US3779317A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of fire protection utilizing independently operable discharge heads
Assignee: Factory Mutual Research Corp
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Filing: 1971-09-24
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1991-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A fixed fire protection system and method by which dis-crete 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
- 👤 W Livingston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:20
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C37/00; A62C37/08; A62C37/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of preventing the spread of 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 method comprising the steps of spacing a plurality of discharge heads a predetermined distance apart at an elevated position in said space, supplying extinguishant from a common source to said heads, each of said heads being arranged and constructed to discharge a downwardly directed spray of said extinguishant at a predetermined spray angle, selectively opening said discharge heads in a logical sequence dictated by information received from a fire in said space, said predetermined spray angle and said predetermined distance being related to one another so that the extinguishant from each discharge head will not wet the remaining discharge heads in a manner to alter the opening of the discharge heads in said logical sequence.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of preventing the spread of 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 method comprising the steps of spacing a plurality of discharge heads a predetermined distance apart at an elevated position in said space, supplying extinguishant from a common source to said heads, each of said heads being arranged and constructed to discharge a downwardly directed spray of said extinguishant at a predetermined spray angle, selectively opening said discharge heads in a logical sequence dictated by information received from a fire in said space, said predetermined spray angle and said predetermined distance being related to one another so that the extinguishant from each discharge head will not wet the remaining discharge heads in a manner to alter the opening of the discharge heads in said logical sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined spray angle is a maximum of about 140*.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein each of said discharge heads is a direct discharge nozzle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method 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
26 words
The method recited in claim 4 wherein said reference plane is positioned at the upper most level of fuel that can be stored in said space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of independently controlling the opening of the discharge head in response to the heat of a fire in said space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said extinguisHant is an ablative gel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined spray angle is less than 90*.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method recited in claim 8 wherein said predetermined distance is about 3 feet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3407879A
Cited
US3480545A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |