US3645338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fixed fire-extinguishing system
Assignee: Factory Mutual Research Corp
•
Filing: 1969-10-08
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Granted: 1972-02-29
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Expires: 1989-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A fixed fire protection system and method by which discrete areas of extinguishant coverage are selected for each of several nozzle heads on the basis of the maximum elevation of fuel surfaces in the space protected.
Inventors
- 👤 William L Livingston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:21
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C35/00; A62C35/58; A62C35/60; A62C35/605
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
An automatically operated fixed fire-extinguishing system of the type in which fluid extinguishant is supplied to a fire which may develop at a random location in a space to be protected containing combustible materials or fuel spread over a large area, said system comprising a plurality of branch lines supported at an elevated position in said space and supplied with extinguishant from a common source, each of said branch lines having a plurality of discharge heads connected thereto, each of said discharge heads being arranged and constructed to deliver a downwardly directed spray of said extinguishant at a predetermined spray angle, and means associated with said discharge heads for selectively opening said discharge heads in a logical sequence dictated by information received from a fire in said space, said discharge heads being spaced from one another a predetermined distance, said predetermined spray angle and said predetermined distance being related to one another so that the extinguishant from the discharge heads will not wet said opening means in a manner to alter the opening of the discharge heads in said logical sequence.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
An automatically operated fixed fire-extinguishing system of the type in which fluid extinguishant is supplied to a fire which may develop at a random location in a space to be protected containing combustible materials or fuel spread over a large area, said system comprising a plurality of branch lines supported at an elevated position in said space and supplied with extinguishant from a common source, each of said branch lines having a plurality of discharge heads connected thereto, each of said discharge heads being arranged and constructed to deliver a downwardly directed spray of said extinguishant at a predetermined spray angle, and means associated with said discharge heads for selectively opening said discharge heads in a logical sequence dictated by information received from a fire in said space, said discharge heads being spaced from one another a predetermined distance, said predetermined spray angle and said predetermined distance being related to one another so that the extinguishant from the discharge heads will not wet said opening means in a manner to alter the opening of the discharge heads in said logical sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined spray angle is a maximum of about 140*.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein each of said discharge heads is a direct discharge nozzle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein substantially all of the extinguishant from each of said discharge heads passes through a different assigned area in a horizontal reference plane, said reference plane being located at an elevated position within said space and being spaced below said discharge heads, said assigned areas being spaced from one another with each assigned area being located directly beneath its corresponding discharge head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system recited in claim 4 wherein said reference plane is positioned at the uppermost level of fuel that can be stored in said space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system recited in claim 4 wherein said predetermined spray angle is a maximum of abOut 140*, each of said discharge heads is a direct discharge nozzle, and said opening means comprises thermal means mounted on each of said nozzles for independently controlling the opening of the nozzle in response to the heat of a fire in said space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein said opening means comprises thermal means mounted on each of said discharge heads for independently controlling the opening of the discharge head in response to the heat of a fire in said space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein said extinguishant is an ablative gel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined spray angle is less than 90* .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system recited in claim 9 wherein said predetermined distance is about 3 feet.
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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) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-08-30 | 1976-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-28 | 1979-08-30 | 1980-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-08-30 | 1984-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |