Inert Gas Suppression System Nozzle

• US 20120285705A1
• Filed: 05/12/2011
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fike Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fike Corporation
• Inventors: Hill, Gene, Patel, Devang
• Granted Patent: US 8,887,820 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 169/11
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/16 in electrical installations, e.g. cableways
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/68 Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0018 using gases or vapours that do not support combustion, e.g. steam, carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes

Abstract

Nozzles (22) for reducing noise generated by the release of gas from a hazard suppression system (10) are provided. The nozzles (22) comprise a plurality of partitions (42, 44, 46, 48) that define a serpentine gas flow path through the nozzle. The flow path causes the gas to undergo a plurality of expansions and directional changes thereby reducing the velocity of the gas and dampening the generation of sound waves as the gas exits the nozzle (22) through the nozzle outlet (40).

Claims

1. A nozzle for introducing a gas into an area to be protected by an inert gas hazard-suppression system comprising:

a nozzle housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; and

at least a first innermost partition and a second outer partition located within said housing, said first partition defining an inner gas-receiving chamber into which a gas flowing through said gas inlet is received,

said first and second partitions cooperating to define a first annular region therebetween, said first annular region being fluidly connected with said inner gas-receiving chamber by a first passage located at the distal end of said first partition,

said partitions being configured such that the gas flows in said first annular region in an opposite direction to the gas flowing in said inner gas-receiving chamber,

said second partition partially defining a second annular region outboard of said second partition, said second annular region being fluidly connected with said first annular region by a second passage located opposite from said first passage, said second annular region being configured such that the gas flows in said second annular region toward said gas outlet in an opposite direction to the gas flowing in said first annular region.

2. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle further comprises a nozzle stem having an axial bore formed therein operable to conduct the gas through said gas inlet.

3. The nozzle according to claim 2, wherein said nozzle stem comprises one or more ports for permitting flow of the gas from said bore into said inner gas-receiving chamber.

4. The nozzle according to claim 2, wherein said nozzle stem comprises a fastening element operable to secure at least one of said partitions within said housing.

5. The nozzle according to claim 4, wherein said first and second partitions are substantially cylindrical and are attached to a circular end plate.

6. The nozzle according to claim 5, wherein said circular endplate is secured to said nozzle stem by said fastening element.

7. The nozzle according to claim 4, wherein said first and second partitions comprise first and second cup-shaped elements, respectively, said first cup-shaped element having an open end located opposite from said gas inlet, said second cup-shaped element having an open end located adjacent to said gas inlet.

8. The nozzle according to claim 1, said nozzle further comprising third and fourth partitions outboard of said first and second partitions, said second and third partitions cooperatively defining said second annular region, said third and fourth partitions cooperatively defining a third annular region, said fourth partition and said nozzle housing cooperatively defining a fourth annular region.

9. The nozzle according to claim 8, wherein said second annular region and said third annular region are fluidly connected by a third passage located opposite from said second passage, and said third annular region and said fourth annular region are fluidly connected by a fourth passage located opposite from said third passage.

10. The nozzle according to claim 9, wherein said third annular region is configured such that the gas flows in said third annular region in an opposite direction to the gas flowing in said second annular region, and said fourth annular region is configured such that the gas flows in said fourth annular region in an opposite direction to the gas flowing in said third annular region.

11. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle further comprises a sound-absorbing packing material located within said housing upstream from said outlet and downstream from said partitions.

12. The nozzle according to claim 11, wherein said packing material comprises stainless steel wool.

13. The nozzle according to claim 11, wherein said packing material is maintained within said housing by a screen.

14. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said first and second partitions are substantially concentric.

27. An inert gas hazard-suppression system comprising:

a pressurized source of an inert gas;

conduit for directing a flow of said inert gas from said source to an area protected by said system; and

a nozzle according to claim 1 coupled with said conduit for introducing the flow of said inert gas into the area protected the system.

15. A nozzle for introducing a gas into an area to be protected by an inert gas hazard-suppression system comprising:

a nozzle housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet;

a plurality of generally cylindrical partitions located within said housing, said partitions cooperating to define a flow path for the gas as it flows between said gas inlet and said gas outlet, said plurality of partitions including an innermost partition defining an inner gas-receiving chamber; and

a nozzle stem having an axial bore formed therein and operable to conduct gas through said gas inlet into said inner gas-receiving chamber,

said flow path being configured such that gas flowing therein is forced to alternate between flowing a direction toward and a direction away from said gas outlet.

16. The nozzle according to claim 15, wherein said nozzle stem comprises one or more ports for permitting flow of the gas from said bore into said inner gas-receiving chamber.

17. The nozzle according to claim 15, wherein said nozzle stem comprises a fastening element operable to secure at least one of said partitions within said housing.

18. The nozzle according to claim 17, wherein said plurality of partitions are attached to a circular end plate, which is secured to said nozzle stem by said fastening element.

19. The nozzle according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of partitions comprise a plurality of cup-shaped elements having an open end and an opposed closed end, said cup-shaped elements being oriented such that the open end of one cup-shaped element is located adjacent the closed end of at least one other cup-shaped element.

20. The nozzle according to claim 15, wherein said flow path is configured so that gas flowing between said gas inlet and said gas outlet makes at least two 180°

changes in direction.

21. The nozzle according to claim 15 wherein said nozzle further comprises a sound-absorbing packing material disposed therein.

22. The nozzle according to claim 21, wherein said packing material is located within said housing upstream from said outlet and downstream from said partitions.

23. The nozzle according to claim 21, wherein said packing material is located within said flow path.

24. The nozzle according to claim 21, wherein said packing material comprises stainless steel wool.

25. The nozzle according to claim 21, wherein said packing material is maintained within said housing by a screen.

26. The nozzle according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of partitions are substantially concentric.

28. An inert gas hazard-suppression system comprising:

a pressurized source of an inert gas;

conduit for directing a flow of said inert gas from said source to an area protected by said system; and

a nozzle according to claim 15 coupled with said conduit for introducing the flow of said inert gas into the area protected the system.

29. A method of reducing the acoustic energy generated by the discharge of a gas from a hazard-suppression system comprising:

detecting a hazardous condition within an area to be protected by said suppression system;

initiating a flow of said gas from a pressurized gas source toward said area to be protected;

directing said flow of gas through a nozzle having a gas inlet fluidly connected with a gas outlet by a gas flow path, said flow path causing said gaseous material to alternate between flowing a direction toward and a direction away from said gas outlet; and

discharging said gas from said gas outlet into said area to be protected.

30. The method according to claim 29, said method further comprising causing said gas to undergo an expansion during at least one of said changes in flow direction along said flow path.

31. The method according to claim 29, wherein said flow path causes said gas to undergo at least two 180°

changes in direction during passage of said gas through said nozzle.

32. The method according to claim 29, wherein said nozzle comprises a plurality of partitions secured within a nozzle housing, said partitions at least partially defining said flow path.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein said plurality partitions are concentric.