APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTINGUISHING A FIRE OVER THE REAR AXLE OF A TRUCK TRAILER

• US 20170340908A1
• Filed: 05/26/2016
• Published: 11/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2016
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: HLS Industries, LLC
• Original Assignee: HLS Industries, LLC
• Inventors: Heath, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 10,272,277 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/07 in vehicles, e.g. in road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/11 controlled by a signal from the danger zone
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/44 only the sensor being in the danger zone

Abstract

An apparatus, system and method have a sensor positioned above a rear axle attached to a brake of a trailer. The sensor detects whether the temperature of the brake exceeds a threshold temperature. A light is mounted on the trailer and activates in response to the temperature of the brake exceeding the threshold temperature. A handle is pulled to distribute a fluid on the rear axle of the trailer. A conduit extends across the underside of the trailer wherein the conduit carries the fluid. A nozzle sprays the fluid over the rear axle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for extinguishing a fire at an axle of a trailer, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor configured to be positioned above the axle, wherein the sensor is configured to detects a temperature of a brake of the axle;

a light configured to be mounted on the trailer, wherein the light is configured to activate in response to the detected temperature exceeding a threshold temperature;

a discharge nozzle configured to be mounted on the trailer and to spray a fluid at the axle; and

a handle configured to be mounted on the trailer and operable to be pulled, wherein pulling the handle causes fluid to be supplied to the discharge nozzle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a bottle configured to be attached to the trailer and to house the fluid.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a conduit configured to carry the fluid to the discharge nozzle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless temperature monitoring system configured to compare the detected temperature with the threshold temperature to determine whether the detected temperature exceeds the threshold temperature.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the threshold is set based on a reduction in fuel efficiency of a truck pulling the trailer at the threshold temperature.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light is configured to be located at a position on the trailer that is viewable by a driver.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle is shaped as a “

T.”

27. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the bottle and the spray nozzle are configured to be positioned beneath the trailer and adjacent to one another.

33. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the discharge nozzle is configured to spray the fluid over a distribution area proportionately sized to encompass a fire over the axle.

34. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a second bottle configured to be attached to the trailer and to house additional fluid; and

a second handle configured to be mounted on the trailer and operable to be pulled, wherein pulling the handle causes fluid to be supplied from the second bottle to the discharge nozzle.

35. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the bottle contains a fire-retardant fluid.

36. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the wireless temperature monitoring system is further configured to send an alert when the detected temperature exceeds the threshold temperature.

37. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is further configured to detect a temperature of a wheel bearing or tire of the axle.

4. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

8. -20. (canceled)

21. An apparatus for suppressing a fire over an axle of a truck that has a trailer positioned behind and connected to a tractor, the apparatus comprising:

a temperature sensor located beneath the trailer and positioned toward the axle wherein the temperature sensor detects a fluctuation in temperature of the axle due to failure of a brake at an end of the axle;

a warning light mounted on the trailer wherein the warning light activates in response to the detection of the fluctuation by the temperature sensor to alert a driver of the truck;

a bottle attached to the trailer wherein the bottle contains a fire retardant fluid;

a conduit connected to and in fluid communication with the bottle wherein the conduit is mounted on and extends across the trailer from the bottle to the axle;

a spray nozzle at an end of the conduit above the axle wherein the spray nozzle is configured to spray the fire retardant fluid over a distribution area proportionately sized to encompass the fire over the axle; and

a handle located on the trailer adjacent to the tractor wherein the handle is pulled by the driver in response to activation of the warning light to discharge the fire retardant fluid in the bottle through the conduit to flow toward the spray nozzle which sprays the fire retardant fluid over the distribution area to suppress the fire.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the failure of the brake causes the brake to remain in a fixed position.

25. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising:

an initial discharge of the fire retardant fluid over the distribution area to suppress the fire; and

a secondary discharge of the fire retardant fluid over the distribution area to suppress potential re-ignition of the brake due to residual heat stored in the brake.

26. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein failure of the brake corresponds with a reduction in fuel economy.

28. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the truck is an oil tanker.

29. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising:

an alert notification sent to the driver of the trailer via a satellite.

30. -32. (canceled)