US3604511A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for quenching fires and suppressing explosions
Assignee: Commercial Solvents Corp
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Filing: 1969-01-16
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1989-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for quenching fires and suppressing explosions is provided in which a deluge of fluid is released all at once onto the fire or combustion associated with the early stages of an explosion. A sensing device detects the fire or combustion and detonates a blasting cap, which detonation creates a shock wave which travels through the fluid in the vessel, to actuate a valve and release the fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 George L Griffith
- 👤 Dominic J Riotto
- 👤 William C Altrichter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:54
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C35/00; A62C35/02; A62C35/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1632; Y10T137/1782; Y10T137/8811
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A deluge apparatus for extinguishing fires and suppressing explosions comprising, in combination, a container for holding a supply of nonflammable liquid; a deluge outlet of reduced diameter in the container; a frangible valve closing off the outlet and the container; a blasting cap disposed at the outlet adjacent to and transversely with respect to the valve in a position to be immersed at least at the explosive end in nonflammable liquid held in the container and to direct the force of detonation of the cap principally into the liquid of the container and cause a shock wave to travel through the liquid to the valve to rupture the valve; and sensor means operatively associated with the blasting cap for detecting a fire or an explosion in its early stages, and detonating the blasting cap thereupon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A deluge apparatus for extinguishing fires and suppressing explosions comprising, in combination, a container for holding a supply of nonflammable liquid; a deluge outlet of reduced diameter in the container; a frangible valve closing off the outlet and the container; a blasting cap disposed at the outlet adjacent to and transversely with respect to the valve in a position to be immersed at least at the explosive end in nonflammable liquid held in the container and to direct the force of detonation of the cap principally into the liquid of the container and cause a shock wave to travel through the liquid to the valve to rupture the valve; and sensor means operatively associated with the blasting cap for detecting a fire or an explosion in its early stages, and detonating the blasting cap thereupon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A deluge apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which the blasting cap is mounted adjacent the frangible valve at the outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A deluge apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which the blasting cap is mounted at the side of the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A deluge apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which the container is a pressure vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A deluge apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which the sensing means comprises a photoelectric sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A deluge apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which the frangible valve is a disc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
A deluge apparatus for extinguishing fires and suppressing explosions comprising, in combination, a container for holding a supply of nonflammable liquid; a deluge outlet of reduced diameter in the container; a frangible valve closing off the outlet and the container; a blasting cap in the container and spaced from the valve in a position to establish upon detonation a shock wave in the liquid sufficient to rupture the valve; a pressure responsive valve adapted to open a liquid line leading into the container up a drop in pressure in the container; and sensor means operatively associated with the blasting cap for detecting a fire or an explosion in its early stages, and detonating the blasting cap thereupon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
A deluge apparatus for extinguishing fires and suppressing explosions comprising, in combination, a container for holding a supply of nonflammable liquid; a deluge outlet of reduced diameter in the container; a frangible valve closing off the outlet and the container; a blasting cap in the container and spaced from the valve in a position to establish upon detonation a shock wave in the liquid sufficient to rupture the valve; a pressure responsive valve adapted to open a liquid line leading into the container up a drop in pressure in the container; and sensor means operatively associated with the blasting cap for detecting a fire or an explosion in its early stages, and detonating the blasting cap thereupon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
A deluge apparatus for extinguishing fires and suppressing explosions comprising, in combination, a container for holding a supply of nonflammable liquid; a deluge outlet of reduced diameter in the container; a frangible valve closing off the outlet and the container; knife blades mounted adjacent the valve to rupture the valve when thrust forcefully thereupon; a blasting cap in the container and spaced from the valve in a position to establish upon detonation a shock wave in the liquid sufficient to rupture the valve against the knife blade; and sensor means operatively associated with the blasting cap for detecting a fire or an explosion in its early stages, and detonating the blasting cap thereupon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
