Fluid-actuated fire extinguisher

Claim 2

A temperature-responsive valve assembly comprising a support, means mounted to the support for containing a fluid that expands significantly in response to an abnormal ambient temperature change, detection means being exposed to the fluid for undergoing displacement in response to significant fluid expansion, a valve member normally residing in a first position relative to a mating valve seat, and means connecting the detection means to the valve member for causing the member to move to a second position relative to the valve seat when displacement of the detection means occurs, a tubular member mounted to the support and surrounding the connection means, the member being adapted to store a material therein, an end of the member serving as the valve seat through which the material exits in response to valve displacement to the second position.

Claim 3

The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein the valve member has an upturned annular flange to form a pocket for engaging the valve seat end of the tubular member and creating a seal therewith.

Claim 4

A temperature-responsive valve assembly comprising a support, means mounted to the support for containing a fluid that expands significantly in response to an abnormal ambient temperature change, detection means being exposed to the fluid for undergoing displacement in response to significant fluid expansion, a valve member normally residing in a first position relative to a mating valve seat, and means connecting the detection means to the valve member for causing the member to move to a second position relative to the valve seat when displacement of the detection means occurs, the detection means comprising a bellows being collapsible in response to expansion of the surrounding fluid, the connection means being a push rod mounting the valve on a first end thereof and engaging the bellows at a second end, the valve assembly being fitted with a tubular member mounted to the support and surrounding the rod, the member being adapted to store material therein, a free end of the member being contiguous with the first rod end and providing the valve seat through which the material exits.

Claim 5

A temperature-responsive valve assembly comprising a support, means mounted to the support for containing a fluid that expands significantly in response to an abnormal ambient temperature change, detection means being exposed to the fluid for undergoing displacement in response to significant fluid expansion, a valve member normally residing in a first position relative to a mating valve seat, and means connecting the detection means to the valve member for causing the member to move to a second position relative to the valve seat when displacement of the detection means occurs, the detection means comprising a bellows being collapsible in response to expansion of the surrounding fluid, the connection means being a push rod mounting the valve on a first end thereof and engaging the bellows at a second end, the valve assembly being fitted with a tubular member mounted to the support and surrounding the rod, the member being adapted to store material therein, a free end of the member being contiguous with the first rod end and providing the valve seat through which the material exits.

Claim 6

In a self-actuated fire extinguisher utilizing the valve assembly of claim 3 together with a tank capped by the support, the tubular member extending into the tank, the discharge tube having a discharge end facing outwardly from the support, the main body portion of the tube being mounted to the support and extending into the tank which stores a reagent, whereby said passage of stored material from the tubular member results in mixing with the reagent to generate a pressurized medium which becomes discharged through the discharge tube.

Claim 7

A temperature-responsive valve assembly comprising a support, means mounted to the support for containing a fluid that expands significantly in response to an abnormal ambient temperature change, detection means being exposed to the fluid for undergoing displacement in response to significant fluid expansion, a valve member normally residing in a first position relative to a mating valve seat, and means connecting the detection means to the valve member for causing the member to move to a second position relative to the valve seat when displacement of the detection means occurs, a tank for mounting the assembly support, the tank being adapted to store a first reagent, and a container disposed in the tank for storing a second reagent, the container having an outlet port controlled by the valve assembly for allowing the reagents to mix when the valve assembly moves to the second position thereby producing a fire-extinguishing fluid.

Claim 8

A temperature-responsive valve assembly comprising a support, means mounted to the support for containing a fluid that expands significantly in response to an abnormal ambient temperature change, detection means being exposed to the fluid for undergoing displacement in response to significant fluid expansion, a valve member normally residing in a first position relative to a mating valve seat, and means connecting the detection means to the valve member for causing the member to move to a second position relative to the valve seat when displacement of the detection means occurs, a tank for mounting the assembly support, the tank being adapted to store a first reagent, and a container disposed in the tank for storing a second reagent, the container having an outlet port controlled by the valve assembly for allowing the reagents to mix when the valve assembly moves to the second position thereby producing a fire-extinguishing fluid.