Compact cooling and extinguishing system

Abstract

A compact cooling and extinguishing system designed to be arranged in a device to be protected, in particular in an electrical control cabinet (19), comprising a carrier (14) containing inside a pressurized cooling and extinguishing medium, the medium being based on chemical extinguishing agents characterized in that, during activation, their temperature when released from the carrier has negative values, i.e.a temperature below 0 °C, below the reference freezing point, wherein the system (1) is further equipped with a display (15) for monitoring the state of the cooling and extinguishing medium, characterized in that the system (1) further comprises a battery (3) which is connected to a first pressure, temperature or smoke switch (4), a valve (5) and a relay (7), wherein the valve (5) is connected to the carrier (14) of the cooling and extinguishing medium by a connection (18), wherein the valve (5) is further equipped with a nozzle (6) for dispensing the cooling and extinguishing medium into the space of the device to be protected, and the valve (5) is further connected to the relay (7), which is connected via a connection (11) to a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) (21) of the device to be protected, and the system (1) is further equipped with a compact cover (2) designed for mounting on a DIN rail.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to a compact cooling and extinguishing system that automatically monitors and suppresses undesirable thermal effects in devices requiring protection, particularly in electrical control cabinets. It is even capable of cooling thermally stressed semi-enclosed or enclosed spaces, preventing smoke, or extinguishing fires. State of the art

[0002] Cooling and / or extinguishing systems for devices to be protected are shown in US patent application US 2020 / 0 197 735 A1, German utility model DE 20 2006 021 007 U1, German patent DE 10 2017 005 287 B3, German patent application DE 10 2008 012 482 A1 and German patent application DE 10 2006 048 015 A1.

[0003] Many devices requiring protection, such as electrical control cabinets and the like, can be affected by undesirable thermal effects. These effects can lead to a gradual loss of functionality or even the destruction of these devices, and in extreme cases, to fire. This can be caused by various processes, including unwanted chemical reactions, electrical short circuits, system overheating, arcing, ignition of operating fluids, and similar events.

[0004] From CZ 2018 - 438 A3, an automatic cooling and extinguishing system is known, designed to be arranged in the device to be protected, for example, an electrical control cabinet, and consisting of a carrier made of three-dimensional polymer containing the pressurized cooling and extinguishing medium. The medium is based on chemical extinguishing agents, utilizing the cooling effect of the medium, which is characterized in that, during activation, its temperature when released from the carrier has negative values, i.e., a temperature below 0 °C, i.e., below the reference freezing point.

[0005] The medium carrier is designed to break as the temperature inside the protected device increases, starting at 30 °C. When the medium is released from the broken carrier, it cools the interior of the protected device, thus preventing both fire and damage. The medium retains its extinguishing effect even if it undergoes thermal deformation, which would immediately result in a fire.

[0006] The disadvantage of this system, however, is that the media carrier breaks upon activation, requiring the installation of a new automatic cooling and extinguishing system in the protected device. A further drawback of some solutions is the relatively complex installation within the protected device and the associated high installation and repair costs. Brief description of the invention

[0007] The aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art are eliminated in the compact cooling and extinguishing system, which is designed for installation in a device to be protected, in particular in electrical switch cabinets with a DIN rail, wherein the compact automatic cooling and extinguishing system consists of a carrier which contains inside a pressurized cooling and extinguishing medium, wherein the medium is based on chemical extinguishing agents which are characterized in that, during activation, their temperature when released from the carrier has negative values, i.e.The system has a temperature below 0 °C, below the reference freezing point, and is further equipped with a pressure gauge for monitoring the condition of the cooling and extinguishing medium. The compact cooling and extinguishing system is further comprised of a first temperature, pressure, or smoke switch and a valve connected to the carrier of the cooling and extinguishing medium. The valve is further equipped with a nozzle for dispensing the cooling and extinguishing medium and is also connected to the relay. The system is provided with an independent power supply with outputs on accessible terminal boxes.

[0008] The temperature switch is set to open the valve when a specific temperature threshold is reached in the device being protected. The initial switch can also be an ionic, smoke, pressure, or optical switch, analog or digital, with or without a control unit, etc. The conditions for opening the valve are set according to the type of switch used. For example, the valve can be electromagnetic or mechanical, operated by a servo motor, etc.

[0009] The compact cooling and extinguishing system is also equipped with a safety sensor, which is an ionizing, smoke, optical, laser, temperature or pressure sensor, etc., analog, digital, with or without control.

[0010] A system connected to an external switch, which can be an ionizing, smoke, optical, laser, temperature, or pressure switch, etc., analog, digital, with or without control. A system connected to an external power supply. A system connected to components in the electrical control cabinet.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the invention, the compact cooling and extinguishing system is provided with a compact cover for mounting on a DIN rail. The carrier of the cooling and extinguishing medium can be made of metal, plastic, alloy, fiberglass, etc.

