US3876011A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for preventing and extinguishing automotive vehicle fires
Assignee: BLOOM-1 Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1974-02-19
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1994-02-19
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a system in which a significant collision impact of a vehicle is sensed and used to trigger the release of a fire-inhibiting fluid medium. Pressure is provided to expel onto the underside of the vehicle''s fuel tank the fluid medium, which is a dense adherent liquid at room temperature and capable of extinguishing gasoline fires. The expelled liquid coats the surface of the fuel tank so as to become mixed with and thereby prevent ignition of fuel escaping from any rupture in the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward J Poitras
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:23
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C3/00; A62C3/07; A62C3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for preventing or extinguishing fires in motor vehicles comprising: a source of a fluid fire extinguishing medium; distribution means comprising engine distribution means for conveying extinguishing medium to the engine of said vehicle, and tank distribution means for conveying extinguishing medium to the fuel tank of said vehicle; release means for inducing release of extinguishing medium from said source into said distribution means; a plurality of detector means for actuating said release means to induce release of extinguishing medium, said detector means comprising a temperature responsive detector means disposed to sense the ambient temperature in a region adjacent said engine and a vehicle acceleration responsive detector means; and selector valve means for connecting said source to said engine distribution means in response to detection of excessive temperature by said temperature responsive detector and connecting said source to said tank distribution means in response to detection of an excessive rate of vehicle acceleration by said acceleration responsive detector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for preventing or extinguishing fires in motor vehicles comprising: a source of a fluid fire extinguishing medium; distribution means comprising engine distribution means for conveying extinguishing medium to the engine of said vehicle, and tank distribution means for conveying extinguishing medium to the fuel tank of said vehicle; release means for inducing release of extinguishing medium from said source into said distribution means; a plurality of detector means for actuating said release means to induce release of extinguishing medium, said detector means comprising a temperature responsive detector means disposed to sense the ambient temperature in a region adjacent said engine and a vehicle acceleration responsive detector means; and selector valve means for connecting said source to said engine distribution means in response to detection of excessive temperature by said temperature responsive detector and connecting said source to said tank distribution means in response to detection of an excessive rate of vehicle acceleration by said acceleration responsive detector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said release means comprises pressure source means for inducing discharge of said extinguishing medium from said source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vehicle as recited in claim 1 with the addition of manual means carried by said frame and operable to control said actuating means independently of said tilt-sensitive device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
139 words
A vehicle as recited in claim 1 with the addition of power means carried by said frame and operable to pivot said tool bar selectively upwardly or downwardly, said power means including a double-acting hydraulic ram having control means including a manually movable control member having first and second positions in which it causes movement of said hydraulic ram in respectively opposite directions, a third position in which said ram is hydraulically locked against movement in either direction, and a fourth position in which said ram is hydraulically unrestrained and can move freely in either direction, and a detent cooperating with said control member and operable when engaged to retain said control member releasably in said fourth position, said locking means constituting resilient means operable to return said control member to said third position whenever said detent is released.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 including control means for actuating said pressure source means in response to either detection of excessive temperature by said temperature responsive means or detection of excessive vehicle acceleration by said acceleration responsive means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said tank distribution means comprises nozzle means disposed to discharge extinguishing medium over the underside of said fuel tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A vehicle as recited in claim 3 with the addition of release means operable when energized to release said detent, said tilt-sensitive device being operable to energize said release means whenever said vehicle frame is tilted forwardly to a pre-determined degree.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
A vehicle as recited in claim 3 wherein said power means additionally includes: a. a lever pivoted in said frame and extending above said tool bar, and b. a resiliently compressible link extending between and interconnecting said lever and said tool bar at points thereof remote from the pivotal connection of said tool bar to said frame, whereby when said lever is pivoted in one direction said link is compressed to exert a yielding downward pressure on said tool bar, and when said lever is pivoted in the opposite direction said tool bar is pivoted upwardly, said ram interconnecting said vehicle frame and said lever and being operable to pivot said lever selectively in either direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said source comprises a source of dibromotetrafluoroethane having the following structure:
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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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |