HIGH RATE DISCHARGE (HRD) VALVE OPENING MECHANISM FOR A FIRE AND EXPLOSION PROTECTION

• US 20130146314A1
• Filed: 12/08/2011
• Published: 06/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Baxendell, Doug John, Rose, Rusty, MacLachlan, Daniel Ray
• Granted Patent: US 8,757,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 169/9
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 13/64 the extinguishing material being released by means of a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/68 Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/003 operated without a stable intermediate position, e.g. with snap action F16K31/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/02 electric F16K31/004 takes precedence; magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/025 actuated by thermo-electric means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/44 Mechanical actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1647 Explosive actuation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7734 Fluid opened valve requiring reset

Abstract

A valve actuation mechanism has a plurality of links. Each link has a proximal end and distal end, and the links are disposed adjacent a valve member. The actuation mechanism also has at least one roller connected to the distal ends of at least two links. The roller contacts a surface of the valve member. In addition, at least one pivot for each link is present in the valve, wherein each pivot is positioned on the proximal end of each of the plurality of links.

Claims

1. A valve actuation mechanism, comprising:

a plurality of links, each link with a proximal end and distal end, the links disposed adjacent a valve member;

at least one roller connected to the distal ends of at least two links, wherein the roller contacts a surface of the valve member; and

at least one pivot for each link present in the valve, wherein each pivot is positioned on the proximal end of each of the plurality of links.

2. The valve actuation mechanism of claim 1, wherein the valve member contains at least one tapered surface adjacent the plurality of links.

3. The valve actuation mechanism of claim 1, wherein the valve member comprises:

a hollow bore on the interior of the valve member;

a moveable rod disposed within the bore; and

an actuating mechanism attached to the moveable rod.

4. The valve actuation mechanism of claim 3, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises an electronic protractor.

5. The valve actuation mechanism of claim 3, further comprising:

at least one seal between the rod and bore that creates an airtight seal;

an inlet to the rod connected to a pressurized fluid source; and

an outlet from the rod to the bore;

wherein the actuating mechanism is the pressurized fluid source.

6. The valve actuation mechanism of claim 1 wherein the each of the plurality of links comprises:

a generally horizontal portion that contacts the surface of the valve member; and

an angled portion adjacent the horizontal portion.

7. The valve actuation mechanism of claim 5, wherein at least one of the plurality of links contains a groove adjacent the distal end.

8. The valve actuation mechanism of claim 7, further comprising:

an electronically actuated pyrotechnic device, wherein the device is mounted generally horizontal to the valve member and contains a rod that contacts the groove.

9. The valve actuation mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:

a rocker connected between adjacent links and pivots; and

a tapered backing plated connected to the rocker.

10. A high speed valve, comprising:

a valve body having a flow passage therethrough;

a poppet disposed within the valve body, the poppet movable between a first position in which the poppet blocks the flow passage and a second position, the poppet containing a piston connected to a stem at a proximal end of the stem; and

a pivotal link actuation mechanism adjacent a distal end of the stem.

11. The high speed valve of claim 10, wherein the pivotal link actuation mechanism comprises:

a plurality of links, each link with a proximal end and distal end, the links disposed adjacent a valve member;

at least one roller connected to the distal ends of at least two links, wherein the roller contacts a surface of the valve member; and

at least one pivot for each link present in the valve, wherein each pivot is positioned on the proximal end of each of the plurality of links.

12. The high speed valve of claim 11, wherein the valve member contains at least one tapered surface adjacent the plurality of links.

13. The high speed valve of claim 11, wherein the valve member comprises:

a hollow bore on the interior of the valve member;

a moveable rod disposed within the bore; and

an actuating mechanism attached to the moveable rod.

14. The high speed valve of claim 13, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises an electronic protractor.

15. The high speed valve of claim 13, further comprising:

at least one seal between the rod and bore that creates an airtight seal;

an inlet to the rod connected to a pressurized fluid source; and

an outlet from the rod to the bore;

wherein the actuating mechanism is the pressurized fluid source.

16. The high speed valve of claim 11 wherein the each of the plurality of links comprises:

a generally horizontal portion that contacts the surface of the valve member; and

an angled portion adjacent the horizontal portion.

17. The high speed valve of claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of links contains a groove adjacent the distal end.

18. The high speed valve of claim 17, further comprising:

an electronically actuated pyrotechnic device, wherein the device is mounted generally horizontal to the valve member and contains a rod that contacts the groove.

19. The high speed valve of claim 11, further comprising:

a rocker connected between adjacent links and pivots; and

a tapered backing plated connected to the rocker.

20. A fire suppression system, the system comprising:

a pressure container for holding a fire suppression material;

a high speed valve connected to the container comprising;

a valve body having a flow passage therethrough;

a poppet disposed within the valve body, the poppet movable between a first position in which the poppet blocks the flow passage and a second position, the poppet containing a piston connected to a stem at a proximal end of the stem; and

a pivotal link actuation mechanism adjacent a distal end of the stem;

a conduit connected to the flow passage of the high speed valve; and

a nozzle for dispersing the fire suppression material upon opening of the high speed valve.