Fine water mist multiple orientation discharge fire extinguisher

• US 8,746,357 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ADA Technologies, Inc., Colorado School of Mines
• Original Assignee: ADA Technologies, Inc., Colorado School of Mines
• Inventors: Butz, James R., Turchi, Craig S., Kimball, Amanda, McKinnon, Thomas, Riedel, Edward P.
• Primary Examiner(s): HWU, DAVIS D
• Application Number:
  US11/875,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20080128145A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,426 Days
• Field of Search: 169/46, 169/30, 169/71, 169/73, 169/44, 169/45, 239/303, 239/327, 239/328, 239/398, 239/407, 239/408, 222/402.1, 222/386.5
• US Class Current: 169/46
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/08 in aircraft A62C3/0207 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 31/02 Nozzles specially adapted for fire-extinguishing
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/023 the extinguishing material being expelled by compressed gas, taken from storage tanks, or by generating a pressure gas for foam generation A62C5/02

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a suppression system in which a carrier gas and suppression liquid are contained in a common containment vessel and separated by a separation member. The separation is one or more of movable, deformable, or shape changing in response to pressure exerted by the stored gas.

Claims

1. A method for suppressing an exothermic reaction, comprising:

(a) directing an outlet of a suppression device towards the exothermic reaction;

(b) opening a valve to permit a suppression liquid and carrier gas in a containment vessel to flow from a containment vessel, the liquid and carrier gas being located in the containment vessel and separated from one another by at least one of a movable and deformable separation member;

(c) after the liquid and carrier gas flow from the containment vessel, mixing the liquid and carrier gas to form a suppression fluid, the suppression fluid being in the form of droplets of the liquid dispersed in the carrier gas, wherein the mixing step comprises the substeps;

(C1) passing the liquid through a central passageway of an aspirating venturi;

(C2) passing the gas through at least one aspirating tube of the aspirating venturi to form the suppression fluid;

(C3) passing the suppression fluid through an aperture to accelerate the suppression fluid to a supersonic velocity;

(C4) expanding the gas to form droplets of the liquid entrained in the gas; and

(C5) decelerating the droplets of liquid to below a sonic velocity to form an atomized suppression fluid comprising atomized droplets dispersed in the gas; and

(d) discharging the atomized suppression fluid in a direction of the exothermic reaction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the exothermic reaction is at least one of a fire and deflagration, wherein the suppression liquid comprises water, and wherein the separation member is movably disposed in the vessel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the exothermic reaction is at least one of a fire and deflagration, wherein the suppression liquid comprises water, and wherein the separation member deforms in response to a pressure exerted by the gas in the containment vessel.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein a perforated flow pipe is positioned on a liquid-containing side of the separation member and wherein an aspirating venturi in fluid communication with the flow pipe effects mixing of the liquid and carrier gas.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the liquid flows through a throat of the venturi and gas flows though one or more aspirating tubes of the venturi and wherein the gas flows through a valve prior to passing through the one or more aspirating tubes.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the separation member is a membrane having a durometer ranging from about 75 Shore 00 to about 20 Shore 00 and wherein the separation member is substantially impermeable to the liquid.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the separation member is a membrane having a durometer ranging from about 75 Shore 00 to about 20 Shore 00 and wherein the separation member is substantially impermeable to the liquid.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the droplets have a Sauter Mean Diameter of no more than about 80, wherein the separation member is an elastomeric material having a durometer ranging from about 75 Shore 00 to about 20 Shore 00, and wherein the separation member is substantially impermeable to the liquid.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the separation member is permeable to the gas but substantially impermeable to the liquid, thereby permitting part of the gas to dissolve in the liquid.

10. A suppression system, comprising:

(a) a containment vessel comprising a carrier gas and a suppression liquid;

(b) a separation member dividing the containment vessel into first and second portions, the first portion comprising the gas and the second portion the liquid, wherein the separation member is at least one of movably disposed in the containment vessel and shape changing in response to pressure exerted by the gas;

(c) a nozzle assembly to mix the liquid and gas, when removed from the containment vessel, disperse the liquid as droplets in the gas, and discharge a suppression fluid comprising the droplets entrained in the gas, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises an aspirating venturi in fluid communication with the gas and liquid, wherein the liquid flows through a central passage of the venturi, and wherein the gas flows through one or more aspirating tubes of the venturi and into the liquid; and

(d) an actuator to initiate removal of the gas and liquid from the containment vessel.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the separation member is movably disposed in the containment vessel.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the separation member is shape changing in response to gas pressure.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a perforated flow pipe positioned on a liquid-containing side of the separation member, the flow pipe being in communication with the nozzle assembly.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein, prior to activation of the actuator, a check valve is closed to prevent the gas and liquid from passing through the venturi.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the actuator comprises a handle, wherein movement of the handle displaces a release valve, the release valve comprising a plurality of ports in fluid communication with a conduit, and wherein the ports are displaced into fluid communication with a passageway comprising the liquid, thereby initiating flow of the liquid from the containment vessel.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the separation member is permeable to the gas and substantially impermeable to the liquid.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the separation member is a membrane having a durometer ranging from about 75 Shore 00 to about 20 Shore 00 and wherein the separation member is substantially impermeable to the liquid.

18. The system of claim 10, further comprising first and second conduits for removing the liquid and gas separately from the containment vessel and wherein the first and second conduits provide the liquid and gas to a mixing device.

19. A suppression system, comprising:

(a) a containment vessel comprising a carrier gas and a suppression liquid;

(b) a separation member dividing the containment vessel into first and second portions, the first portion comprising the gas and the second portion the liquid, wherein the separation member is at least one of movably disposed in the containment vessel and shape changing in response to pressure exerted by the gas;

(c) first and second conduits for removing the liquid and gas separately from the containment vessel;

(d) a nozzle assembly to mix the liquid and gas, when removed from the containment vessel, disperse the liquid as droplets in the gas, and discharge a suppression fluid comprising the droplets entrained in the gas, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises an aspirating venturi in fluid communication with the gas and liquid, wherein the liquid flows through a central passage of the venturi, and wherein the gas flows through one or more aspirating tubes of the venturi and into the liquid; and

(e) an actuator to initiate removal of the gas and liquid from the containment vessel.

20. A method for suppressing an exothermic reaction, comprising:

(a) causing a suppression liquid and carrier gas to flow from a common containment vessel;

(b) as the liquid and carrier gas flow from the containment vessel, passing the liquid through a central passageway of an aspirating venturi and the gas through an aspirating tube of the aspirating venturi to form a first suppression fluid comprising the carrier gas bubbles dispersed in the liquid;

(c) thereafter passing the first suppression fluid through an aperture to accelerate the first suppression fluid to a supersonic velocity;

(d) expanding the gas to form a second suppression fluid, the second suppression fluid being in the form of droplets of the liquid dispersed in the carrier gas;

(e) decelerating the droplets of the liquid to below a sonic velocity to form a third suppression fluid comprising atomized droplets dispersed in the gas; and

(f) discharging the third suppression fluid in a direction of the exothermic reaction.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the liquid and carrier gas are stored at a common pressure in the containment vessel and wherein the exothermic reaction is at least one of a fire and deflagration, and wherein the suppression liquid comprises water, wherein a separation member, positioned between the liquid and carrier gas, deforms in response to pressure exerted by the gas in the containment vessel, wherein a perforated flow pipe is positioned on a liquid-containing side of the separation member, and wherein an aspirating venturi in fluid communication with the flow pipe effects mixing of the liquid and carrier gas.

22. A method for suppressing an exothermic reaction, comprising:

(a) directing an outlet of a suppression device towards the exothermic reaction;

(b) opening a valve to permit a suppression liquid and carrier gas in a containment vessel to flow from a containment vessel, the liquid and carrier gas being located in the containment vessel and separated from one another by at least one of a movable and deformable separation member;

(c) after the liquid and carrier gas flow from the containment vessel, mixing the liquid and carrier gas to form a suppression fluid, the suppression fluid being in the form of droplets of the liquid dispersed in the carrier gas; and

(d) discharging the suppression fluid in a direction of the exothermic reaction, wherein the exothermic reaction is at least one of a fire and deflagration, wherein the suppression liquid comprises water, wherein the separation member deforms in response to pressure exerted by the gas in the containment vessel, wherein a perforated flow pipe is positioned on a liquid-containing side of the separation member, and wherein an aspirating venturi in fluid communication with the flow pipe effects mixing of the liquid and carrier gas.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the liquid flows through a throat of the venturi and gas flows though one or more aspirating tubes of the venture, and wherein the gas flows through a valve prior to passing through the one or more aspirating tubes.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the mixing step comprises the substeps:

(C1) passing the liquid through a central passageway of an aspirating venturi;

(C2) passing the gas through at least one aspirating tube of the aspirating venturi to form the suppression fluid;

(C3) passing the suppression fluid through an aperture to accelerate the suppression fluid to a supersonic velocity;

(C4) expanding the gas to form droplets of the liquid entrained in the gas; and

(C5) decelerating the droplets of liquid to below a sonic velocity to form an atomized suppression fluid comprising atomized droplets dispersed in the gas.

