GB1604410A - Flameproofing and inerting systems - Google Patents
Flameproofing and inerting systems Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB1604410A GB1604410A GB52046/77A GB5204677A GB1604410A GB 1604410 A GB1604410 A GB 1604410A GB 52046/77 A GB52046/77 A GB 52046/77A GB 5204677 A GB5204677 A GB 5204677A GB 1604410 A GB1604410 A GB 1604410A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- motor
- sensor
- equipment
- actuator
- flammable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 claims description 23
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920004449 Halon® Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- PXBRQCKWGAHEHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N dichlorodifluoromethane Chemical compound FC(F)(Cl)Cl PXBRQCKWGAHEHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 claims description 3
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052793 cadmium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- BDOSMKKIYDKNTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N cadmium atom Chemical compound [Cd] BDOSMKKIYDKNTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000005538 encapsulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004880 explosion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 101100524582 Arabidopsis thaliana RH13 gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 241001481833 Coryphaena hippurus Species 0.000 description 1
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
- H02H5/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal non-electric working conditions with or without subsequent reconnection
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
- E21F17/00—Methods or devices for use in mines or tunnels, not covered elsewhere
- E21F17/18—Special adaptations of signalling or alarm devices
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
- E21F9/00—Devices preventing sparking of machines or apparatus
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Safety Devices In Control Systems (AREA)
- Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
- Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
Description
(54) FLAMEPROOFING AND INERTING SYSTEMS
(71) We, PYROBAN LIMITED, a Com- pany registered under the laws of England, of
Endeavour Works, Dolphin Road, Shoreham by-Sea, Sussex BN4 6PB (formerly of Endeavour Works, Star Road, Estate, Partridge
Green, Horsham, Sussex RH13 8QS) do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to the flameproofing of electrical equipment in order to make the equipment safe for use in hazardous locations.
Electrical equipment used for a variety of purposes on or in, for example, oil rigs, mines or other places where flammable materials may be present can entail a risk of ignition of the materials, or their vapours as a result of sparking.
These materials will frequently be hydrocarbons, but may be any material which is capable of spark igintion or explosion.
For the purposes of the present invention any location where such a risk may occur is to be regarded as a hazardous location.
According to the present invention, a shut-down system for electrical equipment for use in hazardous locations comprises a sensor for detecting the presence of a flammable mixture in the vicinity of the equipment, and means operable responsive to signals from the sensor to shut down the equipment, the said shut-down means comprising control means, a low voltage power pack (i.e. of a voltage and capacity insufficient to cause spark ignition of the said mixture) and an actuator disposed to operate an isolation switch between the equipment and its power source, the control means being programmed to operate the isolation switch by discharge from the power pack to the actuator on receipt of signals from the sensor.
The control means may be programmed to operate the isolation switch on receipt of signals from the sensor indicative of a threshold level of a concentration in air of flammable mixture at a low percentage, e.g. 20 %, of the lower explosive limit of that mixture.
It will be appreciated that for a given hazarddous location the nature of the flammable mixture which is likely to be encountered will be known thus enabling the control means to be set to respond at an appropriate point.
It has previously been necessary to flameproof electrical equipment intended for use in hazardous locations by encapsulation of the equipment, thus reducing to as low a level as possible contact of the atmosphere in the vicinity of the equipment with surfaces of the equipment at which a risk of arcing may be present. The encapsulation can also contain any ignition or explosion which might nonethe less occur. such techniques are costly and frequently involve unacceptable increases both in the bulk of the equipment and in its cost.
With the system of the present invention the electrical equipment is installed and operated as it would be for operation in a nonhazardous location, except in so far as modification is necessary to incorporate the shut down system of the invention, and the equipment is operated normally as long as the atmosphere in the vicinity of the equipment remains normal, i.e. non-hazardous. However as soon as a threshold concentration of a flammable mixture is detected by the sensor at some low proportion of the lower explosive limit, the equipment will be shut down so that no further risk of sparking is involved, and before the environment has reached hazardous proportions.
The system may further be provided with a source of non-flammable fluid and further means operable responsive to signals from the sensor to release the fluid from the source into the vicinity of the equipment, for example into the equipment compartment or into a space between the equipment and a canopy shrouding the equipment. The fluid may be released simultaneously to more than one item of equipment and may be an inert gas e.g.
carbon-dioxide or a halogenated gas snch is available in the United Kingdom under the trade name "Halon".
The control means, in addition to being programmed to operate the isolation switch, may also be programmed to operate the fluid release means at the same, or a different threshold concentration of a flammable mixture.
The actuator may be an electrically fired explosive linear actuator device such as that available in the United Kingdom under the trade name "Metron" or a solenoid. Such an actuator may also be used to release the fluid from the source.
In one form of the invention a battery powered vehicle or installation is provided with a shut-down system as defined above, the shut-down means operating to isolate the motor of the vehicle or installation from its batteries on detection by the sensor of a predetermined threshold concentration of a flammable mixture. The isolation of the motor from its batteries may be accompanied by injection of inert gas into the battery and motor compartments.
