. A method of using the compressed gas foam system is also provided.

Claims

1. A compressed gas foam system comprising:

one or more optional fluid pumps each having an inlet and an outlet, wherein each inlet is placed in fluid communication with a fluid source;

a first mixing device having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet,

wherein the first inlet of the first mixing device is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of each of the one or more optional fluid pumps,

wherein the second inlet of the first mixing device is placed in fluid communication with one or more optional foam systems,

wherein the outlet of the first mixing system is placed in fluid communication with a fluid control system comprising

a fluid flow sensor having an inlet and an outlet,

a fluid pressure sensor having an inlet and an outlet, and

a fluid valve having an inlet and an outlet,

wherein the inlet of the fluid flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of the first mixing device,

wherein the outlet of the fluid flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the fluid pressure sensor,

wherein the outlet of the fluid pressure sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the fluid valve;

a second mixing device having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, wherein the first inlet of the second mixing device is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of the fluid valve;

one or more optional gas compressors each having an inlet and an outlet, wherein each inlet of the one or more optional gas compressors is placed in fluid communication with the gas source, and wherein each outlet of the one or more optional gas compressors is placed in fluid communication with a gas control system comprising

a gas flow sensor having an inlet and an outlet,

a gas pressure sensor having an inlet and an outlet, and

a gas valve having an inlet and an outlet,

wherein the inlet of the gas flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with each outlet of the one or more optional gas compressors,

wherein the outlet of the gas flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the gas pressure sensor,

wherein the outlet of the gas pressure sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the gas valve,

wherein the outlet of the gas valve is placed in fluid communication with the second inlet of the second mixing device; and

a system controller operatively coupled to the gas control system and to the fluid control system,

wherein the system controller comprises a programmable input,

wherein the system controller is configured;

to receive a sensed fluid flow rate from the fluid flow sensor,

to receive a sensed fluid pressure from the fluid pressure sensor;

to receive a sensed gas flow rate from the gas flow sensor,

to receive a sensed gas pressure from the gas pressure sensor,

to output a first control signal to the fluid valve for regulating a fluid flow, a fluid pressure, or a combination thereof,

to output a second control signal to the gas valve for regulating a gas flow relative to the sensed fluid flow, the sensed fluid pressure, or a combination thereof,

wherein the system controller automatically adjusts the first control signal and the second control signal to maintain a ratio of fluid flow to gas flow based upon the programmable input,

provided that when the one or more optional fluid pumps are not present, then the fluid source comprises one or more fluids in one or more pressurized fluid containers,

provided that when the one or more optional gas compressors are not present, then the gas source comprises one or more gases in one or more pressurized gas containers,

provided that when the one or more optional foam systems are not present, then the fluid source comprises one or more foam chemicals.

2. The compressed gas foam system of claim 1, wherein the system controller comprises a programmable microprocessor, a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit, a programmable logic array, or a combination thereof.

3. The compressed gas foam system of claim 1, wherein the compressed gas foam is discharged from the outlet of the second mixing device at a pressure from about 25 pounds per square inch to about 500 pounds per square inch.

4. The compressed gas foam system of claim 1, further comprising an outlet regulator having an inlet, a low pressure outlet, and a high pressure outlet, wherein the inlet is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of the second mixing device.

5. The compressed gas foam system of claim 4, further comprising one or more delivery conduits each having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of each of the one or more delivery conduits is placed in fluid communication with the low pressure outlet of the outlet regulator, the high pressure outlet of the outlet regulator, or a combination thereof, wherein a compressed gas foam is communicated through each of the one or more delivery conduits and allowed to discharge from the outlet of each of the one or more delivery conduits.

6. The compressed gas foam system of claim 5, wherein the compressed gas foam is discharged from the outlet of each of the one or more delivery conduits is placed in fluid communication with the low pressure outlet of the outlet regulator at a pressure from about 25 pounds per square inch to about 125 pounds per square inch.

7. The compressed gas foam system of claim 5, wherein the compressed gas foam is discharged from the outlet of each of the one or more delivery conduits is placed in fluid communication with the high pressure outlet of the outlet regulator at a pressure from about 125 pounds per square inch to about 225 pounds per square inch.

8. The compressed gas foam system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more optional fluid pumps is a single stage fluid pump, a multistage fluid pump, or a combination thereof.

9. The compressed gas foam system of claim 8, wherein if two or more optional fluid pumps are present, at least one of the fluid pumps is a single stage fluid pump and at least one of the fluid pumps is a multistage fluid pump.

10. The compressed gas foam system of claim 8, wherein if two or more optional fluid pumps are present, the outlet of the first fluid pump is configured to pump fluid at a first fluid pressure and is coupled to the inlet of the second fluid pump and the outlet of the second fluid pump is configured to pump fluid at a second fluid pressure, wherein the second fluid pressure is greater than the first fluid pressure.

