Fire extinguishing device

Abstract

A fire extinguishing device (1, 10) releasing an extinguishing gas from a housing (2), characterized in that powdered sodium bicarbonate is mixed with fine-grained activated carbon in the housing (2) and that a reactor (7) in a destructible container (6) is introduced into the mixture (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fire extinguishing device that releases an extinguishing gas from a housing.

[0002] Fire extinguishing devices are well-known and proven in a wide variety of designs.

[0003] Extinguishing powders, for example based on sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate), are used as extinguishing agents, particularly in hand-operated fire extinguishers, which release the extinguishing gas carbon dioxide (CO2) as a result of a chemical reaction.

[0004] However, sodium bicarbonate decomposes under the influence of humidity, and carbon dioxide is released during the decomposition process. This would reduce the effectiveness of such a fire extinguisher without it being used. For this reason, such fire extinguishers are usually closed systems that require external intervention when used.

[0005] Against this background, the invention proposes a maintenance-free fire extinguishing device which, in particular, automatically initiates an extinguishing process when exposed to heat and is biologically safe, which is distinguished by the features of claim 1.

[0006] A casing, for example made of metal or cardboard, contains a mixture of powdered baking soda and finely ground activated carbon. The activated carbon binds moisture, thus preventing a moisture-based chemical reaction in the baking soda.

[0007] In order to achieve a reaction of the sodium bicarbonate that releases CO2 extinguishing gas, a reactor is regularly required.

[0008] Well-known reactors include vinegar and citric acid.

[0009] Natural wine vinegar is preferably used, which largely avoids environmental pollution.

[0010] The largely chemically stable mixture of powdered baking soda with fine-grained, ground activated carbon allows the housing to be provided with open gas outlet openings or, if necessary, with predetermined breaking points.

[0011] If, as a further measure, the container is destroyed by the effects of heat, the fire extinguishing device according to the invention can autonomously monitor a potential source of fire and, in the event of a fire, automatically extinguish a fire without releasing environmentally hazardous substances.

[0012] For the extinguishing process as well as for the reaction of the sodium bicarbonate, the failure temperature of the container is preferably below 130° Celsius, in particular below 120° Celsius.

[0013] This failure temperature allows a versatile use of the fire extinguishing device according to the invention, for example in kitchen extractor hoods, in the battery compartment of electric vehicles or similar fires which are particularly difficult or impossible to extinguish with water.

[0014] The container containing the reactor can be made of glass or plastic.

[0015] Especially in the case of a container made of plastic, it can be bag-shaped, a relatively inexpensive construction.

[0016] Polyethylene (PE) has proven particularly suitable as a plastic, as its failure temperature can be largely adjusted between 85° Celsius and 130° Celsius.

[0017] If the reactor container is made of glass, it can be opened using a firing pin.

[0018] The extinguishing process can then also be triggered deliberately, for example manually, by spring action or temperature-dependent, for example by fuses triggered by the firing pin.

[0019] The geometry of the housing remains largely unaffected.

[0020] A simple design has proven to be achieved if the housing is designed in a can-like manner and has a lid with the outlet openings. Such a housing can be designed with a round or polygonal cross-section.

[0021] An alternative is a housing designed as a projectile, such as a rocket or club. This design allows for safe firefighting from a distance, for example, in forestry applications in difficult terrain. There is no risk of environmental pollution, as PE plastics do not release toxic substances when burned.

[0022] If the housing and the container are made of a material that is destroyed by an impact, gas outlet openings are not necessarily required; predetermined breaking points can provide a similar function.

[0023] In particular, however, with such a design of the housing, it is intended to provide a container made of glass, for example in the form of a test tube, which is destroyed by an impact after being thrown by a firing pin.

[0024] The fire extinguishing device according to the invention is explained with reference to the drawing, in which only three exemplary embodiments are schematically illustrated. The drawing shows: Fig. 1: a side view of a first embodiment, Fig. 2: a second embodiment, Fig. 3: another variant and is based on the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5: another application area of ​​a fire extinguishing device according to the invention is explained

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a fire extinguishing device 1 with a housing 2 having a cover 3 which is provided with permanently open gas outlet openings 4 on the upper side.

[0026] The housing 2 contains a mixture 5 of powdered sodium bicarbonate with fine-grained activated carbon, indicated by the hatching.

[0027] In the mixture 5, at least one bag-shaped container 6 is arranged, which contains an acidic reactor 7 such as preferably natural wine vinegar.

[0028] If the container 6 is made of a plastic such as polyethylene, it has a low failure temperature, preferably less than 130° Celsius.

[0029] If this failure temperature is reached in the event of a fire and the container 6 is destroyed, the reaction of the sodium hydroxide with the acid reactor 7 results in the release of CO2 as an extinguishing gas, which escapes from the gas outlet openings 4.