In another form of the invention, an externally powered motor driven electrical vehicle or installation is provided with an inerting system as defined above, the shutdown means operating to isolate the motor of the vehicle or installation from its power supply on detection by the sensor of a predetermined threshold concentration of a flammable mixture. The isolation of the motor from its power supply may be accompaied by an injection of inert gas into the motor compartment.
The invention may be performed in many ways and some specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows an assembly embodying the invention and
Figure 2 shows a further assembly embodying the invention,
Referring to the drawings, a piece of electrical equipment 12, such as an electric motor, is connected to a source of electrical power 10, such as a battery bank or a mains supply through an isolation switch 11. The isolation switch 11 is spring loaded towards an open position but is held closed against the spring by a cam and latch mechanism when the electrical equipment 12 is in operation.
A gas sensor 15 is located in the vicinity of the electrical equipment 12 and when it detects the presence of flammable material in the air it sends a signal to electronic control means 20.
The control means 20 contains a low voltage, intrinsically safe, Nickel/Cadmium, power pack and is programmed to operate the isolation switch 11 by discharge from the power pack to an actuator 22 on receipt of signals from the sensor 15 indicative of a predetermined threshold level of flammable material in the air.
The actuator 22 is a "Metron" actuator disposed to trip the cam and latch mechanism when fired by the discharge from the power pack within the control means 20 and thereby to allow the isolation switch 11 to open with its spring bias, thus isolating the electrical equipment 12 from its power supply 10.
When the assembly is to be used in hazardous locations where hydrocarbons and other normal industrial flammable gases are likely to be the main source of danger, a suitable predetermined level of flammable mixture in the air may be 20% V/V of the lower explosive limit of the material so that the electrical equipment 12 is shut-down and therefore safe with regard to possible ignition of the flammable material well before any significant danger of ignition is present. Until the sensor indicates such a level the electrical equipment 12 is allowed to operate normally and in the absence of conventional flameproofing attachments and precautions.
Figure 2 shows a system substantially as described in relation to Figure 1 except in that the control means 20 is further programmed to fire a "Metron" actuator 23 disposed at the head of a cylinder 25 containing "Halon" inert gas under pressure. Firing the actuator 23 will rupture a seal (not shown) in the head of the cylinder 25 and allow the gas to escape along the conduits 30 and 31 leading to the power supply 10 and electrical equpment 12 respectively. The gas, when it reaches the electrical equipment 12 will render the atmosphere around those items inert to safeguard against ignition of the flammable material detected.
The control means may be programmed to operate "Metron" actuators 22 and 23 simultaneously or one before the other depending on the particular operational requirements.
In further embodiments the functions of the "Metron" actuators could be performed by other solenoid and mechanical linkages.
WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
1. A shut down system for electrical equipment for use in hazardous locations (as herein defined) comprising a sensor for detecting the presence of flammable mixture in the vicinity of the equipment, and shutdown means operable responsive to signals from the sensor to shut down the equipment, the said shut-down means comprising control means, a low voltage power pack, and an actuator disposed to operate an isolation switch between the equipment and its power source, the control means being programmed to operate the isolation switch by discharge from the power pack to the actuator on receipt of signals from the sensor.
2. A system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the shutdown means operates responsive
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
Claims (18)
1. A shut down system for electrical equipment for use in hazardous locations (as herein defined) comprising a sensor for detecting the presence of flammable mixture in the vicinity of the equipment, and shutdown means operable responsive to signals from the sensor to shut down the equipment, the said shut-down means comprising control means, a low voltage power pack, and an actuator disposed to operate an isolation switch between the equipment and its power source, the control means being programmed to operate the isolation switch by discharge from the power pack to the actuator on receipt of signals from the sensor.
2. A system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the shutdown means operates responsive
to signals from the sensor indicative of a flammable gas concentration of 20% of the lower explosive limit of the said gas.
3. A system as claimed in any of the preceding Claims having a source of nonflammable fluid and having further means operable responsive to signals from the sensor to release the fluid from the source in the vicinity of the equipment.
4. A system as claimed in Claim 3 in which the fluid is injected into the equipment compartment.
5. A system as claimed in Claim 3 in which the fluid is injected into the space between the equipment and a canopy shrouding the equipment.
6. A system as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 5 in which the fluid is released simultaneously to more than one item of equipment.
7. A system as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 6 wherein the fluid is an inert gas.
8. A system as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 7 wherein the fluid release means operates responsive to signals from the sensor indicative of a flammable gas concentration of 20 % of the lower explosive limit of the said gas.
9. A system as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the actuator is an electrically fired linear explosive device.
10. A system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8 in which the actuator is a solenoid.
11. A system as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 10 wherein the fluid release means comprises an electrically fired linear explosive device.
12. A system as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 10 wherein the fluid release means comprises a solenoid.