11. The compressed gas foam system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more optional gas compressors is a single stage gas compressor, a multistage gas compressor, or a combination thereof.

12. The compressed gas foam system of claim 11, wherein if two or more optional gas compressors are present, at least one of the gas compressors is a single stage gas compressor and at least one of the gas compressors is a multistage gas compressor.

13. The compressed gas foam system of claim 11, wherein if two or more optional gas compressors are present, the outlet of the first gas compressor is configured to pump gas at a first gas pressure and is coupled to the inlet of the second gas compressor and the outlet of the second gas compressor is configured to pump gas at a second gas pressure, wherein the second gas pressure is greater than the first gas pressure.

14. The compressed gas foam system of claim 11, wherein if two or more optional gas compressors are present, the two or more optional gas compressors are coupled in parallel.

15. The compressed gas foam system of claim 1, wherein if two or more optional foam systems are present, the outlet of the first foam system is configured to pump a foam solution at a first foam solution pressure and is coupled to the inlet of the second foam system and the outlet of the second foam system is configured to pump a foam solution at a second foam solution pressure, wherein the second foam solution pressure is greater than the first foam solution pressure.

16. The compressed gas foam system of claim 1, wherein if two or more optional foam systems are present, the two or more optional foam systems are coupled in parallel.

17. The compressed gas foam system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more optional fluid pumps, the one or more optional gas compressors, and the one or more optional foam systems is independently coupled with one or more power sources.

18. A compressed air foam system comprising:

one or more water pumps each having an inlet and an outlet, wherein each inlet is placed in fluid communication with a water source;

a first mixing device having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet,

wherein the first inlet of the first mixing device is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of each of the one or more water pumps,

wherein the second inlet of the first mixing device is placed in fluid communication with one or more foam systems,

wherein the outlet of the first mixing system is placed in fluid communication with a water control system comprising

a water flow sensor having an inlet and an outlet,

a water pressure sensor having an inlet and an outlet, and

a water valve having an inlet and an outlet,

wherein the inlet of the water flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of the first mixing device,

wherein the outlet of the water flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the water pressure sensor,

wherein the outlet of the water pressure sensor is placed in water communication with the inlet of the water valve;

a second mixing device having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, wherein the first inlet of the second mixing device is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of the water valve;

one or more air compressors each having an inlet and an outlet,

wherein each inlet of the one or more air compressors is placed in fluid communication with the air source, and

wherein each outlet of the one or more air compressors is placed in fluid communication with an air control system comprising

an air flow sensor having an inlet and an outlet,

an air pressure sensor having an inlet and an outlet, and an air valve having an inlet and an outlet,

wherein the inlet of the air flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with each outlet of the one or more air compressors,

wherein the outlet of the air flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the air pressure sensor,

wherein the outlet of the air pressure sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the air valve,

wherein the outlet of the air valve is placed in fluid communication with the second inlet of the second mixing device; and

a system controller operatively coupled to the air control system and to the water control system,

wherein the system controller comprises a programmable input,

wherein the system controller is configured;

to receive a sensed water flow rate from the water flow sensor,

to receive a sensed water pressure from the water pressure sensor;

to receive a sensed air flow rate from the air flow sensor,

to receive a sensed air pressure from the air pressure sensor,

to output a first control signal to the water valve for regulating a water flow,

to output a second control signal to the air valve for regulating an air flow relative to the sensed water flow,

wherein the system controller automatically adjusts the first control signal and the second control signal to maintain a ratio of water flow to air flow based upon the programmable input,

wherein each of the one or more water pumps, the one or more air compressors, and the one or more foam systems is independently coupled with one or more power sources.

19. A compressed air foam system comprising:

one or more water pumps each having an inlet and an outlet, wherein each inlet is placed in fluid communication with a water source;

a first mixing device having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet,

wherein the first inlet of the first mixing device is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of each of the one or more water pumps,

wherein the second inlet of the first mixing device is placed in fluid communication with one or more foam systems,

wherein the outlet of the first mixing system is placed in fluid communication with a water control system comprising

a water flow sensor having an inlet and an outlet,

a water pressure sensor having an inlet and an outlet, and

a water valve having an inlet and an outlet,

wherein the inlet of the water flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of the first mixing device,

wherein the outlet of the water flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the water pressure sensor,

wherein the outlet of the water pressure sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the water valve;

a second mixing device having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, wherein the first inlet of the second mixing device is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of the water valve;

one or more air compressors each having an inlet and an outlet, wherein each inlet of the one or more air compressors is placed in fluid communication with the air source, and wherein each outlet of the one or more air compressors is placed in fluid communication with an air control system comprising