[0012] The pressure gauge of the cooling and extinguishing system can be mechanical / digital or analog / digital. The system is equipped with a second switch / sensor 16 and a fuse 17. The sensor(s) for monitoring and evaluating the thermodynamic state of the medium are located directly within the medium (internal sensor) or in direct contact with the carrier of the cooling and extinguishing medium (external sensor).

[0013] The compact cooling and extinguishing system is designed for monitoring, evaluating and controlling the thermal process in the space of the device to be protected.

[0014] When the temperature in the monitored space of the device to be protected rises, the first sensor closes the contacts to trigger the electric valve, at which point cooling and extinguishing medium is released through the nozzle into the space of the device to be protected.

[0015] The output of the first sensor can be used to directly eliminate the causes of the temperature increase or as a signal for further processing in electronic alarm or control units.

[0016] The compact cooling and extinguishing system is effective even at temperatures as low as 30 °C. The devices to be protected in various applications typically exhibit higher critical temperatures.

[0017] Utilizing this cooling property while simultaneously maintaining the extinguishing capacity of the medium primarily prevents any further temperature increase, thus providing time to address the critical situation. The release of the cooling and extinguishing medium poses neither a health hazard nor does it impair the functionality of the protected equipment.

[0018] The circuit diagram shows the compact cooling and extinguishing system, which is connected to a battery, to which a thermostat and coils for the valve and relay are connected.

[0019] When the temperature in the device to be protected rises to the value set by the first switch, the switch closes. This opens the valve nozzle and simultaneously closes the relay contact. The cooling and extinguishing medium enters the device to be protected through the nozzle, and at the same time, the closing of the relay contact sends a pulse, for example, to a residual current device (RCD) of the device to be protected, which is connected to the cooling and extinguishing system. Preferably, an external switch can be connected to the system. It is also connected to an external power supply. The entire system incorporates several protective mechanisms. The first switch is preferably wired such that in the event of a power supply failure, a failure of the first switch, or a failure of the valve, the RCD of the device to be protected will trip when the set temperature of the first sensor is reached.The compact cooling and extinguishing system is designed to prevent unwanted leakage of the media; it operates with extreme reliability and can also be used to protect live electrical equipment or in other hazardous areas. Even in the event of a power outage or interruption of the power supply to the equipment being protected, the compact cooling and extinguishing system functions at least as a passive emergency extinguishing system. The system is capable of being activated at lower temperatures than conventional fire extinguishing systems, enabling earlier intervention and damage mitigation, even in the event of incipient thermal damage to the system.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment, the compact cooling and extinguishing system is connected to the systems for disconnecting the power supply to the device to be protected.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, the compact cooling and extinguishing system is connected to the control systems of the device to be protected.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment, the compact cooling and extinguishing system is connected to the electronic alarm systems of the device to be protected.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment, the transmission of signals between the compact cooling and extinguishing system and the control or electronic alarm systems of the device to be protected is wireless.

[0024] The system is primarily active and has its own power supply. In passive mode, the device also functions in the event of a failure of the internal electronics; it has safety mechanisms in place for this eventuality.

[0025] Passive design: In this case, the system is primarily intended for extinguishing a fire that has developed very rapidly and when it was not possible to counteract the thermal deformation of the protected device solely through the system's cooling function. With the passive design, it is advisable to use a pressure sensor in the form of a pressure switch, which allows the operator or the higher-level system to be notified of the activation or malfunction and the need for intervention, such as additional extinguishing or replacement of the used or damaged system.

[0026] Active implementation also includes monitoring and environmental conditions of the device to be protected, evaluating its current parameters which may affect the system's operation, and optimizing the triggering process accordingly, for example by initiating system triggering before the system's set thermodynamic parameters are reached using an additional element that modifies the thermodynamic conditions in the system towards its desired triggering point.

[0027] The active system also enables early warning of the occurrence of undesirable thermal phenomena, thereby preventing overheating of the system and the spread of deformation and destruction phenomena, preventing fires by early warning of the operator or disconnecting the monitored device to be protected from power sources, or preventing the occurrence of secondary undesirable phenomena. Explanation of the drawings

[0028] The invention is further illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 a circuit diagram of the compact cooling and extinguishing system and Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the connection of the compact cooling and extinguishing system in the electrical control cabinet. Exemplary embodiment of the invention

[0029] The circuit diagram in Fig. Figure 1 shows the compact cooling and extinguishing system connected to a battery 3, to which the first switch 4 and coils for the valve 5 and the relay 7 are connected. When the temperature in the device to be protected rises to the value set by the first switch 4, the switch closes. This opens the nozzle 6 of the valve 5 and simultaneously closes the contact of the relay 7. The cooling and extinguishing medium enters the device to be protected (an electrical control cabinet) through the nozzle 6, and at the same time, the closing of the contact of the relay 7 sends a pulse, for example, to the residual current circuit breaker 21 of the device to be protected, which is connected to the cooling and extinguishing system. Preferably, an external switch 12, which can also trigger the tripping, can be connected to the cooling and extinguishing system.