13. A shut down system for electrical equipment for use in hazardous locations (as herein defined) substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
14. A battery powered electrical vehicle or installation having a motor and shut down system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 13 in which on detection by the sensor of a predetermined level of flammable vapour, the shut-down means isolate the motor from the batteries.
15. A vehicle or installation as claimed in
Claim 14 in which isolation of the motor from its batteries is accompanied by injection of inert gas into the battery and/or motor compartments.
16. An externally powered motor driven electrical vehicle or installation having a motor and a shut-down system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 13 in which on detection by the sensor of a predetermined level of flammable vapour, the shut-down means isolate the motor from its power supply.
17. A vehicle or installation as claimed in.
Claim 16 in which isolation of the motor from its power supply is accompanied by injection of inert gas into the motor compartment.
18. An electrical vehicle or installation substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB52046/77A GB1604410A (en) | 1977-12-14 | 1977-12-14 | Flameproofing and inerting systems |
| ZA786928A ZA786928B (en) | 1977-12-14 | 1978-12-11 | Flameproofing and inerting system |
| JP15377278A JPS5496751A (en) | 1977-12-14 | 1978-12-14 | Breaking unit for electric equipment |
| DE19782854025 DE2854025A1 (en) | 1977-12-14 | 1978-12-14 | EXPLOSION PROTECTION DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB52046/77A GB1604410A (en) | 1977-12-14 | 1977-12-14 | Flameproofing and inerting systems |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB1604410A true GB1604410A (en) | 1981-12-09 |
Family
ID=10462442
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB52046/77A Expired GB1604410A (en) | 1977-12-14 | 1977-12-14 | Flameproofing and inerting systems |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5496751A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2854025A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1604410A (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA786928B (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2149658A (en) * | 1983-11-18 | 1985-06-19 | Barcrest Ltd | Fire extinguishing systems |
| GB2205037A (en) * | 1987-04-24 | 1988-11-30 | Faini Spa | Fire-extenguishing device for electrical equipment having flammable components |
| GB2217200A (en) * | 1988-04-08 | 1989-10-25 | Pyroban Limited | Explosion protection system |
| GB2378559A (en) * | 2001-07-03 | 2003-02-12 | Lerwick Engineering & Fabricat | Gas detection and the automatic shut down of apparatus |
| WO2012110965A1 (en) * | 2011-02-16 | 2012-08-23 | Ansaldo Sistemi Industriali S.P.A. | Device for analysing the internal atmosphere of the casing of an electric rotating machine |
| WO2013132179A1 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2013-09-12 | Renault S.A.S. | Rapid cooling device for a motor vehicle comprising a component fitted with a diffuser |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2126025B (en) * | 1982-08-14 | 1986-01-15 | Dresser Europe Sa | Power supply system and mining machine incorporating such system |
| EP0112408B1 (en) * | 1982-12-28 | 1986-05-28 | Bernhard Schneider | Clearing plate for a shearer drum |
-
1977
- 1977-12-14 GB GB52046/77A patent/GB1604410A/en not_active Expired
-
1978
- 1978-12-11 ZA ZA786928A patent/ZA786928B/en unknown
- 1978-12-14 DE DE19782854025 patent/DE2854025A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1978-12-14 JP JP15377278A patent/JPS5496751A/en active Pending
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2149658A (en) * | 1983-11-18 | 1985-06-19 | Barcrest Ltd | Fire extinguishing systems |
| GB2205037A (en) * | 1987-04-24 | 1988-11-30 | Faini Spa | Fire-extenguishing device for electrical equipment having flammable components |
| GB2217200A (en) * | 1988-04-08 | 1989-10-25 | Pyroban Limited | Explosion protection system |
| GB2378559A (en) * | 2001-07-03 | 2003-02-12 | Lerwick Engineering & Fabricat | Gas detection and the automatic shut down of apparatus |
| WO2012110965A1 (en) * | 2011-02-16 | 2012-08-23 | Ansaldo Sistemi Industriali S.P.A. | Device for analysing the internal atmosphere of the casing of an electric rotating machine |
| US9366660B2 (en) | 2011-02-16 | 2016-06-14 | Nidec Asi S.P.A. | Device for analyzing the internal atmosphere of the casing of an electronic rotating machine |
| WO2013132179A1 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2013-09-12 | Renault S.A.S. | Rapid cooling device for a motor vehicle comprising a component fitted with a diffuser |
| FR2987871A1 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2013-09-13 | Renault Sa | QUICK COOLING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A PIECE WITH A DIFFUSER |
| CN104159790A (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2014-11-19 | 雷诺股份公司 | Rapid cooling device for a motor vehicle comprising a component fitted with a diffuser |
| US9482141B2 (en) | 2012-03-06 | 2016-11-01 | Renault S.A.S. | Rapid cooling device for a motor vehicle comprising a component fitted with a diffuser |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ZA786928B (en) | 1980-07-30 |
| JPS5496751A (en) | 1979-07-31 |
| DE2854025A1 (en) | 1979-07-19 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS | Patent sealed | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |