Method and apparatus for distributing fire suppressant

• US 6,896,067 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2002
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kidde-Fenwal Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kidde-Fenwal Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Dunster, Robert, Rausch, David S., Bowyer, James, Mahony, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bui, Thach H.
• Application Number:
  US10/253,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20040055764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: 169/46, 169/19, 169/5, 169/9, 169/16, 137/625.46, 239/304, 239/305, 239/550, 239/551, 239/569, 239/16, 239/20, 239/9, 239/43, 239/46, 239/60, 239/61, 239/71, 239/72, 239/85
• US Class Current: 169/46
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/68 Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86863 Rotary valve unit

Abstract

A fire suppressing system having at least one suppressant source, at least two control valves in communication with the suppressant source, and at least two distributors, each distributor being in communication with one of the control valves. The control valves are movable between at least three of first, second, third, and fourth positions. Functionally, in the first position, each of the control valves passes suppressant therethrough, but does not pass suppressant to its distributor. In the second position, each of the control valves does not pass suppressant therethrough, but passes suppressant to its distributor. In the third position, each of the control valves passes suppressant therethrough, and passes suppressant to its distributor. In the fourth position, each of the control valves does not pass suppressant therethrough and does not pass suppressant to its distributor. Depending upon the positions of the control valves, the suppressing system directs suppressant from the suppressant source to any one or more of the distributors.

Claims

1. A fire suppressing system, comprising:

at least one suppressant source;

at least two distributors in communication with said at least one suppressant source;

at least one control valve in communication with said at least one suppressant source, said at least one control valve being disposed at a connecting junction between said at least one suppressant source and said at least two distributors, such that said at least one control valve being in communication with said at least two distributors;

wherein said at least one control valve defines first, second, and third apertures therein, and is movable between at least three of first, second, third positions, and fourth positions, such that

in said first position, said first and third apertures are in communication;

in said second position, said second and third apertures are in communication; and

in said third position, said first, second and third apertures are in communication;

in said fourth position, said first and second apertures are in communication

such that depending upon said positions of said control valves, said suppressing system directs suppressant from said at least one suppressant source to any combination of said distributors.

2. The fire suppressing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of suppressant sources;

such that depending upon said positions of said control valves, said suppressing system directs suppressant from any of said suppressant sources to any combination of said distributors.

3. The fire suppressing system according to claim 1, wherein:

at least one of said control valves is movable between all of said first, second, third, and fourth positions.

4. The fire suppressing system according to claim 1, wherein:

said control valves are three-way through T directional ball valves.

5. The tire suppressing system according to claim 1, wherein:

said suppressant is a liquefied compressed gas chemical extinguishing agent.

6. The fire suppressing system according to claim 1, wherein:

said suppressant comprises one of the group consisting of HFC-227ea, HFC-23, CO₂, and CF₃CF₂C(O)CF(CF₃)₂.

7. The fire suppressing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one further control valve disposed between and in communication with at least one of said control valves and at least one of said suppressant sources;

wherein said at least one further control valve defines first, second, third, and fourth positions, such that

in said first position, said first and third apertures are in communication,

in said second position, said second and third apertures are in communication;

in said third position, said first, second, and third apertures are in communication;

in said fourth position, said first and second apertures are in communication.

8. The fire suppressing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one further control valve disposed at a T-junction in said system;

wherein said at least one further control valve defines first, second, third, and fourth positions, such that

in said first position, said first and third apertures are in communication;

in said second position, said second and third apertures are in communication;

in said third position, said first, second, and third apertures are in communication;

in said fourth position, said first and second apertures are in communication.

9. A fire suppressing system, comprising:

at least one suppressant source;

at least two distributors in communication with said at least one suppressant source;

at least one control valve in communication with said at least one suppressant source, said at least one control valve being disposed at a connecting junction between said at least one suppressant source and said at least two distributors, such that said at least one control valve being in communication with said at least two distributors; and

wherein said at least one control valve are movable between at least three of first, second, third, and fourth positions, such that

in said first position, said at least one control valve passes suppressant therethrough, but does not pass suppressant to one of said distributors in direct communication therewith;

in said second position, said at least one control valves does not pass suppressant therethrough, but passes suppressant to one of said distributors in direct communication therewith;

in said third position, said at least one control valve passes suppressant therethrough, and passes suppressant to one of said distributors in direct communication therewith;

in said fourth position, said at least one control valve does not pass suppressant therethrough, and does not pass suppressant to one of said distributors in direct in communication therewith;

such that depending upon said positions of said control valves, said suppressing system directs suppressant from said at least one suppressant source to any combination of said distributors.

10. The fire suppressant system according to claim 9, further comprising:

a plurality of suppressant sources;

such that depending upon said positions of said control valves, said suppressing system directs suppressant from any of said suppressant sources to any combination of said distributors.

11. The fire suppressing system according to claim 9, wherein:

at least one of said control valves is movable between all of said first, second, third, and fourth positions.

12. The fire suppressing system according to claim 9, wherein:

said control valves are three-way through T directional ball valves.

13. The fire suppressing system according to claim 9, wherein:

said suppressant is a liquefied compressed gas chemical extinguishing agent.

14. The fire suppressing system according to claim 9, wherein:

said suppressant comprises one of the group consisting of HFC-227ea, HFC-23, CO₂, and CF₃CF₂C(O)CF(CF₃)₂.

15. A fire suppressant system comprising:

at least one suppressant source;

at least one distributor, each of said at least one distributor being in communication with at least one of said at least one suppressant source;

at least one control valve disposed at a T-junction disposed between said at least one suppressant source and said at least one distributor,

wherein said at least one control valve defines first, second, and third apertures therein, and is movable between at least three of first, second, third, and fourth positions, such that

in said first position, said first and third apertures are in communication;

in said second position, said second and third apertures are in communication;

in said third position, said first, second, and third apertures are in communication;

in said fourth position, said first and second apertures are in communication.

16. The fire suppressing system according to claim 15, wherein:

at least one of said control valves is movable between all of said first, second, third, and fourth positions.

17. The fire suppressing system according to claim 15, wherein:

said control valves are three-way through T directional ball valves.

18. The fire suppressing system according to claim 15, wherein:

said suppressant is a liquefied compressed gas chemical extinguishing agent.

19. The fire suppressing system according to claim 15, wherein:

said suppressant comprises one of the group consisting of HFC-227ea, HFC-23, CO₂, and CF₃CF₂C(O)CF(CF₃)₂.

20. A method for distributing fire suppressant, comprising the steps of

arranging at least one control valve in communication with at least one suppressant source;

arranging said at least one control valve in communication with at least two distributors, said at least one control valve being disposed at a connecting junction between said at least one suppressant source and said at least two distributors;

wherein said at least one control valve is movable between at least three of first, second, third, and fourth positions, such that

in said first position, said at least one control valve passes suppressant therethrough, but does not pass suppressant to one of said distributors in direct communication therewith;

in said second position, said at least one control valves does not pass suppressant therethrough, but passes suppressant to one of said distributors in direct communication therewith;

in said third position, said at least one control valve passes suppressant therethrough, and passes suppressant to one of said distributors in direct communication therewith;

in said fourth position, said at least one control valve does not pass suppressant therethrough, and does not pass suppressant to one of said distributors in direct communication therewith;

adjusting said positions of said control valves, so as to direct suppressant from said at least one suppressant source to any combination of said distributors.