[0030] Furthermore, the system is connected to an external power supply 13. The compact cooling and extinguishing system includes a safety switch 8 and a fuse 17. The safety switch 8 is preferably wired such that, in the event of a failure of the battery 3, the switch 4, or the valve 6, when the set temperature of the safety switch 8 is reached, the residual current circuit breaker 21 of the device to be protected (the electrical control cabinet) is disconnected.

[0031] The pressure indicator 15 allows for visual determination of the extinguishing medium's status. The first switch 4 can preferably be wired outside the compact cooling and extinguishing system and connected to the electronic fire alarm system or other warning systems. The carrier 14 of the cooling and extinguishing medium is directly mechanically connected to the valve 5. The system includes a safety device 17 in the form of a plastic plug. If all electronic components fail, the high temperatures cause this plastic plug 17 to burn through, releasing the pressurized cooling and extinguishing medium, thus cooling and extinguishing the fire. Another safety device is provided in the form of a rubber seal, which, due to high temperatures, also releases the cooling and extinguishing medium into the protected device.

[0032] Fig.Figure 2 is a schematic view of the wiring of the compact cooling and extinguishing system in an electrical control cabinet 19 and its connection to the residual current circuit breaker 21, which is connected to the mains cable 20 and other circuit breakers 22.

[0033] The advantage of the system lies in the combination of the compact cooling and extinguishing system with a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) 21, which prevents further fire and smoke development by interrupting the power supply. An external switch 12 and an external power supply 13 can also be connected. Its compact size allows for direct mounting on a DIN rail. The installation of the RCCB 21 is mandatory for all new or refurbished electrical control cabinets according to applicable standards. Any analog or digital thermostat factory-set to temperatures from 30 to 150 °C can also be integrated into the system, including control options. This extends the system's application possibilities to electrical control cabinets 19 in cooled, air-conditioned, or tropical climates. Industrial application

[0034] The design of the compact cooling and extinguishing system according to the invention can be used to monitor and suppress undesirable thermal effects that occur in technical and technological devices, in particular in electrical switch cabinets, wherein the system has the ability to both cool the device to be protected and extinguish any fires that occur in such devices when critical limit values ​​are exceeded.

Claims

[1] Compact cooling and extinguishing system designed to be arranged in a device to be protected, in particular in an electrical control cabinet (19), comprising a carrier (14) containing inside a pressurized cooling and extinguishing medium, wherein the medium is based on chemical extinguishing agents which characterized by are that during activation their temperature when released from the carrier has negative values, i.e. a temperature below 0 °C, below the reference freezing point, wherein the system (1) is further equipped with a display (15) for monitoring the state of the cooling and extinguishing medium, characterized by, that the system (1) further comprises a battery (3) which is connected to a first pressure, temperature or smoke switch (4), a valve (5) and a relay (7), wherein the valve (5) is connected to the carrier (14) of the cooling and extinguishing medium by a connection (18), wherein the valve (5) is further provided with a nozzle (6) for dispensing the cooling and extinguishing medium into the space of the device to be protected, and the valve (5) is further connected to the relay (7) which is connected via a connection (11) to a residual current circuit breaker (21) of the device to be protected, and the system (1) is further provided with a compact cover (2) designed for mounting on a DIN rail. [2] System according to claim 1, characterized by, that it is equipped with a safety switch (8) which is connected to the relay (7) in order to disconnect the residual current device (RCD) (21) of the device to be protected (the electrical control cabinet) in the event of a failure of the battery (3), the switch (4) or the valve (6) when the set temperature of the safety switch (8) is reached. [3] System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that it has an external switch (12) connected via a port (9) which can also trigger the triggering. [4] System according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by , that it is connected to an external power supply (13) via a connection (10). [5] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it is equipped with a safety device (17) in the form of a plastic plug in the wall of the carrier (14) which, when it burns through, releases the pressurized cooling and extinguishing medium. [6] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the carrier (14) of the cooling and extinguishing medium is made of metal, plastic, alloy or fiberglass. [7] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first switch (4) is connected to an electronic fire alarm system or other warning systems. [8] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the system (1) further comprises a second switch / sensor (16) for monitoring and evaluating the thermodynamic state of the medium.

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