Engine fire extinguishment system

• US 5,848,652 A
• Filed: 08/27/1997
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Air Force (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Inventors: Bennett, Joseph M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): O HANLON, SEAN P
• Application Number:
  US08/934,003
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 169/62, 169/12
• US Class Current: 169/62
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/07 in vehicles, e.g. in road vehicles

Abstract

A fire suppression system for the engine compartment of a vehicle is described which includes a remotely controllable throttle valve disposed within the exhaust duct of the engine for selectively diverting exhaust gases through a bypass duct for mixing with the ventilation airflow for the purpose of reducing the oxygen content in the airflow over the engine below a level which will effectively support combustion.

Claims

1. A fire suppression system for the engine compartment of a vehicle having an engine including an exhaust duct, said fire suppression system comprising:

(a) a remotely controllable throttle valve disposed within the exhaust duct of an engine for selectively diverting exhaust gases from said exhaust duct; and

(b) a bypass duct operatively connected to said throttle valve for conducting said exhaust gases forwardly of said engine for mixing with the ventilation airflow across said engine and reducing the oxygen content in the airflow over said engine below a level which will effectively support combustion.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said throttle valve comprises a controllable damper or a butterfly valve.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a controller operatively connected to said throttle valve by mechanical or electromechanical linkage for remote operation of said throttle valve.