US3897828A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for actuating an operating means for an automatic fire extinguishing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-05-31
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1994-05-31
Abstract
Abstract In a fire protection control system a thermally conductive filament strung in the protected area is connected to a fusible link which may include first and second conductive elements bonded together with a fusible bonding material. The link normally inhibits an actuating mechanism for a gas pressure operated fire extinguishing apparatus. The thermal conductivity of the filament is sufficient to conduct sufficient thermal energy from the protected area to the link to melt the fusible material when the thermal activity in the protected area rises above a predetermined level to trigger the actuating means for the fire extinguishing apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 John A Glover
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:38
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C37/00; A62C37/08; A62C37/10; A62C37/11; A62C37/12; F; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K17/40; F16K31/00; F16K31/002; A62C3/00; A62C3/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of triggering an actuating means for a fire extinguishing apparatus in a fire protrection system for a defined area, which comprises the steps of: inhibiting the actuating means for the apparatus with a fusible inhibiting element which is not in direct thermal contact with the area protected by the system; positioning a thermally conductive filament in the area protected by the system; and placing the filament in thermal communication with the fusible inhibiting element whereby a sufficient portion of the heat energy in the protected area is transferred to the fusible element through the conductive filament to melt the fusible element when the thermal activity in the protected area rises above a predetermined level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of triggering an actuating means for a fire extinguishing apparatus in a fire protrection system for a defined area, which comprises the steps of: inhibiting the actuating means for the apparatus with a fusible inhibiting element which is not in direct thermal contact with the area protected by the system; positioning a thermally conductive filament in the area protected by the system; and placing the filament in thermal communication with the fusible inhibiting element whereby a sufficient portion of the heat energy in the protected area is transferred to the fusible element through the conductive filament to melt the fusible element when the thermal activity in the protected area rises above a predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of thermally isolating said fusible inhibiting element from said protected area except through said filament.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for triggering an actuating means for a fire extinguishing apparatus in a fire protection system for a defined area which comprises: a fusible element for inhibiting the actuating means for the fire extinguishing apparatus, said fusible element not being in direct thermal contact with the area protected by the system; and a thermally conductive filament in thermal communication with the fusible element and positioned in the area protected by the system, said filament being sufficiently thermally conductive to transfer a sufficient portion of the heat energy in the protected area to the fusible element to melt the fusible element when the temperature in the protected area rises above a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for triggering an actuating means for a fire extinguishing apparatus in a fire protection system for a defined area which comprises: a fusible element for inhibiting the actuating means for the fire extinguishing apparatus, said fusible element not being in direct thermal contact with the area protected by the system; and a thermally conductive filament in thermal communication with the fusible element and positioned in the area protected by the system, said filament being sufficiently thermally conductive to transfer a sufficient portion of the heat energy in the protected area to the fusible element to melt the fusible element when the temperature in the protected area rises above a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said fusible element is thermally isolated from the protected area except through said filament.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus for actuating a fire extinguishing apparatus in a fire protection system for a defined area which comprises: a puncturing eleMent movable between a first position and a second position; means adjacent to said puncturing element for supporting a puncturable container of pressurized fluid in a predetermined position for puncturing by said puncturing element when said puncturing element is in said second position to release the pressurized fluid from the container; biasing means urging said puncturing element into said second position; restraining means for releasably retaining said puncturing element in said first position against the force of said biasing means; a fusible element for holding said restraining means in retaining engagement with said puncturing element when said fusible element is below its fusion temperature; and a thermally conductive filament in thermal communication with said fusible element and positioned in the area to be protected by the system, said filament being sufficiently thermally conductive to transfer a sufficient portion of the heat energy in the protected area to the fusible element to melt the fusible element when the temperature in the protected area rises above a predetermined value.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus for actuating a fire extinguishing apparatus in a fire protection system for a defined area which comprises: a puncturing eleMent movable between a first position and a second position; means adjacent to said puncturing element for supporting a puncturable container of pressurized fluid in a predetermined position for puncturing by said puncturing element when said puncturing element is in said second position to release the pressurized fluid from the container; biasing means urging said puncturing element into said second position; restraining means for releasably retaining said puncturing element in said first position against the force of said biasing means; a fusible element for holding said restraining means in retaining engagement with said puncturing element when said fusible element is below its fusion temperature; and a thermally conductive filament in thermal communication with said fusible element and positioned in the area to be protected by the system, said filament being sufficiently thermally conductive to transfer a sufficient portion of the heat energy in the protected area to the fusible element to melt the fusible element when the temperature in the protected area rises above a predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said moveable element includes a pivotally mounted support, said puncturing means is a pin fixed to said support, said biasing means includes a spring urging said support into said second position, said restraining means includes a resilient clip having a pair of projections aligned on opposite sides of said support and closable toward one another around said support to releasably retain said support in said first position and said fusible element includes a link for holding said projections closed when said fusible element is below its fusion temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said link is formed entirely from fusible material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said link is formed from thermoplastic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said link includes a conductive base connected to said filament and a conductive closure element fusibly secured to said base.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said closure element is bonded to said base with an alloy solder having a predetermined fusion temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said closure element is secured to said base with thermoplastic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
181 words
An improved automatic fire extinguishing apparatus of the type including a sealed canister for receiving a pulverulent extinguishing agent, a free floating piston disposed in said canister, a pressure chamber disposed on the opposite side of said piston for receiving a puncturable container of pressurized fluid, an actuating mechanism for puncturing said container to pressurize said pressure chamber to drive said piston to expel said extinguishing agent from said canister, and a closable resilient restraining means for releasably inhibiting said actuating mechanism, said improvement comprising: a fusible element for holding said restraining means closed at temperatures below the fusion temperature of said fusible element; and a thermally conductive filament disposed in the area to be protected by the apparatus and in thermal communication with said fusible element, said filament being sufficiently thermally conductive to transfer a sufficient amount of heat energy from said protected area to said fusible element to raise the temperature of said fusible element sufficiently close to its fusion temperature to trigger said actuating mechanism when the thermal activity in the protected area rises above a predetermined level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
181 words
An improved automatic fire extinguishing apparatus of the type including a sealed canister for receiving a pulverulent extinguishing agent, a free floating piston disposed in said canister, a pressure chamber disposed on the opposite side of said piston for receiving a puncturable container of pressurized fluid, an actuating mechanism for puncturing said container to pressurize said pressure chamber to drive said piston to expel said extinguishing agent from said canister, and a closable resilient restraining means for releasably inhibiting said actuating mechanism, said improvement comprising: a fusible element for holding said restraining means closed at temperatures below the fusion temperature of said fusible element; and a thermally conductive filament disposed in the area to be protected by the apparatus and in thermal communication with said fusible element, said filament being sufficiently thermally conductive to transfer a sufficient amount of heat energy from said protected area to said fusible element to raise the temperature of said fusible element sufficiently close to its fusion temperature to trigger said actuating mechanism when the thermal activity in the protected area rises above a predetermined level.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
The improvement according to claim 12 wherein said fusible element includes a conductive base formed with a pair of projections, a conductive closure element formed with a pair of projections and means for fusibly securing the ends of said projections on said base to the ends of said projections on said closure element to define an aperture for receiving said closAble restraining means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3448808A
Cited
US3773111A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |