Systems and methods for suppressing fire in containers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023166139-A1
Application number	US-202318152190-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 10, 2023
Priority date	May 15, 2012
Publication date	Jun 1, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A device for suppressing fire inside a container includes a support structure configured to be mounted inside a vehicle at a position associated with at least one location configured to receive a container. The device further includes a deployment structure coupled to the support structure and a penetrator assembly coupled to the deployment structure. The penetrator assembly includes a nozzle having a tip configured to pierce a container and an actuator associated with the nozzle. The actuator is configured to extend the tip of the nozzle such that it pierces a container. The support structure and the deployment structure are configured such that the penetrator assembly is movable in at least one plane with respect to the support structure, and the penetrator assembly is configured to receive fire suppressant and direct the fire suppressant into the container.

First claim

1 - 40 . (canceled)

41 . A system for suppressing fire, the system comprising:
a support structure configured to be mounted inside a vehicle; a pivot mount attached to the support structure and including a first hinge; a pivot member connected to the first hinge, the pivot member including a second hinge; an arm coupled to the second hinge, the arm being movable to a plurality of positions, each of the positions disposed above a location configured to receive a container; and a penetrator assembly coupled to the arm and configured to pierce the container and deliver a fire suppressant in the container.

42 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the penetrator assembly comprises:
a nozzle having a tip configured to pierce the container; and an actuator configured to extend the tip of the nozzle such that the tip pierces the container.

43 . The system of claim 42 , wherein the penetrator assembly further includes:
at least one conduit configured to supply the fire suppressant to the nozzle.

44 . The system of claim 43 , wherein the nozzle comprises a tubular member including the tip

45 . The system of claim 44 , wherein the tip is frangible.

46 . The system of claim 43 , further including:
at least one tank configured to contain the fire suppressant; and the at least one conduit connecting the at least one tank with the nozzle.

47 . The system of claim 46 , wherein the at least one tank comprises:
a first tank configured to contain a first fire suppressant component; and a second tank configured to contain a second fire suppressant component.

48 . The system of claim 47 , wherein the at least one conduit comprises:
a first conduit connecting the first tank and the nozzle; and a second conduit connecting the second tank and the nozzle.

49 . The system of claim 48 , wherein
the first fire suppressant component comprises a gas, the second fire suppressant component comprises a foam solution, and the penetrator assembly is configured to combine the gas and the foam solution to form the fire suppressant.

50 . The system of claim 41 , wherein
the arm extends from a first end to a second end, and the first end of the arm is coupled to the second hinge.

51 . The system of claim 50 , wherein, the penetrator assembly is coupled to the second end of the arm.

52 . The system of claim 51 , wherein the second end of the arm and the penetrator assembly are configured to pivot with respect to one another.

53 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the support structure comprises a stow actuator configured to maintain the penetrator assembly in a stowed condition and release the penetrator assembly from the stowed condition for movement to a deployed condition.

54 . The system of claim 41 , wherein
the arm comprises an upper link and a lower link, and the upper and lower links extend parallel with respect to one another between a first end and a second end of the arm.

55 . The system of claim 41 , further comprising a controller configured to deploy the penetrator assembly upon detecting a temperature associated with a container that is greater than a predetermined temperature.

56 . The system of claim 55 , further including at least one sensor configured to detect the temperature associated with the container.

57 . The system of claim 56 , wherein the at least one sensor is one of a thermopile, an optical pyrometer, or an infrared sensor.

58 . The system of claim 55 , wherein the controller is further configured to activate a warning signal.

59 . The system of claim 58 , wherein the warning signal comprises one of a warning light or an audible message.

60 . The system of claim 41 , further comprising a switch configured to deploy the penetrator assembly.

Assignees

• Federal Express Corp

Inventors

• Petzinger Mark R

Classifications

• A62C5/02

  of foam · CPC title

• A62C3/07 Primary

  in vehicles, e.g. in road vehicles · CPC title

• A62C37/36

  an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device · CPC title

• A62C31/22

  specially adapted for piercing walls, heaped materials, or the like · CPC title

• A62C37/08

  comprising an outlet device containing a sensor, or itself being the sensor, i.e. self-contained sprinklers · CPC title