an air flow sensor having an inlet and an outlet,

an air pressure sensor having an inlet and an outlet, and

an air valve having an inlet and an outlet,

wherein the inlet of the air flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with each outlet of the one or more air compressors,

wherein the outlet of the air flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the air pressure sensor,

wherein the outlet of the air pressure sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the air valve,

wherein the outlet of the air valve is placed in fluid communication with the second inlet of the second mixing device; and

a system controller operatively coupled to the air control system and to the water control system,

wherein the system controller comprises a programmable input,

wherein the system controller is configured;

to receive a sensed water flow rate from the water flow sensor,

to receive a sensed water pressure from the water pressure sensor;

to receive a sensed air flow rate from the air flow sensor,

to receive a sensed air pressure from the air pressure sensor,

to output a first control signal to the water valve for regulating a water flow,

to output a second control signal to the air valve for regulating an air flow relative to the sensed water flow,

wherein the system controller automatically adjusts the first control signal and the second control signal to maintain a ratio of water flow to air flow based upon the programmable input,

an outlet regulator having an inlet, a low pressure outlet, and a high pressure outlet, wherein the inlet is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of the second mixing device; and

one or more delivery conduits each having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of each of the one or more delivery conduits is placed in fluid communication with the low pressure outlet of the outlet regulator, the high pressure outlet of the outlet regulator, or a combination thereof, wherein a compressed air foam is communicated through each of the one or more delivery conduits and allowed to discharge from the outlet of each of the one or more delivery conduits, wherein each of the one or more multistage water pumps, the one or more multistage air compressors, and the one or more foam systems is independently coupled with one or more power sources.

20. A method of suppressing or preventing a fire comprising:

providing a compressed gas foam system comprising;

one or more optional fluid pumps each having an inlet and an outlet, wherein each inlet is placed in fluid communication with a fluid source;

a first mixing device having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet,

wherein the first inlet of the first mixing device is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of each of the one or more optional fluid pumps,

wherein the second inlet of the first mixing device is placed in fluid communication with one or more optional foam systems,

wherein the outlet of the first mixing system is placed in fluid communication with a fluid control system comprising

a fluid flow sensor having an inlet and an outlet,

a fluid pressure sensor having an inlet and an outlet, and

a fluid valve having an inlet and an outlet,

wherein the inlet of the fluid flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of the first mixing device,

wherein the outlet of the fluid flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the fluid pressure sensor,

wherein the outlet of the fluid pressure sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the fluid valve;

a second mixing device having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, wherein the first inlet of the second mixing device is placed in fluid communication with the outlet of the fluid valve;

one or more optional gas compressors each having an inlet and an outlet, wherein each inlet of the one or more optional gas compressors is placed in fluid communication with the gas source, and wherein each outlet of the one or more optional gas compressors is placed in fluid communication with a gas control system comprising

a gas flow sensor having an inlet and an outlet,

a gas pressure sensor having an inlet and an outlet, and

a gas valve having an inlet and an outlet,

wherein the inlet of the gas flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with each outlet of the one or more optional gas compressors,

wherein the outlet of the gas flow sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the gas pressure sensor,

wherein the outlet of the gas pressure sensor is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of the gas valve,

wherein the outlet of the gas valve is placed in fluid communication with the second inlet of the second mixing device; and

a system controller operatively coupled to the gas control system and to the fluid control system,

wherein the system controller comprises a programmable input,

wherein the system controller is configured;

to receive a sensed fluid flow rate from the fluid flow sensor,

to receive a sensed fluid pressure from the fluid pressure sensor;

to receive a sensed gas flow rate from the gas flow sensor,

to receive a sensed gas pressure from the gas pressure sensor,

to output a first control signal to the fluid valve for regulating a fluid flow, a fluid pressure, or a combination thereof,

to output a second control signal to the gas valve for regulating a gas flow relative to the sensed fluid flow, the sensed fluid pressure, or a combination thereof,

wherein the system controller automatically adjusts the first control signal and the second control signal to maintain a ratio of fluid flow to gas flow based upon the programmable input,

provided that when the one or more optional fluid pumps are not present, then the fluid source comprises one or more fluids in one or more pressurized fluid containers,

provided that when the one or more optional gas compressors are not present, then the gas source comprises one or more gases in one or more pressurized gas containers,

provided that when the one or more optional foam systems are not present, then the fluid source comprises one or more foam chemicals,

flowing a fluid through a flow path through the compressed gas foam system;

mixing the fluid from one of the one or more optional fluid pumps and a foam chemical in the first mixing device to produce a fluid and foam chemical mixture;

mixing gas from one or more optional gas compressors into the fluid and foam chemical mixture in the second mixing device to generate a compressed gas foam; and

directing the compressed gas foam from the outlet of one or more delivery conduits to the fire.