Fire extinguishing systems and methods

• US 6,044,913 A
• Filed: 02/11/1999
• Issued: 04/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Guardian Patent, LLC
• Original Assignee: Twenty First Century International Fire Equipment and Service Corporation
• Inventors: Rouse, J. Paul, Williams, Jerry L., Dunston, David L., Garrett, Dennis D., Boling, Harry III, Stehling, Henry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoge, Gary C.
• Application Number:
  US09/248,266
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 169/65, 169/56, 126/42, 340/500, 340/501, 340/532, 367/197, 367/199, 219/412, 219/413, 219/414
• US Class Current: 169/65
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/006 for kitchens or stoves
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/13 with a finite supply of extinguishing material
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/40 with electric connection between sensor and actuator

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, a fire extinguishing system for suppressing fires on cook stoves, fryers or other heating or heated devices with fire suppressant dispensed through nozzles is powered by batteries which provide current for both a detection circuit including a pair of heat sensors and control circuitry and current for a gas or electric house current shut-off. Preferably, the shut-off is operated acoustically upon sounding of an audible alarm which emits a signal to which the shut off is acoustically tuned. Preferably, the heat sensors are diodes but, in alterative embodiments may be thermistors or active temperature sensors. While a wireless link, such as an acoustical link, is preferred between the control circuitry and shut-off, a wired link may also be used. In order to facilitate mounting of both the heat sensors and nozzles, magnetic housings are utilized which retain studs extending from tees, 90 degree elbows or both. A heat sensor housing is secured to the magnetic mount by magnetic force, which heat sensor housing is in turn held securely proximate the heat source at appropriate locations.

Claims

1. A system for detecting a fire and for interrupting a source of energy to an appliance in response to that detection, comprising:

a sensor for detecting the occurrence of a fire;

an acoustic signal emitter connected to the sensor for emitting an acoustic signal upon the sensor detecting the occurrence of a fire;

an electrical switch connected to the appliance device, but not physically connected to either the sensor or acoustical signal emitter when there is no acoustical signal; and

an acoustically sensitive sensor connected to the electric switch for opening the electric switch upon detecting the acoustic signal to interrupt electric current and thus the source of energy to the appliance.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a heat sensor which detects an increased temperature.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the acoustic signal is an audible alarm signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor and acoustical signal emitter are both powered by a battery.

5. A system for detecting a fire and interrupting a source of energy to an appliance in response to that detection, comprising:

a sensor for detecting the occurrence of a fire;

an acoustic signal emitter connected to the sensor for emitting an acoustic signal upon the sensor detecting the occurrence of a fire;

a valve connected to the appliance but not physically connected to either the sensor or acoustical signal emitter when there is no acoustical signa; and

an acoustically sensitive sensor connected to the valve for closing the valve upon detecting the acoustic signal to interrupt flow of gas and thus the source of energy to the appliance.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensor is a heat sensor which detects an increased temperature.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the acoustic signal is an audible alarm signal.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensor and acoustical signal emitter are both powered by a battery.