Localized automatic fire extinguishing apparatus

• US 5,548,276 A
• Filed: 11/30/1993
• Issued: 08/20/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: STEWART, HARRY E. 50% INTEREST
• Original Assignee: Alan E. Thomas
• Inventors: Thomas, Alan E.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US08/158,989
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 340/578, 250/339.15, 250/342, 169/61
• US Class Current: 340/578
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/38 by both sensor and actuator, e.g. valve, being in the danger zone

Abstract

An automated fire extinguishing apparatus includes a turret with a nozzle connected to a water supply. A plurality of sensors are used to detect a fire monitored by the apparatus. The signals from the sensors are used to aim the nozzle toward the fire and to initiate water ejection therefrom. After the fire is extinguished the water is turned off.

Claims

1. A fire extinguishing apparatus comprising;

a turret mounted in a preselected area;

sensor means for detecting a fire;

nozzle means mounted on said turret, said nozzle means being arranged and constructed to eject a fire extinguishing agent; and

aiming means coupled to said sensor for aiming said nozzle means toward said fire when said fire is detected by said sensor means;

wherein said sensor means includes a first set of sensors having optical axes disposed at a first angle with respect to a vertical line and a second set of axis disposed at a second angle with respect to said vertical line.

2. The extinguisher of claim 1 wherein said turret is rotatable.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said aiming means includes means for rotating said turret about a vertical axis.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said nozzle means is rotatable with respect to a horizontal axis.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first set of sensors alternate with respect to said second said of sensors.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor means is mounted on said turret for concurrent movement with said nozzle means.

7. A fire extinguishing apparatus comprising;

a housing rotatable about a first axis;

a nozzle supported by said housing;

sensor means for sensing a fire;

aiming means for aiming said nozzle toward said fire; and

water supply means coupled to said sensor means for supplying water to said nozzle when said fire is sensed;

wherein said sensor means comprises a plurality of sensors arranged in an array around said nozzle.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said nozzle is rotatable about a second axis normal to said first axis.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said sensor means is mounted on said housing and is coupled to said nozzle for concurrent movement therewith.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said nozzle is constructed and arranged to occult said fire from some of said sensors when said nozzle is not aimed toward said fire.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of said sensors comprises an electrical element, and a field of vision, said electrical element generating an electrical signal when said fire is in the field of vision of the corresponding sensor.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising filtering means for filtering a frequency of said electrical signals to differentiate said fire from other heat sources.

13. A fire extinguishing apparatus comprising:

a housing disposed in a preselected area;

nozzle means for selectively directing water at a fire;

a plurality of sensor means mounted on the nozzle means, each said sensor monitoring a portion of said area to generate a sensor signal when a fire is detected; and

aiming means coupled to each said sensor means for aiming said nozzle toward said fire.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said housing is rotatable about a vertical axis and said nozzle is mounted on said housing.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said nozzle means is rotatable about a horizontal axis.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said nozzle means and said sensors are mounted on an arm.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said aiming means includes a pan motor for panning said housing about said vertical axis in response to signals from said sensors.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a tilting motor for tilting said nozzle means with respect to said horizontal axis in response to signals from said sensors.