EP0965364A1 - Tube for fire extinguisher - Google Patents

Abstract

The fire extinguisher incorporates an unclogging tube (14) for the extinguishing powder, fitted at its lower end (20) with a non-return valve to prevent any reflux of the powder into the tube. The valve is in the form of an end cap with one or more holes and an inner seal lip which allows gas to pass out of the tube to unclog the powder but prevents any powder from being drawn in. The gas cartridge (12) contains liquid carbon anhydride, and the extinguisher's plunger (13) tube has a flexible and gas-impermeable lower end.

Description

The invention relates to the technical field of the means of fight against the fire.

More particularly, the invention relates to the field fire extinguishers.

Fire extinguishers are devices used to project, using internal pressure and directing the jet, an extinguishing agent on a hearth of fire.

The pressure is provided either by prior compression, either by a chemical reaction, or by the release of a auxiliary gas, or finally by the operation of a pump.

In a conventional manner, for fire extinguishers with foam or flame retardant liquid, pressure is obtained by the reaction of an acid solution with a basic solution.

Water and powder extinguishers are either pressure permanent, either put under pressure at the time of use, by opening a gas cartridge, or sparklet.

The invention relates more particularly to fire extinguishers comprising such gas cartridges propellant.

The conventional structure of such fire extinguishers The propellant cartridge is as follows.

A tank is provided at its top with an opening on which is fixed an agent distribution head extinguisher.

The head can be a piece of foundry, or machining, or even molding.

This distribution head is provided with a bushing used to support a dip tube.

The dip tube extends to the base of the tank.

The through-hole forms communication between the tube plunger and a hose for connection to a blow gun.

The blow gun is equipped with a sprayer rod or a nozzle.

The dispensing head supports a closed cartridge of propellant, or sparklet, or cistern.

A striker, actuated by a pressure lever fire extinguisher, pierces the seal on the gas cartridge pressurized propellant.

This seal being pierced, the propellant enters the tank and flush the extinguishant contained in it tank to the outside, through the dip tube, the connection hose and nozzle or cane sprayer.

The user cannot actuate the presser lever and act so on the striker only after pulling on a pin for locking said presser lever.

If necessary, one or more additives are mixed with the extinguishing agent contained in the tank, when the gas cartridge is pierced by the striker.

Propellant cartridge fire extinguisher structures can be found in the following documents, presented succinctly.

Document FR-A- 2 722 416 describes a fire extinguisher comprising at least two additive receiving chambers, opening in the tank, the additives being mixed with the product to spray when the gas capsule is struck under pressure.

Documents FR-A- 974 326 and FR-A- 2 649 325 describe propellant cartridge fire extinguishers under pressure, including a single receiving chamber of additive mixed with the product to be sprayed, when percussion of the gas cartridge under pressure.

Document FR-A-2 733 158 describes a fire extinguisher head with anti-reset security. This fire extinguisher includes a tank and a gas cartridge under pressure as well than a pressure lever acting on a striker. A pawn of locking ensures immobilization of the striker after cocking of the device. Said pawn has a colored end allowing to display the arming state of the extinguisher, this pawn cannot return to its initial position after armament.

Document FR-A- 2 745 188 describes a fire extinguisher spraying of liquid by the action of a propellant under pressure. An additive is contained in the same cork bottle as the propellant.

The document FR-A- 2 681 406 describes a method and a device for sealing anhydride bottles liquid carbon dioxide used as a propellant in fire extinguishers of the type envisaged above.

Document FR-A- 2 662 608 describes a frangible cartridge containing an additive, this cartridge floating in water filling the fire extinguisher. The perforation of a diaphragm of a liquid carbon dioxide capsule ensures the rise in tank pressure and rupture of the additive cartridge.

Document FR-A- 2 632 194 describes a fire extinguisher head with auxiliary pressure, comprising a rotary mounted reel, on which is wound the hose that connects the lance sprayer to the tank.

