Fire detecting valve activation assembly for vehicle fire suppression systems

• US 5,908,074 A
• Filed: 02/16/1998
• Issued: 06/01/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Laurence A. Potts
• Original Assignee: Laurence A. Potts
• Inventors: Potts, Laurence A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): Douglas, Lisa Ann
• Application Number:
  US09/024,017
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 169/19, 169/42, 169/54, 169/56, 169/59, 169/60, 169/62, 169/DIG. 3, 137/72
• US Class Current: 169/60
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/07 in vehicles, e.g. in road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/10 Releasing means, e.g. electrically released
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1797 Heat destructible or fusible

Abstract

A fire detecting valve activation assembly for vehicle fire suppression systems that have a pressurized gas fire suppressant cylinder and a pressurized gas fire suppressant distribution line terminating in a release valve having an actuator shaft for closing and opening the release valve. The fire detecting valve activation assembly includes a nozzle and a lead link fire detecting valve activation assembly. The lead link fire detecting valve activation assembly includes a valve body within which the release valve is installed such that an exterior portion of the actuator shaft extends out from the valve body, a valve actuator arm having a retaining link attachment pin extending outwardly therefrom, the valve actuator arm being rigidly coupled to the exterior portion of the actuator shaft, a spring anchoring pin extending from the exterior of the valve body, a biasing spring connected between the valve actuator arm and the spring anchoring pin such that the spring applies a force to the valve actuator arm urging the valve actuator arm in a direction to open the release valve, a retaining link securing screw threadable into a threaded securing screw aperture formed into the valve body, and a lead retaining link connected between the retaining link attachment pin and the retaining link securing screw.

Claims

1. A fire detecting valve activation assembly for vehicle fire suppression systems having a pressurized gas fire suppressant cylinder and a pressurized gas fire suppressant distribution line terminating in a release valve having an actuator shaft for closing and opening the release valve;

the fire detecting valve activation assembly comprising;

a nozzle in connection with the release valve such that said nozzle directs a discharge from said release valve in a pattern; and

a lead link fire detecting valve activation assembly;

said lead link fire detecting valve activation assembly including;

a valve body within which said release valve is installed such that an exterior portion of said actuator shaft extends out from said valve body,

a valve actuator arm having a retaining link attachment pin extending outwardly therefrom, said valve actuator arm being rigidly coupled to said exterior portion of said actuator shaft,

a spring anchoring pin extending from said exterior of said valve body,

a biasing spring connected between said valve actuator arm and said spring anchoring pin such that said spring applies a force to said valve actuator arm urging said valve actuator arm in a direction to open said release valve,

a retaining link securing screw threadable into a threaded securing screw aperture formed into said valve body, and

a lead retaining link connected between said retaining link attachment pin and said retaining link securing screw such that said valve actuator arm is retained in a position maintaining said release valve in a closed position, said lead retaining link being constructed from a lead that melts when exposed to fire.

2. The fire detecting valve activation assembly for vehicle fire suppression systems of claim 1, wherein:

said nozzle includes a turnable pattern adjustment fitting.

3. The fire detecting valve activation assembly for vehicle fire suppression systems of claim 1, wherein:

said lead retaining link has a retaining screw aperture and a retaining pin slot formed therethrough, said retaining pin slot including a retaining pin head insertion opening and a retaining pin shaft locking slot, said retaining pin head insertion opening having a diameter "A" that is greater than said diameter of a retaining pin head of said retaining pin and a retaining pin shaft locking slot with a diameter "B" that is greater than said diameter of a retaining pin shaft of said retaining pin and less than said diameter of said retaining pin head.

4. The fire detecting valve activation assembly for vehicle fire suppression systems of claim 3, wherein:

said lead retaining link has a retaining screw aperture and a retaining pin slot formed therethrough, said retaining pin slot including a retaining pin head insertion opening and a retaining pin shaft locking slot, said retaining pin head insertion opening having a diameter "A" that is greater than said diameter of a retaining pin head of said retaining pin and a retaining pin shaft locking slot with a diameter "B" that is greater than said diameter of a retaining pin shaft of said retaining pin and less than said diameter of said retaining pin head.