Hazard detection, warning, and response system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automatic fire detection and suppression system, comprising:
- a vessel for containing a fire extinguishant under pressure;
a dip tube assembly sealingly engaged with the opening, the assembly including a dip tube extending inside the vessel, the dip tube having a bend for placing one end of the dip tube at a low point in the vessel so that the extinguishant enters the dip tube when the vessel is installed in either a horizontal or a vertical position, the other end of the dip tube being external to the vessel;
a solenoid valve having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being connected to the other end of the dip tube, the valve being normally closed;
a nozzle assembly connected to the outlet, the nozzle assembly including a discharge nozzle for discharging extinguishant;
a circuit board coupled to the solenoid valve;
a housing for receiving the circuit board;
a microprocessor received on and coupled with the circuit board; and
a heat sensor and an ionic smoke sensor coupled to the microprocessor for sensing heat and/or smoke, wherein the microprocessor has logic for detecting heat or smoke, logic for calculating a rate of rise or for comparing to an ionic smoke density formula for determining the presence of a fire, and logic for opening the solenoid valve when the presence of a fire is determined so that the extinguishant is released to suppress the fire.
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Abstract
The invention provides a self-contained automatic fire detection, warning, and suppression life safety system having an extinguishant source and a fire detector coupled to an electronic processor. The processor has logic to interface with components for detecting and warning of a fire and releasing the extinguishant. Self-diagnosis logic checks the entire system'"'"'s function, pressure, power level, and power source. Additional sensors are provided for detecting various hazards, and the processor has logic for proper response.
153 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automatic fire detection and suppression system, comprising:
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a vessel for containing a fire extinguishant under pressure; a dip tube assembly sealingly engaged with the opening, the assembly including a dip tube extending inside the vessel, the dip tube having a bend for placing one end of the dip tube at a low point in the vessel so that the extinguishant enters the dip tube when the vessel is installed in either a horizontal or a vertical position, the other end of the dip tube being external to the vessel; a solenoid valve having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being connected to the other end of the dip tube, the valve being normally closed; a nozzle assembly connected to the outlet, the nozzle assembly including a discharge nozzle for discharging extinguishant; a circuit board coupled to the solenoid valve; a housing for receiving the circuit board; a microprocessor received on and coupled with the circuit board; and a heat sensor and an ionic smoke sensor coupled to the microprocessor for sensing heat and/or smoke, wherein the microprocessor has logic for detecting heat or smoke, logic for calculating a rate of rise or for comparing to an ionic smoke density formula for determining the presence of a fire, and logic for opening the solenoid valve when the presence of a fire is determined so that the extinguishant is released to suppress the fire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An automated system for detecting and extinguishing a fire, comprising:
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a vessel for containing a fire extinguishant under pressure; a dip tube assembly sealingly engaged with the opening, the assembly including a dip tube extending inside the vessel, the dip tube having a bend for placing a first end of the dip tube at a low point in the vessel so that the extinguishant enters the dip tube when the vessel is installed in either a horizontal or a vertical position, a second end of the dip tube being external to the vessel; a solenoid valve having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being connected to the second end of the dip tube, the valve being normally closed; a first power supply coupled to the solenoid valve for opening the valve; a nozzle assembly connected to the outlet, the nozzle assembly including a discharge nozzle for discharging extinguishant; a motherboard coupled to the solenoid valve; an orphan board received by the motherboard, wherein the orphan board includes at least one input from a sensor selected from the group of sensors consisting of an intrusion detector, a gas sensor and a video monitor; a housing for receiving the motherboard; a second power supply coupled to the motherboard for providing power to the motherboard, the first power supply providing a higher current than the second power supply, the first power supply providing current directly to the solenoid valve so that the motherboard does not encounter the higher current of the first power supply; a microprocessor coupled to the motherboard, the microprocessor having logic for running a diagnostic test for recognizing the input from the orphan board and checking the level of power in the second power supply; and a fire sensor coupled to the microprocessor for detecting a fire, wherein the microprocessor has logic for monitoring the fire sensor, and logic for opening the solenoid valve when the presence of a fire is detected so that the extinguishant is released to suppress the fire. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for detecting and extinguishing a fire in an unmanned space, comprising:
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mounting a base to a mounting surface within the unmanned space; containing a fire extinguishant under pressure in a vessel having an opening, the vessel being smaller than about a ten-gallon container; securing the vessel to the base; engaging a dip tube assembly in the opening, the assembly including a dip tube extending inside the vessel, the dip tube having a bend for placing one end of the dip tube at a low point in the vessel so that the extinguishant enters the dip tube when the vessel is installed in either a horizontal or a vertical position, the other end of the dip tube being external to the vessel; connecting a solenoid valve having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being connected to the other end of the dip tube, the valve being normally closed; coupling a first power supply to the solenoid valve for opening the valve; connecting a nozzle assembly to the outlet, the nozzle assembly including a discharge nozzle for discharging extinguishant; coupling circuitry to the solenoid valve; housing and receiving the circuitry in a control housing; coupling a second power supply to the circuitry for providing power to the circuitry, the first power supply providing a higher current than the second power supply, the first power supply providing current directly to the solenoid valve so that the circuitry does not encounter the higher current of the first power supply; coupling a microprocessor to the circuitry, the microprocessor having logic for running a diagnostic test for checking the level of power in the first and second power supplies; coupling a clock chip to the microprocessor for providing a timing mechanism; coupling a heat sensor and an ionic smoke sensor to the microprocessor for sensing heat and/or smoke, wherein the microprocessor has logic for detecting heat or smoke, logic for calculating a rate of rise or for comparing to an ionic smoke density formula for determining the presence of a fire, and logic for opening the solenoid valve when the presence of a fire is determined so that the extinguishant is released to suppress the fire; providing logic in the microprocessor and an output from the circuitry for notifying a remote operator in the event the presence of a fire is detected; and notifing a remote operator in the event the presence of a fire is detected. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A fire detection and suppression system, comprising:
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a vessel for containing a fire extinguishant under pressure, the vessel having an opening; a dip tube assembly sealingly engaged with the opening, the assembly including a dip tube extending inside the vessel, the dip tube having a bend for placing one end of the dip tube at a low point in the vessel so that the extinguishant enters the dip tube when the vessel is installed in either a horizontal or a vertical position, the other end of the dip tube being external to the vessel; a solenoid valve having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being connected to the other end of the dip tube; a nozzle assembly connected to the outlet, the nozzle assembly including a discharge nozzle for discharging extinguishant; a circuit board coupled to the solenoid valve; a housing for receiving and housing the circuit board; a power supply coupled to the circuit board for providing power to the circuit board; a microprocessor coupled with the circuit board; a fire sensor coupled to the microprocessor for sensing the presence of a fire, the microprocessor having logic for detecting the presence of a fire based on input from the fire sensor, and the microprocessor having logic for opening the solenoid valve when the presence of a fire is detected so that the extinguishant is released to suppress the fire; and a satellite ground positioning satellite surveillance device coupled to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor has logic and an output for communicating to a remote operator the location of the device when a fire is detected.
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Specification