A deluge apparatus for extinguishing fires and suppressing explosions comprising, in combination, a container for holding a supply of nonflammable liquid; a deluge outlet of reduced diameter in the container; a frangible valve closing off the outlet and the container; knife blades mounted adjacent the valve to rupture the valve when thrust forcefully thereupon; a blasting cap in the container and spaced from the valve in a position to establish upon detonation a shock wave in the liquid sufficient to rupture the valve against the knife blade; and sensor means operatively associated with the blasting cap for detecting a fire or an explosion in its early stages, and detonating the blasting cap thereupon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
111 words
A deluge apparatus for extinguishing fires and suppressing explosions comprising, in combination, a container for holding a supply of nonflammable liquid; a deluge outlet of reduced diameter in the container; a frangible valve closing off the outlet and the container; a blasting cap in the container and spaced from the valve in a position to estabLish upon detonation a shock wave in the liquid sufficient to rupture the valve; a booster explosive associated with the blasting cap and detonated thereby; and a sensor means operatively associated with the blasting cap for detecting a fire or an explosion in its early stages, and detonating the blasting cap and a booster charge thereupon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
111 words
A deluge apparatus for extinguishing fires and suppressing explosions comprising, in combination, a container for holding a supply of nonflammable liquid; a deluge outlet of reduced diameter in the container; a frangible valve closing off the outlet and the container; a blasting cap in the container and spaced from the valve in a position to estabLish upon detonation a shock wave in the liquid sufficient to rupture the valve; a booster explosive associated with the blasting cap and detonated thereby; and a sensor means operatively associated with the blasting cap for detecting a fire or an explosion in its early stages, and detonating the blasting cap and a booster charge thereupon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
A deluge apparatus in accordance with claim 1, including blasting cap support means mounted on the container and having an aperture therethrough; a blasting cap support piece mounted in said aperture and holding said blasting cap in a position extending into the vessel; and connecting means for securing an electrical cable and lead wires to the blasting cap.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A deluge apparatus in accordance with claim 1, including sealing means to prevent leakage from the container at or adjacent the blasting cap.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
130 words
A deluge apparatus for extinguishing fires and suppressing explosions comprising, in combination, a container for holding a supply of nonflammable liquid; an outlet line of reduced diameter leading from the container; a frangible valve across the line closing off the line and the container; a blasting cap disposed in the line in a position to be immersed at least at the explosive end in nonflammable liquid held in the container and to direct the force of detonation of the cap principally into the liquid of the container and cause a shock wave to travel through the liquid to the valve to rupture the valve; and sensor means operatively associated with the blasting cap for detecting a fire or an explosion in its early stages, and detonating the blasting cap thereupon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
130 words
A deluge apparatus for extinguishing fires and suppressing explosions comprising, in combination, a container for holding a supply of nonflammable liquid; an outlet line of reduced diameter leading from the container; a frangible valve across the line closing off the line and the container; a blasting cap disposed in the line in a position to be immersed at least at the explosive end in nonflammable liquid held in the container and to direct the force of detonation of the cap principally into the liquid of the container and cause a shock wave to travel through the liquid to the valve to rupture the valve; and sensor means operatively associated with the blasting cap for detecting a fire or an explosion in its early stages, and detonating the blasting cap thereupon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
132 words
A deluge apparatus for extinguishing fires and suppressing explosions comprising, in combination, a container for holding a supply of nonflammable liquid; a deluge outlet of reduced diameter in the container; a frangible valve closing off the outlet and the container; a blasting cap disposed in the container in a position before the entrance to the outlet to be immersed at least at the explosive end in nonflammable liquid held in the container and to direct the force of detonation of the cap principally into the liquid of the container and cause a shock wave to travel through the liquid to the valve to rupture the valve; and sensor means operatively associated with the blasting cap for detecting a fire or an explosion in its early stages, and detonating the blasting cap thereupon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
132 words
A deluge apparatus for extinguishing fires and suppressing explosions comprising, in combination, a container for holding a supply of nonflammable liquid; a deluge outlet of reduced diameter in the container; a frangible valve closing off the outlet and the container; a blasting cap disposed in the container in a position before the entrance to the outlet to be immersed at least at the explosive end in nonflammable liquid held in the container and to direct the force of detonation of the cap principally into the liquid of the container and cause a shock wave to travel through the liquid to the valve to rupture the valve; and sensor means operatively associated with the blasting cap for detecting a fire or an explosion in its early stages, and detonating the blasting cap thereupon.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |