Inert gas suppression system nozzle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A nozzle for introducing a gas into an area to be protected by an inert gas hazard-suppression system comprising:
- a nozzle housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet;
a nozzle stem having an axial bore formed therein; and
at least a first innermost partition and a second outer partition located within said housing, said first partition defining an inner gas-receiving chamber into which said nozzle stem extends and into which a gas flowing through said gas inlet and said axial bore is received,said first and second partitions cooperating to define a first annular region therebetween, said first annular region being fluidly connected with said inner gas-receiving chamber by a first passage located at the distal end of said first partition opposite said gas inlet,said partitions being configured such that gas flowing from said chamber into said first annular region undergoes a 180°
change in direction as it flows through said first passage resulting in the gas flowing in said first annular region in an opposite direction to the gas flowing in said inner gas-receiving chamber,said second partition partially defining a second annular region outboard of said second partition, said second annular region being fluidly connected with said first annular region by a second passage located opposite from said first passage, said second annular region being configured such that the gas flows in said second annular region toward said gas outlet in an opposite direction to the gas flowing in said first annular region,said nozzle stem comprising a fastening element operable to secure at least one of said partitions within said housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Nozzles (22) for reducing noise generated by the release of gas from a hazard suppression system (10) are provided. The nozzles (22) comprise a plurality of partitions (42, 44, 46, 48) that define a serpentine gas flow path through the nozzle. The flow path causes the gas to undergo a plurality of expansions and directional changes thereby reducing the velocity of the gas and dampening the generation of sound waves as the gas exits the nozzle (22) through the nozzle outlet (40).
22 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A nozzle for introducing a gas into an area to be protected by an inert gas hazard-suppression system comprising:
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a nozzle housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a nozzle stem having an axial bore formed therein; and at least a first innermost partition and a second outer partition located within said housing, said first partition defining an inner gas-receiving chamber into which said nozzle stem extends and into which a gas flowing through said gas inlet and said axial bore is received, said first and second partitions cooperating to define a first annular region therebetween, said first annular region being fluidly connected with said inner gas-receiving chamber by a first passage located at the distal end of said first partition opposite said gas inlet, said partitions being configured such that gas flowing from said chamber into said first annular region undergoes a 180°
change in direction as it flows through said first passage resulting in the gas flowing in said first annular region in an opposite direction to the gas flowing in said inner gas-receiving chamber,said second partition partially defining a second annular region outboard of said second partition, said second annular region being fluidly connected with said first annular region by a second passage located opposite from said first passage, said second annular region being configured such that the gas flows in said second annular region toward said gas outlet in an opposite direction to the gas flowing in said first annular region, said nozzle stem comprising a fastening element operable to secure at least one of said partitions within said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 23, 35)
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13. A nozzle for introducing a gas into an area to be protected by an inert gas hazard-suppression system comprising:
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a nozzle housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a plurality of generally cylindrical partitions located within said housing, said partitions cooperating to define a flow path for the gas as it flows between said gas inlet and said gas outlet, said plurality of partitions including an innermost partition defining an inner gas-receiving chamber, said innermost partition including a first passage located at the distal end of said innermost partition opposite said gas inlet; and a nozzle stem having an axial bore formed therein, said nozzle stem extending into said inner gas-receiving chamber and operable to conduct gas through said gas inlet into said inner gas-receiving chamber, said nozzle stem comprising a fastening element operable to secure at least one of said partitions within said housing, said flow path being configured such that gas flowing therein is forced to alternate between flowing a direction toward and a direction away from said gas outlet and that gas flowing between said gas inlet and said gas outlet makes at least two 180°
changes in direction, wherein the gas flowing between said gas inlet and gas outlet undergoes a first 180°
change in direction as it flows through said first passage. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24)
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25. A method of reducing the acoustic energy generated by the discharge of an inert gas from a fire-suppression system comprising:
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detecting a hazardous condition indicative of a fire or heat-related event within an area to be protected by said suppression system; initiating a flow of said gas from a pressurized gas source toward said area to be protected; directing said flow of gas through a nozzle installed within said protected area having a gas inlet fluidly connected with a gas outlet by a gas flow path, said flow path causing said gaseous material to alternate between flowing a direction toward and a direction away from said gas outlet, and wherein said flow path causes said gas to undergo at least two 180°
changes in direction during passage of said gas through said nozzle; anddischarging said gas from said gas outlet into said area to be protected. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A nozzle for introducing a gas into an area to be protected by an inert gas hazard-suppression system comprising:
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a nozzle housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a plurality of generally cylindrical partitions located within said housing, said partitions cooperating to define a flow path for the gas as it flows between said gas inlet and said gas outlet, said plurality of partitions including an innermost partition defining an inner gas-receiving chamber; and a nozzle stem having an axial bore formed therein and operable to conduct gas through said gas inlet into said inner gas-receiving chamber, wherein said nozzle stem comprises a fastening element operable to secure at least one of said partitions within said housing, wherein said plurality of partitions are attached to a circular end plate, which is secured to said nozzle stem by said fastening element, said flow path being configured such that gas flowing therein is forced to alternate between flowing a direction toward and a direction away from said gas outlet.
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30. A nozzle for introducing a gas into an area to be protected by an inert gas hazard-suppression system comprising:
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a nozzle housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a plurality of generally cylindrical partitions located within said housing, said partitions cooperating to define a flow path for the gas as it flows between said gas inlet and said gas outlet, said plurality of partitions including an innermost partition defining an inner gas-receiving chamber, wherein said plurality of partitions comprise a plurality of cup-shaped elements having an open end and an opposed closed end, said cup-shaped elements being oriented such that the open end of one cup-shaped element is located adjacent the closed end of at least one other cup-shaped element, said open end of said innermost partition defining a first passage between said innermost partition and one other of said cup-shaped elements; and a nozzle stem having an axial bore formed therein, said nozzle stem extending into said inner gas-receiving chamber and operable to conduct gas through said gas inlet into said inner gas-receiving chamber, said nozzle stem comprising a fastening element operable to secure at least one of said partitions within said housing, said flow path being configured such that gas flowing therein is forced to alternate between flowing a direction toward and a direction away from said gas outlet, wherein the gas flowing between said gas inlet and gas outlet undergoes a 180°
change in direction as it flows through said first passage.
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31. A nozzle for introducing a gas into an area to be protected by an inert gas hazard-suppression system comprising:
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a nozzle housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a plurality of generally cylindrical partitions located within said housing, said plurality of partitions including an outermost partition within which the others of said plurality of partitions are nested, said plurality of partitions having progressively increasing diameters as said outermost partition is approached, said partitions cooperating to define a flow path for the gas as it flows between said gas inlet and said gas outlet, said plurality of partitions including an innermost partition defining an inner gas-receiving chamber, said innermost partition including a first passage located at the distal end of said innermost partition opposite said gas inlet; and a nozzle stem having an axial bore formed therein, said nozzle stem extending into said inner gas-receiving chamber and operable to conduct gas through said gas inlet into said inner gas-receiving chamber, said nozzle stem comprising a fastening element operable to secure at least one of said partitions within said housing, said flow path being configured such that gas flowing therein is forced to alternate between flowing a direction toward and a direction away from said gas outlet and that gas flowing between said gas inlet and said gas outlet undergoes a 180°
change in direction as it flows through said first passage.
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32. A nozzle for introducing a gas into an area to be protected by an inert gas hazard-suppression system comprising:
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a nozzle housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; and at least a first innermost partition and a second outer partition located within said housing, said first partition defining an inner gas-receiving chamber into which a gas flowing through said gas inlet is received, said first and second partitions cooperating to define a first annular region therebetween, said first annular region being fluidly connected with said inner gas-receiving chamber by a first passage located at the distal end of said first partition, said partitions being configured such that the gas flows in said first annular region in an opposite direction to the gas flowing in said inner gas-receiving chamber, said second partition partially defining a second annular region outboard of said second partition, said second annular region being fluidly connected with said first annular region by a second passage located opposite from said first passage, said second annular region being configured such that the gas flows in said second annular region toward said gas outlet in an opposite direction to the gas flowing in said first annular region, said nozzle further comprising third and fourth partitions outboard of said first and second partitions, said second and third partitions cooperatively defining said second annular region, said third and fourth partitions cooperatively defining a third annular region, said fourth partition and said nozzle housing cooperatively defining a fourth annular region.
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33. A nozzle for introducing a gas into an area to be protected by an inert gas hazard-suppression system comprising:
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a nozzle housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a nozzle stem having an axial bore formed therein; and at least a first innermost partition and a second outer partition located within said housing, said first partition defining an inner gas-receiving chamber into which said nozzle stem extends and into which a gas flowing through said gas inlet and said axial bore is subsequently received, wherein said first and second partitions are substantially cylindrical and are attached to a circular end plate, said first and second partitions cooperating to define a first annular region therebetween, said first annular region being fluidly connected with said inner gas-receiving chamber by a first passage located at the distal end of said first partition opposite said gas inlet, said partitions being configured such that the gas flows in said first annular region in an opposite direction to the gas flowing in said inner gas-receiving chamber, said second partition partially defining a second annular region outboard of said second partition, said second annular region being fluidly connected with said first annular region by a second passage located opposite from said first passage, said second annular region being configured such that the gas flows in said second annular region toward said gas outlet in an opposite direction to the gas flowing in said first annular region, said nozzle stem comprising a fastening element operable to secure at least one of said partitions within said housing. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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Specification