The propellant cartridge fire extinguisher structures can also be found in the documents following: FR-A- 2 502 810, FR-A- 2 484 263, FR-A- 2 483 789, 3 789, EP-A- 792 665, EP-A- 773 043, EP-A- 686 410, EP-A- 141 563, WO-A- 9634660, WO-A- 9513115, WO-A- 9206743, WO-A- 8909082.

Agent auxiliary propellant gas fire extinguishers , known from the prior art, present some disadvantages.

When the extinguishing agent is a powder, a good backwashing of this powder is not always obtained.

This can lead to a significant residual amount of powder, not used, especially when the fire extinguisher is used at low temperature (for example of the order of - 20 degrees Celsius).

Furthermore, in the known devices of the prior art, extinguisher powder can sometimes come out through the tube backwash towards the mechanism located in the head the fire extinguisher.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a fire extinguisher for auxiliary propellant comprising a structure particularity of the descender tube to avoid disadvantages mentioned above.

To this end, the invention relates, according to a first appearance, to a pressure tube, for gas type fire extinguisher auxiliary extinguisher propellant, said tube comprising in its lower end part, means forming non-return valve preventing back flow of the material fire extinguisher inside the descender tube.

The means forming a non-return valve comprise a nozzle. fitted on the lower part of the pressure tube, said end piece comprising at least one through hole in communication with the lower end of the tube crusher, the edges of the through hole forming a lip non-return seal.

The tip includes a substantially upper part cylindrical, arranged coaxially with the pressure tube, and a frustoconical lower part widening downwards, the through hole being arranged in the intermediate part the end piece, said intermediate part connecting the part upper than the lower part of the nozzle.

The through hole is substantially perpendicular to the axis main of the central tube of the pressure reduction tube

The tip has in its frustoconical lower part, at minus an internal projection forming a stop for the end of the pressure tube.

The tip has a substantially flat lower part, on which project, towards the inside of the endpiece, the stops.

The tip defines in its frustoconical lower part a annular space connecting the opening of the descender tube to the through hole of the nozzle.

The tip is tightened radially against the end lower of the pressure tube, by a collar or equivalent concentric with the upper part of the nozzle.

The tip is made of a material chosen from the group including thermoplastics, crosslinked polymers rubbery, polyurethanes or any other material elastic resistant to possible chemical attack by the powder in the tank.

The invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a extinguisher head rigidly associated, in a removable manner or not, to a descender tube as presented above.

The descender tube is screwed onto said head.

The head is rigidly associated, in a removable manner, with a dip tube and a propellant cartridge.

The propellant cartridge contains anhydride carbon dioxide in liquid form, or any other propellant equivalent not reactive to fire.

The dip tube includes a flexible lower part, gas tight, rigid upper part, waterproof gas.

The lower part is made of thermoplastic such as flexible PVC, or resin reinforced with metallic fibers or equivalent.

The invention relates, according to a third aspect, to a fire extinguisher comprising at least one tube as presented below or a fire extinguisher head as presented above.

• la figure 1 est une vue générale en perspective éclatée d'un extincteur à gaz propulseur auxiliaire de l'art antérieur ;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique des différents éléments d'un extincteur à poudre selon l'invention ;
• la figure 3 est une vue d'une partie extrême inférieure du tube détasseur comportant un clapet anti-retour selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe longitudinale selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus correspondant à la flèche F de la figure 3.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly during the following description of embodiments, which description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a general exploded perspective view of an auxiliary propellant gas extinguisher of the prior art;
• Figure 2 is a schematic view of the various elements of a powder fire extinguisher according to the invention;
• FIG. 3 is a view of a lower end part of the deflector tube comprising a non-return valve according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 3;
• FIG. 5 is a top view corresponding to the arrow F in FIG. 3.

We first refer to Figures 1 and 2.

The fire extinguishers shown in Figures 1 and 2 include a main tank 1 containing an extinguishing agent.

This extinguishing agent can be a powder or a liquid.

The invention relates more particularly, but not exclusively, if the extinguishing agent is a powder.

In the embodiment shown, the reservoir main 1 includes a cylindrical side wall 2 closed in its high 3 and low 4 end portions by a upper curved plate 5 and a lower plate 6, respectively.

The lower plate 6 has bosses 7 facilitating stable support of the tank 1 when it is placed on the ground, for example.

The general shape of the main tank 1 can be different from that shown in the figures.

The reservoir 1 can in particular be substantially shaped spherical, ellipsoidal, for example.

If necessary, the main tank can be provided on its lateral or lower face with one or more points sharpened for example to break the windows and especially resistant glazing, in case of emergency.

The main tank 1 forms a sealed enclosure, resistant to pressure.

A fire extinguisher head 8 is mounted integral with the tank main 1.

In the embodiment shown, this head extinguisher 8 seals an opening circular 9 provided on the upper curved plate 5 of the main tank 1.

A seal 10 is provided between the head of fire extinguisher and the upper curved plate 5, to the right of the opening 9. This seal 10 is for example housed in an annular groove 11 in the extinguisher head 8.

• un sparklet 12 ou cartouche de gaz propulseur auxiliaire 12
• un tube plongeur 13
• un tube détasseur 14 ;
• un flexible 15 relié à une buse de pulvérisation 16 ;
• un ensemble levier de commande ou poignée d'actionnement 17, percuteur 18, goupille 19.

To this fire extinguisher head 8 are fixed, in a manner known per se, the following elements:

• a sparklet 12 or auxiliary propellant cartridge 12
• a dip tube 13
• a quench tube 14;
• a hose 15 connected to a spray nozzle 16;
• a control lever or actuation handle 17, striker 18, pin 19 assembly.

The propellant cartridge 12, the dip tube 13 and the descender tube 14 are arranged in the tank main 1.

In the embodiments shown, the cartridge 12, the dip tube 13, the descender tube 14 are shaped general cylindrical and substantially parallel.

In a manner known per se, the withdrawal of the pin 19, by the user, allows the actuation of the handle 17 and the movement of striker 18 leading to opening by perforation of the lid of the propellant cartridge 12.

The propellant is, for example and not exclusively, of carbon dioxide.

This propellant, released from the gas cartridge 12 where it was placed under pressure, in liquefied form by example, go through the down tube 14, from the top to the bottom of this tube 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The lower end portion 20 of the descender tube 14 is located near the bottom 21 of the main tank 1.

The release of the propellant, partly extreme bottom 20 of the descender tube 14 leads to a pressure increase inside the tank main 1.

In the case where this main tank 1 contains a powder, a backwash of the powder is obtained.

The extinguishing agent contained in the main tank 1 is pressurized and can then be released from the main tank 1, via the dip tube 13 connected to the flexible 15, as soon as the spray nozzle 16 is operated by the operator.

The lower end portion 22 of the dip tube 13 is located near the bottom 21 of the main tank 1.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, this end part 22 is bevelled.

In another embodiment, not shown, this end portion 22 is at right angles to the axis of the dip tube 13.

A flange 23, a collar or equivalent can associate substantially rigidly the lower end portion 20 from the crusher tube 14 to the lower end 22 of the dip tube 13, in the embodiment shown in figure 1.

The dip tube 13 can be flexible while being waterproof.

When this dip tube is flexible, it can bend under the action of inertial forces applied to a mass arranged in its lower end portion 22, so that the collecting orifice 24 is always in the product fire extinguisher or fire retardant.

Thus, the spraying of the flame retardant is made possible until complete or substantially complete emptying of the main tank 1, regardless of the position of this tank, inclined relative to its normal position.

In one embodiment, several dip tubes can be attached to the head of the fire extinguisher 8 by crimping or any other equivalent means, with or without interconnection pieces.

The dip tube may include at least one rigid part, for example in the vicinity of its attachment with the head of the fire extinguisher and at least one flexible part, in particular its lower extremity.

The dip tube, when flexible, may include a metallic or rigid polymer spiral covered by a sheath of organic material.

This sealing sheath maintains a barrier efficient with gas to avoid propellant losses.

The hose 15, connecting the fire extinguisher head 8 to the orifice spraying of the flame retardant can be provided, as shown in Figure 2, a nozzle spray actuated by a lever 25, conventional.

The fire extinguisher may be provided with a gauge, not shown, to display the pressure of the extinguisher material at inside the main tank.

If necessary, an electronic circuit ensures the emission of a signal after detection of a predetermined state, by example the passage of the pressure of the extinguisher material to inside the main tank below a value threshold.

The pin 19 can be replaced by a bar or equivalent and be provided with a sealing device.

Main tank 1 can be provided with a tab attachment 26 fixed on its side wall 2, allowing the removable attachment of the fire extinguisher on a fixed hook 27 on a wall such as a wall.

An actuating hook 28 of the striker 18 can be provided, below the actuating handle 17 mounted rotatable around an axis A, as shown in figure 2.

In order to facilitate the assembly and maintenance of the fire extinguisher, the dip tube 13, the descender tube 14 and the propellant cartridge 12 can be screwed in and not set at the end of fire extinguisher 8 at their end upper 29, 30, 31, respectively.

We now describe in more detail the extreme part lower 20 of the crusher tube 14 with reference to the figures 3, 4 and 5.

The crusher tube 14 can be made of rigid polymer such as polyvinyl chloride or equivalent material.

This crusher tube 14 can be cylindrical or not.

It has a central, axial duct 32.

As an indication, the outside diameter D of the tube crusher 14 can be of the order of 10 mm, the diameter inside the central duct 32 being of the order of 5 mm.

A tip 33 is fitted on the lower end 20 of the descender tube 14.

This nozzle 33 has an upper part 34 of shape general cylindrical.

More specifically, this upper part 34 includes a through hole 35 along a vertical axis whose diameter ascending from the upper end 36 of the end piece 33 towards the lower end portion 37 of this end piece 33.

The minimum diameter d _min of the through hole 35 is substantially identical to the outside diameter D of the lower end portion 20 of the crusher tube 14.

The maximum diameter d _max of the through hole 35 is substantially greater than the outside diameter D of the lower end portion 20 of the crusher tube 14.

What has just been said for the minimum diameter d _min and the maximum diameter d _max of the through hole 35 of the end piece 33 is understood for this end piece 33 fitted but not tightened on the lower end portion 20 of the crusher tube 14.

Indeed, as will appear later, a necklace clamp 38 tightens the upper part radially 34 of the end piece 33 against the lower end portion 20 of the descender tube 14.

The tip 33 is made of an elastomeric material or any other equivalent material.

The end piece 33 has a frustoconical lower part 39 widening downwards, the lower extreme part 37 of the end piece 33 is substantially flat.

In the embodiment shown, two stops 40, 41 are projecting, on the lower end 37 of the tip 33, inside said tip 33.

The center of these projections 40, 41 is spaced a distance substantially corresponding to the average diameter of the part lower end 20 of the descender tube 14.

So that, when the end piece 33 is fitted onto the tube crusher 14, the lower end 42 of this tube crusher 14 comes into local support against the stops 40, 41 internal to the end piece 33 and is not pressed against the flat lower end surface 37 of this nozzle 33.

In another embodiment, more than two stops 40, 41 can be provided.

The lower part 39 of the end piece 33 being frustoconical and flaring down, an annular space 43, free, exists between the outer side wall 44 of the tube crusher 14 and the inner side wall 45, frustoconical, from the lower part 39 of the end piece 33.

The end piece 33 has a substantially through hole 46 perpendicular to the axis of the central duct 32 of the tube crusher 14.

This through hole 46 is disposed between the part upper 34 substantially cylindrical and the part lower 39 frustoconical of the end piece 33.

Outside this through hole 46, the end piece 33 has in its intermediate part 47, a general form cylindrical forming continuity between the upper part cylindrical 34 and the frustoconical lower part 39.

