Fire suppressant device and method, including expansion agent

Abstract

A device for suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire associated with a container may include a housing defining a hollow sleeve and a column configured to be received within the hollow sleeve. The column may define a first chamber, a second chamber, at least one aperture, and a piercing end configured to pierce a barrier. The first chamber may be configured to receive an expansion agent, and the second chamber may be configured to receive a fire extinguishing agent. The device may be configured such that upon activation of the expansion agent, the column extends from the housing so as to enable the piercing end to penetrate the container and to enable the fire extinguishing agent to be delivered into an interior of the container via the at least one aperture.

Description

[0001] related application [0002] [01] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 784,448, filed March 22, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] [02] The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire. In particular, the present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for suppressing and / or extinguishing fires associated with containers Background technique [0004] [03] In some cases, due to the nature of the location of the fire, it may be difficult to contain and / or extinguish the fire. For example, it may be difficult to suppress and / or extinguish a fire associated with the interior of a container because it may be difficult to deliver an effective extinguishing agent to the location of the container and / or it may be difficult to deliver an effective extinguishing agent to the interior of ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the installation of such a device in each vessel may be undesirable for a number of reasons

For example, such a setup can be quite expensive given the large number of containers involved

In addition, cargo containers may often be exposed to shock, vibration and / or temperature extremes for extended periods of time

Such exposure may result in damage to the device such as, for example, cracking of the propellant

Such damage could render such devices hazardous and / or ineffective

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