Solid propellant gas generator, extinguishing device, method for cooling a flowing mixture and method for extinguishing a fire

• US 9,283,414 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2013
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
• Original Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
• Inventors: Lemke, Jens, Richter, Elizabeth, Schulz, Sebastian
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganey, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US14/024,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20140076586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 169/11, 169/12, 169/43, 169/46, 169/47, 169/84, 239/419.5, 239/428.5, 252/5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 13/006 for the propulsion of extinguishing powder
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 13/20 with the chemicals in a single case, e.g. in a cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 13/22 with incendiary substances producing pressure gas
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/00 Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places in oil wells E21B29/08, A62C35/00; in mines or tunnels E21F5/00 ; for nuclear reactors G21C9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 5/004 for producing carbon-dioxide snow, carbon-dioxide ice, carbon-dioxide gas, carbon-dioxide liquid, or mixtures thereof carbon-dioxide jet-pipes or snow jet-pipes A62C31/03
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 5/006 Extinguishants produced by combustion
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0009 Methods of extinguishing or preventing the spread of fire by cooling down or suffocating the flames
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0018 using gases or vapours that do not support combustion, e.g. steam, carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/009 Methods or equipment not provided for in groups A62C99/0009 - A62C99/0081
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 1/06 containing gas-producing, chemically-reactive components
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/084 Jet regulators with aerating means
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 14/04 induction type, e.g. Bunsen burner
• CPC Class Codes: F23Q 25/00 Extinguishing-devices, e.g. for blowing-out or snuffing candle flames for cigarettes A24F

Abstract

A solid propellant gas generator releases a flowing mixture from a solid propellant, separated from a surrounding area, into the surrounding area. The solid propellant gas generator includes a cooling system for cooling the flowing mixture. The cooling system has at least one feed device for feeding a gas from the surrounding area to the flowing mixture in order to mix the flowing mixture prior to entering into the surrounding area with the gas from the surrounding area.

Claims

1. A solid propellant gas generator, comprising:

a housing containing a solid propellant, which is separated from a surrounding area, that is released as a flowing mixture into the surrounding area; and

a cooling system configured to cool the flowing mixture, wherein the cooling system has at least one feed device configured to feed a gas from the surrounding area to the flowing mixture so that gas from the surrounding area mixes with the flowing mixture prior to entering into the surrounding area,

wherein the cooling system comprises;

an acceleration device configured to accelerate the flowing mixture,

an introducing device configured to introduce the flowing mixture into the surrounding area, and

a linear contact region of acceleration device and introducing device, wherein the feed device is arranged at the linear contact region.

2. The solid propellant gas generator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feed device is arranged radially to the contact region, wherein a cross-section of the feed device tapers off from the surrounding area in a direction of the contact region.

3. The solid propellant gas generator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the acceleration device connects an interior of the solid propellant gas generator with the contact region,

a cross-section of the acceleration device tapers off from the interior in a direction of the contact region or the introducing device connects the contact region with the surrounding area,

a cross-section of the introducing device expands from the contact region in a direction of the surrounding area.

4. The solid propellant gas generator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the cooling system tapers off in a flow direction of the flowing mixture.

5. The solid propellant gas generator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing includes thermal insulation.

6. The solid propellant gas generator, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an igniting device configured to ignite the solid propellant to generate the flowing mixture.

7. The solid propellant gas generator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the solid propellant generates a gas, an aerosol, or a gas-aerosol mixture as an extinguishing agent.

8. The solid propellant gas generator, as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

a metal mesh filter unit arranged between the cooling system and the solid propellant.

9. A solid propellant gas generator, comprising

a housing containing a solid propellant, which is separated from a surrounding area, that is released as a flowing mixture into the surrounding area;

and

a cooling system configured to cool the flowing mixture, wherein the cooling system has at least one feed device configured to feed a gas from the surrounding area to the flowing mixture so that gas from the surrounding area mixes with the flowing mixture prior to entering into the surrounding area,

wherein the cooling system comprises a sealing mechanism configured to seal off the interior from the surrounding area, wherein the sealing mechanism is a water impermeable foil.

10. The solid propellant gas generator, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the feed device is arranged at the cooling system downstream of the sealing mechanism in a flow direction of the flowing mixture.

11. The solid propellant gas generator, as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

an ignition device configured to ignite the solid propellant to generate the flowing mixture.

12. The solid propellant gas generator, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the solid propellant generates a gas, an aerosol, or a gas-aerosol mixture as an extinguishing agent.

13. The solid propellant gas generator, as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:

a metal mesh filter unit arranged between the cooling system and the solid propellant.

14. An extinguishing device for extinguishing a fire, the comprising:

a solid propellant gas generator, which includes

a housing containing a solid propellant, which is separated from a surrounding area, that is released as a flowing mixture into the surrounding area; and

a cooling system configured to cool the flowing mixture, wherein the cooling system has at least one feed device configured to feed a gas from the surrounding area to the flowing mixture so that gas from the surrounding area mixes with the flowing mixture prior to entering into the surrounding area,

wherein the cooling system comprises;

an acceleration device configured to accelerate the flowing mixture,

an introducing device configured to introduce the flowing mixture into the surrounding area, and

a linear contact region of acceleration device and introducing device, wherein the feed device is arranged at the linear contact region.