Fire extinguisher

Abstract

Fire extinguisher (1) comprising a containment body (100) having a head wall (102) provided with a dispensing mouth (103) and a bottom wall (104), opposite said head wall (102). The extinguisher (1) comprises a cylindrical guide element (200), coaxial to the containment body (100) and defining an annular containment volume (V') adapted to contain an extinguishing agent in a supply configuration of said extinguisher (1). The extinguisher (1) comprises a cartridge (300) of highpressure propellant gas, housed in said containment body (100) and having a sealed discharge nozzle (301), and an annular piston (400) housed in the annular containment volume (V') and having a central hole (401) slidingly constrained to the cylindrical guide element (200). The extinguisher (1) comprises an actuator (500) connected to the propellant gas cartridge (300) and configured to perforate the discharge nozzle (301) of said cartridge (300) to activate the extinguisher (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of safety devices and has as its subject matter a fire extinguisher and a vehicle provided with one or more such extinguishers. The present application is particularly used in the field of safety devices for racing vehicles.

[0002] In the field of the present invention, fire extinguishers comprising a containment body for an extinguishing agent are known. The extinguishing agent can be of the liquid type (e.g. water, foam, fluorinated polymers, specialised extinguishing liquids) or of the dry type (e.g. sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, monoammonium phosphate, ABC chemical powder, BC chemical powder, sodium chloride).

[0003] Fire extinguishers comprise a propellant gas cartridge connected to the extinguishing fluid tank. This cartridge contains a compressed gas, often nitrogen or carbon dioxide, which acts as a propellant to propel the chemical from the tank to the delivery port of the containment body. Typically, the cartridge is arranged on the outside of the containment body.

[0004] Extinguishers also comprise a substantially cylindrical piston constrained to slide within the containment body and configured to be moved by the propellant gas exiting the cartridge (when the extinguisher is activated) so as to promote the release of the extinguishing agent.

[0005] The Applicant noted that this technology, although well operable, has some structural and / or functional drawbacks that make it improvable.

[0006] Firstly, known fire extinguishers have a sub-optimal overall size, making the extinguisher bulky and less practical in certain contexts. In particular, known extinguishers may not allow for optimal rationalisation of space, and this problem is exacerbated in environments where it is necessary to maximise the use of available space, such as vehicle cockpits, especially racing vehicles. This problem is caused in particular by the size of the piston, and specifically its sub-optimal ratio of height to outer diameter. In general, known extinguishers tend to have pistons with a relatively high height. This structure is designed to prevent the piston from "tipping over" inside the containment body. If the piston were too low or thin, it could tilt or tip over during operation of the fire extinguisher, impairing the effectiveness of the device.

[0007] Secondly, a further issue affecting typical extinguishers concerns their safety. Being arranged outside the containment body, the propellant gas cartridges are exposed to direct heat from the external environment. This could be a problem in fire situations, where the temperature of the surrounding environment can rise considerably. Again, being arranged outside the containment body, the propellant gas cartridges are exposed to accidental damage. This could compromise the safety of the cartridge or lead to gas leaks if the cartridge becomes damaged. Finally, the external arrangement of the cartridges can lead to sub-optimal activation times.

[0008] It is therefore a technical task of the present invention to make available a fire extinguisher as well as a vehicle equipped with one or more such extinguishers that are capable of overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0009] The main purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a fire extinguisher as well as a vehicle equipped with one or more such extinguishers that are optimised in terms of space and space management.

[0010] A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a fire extinguisher as well as a vehicle equipped with one or more such extinguishers capable of high operational efficiency and safety.

[0011] The specified technical task and the specified purposes are substantially achieved by a fire extinguisher and a vehicle equipped with one or more of such fire extinguishers comprising the technical features set forth in the appended claims 1 and 15 respectively and / or in one or more of the claims dependent thereon and / or in the appended description.

[0012] This description will be set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided solely for indicative and therefore non-limiting purposes, in which: Figures 1 to 3 show respective sectional views of a preferred, illustrative and therefore non-limiting embodiment of a fire extinguisher in accordance with the present invention, in a succession of operational configurations; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the extinguisher in Figures 1-3. Figure 5A is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a component of the extinguisher in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5B is a perspective view of the cross-section in Figure 5A.

[0013] With reference to the accompanying figures, a fire extinguisher in accordance with the present invention is indicated by the numerical reference "1".

