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US4220685A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Passive fire protection system

Assignee: Grumman Corp
•
Filing: 1978-07-19
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Granted: 1980-09-02
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Expires: 1998-07-19
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Abstract

Abstract A passive system for protecting a structure against high temperatures which consists of a thin protective foil of heat-resistant material such as stainless steel fastened to the face of the structure to be protected. When subjected to high heating rates, the local thermal expansion of the foil forms a blister bulging away from the structure to thereby create an air space which thermally insulates the structure.

Inventors

  • 👤 Edward G. Markow
  • 👤 John R. Penn, III

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 17:20
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/62; E04B1/92; E04B1/94; B; B60; B60R; B60R13/00; B60R13/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/92; Y10S428/921; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/05; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24033; Y10T428/24041; Y10T428/26; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31678

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 99 words
A passive fire protection system for a structure to be shielded against high rise rate thermal inputs consisting of a thin protective foil of heat resistant metallic material fixedly fastened in intimate contact with and conforming to the surface of said structure covering the areas thereof that have a liability of being exposed to high temperatures, the thermal expansion of said foil when subject to a high heat input forming a blister which bulges away from said structure and in the direction of the source of said heat such that an air space thermally insulating said structure is created.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 99 words
A passive fire protection system for a structure to be shielded against high rise rate thermal inputs consisting of a thin protective foil of heat resistant metallic material fixedly fastened in intimate contact with and conforming to the surface of said structure covering the areas thereof that have a liability of being exposed to high temperatures, the thermal expansion of said foil when subject to a high heat input forming a blister which bulges away from said structure and in the direction of the source of said heat such that an air space thermally insulating said structure is created.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
The fire protection system defined in claim 1 wherein the foil ranges in thickness from about 0.005 to about 0.015 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 33 words
The fire protection system defined in claim 1 wherein the foil is fabricated out of a material having a higher resistance to hear than does the material from which the structure is fabricated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
The fire protection system defined in claim 1 wherein the fastening means is an adhesive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The fire protection system defined in claim 1 wherein the protective foil is fastened to the structure with a pattern of spaced fastening means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The fire protection system defined in claim 1 wherein the fastening means is spot welding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
The fire protection system defined in claim 1 wherein the foil is mechanically attached to said structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 14 words
The fire protection system defined in claim 7 wherein the mechanical attachments are rivets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 24 words
The fire protection system defined in claim 8 wherein the rivets are fabricated out of a material contributing minimally to structure borne thermal conductivity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 97 words
The fire protection system defined in claim 1 wherein the protective foil is secured to the structure with fastening means located in a pattern, the physical characteristics of selected fastening means in said pattern being such that they fail at a predetermined temperature lower than the failing point of the remaining fastening means in said pattern, the failure of said selected fastening means freeing the foil associated therewith such that the unimpeded thermal expansion thereof increases the distance the blister bulges away from said structure whereby the thermal protection thereof above said predetermined temperature is increased accordingly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 29 words
The fire protection system defined in claim 1 wherein a layer of thermal insulating material is interposed between the protective foil and the face of the structure being protected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 26 words
The fire protection system defined in claim 11 wherein the thermal insulating material is of a resilient low-density type having a low surface strength and cohesion.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US982303A Cited
US878341A Cited
US1151289A Cited
US2100895A Cited
US2945653A Cited
US3844878A Cited
US4119755A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-09-02 1984-03-03 1984-09-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-09-02 1988-03-03 1988-09-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-09-02 1992-03-03 1992-09-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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