FLAME MITIGATION DEVICE AND SYSTEM

• US 20120312565A1
• Filed: 10/13/2010
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems LLC (International Systems & Controls Corp.)
• Original Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems LLC (International Systems & Controls Corp.)
• Inventors: Brazier, Geoffrey
• Granted Patent: US 9,757,602 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 169/60
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/04 for dust or loosely-baled or loosely-piled materials, e.g. in silos, in chimneys flame traps A62C4/00
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/06 of highly inflammable material, e.g. light metals, petroleum products
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/36 an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A flame mitigation device (26), along with associated systems and methods, is disclosed. More particularly, a flame mitigation device (26) has at least one sensor (25) configured to sense a flame (21), and at least one suppression agent (28) release device configured to release a flame suppression agent into the projected flame path when the flame is sensed. The sensor (25) may sense the flame either directly or indirectly. A flame mitigation system (26) is also disclosed, wherein the system includes an enclosure (22) and at least one pressure release device configured to release a flame from the enclosure. The system (26) may include at least one sensor (25) configured to sense the flame (21), and a device configured to release a suppression agent (28). A method of mitigating a flame in a combustible material system is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A flame mitigation device for a combustible material system having a projected flame path, external to the system, for a flame to be released from the system in the event of an explosion, comprising:

at least one sensor configured to sense a flame in the event of an explosion; and

at least one suppression agent release device configured to release a flame suppression agent into the projected flame path when the flame is sensed.

2. The flame mitigation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense the flame directly.

3. The flame mitigation device of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of an optical sensor, infrared sensor, or mechanical trip sensor.

4. The flame mitigation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense the flame indirectly.

5. The flame mitigation device of claim 4, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a temperature sensor or a pressure sensor.

6. The flame mitigation device of claim 4, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a sensor configured to sense a pressure wave moving ahead of the flame.

7. The flame mitigation device of claim 1, wherein the suppression agent comprises at least one of a dry agent, a liquid agent, a foam agent, or a gaseous agent.

8. The flame mitigation device of claim 1, further comprising:

an enclosure configured to enclose at least a portion of the combustible material region.

9. The flame mitigation device of claim 8, further comprising:

a duct configured to direct the flame away from the enclosure.

10. The flame mitigation device of claim 1, further comprising an explosion suppression system.

11. The flame mitigation device of claim 1, further comprising a passive flame mitigation device.

12. A flame mitigation system, comprising:

an enclosure;

at least one pressure release device configured to release a flame from the enclosure in the event of an explosion, the pressure release device having an outlet side;

at least one sensor configured to sense the flame; and

a suppression agent release device oriented on the outlet side of the pressure release device, the suppression agent release device configured to release a flame suppression agent into the path of the flame when the flame is sensed.

13. The flame mitigation system of claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor is further configured to sense a condition within the enclosure.

14. The flame mitigation system of claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor is further configured to sense the effects of the flame on one or more components of the system.

15. The flame mitigation system of claim 14, wherein the at least one sensor is further configured to sense a temperature of one or more components of the system.

16. The flame mitigation system of claim 14, further comprising:

an explosion suppression system;

wherein the at least one sensor is further configured to sense the effects of the flame on the explosion suppression system.

17. The flame mitigation system of claim 12, further comprising:

a duct positioned on the outlet side of the pressure release device and configured to direct the flame away from the enclosure.

18. The flame mitigation system of claim 17, wherein the sensor is further configured to sense a condition in the duct.

19. The flame mitigation system of claim 17, wherein the at least one agent release device is configured to release the flame suppression agent into the duct.

20. The flame mitigation system of claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned between the pressure release device and the agent release device.

21. The flame mitigation system of claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor is further configured to sense an activation of the pressure release device.

22. The flame mitigation system of claim 12, further comprising:

an explosion suppression system configured to suppress an explosion within the enclosure.

23. The flame mitigation system of claim 22, wherein:

the at least one sensor is further configured to sense when the explosion suppression system is activated.

24. A method of mitigating a flame in a combustible material system, comprising:

sensing a flame in an enclosure in the event of an explosion; and

releasing a flame suppression agent into a projected path of the flame.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein sensing a flame further comprises sensing one or more of visible light, infrared radiation, temperature, or pressure.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein sensing a flame further comprises tripping a mechanical sensor in response to the flame.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein releasing a flame suppression agent further comprises releasing a flame suppression agent into the enclosure.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the projected path of the flame extends outside of the enclosure, and wherein releasing a flame suppression agent further comprising releasing a flame suppression agent into the projected path of the flame outside of the enclosure.