[0014] The term "extinguisher" is intended to mean an advanced safety device, suitable for timely intervention in the event of a fire in critical areas of a predetermined environment.

[0015] The extinguisher 1 in accordance with the present invention finds particular application in the vehicle sector and, preferably, in the sector of racing vehicles, such as racing cars.

[0016] However, in accordance with the generality of the invention, the aforementioned fire extinguisher 1 may be used in any fire-risk environment.

[0017] In accordance with the accompanying figures, the extinguisher 1 comprises a cylindrical hollow containment body 100, extending along a main extension axis X. The containment body 100 has a side wall 101, a head wall 102 provided with a dispensing mouth 103 and a bottom wall 104, opposite the head wall 102.

[0018] The extinguisher 1 comprises a cylindrical guide element 200, coaxial to the containment body 100 and defining, together with the containment body 100, an annular containment volume "V'". The annular containment volume "V'" is in communication with the dispensing mouth 103 and being adapted to contain an extinguishing agent in a supply configuration of the extinguisher 1.

[0019] The term "extinguishing agent" refers to a substance or combination of chemicals contained within the extinguisher 1 suitable for extinguishing or controlling a fire. The extinguishing agent can be of the liquid type (e.g. water, foam, fluorinated polymers, specialised extinguishing liquids) or of the dry type (e.g. sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, monoammonium phosphate, ABC chemical powder, BC chemical powder, sodium chloride).

[0020] The term "supply configuration" is also intended to mean a pre-use condition of the extinguisher 1. In other words, it means a condition in which the manufacturing of the extinguisher 1 is complete and / or the extinguisher 1 has been purchased by a consumer. In other words, the supply configuration is a configuration in which the extinguisher 1 has never been operated and is ready for use.

[0021] The extinguisher 1 thus comprises a high-pressure propellant gas cartridge 300, which is housed in the containment body 100 and has a discharge nozzle 301. In particular, in the supply configuration of the extinguisher 1, the discharge nozzle 301 is sealed. The positioning of the cartridge 300 within the containment body 100 will be clarified later in this description.

[0022] The term "propellant gas" is intended to mean a gas used to deliver the extinguishing agent from the containment body 100 of the extinguisher 1 in a state of use thereof. The propellant gas is a preferably inert gas. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the extinguisher, the propellant gas partially or entirely comprises CO2. The term "high pressure" is also intended to mean that the pressure of the propellant gas contained in the cartridge 300 is significantly higher than the pressure of the extinguishing agent contained in the annular containment volume "V". This high propellant gas pressure is essential for pushing the extinguishing agent out of the extinguisher 1 when the latter is activated.

[0023] In the present description, the term "cartridge" can also be understood to mean a hermetically sealed cylinder containing the propellant gas. Alternatively, as will become clearer later in this description, the term "cartridge" can be understood to mean a portion of the extinguisher intended to contain the propellant gas. According to an example, the propellant gas pressure inside the cartridge 300 in the supply configuration is comprised between 40 bar and 220 bar.

[0024] The extinguisher 1 comprises an annular piston 400 housed in the annular containment volume "V" and having a central hole 401 slidingly constrained to the cylindrical guide element 200. In the supply configuration of the extinguisher 1, the annular piston 400 is arranged in proximity to the bottom wall 104 of the containment body 100 so as to define, together with the bottom wall 104, a cavity 105.

[0025] Thus, the fire extinguisher 1 comprises an actuator 500 connected to the propellant gas cartridge 300 and configured to perforate the discharge nozzle 301 of the cartridge 300 following an actuation of the actuator 500, so that the high pressure propellant gas pours into the cavity 105 moving the annular piston 400 from the bottom wall 104 towards the head wall 102 of the containment body 100 so as to promote a release of the extinguishing agent from the dispensing mouth 103.

[0026] The actuator 500 comprises an actuating device 501.

[0027] According to an example, the actuating device 501 is a manual actuating device, in particular a button or lever.

[0028] According to a further example, the actuating device 501 is an automatic actuating device that can be connected to a control unit of a rapid extinguishing system. According to a further example, the actuating device 501 is a manual actuating device that can also be connected to a control unit of a rapid extinguishing system. The operation of the extinguisher 1 is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

[0029] Figure 1 shows the supply configuration of the extinguisher 1. In this configuration, the extinguishing agent is fully stored within the annular containment volume "V". The annular piston 400 abuts against the bottom wall 104 of the containment body 100. The cartridge 300 is sealed and the propellant gas is stored inside.

[0030] Figure 2 shows an activation step of the extinguisher 1. In this configuration, the actuator 500 has perforated the discharge nozzle 301 of the cartridge 300. The propellant gas has poured into the cavity 105 in accordance with the arrows "N", through the holes 250 (visible in more detail in Figure 4) which connect the internal containment volume "V"" with the cavity 105, moving the annular piston 400 from the bottom wall 104 towards the head wall 102, in accordance with the arrow "M". The annular piston 400 consequently pushes the extinguishing agent, which is moved in accordance with the arrow "O" and then dispensed from the dispensing mouth 103 of the containment body 100.

[0031] Figure 3 shows a spent configuration of the extinguisher 1, in which the annular piston 400 is at the end of its stroke in abutment against the head wall 102 of the containment body 100 and in which substantially all of the extinguishing agent has been dispensed from the dispensing mouth 103.

[0032] Advantageously, the structure of the extinguisher 1 as described leads to a series of advantages.

[0033] First, the Applicant has found that the complementary and reciprocal structure of the cylindrical guide element 200 and the annular piston 400 allows the size of the annular piston 400 itself and, consequently, of the extinguisher 1 to be optimised.

[0034] Figures 5A and 5B show the preferred embodiment of the piston 400.

[0035] Specifically, it is possible to maintain the stability of the annular piston 400, during the activation steps of the extinguisher 1, without having to excessively increase the height "A" (i.e. the extension dimension of the annular piston 400 along the main extension axis "X" of the extinguisher 1) of the annular piston 400 itself and, consequently, of the extinguisher 1. This rationalises the dimensions of the extinguisher 1, making it more compact, resulting in less space occupation and facilitating installation and / or transport. This structure also does not affect the operation of the extinguisher 1 but ensures high functionality.

[0036] Preferably, the annular piston 400 has a substantially disc-shaped annular conformation.

[0037] The term "disc-shaped" means that the predominant dimension of the annular piston 400 is its outer diameter "D2" (or width). In other words, the outer diameter "D2" (or width) of the annular piston 400 is significantly greater than its height "A".

[0038] According to an example, the annular piston 400 has a ratio of the outer diameter "D2" to the height "A" comprised between 3 and 15. Preferably, the ratio of the outer diameter "D2" to the height "A" is comprised between 5 and 12.

[0039] According to an example, the annular piston 400 has a ratio of the outer diameter "D2" to the inner diameter "D1" comprised between 2 and 10. Preferably, the annular piston 400 has a ratio of the outer diameter "D2" to the inner diameter "D1" comprised between 3 and 7.

[0040] Advantageously, these technical features allow an optimisation of the dimensions of the annular piston 400 and, consequently, an optimisation of the dimensions of the extinguisher 1.

[0041] In accordance with an aspect, the central hole 401 is substantially countershaped to the cylindrical guide element 200. Preferably, the central hole 401 comprises a lip seal 410.

[0042] In accordance with an aspect, irrespective of the conformation of the central hole 401, the annular piston 400 has an outer surface 402 that is substantially countershaped to the containment body 100. Preferably, the outer surface 402 of the annular piston 400 comprises a lip seal 411.

[0043] Advantageously, the above technical features ensure a tight seal of the annular piston 400. Specifically, the presence of the lip seals 410, 411 allows the extinguishing agent to be retained within the annular containment volume "V" in the supply configuration of the extinguisher 1 and improves the performance of the extinguisher 1 during activation.

[0044] In accordance with an aspect, the annular piston 400 has a first surface 403, facing the head wall 102 of the containment body 100 and in contact with the extinguishing agent, and a second surface 404, opposite the first surface 403 and facing the head wall 104 of the containment body 100. Preferably, the second surface 404 and / or the bottom wall 104 are equipped with at least one concave seat 105 configured to collect the propellant gas exiting the cartridge 300 upon activation of the extinguisher 1.

[0045] Advantageously, the presence of such at least one concave seat 105 allows the propellant gas exiting the cartridge 300 to be "conveyed", improving the thrust action on the annular piston 300. Advantageously, this feature also reduces the size of the cavity 105 in the supply configuration of the extinguisher 1, optimising its dimensions.

[0046] In accordance with an aspect, the cylindrical guide element 200 is hollow and defines an internal containment volume "V"".

[0047] In accordance with the preferred embodiment and illustrated in the accompanying figures, the propellant gas cartridge 300 is arranged inside the internal containment volume "V"". In particular, the cartridge 300 is constrained within the internal containment volume "V"" by means of a fixed septum 220, integral or fixed to the cylindrical guide element 200.

[0048] Preferably, the cartridge 300 is arranged in the inner containment volume "V"" so that the discharge nozzle 301 faces the bottom wall 104 of the containment body 100. Advantageously, this technical feature ensures optimal activation times, which are essential for responding promptly to a fire.

[0049] In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the cylindrical guide element 200 defines the propellant gas cartridge 300. In other words, the propellant gas is stored directly in the internal containment volume "V"". In this embodiment, the discharge nozzle 301 is defined by a transverse septum made inside the guide cylinder 200. The transverse septum is either integral or fixed to the inner guide cylinder 200. This discharge nozzle 301 faces the bottom wall 104 of the containment body 100. In addition, the guide cylinder 200 has an additional transverse septum on one side opposite the discharge nozzle 301 in such a way as to close the internal containment volume "V"".

[0050] Regardless of the particular embodiment, the Applicant has found that this feature leads to a further rationalisation of space and also solves the safety issues that plague fire extinguishers 1 of the prior art. In fact, being placed in an internal portion of the extinguisher 1, the propellant gas cartridge 300 is thermally protected from the outside and from possible accidental damage.

[0051] In accordance with an aspect, as can be seen from the figures, the actuator 500 is integrated into the bottom wall 104 of the containment body 100 so that the actuating device 501 is protruding externally from the bottom wall 104.

[0052] In accordance with an aspect, the fire extinguisher 1 includes a rupture valve 600 interposed between the dispensing mouth 103 of the containment body 100 and said annular containment volume "V"': the rupture valve 600 being sealed in the extinguisher 1 supply configuration and being configured to open when the pressure within the annular containment volume "V'" exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0053] In accordance with an aspect, the extinguisher 1 comprises a visual signalling device 700 configured to indicate an operating status of the extinguisher 1.

[0054] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, not illustrated, equipped with a rapid extinguishing system comprising one or more of the above-mentioned extinguishers 1. Preferably, the vehicle is a racing vehicle. Even more preferably, the vehicle is a racing car.

[0055] The rapid extinguishing system comprises one or more of the above-mentioned extinguishers 1 and an extinguishing agent distribution apparatus connected to the one or more extinguishers 1 and configured, in use, to distribute the extinguishing agent in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0056] Preferably, the distribution apparatus comprises a plurality of distribution pipes connected to the one or more extinguishers 1 and configured to distribute the extinguishing agent to predetermined positions of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0057] Preferably, the dispensing apparatus also comprises dispensing nozzles configured to direct the extinguishing agent.

[0058] Preferably, the rapid extinguishing system also comprises at least one detection sensor configured to detect a status of the passenger compartment. According to an example, the at least one sensor is a thermal sensor and is configured to detect a temperature value inside the vehicle's passenger compartment and to generate an identification signal representative of the temperature inside the passenger compartment

[0059] According to an example, the at least one sensor is a smoke detector configured to generate an identification signal representative of the presence of smoke inside the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0060] Preferably, the rapid extinguishing system also comprises a control unit, connected to at least one sensor and one or more extinguishers 1. Specifically, the control unit is configured to receive the identification signal from at least one sensor and to operate one or more actuators 500 of the respective extinguishers 1 if the identification signal represents a dangerous state for the vehicle.

[0061] The present invention achieves its purpose by eliminating the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0062] In particular, the structure of the fire extinguisher 1 as described and / or claimed makes it possible to optimise and reduce the size of the fire extinguisher 1 and to solve the safety issues complained of in the prior art. This is achieved firstly by the complementary and reciprocal structure of the cylindrical guide element 200 and the annular piston 400, which ensures optimum stability of the annular piston 400 during operation of the extinguisher 1, allowing its height "A" to be reduced. This is achieved secondly by the positioning of the propellant gas cartridge 300 inside the hollow cylindrical guide element 200, ensuring further space optimisation and protecting the cartridge 300 from the external environment.

