Apparatus and method for suppressing a fire

• US 5,449,041 A
• Filed: 06/24/1993
• Issued: 09/12/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aerojet-General Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: OLIN Corporation
• Inventors: Galbraith, Lyle D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pike, Andrew C.
• Application Number:
  US08/082,137
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• Field of Search: 169/5, 169/6, 169/7, 169/8, 169/9, 169/11, 169/12, 169/26, 169/27, 169/28, 169/30, 169/71, 169/72, 169/78, 169/84, 169/85, 169/35, 169/43, 169/44, 169/45, 169/46, 169/47, 169/60, 169/61, 169/62, 252/2, 252/3, 252/4, 252/5, 252/6, 252/7, 252/8, 149/19.6, 149/35, 149/36, 149/61, 149/77, 102/290
• US Class Current: 169/11
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/023 the extinguishing material being expelled by compressed gas, taken from storage tanks, or by generating a pressure gas for foam generation A62C5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0018 using gases or vapours that do not support combustion, e.g. steam, carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/06 by reaction of two or more solids

Abstract

An apparatus for suppressing a fire comprises a gas generator in communication with a vaporizable liquid by means of a first conduit. When activated, the gas generator generates an elevated temperature burst of a first gas containing carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and/or water vapor. This first gas vaporizes substantially all of the vaporizable liquid, generating a second gas having flame suppressing capabilities. The second gas is directed at the fire to suppress and extinguish it.

Claims

1. An apparatus for suppressing a fire comprising:

(a) a gas generator comprising a housing supporting a mixture of a nitrogen-rich fuel and an oxidizing agent as a solid propellant that generates a high temperature gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor and mixtures thereof on ignition;

(b) magnesium carbonate disposed between said housing and said solid propellant;

(c) a conduit directing said high temperature gas to a chamber;

(d) a vaporizable liquid contained within said chamber that vaporizes on interaction with said high temperature gas; and

(e) a passageway between said chamber and said fire to deliver said vaporized liquid to said fire.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said nitrogen-rich fuel is 5-aminotetrazole.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said solid propellant is an effective mixture of 5-aminotetrazole, strontium nitrate, clay, and potassium 5-aminotetrazole.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vaporizable liquid is selected from the group consisting of fluorocarbons, hydrogenated fluorocarbons, haloalkenes, carbon dioxide, water, and mixtures thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said vaporizable liquid is a fluorocarbon having a boiling temperature above about -25°

C. and a room temperature vaporization pressure above about 25 psi.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said vaporizable liquid is selected from the group consisting of CF₃ CHFCH₃, C₄ F₁₀, (CF₂)₄, and mixtures thereof.

7. The apparatus of claims 1 wherein said passageway includes an aspirator disposed between said chamber and said fire.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said conduit includes an isolation diaphragm disposed between said gas generator and said chamber.