[0030] This fire extinguishing device 1 can be used in a variety of ways for monitoring and self-triggering fire fighting, for example in the fight against forest fires.

[0031] The Fig. The fire extinguishing device 10 shown in simplified form in Figure 2 has a pyramid-like housing 11 made of hard cardboard.

[0032] A glass container 13, such as a test tube, is embedded centrally in a mixture 12 of baking soda and activated carbon. It is filled with an acidic reactor such as white wine vinegar. A firing pin 14 is arranged underneath the container 13.

[0033] For example, loaded by a spring 15, this firing pin 14 is triggered after melting or removing a fuse 16 and thus destroys the container 13.

[0034] The fire extinguishing device 20 acc. Fig. 3 partially adopts the geometry of the preceding embodiment for the housing 21. Designed in particular to be rotationally symmetrical, this fire extinguishing device 20 is suitable for being fired into a fire from a safe distance as a projectile from, for example, a compressed air cannon.

[0035] Upon impact with an obstacle, a firing pin 22 will destroy the glass container 23. Upon release of the reactor 24, the chemical reaction of the mixture 25 of powdered sodium bicarbonate with fine-grained activated carbon begins, releasing CO2 as an extinguishing gas.

[0036] The extinguishing gas can then escape through gas outlet openings, not shown in the drawing.

[0037] Alternatively, the housing 21 can be provided with predetermined breaking points that burst upon impact with an obstacle, releasing the extinguishing gas. The housing 21 can also be made of a material that is quickly destroyed in a fire, thus releasing the CO2.

[0038] The Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shows a cassette 30 for the safe charging of lithium-ion batteries, particularly bicycle batteries. The cassette 30 is divided into two parts and has a container 31 on the bottom side for holding the battery, which is closed off on the top side by an attachment 32.

[0039] Closure elements 33, 34 ensure a secure connection between the container 31 and the attachment 32. A slot 35 serves to insert a charging cable (not shown).

[0040] In the Fig. 4 and Fig.In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the container 31 consists of a square tube 36 made of, for example, aluminum. Ventilation holes 37 dissipate the heat generated during the charging process to the environment.

[0041] The square tube 36 is welded on the underside to a base plate 38 which is provided with feet 39 so that the container does not sit directly on a base 40 and thus prevents heating and potential ignition of the same in the event of a fire in the battery.

[0042] In particular, however, the attachment 32 itself is designed as a fire extinguishing device according to the invention for receiving a mixture of powdered sodium bicarbonate with fine-grained activated carbon and a container with a reactor, or such a device is integrated into the attachment 32.

[0043] In the event of overheating or a fire in the battery being charged, CO2 flows into the container 31, for example after the destruction of a heat-sensitive membrane 41. List of reference symbols: 1 fire extinguisher 2 housings 3 lids 4 Gas outlet opening 5 Mixture 6 containers 7 reactor 10 Fire extinguishing device 11 housings 12 Mixture 13 containers 14 firing pins 15 spring 16 Security 20 fire extinguishing device 21 housings 22 firing pins 23 containers 24 reactor 25 Mixture 30 cassettes 31 container 32 Essay 33 Closure element 34 locking element 35 slot 36 square tube 37 Ventilation hole 38 base plate 39 feet 40 floor 41 Membranes

Claims

[1] A fire extinguishing device (1,10) releasing an extinguishing gas from a housing (2), characterized by that powdered sodium bicarbonate is mixed with fine-grained activated carbon in the housing (2) and that a reactor (7) is placed in the mixture (5) in a destructible container (6). [2] Fire extinguishing device according to claim 1, characterized by that the reactor is an acidic liquid. [3] Fire extinguishing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the reactor is wine vinegar. [4] Fire extinguishing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (2) is provided with open gas outlet openings (4) or predetermined breaking points. [5] Fire extinguishing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the container is destroyed by heat. [6] Fire extinguishing device according to claim 5, characterized bythat the failure temperature of the container is below 130°C. [7] Fire extinguishing device (10,1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the container (13,6) is made of glass or plastic. [8] Fire extinguishing device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the container (6) is bag-shaped. [9] Fire extinguishing device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the container (6) is made of polyethylene. [10] Fire extinguishing device (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the glass container (13) can be opened by a firing pin (14). [11] Fire extinguishing device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (2) is designed like a can and has a lid (3) provided with the gas outlet openings (4). [12] Fire extinguishing device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (20) is designed as a projectile. [13] Fire extinguishing device according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the housing is designed as an attachment (32) with a gas outlet opening closed at the bottom and that the attachment (32) closes off a tubular container (31) closed at the bottom.

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