Claims

1. Fire extinguisher (1) comprising: - a cylindrical, hollow containment body (100), extending along a main extension axis (X); said containment body (100) having a side wall (101), a head wall (102) provided with a dispensing mouth (103) and a back wall (104), opposite said head wall (102); - a cylindrical guide element (200), coaxial to said containment body (100) and defining, together with said containment body (100), an annular containment volume (V'); said annular containment volume (V') being in communication with said dispensing mouth (103) and being adapted to contain an extinguishing agent in a supply configuration of said extinguisher (1); - a cartridge (300) of high-pressure propellant gas, housed in said containment body (100) and having a discharge nozzle (301); said discharge nozzle (301) being sealed in said extinguisher supply configuration (1); - an annular piston (400) housed in said annular containment volume (V') and having a central hole (401) slidingly constrained to said cylindrical guide element (200); in said extinguisher supply configuration (1), said annular piston (400) being arranged in proximity to said bottom wall (104) of the containment body (100) so as to define, together with said bottom wall, a cavity (105); - an actuator (500) connected to the propellant gas cartridge (300) and configured to perforate the discharge nozzle (301) of said cartridge (300) following an actuation of said actuator (500), so that said high pressure propellant gas pours into said cavity (105) moving said annular piston (400) from the bottom wall (104) towards the head wall (102) of the containment body (100) so as to promote a release of said extinguishing agent from said dispensing mouth (103).

2. Extinguisher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the annular piston (400) has a substantially disc-shaped annular conformation.

3. Extinguisher (1) according to claim 2, wherein said annular piston (400) has a ratio of the outer diameter (D2) of the annular piston (400) to the height (A) of the annular piston (400) comprised between 3 and 15, preferably between 5 and 12.

4. Extinguisher (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said annular piston (400) has a ratio of the outer diameter (D2) of the annular piston (400) to the inner diameter (D1) of the annular piston (400) comprised between 2 and 10, preferably between 3 and 7.

5. Extinguisher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central hole (401) is substantially countershaped to the cylindrical guide element (200) and / or wherein said annular piston (400) has an outer surface (402) substantially countershaped to the containment body (100); preferably said central hole (401) and / or said outer surface (402) of said annular piston (400) comprise a lip seal (410, 411).

6. Extinguisher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said annular piston (400) has a first surface (403), facing the head wall (102) of the containment body (100) and in contact with the extinguishing agent, and a second surface (404), opposite said first surface (403) and facing the bottom wall (104) of the containment body (100); said second surface (404) and / or said bottom wall (104) being provided with at least one concave seat (405) configured to collect the propellant gas exiting said propellant gas cartridge (300).

7. Extinguisher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cylindrical guide element (200) is hollow and defines an internal containment volume (V") and wherein said propellant gas cartridge (300) is arranged in said internal containment volume (V").

8. Extinguisher (1) according to claim 7, wherein said propellant gas cartridge (300) is arranged in said inner containment volume (V") so that the discharge nozzle (301) faces said bottom wall (104) of the containment body (100).

9. Extinguisher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, wherein said cylindrical guide element (200) is hollow and defines an internal containment volume (V") and wherein said cylindrical guide element (200) defines said propellant gas cartridge (300); said discharge nozzle (301) being defined by a transverse septum made internally to the guide cylinder (200).

10. Extinguisher (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a rupture valve (600) interposed between the dispensing mouth (103) of the containment body (100) and said annular containment volume (V'): said rupture valve (600) being sealed in said extinguisher supply configuration (1) and being configured to open when the pressure within said annular containment volume (V') exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

11. Extinguisher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said actuator (500) comprises an actuating device (501) and wherein said actuator (500) is integrated into said bottom wall (104) of the containment body (100) such that said actuating device (501) is protruding externally from said bottom wall (104).

12. Extinguisher (1) according to claim 11, wherein said actuating device (501) is a manually operated device, in particular a button or a lever.

13. Extinguisher (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said actuating device (501) is an automatic actuating device connectable to a control unit of a rapid extinguishing system.

14. Extinguisher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a visual signalling device (700) configured to indicate a state of operation of said extinguisher (1).

15. Vehicle, in particular a racing vehicle, equipped with a rapid extinguishing system comprising: - one or more extinguishers (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 14; - an extinguishing agent distribution apparatus connected to said one or more extinguishers (1) and configured, in use, to distribute said extinguishing agent in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

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