The end piece 33 tightened by the collar 38 on the extreme part 20 of the crusher tube 14 forms a non-return valve for backwashing powder.

The propellant gas such as carbon dioxide passes by the central duct 32 of the descender tube 14, exits by the end 42 of this tube, passes through the annular space 43 and comes out through the through holes 46 of the end piece 33, according to the arrows shown in Figure 4.

This tip structure 33 allows carbon dioxide to pass at high speed and to unscrew the powder effectively extinguishing, leaving a residual weak after using the extinguisher.

In addition, the extinguishing powder cannot escape through the backwash tube 14 towards the extinguisher head 8.

The inventors have found that, under the extreme condition of temperature (-20 degrees Celsius) and compaction, the residual powder is very low compared to tolerances allowed in safety standards.

This leaves the user with more capacity fire extinguisher in the face of fire danger.

Sealing at a pressure of less than about 0.5 bars is ensured by the contact from the bottom frustoconical 39 of the end piece 33 against the end part lower 20 of the crusher tube 14, especially in the vicinity from the edge 48 of the through hole 46.

Claims (17)

Pressure gauge tube, for auxiliary gas type fire extinguisher propellant for extinguishing material, characterized in that it comprises, in its lower end portion (20), means (33, 38) forming a non-return valve preventing backflow of the extinguishing material inside the descender tube (14). Crusher tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (33, 38) include a tip (33) fitted on the lower part (20) of the pressure tube (14), said tip comprising at least one through hole (46) in communication with the lower end (42) of the pressure tube (14), the edges (48) of the through hole (46) forming non-return sealing lip. Crusher tube according to claim 2, characterized in that the end piece (33) includes an upper part (34) substantially cylindrical, arranged coaxially to the tube crusher (14), and a frustoconical lower part (39) widening downwards, the through hole (46) being disposed in the intermediate part (47) of the end piece (33), said intermediate part connecting the upper part (34) at the lower part (39) of the end piece (33). Crusher tube according to claim 3, characterized in that the through hole (46) is substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the central duct (32) of the crusher tube (14). Crusher tube according to claim 4, characterized in what the end piece (33) has in its lower part frustoconical (39), at least one internal projection (40, 41) forming a stop for the end (42) of the downdraft tube (14). Crusher tube according to claim 5, characterized in that the end piece (33) has a lower end portion (37) substantially flat, on which project, towards inside the end piece (33), the stops (40, 41). Crusher tube according to claim 5, characterized in what the end piece (33) defines in its lower part frustoconical an annular space (43) connecting the opening of the descender tube (14) at the through hole (46) of the end cap (33). Crimp tube according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the end piece (33) is tight radially against the lower end portion (20) of the pressure tube (14), by a collar or equivalent (38) concentric with the upper part (34) of the end piece (33). Crimp tube according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the end piece (33) is made of a material chosen from the group comprising the thermoplastics, crosslinked rubbery polymers. Fire extinguisher head, for gas type fire extinguisher auxiliary propellant for extinguishing material, characterized in that it is rigidly associated, in a removable manner, to a pressure tube as presented in any one of claims 1 to 9. Fire extinguisher head according to claim 10, characterized in that the descender tube (14) is screwed on said head. Fire extinguisher head according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that it is rigidly associated, of removably, to a dip tube (13) and to a propellant cartridge (12). Fire extinguisher head according to claim 12, characterized in that the propellant cartridge contains carbon dioxide in liquid form. Fire extinguisher head according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the dip tube comprises a part flexible lower part, gas tight, upper part rigid, gas tight. Fire extinguisher head according to claim 14, characterized in that the lower part is made of thermoplastic such as flexible PVC, or resin reinforced with metallic fibers or equivalent. Auxiliary gas propellant type fire extinguisher extinguishing material, characterized in that it comprises at minus a pressure tube as defined in one any of claims 1 to 9. Fire extinguisher, auxiliary gas propellant type extinguishing material, characterized in that it comprises a fire extinguisher head as defined in any one from claims 10 to 15.

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