Fire suppression and indicator system and fire detection device

• US 7,456,750 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2001
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Popp, James B., Benjamin, Arthur J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C
• Application Number:
  US09/837,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20010054964A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,777 Days
• Field of Search: 340/584, 340/581, 340/577, 340/589, 340/622, 340/587, 340/600, 340/501, 340628-630, 340/539, 340/539.1, 340/531, 169 56- 62
• US Class Current: 340/584
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/002 for warehouses, storage areas or other installations for storing goods
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 37/32 Safety measures not otherwise provided for, e.g. preventing explosive conditions extinguishing or preventing fires in aircraft A62C

Abstract

A system for detecting and suppressing a fire condition in a storage unit. The system comprises a transmitter associated with the storage unit and configured to transmit a first signal upon detection of the fire condition, at least one receiver configured to detect the first signal and configured to provide a second signal indicating detection of the fire condition, and a fire suppression device configured to discharge a fire suppressant material into the storage unit upon detection of the fire condition. There may also be a plurality of storage units, a plurality of transmitters, and a plurality of receivers. An individual transmitter and an individual receiver may be associated with each of the plurality of storage units. Each of the storage units may be located at a predetermined position relative to the individual receiver associated with the storage unit. The second signal from a receiver may be provided to a control panel that in response to the second signal identifies the storage unit experiencing the fire condition. The present invention is also directed at a fire suppression and indication system for use in an aircraft. The aircraft includes a cockpit, a control panel in the cockpit, and a storage area. The system includes a plurality of storage units located at predetermined positions in the storage area. a transmitter associated with each storage unit and configured to transmit a first signal upon detection of the fire condition, at least one receiver configured to detect the first signal and configured to provide a second signal indication detection of the fire condition, and a fire suppression device configured to discharge a fire suppressant material into the storage unit upon detection of the fire condition.

Claims

1. A fire suppression and indication system for use in an aircraft, the aircraft having a cockpit, a control panel in the cockpit, and a storage area, the system comprising:

a plurality of storage units for storing freight, the storage units being located at predetermined positions in the storage area, the storage units comprising at least one of a container and a pallet;

a transmitter associated with each storage unit and configured to transmit a first signal upon detection of a fire condition, the first signal being an infrared signal;

at least one receiver configured to detect the first signal and configured to provide a second signal indicating detection of the fire condition; and

a fire suppression device configured to discharge a fire suppressant material into the storage unit upon detection of the fire condition.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the fire suppression device includes a source of pressurized fire suppressant material and an application mechanism associated with one of the predetermined positions, the application mechanism being arranged between one of the storage units and the source and configured to apply the fire suppression device to the storage unit upon detection of the fire condition.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the storage unit is a container with a base including a hole, and the application mechanism includes a valve aligned with the hole, such that the fire suppressant material is discharged into the container through the hole in the base.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the valve is in a retracted position prior to detection of the fire condition, and the valve is configured to engage the base of the container upon detection of the fire condition.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the application mechanism includes a piston to move the valve into contact with the base.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the storage units is a pallet including a fire resistant blanket, and wherein the fire suppression device is arranged below the fire resistant blanket.

7. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to receive the second signal, wherein the control unit is configured to determine the origin of the first signal based on the second signal.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the control unit transmits a third signal to a control panel indicating the origin of the first signal.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the control unit transmits a fourth signal to the fire suppression device to discharge the fire suppressant material into the storage unit.

10. A fire suppression and indication system for use in an aircraft, the aircraft having a cockpit, a control panel in the cockpit, and a storage area, the system comprising:

a plurality of containers in the storage area, wherein each container includes a base and a cover having an opening;

a fire suppression device located inside each of the containers, the fire suppression device comprising

a vessel;

a fire suppressant material inside the vessel;

a discharge tube attached to the vessel;

a fire detection system that detects a fire condition and activates the discharge of fire suppression material through the discharge tube; and

a transmitter that emits a first signal through the opening when the fire detection system releases the fire suppressant material; and

a receiver configured to be positioned within the storage area and external to the containers,

wherein the receiver is configured to detect the first signal and send a second signal to the control panel in the cockpit of the aircraft.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the receiver is configured to be located above a corresponding one of the containers.

12. An aircraft comprising:

a cockpit;

a control panel located in the cockpit;

a storage area; and

the fire suppression and indication system of claim 10.