25. A method, comprising:

(a) directing an outlet of a suppression device towards an exothermic reaction;

(b) opening a valve to permit a suppression liquid and carrier gas in a containment vessel to flow from a containment vessel, the liquid and carrier gas being located in the containment vessel and separated from one another by at least one of a movable and deformable separation member;

(c) after the liquid and carrier gas flow from the containment vessel, mixing the liquid and carrier gas to form a suppression fluid, the suppression fluid being in the form of droplets of the liquid dispersed in the carrier gas, wherein the mixing step comprises the substeps;

(C1) passing the liquid through a central passageway of an aspirating venturi;

(C2) passing the gas through at least one aspirating tube of the aspirating venturi to form the suppression fluid; and

(C3) expanding the gas to form an atomized suppression fluid comprising atomized droplets of the liquid dispersed in the gas; and

(d) discharging the atomized suppression fluid in a direction of the exothermic reaction.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein step (c) further comprises before step (C3) and after (C2):

passing the suppression fluid through an aperture to accelerate the suppression fluid to a supersonic velocity.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the droplets of liquid decelerate below a sonic velocity during gas expansion.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the exothermic reaction is at least one of a fire and deflagration, wherein the suppression liquid comprises water, and wherein the separation member is movably disposed in the vessel.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the exothermic reaction is at least one of a fire and deflagration, wherein the suppression liquid comprises water, and wherein the separation member deforms in response to pressure exerted by the gas in the containment vessel.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein a perforated flow pipe is positioned on a liquid-containing side of the separation member and wherein an aspirating venturi in fluid communication with the flow pipe effects mixing of the liquid and carrier gas.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the liquid flows through a throat of the venturi and gas flows though one or more aspirating tubes of the venturi and wherein the gas flows through a valve prior to passing through the one or more aspirating tubes.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein the droplets have a Sauter Mean Diameter of no more than about 80,wherein the separation member is an elastomeric material having a durometer ranging from about 75 Shore 00 to about 20 Shore 00, and wherein the separation member is substantially impermeable to the liquid.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein the separation member is permeable to the gas but substantially impermeable to the liquid, thereby permitting part of the gas to dissolve in the liquid.

34. A method, comprising:

(a) causing a suppression liquid and carrier gas to flow from a common containment vessel;

(b) as the liquid and carrier gas flow from the containment vessel, passing the liquid through a central passageway of an aspirating venturi and the gas through an aspirating tube of the aspirating venturi to form, by action of the liquid shearing the gas, a first suppression fluid comprising the carrier gas bubbles dispersed in the liquid, wherein the central passageway is oriented in a direction of flow of the first suppression fluid and the aspirating tube is oriented transverse to the central passageway, wherein a diameter of the central passageway of the aspirating venturi diverges to a relatively larger diameter at a downstream exit of the aspirating venturi;

(c) passing the first suppression fluid through an aperture to accelerate the first suppression fluid to a supersonic velocity;

(d) expanding the gas to form a second suppression fluid, the second suppression fluid being in the form of droplets of the liquid dispersed in the carrier gas; and

(e) discharging the second suppression fluid in a direction of an exothermic reaction.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the droplets decelerate below a sonic velocity to form atomized droplets dispersed in the gas.

36. A method, comprising:

(a) causing a suppression liquid and carrier gas to flow from a common containment vessel;

(b) as the liquid and carrier gas flow from the containment vessel, passing the liquid through a central passageway of an aspirating venturi and the gas through an aspirating tube of the aspirating venturi to form, by action of the liquid shearing the gas, a first suppression fluid comprising the carrier gas bubbles dispersed in the liquid, wherein the central passageway is oriented in a direction of flow of the first suppression fluid and the aspirating tube is oriented transverse to the central passageway, wherein a diameter of the central passageway of the aspirating venturi diverges to a relatively larger diameter at a downstream exit of the aspirating venturi;

(c) expanding the gas to form a second suppression fluid, the second suppression fluid being in the form of droplets of the liquid dispersed in the carrier gas; and

(d) discharging the second suppression fluid in a direction of an exothermic reaction;

wherein the liquid and carrier gas are stored at a common pressure in the containment vessel and wherein the exothermic reaction is at least one of a fire and deflagration, and wherein the suppression liquid comprises water, wherein a separation member, positioned between the liquid and carrier gas, deforms in response to pressure exerted by the gas in the containment vessel, wherein a perforated flow pipe is positioned on a liquid-containing side of the separation member, and wherein an aspirating venturi in fluid communication with the flow pipe effects mixing of the liquid and carrier gas.

37. A suppression system for suppressing an exothermic reaction comprising:

(a) a containment vessel comprising a suppression liquid and a carrier gas, the containment vessel configured to allow the suppression liquid and the carrier gas to flow from the common containment vessel;

(b) an aspirating venturi comprising a central passageway and an aspirating tube, wherein the suppression liquid passes through the central passageway and the carrier gas passes through the aspirating tube to form a first suppression fluid comprising carrier gas bubbles dispersed in the suppression liquid;

(c) an aperture configured to receive the first suppression fluid and accelerate the first suppression fluid to a supersonic velocity; and

(d) an expansion member wherein the carrier gas is expanded to form a second suppression fluid, the second suppression fluid being in the form of droplets of the suppression liquid dispersed in the carrier gas, wherein the droplets of the suppression liquid are decelerated to below a sonic velocity to form a third suppression fluid comprising atomized droplets dispersed in the carrier gas, wherein the third suppression fluid is discharged in a direction of the exothermic reaction.